Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera has again asked for a protection order to be issued against columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia to stop her from writing about her on her website.

This is the second time the magistrate has made such a request, the first being denied by Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona on grounds of freedom of speech.

Ms Caruana Galizia stands charged with defaming Magistrate Scerri Herrera in a series of blog entries.

The first request came in the first sitting three weeks ago, when lawyer Steve Tonna Lowell, who is appearing for Magistrate Scerri Herrera, asked the court to stop the columnist from writing more articles involving the magistrate. The request was turned down.

In the second request, Dr Tonna Lowell said that in the last sitting Magistrate Scerri Herrera had testified about the impact the articles were having on her life, especially because they were defamatory and had continued.

He said the case was sub judice and so any further insulting comments on the website did not augur well for the proper administration of justice.

Defence lawyer Roberto Montalto has to reply to the request.

The case continues on April 12.