The Chief Justice felt the need to pinpoint the shortcomings of a few members of the judiciary, which also means that the large majority of the judges are hard-working and honest. This reality lifts up the heart, even though the tainting of the courts is a novelty and is most unfair to the totality who display exemplary service.

One must keep in mind the vulnerable fabric of our human nature and that no institution has ever attained absolute perfection.

Wagging tongues in Malta beat the speed of light and connections are given many interpretations. Things are added on and it follows that those who wear green glasses see everything green.

Judges and magistrates are very visible people. Aloofness therefore, when necessary, is the eleventh commandment, felt as a call of propriety and decorum befitting exalted positions.

In this light, I remember a few judges going a little too far in what they considered a necessary precaution. They hardly ever attended social occasions, standing out as criteria of impeccable behaviour. Invitations were invariably answered “with regret unable to attend because of a previous engagement”. Many considered this lifestyle as model behaviour and, even if glaringly ascetic, was most eloquent. This, of course, is a million light years away from the alleged current shortcomings, totally incredible and surprising by any standards.

The general feeling here is that all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten the pangs of deep regret, nor of the repercussions of the situation. But there is no doubt that time will heal, though the scars are here to linger. So the call that precautionary measures for future appointees must be taken seriously cries to high heaven.

In this light, an eminent former English judge is of the opinion that any future aspirant for the judiciary should co-practise under the outgoing judge for one or two years. This would help in assessing the ability, output and other details of the new appointee. And, since all are prone to human weaknesses, and the future is so uncertain, an ideal deterrent

would be a sizeable guarantee to be paid in case the new judge is compromised in any way. This is very fair because the individual judge has no vicarious liability and the judiciary no juridical personality. So every deterrent is fully needed here to obviate the misfortune of any tarnish so unfairly shared by the entire judiciary.