Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel has been barred from mixing with other prisoners over ongoing fears for his safety.
Mokbel, who was stabbed in prison in February, faced the Court of Appeal by video link on Thursday as he pursues an appeal over the Lawyer X scandal.
Serving a 30-year sentence for drug trafficking, he is seeking permission to appeal over claims lawyer Nicola Gobbo actively worked against him while representing him.
Barrister Richard Maidment QC revealed Mokbel's defence team were having trouble getting instructions from him because of his conditions in prison.
"He is not able to mix with any prisoners at the moment because of the attack on him and evidence given at the royal commission, which has caused prison authorities to be concerned for his safety," Mr Maidment said.
"It is very difficult for him to recover from injuries he received while being deprived of social contact with anyone else."
Mokbel suffered a brain injury and cognitive impairments in the February 11 attack during a 21st birthday party for another inmate at Barwon Prison.
Mokbel is also being denied a computer in his cell and his access to computers elsewhere in the jail is limited by him not being able to mix with others.
There seemed to be no reason for the denial of a computer and six letters from lawyers to jail authorities and others from Mokbel himself have gone unanswered, Mr Maidment said.
Plans for a petition for mercy, to allow the case to proceed straight to appeal, are continuing but further evidence due from Victoria Police by October 10 is needed before it can be filed.
"We're concerned with any reports which involve attempts by Ms Gobbo to turn witnesses against Mr Mokbel," Mr Maidment said.
Some names have been given to police but another has been discovered recently and there may be others, he said.
Court of Appeal President Chris Maxwell again cautioned lawyers about waiting for or seeking further information when what they have might be enough.
"If there are six or seven or eight names and some indication there were dealings between Ms Gobbo and even one of those persons ... you might be a long way toward developing your case," he said.
Zlate Cvetanovski, another convicted drug trafficker once represented by Ms Gobbo, is seeking to appeal on the same grounds.
"The case involves, by my reckoning, about a dozen people whose connection (to Ms Gobbo) may or may not be of significance but records of those interactions should be provided to those representing Mr Cvetanovski," Ian Freckleton QC, representing police in the appeal, revealed on Wednesday.
Cvetanovski's lawyer Michael Pena-Rees hasn't been given those names yet and said his client was "not happy" with the time the case was taking.
Cvetanovski is eligible for parole next year.
Australian Associated Press
