It was business as usual yesterday for Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, who was back on the Bench even though he faces an impeachment motion.

He did not make any rulings yesterday as the majority of cases were put off

Despite the motion moved by the Prime Minister last month, the judge heard 28 cases, including some that directly involve the Government or State companies.

On the first official working day after the presentation of the impeachment motion, a number of lawyers – including Commission for the Administration of Justice member Paul Lia – yesterday appeared before Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco.

The impeachment motion was moved after a report by the ethics board of the International Olympic Committee on an investigation by The Sunday Times of London over the sale of Olympic Games tickets. The report mentioned both Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco as president of the Malta Olympic Committee and its general secretary Joe Cassar.

However, Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco did not make any rulings yesterday as the majority of cases before him were put off.

When contacted by The Times, Dr Lia did not wish to comment when asked if appearing before Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco could amount to a conflict of interest.

“If you want to ask questions, please write to the commission,” he said. Sources close to the commission said it had not been discussed whether the Chief Justice should use his legal powers to reassign Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco’s cases to another judge.

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri declined to reply to questions.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco was reprimanded in 2008 by the commission, which said he was breaching the judiciary’s code of ethics by occupying the post of MOC president. He refused to step down.