Loading

The documents were handed to Victoria Police in May, but the AFP is yet to receive a response, the Court of Appeal heard on Monday.

Karam has sought leave to appeal on some of the charges relating to the tomato tin bust, then the world's biggest illicit drug haul.

His lawyers are also seeking information from police, including detailed transcripts of conversations Ms Gobbo had as an informer with her handlers about Karam, as well as the original audio to be used as a comparison.

But Justice Chris Maxwell has cautioned Karam's lawyer Julia Kretzenbacher about spending too much time looking for material on the periphery of the case and that what they have already should take them "a very great way" in putting together the appeal.

He said Faruk Orman's acquittal for murder earlier this month had been decided on a single matter.

In that case the court determined Mr Orman had been denied a fair trial because Ms Gobbo, while acting for him, had also actively encouraged communications between police and the man who turned witness against him.

Sashi Maharaj, QC, for Victoria Police, said she was "not in a position to give a helpful answer" about delays in confirming the source of information passed to the AFP.

She said police were also giving "active consideration" to a request to lift a restriction on Karam's lawyers using documents obtained in the Court of Appeal to put together a petition for mercy.

Repeated requests have been made since April or May this year but Ms Maharaj said a decision would be made by August 16.

It was also revealed on Monday that Karam's legal team is currently working for free.

As well as Ms Kretzenbacher, he is also represented by barrister Theo Alexander and solicitor Zarah Garde-Wilson.

Justice Mark Weinberg said it was in the "finest traditions of the bar" to take on unfunded work, but suggested given the workload they should consider getting funding.

AAP