But a city lawyer described these cases as "extremely few and far between."

Between them, the two companies control more than 90 percent of the health insurance market for municipal workers, city lawyers said.

Board members are encouraged to raise questions, city lawyers say.

Now, any possible trial will be delayed for at least six months, a city lawyer said.

On May 24, 1996, a month after the federal law was signed, city lawyers appeared in court asking a judge to end the case.

City lawyers have described the intelligence documents as central to the city's defense.

City lawyers have been unable to talk with the other distribution company.

A city lawyer told the judge the board would try to count the paper ballots within 48 hours.

But the city lawyers said they believed the law allowed them to keep homeless families there at least 48 hours, and maybe longer.

Yesterday afternoon, city lawyers said they were studying the order.