The hearing of a dispute over an alleged failure to discover documents in legal proceedings taken by a man who claims he was a partner in the public relations firm Murray Consultants has been adjourned at the High Court.

The hearing was expected to conclude yesterday but legal submissions had not finished by yesterday afternoon.

Mr Justice O'Sullivan said he was unavailable for some time because he has been assigned to hear jury cases and he would communicate with the sides as to his availability. The hearing might not resume until October, he warned.

The judge is hearing an application by Mr Terence P. Horgan, who claims he was excluded from the company of which he was an equal partner, against Patrick Joseph Murray and James Milton of Murray Consultants.

Mr Horgan claims the two men have failed to discover all the documents which he requires for legal proceedings against them.

Mr Horgan is seeking an order striking out the points of defence submitted on behalf of Mr Murray and Mr Milton because of their alleged failure to comply with court orders for discovery of documents.

Alternatively, Mr Horgan wants the court to compel both men to comply with the discovery request. Mr Murray and Mr Milton have also applied for an order against Mr Horgan to produce documents. Mr Paul Gardiner, for Mr Horgan, has told the court his client claimed to be an equal partner in the firm with the other two men.

One of the issues in the main action was whether there was a partnership and the other issue related to the value of Mr Horgan's shareholding.

Mr Murray and Mr Milton denied there was a partnership as suggested by Mr Horgan and denied there was repression.