Tonight in Parliament, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici presented a Ministerial statement referring to the most recent controversy regarding the nomination of Ingrid Zammit Young and Caroline Farrugia Frendo to occupy the post as Magistrates. Dr Bonnici said that it was an honour for him to propose two women for these posts.

"Both Farrugia Frendo and Zammit Young are two very honest lawyers, with a humble character."

Regarding Dr Farrugia Frendo, the Minister said that the doubt on whether she has the necessary legal experience was unfounded, as by the time she will be sworn in, she would have exceeded the seven years of legal practice required to be eligible for a magisterial seat.

There were two magistrates who in the past were appointed right after the seven-year-period was exceeded, this was under the PN administration.

Minister for Justice Owen Bonnici said that every lawyer who is nominated for the position of a magistrate has to serve a very important public purpose. They are criticized and suffer in silence, he said.

There were a total of 11 judicial appointments since the new labour government was elected in power. Bonnici clarified that these were appointed in the exact same way as what was done in previous administrations.

He mentioned how in the past, there were lawyers who were family members of MPs and were appointed magistrates. Bonnici said that these appointments created controversy but this did not tarnish their impeccable contribution to the Maltese judiciary.

Dr Bonnici said that ever since Zammit Young's nomination was made public, the Opposition launched a vicious campaign full of lies. He mentioned how the some even said that Zammit Young's nomination was enabled due to the fact that her father was a canvasser of Dr Bonnici. 

He thanked the proposals presented by the Chamber of Advocates and said he will be discussing this issue with them in the near future.

Opposition to table private member's bill on judicial appointments

In his reaction, the Leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil said that Owen Bonnici should have presented this statement a week ago to avoid all the controversy that arose.

"I expected the Minister to admit that he did a mistake or revoke the second nomination, but he didn't."

 Bonnici's speech was long, full of excuses but with no substance, Dr Busuttil said.

PN leader said that this is a case which broke constitutional laws.

"It is very clear that the two nominees were not chosen according to their capabilities, but according to who they are and who they are related to."

He insists this is an insult to women.

"Stop comparing what is happening now to what used to be done in the previous administration. If bad things happened in the past, you should do things differently," Dr Busuttil added.

He announced that the Opposition this week will present a private members bill on how magistrates are chosen. 

Reacting to the PN leader’s intervention, Minister Owen Bonnici asked how can one take Simon Busuttil seriously if he, who wrote the PN’s election manifesto, did not even mention the appointment of magistrates.

He then invited the Opposition to sit and discuss the propositions presented by the Bonello Commission and the Chamber of Advocates.

Dr Bonnici also announced that the government will soon be presenting Cabinet with a bill on the appointment of the judiciary and said that this has now reached an advanced stage.