Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano and Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti took their oath of office when they were sworn in as new judges this afternoon in a ceremony at the Palace in Valletta which also saw lawyer Marse-Ann Farrugia become a magistrate.

Dr Farrugia is replacing Dr Quintano while the Dr Quintano and Dr Chetcuti will be filling the vacancies created by the retirement of Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono and impending departure of Chief Justice Vincent de Gaetano, who has been elected to serve on the European Court of Human Rights.

President George Abela congratulated the new members of judiciary. Their task, he said, was not an easy one especially in this day and age.

He urged them to administer quickly and fairly saying this was what those seeking justice wanted.