Lawyers for a loyalist 'supergrass' accused of a record 212 offences may mount a legal bid to get some of the charges dropped, a court has heard.
Gary Haggarty's barrister indicated that some of the alleged crimes could be the subject of a potential abuse of process application.
Haggarty, a suspected Ulster Volunteer Force commander-turned police informer, is accused of a catalogue of killings and paramilitary activities over a 16-year period between 1991 and 2007.
The prosecution case against the 43-year-old north Belfast man runs to 12,000 pages, with his alleged offences including:
:: Five murders, 31 conspiracy to murder and six attempted murders.
:: Four kidnappings, six false imprisonment and five hijacking.
:: Twelve possessing explosives with intent to endanger life and 47 counts of having a firearm with intent.
:: Eighteen charges of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.
:: Three counts of arson, conspiracy to defraud and concealing the proceeds of criminal conduct.
:: Two charges each of directing terrorism and belonging to a proscribed organisation.
:: Seven counts of possessing money or property for the purposes of terrorism.
In 2010 Haggarty signed an agreement to become an assisting offender under the terms of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (SOCPA).
But five years on, he has still not been returned for trial.
Haggarty, whose address is listed as c/o the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is believed to be living at a secret location in England.
He was not present for the latest stage in an ongoing review of the case at Belfast Magistrates' Court.
Based on an examination of the papers, defence barrister Fiona Doherty broke the charges down into three categories.
"The first is where there's probably sufficient evidence to allow him to be returned for trial, although that's something we need to satisfy ourselves on," she said.
"The second are those charges where it's not clear to us whether there's sufficient evidence."
Ms Doherty added: "The third category (involves) a potential abuse of process."
She suggested that a summary of the evidence could be provided by the prosecution.
Agreeing to a further adjournment until November, District Judge Fiona Bagnall responded: "I have said before, this is a unique case in so many circumstances.
"The defence have to have an opportunity to properly go through (material) and advise their client."
