Giovanni Bonello to head justice reform commission

By the end of the year, a commission led by the former European Court of Human Rights Judge Giovanni Bonello will submit a review on the justice system, Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici said this morning.

Describing the reform as "urgent," Bonnici said: "The Labour Party electoral manifesto is clear and we are determined to start implementing the reform by the end of the year."

The commission for justice reform will among others review the appointment of judiciary, members, the Commission for the Administration of Justice, the parole system, the family cort, the Gozo court and the use of technology in courts.

Bonello will be joined by retired judge Philip Sciberras, the Dean of the Faculty of Law Kevin Aquilina and lawyer Ramona Frendo, who endorsed Labour during the electoral campaign.

Speaking to the press at Castille, the Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Owen Bonnici described the need to reform the justice system as "urgent" and noted that the Labour administration "had no other choice but to act immediately."

He added that the commission will submit its review within three months, which will be followed by a public consultation process taking a further three months.

"This will lead to a final review by the end of the year and we could then start implementing the commission's recommendations," Bonnici said.

He explained that when possible, the commission's sittings will be held in public with the participation of all stakeholders involved in the sector.

While Judge Giovianni Bonello will be paid €2,500 per month, the other members will receive €1,500, for what Bonnici said will be more than a full-time job.