Disgraced Catholic Cardinal George Pell and his family have arrived at Victoria's Supreme Court in Melbourne for a decision on his appeal against his child sexual abuse conviction.
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Pell quickly exited a white prison van, handcuffed and led by a guard, and entered the court building.
Pell's brother David and his daughter, Pell's niece Sarah Jane Pell, have also arrived at the court.
Outside a queue of victim advocates, Pell supporters and journalists waiting to get into the Court of Appeal room snaked along the street.
Supporters and opponents of Pell verbally clashed as they waited to be let into the court.
Doors to the court opened minutes after Pell arrived and about 100 people including media filled the court.
Police were moving all of the cars out the front of the Supreme Court and about 20 officers arrived on the scene.
"I think today is going to be explosive. There's no doubt about that. We're in for a shocking day," abuse survivor Michael 'Advocate' told AAP outside the court.
Another victims advocate, Robert House, said if the appeal was successful it could discourage other survivors from coming forward to report their abuse.
The father of a man who died, who was found to be one of Pell's victims, had a sleepless night ahead of Wednesday's decision, his lawyer Lisa Flynn told Melbourne radio 3AW.
The court's decision will be handed down at 9.30am.
Australian Associated Press