The hearing in former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's final appeal against a prison sentence for tax fraud will be held before the Court of Cassation on July 30, earlier than expected, Reuters reported citing a legal source close to the case.

A Milan court sentenced Berlusconi last year to four years in jail with a five year ban on holding public office after it found him complicit in tax fraud at his Mediaset television empire. The verdict was confirmed in a first appeal this year.

The result of the final appeal at the Court of Cassation could have a major impact on the government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta, whose fragile coalition government depends on Berlusconi's center-right People of Freedom party.