Photo: The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford addresses reporters at City Hall in Toronto on November 27, 2012. A lawyer for Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will be in court today seeking a stay of his ouster from office. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

A judge has decided Toronto Mayor Rob Ford can stay in office for the time being.

The judge took about 30 minutes today before granting Ford a stay of his ouster to allow his appeal to play out, saying he would suffer irreparable harm if booted now.

Last week, another judge ordered Ford booted from office for voting on a matter in which he had a financial interest.

Ford's lawyer urged the stay, in part because he said the original decision was flawed.

The lawyer who pushed for the mayor to be kicked out of office did not oppose the stay request, saying it was in the public interest to grant it.

If Ford loses his appeal, expected to be heard in early January, he has said he will run in a byelection if council chooses to have one.