The ongoing patent war between Apple and Samsung has taken an unprecedented twist in Australia, with two Federal Court judges now hearing the case together, according to the "Financial Review" (http://tinyurl.com/b8a6ldm).

Justice Annabelle Bennett, who has heard the case since hearings began in 2011, was joined on Monday for the first time by Justice David Yates. Apple lead counsel Stephen Burley told the "Financial Review" that it was the first time in the history of the Federal Court that two judges had heard an initial case together.

The court system typically relies on one judge for initial hearings, and panels of an odd number of judges in case of a disagreement on ruling and reasons. However, Justice Bennett had raised the notion of introducing a second judge to the hearing last year as a means of helping to understand the complex patents and mountains of documents involved, notes the "Financial Review."

This is all part of the ongoing, global legal battle. Apple and Samsung have filed more than 30 lawsuits against each other across four continents. For example, Apple alleges that Samsung copied the slide-to-unlock technology of its iPhone and iPad devices.