Dotcom associate arrives to court without a lawyer, applies for legal aid

Kim Dotcom. Photo / Michael Craig

One of those sought for extradition alongside Kim Dotcom has turned up at a key hearing without a lawyer and the court told an application for legal aid has been made.

Finn Batato told the High Court at Auckland today he was representing himself and was given permission to move from the public gallery to sit among lawyers arguing over the June extradition hearing.

Mr Batato is one of four targeted by the US for extradition over allegations of criminal copyright at the Mega Upload company.

At the High Court hearing, lawyers acting for three of the men including Dotcom said more time was needed to prepare for the extradition hearing currently listed to take place in June.

Grant Illingworth, QC, told the court the complex nature of the case required the extradition hearing to be put off again.

He said another factor was the lack of legal representation of Mr. Batato.

"Mr Batato is waiting on a legal aid application. He has no lawyer and won't have one unless legal aid is granted."

Mr. Illingworth said not enough information had been supplied to the four men of how the US charges matched up with alleged crimes under NZ law and this meant it was difficult to prepare for the extradition hearing.

"We're in a hopeless position as far as complying with the timetable... we can't comply with it."

Crown lawyers acting for the US have yet to make a case for the extradition hearing to go ahead as planned in June.