Government proposes Judge Miriam Hayman for Chief Justice

The government has proposed Judge Miriam Hayman to serve as the next chief justice of Malta, following a meeting between Justice Minister Jonathan Attard and Opposition spokesperson Joe Giglio.

Hayman is the second candidate put forward by the administration after its first choice, Judge Consuelo Scerri Herrera, failed to secure the required two-thirds parliamentary majority earlier this month.

Prime Minister Robert Abela had described the initial discussions with the Opposition as positive and noted that the nomination reflects the government’s vision for the court system. However, the appointment process remains a point of political friction.

Abela recently criticized comments from Opposition figures regarding the timing of the selection and has previously rejected the Opposition’s preferred candidate, Judge Edwina Grima.

Under constitutional amendments introduced in 2021, a new chief justice cannot be appointed without a two-thirds in Parliament, and there is currently no legal mechanism to break a deadlock if the two sides cannot agree.

As a result, the incumbent chief justice, Mark Chetcuti, will remain in his position past his retirement age until a formal agreement is reached and a successor is officially appointed.

 

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