The 53-year-old husband and father of two teenagers has colon cancer that has spread to his liver; survival rates say only six per cent of sufferers are alive five years after diagnosis. Nugent hopes to be one of those fortunate few but he isn't wasting time wondering.

On Monday, in a courtroom in Darwin, Nugent will defend the world's most famous and controversial euthanasia campaigner, Philip Nitschke, against serious allegations levelled by the Medical Board of Australia. It suspended Nitschke's medical registration in July in order to "protect public health and safety" after he admitted that he had supported a 45-year-old Perth man's decision to commit suicide, despite knowing the man was not terminally ill.

Fairfax understands the board will argue it was forced to use its special emergency powers to protect vulnerable suicidal people from Nitschke and his "dangerous ideas". More seriously, the  board will argue, it had to act because Nitschke possesses the means to transform these ideas into action.

These ideas revolve around his view that rational suicide is an acceptable choice for competent adults who may or may not be not suffering from a terminal condition. Nugent, who until now has spent the bulk of his 20 years at the Victorian Bar working almost exclusively in commercial law, had never met Nitschke until three months ago when he contacted him after reading about his suspension.

"It seemed to me Philip Nitschke was a doctor in desperate need of a good lawyer," Nugent says. He says he felt compelled to help Nitschke because to do nothing seemed "gutless".

"It's because of people like Philip that I have options about my end of life.  I think it is extraordinary that the board is trying to rub him out because of an idea.

"We are not talking about the state euthanising people. This case is about whether rational adults should be given access to information which could be used to engage in a lawful act – suicide. On one side of the debate is the Medical Board which says doctors know best. On the other side is Philip Nitschke who believes competent adults know best. That is what will be on trial in Darwin next week."

The hearing, before a five-member panel is set down for five days. It is understood the board's lawyers will argue that Nitschke's euthanasia book, The Peaceful Pill Handbook is a practical guide to different methods of suicide and although it is banned in Australia, it is available over the internet without any controls over who accesses it.

Further, it is believed the board will argue that  Nitschke informs and updates ebook subscribers of overseas suppliers of the illegal drug Nembutal and through his workshops advises people on end-of-life drugs.

A longtime, fervent supporter of voluntary euthanasia and rational suicide, Nugent isn't looking for end-of-life advice himself because he has already done his own homework. "I will make my own decision when enough is enough, for anyone else to have a say about how my life ends seems ridiculous."

As part of his cancer treatment, he has seen a psychologist who has assured him he is not depressed. His wife Debra and children, 16-year-old Bridgit and 13-year-old Caillin, know his views on end of life but he does not discuss with anyone what he may choose to do himself one day.

"I'm protecting my wife by not talking about my own circumstances," he says. "I don't intend, whatever I do, to involve anyone else, which is sad because I would much prefer to be with my family. If I do make a decision to end my life, I will have to die alone."

He has taken two weeks off chemotherapy treatment to represent Nitschke, although he hasn't told his oncologist his reasons. Some of his colleagues at the Bar are astonished that he has taken on Nitschke, perhaps used to Nugent's dispassionate advocacy in cases that are usually fights over money.

"My daughter said this was the case I was born to run, it's just taken me a very long time to get around to it," he says.

Nugent still feels well enough to work although concedes that 12 months of chemotherapy minus the next fortnight, has robbed him of energy. He doesn't know how many more cases he has left in him but he is prepared to continue to represent  Nitschke if he'll have him. "Philip is going to need some legal advice in every state and if he would like me to work with him I'd be delighted."