GWU asks for court to await Constitutional ruling on judge's recusal in case over HQ lease

The General Workers' Union (GWU) has asked a judge to postpone hearings in a case filed against it by the PN, until the Constitutional Court delivers its ruling on the union's request for that judge's recusal.

GWU lawyer Aaron Mifsud Bonnici made the request this morning as judge Jacqueline Padovani Grima continued to preside a case filed against the union by the Nationalist Party over an alleged breach of lease conditions for the Workers Memorial Building. The PN is alleging that the GWU sublet parts of the building to third parties, in breach of the original lease conditions.

Last Friday, the GWU had filed a Constitutional application asking that court to order the recusal of judge Padovani Grima after the latter refused their request to recuse herself.

In the past, the GWU had pointed to the judge's family connections to lawyers at Fenech and Fenech, who are representing the PN in the proceedings, arguing that this did not reassure it that it would enjoy an impartial and independent judicial process.

Mifsud Bonnici submitted that the case should be postponed until a final decision in the Constitutional case was made.

Lawyer Edward Debono, appearing for the PN in this morning's proceedings, opposed this request, stressing that there was  “no legal or moral basis” for the GWU's request.

The court ordered that both parties make their closing arguments in the next sitting on 25 May.