New magistrates Elaine Mercieca, Leonard Caruana, Noel Bartolo and Lara Lanfranco took the oath of office in a ceremony at San Anton Palace on Thursday.

In a speech delivered on the occasion, President of Malta George Vella congratulated the new magistrates on their appointment and explained that through this ceremony, we are also strengthening the foundations of the Constitution of Malta, which is the highest guarantee of justice for each and every one of the Maltese citizens.

The President emphasised the three qualities that he and all the people of Malta will be expecting to see in the new magistrates: responsibility, professionalism, and impartiality.

He also said that there must be no beliefs, races, colours, faces or preferences that could influence the decisions or judgments issued by the magistrates.

He appealed to them to bear in mind that their conduct is the ultimate example of fairness and integrity, which should guide their actions within the courts and in the community.

Above all, he urged them to keep in mind that anyone who seeks justice expects this without undue delay.

Present for the oath of office ceremony were Prime Minister Robert Abela, Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance Edward Zammit Lewis, State Advocate Chris Soler, and Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti.