Legal history was made yesterday when Madam Justice Abigail Lofaro became the first woman judge to take her place on the bench in Malta's law courts.

"Being appointed a judge meant a lot to me personally but it was also an achievement made on behalf of women who, for the first time, are now represented on the judges' bench," Madam Justice Lofaro said during a ceremony held to mark her first sitting as a judge.

The event was witnessed by President Eddie Fenech Adami, Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano, former Presidents Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and Censu Tabone (Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was abroad) and Parliamentary Secretary Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici.

In her address, Madam Justice Lofaro said she had served as magistrate between January 9, 1996 and September 5, 2006.

Her nomination as a judge, and the nomination of her colleague Madam Justice Anna Felice, meant that for the first time women had been appointed to preside over the Maltese courts as a judge. She recalled how when she completed her law degree in 1984 there were six women graduates and 45 men whereas nowadays more young women than men were graduating.

Looking back at her childhood, she said she always felt drawn towards the law and, as she grew up, this feeling became stronger.

She started her working career at the Housing Department after which she practised in several government departments and commissions until she started her own private practice with her lawyer husband Pierre.

When she was appointed magistrate in 1996 she took on the challenge even though she had never worked in the criminal courts as a lawyer. She accepted because, believing in justice and the search for truth, she could now contribute to what she believed in.

Now that she had been appointed judge she would continue to deal with each case meticulously, seriously and with absolute impartiality.

Apart from preparing herself before the sittings she would make sure the lawyers too were prepared and this to avoid unnecessary delays. She planned to adopt a system in which she set cases by appointment and expected that, once the appointment was set, all parties turned up.

Madam Justice Lofaro thanked all those who helped and encouraged her throughout her career.

Starting from her teachers at school, she moved onto her court staff - Rita Mangion, Stephen Agius and Vince Camilleri - and thanked them for their hard work and patience. She also thanked her parents for always believing in her and encouraging and supporting her till today.

Madam Justice Lofaro also spoke affectionately about her "small and naughty" daughter Giulia who was also present during the ceremony but had to be taken out of the room.

She especially thanked her husband for his "patience, dedication and the total support he provided during all decisions I took in my life".