The continuous attack against the judicial system was often unjust and incorrect, Mr Justice Francesco Depasquale said.

Giving a speech during his first sitting as a judge, with a courtroom filled with various relatives and acquaintances, Depasquale promised that he will keep making every effort to ensure that justice is served in a reasonable amount of time, in spite of the limitations that there are in the judiciary today.

“Naturally, I will always keep in mind that every citizen is a human being to be treated with respect and loyalty.”

Speaking about the media criticism of the judiciary system, Depasquale suggested a lengthy educational campaign to help people understand laws, decisions made by the Courts and its general operations, along with the setting up of a communications office within the law courts.

"Education is the secret to everything, and that is why we should create a method whereby it will be promulgated and strengthened."

In a message to journalists, he said that the need for ethical journalism is important, particularly in a world filled with misinformation and lies.

Opening the sitting, vice-president of the Chamber of Advocates Vincent Galea said that Depasquale had been tried and tested many times over as a member of the judiciary.

Galea also spoke directly to journalists and the media in general, maintaining that there must be a balance between the right to informing the public and the right to a fair hearing.

He insisted that one size does not fit all in court cases and that greater efficiency in the judicial process needed to be achieved with greater dialogue with the Chamber.

As a suggestion, Galea recommended that sittings when evidence was to be heard, should no longer be scheduled for 9am since this making life difficult for lawyers and others.