Judge Bonello to head Justice System Reform Commission - Franco Debono to receive €24,000 for his post

Giovanni Bonello, former judge of the European Court, is to head a commission to recommend reform of the justice system, Parliamentary Secretary Owen Bonnici announced this morning. The other commission members are retired judge Philip Schiberras, Kevin Aquilina, Dean of the Faculty of Laws, and lawyer  Ramona Frendo. Dr Bonnici said the commission will submit a review report within three months. That will be followed by a public consultation process. Decisions will start being implemented by the end of the year. The terms of reference of the commission are very wide-ranging, including the operations of the Commission for the Administration of Justice, the accountability of judges, the setting up of an administrative court,  the civil courts, the legal aid system, the Family Court, the Gozo court, the use of information technology, better administration of cases, alternative dispute resolution, implementation of reparative justice including parole, the appointment of judges and a Charter for those who need to go to court. The sittings of the commission will, as far as possible, be held in public. Judge Bonello will be paid €2,500 per month while the other members will receive...