Lawyers Lorraine Schembri Orland and Natasha Galea Sciberras were this afternoon sworn in as a judge and magistrate respectively.

During the ceremony, Dr Schembri Orland said this was a new chapter in her legal career. She said she had worked with many people and was really touched by their problems. "I will be on the other side of the fence and serve professionally," she said.

Dr Galea Sciberras said this was a great honour and she would do her utmost to administer justice in the shortest time possible. "I'm there to serve," she said.

President George Abela, who presided the ceremony, said that Malta now had the  biggest complement of judges and magistrates ever: 21 judges and 21 magistrates. He said the new members of the judiciary had vast experience over many different sectors.

He said that while many complained that the administration of justice took long, one must not forget the large volume of work that the courts have to deal with.

Born in 1959 in Sliema, Dr Schembri Orland graduated as a lawyer in 1981 and specialised in European law and family law.

She was involved in reforms to the Constitution and was a member of a consultative committee that advised the Cabinet on amendments to the Civil Code.

Dr Schembri Orland was also heavily involved in drawing up legislation on domestic violence and was the first woman elected to the committee of the Chamber of Advocates.

Dr Schembri Orland is married to George and they have a son called Kevin.

Dr Galea Sciberras was born in 1976 and graduated as a lawyer in 2003. She has worked in the family and civil law sectors. She was also the legal consultant of Aġenzija Appoġġ and Transport Malta and chaired the Adoptions Board.

Dr Galea Sciberras is married to Vincent Galea and they have five children.

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