Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri said today that reforms of the law courts should continue even if the members of the judiciary did not get the pay raise they had discussed.

Speaking during the opening of the Forensic year at the Law courts, Chief Justice Camilleri said the work of the members of the judiciary had been increasing every year, without an increase in resources or better pay.

Referring to his address as the same occasion last year, Dr  Camilleri insisted that the Judiciary was not a luxury for Malta but an essential element. Those who opted to serve in the judiciary did not take such a decision lightly because it involved enormous responsibility and hard work, including weekends.

One only wondered what would have happened in other sectors, where the work increased considerably, but not the financial package and support structure.

He regretted having to raise this subject on this occasion but he reiterated that the reform process at the law courts needed to continue regardless.

He called for cooperation from lawyers and said that they too should be open to reform in court practices.

See statement by the president of the Chamber of Advocates at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20121001/local/wrong-to-equate-judiciary-s-pay-raise-with-economic-situation-chamber.439157