Lisa Scaffidi wins court appeal over travel perks scandal

The gifts and travel perks saga involving Perth's Lord Mayor is set to drag on even longer after Lisa Scaffidi had a major win in WA's highest court.

Ms Scaffidi successfully appealed 26 breaches against her, meaning her 18-month disqualification from office was thrown out.

The embattled Lord Mayor didn't challenge the remaining 19 breaches, which have now been referred back to the State Administrative Tribunal to determine a new penalty.

Ms Scaffidi - who wasn’t at court for the decision - had stood aside from her duties pending today’s outcome.

The Tribunal has now indicated if she continues a voluntary suspension it will be considered in any future penalty it hands down.

"I will therefore make a decision as to when to return to my duties as Lord Mayor once I receive some indication from the Tribunal as to when a fresh penalty hearing will occur," Ms Scaffidi said in a tweet.

The Court of Appeal also ordered that the Department of Local Government pay much of Ms Scaffidi's legal costs.

The breaches that were successfully appealed related to travel and accommodation provided to Ms Scaffidi for Australian Press Council attendances, sister city visits and the World Energy Cities Partnership event.

Her lawyer argued that the trips didn’t meet the definition of a "gift" and resulted in no financial benefit for Ms Scaffidi.

Of the 19 breaches not contested during the appeals hearing, Ms Scaffidi admitted to five during the SAT hearing, including failing to declare $US36,000 (A$47,500) package to the Beijing Olympics paid for by BHP Billiton.

The legal saga, already more than two years running, could now drag on for several more months until the SAT hands down a new penalty.