Lawyer suffers brain aneurism ahead of murder trial

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A murder trial has been postponed after the accused's lawyer suffered a brain aneurism.

The trial of a Christchurch woman accused of murdering a man in 2009 was due to start on August 12.

A sweeping suppression order covers the case. The woman denies the murder charge and two counts of attempted murder.

Her name, the dead man's name and all facts of the case are suppressed.

But now, the trial has been delayed after the woman's lawyer, well-known Christchurch defence counsel Margaret Sewell, suffered a brain aneurism.

She is to undergo surgery on Monday after falling ill.

Her partner, fellow lawyer Rupert Glover, appeared at an unscheduled hearing in the High Court at Christchurch today to inform Justice Warwick Gendall of the enforced delay.

The case will next be called on August 16 for a pre-trial callover when a firm trial date will be set, likely to be later in the year.

The defendant remains in custody.

Ms Sewell appeared for double teen killer Jeremy McLaughlin when he was convicted in the High Court at Christchurch earlier this year for the murder of city schoolgirl Jade Bayliss.