Following the public call on the 17th of July 2026 by the Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation, Dr Clifton Grima, for the appointment of two new Judges, for which applications had to be received by the 7th of August 2026, on the 7th of September 2026 I was given a Report in terms of Article 96A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta also dated the 7th of September 2026 issued by the Committee on Judicial Appointments established by Article 96 A of the Constitution of Malta: this following two meetings of the same Committee, an internal meeting that discussed the internal implementation process and another meeting held on Wednesday 02 September 2026 when the twenty one (21) eligible individuals who submitted expressions of interest for this appointment were interviewed and evaluated.
This Report submitted for my consideration the names of three candidates who according to the report were the most suitable and from these three names the President of Malta in accordance with Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta selects one name.
The three names submitted in alphabetical order which in the opinion of the Committee were the most suitable and deserving for the position of Judge were these:
- Magistrate Leonard Caruana
- Magistrate Elaine Rizzo, and
- Magistrate Gabriella Vella
From these three names I chose that of Leonard Caruana.
On the 17th of September 2026 I informed the Committee that in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) I choose:
Magistrate Leonard Caruana
Subsequently on the 22th of September 2026 the Secretary of the Committee delivered a second detailed Report, also emanating from the Committee's sitting of the 2nd September 2026, when individual interviews with candidates were held, with the names in accordance with Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta of three candidates, who in the opinion of the Committee were the most suitable and deserving for the office of Judge.
The three names submitted, in alphabetical order were the following:
- Magistrate Jean Paul Grech
- Magistrate Rizzo Elaine and
- Magistrate Gabriella Vella
My choice from these three names in accordance with the same Article 96 A (6) (d) of the Constitution of Malta is:
Magistrate Elaine Rizzo
Whereas in accordance with Article 96 (1) of the Constitution Judges of the Superior Courts are appointed by the President acting on recommendations made by the Judicial Appointments Committee established by Article 96 A of the Constitution, the President appoints, in alphabetical order, the following persons to serve as Judges of the Superior Courts:
Magistrate Leonard Caruana
Magistrate Elaine Rizzo
The names of the Candidates who in the opinion of the Judicial Appointments Committee were suitable and meritorious and who were submitted for selection by the President in accordance with the procedure established by Article 96 A (6) (d) which names are to be published in accordance with the same Article are those which appear above in this statement.
It is hereby declared that the appointment of two Judges in accordance with the public call issued by the Minister for Justice, Research and Innovation on the 17th of July 2026 has been fulfilled and exhausted.
The President congratulates the newly appointed Judges and thanks the members of the Judicial Appointments Committee for the meticulous work they have carried out.
