The Chamber of Advocates has added a new item to its assembly of portraits of its past presidents following a donation by brothers Christopher and David Grech of a copy from the original painting by Giuseppe Calì of their great-great-uncle Oreste Grech Mifsud.

Born on January 10, 1848, Oreste Grech Mifsud, LLD, CMG, was president of the Chamber of Advocates for two terms between 1885-1902 and 1905-1920, making him the longest serving president of the Chamber ever.

Christopher and David Grech explained how Oreste and Giuseppe Calì, who both grew up together in Valletta, were friends and that this portrait was painted by Giuseppe Calì for Oreste Grech Mifsud following an important commission of paintings for the Mosta parish church where Oreste resided.

Dr George Hyzler, president, and Dr Stefan Camilleri, secretary general of the Chamber of Advocates respectively, accepted the donation on behalf of the chamber and thanked the brothers for their contribution which will join the rest of the collection.

Dr Grech Mifsud graduated from the Royal University of Malta with his LLD in 1871 and was admitted to the Bar the following year. He soon established himself as one of the leading legal minds of his generation, winning court cases and giving wise counsel to his clients. He was known for his integrity and was entrusted with the administration of a number of family estates.

His keen interest in local politics and his support of Fortunato Mizzi and his political party earned him an important role as one of the principal architects of the newly drafted Constitution in 1887. It was an important development because the new Constitution provided, for the first time, for a majority of elected members in the Council of Government.

Dr Grech Mifsud was offered a seat on the judicial bench a number of times but he always refused, partially because his position would have prevented him from enjoying the company of his lawyer friends and secondly because he would have had to refrain from any political activity.

He died in 1925, aged 78, at his home in Mosta.