A judge momentarily halted a High Court trial so he could send an email warning someone that he was running late.

Judge Lionel Persey was overseeing a dispute involving Rangers Football Club and Sports Direct boss Mike Ashley.

A barrister told the judge at about 4.30pm on Monday that he needed another 10 minutes to finish asking a witness questions.

The judge said he had a "telephone meeting" arranged for 1635 and told lawyers: "Just let me send an email."

Read more: Rangers and Mike Ashley in latest round of merchandise deal fight

He then halted the trial while he typed on a mobile from the judge's bench.

Lawyers representing a company in the Sports Direct Group say Rangers are in breach of obligations under a deal relating to replica kit.

Rangers dispute the claims.

The trial is due to end later this week.

In March 2018, a divorce court judge who had a mobile phone conversation with an office clerk while overseeing a case won praise.

Judge Richard Todd answered a call from a member of staff in a case listings office in a bid to solve an administrative problem.

He had the conversation while sitting on the judge's bench at the start of a trial involving an estranged couple fighting over money in London.

Barristers had written to Judge Todd saying they wanted to find a date for another hearing. Judge Todd entered court carrying a mobile and said he had called listings staff from his office.

He said they were trying to find a suitable date and had his mobile number. A listings office clerk called the judge's mobile a few minutes later.

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Solicitor Ben Rose, based at law firm Hickman & Rose, said of Judge Todd's use of a mobile: "Information technology, properly used, offers those working in the legal system and elsewhere the opportunity to save considerable amounts of time and money."

In February 2017, a judge did a Google search on a laptop while analysing a dentist's fight over money and his ex-wife.

Mr Justice Moor carried out internet research on a company the man worked for during a public hearing in the Family Division of the High Court in London.

The dentist was not represented by lawyers and was the only person appearing before the judge. He wanted permission to challenge a ruling by a lower-ranking judge relating to the size of monthly payments he should make to his ex-wife.