Retired judge Philip Sciberras is suing Times of Malta over revelations that he was handed a privileged pension despite objections from the Treasury.

In an article published on March 18, The Sunday Times of Malta had reported that former judge Sciberras, who previously served as a Labour parliamentarian, was given a pension reserved for MPs.

The Treasury objected, arguing that he had not served in parliament for the required period of time.

In a right of reply written by judge Sciberras’ son, lawyer Andrew Sciberras, the former judge had denied the allegations, calling them baseless and "riddled with inaccuracies." 

The Sunday Times of Malta said it stood by the story, arguing that the Treasury's objection and the decision to overrule it were "indisputable facts." 

Judge Sciberras is seeking the maximum damages allowed by law in his libel application, which was filed on Monday morning before the court of magistrates. Times of Malta journalist Ivan Camilleri, The Sunday Times editor Mark Wood and online editor Herman Grech are all cited in the application.