The law has one goal and that is to bring peace, said Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna during the inaugural mass for the new Forensic Year this morning.

1 October marks the start of a new Forensic Year; the day when the work of the courts officially begins.

An inaugural mass, celebrated by Archbishop Scicluna, was held on Thursday morning to commemorate this day. Numerous legal officials and lawyers attended, including President George Vella, Opposition Leader Adrian Delia, Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis, and newly appointed Attorney General Victoria Buttigieg.

“God is sending you among the people who are like his sheep and have no protection, but He knows that the environment can be hostile. Thus, God gives us methods of survival to tackle this environment, that is, people who are pure and wise,” Sciluna said during his homily, addressing everyone working with the legal field.

Scicluna believes that if legal personnel have these values, they will be able to overcome the temptation of corruption and illegalities. It would also mean that they have an understanding of the jurisprudence and prudence – “without which one will become lenient and frivolous.”

“The goal of the law is to bring peace and I encourage you to be instruments of peace in society. No one can provide what they do not possess; the help you give has to come from your conscience not just science. In return, this is what will bring you peace as without this backing you up, injustice will reign.”

Scicluna, thanking all those present for choosing this vocation, stated that everyone has a thirst for this peace that comes from justice which should be based on truth and courage.

In a statement meanwhile, Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti said that, despite the cancellation of the formal speech that usually take place to commemorate this occasion due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he still saw the need for this mass “so that we can show our gratitude to God and pray for guidance in carrying out our duties  without prejudice or fear.”

“Considering my limited time in this post I will not be presumptuous and judge the current justice system. What I can say, however, is that over the past months I have seen my fellow members of the judiciary ready to give their all,” he said.

However, he highlighted that the weakness of Malta’s justice system lays in prolonged procedures in all the courts.

Chetcuti explained that a judge has to respect the dignity of all those that appear in front of the courts so that he receives that kind of respect back. He must also be genuine and have self-discipline, while also being academically and practically prepared in order to listen and make swift decisions without jeopardising the level of justice serves in order to keep up with the workload.

“He must give himself fully to the judicial service so that the judiciary receives the respect and dignity that it deserves through personal sacrifices.”

On top of this, Chetcuti believes that legislative intervention is needed to increase the judiciary’s workforce, not only because of the volumes of cases it receives but also due to the ever-growing specialisations needed for certain cases.

The law itself also needs an intervention through amendments that will make the legal system more efficient and eliminate any unnecessary bureaucratic procedures, he added.  The judiciary and administration should also have more support in the field of information technology while the support staff have to be taught how to work under continuous pressure.

“This can all be achieved through the perseverance and good will of all parts that makes up the judicial administration,” Chetcuti said.

Furthermore, he thinks that the government must work together with the University of Malta to revise its law course and make it more specialised for all of those who wish to work within Malta’s courts.

He pointed out that there is a noticeable discrepancy in the volume of students that graduate in the legal field and the number of those who actually end up working in the courts.

On a concluding note, he thanked all members of the judiciary, the courts’ administration, the support staff and the lawyers who were always there to help him sustain his constitutional position which he never aspired for but took on with great devotion towards the Maltese state.

“My promise, and that of any judge, is that we will do everything in our power to carry out our duties, not only verbally but also through example, without any distinction or exception.”