Mr Justice Antonio Mizzi this afternoon called for a reform of judicial ethics saying many members of the judiciary were giving up their voluntary work in the community.

In his inaugural speech today, Mr Justice Mizzi, who was sworn in as judge in June, said that the practice was introduced in the past years that once one became a judge, he isolated himself completely from society.

Under the excuse of strict observance of the code of ethics, many were made to give up their voluntary work in the community, he said, adding that it seemed one forgot that besides judicial ethics, there were the Code of Organisation and Civil Procedure and auto control and disciple and the integrity of the person concerned.

The code of judicial ethics, he said, should go through a much needed reform for it to respect what was happening especially when it came to how, when and where and for whom it was applied.

The help of all those who could give an input for the benefit of society was needed, Mr Justice Mizzi said.

He also spoke about judicial reform saying one should realise that practical changes which would hasten the work of the judiciary could take place immediately and there was no need to wait for the conclusions of the judicial reform commission.

He noted that for the reform to be successful, there had to be synergy between all involved, including the judiciary, lawyer, the police and the Attorney General.

Mr Justice Mizzi thanked lawyers Siegfried Borg Cole and Paul Gauci Maestre for their help when he lost his brother a few days before the 1978 law courts examination.

He also thanked lawyer Joseph Buttigieg, who he started his career with, deputy registrar Brian Avellino, messenger Simon Amato, his wife Marlene, his daughter Alexandra and his parents.

Chamber of Advocates vice-president Ian Spiteri Bailey said that between lawyers and the judiciary, as well as the public’s respect towards the Courts, had diminished.

He applauded Mr Justice Mizzi for the 26 years he served as magistrate.