The Chief Justice this morning expressed his disappointment that the judiciary learnt about the changes being proposed by the Justice Reform Commission from newspapers.

Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi and magistrates Aaron Bugeja and Charmaine Galea, Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri said the judiciary would be affected by any changes and the situation could have been handled better.

One consolation was, however, that things could only get better.

He said that while some of the proposals were positive, others were not. Chief Justice Camilleri said that the only time he was mentioned in his role as Chief Justice was when it was stated that he could be demoted.

He said he felt this was a lack of appreciation for his role not only in relation to the judiciary but also as mediator between the judiciary and the administration.

Chief Justice Camilleri said he was surprised at the way the Commission for the Administration of Justice was not mentioned in the report.

He noted that the judiciary was currently studying the report to give its feedback.

Chief Justice Camilleri said that certain matters were not negotiable and while the judiciary might be willing to give up certain things, the impartiality and independence of judges had to be protected.

“This is a privilege of the people and not of the judiciary and cannot be sacrificed for a more efficient system.”

However, the judiciary were always ready to work for more discipline and efficiency.

He thanked the new judge and magistrates for accepting the role, and their family for the sacrifices they would have to make.

Taking on the role came with a tinge of masochism, he said, because they would have to take insults from people who should know better.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he noted the point made by Mr Justice Camilleri but the government had commissioned the report from an independent group.

The government had also not been given a presentation but the report was now public and open for consultation.

The Government, he said, would reserve judgement for the moment especially because certain administrative changes would need the approval of two thirds of parliament.

A second preliminary report, he said, would be coming out and decisions would eventually be taken.

President George Abela said it struck him how justice has gone up high on national agenda.

He noted that people were being disillusioned by delays. This was worrying and needed to be addressed.

In its report, the Justice Reform Commission, he said, gave snapshots of how it saw the situation and the two main problems that emerged were delays and the appointment and discipline of judges.

He said that a clear distinction had to be made between the proposed amendments to the Constitution, for which the Opposition needed to be on board, and procedures that would mitigate delays, for which financial commitment needed to be made.