The contrasting views on the judicial review prompted President George Abela to intervene, he said yesterday.

He was speaking in his capacity as head of the Commission for the Administration of Justice, the President told this newspaper.

Last March Giovanni Bonello, a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights, was appointed to head a commission to make recommendations for an overhaul of the justice system. It has submitted two reports, the most recent one dealing mainly with institutional reform, civil and criminal procedure and administrative measures.

Some of the proposals fuelled controversy, with the judiciary saying among other things that the proposals would shatter rather than strengthen the Commission for the Administration of Justice.

The reform commission is proposing performance benchmarks for members of the judiciary, which will be set by the Chief Justice. It suggests that the revamped Commission for the Administration of Justice will be known as the Commission for the Supervision of the Judicial Services.

The new commission would oversee the administrative processes and ensure targets were met.

It would also handle reports on the performance of judges and magistrates and seek clarifications.

If not satisfied with the explanation, the new commission will refer reports to another body responsible for enforcing discipline.

Dr Abela told Times of Malta that after analysing the proposals and the reactions of both from the judiciary and the Chamber of Advocates, he could not simply “sit pretty and do nothing”.

The President said he felt the need to intervene and met all stakeholders in an attempt to bring them closer.

“I acknowledge that there are contrasting views but, so far, these are just proposals because the final recommendations will be published at the end of this month,” he pointed out.

He said the Government would have the final say and so it would be premature to comment further at this stage.

Dr Abela said that, as President, he would have a crucial role to iron out the differences as some of the proposals required a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

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