Legal System of Malta

Malta is located in Europe. It is geographically situated in southern europe, islands in the mediterranean sea, south of sicily (italy). The country achieved independence on 21 september 1964 (from the uk). The capital is Valletta.

Government Overview

Government Type: parliamentary republic Chief of State: President Myriam Spiteri DEBONO (since 4 April 2024) Head of Government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (since 13 January 2020) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister Administrative Divisions: 68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul’s Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta’ Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq National Holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974) Suffrage: 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

Legal System

The legal system of Malta is described as mixed system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union law International Law: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 Amendment Process: proposals (Acts of Parliament) require at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Representatives; passage of Acts requires majority vote by referendum, followed by final majority vote by the House and assent of the president of the republic

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges) Judge Selection: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually on the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65 Subordinate Courts: Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino)

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of unicameral

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta Suffrage: 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal

Historical Background

With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times falling under the control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and French.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Malta based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.