A Lisbon court is on Wednesday to reveal the facts seen as proved in a civil case in which the parents of Madeleine McCann, are suing the former police inspector who initially oversaw the investigation into the then three-year-old's disappearance from a holiday apartment in the Algarve in May 2007 

The judge, Emília Melo e Castro, is to announce what facts will be considered by her in reaching her verdict, which is to be announced later.

In the case, Kate and Gerry McCann and their three children are seeking €1.2 million in compensation from the former inspector, Gonçalo Amaral, for allegedly defaming them and violating their rights and freedoms in publishing a book about Madeleine's disappearance in which he concludes that she died in the apartment.

The family is also suing Amaral's publisher, the producer of a film based on the book, and the television company that broadcast it.

The case has dragged on for more than five years, with several postponements and an attempt to settle out of court that was not successful.