Politics was temporarily pushed aside as the news that a judge was charged with bribery became the central point of discussion.
It was only a decade ago that the judiciary was rocked by a similar bribery scandal involving former Chief Justice Noel Arrigo and former Judge Patrick Vella.
Former members of the judiciary and the legal profession were also evidently shocked by the latest developments.
“I am shocked by the episode,” Ombudsman and Chief Justice Emeritus Joseph Said Pullicino said when asked to comment.
He said his reaction upon hearing the news of Mr Justice Ray Pace’s arrest and arraignment was the same as when the Arrigo case came to light in 2002.
Dr Said Pullicino had written to then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami expressing his shock and support at the decision to out the bribery case.
“My feelings are the same today and I cannot agree more with those who are suggesting a reform to the system by making judges and magistrates more accountable, with full respect to their independence,” Dr Said Pullicino added.
Chief Justice Emeritus Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici was similarly shocked by the developments but appealed for the court case to be allowed to run its natural course.
“At this point in time I see people suffering, including Mr Justice Pace and, although the media is not bound by the principle of the presumption of innocence, I would prefer if everyone awaits final judgment,” Prof. Mifsud Bonnici said.
Whatever the outcome of the case, it was important that trust in the judiciary was not undermined because everyone would suffer, he added.
But Reuben Balzan, president of the Chamber of Advocates, had no qualms that the latest developments will “severely undermine” the public’s trust in the justice system.
“Like the rest of the legal profession, my reaction was one of shock but also one of anger that these incidents will cause irreparable damage irrespective of their outcome,” Dr Balzan said.
Incidents like these highlighted the urgent need to reform the Commission for the Administration of Justice, he added. “The commission has to have the means to take the necessary action when there are any allegations of misbehaviour by members of the judiciary.”
Dr Balzan said the commission was “powerless” but noted that reforms could only happen with the backing of two-thirds of MPs.
“We need political consensus for this to happen but MPs have a duty to act today. They owe this not only to the public at large but also to the numerous members of the judiciary who are honest and who are equally hurt and angry at these incidents.”
Dr Balzan said no country could afford to have a justice system that did not enjoy the people’s trust.
ksansone@timesofmalta.com