PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

The President of Malta hereby notifies that:

Following the public call issued on 7th November 2025 by the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Dr. Jonathan Attard, in terms of Article 96 B (1) and Article 100 of the Constitution of Malta, for the appointment of three new Magistrates, for which applications had to be received by 28th November 2025, on the 6th of January 2026 I was given a Report in terms of Article 96A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta also dated the 6th of January 2026  issued by the Committee on Judicial Appointments established by Article 96 A of the Constitution of Malta: this following a meeting of the same Committee held on the 22nd of December 2025 where nineteen (19) expressions of interest for the appointment of three Magistrates were evaluated.

This Report submitted for my consideration the names of three candidates who according to the report were the most suitable and from these three names the President shall select one in accordance with Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta.

The three names submitted in alphabetical order were:

1. Giordmaina Franca

2. Valentino Patrick, and

3. Zammit Claudio

From these three names I chose that of Valentino Patrick.

On 9th January 2026 I informed the Committee that in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) I choose: Valentino Patrick.

Subsequently on the 15th January 2026 the Secretary of the Committee presented me with a second detailed Report, also emanating from this Report from a sitting of the 22nd December 2025 with the names in accordance with Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta of three candidates who in the opinion of the Committee were the most suitable and deserving.

The names in alphabetical order were as follows:

1. Caruana Debrincat Natalino

2. Giordmaina Franca, and

3. Zammit Claudio

The choice from these three names in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta is: Zammit Claudio

On 19th January 2026 I informed the Committee that in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) I chose: Zammit Claudio.

Subsequently on the 21st January 2026 the Secretary of the Committee presented me with a third detailed Report dated 20 January 2026, also emanating from this Report from a sitting of the 22nd December 2025 with the names in accordance with Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta of three candidates who in the opinion of the Committee were the most suitable and deserving.

The names in alphabetical order were as follows:

1. Caruana Debrincat Natalino

2. Giordmaina Franca, and

3. Pace Grima Daniela.

The choice from these three names in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta is: Giordmaina Franca

Whereas in accordance with Article 100 (1) of the Constitution Magistrates of the Inferior Courts are appointed by the President acting on recommendations made by the Judicial Appointments Committee established by Article 96 A of the Constitution, the President appoints, in alphabetical order, the following persons to serve as Magistrates of the Inferior Courts:

                                               Giordmaina Franca

                                               Valentino Patrick

                                               Zammit Claudio

The names of the Candidates who in the opinion of the Judicial Appointments Committee were suitable and meritorious and who were submitted for selection by the President in accordance with the procedure established by Article 96 A (6) (d) and who are expected to be published in accordance with the same Article are those which appear above in this statement.

It is hereby declared that the appointment of three Magistrates in accordance with the public call issued by the Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector on 7th November 2025 has been fulfilled and exhausted.

The President congratulates the newly appointed Magistrates and thanks the members of the Judicial Appointments Committee for the meticulous work they have carried out.