The High Court in Belfast has deferred its decision in a judicial review in the case of the man alleged to have been the British Army's principal agent inside the IRA.
Freddie Scappaticci, 59, is seeking to have the British government deny he is the intelligence agent codenamed 'Stakeknife'.
He had applied to the High Court for a review of Security Minister Jane Kennedy's refusal to confirm or deny he is a British agent.
Lawyers for the British government have said there are implications for national security in denying or confirming the identity of government agents and it is not policy to do so.
Lord Chief Justice Carswell said he would give his decision in the case in the next few days.
