Gordon Wood outside the NSW Supreme Court in March. Credit:James Alcock

Mr Wood, the former chauffeur and "gopher" for the late stockbroker Rene Rivkin, is suing NSW for malicious prosecution, in part alleging Mr Tedeschi "deceived and misled" the jury, and did not have proper cause to bring the case.

Peter Neil, SC, for the state, said Mr Tedeschi remained professional when he was in the witness box during the malicious prosecution hearing earlier this year, despite knowing his career was on the line.

"He was a frank and honest and reliable witness. What he said had a real ring of truth to it," Mr Neil said in his closing submissions in the NSW Supreme Court on Monday.

"He was obviously, in these circumstances, and fairly so, under a great deal of personal stress. There wouldn't be any doubt about that, and he must know that his career and his personal reputation stand or fall on the outcome of this case.