By Ana Campoy

Of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

The Delaware judge due to preside over the fate of the stranded takoever of Rohm & Haas Co. (ROH) and Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) called both sides for a 2:00 p.m. EDT meeting.

The chemical companies had secured a delay to Monday morning's scheduled start of the trial, called after Rohm sued Dow for failing to complete a deal agreed on last July.

With talks between the two sides continuing, Chancellor William Chandler called a meeting, according to David Bernick, who represents Dow Chemical.

Executives from both companies, inlcuding Rohm Chief Executive Raj Gupta, returned to the courtroom ahead of the meeting.