Brisbane man Gerard Baden-Clay's murder trial is expected to take four weeks, a court has heard.
Lawyers for the 42-year-old real estate agent appeared in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday, where their client was formally charged with murdering his wife Allison Baden-Clay.
Baden-Clay was not required to appear.
Defence lawyer Peter Shields told the judge the trial would probably take four weeks.
"There's already been significant culling of a number of witnesses and that will continue," he said.
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Prosecutor Danny Boyle said the Crown would make a pre-trial application and a hearing of three days had been agreed upon by defence lawyers.
Mr Boyle said there was also a potential issue of confidentiality relating to a witness who is a counsellor.
He said it might involve an application under the Family Law Act and notices to the attorney-general.
The prosecutor also said he understood it was unlikely the trial would be heard this year.
However Justice Glenn Martin replied that would depend on other matters. He adjourned the case until September 20 for a review.
Baden-Clay has pleaded not guilty to murder.
Mrs Baden-Clay's body was found on the banks of a creek in Brisbane's west in April 2012, 10 days after Baden-Clay reported her missing from their Brookfield home.
A statement from Mrs Baden-Clay's family said they were pleased the case was progressing.
"The entire family has been, and continues to go through, a very traumatic time so we are relieved with this latest development as it represents another step forward in a long and difficult process," it said.
"Not a day goes by when we do not grieve for the tragic loss of our beloved Allison and we continue to be incredibly grateful for the support of the community, our extended family and friends in helping us navigate through this extremely difficult time in our lives."
