Government presses on with its judicial reform

The Government is pressing ahead with judicial reform and has put the issue on Parliament’s agenda, despite Labour’s opposition to giving a pay rise to judges and magistrates as part of the deal. “This is a package deal and we cannot pick and choose,” Justice Minister Chris Said said, urging the Opposition to rethink its position. The Association of the Judiciary and the Chamber of Advocates are both backing the Government in its bid to move ahead with the reform. Parliament last week unanimously approved the first reading of the Judiciary Pensions Bill, which will translate the agreement reached with the judiciary into a legislative Act. The proposed law increases the retirement age of sitting members by three years to 68. In return, judges and magistrates will be given a service pension, over and above the entitlement of a capped two-thirds pension, putting them at par with MPs. Other aspects of the deal include the introduction of an appointment system for all sittings, court sessions in the afternoon, more accountability through changes to the Commission for the Administration of Justice. Crucially, members of the Bench will receive a €12,000 increase in allowances over three...