A court has rejected a request by Mark Gaffarena  to suspend proceedings instituted by the prime minister for the revocation of the Old Mint Street property deal.

In the same sitting, Madame Justice Anna Felice upheld a request by lawyer Peter Caruana Galizia, on behalf of a number individuals who also own a share in the  property at the center of the controversy, to be included as parties to the case.

The Prime Minister filed court proceedings against Mr Gaffarena and the Commissioner of Lands, asking for the revocation of the irregular €3.4 million expropriation deal of a third undivided share of the building in Old Mint Street, Valletta.

In February, Mr Gaffarena's lawyer, Keith Bonnici had requested the Commission for the Administration of Justice investigate Attorney General Peter Grech, lawyer Victoria Buttigieg and lawyer Christian Falzon Scerri for an alleged breach of the Code of Ethics and Conduct for lawyers. Dr Bonnici asked for the expropriation case to be suspended until the investigation is completed, if his complaint is upheld.

However, presiding the First Hall of the Civil Court this morning, Madame Justice Anna Felice did not accept this complaint.

The court upheld the co-owners argument that since the government had expropriated an undivided share of the property, the share that was expropriated could not be identified.  

The Commissioner for Lands - who is also being sued by the government- had accepted the request for their inclusion, but Mr Gaffarena had objected.

Lawyers Victoria Buttigieg and Chris Falzon Scerri are also representing the Office of the Attorney General. Lawyer Josianne Azzopardi appeared on behalf of the Commissioner for Lands. Dr Tanya Sciberras Camilleri represented the other property owners.