North and South journalist Mike White is pleased the Corrections Department appears to have accepted that his interview with Scott Watson should go ahead - but he admits he's not getting ahead of himself.

Justice Rachel Dunningam ruled in June that Corrections' ban on a face to face interview was unreasonable.

The department has chosen not to appeal the ruling that quashed a ban on a meeting between the two men. White is now waiting to hear from Corrections about what restrictions it wants to impose.

White acknowledges the department's decision not to appeal is a crucial step forward, but it doesn't mean an interview is imminent.

"Given what's gone on in the past and how long this process has taken, I'm absolutely not getting ahead of myself and not assuming anything," White admits.

"The wheels of bureaucracy turn reasonably slowly it seems so we're not expecting a rapid decision, although that would be nice to get some clarity as soon as possible."

White said given the turns the process has already taken, he's not taking the interview as guaranteed just yet. He recognises Corrections has some legitimate things it needs to consider before he can be granted access.