Former law professor Tey Tsun Hang was a no-show for his appeal hearing at the High Court on Wednesday, surprising even his own lawyer, Mr Peter Low.

The 42-year-old, who was sentenced to five months' jail in June for corruptly obtaining sex and gifts from a former student, was due to present his case against both his conviction and sentence earlier in the morning.

"I had no indication that he would not attend," said Mr Low, who was told by his client - five minutes before the hearing was due to begin - that he was in Kuala Lumpur with his parents and will not appear for the hearing scheduled for Oct 16 to 18.

High Court Judge Woo Bih Li also expressed his surprise that Mr Tey did not show up, especially since he had requested for the dates for the appeal. The hearing will however, continue without Mr Tey, who was granted early release from his five-month jail term on Oct 5 for good behaviour.