Lawyer challenges nomination of four new judges
Veteran lawyer Anna Mallia is challenging the recommendation by the Judicial Appointments Committee for the appointment of four new judges, claiming in court that the committee had not been validly constituted and it had “circumvented” the Constitution and acted beyond its powers. The committee last week unanimously recommended the appointment of Magistrates Neville Camilleri and Audrey Demicoli and lawyers Christian Falzon Scerri and Ian Spiteri Bailey as judges after a public call for nominations. The recommendation was accepted by the President. 29 nominations had been received by the committee. In proceedings before the First Hall, Civil Court in its constitutional jurisdiction, Mallia argued that that committee's recommendation should be declared null and void. She explained that in terms of article 96A of the Constitution, the Committee should be composed of the Chief Justice, two elected judges, one elected magistrate, the Auditor General, the Ombudsman and the president of the Chamber of Advocates. The Constitution envisaged the procedure to be adopted in case the Chief Justice, the Auditor General, the Ombudsman or the Chamber president abstained or were challenged, but...