Former federal parliamentary Speaker Peter Slipper has been in and out of a mental health facility since January, his lawyer has told the ACT Magistrates Court.

Solicitor Trent Jones said he may be making an application to have charges against Slipper struck out on mental health grounds.

Slipper, who was not in court, faces three charges over the dishonest use of a taxpayer-funded Cabcharge card for $1000 worth of trips to wineries and restaurants outside Canberra in 2010.

In court on Friday, Mr Jones said an application to the ACT Supreme Court to have charges dismissed on grounds of abuse of process remains under consideration, with the court reserving its decision to a date to be fixed.

He said if that application proved unsuccessful, he would consider making an application under mental health provisions.

“Our client has been in an out of mental health institutions, and has been since January and continues to be in a mental health facility,” he told ACT chief magistrate Lorraine Walker.

Ms Walker adjourned the case until May 26 for a further mention. It’s set down for hearing from July 21 to 28.