The court has ordered the tenants of a property near Hagar Qim to leave the land after turning the site into a restaurant. The case goes back to 2005 when the original owners of the property, the Magri family, started legal proceedings against tenant Jade Cini. Magri requested the termination of lease arguing that tenants had made major alterations to the property.

The civil court heard how the tenant made extensive structural alterations to the original property. Cini built stores, a garage, toilets and kennels among other things. The original structure was even transformed into a restaurant with the materials used contrasting sharply with the surroundings.

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri observed that all of these changes were done without the owner's consent. The court also noted that the tenant had the right to carry out structural changes as long as the use of the property is not altered.

The tenant had appealed but the court rejected it and confirmed a previous judgement which was handed in 2012.

The Magri family was assisted by lawyer Michael Tanti-Dougall.