Four magistrates will focus entirely on magisterial inquiries following a call for five new magistrates that will be issued shortly, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said on Friday. 

Speaking at a press conference, Attard said that a call will be issued for five magistrates – four to take on responsibilities for magisterial inquiries, and a fifth to replace a sitting magistrate who will be promoted to judge. 

He explained that four of the magistrates will be an important part of the upcoming magisterial inquiry reforms and will allow the other magistrates to focus on other tasks and procedures. He referred to the reform as a necessity and said that it is clear there is a need for change. He continued that there are currently 1,723 pending magisterial inquiries with some of them dating back 40 years, which he said exemplifies the need for an intervention and a change in the system. Attard said that the authorities cannot be indifferent to the struggles faced by victims and their families as a result of the lengthy and opaque inquiry process. 

Attard said that another part of the reformation process includes an entire legislative reform of the consultation process. He said that a major part of this reform will include an emphasis on accountability and competency assurances of appointed experts. He said that another aspect will be putting in place reasonable timeframes for experts to complete their assigned duties. The Justice Minister explained that €17 million has been spent on court experts throughout 2021 and 2022. He said that there is a need for further accountability and sensibility towards those affected by the lengthy procedures who are often left seeking information and updates on their cases. 

The Minister said that these initiatives are being taken in order to reach the desired level of judicial efficiency. He said that new magistrates and judges are not the only positions being filled as the Court Services Agency has had many new additions to its staff throughout recent years and now employs nearly 500 people. This increase in human resources means that there are more workers available to assist with the assigned tasks and make the overall process smoother. He emphasised that it is important to strengthen the human resources available to the justice system in order to achieve this desired efficiency. 

The Justice Minister also spoke about infrastructural changes which are planned for the courts, and explained that the Government has received a substantial amount of proposals for potential properties which could house the new Gozo court but that the process is still ongoing but is “within the final phase”. He also said that the plan for the commercial court is to make use of a designated building and that buildings outside of Valletta are being taken into consideration. 

Attard was asked for his thoughts regarding the new Chamber of Advocates Chair Peter Fenech and his statement to the Times of Malta that he sees no conflict with his Nationalist Party role as the Head of the PN Electoral Commission. Attard said that he has his concerns regarding the situation as the Labour Government has “had the courage to enact big reforms in the justice sector to ensure that there is no political intervention”. He said that he will be raising the issue during his meeting with the Chamber of Advocates. 

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras is one of three judges that will be appointed in the next few days. Lawyers Henri Mizzi and Mark Simiana will also be appointed magistrates.