Prime Minister Inaugurates New Court Building For Inquiring Magistrates

Prime Minister Robert Abela, accompanied by Minister for Justice and Reform of the Construction Sector Jonathan Attard, has inaugurated a new Court building in Valletta dedicated to Inquiring Magistrates.

The new Inquiring Magistrates’ Building will house the specialised section of Inquiring Magistrates, the Registry of the Court of Voluntary Jurisdiction, and related offices. By shifting part of the caseload away from the main Courts of Justice, the facility is expected to ease pressure, improve organisation, and enhance efficiency.

Speaking at the inauguration, Prime Minister Abela described the project as a milestone in the country’s path towards a modern judicial system, noting that it follows the Government’s creation of a specialised section of Inquiring Magistrates. He stressed that the reform of the inquiry process is designed both to safeguard victims’ rights and to ensure inquiries are based on justified requests and clear facts.

“The judicial sector is one of the three pillars of our democracy,” Dr Abela said, adding that Government efforts extend beyond infrastructure to strengthening incentives for those working in the judiciary. “We are committed to ensuring the judiciary attracts the best talent and human resources possible.”

The Prime Minister also underlined major investments in digitalisation, including a €10 million Court Case Management System currently at tendering stage, and the recently launched Legal Aid Management System, which has fully digitalised legal aid services. He further highlighted a €2 million EU-funded audio system project to improve recording quality in courtrooms and avoid the need for witnesses to re-testify due to technical issues.

Minister Jonathan Attard said the opening of Palazzo Conte marks a legal milestone, establishing a specialised section of Inquiring Magistrates dedicated to this sensitive area of criminal procedure. He noted that results are already visible: since the appointment of four Inquiring Magistrates at the start of 2024, 1,251 magisterial inquiries have been filed, with more than 830 concluded a completion rate of over 65%.

Vanessa Grech, Chief Executive of the Agency for Court Services, described the courts as a vital public service. She emphasised the importance of modern infrastructure, tools, and skilled staff to meet present and future needs. “Today, the Courts employ over 580 staff, including almost 100 lawyers who directly support the judiciary,” she said, noting that recruitment has expanded significantly in recent years.

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