The decision came at the end of the first hearing in the case over whether to expedite the proceedings. When it filed the suit last week, days after Musk moved to terminate the deal, Twitter (TWTR) filed a motion to expedite the proceedings and requested a four-day trial in September. Musk's legal team opposed the motion.

Tuesday's hearing featured sharply worded arguments from both sides — including Twitter's lawyer at one point referring to Musk as a "committed enemy" — setting the stage for what is almost certain to be a contentious legal battle.

Twitter's lead counsel William Savitt came out swinging against Musk at the start of the hearing as he argued in favor of a speedy trial. Savitt said the continued uncertainty hanging over the company from the outstanding deal and litigation "inflicts harm on Twitter everyday, every hour and every day." He also pointed to what he described as Musk's continued disparagement of Twitter, including on its own platform.