A date for a preliminary inquiry for Dennis Oland, who is accused of killing his father, will not be set until early next year.

Oland made a brief appearance in Saint John provincial court on Tuesday, just one day after being released from custody.

He arrived holding hands with his wife, Lisa Oland, and sat in the front row beside his mother, Connie Oland, and about five other supporters.

A hearing date was expected to be set, but defence lawyer Gary Miller requested an adjournment until Jan. 21 at 9:30 a.m. The Crown agreed.

Oland, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his father, prominent businessman Richard Oland, more than two years ago.

A preliminary inquiry will determine if there's enough evidence to proceed to a trial.

Outside the courthouse, Miller said the defence only received the disclosure file on Monday "and it's voluminous."

"They’ve had almost two and a half years with it, with all kinds of Crowns and all kinds of cops. And it’s only fair that we have the time to review it and read this material before we decide how much time we’re going to need for a preliminary and all of that," said Miller.

"This is not unusual," he said. "It wouldn’t make sense to set a date now when you don't even know what you’re talking about."

Oland, who spent six nights in jail, was granted bail on Monday by Court of Queen's Bench Justice Hugh McLellan on a $50,000 surety.

He was also ordered to surrender his passport, maintain his residence at 58 Gondola Point Rd., in Rothesay, advise Saint John police of any change in his address, and advise police of any travel outside of New Brunswick.

There is a publication ban on the evidence presented and reasons given during the bail hearing, which lasted about 3½ hours.

Asked how his client is feeling after his release, whether he is relieved, Miller replied: "I’ll let you answer the obvious."

Richard Oland, 69, was found dead in his uptown office on July 7, 2011.

Dennis Oland, a stockbroker and investment adviser, was arrested last Tuesday and charged on Wednesday.

He has not yet entered a plea.

"A plea gets entered when you’re before the court that’s going to try you," said Miller, who is working with high-profile Toronto lawyer Alan Gold on the case, but was alone in court on Tuesday.

"In this case, if he’s ordered to stand trial, that would be before the jury," Miller said.

If the case does go to trial and the Crown proves beyond a reasonable doubt that Oland is guilty, he would face a minimum sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 years.