A court has postponed to January a decision on whether to confirm a warrant of seizure already granted to a company which says it is owed almost €400,000 in rental arrears and utility consumption by More Supermarkets over its operation at Daniels Shopping Complex in Hamrun. 

Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti this morning heard an application filed by More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited requesting the court to revoke the temporary injunction it had issued until the case is heard. 
 
The injunction had been requested by Agdel Limited, which is renting the complex from the owners with the agreement to sublet it to third parties. Agdel Limited has a share in DA Holdings Limited, the owners of the shopping complex. 
 
Lawyer Stefano Filletti, on behalf of Agdel Limited, told the court that his clients were owed €380,000 which include €215,000 in rent arrears. There is more owed to it in water and electricity bills and maintenance for common areas. 
 
On behalf of More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited, lawyer James D'Agostino explained that the court ought to turn down the request and there was no juridical relations between Agdel Limited and More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited as the contract for the rental of the supermarket had been signed between Agdel and Cassar and Schembri Company Limited. 
 
One of the directors of the latter company is Ryan Schembri, the meat importer who fled Malta and is being sought by company creditors. 
 
Dr Filletti said that in May this year, More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited had purchased the shares of Cassar and Schembri Limited in the operations of More Supermarket in Hamrun. In fact, the company had written to Agdel Limited requesting that rental invoices be issued on this company rather than Cassar and Schembri. 
 
"From what we are seeing in the newspapers, there is no way that we can recoup any of the funds we are owed unless we freeze the company's assets in the form of equipment to get what we are owed. It is More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited which wanted to be recognised as the new tenant so the relation is obvious," he said. 
 
"Agdel Limited is clutching at straws because of the mess that Ryan Schembri left behind him. Its assertion that they are owed those monies is science fiction," Dr D'Agostino replied. 
 
To this, Dr Filletti replied: "More Supermarkets Hamrun Limited is using the corporate veil to try to wriggle out of its debt. To operate one supermarket, there are five other sister companies. This is very significant."
 
Mr Justice Chetcuti put off the case to January for a decision on whether to confirm the temporary injunction obtained by Agdel Limited in its efforts to collect what it claims it is owed. 
 

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