Sue Neill-Fraser's appeal hearing finally underway after lengthy wait

Meaghan Vass appeared briefly by videolink in Hobart Supreme Court on Monday morning for the first day of a week of hearings.

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She was asked by Neill-Fraser's senior defence counsel, Robert Richter, if she was onboard the Four Winds yacht the night Neill-Fraser's defacto partner Bob Chappell disappeared on Australia Day 2009, to which she replied "yes".

The hearing was adjourned on a number of occasions to allow Ms Vass to seek legal advice on her giving evidence.

Justice Helen Wood, who is part of a panel of three justices overseeing the appeal hearings, explained evidence given by Ms Vass in these proceedings could not be used against her in other proceedings.

But she said if Ms Vass provided false statements to the court, action could be brought against her in these proceedings.

In his opening remarks, Mr Richter said there were two central issues to Neill-Fraser's appeal case: whether Ms Vass was onboard the Four Winds the night Mr Chappell disappeared and whether Neill-Fraser was also onboard and played a role in the disposal of his body.

"There is, as we say, one witness that can answer these questions and that is Megan Vass," he said.

Ms Vass' DNA was found onboard the Four Winds through forensic analysis.

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