The prominent Perth criminal barrister who was accused and acquitted of murdering his wife has had his bid for millions more in damages for defamation stayed while he appeals findings of professional misconduct in Western Australia.

Lloyd Patrick Rayney, a former public prosecutor, was awarded a record-breaking $2.6 million defamation payout in 2017 after a judge ruled he had been defamed when a police officer said he was the "prime" and "only" suspect in his wife Corryn Rayney's 2007 death.

Lloyd and Corryn Rayney in happier times. Credit:

But the Supreme Court of Western Australia stayed his appeal for more money in January as Mr Rayney fights findings in the State Administrative Tribunal that he acted in a way that could "reasonably be regarded as disgraceful or dishonourable".

The tribunal found Mr Rayney had unlawfully recorded conversations with his wife before she died and knowingly gave false evidence about the recordings to the Magistrates Court of Western Australia.