Pell's legal team want journalist's docs

Cardinal George Pell's legal team want to access documents linked to a book written by an investigative journalist as he fights historical sex offence charges.

Pell's legal team have sent subpoenas to the ABC, journalist Louise Milligan, and Melbourne University Press, who published her book Cardinal: The Rise and Fall of George Pell.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington on Thursday said some of the material from Melbourne University Press would have to be blacked out.

"There is journalist privilege in terms of confidential sources," Ms Wallington told the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

But defence barrister Ruth Shann said journalist privilege may not apply.

"That privilege is very limited and subject to waiver, which we think is relevant to this case," Ms Shann said.

"It's someone who has sought to be confidential," Ms Wallington said.

Pell was not in court for Thursday's brief administrative hearing, which ran for about 15 minutes.

The case will return to court for a special mention on December 12.