The criminal case against Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old accused of carrying out the Bondi beach terror attack, has been adjourned until 24 February, because even the justice system needs a minute to process an "unprecedented" investigation. Sydney's Downing Centre local court heard on Wednesday that prosecutors expect to be ready to certify the charges by that date, which is court-speak for "we're getting there, please stop asking."

Akram, who has not yet entered a plea, is charged with 78 offences - including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act that investigators allege may have been "inspired by Isis." He was initially charged with 59 offences in December, with 19 more added in April as the investigation trundled along, presumably like a very thorough, very grim conveyor belt.

The charges stem from the 14 December attack at a Hanukah festival at Bondi beach, where Akram and his father, 50-year-old Sajid Akram, allegedly opened fire, murdering 15 people and injuring 40. Sajid Akram was shot and killed by police at the scene. Naveed Akram survived a shootout with police and now faces the legal consequences, which are, to put it mildly, extensive.

Prosecutor Danielle New applied for the adjournment, which Akram's defence team did not oppose - perhaps because even they recognise that consulting every alleged victim and next of kin is not a task to be rushed. Judge Karen Stafford granted the adjournment after New explained that more time was needed for investigators to consult those affected before the offences are formally certified, a standard step in criminal proceedings whereby prosecutors list the charges proceeding to trial.

New told the court her team was conscious of the approaching Hanukah, the Christmas holidays and the summer court shutdown, and did not want to "rush" the consultations. "It's important the crown goes over everything again, to make sure no person's narrative is left untold," she said, which is a commendably thorough approach given the brief of evidence includes thousands of witness statements, medical records, financial statements, purchases made by the Akrams, and footage from Bondi beach on the evening of the attack.

The joint counter-terrorism team, New noted, has engaged in an investigation "the size of which has been unprecedented," adding that "the commitment by all involved is nothing short of highly professional." Which is one way to describe a case so sprawling it has its own weather system.

In December, a police "fact sheet" released via the courts alleged there was evidence the pair "meticulously planned this terrorist attack for many months," including the creation of an "ISIS inspired" video, firearm training and the making of explosives. Police also alleged the pair undertook a "reconnaissance" visit to Bondi two days before the attack, visiting the footbridge from which they are accused of deliberately firing at those gathered at the Jewish festival.

The case will return to court on 24 February, when prosecutors expect to certify the charges - assuming no further delays, which, given the word "unprecedented" has already been deployed, is not a guarantee anyone should bet the house on.