In September 2001 the Qormi local council claimed an article entitled The Qormi local council gives work before the

offer is chosen, published in

Il-Mument on 2 September, defamed the council and exposed it to public disdain.

The court claimed local government does not have the same protection as the individual does. Roderick Galdes and John Farrugia, who filed the suit, were protecting the hypothetical right of the council.

The court ruled the claims made by Mr Galdes and Mr Farrugia were inadmissible and the suit was dismissed.

Magistrate Michael Mallia presided over the court.