The Association of Judges and Magistrates of Malta has welcomed the appointment of four new Magistrates but said the number still falls short of requirements.

“As stated in our previous statements, the number of new Magistrates appointed today falls far short of the number of Magistrates actually needed to deal with the voluminous work currently being experienced by the Magistrates’ courts in an efficient and effective way,” the association said.

It hoped that its “repeated” requests for increase in complement of the Judiciary do not fall on deaf ears and that the Government ensures that more Magistrates as well as Judges are appointed in the near future, to cope with the ever-increasing influx of work in Court.

The association insisted that a serious and well planned campaign, including a long term work-plan, needs to be embarked upon by the Court Agency in order to attract well trained and motivated staff to  work in Courts.

“Old work practices and legislation have to be done away with, and decades-old wage structures have to be revamped and improved, so as to assure that the Courts start operating in an efficient and effective manner. Without adequate staff and facilities to work, such as Court Halls and meeting rooms, the courts will never be able to operate in an effective and efficient way,” it said.

The association insisted that every citizen is entitled to justice within a reasonable time,  and it is the duty and obligation of the Government to provide the Judiciary with sufficient well trained staff and adequate facilities in Court, so that the Judiciary will be able to assure such a right.