Lawyers will today resume arguments before a judge, as part of an epic legal tussle between the elder Mr Wang and Chinachem Group chairman Nina Wang over the missing tycoon's estate.

Teddy Wang was snatched from his car and held captive on the high seas.

It was the second time the tycoon had been kidnapped, the previous case in 1983 resulting in ransom of $85 million being paid and the culprits being jailed for terms of eight to 15 years.

According to one kidnapper in the second case, Teddy Wang was thrown overboard into the South China Sea as the boat was chased by mainland marine police.

His father issued a missing persons notice in May 1997, seeking information on the whereabouts of his son but received no response.

The family dispute over his death has flared over the years, especially in June 1998 when the wrangle over his estate ground to a halt as it emerged the billionaire had not been declared legally dead.

Lawyers have remained tight-lipped throughout the proceedings, refusing to comment on the case which is being held behind closed doors.

Receivers from PricewaterhouseCoopers are standing by should the billionaire be declared dead and his assets be put under court protection.

Mr Wang senior filed a writ in June this year, asking the court to force Nina Wang to hand over her husband's assets to the receivers.

She was also asked to give full details of the nature, whereabouts and value of any asset held in her husband's name, or assets held by trustees or nominees.

Nina Wang - who was cut out of her husband's last known will in 1968 - asserts that her spouse is still alive.

COURTS