Yana Micallef Stafrace, daughter of former Labour Party Minister Joe Micallef Stafrace, has been appointed to the role of Magistrate by President Marie Louise Colerio Preca, at a ceremony held at the Grandmaster’s Palace in Valletta this afternoon.
Dr Micallef Stafrace was a practicing lawyer, a legal aid and had been also appointed as chairperson of the Domestic Violence Commission under this government.
The President said that Magistrate Stafrace had vast experience in her field and was certain she would be impartial and independent in her lines of work.
The newly appointed Magistrate thanked her family for the support in both her professional and private life.
She also said that her 30-year experience on various tribunals and boards in Malta will help her on this new path.
Her appointment means that the number of women members of the judiciary now stands at 20, which is 43% of the total number of judges and magistrates.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Minister for Justice Owen Bonnici, and Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri were also present at the ceremony.
The Chief Justice also praised Dr Micallef Stafrace’s experience in working in varying fields of law.