Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi in the First Hall of the Civil Court yesterday dismissed an application filed by Ta' Xbiex couple Joseph and Joan Savona for the issue of a warrant of prohibitory injunction against United Insurance Brokers Ltd and Joseph F. Depares.

Applicants had requested the court to stop respondents from making use of Villa Seminia at Ta' Xbiex as commercial premises.

The court was also requested to prohibit respondents from making other commercial use of the premises as it was not in possession of permits issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, nor did it have a trading licence.

The premises in issue were formerly offices of the French Embassy, and as such enjoyed diplomatic immunity, however respondents had submitted that MEPA had not insisted upon a new permit for change of use and that the Trading Licence Unit had concluded that the licence was in order.

In yesterday's decree the court declared that it did not seem prima facie that respondents had, to date, acted in violation of the law.

Mr Justice Azzopardi therefore dismissed the Savonas' application but reserved to them any right they might have at law.

Dr Anna Mallia was counsel to applicants.

Dr Luigi Sansone and Dr Joseph Schembri were counsel to respondents.

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