Caroline Farrugia Frendo was sworn in as magistrate yesterday, two months after her controversial nomination was made public.

In February, she had not yet satisfied the constitutional requirement for a minimum seven years’ experience as a lawyer, a situation that landed Justice Minister Owen Bonnici in a storm of criticism.

The two-month interlude was necessary to ensure she satisfied the seven-year criteria.

After taking her oath of office, Magistrate Farrugia Frendo said she was “serene” despite the controversy that accompanied her appointment. “I heard what everyone had to say. Everybody has a right to express his opinion but I am serene and this will not impact the way I will discharge my duties,” she said.

After the ceremony, Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri paid tribute to the magistrate’s work as a lawyer.

“I am certain you will shoulder the weight this career carries in a dignified way, similar to the dignified approach I have seen you take in the Appeals Court.”

Dr Farrugia Frendo is Speaker Anġlu Farrugia’s daughter.

Ingrid Zerafa Young, who had also been named as new magistrate in February, had withdrawn her nomination after it transpired her appointment could have breached the Constitution.