Counsel should by that time have a report by Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff, who is currently investigating how the email got to the media.
The majority of today's court hearing cannot be reported, other than the directions given by Justice Geoffrey Venning.
He declined an application by the defendants' counsel, John Tizard, to have the proceedings delayed pending the outcome of the Privacy Commissioner's report, which Mr Tizard had submitted could be "critical''.
Justice Venning said the report may not be determinative, and the court would not be bound by its findings.
The trial is set to be before a judge alone, however, Justice Venning reserved the defence's right to seek a jury in light of the report.
He said the key issues in the case were whether the comments made by Mr Little and Mr Mallard were on an occasion of qualified privilege; whether they were motivated by ill will; and whether they took improper advantage of the circumstances.
Mr Little and Mr Mallard maintain they have not defamed the ACC Minister.
"As an opposition MP, I am required to hold ministers to account for their conduct and decisions,'' Mr Little said outside court in April.
"The matter is a political one and that is the arena in which it should remain. [Ms Collins] has ample opportunity to answer questions about the issue in the public arena and to defend her actions, as I would mine.
"Suing political opponents who raise legitimate questions is no way to advance or resolve such an issue.''
