Mark Lundy trial delayed until 2015

Mark Lundy in the High Court at Wellington today. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The gathering of complex scientific evidence has delayed the start of double murder accused Mark Lundy's trial to February next year.

Lundy appeared in the High Court at Wellington today for a case review hearing.

He is facing a retrial for the murders of his wife Christine and their 7-year-old daughter Amber, after Law Lords at London's Privy Council quashed his convictions last year. That trial had been set to start in June but has now been delayed.

From March 31 the court will hear pre-trial arguments about non-scientific evidence and a further hearing on March 20 will concentrate on scientific matters, Justice Ronald Young says.

It is then intended arguments about this evidence will be heard in June.

Lundy arrived at the court just before the start of today's hearing, and sat in the dock during the review.

He was wearing light suit pants, a white shirt and blue tie.

When he entered the court, he seemed happy and smiled at waiting media. After the hearing finished he was comfortable with reporters introducing themselves, but refused to answer any questions relating to his court case.

He left with his lawyer shortly after the end of the hearing.

In 2002, Lundy was convicted of murdering Christine and Amber and was sentenced to a jail term of at least 20 years.

He appealed to the Privy Council, which unanimously ruled to quash his convictions and a retrial was ordered.

Lundy was released on bail last October to a location that is suppressed.