The Democratic Unionist Party's two Ministers in the Stormont Executive were refused leave to apply for a judicial review in the High Court in Belfast yesterday in a court action over withholding of documents.
Mr Justice Kerr, who had considered his ruling over the weekend following a hearing on Friday, said he would give his reasons later this week.
The legal advisers for the Ministers - the Regional Development Minister, Mr Gregory Campbell, and Mr Maurice Morrow, the Minister for Social Development - are awaiting the judgment before deciding on their next step, but it is expected they will appeal.
The defendants in the case are the First Minister, Mr David Trimble, and the Deputy First Minister, Mr Seamus Mallon.
Last Friday's hearing was told they withheld Executive committee papers from the two Ministers because of concern that they would disclose the contents prematurely in the light of the DUP's declared intention to "act as whistle-blowers and highlight every concession Mr Trimble made to Sinn Fein/IRA".