The law courts in Valletta became suddenly quiet yesterday when the Chamber of Advocates instructed lawyers not to represent anyone as a sign of respect for a colleague who had just been shot dead.
Carmel Chircop was killed in a garage complex in Birkirkara earlier in the morning.
The main door to the law courts building was left half closed and a black drape affixed to it as a sign of mourning.
It had been business as usual until the directive was issued at about 10am when lawyer after lawyer started asking judges and magistrates to put off cases.
Chamber of Advocates president George Hyzler said the decision was taken despite lacking information on whether the murder was directly linked to Dr Chircop’s profession.
“All murders are to be condemned, but if the motive of this murder is connected to Dr Chircop’s duties as a lawyer, this is even more serious,” Dr Hyzler said when contacted.
Asked whether he thought it was fair on the hundreds of clients who kept their appointment in court, Dr Hyzler replied: “When you make a point, it’s going to cause discomfort.”
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici refrained from discussing the appropriateness orotherwise of the lawyers’ decision when he was contacted.
“On the day that a member of the legal profession has been murdered in such a cold-blooded and shocking manner, it is not opportune to delve into this debate at this precise moment in time.
“Given the sensitivity with which we tackle the issue of the hardship that can be caused to people when their case is put off, I will discuss the matter calmly and serenely at a later stage with the Chamber, whose members of the executive council are surely all as saddened as the rest of the public about today’s loss,” Dr Bonnici said.
The decision was not welcomed by all, however. Some people who showed up in court understood the decision but others voiced disappointment.
“There are many who, like me, were waiting eagerly for my appointment in court, hoping that one day justice is served. I think this decision shows neither sensitivity nor professionalism. There are other ways for lawyers to show solidarity,” Anton Farrugia told the Times of Malta.