Magistrate Michael Mallia yesterday morning reprimanded lawyer Toni Abela who appeared before him for refusing to be searched on his way into court and therefore breaching Legal Notice 128 of 2006.

Magistrate Mallia said there should be no distinction between a lawyer and an ordinary person and everyone must follow security procedures to enter the Court of Justice.

On his part, Dr Abela contested the matter, saying that he feels offended that after 22 years as a practising lawyer, he has to be subjected to a search to enter the Law Courts, which is his workplace. He told the court that he intends to appeal the magistrate’s decision but was informed by the magistrate himself that one cannot appeal this decision.

Two court marshals were yesterday morning ordered by Law Courts director Vanni Galea to take Dr Abela before Magistrate Mallia for contempt of court after he repeatedly failed to follow security procedures to enter the Law Courts. This order was handed down after security officers reported Dr Abela for refusing to be scanned and searched.

Dr Abela said it was taking security personnel very long to search and scan all the people who enter the Law Courts and added that there was an occasion when a magistrate had to put off a case after lawyers were late for a case because they were still waiting in the queue to enter the Law Courts.

Magistrate Mallia said there were security procedures in place at the Law Courts and that these had to be respected. He said the law did not make any distinction between lawyers and ordinary people because the law applies to everyone.

Magistrate Mallia let Dr Abela off with a warning. However, the magistrate also called on the Law Courts director to be more sensitive towards the needs of lawyers and, in fact, soon after, lawyers were being asked to skip the queue but were still subjected to a search.