Despite Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil’s request for the case to be heard with urgency, the appeals filed by Joseph Muscat, Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi after a magistrate gave his go-ahead for a Panama Papers inquiry will only be heard in two weeks’ time.

Last week a magistrate accepted Busuttil’s request for an investigation on whether Konrad Mizzi and Keith Schembri, among others, broke money laundering laws when opening secret companies in Panama.

The request had also called to investigate Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. It also covers Nexia BT’s Brian Tonna and Karl Cini, Kasco Limited employee Malcolm Scerri and former Allied Newspapers Limited managing director Adrian Hillman. All seven have appealed the decree.

Simon Busuttil has asked the court to hear the appeals with urgency. It has also said it will seek the recusal of Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi (photo), since he is the husband of Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi.

But in a decree issued today, the judge set the appeal hearing for 16 August at 10am.