Gozo Minister supports Opposition motion on Gozo law courts

Parliament this morning approved a motion presented by Labour MP Justyne Caruana, calling for better status of the Gozo law courts. Caruana added the presence of a judge was crucial if government wanted to give Gozo its true dignity.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono, who argued the Gozo courts and laws should be upgraded to address today's needs, seconded the motion.

Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici admitted there are difficulties with the premises of the Gozo Courts, which also led to lack of security. "Because of the building, security scanner machines cannot be installed," he said.

Mifsud Bonnici said such baggage security machines are important, as each year people carrying knives and scissors are detected at the law courts in Malta.

"I am aware of Gozo's problems," Mifsud Bonnici said.

Speaking on the judiciary in Gozo, Mifsud Bonnici said the island has a judicial assistant, who helps the magistrates and at time also listens to cases.

He went on to say Malta should remove the concept of judges having their own courtrooms: "We should introduce a system by which sittings are booked beforehand."

The Justice Minister went on to recall the investment made by government in the Maltese law courts, including the double-glazing of all windows and the investment in audio.

"Time has come for the Gozo law courts to improve ... maybe also turning Gozo's present premises in a museum."

He said government should also discuss the issue of backlog of cases and look into why compilation of cases is getting stuck. Mifsud Bonnici said the compilation and inquiry system might require concept changes.

He argued Gozo currently has the advantage of being "flexible" and warned that changes should be thoroughly discussed before moving forward: "I have seen changes whose measures were never implemented."

The Opposition's spokesperson on justice José Herrera also agreed on a judge for Gozo, but only for civil cases. He said, one high criminal court should remain in Malta, and have only one Superior Court.

"I welcome Justyne Caruana's motion, which reaffirms Gozo status as a region, adds identity to the Gozitans and, by far and large, strengthens justice on the Maltese Islands," Herrera said.

He went on to say he did not agree with municipal courts, but agreed Gozo's court should be defined as regional.

Speaking on the commissioners for justice, Herrera said their increased competence is undermining lawyers' work. "Originally, they had power over simple things. Now they are addressing more serious issues ... issues which need the presence of a lawyer."

He disagreed with proposals that members of the judiciary should also listen to cases in the afternoon: "They probably work the most after lunchtime when they are writing sentences."

Herrera said courtrooms should be used in the afternoon by the Consumer's tribunal and the justice commissioners.