Two members of the Law Commission who dropped out have never been replaced, Commissioner Franco Debono told The Malta Independent.
The Law Commission appointed by Justice Minister Owen Bonnici was composed of five-members: Prof. Ray Mangion, Dr Ramona Frendo, Prof. Kevin Aquilina, Dr Philip Sciberras and Dr Franco Debono as president. It also included Dr Vince Galea representing the Chamber of Advocates and Dr Chris Falzon Scerri from the Attorney General’s office.
The Commission was tasked with revising and updating the Statute Law Revision Act which was enacted in 1980.
Almost a year ago, Faculty of Laws Dean Prof. Kevin Aquilina left his post as member of the Commission. A few months later, Professor Ray Mangion was ‘stopped’ from attending the Commission’s meeting after a decision by the Minister, according to Dr Debono.
This decision was contested by Dr Debono himself, who has spoken to the Minister regarding the possibility of substituting the two as the Commission had a heavy workload it needed to tackle.
“I called on Minister Bonnici to reinstate Mangion and Aquilina, but my plea fell on deaf ears.”
Dr Debono insisted he never had the slightest problem with either Prof. Mangion or Prof. Aquilina.
Contacted by this newsroom, Prof. Aquilina explained that his was not a resignation; he chose not to renew his contract as they are assigned to the Commission on a yearly basis.
At that time, Prof. Aquilina had informed the minister that he was working on something important and didn't have the time for the Law Commission.
As for Prof. Mangion, Dr Debono said he disagreed with the Minister’s decision and thinks that Prof. Mangion has “outstanding legal knowledge and capabilities”.
Last year, the Law Commissioners were informed they would be given a remuneration of €500 per year.
“I think the amount was not only ridiculous, considering the amount of work involved, but also humiliating for people of their calibre. I communicated various times with the Minister expressing these concerns and even offered renouncing my remuneration so that the others are paid, since it was very important that the work continued,” Dr Debono added.
However, the issue took months to be resolved and in the meantime work by the Commission kept on going.
“I cannot understand why it took the Ministry a number of months to settle such a simple issue,” he said.
Dr Debono also met the Minister regarding the possibility of having a fixed office in which the Commission can meet. This request has not been met so far and meetings are held either at the Ministry or in Parliament.
The Law Commission convene once a week and meetings normally last for about two hours.