PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR JUSTICE AND REFORM OF THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR Malta highlights major constitutional reforms to strengthen judiciary at MEDEL’s 40th Anniversary Conference

During the opening of MEDEL's 40th Anniversary Conference at the Palace of Europe in Strasbourg, Malta's Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector, Jonathan Attard, outlined a significant package of constitutional reforms currently being debated in Parliament.

Central to the proposed reforms is the creation of a Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary, an independent office tasked with overseeing ethical and disciplinary matters. The Commissioner is to be appointed by the Commission for the Administration of Justice, an institution chaired by the President of Malta and composed predominantly of members of the judiciary.

Minister Attard also drew attention to a planned constitutional amendment requiring formal consultation with the Chief Justice prior to future appointments to that role. “These changes reflect our belief that judicial independence must go hand-in-hand with integrity, transparency, and public trust," stated Dr Attard, emphasising that the reforms are the result of sustained dialogue with the judiciary, particularly with the association of the Judiciary and collaboration with European institutions.

These constitutional developments follow other historic reforms that have taken place in Malta, that led to a 37% increase in the judiciary since 2020, reflecting Malta's ongoing commitment to capacity building, a strengthened Judicial Appointments Committee, and improved conditions of service for judges and magistrates.

The opening session of the MEDEL conference, held under the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, was also addressed by: 

• Simone Gaboriau, Co-founder of MEDEL and Past President of Syndicat de la Magistrature
• Mattias Guyomar, President of the European Court of Human Rights
• Francesco Depasquale, President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ)
• Mariarosaria Guglielmi, President of MEDEL
• Sirpa Rautio, Director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
  
  
  
  Marking four decades of commitment to judicial independence, the MEDEL anniversary conference brought together members of the judiciary, prosecutors, legal scholars, and representatives from European institutions to reaffirm their shared commitment to democracy, justice, and the rule of law.
  
  
  
  In his closing remarks, Minister Attard paid tribute to MEDEL's four decades of unwavering commitment to defending the rule of law, safeguarding judicial independence, and promoting democratic values across Europe. He lauded MEDEL as “a guardian of democracy and a voice for judicial independence."