Victoria's Court of Appeal in August rejected Pell's appeal convictions for the rape of a 13-year-old choirboy and sexual assault of another at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.

Pell, 78, is serving a six-year jail term, and won't be eligible for parole until he has served three years and eight months.

In documents filed with the court on Monday, Pell's lawyers argue there are signs in top Victorian prosecutor Kerri Judd's response to the appeal that she considers it was the prosecution's responsibility "to merely establish that what the complainant said was not impossible".

The burden of proof requires jurors be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the offending did occur.

A summary of her position says the appeal decision "raises no question of law of public importance" and should not be granted.

Pell continues to be represented by his appeal barrister Bret Walker SC and Ruth Shann who has represented him since trial.

They argue Ms Judd's formal response to the appeal application is unclear on whether she accepts the Court of Appeal majority - Chief Justice Anne Ferguson and Court of Appeal President Chris Maxwell - used their belief in the choirboy who gave evidence was the basis for eliminating doubt.

They say doubt was raised by exculpatory evidence which went unchallenged at trial, including the "undisputedly honest" testimony of several alibi witnesses including Monsignor Charles Portelli.

Prosecutors appeared to accept his evidence was a vague but honest recollection of facts that exonerated Pell, the document claims.

"In the absence of any challenge to the correctness (let alone honesty) of that recollection by the prosecution at trial, the 'alibi' was not, on proper application of the law, anywhere near eliminated," it says.

The High Court can now consider the special leave application on the documents alone, or call hearings to seek more information.

If leave is granted, Pell will need to lodge a formal appeal.

Australian Associated Press