The judiciary has become the public’s “favourite punching bag”, Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri believes.

“My colleagues come under a lot of criticism from the public but, sometimes, the judiciary is limited in what it can do,” he told President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca yesterday.

In his welcome address to the new head of State, the Chief Justice appealed to the public to try and appreciate the constraints the judiciary operated in.

Surrounded by judges and magistrates, Dr Camilleri said the law courts had come under heavy scrutiny in recent years, not all of which was fair.

“The judiciary is the public’s favourite punching bag but they have to realise that the lengthy delays and certain decisions that are made are often the result of the constraints of the law and not the adjudicators,” he said.

The perceived shortcomings, he said, had also led to a number of reports being carried out on the state of the judiciary, one of which had recommended improving the legal system.

Lengthy delays and certain decisions are often the result of the constraints of the law

Ms Coleiro Preca said she appreciated the work done by the judiciary and was looking forward to meeting all stakeholders to chart the path ahead.

“I want to consult regularly with all of you to help pave the way forward,” she said, adding that reports on the state of the judiciary were being looked into.

Changes had already been made, she said, adding that the increase in female judges and magistrates had changed the profile of the judiciary.