The three sons of Daphne Caruana Galizia were in court alongside their father Peter this morning to replace the slain journalist in the libel cases instituted against her by Minister Chris Cardona and his personal adviser Joseph Gerada.

At the start of the sitting, Magistrate Francesco Depasquale expressed his deepest condolences to the grieving family members.

Lawyer Pawlu Lia, assisting Minister Cardona, informed the court he had not yet consulted with his client, deeming it rather premature to discuss such issues so soon after the tragic death of the journalist.

Peter Caruana Galizia, appearing in his personal capacity, informed the court that the remains of his wife had not yet been released by investigators and that the process appeared to be still far behind.

The court informed both parties that it would adjourn the cases to December so as to allow time for things to settle.

It was then that Matthew, one of the late journalist’s sons, indicated his wish to make a statement, declaring in open court that Minister Chris Cardona and his legal advisors had an interest to stop the case from moving forward.

"I want to make it clear that we want the case to continue," he said. “Chris Cardona has an interest in stopping the case to go forward.”

Lia pointed out that there was no such intention on their part, but that he fully understood that the comment was the result of strong emotions experienced at present.

However, the young man was quick to rebut: “No, I am not emotional.”

The minister had sued Ms Caruana Galizia after she claimed he had visited a brothel in Germany.

Putting off the case to December, the court told the grieving family members that they were not expected to turn up for the next hearing and could entrust the handling of the proceedings to their lawyer who would guide them accordingly.

Lawyer Joseph Zammit Maempel and Dr Antonio Ghio also appeared for Caruana Galizia family.