Embattled Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi's legal fight to remain could be extended.

Ms Scaffidi’s lawyers have instigated a new debate as to whether her 18-month disqualification from office should stand.

The penalty was handed down after Mrs Scaffidi was found to have committed breached the Local Government Act dozens of times over her failure to disclosure gifts and travel worth tens of thousands of dollars.

The breaches included failing to disclose a trip to the 2008 Beijing Olympics paid for by BHP Billiton, a holiday at the upmarket Cable Beach Club in Broome, paid for by property management firm Hawaiian Investments, and hospitality at a concert at Leeuwin Estate courtesy of BHP.

An appeal hearing this week allow the Lord Mayor to continue fighting the findings against her, and contesting the 18-month disqualification imposed by the State Administrative Tribunal in September.

Ms Scaffidi has stood aside from her duties as Lord Mayor until a formal determination is made, and will continue receiving her $138,000 annual council salary until such time.

Her lawyer Steven Penglis this week argued that there had been insufficient evidence provided at the SAT hearing to justify its findings.

The submissions included questions over what constitutes a gift, the official classification of the Lord Mayor's volunteer work with the Australian Press Council as an “occupation” and whether Ms Scaffidi herself, or the City of Perth, financially benefited from the accommodation reimbursements.

Mr Penglis also argued that the tribunal had not properly considered other penalty options when handing down the 18-month suspension.

Supreme Court Judges Michael Buss, Robert Mitchell and Andrew Beech debated whether the matter could go back to the State Administrative Tribunal is Ms Scaffidi's appeal is upheld.

That re-hearing would further drag out the long-running saga.

Her lawyers said they were keen to expedite the matter, which continues to leave the Perth City Council in limbo.