The state's highest court has discharged the jury in a District Court drug trial after the accused's barrister withdrew from the case over coronavirus concerns.

The decision of the NSW Court of Appeal overturns an order of District Court Judge Michael King, who refused to abort the criminal trial relating to the importation of a drug precursor after the barrister acting for one of two co-accused withdrew from the case to self-isolate.

The accused's barrister withdrew from the case over coronavirus concerns. Credit:Jessica Shapiro

Justice Christine Adamson, one of three judges on the Court of Appeal bench, said the barrister sought leave last Monday to withdraw from the trial "because of his age, 69, his compromised immune system and his recent proximity to [his client] ... whom he described as 'fluey' and to his instructing solicitor who was also exhibiting the same symptoms".

The barrister told the District Court his client had tried to get tested for COVID-19 at Bankstown Hospital but had been turned away because he did not qualify for a test.