Not only did Justice Belinda Ang reject the suggestion made by Mr M Ravi, but she also threw out his move challenging the legitimacy of a summary judgment in the case. Meanwhile, the drama behind closed doors spilled onto the corridors of the Supreme Court, as the Chee siblings and their counsel walked out of the hearing.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew are seeking a summary judgment in the defamation suit against the Chee siblings, who are accused of publishing defamatory remarks against the two leaders in the Singapore Democratic Party newsletter. This would mean that the court can reach a verdict without a full trial.

The proceedings have taken some unexpected turns. On Aug 3, Justice Woo Bih Li — the judge originally named to preside over the hearings — disqualified himself. He had been involved in a heated exchange with Mr Ravi in an unrelated case and the lawyer claimed that this could give rise to a perception of bias.

Yesterday, the Chees and their lawyer went to Justice Ang's chambers along with Mr Albert Ho, a liberal Hong Kong legislator who was here as an observer from the Asian Human Rights Commission. Justice Ang asked Mr Ho to leave the chambers.

Soon after the session got underway, Mr Ravi wanted Justice Ang disqualified for "actual bias".

He told reporters that her "gestures and behaviour" when he was speaking made his clients "uncomfortable". They were also unhappy that Senior Counsel Davinder Singh, representing the two ruling party leaders, was allowed to attend the hearing, which "did not involve him at all" said Mr Ravi.

Mr Singh left, telling reporters the hearing "has nothing to do with me", after Justice Ang decided to hear his application for summary judgment on a separate day.

Afterwards, the Chee siblings — through Mr Ravi — argued for the hearings to be held in open court.

When Justice Ang rejected their request, Mr Ravi said his clients did not want to make any more oral arguments — and walked out of the courtroom.

"We are boycotting the matter because we don't want to legitimise the process," said Dr Chee.

Today understands that cases argued solely on legal points and which do not require witnesses to give information in court are generally decided in chambers. All court records and judgments arising from chamber hearings are also accessible to the public.

The hearings between the Attorney-General's Chambers and the judge continued for another half-hour after the three walked out. Justice Ang then threw out Mr Ravi's challenge, paving the way for a summary judgment.

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