The owner of a number of properties has filed a judicial protest against Automated Revenue Management Services Limited, responsible for the collection of utility bills, complaining that electricity supply had been cut off despite an agreement to pay off outstanding balances over a period of time.

Jason Vella, 36, from Mellieha, explained that in December last year, he signed an agreement with Arms Ltd to pay outstanding balances in instalments.

However, on the same day, the firm's legal department initiated arbitration proceedings against him so the bills, running into a couple of thousands, are paid.

While the arbitration proceedings were still pending, the company last month cut off his power supply, including of the common areas, leaving him and his neighbours with no electricity to operate the lift.

Mr Vella said that after admitting that it had committed a mistake, the company reconnected him to the grid a day later.

He claimed that following this "negligent behaviour", he was now faced with a similar situation despite pending arbitration proceedings and despite a payment agreement signed by both parties.

In his protest, signed by lawyers David Camilleri and Joseph Gatt, Mr Vella called on the company to get its act together and solve the "confusion" that had taken over its departments and held it responsible for damages he was suffering as a result.