Jaran Phakdithanakul, secretary-general of the Supreme Court, said the judicial summit has agreed that the three Courts will work independently within their jurisdiction to deliberate the cases in a speedy fashion that meets the expectations of the Thai public.

Jaran said their deliberation in individual case will be on the similar directions to avoid the public's confusion.

The three top courts will meet again soon to compare notes, Jaran said, but declined to say when.

He was speaking after a meeting  of top judges of the Administrative, Supreme and Constitution Courts to decide whether to nullify controversial April 2 election as they attempted to avert a political deadlock.

The meeting that started at 10am at Criminal Court on Rachadapisek Road was organised after HM the King assigned the courts to end months of political turmoil that saw anti-Thaksin protesters taking on the streets, and opposition parties boycotting the election.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was forced to resign to vow to take a political break.

"Today's resolution will be by consensus and will be made in accordance with the king's advice," Supreme Court spokesman Virat Chinvinijkul told local radio before the courts' meeting.

The judges were expected to slice through the political confusion, either by invalidating the election or by clearing the legal hurdles blocking parliament from opening.

Virat said the judges would decide on the "fairness and completeness" of the elections and a decision could come as early as 1pm.

Earlier reports said that judges from the Constitution, Supreme and Administrative courts appear split over how to rule on the April 2 election as they take note of HM's advice and head into an unprecedented judicial summit today to defuse the political crisis.

Leaked reports suggest Phan Chantarapan, the acting Constitution Court president, is inclined to convene the new Parliament as the unfilled seats will not impair the legislative work.

Phan has also apparently expressed concerns that a power vacuum might result if a new government is not formed within the 30-day deadline.

Supreme Court judges are reported to want the election scrapped to wipe the slate clean and allow rival politicians to settle some of their differences.

The three top judges may not find a solution to end the political crisis in one sitting because they face many hurdles in finding an appropriate legal stance to get the country out of the political quagmire.

The Nation