The Supreme Court will determine whether the seat should go to Azan or if a by-election must be held.

Hibbert has already taken the seat away from Stern, who defeated Azan in the 2007 general election.

The decision to reserve judgment irked Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Stern, who both openly expressed their disappointment with the course taken by the court.

The delay had also placed the constituency on edge, with supporters from both parties clamouring to find out what the decision to reserve judgment meant for their candidate.

New round of legal manoeuvrings

The ruling comes a week after a new round of legal manoeuvrings by the attorneys placed the high court judge under the public glare.

Last week, in what is characterised as an unusual move, Stern attorney's DunnCox petitioned the court to reinstate Stern as the member of parliament until the Supreme Court handed down the ruling.

DunnCox requested that the court hear the application, notwithstanding its failure to serve seven clear days notice to Azan and his attorney, Abe Dabdoub.

The attorney has also requested that the application be heard during the court's recess.

"It is in the best interest of the nation as a whole, and of the North West Clarendon constituency in particular, that such constituency be represented in Parliament at this time.

"It is of extreme urgency that I be returned as the member of Parliament for North West Clarendon, pending the final outcome of the hearing of this election petition," Stern argued in his affidavit.

However, in dismissing DunnCox's claim, Dabdoub described the action as unusual, inappropriate and unethical.