The Latest Breaking News from Judith Kelly

Lawyers lodging the appeal on behalf of traditional owners and environment groups say the recent Supreme Court decision is serious, and if left unchallenged "could set a dangerous precedent".

Despite former constable Zachary Rolfe being dismissed from the NT Police Force last week, for unrelated matters, the court has been told his appeal argument could be relevant to other police officers called to give evidence at coronial inquests.

Lawyers for the Northern Territory attorney-general and police force will urge the NT Court of Appeal to force Constable Zachary Rolfe to appear at the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, with a certificate protecting him against self-incrimination.

Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe is seeking a declaration that the territory's coroner "cannot direct or compel" him to answer questions that "would tend to expose the appellant to penalty".

Constable Zachary Rolfe will be forced to front the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker when it resumes next year.

An inquest into an Indigenous teen's shooting death has been told the former soldier turned NT policeman who shot him was undisciplined warrior.

An NT policeman is expected to know within two weeks if he'll be forced to answer a coroner's questions about the night he shot dead an Indigenous teenager.

Lawyers for Constable Zachary Rolfe and Sergeant Lee Bauwens have argued the officers should not be compelled to answer questions which could lead to disciplinary action within the police force.

The 22-year-old will soon be released from prison to serve a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to attacking the three-year-old last year.