Al Jazeera reports: As Egypt gears up for further protests, divisions over President Mohamad Morsi’s recent decrees to solidify his power have had a polarising effect on the judiciary, one of the country’s most sacred institutions.

Morsi’s declaration has led to a judicial boycott by some judges, while others say what the president is doing is justified, and those refusing to hear cases are playing politics.

The Judges Club – an unofficial organisation of judges within the judiciary, primarily made up of those opposing Morsi’s policy decisions – called for a boycott of the courts until Morsi rescinds his declaration.

The Judges of Egypt, another unofficial club of judges, held a press conference of its own, reassuring the public that despite the boycott they would ensure courts and legal proceedings would continue to operate normally.