Two teams of lawyers appeared for former Anglo Irish Bank boss Seán FitzPatrick in bankruptcy proceedings at the High Court today.
Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne described it as unprecedented and somewhat bizarre, as she put the case back for four weeks.
Lawyers for the court official appointed to distribute Mr FitzPatrick's assets to his creditors want to cross-examine the 64-year-old about a loan on an office building in London that is in dispute.
Michael Staines, who is representing Mr FitzPatrick in criminal matters told the court it would be inappropriate for the bankruptcy proceedings to go ahead in light of his upcoming trial.
He said he has contacted the DPP and is awaiting a response.