Judge Antonio Mizzi has been appointed Commissioner of Laws, with the appointment backdated to June 1.

The one-year appointment can be renewed.

The Commissioner is responsible to ensure that laws do not conflict when it comes to human rights, among other things.

[twitter id="script>" link="

The award of public appointments after a judge retires is another problem that gravely undermines the independence of our judiciary. If you are nice to @JosephMuscat_JM you get a reward.@repubblikaMT @PieterOmtzigt https://t.co/Y7IsJM0svj

— Simon Busuttil (@SimonBusuttil) June 19, 2019

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Judge Mizzi served as magistrate in the Maltese courts between 1987 and 2013, when he was promoted to judge, a position he held until his retirement in 2018.

One of his last hearings was on the Panama Papers, which he had adjourned to a date after his retirement. The case had propelled him into the limelight after former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil objected to the fact that the case was being heard by a judge who is married to a Labour MEP.

As Commissioner of Laws, Judge Mizzi takes over from Franco Debono, who had publicly stated that he did not wish to have his contract renewed.