One of the five judges has reportedly stood down as one of Saddam's co-defendants has been linked to the killing of his brother.
The tribunal's chief judge, Rizgar Mohammed Amin, is expected to make the announcement on Monday, and the judge will be replaced by an alternative, according to CNN.
The judge, who has not been named, reportedly said he could not remain impartial knowing that one of the defendants was involve in a death warrant that led to the execution of the judge's brother.
The former president and seven co-defendants are charged with murdering nearly 150 men in the village of Dujail following an assassination attempt in 1982.
Up to five witnesses are expected to testify, and some of them will have their identities concealed.
Saddam Hussein's defence lawyers are demanding additional security arrangements after the murders of two members of their team since the trial was opened.
A plot to assassinate the court's top investigative judge was also uncovered between the first two sessions.
On Sunday, Iraqi security forces announced they foiled an insurgent group's plans to fire rockets at the court building.
Court time has been limited to just two brief sessions so far after two earlier adjournments, most recently a week ago.
The only witness so far presented was a former official whose testimony was recorded on video just before he died.
Court officials are hoping that a full four days of hearings featuring 10 witnesses will be possible before the court adjourns again in time for Iraq's parliamentary elections on December 15.