Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has accused a Gold Coast solicitor who is suing him of contempt of court and interfering with the administration of justice, offences that carry potential jail terms.

It comes as Mr Newman this week acknowledged a need to mend fences with the legal fraternity following a series of controversies.

The allegations against criminal lawyer Chris Hannay are contained in the Premier's defence to a $1.2 million defamation suit brought against him by the solicitor.

Mr Hannay lodged his suit against Mr Newman and Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie in Brisbane's Supreme Court in April.

The lawyer, who represents bikies, claims remarks in February by the two politicians criticising criminal lawyers were aimed specifically at him and is seeking aggravated damages.

In their defence, filed yesterday, Mr Newman and Mr Bleijie claim the remarks could not be construed as having identified Mr Hannay.

In any case, they argue, they were entitled to make them as part of their jobs and as "honest opinion".

But the two politicians also accuse the solicitor of contempt of the Magistrates Court and professional misconduct, alleging that Mr Hannay advised his bikie clients not to appear together at court for fear of falling foul of Queensland's anti-association laws.

This advice "constituted an attempt to interfere with the administration of justice", the defendants claim.

In Queensland, such an offence carries a jail term of up to three years.

Comments could not do further damage to reputation: defence

According to the defence document, Mr Hannay had so damaged his own reputation by giving this advice and publicising it that nothing Mr Newman and Mr Bleijie had said afterwards could further damage it.

The Premier's remarks criticising criminal lawyers were in response to a reporter's question about Mr Hannay's advice to clients.

Mr Newman described criminal lawyers as being "part of the criminal gang machine" who would "see, say and do anything to defend their clients".

Chris Hannay (right) is claiming $1.2 million in damages. ( AAP )

The comments brought a furious response from the legal profession and calls from the Bar Association for the Premier to withdraw them.

The following day, according to a transcript provided in the defence document, Mr Bleijie clarified that Mr Newman had been referring not to the entire legal profession, but to "a specific matter on the Gold Coast".

Mr Hannay's suit alleges that the politicians' comments taken together identify him and his son, Daniel, the other plaintiff.

Mr Hannay said that as the matter was before the courts he was unable to comment.

Comment has been sought from the Premier's office.

Mr Newman this week acknowledged the LNP Government needed to improve relations with the legal fraternity.

The comment came in the wake of a crushing defeat for the LNP at the Stafford by-election, in which reforms to the state's anti-corruption body and recent controversy surrounding the appointment of a new chief justice were cited as factors weighing against the LNP candidate.

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