Virginia Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II says a judge's order compelling the University of Virginia to turn over thousands of pages of climate-change research will likely alter his own battle for the long-sought documents.

The Republican attorney general and state Delegate Robert G. Marshall have battled the university for more than a year over the release of documents related to the work of former professor Michael Mann. Mr. Mann had been involved in a leaked email exchange with colleagues that climate-change skeptics claimed showed scientific misconduct.

Mr. Marshall, Prince William Republican, requested the documents through the Freedom of Information Act, while Mr. Cuccinelli subpoenaed them. Mr. Cuccinelli said an order issued Tuesday in Prince William County Circuit Court that grants Mr. Marshall's request could affect his own appeal to the state Supreme Court to reverse a previous ruling in favor of the university.

"It certainly can affect what we're doing," Mr. Cuccinelli said. "If they essentially disgorge everything, there's no cause for them to be going to court to try and cover it up."