Obeid trial set down for October

Former NSW minister Eddie Obeid is set to face trial on October 12 charged with misconduct in public office.

Obeid is accused of making inducements to former Maritime NSW boss Steve Dunn in relation to family-owned cafe leases at Sydney's Circular Quay.

Obeid's legal team is seeking to delay the trial due to "enormous pre-trial publicity".

Justice Peter Johnson says Obeid's trial is estimated to take four weeks.

Meanwhile, former political colleague Ian Macdonald's trial for misconduct offences has been set down for March 14.

Macdonald's charges stem from his alleged handling of a lucrative mining licence at Doyle's Creek in the Hunter Valley.