High court hearing on Hougang by-election case may be delayed! 4-46pm today report

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Updated 04:46 PM Apr 05, 2012



SINGAPORE - The Attorney-General's Chambers (A-G) filed an urgent appeal on Thursday against a High Court judge's ruling that there are sufficient grounds to hear the Hougang by-election case in open court.

Hougang resident Mdm Vellama Marie Muthu filed an application on March 2 asking the courts to order Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to hold a by-election in the constituency within three months, or within a "reasonable time" deemed by the court.

On Tuesday, Justice Philip Pillai decided that the application would be heard on April 16.

As a result of the A-G's appeal, the High Ceourt hearing cannot proceed until the appeal has been heard by the Court of Appeal.

In a chambers hearing on Thursday, Justice Andrew Phang ordered that the A-G's appeal will be fixed for hearing after Justice Pillai issues his grounds of decision to grant leave.

The Attorney-General had applied to the Court of Appeal to have its case heard expeditiously before April 16.

It said it was mindful of Mdm Vellama's claim of urgency in her application where the issues raised need to be addressed immediately.

Appeals usually take at least four or five months to be heard.

During today's hearing, Mdm Vellama's lawyer Mr M Ravi had objected to the A-G's application for an expedited appeal and maintained that the appeal should not be heard until after Justice Pillai has issued his grounds of decision.

He also suggested to Justice Phang that the A-G's appeal could be scheduled for hearing two weeks after Justice Pillai issues his ground of decision.

On this basis, Justice Phang ordered that the April 16 hearing be vacated and that the A-G's appeal will be heard after the grounds of decision are issued. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

- http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...ng-on-Hougang-by-election-case-may-be-delayed
 
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