Newly appointed judge Anthony Ellul presided over his first sitting yesterday, making a number of proposals with respect to ways of improving the efficiency of the Law Courts.

In the presence of President George Abela, Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici and several distinguished guests, the new judge noted that the nomination of five new members of the judiciary on 28 April was a positive development which, however, brought about difficulties for the administration of the Law Courts due to lack of space and staff.

While noting developments that have improved the way the Law Courts operate over the years, Mr Justice Ellul made a number of proposals for change, particularly those related to the use of information technology.

He mentioned, among other things, the need to introduce an e-filing system of judicial acts, find concrete means of making the huge workload of magistrates more manageable, revise the legal aid provisions to ensure that everyone is granted access to justice, and strengthen the position of judicial assistants.

Mr Justice Ellul mentioned a proposal that had been made by Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino in 1995 with respect to the establishment of a research unit, and spoke about the need for investment in adequate facilities at the Law Courts library.

The new judge also spoke about the Gozo Law Courts, where he worked as a magistrate, saying that the building housing the courts was no longer adequate for today’s needs.

At the same time, he praised the initiative to introduce a scanning system of proceedings of civil cases, as well as a digital audio recording system in one of the courtrooms in Gozo.

Talking about retired judges, Mr Justice Ellul said: “I would like to see the Faculty of Laws making use of these legal brains. These are people who are full of energy, passion for law, legal wisdom and extensive experience”.

Meanwhile, the president of the Chamber of Advocates, Reuben Balzan, said Mr Justice Anthony Ellul’s appointment as a new judge was particularly special since they had followed the same university course and graduated in 1993.

He praised the judge for his integrity, competence and courteousness, and for the efficient way with which he worked as a magistrate at the Gozo Law Courts over the last four years. During this period he handed down more than 400 judgements.

Dr Balzan stressed, as he has done before, the urgent need for the government to seriously commit itself to increase the staff working for members of the judiciary. There have been times when court sittings could not be held, or were held late, due to a lack of members of staff.

Failure to invest in more employees could lead to a lack of motivation among members of the judiciary, not to mention the inconvenience to the public, he said.

Like Mr Justice Ellul, Dr Balzan also raised the subject of electronic services related to the Law Courts.

“In this day and age it is ridiculous that you need to physically go to Gozo to present judicial acts at the Gozo Law Courts.

“We need to make much better use of IT to improve the service to both lawyers and the public,” said Dr Balzan.