Australia’s High Court has agreed to hear a final appeal from Cardinal George Pell over his conviction for sexually assaulting two teenage choirboys.

Readers of the Blog will be aware that Cardinal Pell, who is in jail serving a six-year sentence handed down by a lower court in March, turned to the High Court after a first appeal upheld his conviction.

The High Court appeal hearing, to be presided over by a full bench of five or seven judges, will be held in March 2020 at the earliest.

In a brief statement, the Vatican said it “acknowledges” the court’s decision “aware that the cardinal has always maintained his innocence”.

Sharon Moohan, Partner, BLM
sharon.moohan@blmlaw.com