The Pike River Royal Commission has ruled out holding a new hearing to look at new evidence, but the decision is being challenged by former Pike River bosses.
The commission, in a statement on Tuesday, said it had enough evidence and did not need a public hearing to hear in person from former mine technical staff member Udo Renk and middle managers Terry Moynihan and Greg Borichevsky.
The men had worked at the West Coast underground coal mine before it exploded in November, 2010, killing 29 of those working underground.
Stacey Shortall, the lawyer for former mine chief executive Peter Whittall and former company officers and directors, had asked the commission to consider hearing from the men, after their evidence came to light after public hearings finished.
After the commission refused her request, she is now seeking a judicial review of the decision and the matter will be heard before a High Court judge in September.
She will also seek a review of the commission's rejection of her request to be able to see its findings before they are released, so she can seek suppression orders on adverse findings ahead of Whittall's court appearances.
Whittall is facing 12 health and safety charges laid by the then Department of Labour.
In Greymouth District Court on Tuesday, Whittall's case was put off until October. He is yet to enter a plea to the charges.
However, one of Pike River's contractors charged with safety failings over the Pike River Coal mine explosions did admit charges on Tuesday. Australian company VLI Drilling admitted three health and safety charges, over its operation of a directional drill rig with faulty methane sensors and that it failed in its duty to protect Joseph Dunbar, who at 17 was the youngest to be killed in the mine disaster and was underground being shown the ropes before he was due to start officially.
However, lawyers did not appear for either the in-receivership Pike River Coal company or Mr Whittall.
Pike Rivers's receivers are not contesting the now nine charges brought against the company as it says it owes too much money to creditors.
The judge agreed to adjourn Whittall's case, VLI Drilling's sentencing and Pike River Coal's hearing until October.
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