UPDATE: THE Melbourne man accused of murdering Jill Meagher will face a contested committal hearing in March.

Adrian Ernest Bayley, 41, who is charged with murdering and raping the Irish national, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court via videolink today.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Felicity Broughton was told an application by Bayley to cross examine witnesses at the committal hearing is not opposed and she agreed the witnesses could be cross examined.

An interpreter will be required on the first day of the hearing, the court heard.

Bayley sat with his hands together and spoke only briefly to answer questions from the magistrate.

Ms Meagher disappeared while walking home from a Brunswick bar in the early hours of September 22.

Her body was found in a shallow grave in Gisborne South five days later.