Steve Wright, 49, of Ipswich, Suffolk, denies murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.
Wearing an open-necked white shirt and a single-breasted black suit, Wright listened intently as the lawyers in the case discussed legal issues for 20 minutes at Ipswich Crown Court.
The jury of 10 men and two women, who were sworn in on Monday, did not attend Tuesday's proceedings.
The prosecution, led by barrister Peter Wright QC, is due to open its case against Wright at 10.30am on Wednesday.
Wright's defence team is headed by Timothy Langdale QC.
The five women were found at remote locations near Ipswich during a 10-day period in December 2006.
