A Magistrate this morning decided that digital recording of court sittings can go ahead, dismissing points raised by lawyer Franco Debono that such recordings should not be allowed because the law only speaks of recording by electro-magnetic means.

When the issue continued to be considered this morning, court technical expert Clifton Barbara , replying to questions by Dr Debono, said there was an electro-magnetic aspect to the new system but the process was mostly digital.

Magistrate Clare Stafrace Zammit ruled that although the law was not exhaustive, ultimately the method of recording was a  means to an end and the end was the transcript, which became part of the case record. She did not feel that the new system should disturb the case now being heard. The case is over an alleged theft carried out by Freddie Delia, 33, of Żabbar.