“The Chamber notes that the procedure for conducting a magisterial inquiry is regulated by the criminal code, and according to the law, the magistrate has sixty (60) days to conclude the inquiry.”

“If this is not possible, as the law provides, the magistrate is required to submit a report to the Attorney General explaining the reasons for the delay so that the inquiry can be closed. Then, upon the closure of each month until the inquiry is concluded, he is required to submit a report each time it is requested by the Attorney General.”

The fact that the procedure followed in this magisterial inquiry is not different from the procedures followed in other Magisterial Inquiries is why the Magistrate does not request any extension of time.

The Chamber continued by reiterating that the report submitted to the Attorney General is confidential and should not be disclosed by the same Attorney General in any way.

“The Chamber is concerned that this information is only known by the Attorney General and has been made known to the Prime Minister,” it expressed. 

“The Chamber of Advocates appreciates that the judiciary is not immune to criticism but appeals for mature judgment that in each case clear, complete, factual, and truthful press statements are given,” it appealed.

The Chamber of Advocates also took the opportunity to request the Justice Minister to discuss changes in the procedure that could expedite the conclusions of magisterial inquiries as many individuals involved in the outcome of a magisterial inquiry are suffering due to the long delays a large number of inquiries are experiencing.

Abela has been experiencing considerable heat over the last few days, over his actions and the way he’s dealt with the Jean Paul Sofia’s case on a public level.

What do you make of the Chamber’s statement?