A burst of spontaneous laughter in court perhaps best summed up what was undoubtedly one of the most bizarre hearings in Hong Kong's legal history.
It came as distinguished lawyer Geoffrey Ma SC sought to explain how the Government thought the judges might clarify their ruling for the benefit of those who did not understand it.
His first suggestion met with a puzzled response from the Chief Justice: 'Isn't that what is said on page five of the judgment?' Mr Ma was not to be deterred by the chuckles which emanated from the massed ranks of the legal community, crammed into the small court.
'It may be argued this is what the judgment says anyway,' he conceded. 'It may cause laughter . . .' he added, indignantly.
The Chief Justice seemed to be enjoying the fun. 'We could do with a bit of light relief,' he said.
A bid by Clive Grossman SC to address the court on behalf of the Bar Association also brought some humour.