Staff shortage forces magistrate to put off sitting... again

The traffic court sitting scheduled for yesterday was again postponed after Magistrate Anthony Vella put off the sitting because of "administrative shortages".

The adjournment affected about 70 cases. Two similar sittings were postponed last week and the week before for similar reasons.

Traffic sittings including appeals from tribunals are held weekly.

It is known that Magistrate Vella has been asking for a replacement of a staff member transferred from his office last year but as this has not materialised, and staff are not willing to work overtime, the traffic sitting will have to be postponed until the member of staff is replaced.

Magistrate Vella presides over cases brought forward by the police administrative law enforcement unit and also over health and safety and traffic cases, the Family Court, the Juvenile Court and the Zabbar district.

A spokesman for the administration of the law courts said movements of staff can only be approved by the Chief Justice.

A call for application for messengers was made recently but the number recruited was fewer than the number required.

The issue of staff shortage in Magistrate Vella's chambers was being actively considered, the spokesman said.