Judge Emeritus Silvio Meli has passed away aged 72, TVM has reported.

Born in 1954, Dr Meli started his legal career in private practice before joining the Office of the Attorney General.

He was appointed to the judiciary as a Magistrate in 1990 before being elevated to Judge in 2011, a position he held until his retirement in 2019.

Dr Meli served in a number of positions, including President of the Fair Trading Commission, member of the Commission for the Administration of Justice, Deputy Chairman of the Judicial Studies Committee, and President of the Commission Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

He will be laid to rest on Thursday at the church of St George, Qormi at 8.30am.