Quietly and confidently, George Pell's barrister tried to unravel the prosecution's case | David Marr

The appeal court judges listened intently as Bret Walker SC ransacked the English language to try to prove his point

Rule number two on these occasions is not to trust the look in their eyes. Judges are masters of disguise. Baleful can be applause. Smiles can be the kiss of death.

But the verdict at the end of the first day of George Pell's appeal has to be that the bench is listening to the case being argued on his behalf by Bret Walker SC with a little more than respect.