Chamber of Advocates Monthly Newsletter – March 2025

The Chamber of Advocates will start issuing a monthly newsletter to inform its members of the work which the Chamber, together with its sub-committees, would have carried out during the previous month, including updates regarding any meetings held with various entities and authorities.

This is our first newsletter in this series, covering the month of March 2025.

1. The Chamber had written to the Office of the Information and Data Protection Commissioner (IDPC), followed up by meeting, regarding the manner in which police reports are being redacted for privacy issues, making it difficult for a lawyer to obtain the relevant details to file proceedings or take any kind of action on behalf of the client. The conclusion reached by the IDPC has not been accepted by the Chamber and the matter will be further pursued.
2. The Chamber notes with disappointment that the Ministry for Justice, and the Reform of the Construction Sector, has set up a committee to implement changes to the Civil Code, without consulting the Chamber. After voicing its concern, the Chamber was invited to attend the committee meeting regarding potential amendments to the promise of sale provisions.
3. One of the committees set up by the Chamber – the Judicial Sales Sub-Committee, has concluded their report, suggesting necessary changes in this field. The report was discussed by the Chamber Committee and will be presented soon to the Ministry for Justice for its consideration.
4. The Chamber has proposed to the Ministry for Justice amendments to the tariffs applicable to lawyers. Pending formal implementation, the Chamber has issued these proposed tariffs as guidelines which can be accessed here: Updated-Guidelines-2025. Members are encouraged to present any comments or suggestions which they may have in relation to these tariffs to the Chamber.
5. A meeting was held with the Association of the Judiciary to discuss potential collaboration. It was agreed that regular meetings will start being held.
6. The Chamber has participated in a meeting to discuss potential amendments to the Court Practice and Procedure and Good Order Rules (S.L. 12.09). Any feedback from our members on his matter is most welcome.
7. The Chamber has also been meeting with the Faculty of Laws regarding a much-needed reform of the law course, in order to ensure better standards. Discussions are ongoing.
8. A consultation with the FIAU and other stakeholders was also held on certain interpretative guidelines and rules which are impacting practitioners.
9. Potential cooperation with the bars of Rome, Bari and the UK are being currently discussed.
10. The Chamber has appointed members to the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. The Chamber regularly replies to questionnaires sent by the CCBE, which is an association which gathers bar associations from across Europe.
11. The Chamber is also supporting the Commonwealth Lawyers Association in hosting their annual meeting in Malta this coming April. We encourage all of our members to attend.

Finally, stay tuned for more details regarding our summer event in July!

Chamber of Advocates