President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca called on the judiciary to listen to what children had to say in court cases affecting them as two new judges and two new magistrates were formally sworn in this afternoon.

The two new judges are two long-serving magistrates, who had both been sworn in by then-President Ugo Mifsud Bonnici. Giovanni Grixti was appointed magistrate in 1996 on the recommendation of then-Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami, while Miriam Hayman became a magistrate two years later on the recommendation of his successor Alfred Sant.

The new magistrates had both been actively involved in the Labour Party prior to their appointment.

Monica Vella had been the mayor of Xewkija for 11 years and had been the locality's deputy mayor until her upcoming appointment as a magistrate was announced, while Joe Mifsud, who is well known as a journalist and broadcaster, was Labour's international secretary between 2003 and 2008.

Only people who have practiced as an advocate in Malta for at least seven years may be appointed as magistrates: Dr Vella started practising as a lawyer in 1997, and Dr Mifsud's own legal career began in 2006. Prospective judges need not have served as magistrates, but require 12 years of legal experience, including any time they may have served as magistrates.

In short speeches - though Mr Justice Grixti joked that he thankfully forgot a 45-minute speech at home - all four thanked their families, with Madam Justice Hayman recounting that on such an occasion, she missed the presence of her parents and her partner, who all died in the space of a year.

Magistrate Mifsud also paid tribute to former President Guido de Marco, who had encouraged him to pursue a legal career.

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri said that he was convinced that all four would live up to the challenge, and said that the one thing that he could promise them was "a lot of work." He emphasised that the work of the judiciary often took a toll on their families.

On her part, after congratulating the new appointees, the President called on them to listen to children, noting that it was often up to the discretion of the judiciary to ensure that their voice is heard in court.

She also called on them to make sure that there were no unnecessary delays, noting that there have been cases where people turned their life around as they awaited sentencing, only to have their life disrupted once more when the case is concluded.

(Photos by James Bianchi)