Freeze on former judge’s assets to stay until court sees death certificate

The family of deceased former judge Ray Pace has not yet had a freeze on his personal assets lifted, in the wake of his death last week.

Lawyers Stefano Filletti and Joseph Mifsud complained to Magistrate Neville Camilleri that the acts of law precluding the court from terminating the case prosecuting Pace on bribery and corruption had not been terminated, leaving his assets frozen until a death certificate is presented to the court.

Pace, who was found dead at his home last week, had been allowed to use only €500 a week from his own personal assets.

His defence lawyers argued that while the death certificate was not yet presented in court it was a confirmed fact that the former judge had passed away and the proceedings should be terminated. The conclusion of the case would also see the court releasing the assets of the former judge.

Magistrate Camilleri held that there was nothing the court could do until the death certificate was presented in its halls, since it was the law as it currently stood that restricted this decision.

The case was put off to June 24.