Without a doubt, the government is correct in wanting to reform the Justice sector.

Many have tried before, but the process of change has always been slow. We reiterate, everything must move with the times and the justice sector is no exception.

However, we will touch up Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri’s fiery speech in court yesterday, during the swearing in of a new judge and two new magistrates.

The Chief Justice publicly vented his anger and frustration that neither he nor any other member of the judiciary was consulted as part of the judicial review. He said that he learnt about the ‘revolutionary’ proposals from the media.

The commission tasked to make this review was set up a few weeks after Labour was elected to government and is headed by Judge Emeritus Giovanni Bonello.

The Chief Justice made no beans about his frustration and said: “I am sorry to say that I am not happy about the manner in which the judicial review was handled.”

He also said that he was baffled at the fact that the commission found time to present its proposals to the media, as well as on TV, yet could not find the time to brief those who are most involved – the judiciary themselves.

Without going into the merits of the proposals, it has to be said – the Chief Justice is absolutely right. The people who are most in the know about what needs to be changed and how it can be done is magistrates, judges and court registrars.

Of course, there are many other facets that need to be looked into to be tapped for information. Some that immediately spring to mind are the police, the Attorney General’s Office, drug rehab experts, social workers, prison officials and many more. But again, undoubtedly, the ones that should be involved the most are the current members of the judiciary.

The Prime Minister countered by saying that the government had not committed to implementing any of the proposals and had reserved its judgment (no pun intended), but it is, quite simply, not good enough.

President George Abela also added his two cents worth, and in what seemed to be an attempt to defuse the situation, said it is positive that justice at the moment is at the top of the country’s agenda. He said that the most common issue is the length of proceedings. Dr Abela emphasised that the commission’s report which is a preliminary one, gives a snapshot of the situation. The President did hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the length of proceedings, but there is so much more that needs to be updated and improved.

This government has committed itself to “listen to the people”. But listening to the people does not only mean listening to Tom, Dick and Harry. It also means listening – attentively – to any organ or institution and the people that head them.