Matthew McConaughey's friends will have to return to court again after jurors failed to reach a verdict.

The actor's pals, Skylar Peak and Philip Hildebrand had pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour battery after confronting photographers who tried to take pictures of the 'Fool's Gold' star on a Malibu beach in June 2008, but Malibu Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira declared the case a mistrial on Friday (18.06.10).

The pair must now return to court on July 2 when the judge will announce if there are any plans for another trial.

The duo had previously seen the case declared a mistrial in March after Skylar's mother was injured after a car accident.

The surfers were alleged to have thrown one photographer in the water as he tried to take pictures of the actor, while another paparazzo claimed he was attacked and had his camera thrown into the ocean.

It was reported at the time of the alleged incident that a surfer was overheard telling a group of paparazzi: "I'll give you a thousand bucks if you leave right now. We'll draw a line in the beach, and we'll fight for the beach. If you guys win, you can have the beach."

The group of surfers were also rumoured to have shouted: "Get a real job."