Former Chief Justice Vincent Degaetano was yesterday sworn in as a judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Court president Jean-Paul Costa welcomed Judge Degaetano and said he had a complete preparation to exercise his new responsibilities in Strasbourg, having held the most senior position in the Maltese judiciary.

The European Convention was the subject of discussions that would lead to its reform, following the ministerial conference at Interlaken, Switzerland, earlier this year, President Costa said.

He added: “In your nine years here you will see significant changes in the structure and procedures of this institution. The Court of 2019 will be one with the present operational difficulties behind it.”

The other 46 judges were present at the ceremony held in the Grand Chamber of the Court in the Palace of Human Rights of the Council of Europe. They wished success to Judge Degaetano.

The ceremony was also witnessed by his wife, Marthese Degaetano, other family members, Ambassador Joseph Licari and Malta’s Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe. Maltese members of the Council of Europe staff were also present, including Rico Scicluna, Roberta Muscat and Anna Sceberras Trigona.