Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has welcomed the findings of the European Commission’s country report on Malta, which highlighted continued shortcomings in the efficiency of the justice system but noted that the ongoing judicial reform process had prompted some positive trends.
“We now have confirmation that the implementation of this reform process is yielding positive results,” the minister said at a press conference this afternoon.
The Commission report, published yesterday, found significant improvement in court delays over the last three years as well as praising the introduction of electronic tools such as e-filing and online exchanges of information.
The report made no mention of the manner in which members of the judiciary are appointed but noted positively the substantial increase in the number of women, which now stands at 43 per cent.
Giving recommendations on areas which were lagging behind, the Commission highlighted insolvency cases, training for members of the judiciary, and alternative dispute resolution methods (such as mediation and arbitration).
Dr Bonnici said the government had already started work on all three issues, with a legislative proposal for insolvency cases being discussed at Cabinet level. The government has also entered into an agreement with the Irish government and the International Organisation on Migration for specialised training for the judiciary and prosecutors.
Fielding questions from the press, Dr Bonnici said there was no deadline for the introduction of a draft bill (which will be tabled in Parliament on March 8) including a reform of the way members of the judiciary are appointed, among other issues.
The minister pledged that the government would not drag its feet on the matter but said it would be proceeding with caution.
Dr Bonnici also did not exclude the possibility of additional magistrates being nominated alongside Caroline Farrugia Frendo, after Ingrid Zammit Young, who was set to be appointed at the same time, withdrew in controversial circumstances earlier this month.