Would-be judges and magistrates will have to satisfy 10 specific criteria to be appointed to the judiciary from now on, the government has announced.

The constitutional requirement that judicial members must have served as lawyers for at least 12 years has been retained. 

Along with this, candidates must now also:

• Have a valid warrant to practise law
  
  
• Be capable of communicating clearly and succinctly in both Maltese and English

• Carry themselves with integrity and honesty in both their private and public lives
  
  
• Be well-acquainted with the law and law courts
  
  
• Be hard-working, capable of working under pressure and with good analytical skills
  
  
• Be impartial and independent
  
  
• Not be involved in any commercial activity or financial situation which could raise suspicions about their capacity to serve on the bench
  
  
• Be capable of working in a collegial environment
  
  
• Be acquainted with the judicial code of ethics and open to professional development and training

The eligibility criteria have been drawn up by a Committee on Judicial Appointments. The committee is made up for the Chief Justice, Attorney General, Auditor General, Ombudsman and president of the Chamber of Advocates. 

Frank Mercieca, who currently serves as the law courts' director-general, has been appointed committee secretary.  

The judicial eligibility criteria have been approved by Justice Minister Owen Bonnici and will soon be published in the Government Gazette, a statement issued by the Justice Ministry said.