So yes, heed what Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano pleaded for the moment he was sworn in on Monday - give the judiciary the chance to start its normal rhythm of work... At the same time, make it clear that we, the people, expect a little better than the old normality.

That normality was hit by a shock tidal wave, which will continue to ripple along for a long time because of a totally unexpected type of break in the old, the one, morality. That is now a legal issue, subject to legal argument, which non-legal persons will not always manage to comprehend, though the due process of law must be followed through.

The human factor remains the backdrop to both the morality and the legal side of the issue. The moment the chief justice was sworn into office, he reminded one and all of the obvious, without danger of being accused of being simplistic. Nobody has a recipe for perfection, no human institution is perfect, no judge (or anyone else, one would add) is perfect: "We will not find perfection in this world," he reminded.

The human factor is ever present. The old normality has other inbuilt contingent failures. They have nothing to do with any personal fault. It is the system that is at fault. Yet the flesh on the bones of the system is composed of human beings.

This moment in time, uneasy as it is, is also a new beginning. Probably the only reservation I for one would make about the selection of Vincent De Gaetano to head the justice pillar of our tripod-based democratic society is his age. At 50, God willing he should expect to be chief justice for nearly 15 years.

That (as would have been the case had his predecessor lasted) is a very long time indeed. The ideal term, I feel, would be from seven to ten years: long enough for a clearly discernible impact to be made on the system; not too long to raise the danger of bone-weariness or, perhaps, disillusion.

Still, relative youth on top of a fine mind and a moral standing universally acclaimed as beyond reproach brings with it a distinct advantage. The new appointee possesses a deep well of energy that can be used to generate positive change that can be implemented without haste but with an unerring sense of purpose and determination. That is patently required at our law courts.

It is important for the legislative body to take steps to ensure that those who accept the great honour and awesome responsibility to sit in judgment of their fellow men, to ensure that one's rights are not attacked or withheld not only by fellow citizens and corporate bodies, but also by the government and the state, demonstrate without fail the wisdom of Solomon. The present minister of justice has no sugar or honey on the tip of his tongue.

At times he may lash out far too bluntly and perhaps unjustifiably. At least his arrows fly true towards a target that needs to be reached. It is one that should not really require legislation.

Yet clear legislative provisions, though they rub sore, can be visible to all. They should be enacted and made applicable to the other two pillars within the separation of powers, particularly the political class, once codes of ethics have little life or meaning outside their pages at times.

Clearly delineating the stern constraints within which the judiciary has to work and live is only part of the change that needs to be effected. That change must extend to shaking up normality, to review critically, with deep feeling and new sharp intent the old normal rhythm at the Law Courts.

It is a rhythm far too slow. It remains slow despite a predilection to quote unadjusted statistics of a net improvement in outstanding cases. Legal justice is delayed daily, weekly, yearly, for decades even, denying those who yearn for its bare minimum, even as they wait for God's fuller justice.

Chief Justice De Gaetano wants the judiciary to be given the chance to work without continuous broadsides. He is convinced that every problem in the administration of justice can be solved through serene dialogue between all parties concerned, and not through reciprocal recrimination, or with generic and senseless comments.

Serenity is a much favoured, also much maligned word. Certainly, there should be no broadsides. And reciprocal recrimination - probably meaning between the judiciary and the justice minister - and generic and senseless comments - probably meaning by the media and the general public - will not contribute towards progress.

Certainly, there should be serenity. That must also include the serenity of a citizenry whose confidence in the judiciary as a human institution is helped to be as full as humanly can be, not least because it sees the judiciary do its utmost to see that, to the extent that it can help it, the rhythm of work at the Law Courts ensures legal justice without unnecessary delay.

The new chief justice, in fact, touched on that in his brief comments on Monday, which will probably now see him falling into a wise public silent as determined as that of a Trapist monk. He warned he is no superman. He reminded us all that nobody has a recipe for perfection. But, he stated, where there is space for improvement, then all efforts would be made to achieve that.

There is indeed much space.

The citizenry will already have started watching closely how it will be filled...

Vincent De Gaetano spoke with frankness about the way his blood must have coursed hotly through his veins when he received the call informing him of his nomination yesterday week. He said that his initial reaction was to ask the prime minister to reconsider, saying he preferred not to be burdened with the responsibility.

It was, therefore, a chalice he did not seek. He reflected, and finally accepted. The media reported him as motivating his ultimate decision as follows:

"I accepted the post with a sense of responsibility towards the state, and probably even more with a sense of responsibility towards my colleagues."

That was an honest declaration. I also believe it should not have been phrased the way it was. I am not troubled by it only because I am convinced the man who made it will rise above it.

I appreciate that he felt a sense of duty towards the members of the judiciary because their institution, no matter how irrationally and unfairly, has come under a dark shadow.

Public opinion is quick to be suspicious, to tar with the same brush. There is a perennial tree in the Maltese garden that breathes out a sense of general rot. The tree is watered most heavily whenever there is anything that is alleged or discovered to be rotten.

In such circumstances it is normal that members of the class that is singled out for eyeing through narrowed eyes, to be spoken to or about with an accusatory tone and with finger and thumb holding one's honest or sanctimonious nose, stand together.

It is also expected, however good or bad the circumstances of the event, that on elevation to the proud and harrowing position of chief justice the appointee will feel a sense of responsibility to the fellow members of the judiciary.

That, however, can never ever be higher than the sense of duty the chief justice must feel and demonstrate towards the state, which is the summation of all the people, all the time.

That is the one source of earthly power and authority that are given to all those on whom are built the pillars of the separation of powers in our democracy.

Chief Justice De Gaetano starts off not only with general best wishes, but also widespread belief that the arduous personal journey he has now embarked on will help to build and nourish a better state for the good of all.