Chief Justice silent over judge’s cases

Chief Justice Silvio Camilleri would not say whether he will re-assign Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco’s pending cases or temporarily suspend him until a decision is reached over an im­peach­ment motion against him. Contacted by The Times yesterday, the Chief Justice said he would not comment. Attempts to ask Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco whether he will suspend himself from judicial duties until the Commission for the Administration of Justice finished deliberating the motion were unsuccessful. Work at the courts resumes on Monday following the traditional end-of-year break, during which the Prime Minister presented the motion of impeachment. Court sources said Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco was scheduled to hear about 28 cases on Tuesday. Some civil cases involved the Government or its representatives. A retired judge, who did not wish to be named, said it would be “very strange” if Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco continued to hear cases as if it was business as usual. “Former Chief Justice Joseph Said Pullicino has already stated that this is not ethical and that Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco should suspend himself. If this is not done, than it’s the Chief Justice’s duty to intervene,” the...