Anyone walking in Republic Street in Valletta this morning was greeted with an unfamiliar site - the Maltese flag raised upside down at the Law Courts building.

For some, it was something to smile about.

Then again, raising the national flag upside down without realising - and leaving it there - is not something that is amusing.

Doing it at the Law Courts, where justice is supposed to prevail and everything is supposed to be in good order, is even less entertaining.

Perhaps there is a hidden meaning to it too.

In the maritime world an inverted flag signifies distress - and many would say that Malta is in such a situation.