Malawi's high court has ordered Vice President Cassim Chilumpha reinstated to his office, and his salary and benefits restored in full.
President Bingu wa Mutharika fired Chilumpha last month in a letter, citing his poor attendance at cabinet meetings and his unwillingness to move to Lilongwe, the capital of the southern African country.
Chilumpha protested the letter, saying that only Parliament has the power to dismiss him.
In its ruling, the high court said the firing was suspended pending judicial review, which will be scheduled later.
President Mutharika and Chilumpha were running mates in the 2004 elections, but have been feuding publicly since the president quit the United Democratic Party to set up his own political party.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.