Chamber of Advocates warns against politicising Chief Justice appointment
Lawyers alarmed by public discussion of potential candidates, condemn social media attacks
Updated: 4.22pm
The Chamber of Advocates has expressed concern over the public discussion of prospective candidates for the post of Chief Justice, warning that such a sensitive appointment “should not be politically instrumentalised”.
In a statement on Friday, the Chamber “unequivocally condemned” personal attacks made on social media against the member of the judiciary who has been mentioned as a possible candidate for this post.
Earlier this week, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard confirmed the government had proposed Consuelo Scerri Herrera to be Malta’s next chief justice, replacing Mark Checuti who turns 68 on February 4, at which age the law dictates he must retire from his post.
Attard insisted the 61-year old judge has the credentials, knowledge and lengthy experience in the judiciary for the role.
She was appointed judge in 2018 and served as a magistrate from 1998.
Other names that have also been touted are Lawrence 'Wenzu' Mintoff and Francesco Depasquale. It is understood that some within the PN are pushing for judge Edwina Grima to assume the top role.
The appointment would require the backing of the Opposition as well and must achieve a two-thirds majority of the House of Representatives.
On Thursday, PN leader Alex Borg expressed his disappointment with the prime minister over the publication of the name of a prospective chief justice when the two had agreed to keep their discussions confidential.
And 24 hours later, he said he was still waiting for a reply from the prime minister "to continue our discussions in private, according to our gentlemen's agreement, so that we can choose the right candidate in the national interest".
The Chamber of Advocates pointed out that, “given the delicacy and importance of this office”, it had expected the political parties to reach agreement on the chosen candidate’s name “before it was discussed or aired publicly, so as to avoid such a sensitive appointment being politically instrumentalised”.
The Chamber also condemns personal attacks made on social media against Scerri Herrera.
“Our members of the judiciary carry out their duties with seriousness and dedication, and any attack on their integrity is unacceptable”.
It added that a choice of this nature “should not be made or treated as if it were a public trial”.
They urged politicians to reach a decision as soon as possible as “the delay is only creating uncertainty and causing harm to the justice sector”.