Former CFMEU NSW leaders have invoked a High Court challenge to delay pleading to charges of allegedly soliciting bribes from an employer, leaving the long-running case yet to be committed to trial almost four years on.

Lawyers for Darren Greenfield and his son Michael, along with Commonwealth prosecutors, told a Sydney local court on Tuesday that the High Court challenge to the CFMEU’s administration, if successful, could have ramifications for funding the defence, and the lack of funding had stalled talks to resolve the matter.