The Chamber of Advocates has congratulated Magistrate Miriam Hayman and Magistrate Giovanni Grixti on their appointment as judges and Monica Vella and Joseph Mifsud on their new appointment as magistrates. 

The Chamber however, said it was concerned at the manner in which the government had made these appointments without due regard to the recommendations of the Bonello Commission on the reform of the Justice system, notwithstanding its apparent commitment to implement as many of the recommendations made by that commission as possible.

"The Bonello recommendations on the appointment of members of the judiciary are key in the overall reform to the justice system which the Chamber has on numerous occasions supported and continues to support. It is the implementation of those recommendations however, which sets the benchmark against which the government’s commitment to reform the justice system will be measured, and not the articulation of words of support.

"When the opportunity to implement recommendations, which the government has expressed support to presents itself and is foregone, the level and intensity of the political will and commitment to carry out the reform is, with reason, questioned. Inadequate regard to important institutional recommendations aimed at enhancing credibility in the judicial system, continues to undermine public confidence in the current judicial system."

With regard to the appointment of the members of the judiciary, the Bonello commission had proposed to dilute the justice minister’s sole discretion as at present. Although the final decision would still rest with the government, it had been proposed that a six-member autonomous authority would carry out a selection process to choose and advise on suitable candidates for the Bench.

Just over a year ago Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said the government was considering a draft law on the appointment and removal of judges. See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140402/local/government-considers-draft-law-on-appointment-removal-of-judges.513268