A Maltese EU law expert, Ken Mifsud Bonnici, was recently appointed member of the European Commission’s body of overall legal advisers, known as the Commission Legal Service, with responsibility for climate change.

In this role, Dr Mifsud Bonnici will oversee the drafting of all legal acts in connection with climate change, assisting the Commission to design legislation to drastically reduce EU emissions of greenhouse gasses.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici, 27, will also help the Commission to draft and negotiate rules to structure the EU’s fast-growing market in greenhouse gas emission allowances – soon expected to reach over €100 billion in value.

As a member of the Commission Legal Service, Dr Mifsud Bonnici will be one of the lawyers leading the Commission’s efforts in court proceedings in various fields, including climate change.

He will also represent the Commission in litigation in the European Courts, including proceedings against member states for infringements of EU law.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici’s appointment follows an extensive competitive procedure, during which he had placed first among Maltese candidates and competed successfully against candidates from all EU nationalities.

Prior to joining the Commission, Dr Mifsud Bonnici worked with one of the world’s largest global law firms, where he advised and represented Fortune 500 companies and other leading multinational corporations in administrative and court proceedings at European level.

Dr Mifsud Bonnici studied law at the University of Malta and the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium.

He also holds degrees in economics from the London School of Economics and the College of Europe.