QUEENSLAND'S top prosecutor has privately told the Queensland Government he will appeal to the High Court to reinstate Gerard Baden-Clay's murder conviction.

Director of Public Prosecutions Michael Byrne, QC, informed the Government before Christmas he intended to file for special leave for an appeal on January 4 - the eve of an appeal deadline and same day the High Court's registry reopens after its holiday shutdown, News Corp reported.

Baden-Clay's defence team has until January 22 to put forward what time he should serve. Manslaughter can still carry a life sentence.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Monday prosecutors chose not to pursue evidence police believed could have helped prove Baden-Clay had a financial motive for killing his wife.

Baden-Clay phoned his wife's life insurer a week before he killed her, according to police bail documents, but prosecutors did not focus on this piece of evidence.

Public rallies have been held across the state since Baden-Clay's conviction was downgraded from murder to manslaughter earlier this month, including one rally in Yeppoon: VIDEO: Community wants justice for Allison Baden-Clay

On December 18, a sea of yellow has covered King George Square in Brisbane as thousands of people gather for a peaceful rally against domestic violence.

Those behind the #doingit4allison campaign's event include friends of Allison Baden-Clay, whose death at the hands of her husband Gerard Baden-Clay has captured the State's attention.

Read more about that rally here: Allison Baden-Clay supporters fight family violence

Within days of the announcement of Baden-Clay's conviction being downgraded, tens of thousands of people from all over Australia have signed a petition asking the Queensland Attorney-General to file an appeal in the Gerard Baden-Clay case.

Read more about the petition here: 60,000 sign petition calling for Baden-Clay appeal