THE defamation case being brought against NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith over comments he made about a death in custody at Grafton Jail has been put off until next year.

Last month the NSW Industrial Relations Commission cleared Grafton security guards Richard Woelfl, David Pearcey and Matthew Barnett of showing "disregard" to Woolgoolga inmate Ian Klum, who was injured in his cell and later died in hospital.

During the investigation into Mr Klum's death, Mr Smith commented on radio about footage - aired on the ABC - of the inmate crawling from his cell.

Justice Rodney Harrison later found the three guards had offered assistance when Mr Klum told them he had been assaulted but he chose to crawl on his own.

Mr Woelfl launched legal action against Mr Smith and the first directions hearing was set down for today.

Mr Smith did not appear in the Sydney Supreme Court this morning but his lawyers had the case adjourned until February 5.

Earlier this week, Mr Woelfl also began defamation proceedings against the ABC for its coverage of Klum's death.