Colombia: Accused drug courier Cassandra Sainsbury, who could face up to 30 years in prison on drugs charges, is optimistic, her lawyer said, despite the first hearing of her trial being postponed today.

Ms Sainsbury was present in the court, but no translator was available because of a last minute problem. For this reason, her hearing came to an end and has now been postponed until September 26.

This was meant to have been the formal presentation of in-writing documents of accusation, the first step in the formal trial of the South Australian.

This is the first time that Ms Sainsbury has fronted court since August 10, when a senior Colombian judge rejected the deal struck between the prosecution and the defence that would have seen the 22-year-old serve a maximum of six years prison, instead of a potential 30 years.