Judge urges parties to reach peaceful solution in Tigne eviction case

A judge hearing a civil case filed by deputy Central Bank governor Alfred Mifsud against his former partner Anna Zelbst, has urged the couple not to drag their children into the case and seek an amicable solution to their marital problems instead.

Mr Justice Silvio Meli asked the estranged couple and their lawyers to “leave the children out of this,” as the legal wrangle over a Sliema apartment currently inhabited by Zelbst and the couple's two teenage children continued in court today.

Mifsud is requesting the court order Zelbst's eviction from an apartment at Fort Cambridge, Tigné, which he says is his.

The teenage brother and sister were summoned to the witness stand today, nonetheless, telling the the court that they had been living with their mother in Fort Cambridge, Tigne since October 2012 and that their father had moved out a year ago.

Before that, they said, the family had resided in a Naxxar property belonging to Zelbst.

Asked whether they received any financial assistance from their father, both children testified that in addition to their student stipends, they received a weekly allowance from Mifsud which was sufficient to cover their needs. The day-to-day expenses were covered by their mother.

Addressing the former couple, the court remarked that despite their situation, a more positive approach was possible. “Each may go his separate way. You do not need to fight.”

Lawyer Paul Lia is representing Mifsud in the proceedings.

Lawyer Albert Libreri was counsel to Zelbst.