JUDGMENT

Hishamuddin Yunus J:

The summons in chambers at encl. 87 is the plaintiffs (Bongsor Bina Sdn Bhd) interlocutory application for an order that Manzer Medical Sdn Bhd ('Manzer'), that is, the 1st defendant in suit S3-22-53-2003 ('the 1st suit') and the (sole) defendant in suit S5-22-193-2000 ('the 3rd suit), appoints only one solicitor on record for the purpose of the proceeding in the present consolidated action.

There is also an alternative prayer by the plaintiff that the issues in the 3rd suit be tried separately from and after the conclusion of the consolidated action, citing O. 15 r. 5(1) of the Rules of the High Court 1980 ('the RHC).

Manzer presently has two solicitors on record, namely:

(a) Messrs Apandi Ali & Co, the solicitor on record for Manzer in the 1st suit; and

(b) Messrs Thangaraj & Associates, the solicitor on record for Manzer in the 3rd suit.

Manzer opposes this application.

The three cases in the present proceeding, namely:

(a) the 1st suit;

(b) the 2nd suit, namely, civil suit No. S6-22-588-1999; and

(c) the 3rd suit,

were consolidated on 19 June 2003 on the application of the plaintiff pursuant to an order of court. It was a consent order.

The plaint