Chief Justice Emeritus Hugh W. Harding passed away a day after his wife Marian.

The Chief Justice Emeritus was born in Valletta on October 17, 1925.

He graduated as a legal procurator in 1943 and continued his studies at the University, graduating with a BA in 1946 and achieved his LLD in 1949. He was awarded the Government Travelling Scholarship after graduating first in his course and undertook a postgraduate course in law in London.

Before being appointed a Judge, he had an extensive legal practice, including holding the post of legal advisor to the Malta Drydocks as well as several other companies.

In 1962, 1966 and 1971, Dr Harding served as Election Commissioner. He was appointed as a judge on November 17, 1980 and sat on the Criminal as well as Civil Court. He also sat on the Court of Appeal.

Mr Justice Hugh Harding was appointed Chief Justice with effect from the 14th September 1987. He retired from the bench in 1990 and was appointed Chairman of the Permanent Law Reform Commission in 1991.

His publications include the two University textbooks “History of Roman Law in Malta” and “Maltese Legal History under British Rule (1801-1836)”

He also published a law journals entitled; “Some considerations on case law” (1945), “The Accused in Maltese Law” (1947) and “First offenders under Maltese Law”(1948),