Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been in detention for about 14 of the past 20 years. (Associated Press)

The delivery of the verdict in the trial of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been delayed to allow the court more time to consider the case, officials said.

The verdict in the trial of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was expected to be delivered on Friday. But the court was adjourned until Aug. 11, lawyers told The Associated Press.

Judge Thaung Nyunt told court the trial was being adjourned "to consider some legal issues concerning the case," said defence lawyer Nyan Win.

The judge did not elaborate but some diplomats who have observed the proceedings told Reuters the delay appears to be related to a clause in the now-defunct 1974 constitution.

Win expressed optimism the delay may indicate that the court is examining whether there has been some misinterpretation of the law related to the charges against Suu Kyi.

The 63-year-old has been jailed for nearly 14 of the last 20 years in Burma, also known as Myanmar. The pro-democracy leader is on trial for allegedly breaking the terms of her house arrest in May by letting American John Yettaw stay in her lakeside Rangoon home for two days.

She faces up to five years in prison.

Verdicts were also postponed for Yettaw, 53, and two women who lived with Suu Kyi and face similar charges.

During the trial, Suu Kyi's defence team did not contest the facts of the case but argued that the law used by authorities against her is invalid because it applies to a constitution abolished two decades ago. They also say that government security guards stationed outside Suu Kyi's compound should be held responsible for any intrusion.

Security outside the Insein prison in Rangoon had been heightened ahead of the anticipated verdict.

Suu Kyi is widely expected to be convicted. Her arrest has sparked outrage from world leaders, including accusations that the ruling junta is trying to keep Suu Kyi in detention during elections it has planned for next year.

Suu Kyi's opposition party won national elections in 1990, but Burma's generals refused to relinquish power.

With files from The Associated Press