An application filed by Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family to intervene in a constitutional suit instituted by one of the men suspected of murdering her has been upheld by a court.

Lawyers for Alfred Degiorgio, il-Fulu, last month filed a constitutional application objecting to the appointment of IT expert Martin Bajada in the investigation into Ms Caruana Galizia’s assassination.

Mr Degiorgio wants Dr Bajada, who was in the past convicted of fraud in a London court, removed from the investigation and any expertise he contributed struck from the record.

Dr Bajada continues to be used as a court expert in various cases, despite an appeals court having in April 2016 raised serious questions about his suitability for the role.

In an application filed against the Attorney General, Alfred Degiorgio’s lawyer William Cuschieri had argued that Dr Bajada’s appointment was tantamount to a breach of his client’s right to a fair hearing.

That request had prompted the Caruana Galizia family, through their lawyer Jason Azzopardi, to file an application seeking to intervene in the suit as parte civile.

Under Maltese law, parties intervening in a suit, although neither applicants nor respondents, are allowed to take an active part in proceedings and avail themselves of all legal means to support their arguments with all necessary evidence both in the form of documents and witnesses.

The First Hall, Civil Court, in its constitutional jurisdiction, presided over by Mr Justice Silvio Meli, upheld the request, thereby authorizing the Caruana Galizia family to intervene in the suit so as to safeguard any possible interests in their regard.

Dr Therese Comodini Cachia also assisted the Caruana Galizia family. The case continues in May.