More time for Lawyer X inquiry submissions

The deadline for submissions to Victoria's royal commission into police informants has been extended after it was revealed gangland lawyer Nicola Gobbo was the supergrass who started it all.

A suppression order banning Ms Gobbo's identity as the informant known as Lawyer X was lifted on Friday.

Her unmasking followed concerns a royal commission due to begin into police use of legal figures as informers - including murdered lawyer Joe Acquaro - would be hindered if she could not be named.

Ms Gobbo was first recruited in 1995 and worked with police until 2009, with drug lord Tony Mokbel and gangland figure Carl Williams among her clients.

After her identity was revealed the royal commission said it would extend the deadline for submissions so former clients could speak up.

"If you were represented by Ms Gobbo and believe the outcome of your case may have been affected by her role as an informant with Victoria Police, we encourage you to make a submission," Commissioner Margaret McMurdo said.

"The due date for submissions relating to our first term of reference has been extended to Friday, 15 March 2019."