The Attorney General (AG) serves two main purposes, explained Dr Borg, one as the government’s primary legal consultant and the second as the primary magistrate, who has the power to begin or stop criminal procedures against anyone, without the government’s intrusion.

The AG is one of the most important posts within the state structure and, considering the reform of the AG’s office about to take place, it must be undertaken by someone as dedicated and hard working as Dr Camilleri, continued Dr Borg.

Both sides of the House of Representatives agreed that the AG’s office does not have enough manpower and needs restructuring.

It will become a government agency which will not only make the AG the primary government lawyer, but will also carry out procedures in the government’s name, explained Dr Borg.

The AG’s office has an ever-increasing workload and the 14 lawyers and three legal procurators cannot continue to operate under the current system, he said.

Dr Borg said the AG’s office can be made “the best legal office” through these reforms. He mentioned that a better financial package must be offered in an attempt to recruit the best lawyers. To ease some of the pressure off the AG’s office and guarantee the highest standard of service, jobs will be farmed out to private firms, continued the minister.

Dr Camilleri expressed his gratitude and explained that it was not a job to be taken lightly. Sometimes, the AG must take decisions that are not popular, neither with the opposition nor the government, he said, and this is when the state must have ultimate faith in the AG and all he stands for.

Dr Camilleri has a long list of credentials to his name, said Dr Borg, and that generated faith in his ability to take up this position of such great responsibility.