
The Maltese government has announced a reform of Magisterial Inquiries, introducing measures to enhance accountability, protect rights, and streamline legal processes.
The reform, presented by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Justice and Construction Sector Reform Jonathan Attard, seeks to prevent judicial abuse while ensuring effective investigations.
According to Prime Minister Abela, the reform aligns with the government’s commitment to improving the justice system.
Under the new system, cases involving crimes carrying a prison sentence of more than three years must first be referred to the police, who will have six months to investigate.
If progress is deemed insufficient, a citizen can request a judge to review the matter, at which point admissible evidence must be presented. The judge may then decide whether to continue the investigation, conclude it, or initiate a Magisterial Inquiry.
Changes also include extending the initial timeframe for Magisterial Inquiries from 60 days to six months, with the possibility of an extension up to two years.
Experts involved in inquiries must now be individuals rather than companies, and any inquiry exceeding €50,000 will require approval from the Chief Justice.
Additional rights will be granted to individuals under investigation, including legal assistance and access to case information, while victims and their families will gain statutory rights to monitor inquiry progress.
The Nationalist Party (PN) has criticised the reform, arguing that it restricts citizens’ rights to request inquiries.
PN Leader Bernard Grech has pledged to restore this right if elected, stating that past inquiries initiated by private citizens have exposed government corruption.
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