Polanski sex case appeal set for December 10

Lawyers for Roman Polanski will argue for the director's 1970s child sex conviction to be dismissed for judicial misconduct at a hearing in Los Angeles next month, legal sources said.

A three-judge panel from California's 2nd District Court of Appeal will hear Polanski's lawyers attempt to overturn a lower court ruling in May, where a judge dismissed the case on the grounds of Polanski's absence.

Polanski's lawyers have argued for the conviction to be set aside on the grounds that the judge and prosecutors in the 1978 case colluded improperly.

Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza said in a May ruling that Polanski "was not entitled to request any affirmative relief from this court, as he remains at large."

However he said he would "consider the merits" of the dismissal request if Polanski returned to Los Angeles County.

Polanski, 76, is currently being held in Switzerland after being arrested on September 26 as he flew in for the Zurich Film Festival.

He has been held in custody since then as his lawyers in Europe attempt to fight extradition to the United States.

Polanski fled the United States in 1978 on the eve of a sentencing hearing after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.