Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1305625
Strong commitment in enhancing the efficiency within the Courts of Justice and the Judicial Bench • A bill which, inter alia, aims to reduce the backlog of cases before the Court of Appeal (Superior Jurisdiction) by providing for the possibility of the appel- late court to grant a hearing only in those cases where it considers that this is necessary. The Bill also provides for a reduced time- frame for the payment of security for costs in respect of appeals. Where such security will not be provided in time the appeal will be declared abandoned. • Digitalising the filing of most of the majority of the criminal acts • Facilities of Video Conferencing in the Civil Court Halls • Project of circa €2.2 million in expanding the Courts with a new building in Strait Street (4 new halls and 25 administrative offices) • Extension in the retirement age of the Judicial Bench (from 65 years to 68 years) • An important Bill against money launder- ing and organised crime, Bill 160 named as Proceeds of Crime, is already in the 2nd reading process and before the Parliamen- tary Committee for the Consideration of Bills. Bill 160 shall be strengthening the Asset Recovery Bureau (ARB) by provid- ing a solid legal framework to this crucial institution. This shall include the enhance- ment in human capital together with an investment of not less than €2.4million in the building of a specialised compound for the recovery of valuable assets emerging from proceeds of crime. This prospective law shall also establish a section of the Civil Court for the purpose of regulating disputes relative to the confiscation of the proceeds of crime and for civil procedures for the recovery of assets constituting pro- ceeds of crime. • A new office for the Commissioner of Laws • New offices for the Legal Aid • New offices for the Justice Department • New Office for the Mediation Centre • Following the separation in the office o the Attorney General, new respective physical offices were launched Efficiency of the Judicial System Reforms in the justice sector and in the fight against organised crimes and money laundering The first office which I already inaugurated is that of the Attorney General at a magnificent building, known as Admiralty House. The new office of the State Advocate at another prominent building, Casa Scaglia, shall be inaugurated by my good self in the coming weeks. EDWARD ZAMMIT LEWIS Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance