It was very likely there would be "two elections" between April and July next year and lawyers who are also members of parliament would find it very difficult to appear in court, Dr Jason Azzopardi told the court yesterday.

Dr Azzopardi, who is also the international secretary of the Nationalist Party, made an oral submission in front of Mr Justice Joe Galea Debono while discussing the date of a trial by jury.

Mr Justice Galea Debono had suggested the trial in question be held next May. But Dr Azzopardi commented it was very likely that "we would be in the thick of things" as it was possible "there would be two elections at around that time". Thus, he added, most lawyers who were also MPs would find it very difficult to be in court.

Mr Justice Galea Debono appointed the trial for October 2003 but warned both Dr Azzopardi and the accused that the trial would be held and if Dr Azzopardi should be unable to make it, a lawyer from the legal aid pool would be appointed in order for the trial to go ahead.