Jackson too sick to travel to London court
Posted: 19 November 2008 1100 hrs

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LONDON : We've all tried this before - using doctor's notes to get out of work or school. And now Michael Jackson is hoping this old trick can get him out of his lawsuit.

Jackson's lawyer says the pop star is too sick to travel to London to testify in a US$7-million breach-of-contract lawsuit brought by a Bahraini prince, due to an undisclosed illness.

Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the second son of the king of Bahrain, is suing the King of Pop for US$7 million, demanding repayment of several advances which the star has argued were gifts.

"It would be unwise for him to travel given what he's got now," lawyer Robert Englehart told the High Court, declining to elaborate on Jackson's condition. Instead the singer will testify via video link from the United States.

Sheik Abdulla's lawyer has rejected the medical evidence presented by Jackson's legal team, saying it was "very unsatisfactory".

"It's not the first time a sick note has been presented by Mr Jackson," Bankim Thanki said. He also told the court that Jackson's condition could be treated with a bandage "if the diagnosis is positive."

A decision on whether Jackson will testify via video link or in person is expected to be made Thursday.

- CNA/il