The 'false news' trial of labour activist Irene Fernandez ( photo ) was adjourned until Friday after both parties today agreed to continue the hearing by the same magistrate who has been transferred to the Attorney-General's Chambers since September 2001.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Juliana Mohamed determined that she will remain as magistrate for the case since no direct objections were raised.

"I hereby record that there are no objections over any possibility of prejudice (if I continue to serve as magistrate on this case)," she said during the hearing at the Kuala Lumpur Magistrates Court.

In response to a question by defence counsel M Puravalen yesterday if she had been gazetted (again) to serve as magistrate for the case, Juliana said a check at the Federal Court revealed she was "never de-gazetted" since the last court sitting in May 2001.

Yesterday, Juliana raised the possibility that she might recuse herself from the case due to possible conflict of interest arising from her current post at the Law Revision Division at the AG's Chambers.

Juliana last heard defence arguments in May 2001 before suspending the case for almost two years. The magistrate was transferred to the AG's Chambers on Sept 1, 2001.