Judges and Magistrates are appointed by the President of Malta and are constitutionally independent of the Executive organ of governance.

A person must have practised as an advocate in Malta for a period of not less than seven years to qualify for appointment as a magistrate, and twelve years to qualify for appointment as a judge. Judges and Magistrates enjoy security of tenure and they can only be removed by the President, following a motion of the House of Representatives supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all its members, on the ground of proved inability to perform the functions of their office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or from any other cause) or proved misbehaviour. Prior to it being moved in the House of Representatives, the motion is examined by the Commission for the Administration of Justice - set up by the Constitution and, again, independent of the Executive organ - which must certify that the facts alleged subsist as a matter of fact.

The separation of powers in Malta is not as strict as the American or French pattern, but is more in the nature of checks and balances, such as obtains in Britain from which the system derives. Consequently the Courts are independent of the Executive organ, in the discharge of their duties. While Judges retire at the age of 65, Magistrates retire at the age of 60; and their salaries,which is a recurrent charge on the Consolidated Fund, do not require annual approval by the House of Representatives. Hence, the Constitution of Malta provides for their independence through its various provisions.

List of Judges and Magistrates (Click on names for Profile)

Chief Justice

His Honour the Chief Justice Vincent A. De Gaetano

Judges (in order of seniority)

The Hon Mr Justice Carmel Agius *

The Hon Mr Justice Joseph D. Camilleri

The Hon Mr Justice Joseph Filletti

The Hon Mr Justice Alberto Magri

The Hon Mr Justice Giannino Caruana Demajo

The Hon Mr Justice Geoffrey Valenzia

The Hon Mr Justice Gino Camilleri

The Hon Mr Justice Carmelo Farrugia Sacco

The Hon Mr Justice Raymond Pace

The Hon Mr Justice David P. Scicluna

The Hon Mr Justice Joseph R. Micallef

The Hon Mr Justice Joseph Galea Debono

The Hon Mr Justice Tonio Mallia

The Hon Mr Justice Noel Cuschieri

The Hon Mr Justice Philip Sciberras

The Hon Mr Justice Joseph Azzopardi

The Hon. Madam Justice Abigail Lofaro

The Hon. Madam Justice Anna Felice

Magistrates (in order of seniority)

Magistrate Dr Michael Mallia

Magistrate Dr Antonio Mizzi

Magistrate Dr Joseph Apap Bologna

Magistrate Dr Silvio Meli

Magistrate Dr Carol Peralta **

Magistrate Dr Jacqueline Padovani Grima

Magistrate Dr Paul Coppini

Magistrate Dr Saviour Demicoli

Magistrate Dr Tonio Micallef Trigona

Magistrate Dr Giovanni Grixti

Magistrate Dr Consuelo Scerri Herrera

Magistrate Dr Miriam Hayman

Magistrate Dr Lawrence Quintano

Magistrate Dr Anthony J. Vella

Magistrate Dr Audrey Demicoli

Magistrate Dr Anthony Ellul

Magistrate Dr Doreen Clarke

Magistrate Dr Edwina Grima