A decision on the Panama Papers inquiry appeal will be given in camera and there will be no further sittings, a judge has decreed.

Mr Justice Giovanni Grixti took over the case after Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi retired.

Former Opposition Leader Simon Busuttil has asked the courts to launch a magisterial inquiry into the Panama Papers revelations. His request was upheld by Magistrate Anthony Farrugia but blocked by the seven plaintiffs: the Prime Minister, his chief of staff, Keith Schembri, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi, and businessmen Brian Tonna, Karl Cini, Malcolm Scerri and Adrian Hillman, who appealed that ruling.

The appeal case was assigned to Judge Antonio Mizzi, who is the husband of Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi. Busuttil had requested the Judge’s recusal, but a Constitutional Court later ruled that Mr Justice Mizzi would continue hearing the case.

The constitutional court found that while Dr Busuttil was justified in highlighting concerns about a right to a fair trial, after Judge Mizzi was appointed to the case, he had no right to ask for the judge to be recused, as he could not be considered a victim in the case.

The judge retired in November, with the case being assigned to Mr Justice Giovanni Grixti.

In a decree handed down on Tuesday, the judge said that he was giving all parties four days in which to make their submissions or clarifications and that a final decision will be handed down in chambers.