A written note by former Deputy Central Bank Governor Alfred Mifsud committing to pay his ex-partner a monthly allowance of €3,000 to cover expenses relative to the couple’s two children, was deemed as not sufficiently binding by a Magistrates’ Court today as it rejected the woman’s claim for payment.

Anna Zelbst, long-time partner of Alfred Mifsud and mother of his two children, had instituted a civil suit claiming that her former partner owed her €6,000 by way of the private writing which he had drafted when their relationship had ended on the rocks.

The court, presided over by Magistrate Caroline Farrugia Frendo, heard how early in 2016, Mr Mifsud used to hand over €3,000 monthly to cover the expenses relative to their teenage children, who continued to live with their mother.

However, in May 2016, owing to problems leading to the couple’s breakup, this monthly payment was no longer affected by Mr Mifsud prompting Ms Zelbst to demand some form of written assurance that her former partner would still abide by his earlier non-written commitment.

The court heard how Mr Mifsud had duly obliged, drafting his intention in a writing which he handed over to his former partner.

However, both Ms Zelbst and her children had testified that subsequently, Mr Mifsud had returned to the apartment at Tigne while his ex was abroad and had allegedly taken away some papers among which was the said document.

The woman had reported the matter to the police and separate criminal proceedings are still ongoing.

A copy of the paper which, Ms Zelbst had forwarded to her lawyer, was exhibited in court.

The court observed that the suit did not involve a request by the applicant for the fixing of a maintenance allowance.

The said document had been an expression of its author’s intention to pay €3,000 on a monthly basis which, however, did not figure under the three scenarios of a legally-binding promise as envisaged by law.

Consequently, the court concluded that the document did not create a legally binding obligation and therefore rejected Ms Zelbst claim for payment.

Lawyer Albert Libreri assisted Ms Zelbst.
Lawyers Pawlu Lia and Phyllis Aquilina assisted Mr Mifsud.