Mr Messenger and his wife Fern Messenger took legal action against former senator Ms Lambie and the federal government alleging Ms Lambie unfairly dismissed the pair from her employment in 2017. 

Mr and Mrs Messenger appeared self-represented in the Federal Court in Hobart on Friday. 

Ms Lambie's defence raised issues with documents, including intended witnesses in the matter, submitted by Mr and Mrs Messenger. 

"A lot of it, though irrelevant, places her and her person on trial, which is not appropriate to do so," the court heard. 

Mrs Messenger said every witness listed was relevant to their claims. 

Mr Messenger said he and his wife did not come up with the proposed witnesses "by accident or pure-imagination." 

Justice Michael Wheelahan ordered the defence lawyers for the two respondents, Ms Lambie and the Commonwealth, to prepare submissions by April 14, with Mr and Mrs Messenger to respond by May 10. 

Based on the submissions and the applicants' responses, the court will decide if the matter is judged on the papers alone or proceeds to a further case management hearing. 

This matter is the second legal proceeding between Mr Messenger and Ms Lambie to go before the courts. 

In 2018, Mr Messenger unsuccessfully attempted to halt the publication of Ms Lambie's book, Rebel With A Cause, which he was contracted to ghost-write over claims of non-payment.