Malta Announces Constitutional Amendments To Strengthen Judiciary And Improve Efficiency

In a press conference, Minister for Justice Jonathan Attard announced a new package of constitutional amendments aimed at further strengthening standards and improving efficiency within Malta’s justice system.

Minister Attard explained that the proposed amendments are the result of several months of consultation and internal review.

This process included the examination of various reports and public addresses, most notably those delivered by the Chief Justice during the opening of the forensic year.

Among the most significant reforms is the removal of the constitutional barrier preventing judges from being appointed as President of the Republic — a change intended to broaden eligibility for the country’s highest office.

To streamline the handling of constitutional appeals, the government is proposing the establishment of three distinct sections within the Constitutional Court, aimed at improving judicial efficiency and workload distribution.

The reform package also includes greater judicial input in the appointment process of the Chief Justice, and the creation of a formal register of shortlisted candidates maintained by the Judicial Appointments Committee, enhancing transparency in judicial selections.

Other key measures include an extension of the mandatory retirement age for judges to 70, subject to review by the Commission for the Administration of Justice, and a review of the procedures governing the ethical conduct of advocates and legal procurators.

The reforms would also establish a Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary, a new role tasked with overseeing judicial conduct and disciplinary processes. This will be accompanied by a broader ethical framework and reinforced mechanisms for accountability within the judiciary.

Further amendments aim to clarify the constitutional role of the Auditor General in cases of institutional disagreement, aligning it with similar constitutional offices.

Finally, the reform bill proposes technical updates to modernise legal drafting and improve cross-referencing within the Constitution, ensuring clearer interpretation and implementation of laws.

Attard concluded, “I have always expressed my full confidence in the judiciary. The vast majority of members of the judiciary uphold their constitutional oath with integrity. It is therefore essential not only to enshrine ethical standards in the Constitution but to establish robust mechanisms for their enforcement.”

#MaltaDaily