Two magistrates, two lawyers to be appointed Judges

Two magistrates and two lawyers are to be appointed as Judges for Malta’s Superior Courts by President George Vella.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri, Magistrate Audrey Demicoli, Dr. Christian Falzon Scerri, and Dr. Ian Spiteri Bailey were determined by the Judicial Appointments Committee to be the most idoneous candidates for the role.

Magistrate Neville Camilleri joined the ranks of the judiciary in 2011. He took over the magisterial inquiry into the death of Daphne Caruana Galizia from Anthony Vella, after the latter was appointed Judge in 2018.

Magistrate Audrey Demicoli meanwhile joined the ranks of the judiciary in 2006, having replaced Abigail Lofaro when she was promoted to Judge. Demicoli was called to the bar in 1993. For five years she served as chairperson of the Small Claims Tribunal and at present is the chairperson of the Industrial Tribunal.

Ian Spiteri Bailey is a lawyer who specialises in employment and industrial relations, and recently took over chairmanship of the Public Contracts Review Board, while Christian Falzon Scerri is a lawyer who served in the Attorney General’s office in the past.

In a statement, the Office of the President said that following the advice received by the Committee, which had carried out deliberations and analyses on the 29 expressions of interest that there were for the role, the four aforementioned persons were determined to be the candidates most fitting of the job.

The President confirmed the Committee’s recommendation, hence the two magistrates and lawyers are to be appointed Judges.

The President’s office also published the names of the candidates who were also considered to be idoneous for the judicial role.

These were: Dr. Michael Camilleri, Magistrate Doreen Clarke, Magistrate Josette Demicoli, Magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech, Magistrate Charmaine Galea, Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras, Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit, and Magistrate Gabriella Vella.