The identity of Lawyer X, whose information helped convict hundreds of gangland criminals and drug traffickers, is set to be revealed shortly.

A court order suppressing her identity has been enforced for years but is due to be lifted just after 4pm on Friday.

The police informant scandal is now the subject of a royal commission and opened a window of appeal for some of Victoria's most serious criminals including drug lord Tony Mokbel.

The royal commission's scope was widened after police revealed Lawyer X - also known as informer 3838 or "EF" - was first recruited in 1995, not 2005 as previously thought, and other people who held obligations of confidentiality were also used as informants.

After years of court battles, her identity will be revealed despite fears held by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton for her safety.

Media lawyer Justin Quill said it is hard to say what the fallout from the scandal will be.

"It could range from people walking free to no effect whatsoever. It's too many cases and too many variables to speculate how it will flush out," he told reporters on Friday.

Mr Quill said the scandal was a serious blow to the integrity of the legal system.

"This has had an almost devastating impact on our legal system and the trust that people have got in it - not just the barristers and solicitors that appear in our courts, but also our police," he said.

"Especially when the revelation came out that this was not just one rogue person, but there were potentially other informers.

"As a lawyer I'm embarrassed about what happened. I'm embarrassed a member of the profession would act in this way. I feel like people will trust lawyers a little bit less."