Former European Court of Human Rights Judge Giovanni Bonello will head the new drugs court when it starts hearing cases next month as part of the “optimistic” drug reform.

The new court, known as the Offenders Rehabilitation Board, is expected to hold its first sitting on April 15 and will offer “a more balanced approach” to dealing with victims of drug abuse.

The wide-ranging reform is currently in the final stages of a parliamentary debate and is expected to be voted into law in the coming days after both sides of the House declared their support for the proposed legislation.

It will see users found in simple possession of drugs for the first time appear before a Justice Commissioner, Victoria Scicluna, who will give them a warning and impose administrative fines ranging between €75 and €125. In the case of cannabis the fine will be between €50 and €100.

Repeat offenders will appear before Dr Bonello’s board, which will set conditions for rehabilitation. Breaking the conditions would be a criminal offence.

Dr Bonello said he was optimistic but acknowledged the challenges of the reform.

“Ultimately this is an experiment and we are trying something new. I have a tempered optimism, because while I think this is the right direction, we are dealing with addiction and a very profitable trade,” he said.