In the mid-1960s, judges in Malta still wore top hats and tails. They held themselves aloof. They did not mix – except with their own kind. The new law courts had not moved to Republic Street, as yet called Kingsway, in the capital, Valletta.

Most lawyers, too, held on tenaciously to an aura of old time deference around and towards them. They were a breed on their own. Their numbers were not only limited; they were mostly elitist.

That is when I first met Professor Joe Ganado, a very learned, established but humble top lawyer. Respected at the bar he nonetheless did not put on airs and graces when one went to see him professionally. He was also a very sober and sympathetic lecturer in Civil Law at the old University campus in St Paul Street, Valletta.

His office at 171, Old Bakery Street, had not yet been tastefully refurbished. However, he delivered without fuss. He gave you his quality time and undivided attention. He listened to you. You did not have to sit respectfully in awe in his presence.

There was absolutely no need to be deferential. He oozed humanity. Prof. Ganado did not make you feel diminutive in his presence, putting on patronising airs that he knew it all, in front of you, a mere mortal.

He would take you into his confidence, guiding you to discuss the brief before attending court. He was punctual, never late for a meeting. Above all, he gave you valuable time and scholarly attention, even to the point of inviting you to his home on a Sunday or a public holiday to go deeper in understanding and preparing the line of defence to be adopted when pleading your case. And afterwards asking you rather apologetically if it was convenient for you, the client!

His eyes and attention would be riveted on the client to give his studied legal guidance. His desk was organised. Above all, when presenting his bill for professional dues and services as described, he was conservative in fees and he was never mercenary or greedy in his request for payment.

With the passage of time, over the months and years as a client, you would gradually also move into acquaintanceship, eventually to be elevated to become a friend.

We enjoyed lunches together. He was not only erudite but also well connected and respected locally and abroad. Yet he never flaunted these credentials.

What I used to find most impressive about him was not only his charming ways but, above all, his easy manner in inviting one or more good legal minds to look into a particularly knotty situation so as to try and solve it collectively.

The physical and imposing figure of the man was only surpassed by the strength of his finely tuned mind, especially in the face of adversity and the slings and arrows of fortune.

Prof. Ganado passed away on May 2. He was 90. His mortal life had been slowly ebbing away for months.

I have lost a friend and a mentor.