The Constitutional Court is to deliver the final judgment next October 16 in the constitutional case filed by two judges charged with bribery.

Mr Justice Anton Depasquale, Mr Justice Albert J. Magri and Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia yesterday heard verbal submissions in the appeal filed after the Civil Court dismissed the constitutional reference made by the Magistrates' Court.

The judges - Noel Arrigo and Patrick Vella - are claiming a breach of human rights by the prime minister's remarks at a press conference shortly before their arraignment and the ensuing press statement released by the government.

They have been charged with two counts of bribery and one of revealing official secrets in relation to a judgment handed down by the Court of Criminal Appeal against Mario Camilleri on July 5, 2002.

Dr George Abela and Dr Joseph Giglio are counsel to Arrigo and Dr Toni Abela, Dr Michael Sciriha and Dr George Cutajar are counsel to Vella.

Attorney General Anthony Borg Barthet also appeared as counsel to the police commissioner.