Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said it was time to consider a juridical unit specialised in the hearing of libel cases, rather than have a magistrate doing one sitting a week to hear all libel lawsuits.

He was answering questions in Parliament from Opposition member Ċensu Galea.

Dr Bonnici said there needed to be a serious discussion on various proposals, including those by Institute of Journalists chairman Karl Wright who had suggested a specialised tribunal like those already in existence for small claims and others.

Such a unit would ensure that libel suits would not take years to be decided.