Former Sydney teacher and Newtown Jets footballer Chris Dawson will face a criminal trial over the alleged murder of his wife Lynette nearly 40 years ago.

This morning the High Court dismissed Mr Dawson's special leave application, the final bid to permanently halt the proceedings.

The 73-year-old is expected to stand trial in NSW next month.

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The trial is estimated to run for eight weeks.

Mr Dawson has pleaded not guilty to killing his wife, who was last seen at their Bayview home in 1982.

He has repeatedly insisted Lynette is still alive.

He remains on bail in Queensland.