Protests by the president's supporters have prevented Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court from meeting in Cairo for a key ruling on a draft constitution, state media say.
Hundreds of protesters gathered to try to block any ruling that would question the document's legality.
President Mohammed Morsi has said a referendum on the constitution will be held on 15 December.
His opponents say the draft constitution undermines basic freedoms.
Sunday's delay is the latest development in an unfolding confrontation between Mr Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood supporters on one side, and his mainly secular political opponents and the judiciary on the other.
Mr Morsi adopted sweeping new powers in a decree on 22 November that stripped the judiciary of any power to challenge his decisions, so it is unclear what effect a Supreme Constitutional Court ruling would have.
However, analysts say any ruling opposing his decisions would be a direct challenge and would bolster the opposition campaign to have his decree annulled.
'Democratic system'The Egyptian state news agency Mena says demonstrations outside the constitutional court have prevented the judges from getting into the building.
- Sharia remains the main source of legislation
- Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam's leading authority, to be consulted on "matters related to Sharia"
- Christianity and Judaism to be the main source of legislation for Christians and Jews
- Religious freedom to be limited to Muslims, Christians and Jews
- Limits president to two four-year terms of office
It is not clear yet whether they will reconvene elsewhere on Sunday and a statement from the court is expected in the next few hours.
The court was to rule on whether to dissolve both the constituent assembly that passed the draft constitution and the Islamist-dominated upper house of parliament, the Shura Council.
However, Mr Morsi's decree was passed with the intention of making any such rulings unenforceable.
The president's supporters are wary of the court, as it dissolved an Islamist-dominated lower house of parliament in an earlier confrontation in June.
The draft constitution was rushed through the constituent assembly on Thursday night.
After receiving a copy of the document on Saturday, Mr Morsi called on "all Egyptians" to take part in the referendum, whether or not they agreed with the draft.
"The world is looking at how Egyptians will build their institutions to establish their democratic system," the president said.
His announcement was hailed at a rally in Cairo on Saturday, with the crowds chanting, "The people support the president's decision!"
'Struggle will continue'The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says that the two weeks until the ballot will be tense, as Egyptians prepare to vote not just on the constitution but also on the country's future.
The draft constitution and the recent decree have prompted widespread protests by opponents.
Many anti-government activists remain camped out in Cairo's Tahrir Square.
"Morsi put to referendum a draft constitution that undermines basic freedoms and violates universal values. The struggle will continue," key opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei tweeted on Saturday.
If approved, the new text will overwrite all constitutional declarations - including Mr Morsi's decree - and a new parliament should be elected within 60 days.
Among the historic changes to Egypt's system of government, the draft limits a president to two four-year terms. It also introduces some civilian oversight of the military.
The draft keeps in place an article defining "principles of Sharia", or Islamic law, as the main source of legislation.
Mr Morsi's supporters point to the fact that he is Egypt's first freely elected president and argue that liberals and secularists do not represent the vast majority of Egyptians.
But the extent of Mr Morsi's new powers has raised fears that he might become a new dictator.
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