Ariadne Massa finds out that, despite experiencing the hippie years, Justice Minister Tonio Borg and his Labour counterpart Anġlu Farrugia never tried smoking a joint.
Tonio Borg
Were you ever told off by a policeman as a boy?
Not that I remember. The closest I ever came to being arrested was during the student protest in autumn 1977. Years later, a high-ranking officer in the police force showed me photos of myself and Francis Zammit Dimech actively participating in such protests - they were marked Security Branch.
Did you ever steal anything?
No. However, I have participated in childhood pranks, which have caused nuisance to others, even though I was generally considered to be well-behaved at home and school.
Teenagers love experimenting. Have you ever tried smoking a joint?
No, nor did I ever feel the inclination to experiment. I used to smoke; but I quit in 1991.
The most rebellious thing I did was...
Participating in a strike at St Aloysius College in 1972. I have completely forgotten what the issue was about but it was serious enough for the entire fifth formers to stay out of class.
If my child is caught with drugs I...
I would immediately try my very best to seek counselling and ensure he or she follows a rehabilitation programme. Legal matters are secondary in such cases.
If Malta is hit by civil war and strife, would you catch a boat to seek greener pastures elsewhere?
I would prefer to stay here; but this is a difficult question. I cannot condemn those who would try to seek new pastures elsewhere and return when the situation is safe. It also depends on the gravity of the situation and the danger to one's family.
Do you think there are too many lawyers in Malta?
Persons with legal qualifications are needed in different areas, not just in the law courts. I have always campaigned against numerus clausus, that is, the restriction of places at the University based on numbers. If a person is qualified then s/he should be able to graduate in the profession of his/her choice.
Prison is a potential school for crime: Truth or myth?
It depends on the disposition. A significant number of prisoners have followed education courses, sometimes even passing O or A Level exams. Others have used the time spent in prison to learn a trade or to reform their character. Then again, correctional facilities cannot impose reform on those unwilling to change their habits.
When is capital punishment justified?
I have always been a pro-life campaigner and believe that life should be protected from the moment of conception until death. Therefore, I cannot be in favour of the death penalty.
How do you plan to eliminate the delays in court?
We have already registered significant progress in this regard by creating alternative resolution procedures, that is, mechanisms where disputes are resolved outside the court, thereby relieving judges of relatively trivial matters. This process should continue even in the sphere of criminal law.
Anġlu Farrugia
Were you ever told off by a policeman as a boy?
No. I always had great admiration for the work of policemen. In fact, at 20 I was already a police inspector and remained in the force for the following 20 years, until 1996.
Did you ever steal anything?
I never stole anything. When I was young, I was always told that you will go straight to hell if you steal, even if it's an orange! I always tell young criminals that crime never pays.
Teenagers love experimenting. Have you ever tried smoking a joint?
I never tried smoking a joint. However, I used to smoke the pipe and cigars when I was still a teenager and continued during my days in the force. Today, I bar people from puffing away in my presence, I hate smoking so much.
The most rebellious thing I did was...
When I was 13 years old I had a very hot argument with a priest, at the Seminary in the late 1960s, and I was punished for it. This was due to my early Labour beliefs. Luckily, those days have passed. However, I still do not regret what I did because I learnt so much from that experience. I became a man at such a tender age.
If my child is caught with drugs I...
I would see that he be treated immediately. If he persists, then I would report him myself to the authorities. My principle in life is clear and simple: Abide by the law and fear no one.
If Malta is hit by civil war and strife, would you catch a boat to seek greener pastures elsewhere?
No, absolutely not. I would fight for peace, even if this would mean that I have to join forces, take up arms and fight in order to stop the violence.
Do you think there are too many lawyers in Malta?
Yes. However, somehow they all manage to make it, hence the beauty of our noble profession. To tell the truth, today lawyers have more openings than simply attending court sessions battling litigation.
Prison is a potential school for crime: Truth or myth?
Yes, it's the truth. Most inmates come out of prison as professional criminals and, unfortunately, they are sent back. There should be a national policy on the reform of criminals in our country. They are our brothers, after all.
When is capital punishment justified?
Capital punishment is never justified. I am against it. Life is a cardinal human right.
How do you plan to eliminate the delays in court?
All the cases which are not decided within three years have to be assigned to another judge who will then have to decide without fail within 12 months. The only problem, which remains, is if one of the two parties involved in a lawsuit is to blame.