Alberto Magri
Alberto Magri was a Maltese judge, lawyer, politician, and philanthropist. He practiced as both a criminal lawyer and a civil lawyer and was active in public life as a member of the legislative assembly during Malta's first period of self-government.
Legal career
Magri earned his Doctor of Laws from the Royal University of Malta in 1919 and practiced as a lawyer in Malta. During his career, he worked on both criminal and civil cases, gaining recognition for his legal expertise. Sources note that his work earned him respect among peers in Malta's legal community particularly in high-profile criminal cases. Notably, he defended 17 capital cases, the most significant being the 1942 treason trial of Carmelo Borg Pisani during World War II.In 1942, Magri defended one of the Zammit brothers, who were charged with the murder of Spiru Grech. Despite Magri's strong defense of the elder brother Guzeppi Zammit, the brothers’ mutual accusations sealed their fate. A five-judge court swiftly convicted them, sentencing both to hang, marking Malta's last executions. Subsequent death sentences were commuted, and Capital punishment in Malta was fully abolished in 2000.
After the war, Magri handled three major trials in which the accused were ultimately acquitted and released. His legal expertise earned him long-standing recognition, and he served as Vice President of the Chamber of Advocates for many years.
In 1952, he was appointed as a judge in Malta's judiciary, a position he held until retiring in 1961. According to historical records, his judicial rulings emphasised adherence to legal principles, and he presided over cases until his retirement after a legal career spanning over four decades.
Political career
Magri's political involvement began in 1921 when lawyer Enrico Mizzi founded the Democratic Nationalist Party (Malta, 1921–1926). At the time, Magri was gaining prominence as a skilled criminal defense lawyer, prompting Mizzi to invite him to join the party. He was appointed General Secretary of the party and later contested the 1924 Maltese general election in the Second District, which included Sliema.Magri secured 524 votes, winning a seat in the Legislative Assembly during the first period of self-government. In a June 1924 general meeting, the Secretary proposed a vote of congratulations in his honour, which was unanimously acclaimed by the members present. His political career lasted until the 1927 Maltese general election, as he did not contest it.
Philanthropy
Magri was involved in philanthropic efforts, including serving as chairman of the Valletta branch of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a charity active in Malta since 1850. This organisation, focuses on assisting those in need through various charitable initiatives. He was elected as the second President of the Stella Maris Philharmonic Society. After retiring at the age of 65, he became the first President of the Azzjoni Kattolika in Malta. This is a prominent Roman Catholic organisation in Malta dedicated to fostering spiritual, social, and personal development among its members.Upon retiring from the judiciary in 1961, Magri intensified his commitment to supporting the underprivileged. Historical accounts describe him renting space beneath the Greek Catholic Church of Our Lady of Damascus in Valletta, where he offered legal advice twice weekly until his death. Sources indicate that this service provided written and oral guidance to clients across Malta.