Informer Nicola Gobbo's image to be hidden from trial

The gangland barrister-turned-informant will claim officers put her safety at risk and that her unmasking as a police informer had damaged her health and career.

Barrister Tim Tobin SC (centre) said Nicola Gobbo would appear remotely by video link in the trial. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Ms Gobbo, who was known as Informer 3838 until her identity was revealed in 2019 following a court gag order being lifted, continues to live in witness protection 

She had been expected to appear at the trial in person, however her barrister Tim Tobin SC told pre-trial arguments on Monday morning that she will appear remotely by video link.

Mr Tobin requested the Supreme Court ensure Ms Gobbo's image is hidden from those in the court room and on a live stream, apart from both legal teams, when she testifies.

He also requested her location not be divulged in open court.

Justice Melinda Richards said the court will make arrangements to ensure Ms Gobbo's image is not shown to the public.

"We will need to spend longer than usual testing and have a dress rehearsal to make sure those of us who need to see and hear Ms Gobbo, and those who need to hear her and not see her, can also do that," she told the court.

Melbourne underworld figure Tony Mokbel was one of Nicola Gobbo's clients. (Julian Smith/AAP PHOTOS)

Ms Gobbo was registered three times as a police informer in the 1990s and early 2000s, when she gave handlers information about underworld figures including those she represented legally.

A royal commission found Ms Gobbo's position as both informer and barrister could have affected more than 1000 convictions. 

Former clients Tony Mokbel, Faruk Orman and Zlate Cvetanovski have successfully had convictions overturned since her role was uncovered in March 2019.

Ms Gobbo claims Victoria Police put her safety at risk when they used her as a police informer. 

She will also allege her unmasking as Informer 3838 and "Lawyer X" had damaged her health and career.