Australian's Bali trial pushed back

The trial of an Australian accused of kicking and stomping on a Bali nightclub manager has been pushed back after he hired a new lawyer because of "communication" issues.

Scott Dobson from Western Australia is accused of attacking Kenneth Wickes at the popular Sky Garden nightclub in Kuta in the early hours of September 27, 2013.

It is alleged the 53-year-old, along with two of his friends who remain on the "wanted list", assaulted Mr Wickes after he approached them for refusing to pay their drinks bill.

Dobson, who is currently being held in Bali's notorious Kerobokan prison, was handcuffed to another detainee as he was brought into Denpasar District Court on Wednesday.

The court was expecting him to give a statement in his defence but instead he informed the judge through a translator that he had hired a new lawyer, Hari Purwanto, as communication with his previous representative was "not very good".

The matter will return to court on March 14 when it is expected they will hear statements from witnesses.

The court has previously heard that Dobson allegedly pushed Mr Wickes - the club's business development adviser - with both hands before one of his friends stood on a table and threw a punch, striking the Canadian in the right cheek.

In the moments that followed, it's alleged Dobson punched Mr Wickes before stomping on his chest when he fell to the floor.

Dobson has been charged with openly committing violence against persons or property and maltreatment.

If convicted he could face up to nine years in jail.