Appearing for the first time in the Supreme Court on Friday, Dawson formally pleaded not guilty to murdering his then-wife.

The 71-year-old is scheduled to face trial later in 2020, but his lawyers have indicated they will file an application next week for a permanent stay of proceedings.

If granted, it would mean Dawson would never stand trial.

The former teacher and Newtown Jets rugby league player has repeatedly claimed Ms Dawson is alive and that several people have seen her since she vanished from their northern beaches home in January 1982.

Dawson, appearing via video link because of the coronavirus pandemic, was emotionless as he was arraigned on Friday.

Justice Elizabeth Fullerton said she was concerned about potential ongoing delays and wanted to move quickly.

Dawson's lawyer, Greg Walsh, told the court he intended to file a notice of motion concerning the stay by Tuesday.

The matter will be mentioned in court next Wednesday and the application is likely to be the subject of a two-week hearing later in the year.

The court heard Dawson's push for a stay of proceedings will rely on several witnesses who appeared at a committal hearing in February.

During that hearing, four witnesses testified they had seen Ms Dawson in the months and years since she disappeared.

Dawson's brother-in-law, Ross Hutcheon, told the court he saw Ms Dawson alive on the side of Victoria Road at Gladesville, in Sydney's northern suburbs, three-to-six months after her disappearance.

Two former neighbours, Peter and Jill Breese, claimed they separately saw Ms Dawson working at a northern beaches hospital two years after she went missing.

Family friend Elva McBay, 101, said she spotted Ms Dawson at a public reception for Prince Charles and Princess Diana in Sydney's CBD in March 1983.

Australian Associated Press