The Chamber of Advocates said it would have expected the government to follow the proposals made by the Justice Reform Commission on the appointment of judges when selecting former Labour MP Wenzu Mintoff for the post.

The commission had proposed setting up an authority within the Commission for the Administration of Justice to recommend names for consideration as members of the judiciary, after conducting a proper vetting process.

This would dilute the sole discretion enjoyed by the Justice Minister, who is not obliged to consult the commission before appointing a judge.

Chamber president Reuben Balzan said he was under the impression that the proposals put forward by the commission had attracted a broad consensus.

The commission’s report was published in December following an intensive consultation process with a number of stakeholders.

“The chamber has already pronounced itself in favour of the recommendations made by the Justice Reform Commission headed by Judge Giovanni Bonello for the appointment of members of the judiciary,” Dr Balzan said, adding that the chamber expected the government to follow this procedure.

The appointment of Dr Mintoff as a judge was announced on Wednesday and he was sworn in the following day. The appointment drew a degree of surprise in legal and political circles, with some questioning his suitability and experience.

On Saturday, former PN general secretary Paul Borg Olivier declared he would not be present for the traditional first sitting of Mr Justice Mintoff who, as a Labour activist and former editor of Labour newspaper Kullħadd, had conducted “vicious attacks” against the Nationalist Party.

Mr Justice Mintoff has insisted that independence and impartiality will be his benchmark.

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