Jury in trial of former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid discharged after new evidence emerges

The jury hearing the misconduct case against former NSW Labor minister Eddie Obeid has been discharged.

Obeid, 72, was on trial at the NSW Supreme Court after pleading not guilty to wilful misconduct in public office.

Justice Robert Beech-Jones on Wednesday informed the jury that "new evidentiary material has come to light" that neither the prosecution nor the defence had had a proper opportunity to consider and prepare for.

He said it was not the fault of either side, and praised the jurors for the "close attention" with which they had considered the evidence over the course of the ill-fated trial.

The matter is expected to return to trial later this year.