Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi, 63, is to become the new Chief Justice, the government announced on Tuesday.
He will succeed Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri, who turns 65 later this month.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said in a tweet that he was sure Judge Joe Azzopardi had all the right credentials to make an excellent Chief Justice.
The Opposition was informed of the nomination.
Mr Justice Azzopardi became a lawyer in 1980.
He was legal adviser for several public corporations including Lohombus Bank and the Transport Authority and also served as the first president of the Federation of Youth Organisations in 1980. He was a director of Mid-Med Bank from 1980 to 1987 and the Housing Authority from 1997 to 2003.
Mr Justice Joe Azzopardi has proved himself to be honest, diligent and very competent. His only downside is his terrible love for @SpursOfficial ;) Joking apart, we need to keep implimenting reforms to radically improve our justice system.He will make an excellent Chief Justice.
— Owen Bonnici (@OwenBonnici) April 10, 2018
He was president of the Chamber of Advocates in 2000 and became a member of the Bench in 2003, serving in the Civil Court and the Family Court.
He has been a member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice since 2010.
Dr Azzopardi unsuccessfully contested a single general election as a Labour candidate.
Times of Malta had reported last month that Judge Azzopardi was the government's likely choice.
Described as an uncontroversial character, Dr Azzopardi is considered by many in the legal profession to be a very honest and affable man, who has served the court with efficiency and rectitude, Times of Malta had reported.