Michael Jackson may be too sick to travel to London to take part in a court case that is being brought by the son of the king of Bahrain.
Reuters reports that Jackson’s lawyer Robert Englehart presented judge Nigel Sweeney with a medical report on Jackson's condition which was not read out in open court.
"On a best-case prognosis, it would be unwise for him to travel given what he's got now," he told the High Court, declining to elaborate on Jackson's condition.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain, says Jackson pulled out of a contract to record a new album and write an autobiography.
He claims that Jackson owes him $7 million.
Jackson wants to give evidence via video link from the United States.
The judge will rule on that matter on Thursday morning after evidence from expert medical experts. If he rules in favour of a video link, Jackson is expected to begin testifying on Monday or Tuesday.
Bankim Thanki, representing al-Khalifa, said the medical evidence produced was "pretty unsubstantial"0.
He said: "It's not the first time a sick note has been presented by Mr. Jackson ... My client isn't being hard-hearted or difficult, he is being rightly skeptical."
According to the Press Association, Thanki earlier told the court how his client had "felt a strong sense of personal betrayal because this (Jackson) was someone he considered a close personal friend."
He said Jackson had signed a contract for recording albums, writing an autobiography and staging shows in which it was agreed that $7 million would be deducted from Jackson's royalties to pay for expenses.
These included a bill for over $300,000 for the motivational guru Tony Buzan who was flown to Bahrain to work with Jackson.
"The last thing Sheikh Abdullah expected was that he was never coming back," Thanki said.
The sheikh was asked to sign a document releasing Jackson from his obligations but refused to do so, the lawyer added.
Jackson spent time in Bahrain as a guest of the royal family following a 2005 trial at the end of which he was acquitted of child molestation charges.
Jackson contends that there was no valid agreement and that the sheikh's case was based on "mistake, misrepresentation and undue influence".
In his pleaded defense, Jackson said the payments he received were "gifts" and that no project was ever finalized.
The case, expected to wind up by the end of the month, was adjourned until Thursday.
