The Chamber of Advocates has urged the government and opposition to get on with the reform of judicial appointments, once there was clearly a high level of consensus between the two.

"The Chamber hopes that in the light of the common ground achieved both sides of the House will make all efforts to initiate with immediate effect concrete discussions to implement this reform about which there seems to be consensus between stakeholders," the Chamber said n a statement.

It issued its position on the reform last week and the Opposition presented a draft bill on the reform to Parliament yesterday.

The government has also said its drafting is in an advanced stage after having commissioned the Bonello Commission to make proposals.

The Chamber of Advocates noted with satisfaction that its proposals  had been incorporated in the Opposition's draft bill.  

The Chamber said that the positive reactions it has received from both political parties indicated that there was agreement in principle on the objectives that needed to be attained.

"The issue remains a constitutional one that needs to be addressed in a mature manner and it is certainly not one that should be clouded by political controversy. From the discussions held so far with both sides of the House and from the comments received by other stakeholders on the proposals made by the Chamber it appears that its proposals have created common ground. It would be a shame if the good intentions that seem to be characterising the debate were to be turned in a political polemic," the Chamber said.

"Timing is now of the essence – and the Chamber hopes that in the light of the common ground achieved both sides of the House will make all efforts to initiate with immediate effect concrete discussions to implement this reform about which there seems to be consensus between stakeholders."