We'll have the right to appeal any adverse ruling by Judge Hale.

"Those who understand the law recognize the impact upon our legal system in the event of an adverse ruling."

But in an interview on Thursday, he suggested that he might appeal an adverse ruling.

Nobody is under the illusion that two adverse rulings are going to change the administration's fundamental bias toward commercial exploitation.

Both sides are sure to appeal an adverse ruling, pushing any legal outcome into the future.

But this hearsay evidence cannot by itself be the basis for an adverse ruling.

Activists say adverse rulings and contradictory federal policies add to the confusion.

The focus I have had is on whether an adverse ruling will fundamentally change the company's business model.

"We have an adverse ruling in a lawsuit filed a day before the event," Abrams said.

An adverse ruling would kill the plan, authority officials have said.