The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's lawyers have their hands full with two legal issues as his 14 April trial date approaches.

NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali confirmed on Thursday that they would appeal an order to hand over certain documents that Selebi had said he needs in order to prepare for his trial.

"We filed our papers on Monday," said Tlali.

The Johannesburg High Court ruled in favour of Selebi in February.

His lawyers had argued that access to many of the documents on which the state's case is based, is his right in terms of constitutional provisions on the right to prepare one's defence so that the trial will be fair.

The NPA's view is that they are not refusing to hand over the documents for him to prepare ahead of the 14 April case, and they have given information that they undertook to hand over.

But, explained Tlali, they disagree on whether Selebi is legally entitled to some of the documents.

At the same time, Selebi's lawyers have told the NPA that they intend pursuing a contempt of court order from the same court over the disputed documents.

The Johannesburg High Court will inform the parties of the outcome of their application for leave to appeal, and, said Tlali, the contempt matter is not on the court roll yet.

Selebi's corruption and fraud case covers an intricate web that includes allegations of receiving money from slain mining boss Brett Kebble through a convicted drug trafficker.

Selebi argues that he is being framed in a political battle over the future of the NPA's investigative unit, the Scorpions.