Emails sent by senior executives close to billionaire businessman Kerry Stokes about their ties to disgraced former soldier Ben Roberts-Smith would be “personally embarrassing” if released, the Federal Court says.

Federal Court judge Nye Perram will allow Mr Roberts-Smith, Mr Stokes and his long-time lawyer, Seven commercial director Bruce McWilliam, to appeal against a decision that would have forced them to hand over a trove of documents, including emails, to rival media group Nine Entertainment.