First Phase Of Family Court Reform Launched
Prime Minister Robert Abela has launched the first phase of the Family Court reform during a press conference held at the Auberge de Castille, describing it as another historic step in favour of families.
He said the reform is built on key principles that prioritise the best interests of children, people centred justice, and improved efficiency and quality within the judicial system. According to the Prime Minister, the long awaited changes are intended to bring renewed hope and a stronger sense of humanity to family justice.
Abela stressed that the reform is the result of extensive consultation carried out over recent months. He said many families shared experiences that showed how the existing system has not always served them well.
Parents were sometimes denied access to their children for years because of prolonged procedures, while grandparents lost contact with their grandchildren following separations. He added that children, who should be the most protected, often carried an emotional burden that a sensitive system should have avoided. For this reason, he said the reform is essential to make family justice more accessible, more efficient and more humane.
The Prime Minister explained that a central pillar of the reform is the creation of an autonomous Family Court. The court will no longer function as a section within the Civil Court, but as a specialised body with dedicated resources to deal with sensitive family cases urgently and carefully. He said clearer and faster procedures will prevent families from waiting years for decisions.
Abela also said the reform strengthens mediation, helping couples reach agreement more quickly and reducing uncertainty. It introduces stronger protection for children, fair and balanced treatment of parents, and more effective enforcement of court decisions, including maintenance and access orders.
He added that the reform forms part of a wider commitment to families and children, referring to the recent launch of a Green Paper on adolescent social media use, tax cuts for families, and investment in community services.
Minister for Social Policy and Children’s Rights Michael Falzon said the reform places children at its core, providing safeguards against manipulation, legal representation for children during mediation, and clear timeframes to reduce the harm caused by separation.
Minister for Justice Jonathan Attard said the reform responds to real experiences shared by families and establishes a legal framework centred on children’s best interests, co parenting, and stronger protection in cases of domestic violence, with the aim of delivering timely and fair justice.
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