Updated at 4.45pm with Simon Busuttil remarks
Ramona Frendo has been cleared to serve as a judge at the European Union's general court, the government announced on Wednesday.
An expert panel had found that Dr Frendo satisfied the necessary criteria to serve in the role, with the decision confirmed by member state government representatives which met in Brussels on Wednesday.
Dr Frendo's nomination means Malta will be represented by two judges in the general court and another in the EU's Court of Justice.
In a statement, the government said it was confident that Dr Frendo had all the necessary competencies to effectively fulfil this key position to the best of her abilities.
She replaces judge Peter Xuereb, whose nomination to the European Court of Justice was recently approved, at the EU General Court.
Busuttil abstention
Last November, the Times of Malta had reported that the panel assessing Dr Frendo's nomination included former Opposition leader Simon Busuttil.
Dr Busuttil told Times of Malta that he had abstained from Dr Frendo's hearing and was not present for it.
"I took my decision unilaterally and without any request from anyone," he said. "I believe that in the circumstances, abstaining from this decision was the right thing to do and consistent with my belief that justice must only be done, but must be seen to be done."
The Nationalist Party MP also congratulated Dr Frendo on her appointment.
Two decades of legal experience
A Żejtun local, Dr Frendo’s legal experience spans 22 years’ practice in the Maltese legal system, covering litigation and legal expertise in civil, insurance, industrial, family and criminal law, complemented by consultancy and drafting services to commercial entities and public authorities.
She served as member on the Justice Reform Commission 2013, responsible for a critical and comprehensive analysis of procedural and substantive law, with a view to improving judicial services, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
She also had practical experience of European institutions when she served as chair of the Visa Working Party during the Maltese Presidency of the Council in 2017.
Dr Frendo had openly endorsed the Labour Party in the 2013 general election, also accepting to appear on the PL's billboards.