Amanda Knox briefly returned to court in Italy on Wednesday for the start of her appeals trial, about a year after the American student was convicted of killing her British roommate in a case that drew global attention.

The hearing, devoted mainly to procedural matters, lasted 15 minutes and the case was adjourned until December 11.

Amanda Knox talks with her lawyer Carlo Dalla Vedova in the Perugia courthouse before the start of her appeal trial. Credit:AFP

Knox was escorted by a policewoman into the same Perugia courtroom where the first trial was held.

The 23-year-old was convicted in December of sexually assaulting and murdering Meredith Kercher, and sentenced to 26 years in prison.