📋 Tender Overview
Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard gave a comprehensive presentation at the General Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, focusing on Maltas significant reforms in the context of the 2024 Rule of Law Report. This presentation marks the third round of country-specific discussions, which also includes key developments in the Netherlands, Austria and Poland. The Minister expressed his gratitude to the European Commission for its continued cooperation and support throughout Maltas reform journey. Malta has undergone crucial institutional and judicial reforms since 2020, in response to recommendations from various international partners, including the Commission, the Venice Commission, GRECO, and the OSCE, the minister said.
The reforms initiated in 2020 were comprehensive, addressing fundamental constitutional arrangements that had remained unchanged since Maltas independence. Key changes included the processes for the appointment and removal of the President of the Republic, the review of judicial appointments, and the updating of procedures for independent bodies such as the Central Bank and the Malta Financial Services Authority. A notable reform was the clear separation between the roles of chief prosecutor and legal advisor to the Attorney Generals office, which led to the creation of a distinct Prosecution Service. The minister highlighted the successful implementation of these reforms and noted that many initiatives had shown positive results, while others are continuing to develop. The establishment of a completely separate Prosecution was an important step.
As of 1 October 2024, the Attorney General will now lead the prosecution of all offences carrying a penalty of more than two years, which is a transformative step in our judicial system, he explained. Since the last presentation in 2022, Malta has made notable appointments to institutional roles using revised procedures that ensure approval by a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. He also mentioned how the increase in the number of Judges and Magistrates in Malta has increased by 34% since 2020, reflecting the governments commitment to strengthening the judiciary. Minister Jonathan Attard also highlighted the substantial investments made in the Malta Police Force, in particular in the Financial Crimes Investigations Department, which saw an 81% increase in staff and a 260% increase in expenditure from 2018 to 2023. Regarding the road Moving forward, the minister outlined the key actions currently being implemented or proposed, particularly in the justice sector. He mentioned the ongoing work on reforms to improve the efficiency of the judicial system, including the establishment of a specialised Commercial Court and a reform of the Family Court, with the aim of continuing to prioritise the well-being of children in legal proceedings.
On anti-corruption efforts, the minister noted that the government is addressing challenges related to the length of investigations in high-level corruption cases. New magistrates have been appointed to expedite inquiries, and draft legislation is being developed to reform the investigation system. In terms of pluralism and media freedom, Malta has taken significant steps, being the first EU Member State to transpose the Anti-SLAPP Directive. This was also highlighted and acknowledged by the European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders. This legislation aims to protect public participation and prevent abusive legal actions against individuals exercising their rights to free speech. Minister Jonathan Attard concluded by reaffirming the governments commitment to continuous improvements in the rule of law. While we have made significant progress, we recognise that much work remains to be done. Our enthusiasm to maintain positive momentum in these reforms is unprecedented, said the minister. The presentation at the General Affairs Council highlights Maltas dedication to upholding the rule of law and fostering a robust democratic framework, aligned with the values and standards of the European Union.
