Fawziah Holdings Sdn Bhd will reply to Metramac Corporation Sdn Bhd's objections to the former's application to admit British Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair - who is a Queen's Counsel - to represent the company in its final appeal.

One of the counsels representing Fawziah Holdings said the company is expected to file the affidavit-in-reply at the High Court registry tomorrow.

Contacted by Bernama today, the lawyer, who was not named, said they are in the process of preparing the documents.

He declined to disclose the next course of action to be taken by Fawziah Holdings in the event their application failed.

On Monday, Fawziah Holdings served the application containing, among other things, a letter for admission sent by Blair, to all parties, including the Attorney-General's Chambers.

Blair, who agreed to lead the legal team acting for construction firm Fawziah Holdings in the final appeal before the Federal Court on June 14, is applying for ad hoc admission to appear as an advocate and solicitor here.

The application to allow Blair to represent Fawziah Holdings will be heard in the Appellate and Special Powers Division of the High Court on Friday.

Expertise has no bearing

Lawyers for the toll operator, Metramac Corporation, filed their objections yesterday, saying the expertise of Blair, a prominent lawyer in Britain, in human rights and public law had no bearing on the case.

In January, the Court of Appeal ordered Metramac to pay Fawziah Holdings RM65 million in a dispute related to a toll concessionaire.

In delivering the court's decision, Justice Gopal Sri Ram had noted that the evidence revealed "a scandalous state of affairs".

He said prominent businessmen Halim Saad and Anuar Othman had siphoned RM32.5 million from Metramac and that they enjoyed the patronage of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin.

The Federal Court granted Metramac leave to appeal the Court of Appeal's decision.

Metramac also wanted to expunge the comments on Halim and Daim.

Fawziah Holdings then informed the court of its intention to seek the services of a QC.