Rick Thorburn seeking judge-alone trial

The man accused of murdering Queensland schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer will seek a judge-only trial.

Rick Thorburn's solicitor Adam Guest told the Brisbane Supreme Court on Friday he would apply for the judge-only trial due to publicity around the high-profile case.

Tiahleigh's body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River six days after she went missing while in the care of Thorburn and his family in October 2015.

Thorburn was charged in September 2016 with murdering his 12-year-old foster daughter and disposing of her body.

Mr Guest was told to finalise his application by March 9.