EDITOR'S NOTE: The High Court overturned Cardinal George Pell's conviction for historic child sex offences in a judgment handed down April 7, 2020. In a unanimous decision all seven High Court judges found Victoria's Court of Appeal should not have upheld Pell's conviction It found the evidence could not support a guilty verdict.

Cardinal George Pell’s lawyer has made an extraordinary request for the magistrate overseeing the hearing into allegations of historical sexual assault against the cardinal to disqualify herself from the matter, claiming she has a "biased view" of the evidence.

Robert Richter, QC, one of Australia's top defence barristers, accused magistrate Belinda Wallington of favouring the prosecution after interrupting his line of questioning, and he requested that she "disqualify herself" from the committal hearing.

Cardinal George Pell arrives at court on Wednesday. Credit:AAP

The request was refused by Ms Wallington, who also asked Mr Richter to stop shouting during the heated exchange.