Edwin Busuttil*

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Edwin Busuttil* - Malta Edwin Busuttil* Malta is a unitary state with a monarchical form The territories of Malta comprise the Island of of government. It came into existence as an Malta, the Island of Gozo, and the other islands of independent state on 21 Sept. 1964, in virtue of the Maltese Archipelago, including the territorial the Malta Independence Act passed by the United waters thereo£ Kingdom Parliament in the same year (1964, c. 86). I. CONSTITUTIONAL SYSTEM Privy Council" on 2 Sept. 1964 (S.I. 1964 no. I. Nationality 1398). Maltese nationality is unitary, but a citizen of The power of government in Malta is vested in Malta, by virtue of his Maltese citizenship, also the Head of State and Parliament. In this Malta has the common status of a Commonwealth follows the United Kingdom pattern of parlia­ citizen in common with the citizens of other mentary democracy. countries in the British Commonwealth. In Malta the Constitution is supreme and the Maltese citizenship is acquired by birth or de­ Constitutional Court is empowered to decide on scent, or by registration or naturalization under the constitutionality of legislation. certain conditions. It may be lost by voluntary The machinery for amending the Constitution renunciation, by automatic cessation in the event is somewhat involved, for many provisions of the of dual nationality, or by deprivation by the state Constitution are entrenched. Entrenchment takes in certain circumstances where citizenship was two forms. One group of entrenched sections can originally acquired by registration or naturaliza­ only be amended if an amending Bill is passed by tion (Canst. s. 23- 32 and the Maltese Citizenship a two-thirds majority of the total membership Act, 1965). of the House of Representatives on the final vote. Another group ofsections requires, in addition, an affirmative vote in a referendum after a period of 2. Territorial Division not less than three nor more than six months ofits It has not been found necessary, having regard to passage through the House. Sections not entrench­ the small size of the whole territory, to divide ed may be altered by a majority of all the members Malta into regions for administrative purposes, of the House. though the Island of Gozo has a limited form of local government (infra 3e). b. Head ofState . -Queen Elizabeth II, Queen ofthe For electoral purposes, however, the territories United Kingdom, is also the Queen of Malta. A of Malta are divided into 10 constituencies. Governor-General, appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the Maltese Government, is the Queen's representative in Malta and acts on 3. State Organs her behalf. a. General structure. - The fundamental laws em­ In Malta, as in most other constitutional mon­ bodying the Constitution of Malta are contained archies, the Governor-General acts on the advice in the Malta Independence Act passed by the of the Prime Minister, who is the political leader Parliament of the United Kingdom on 31 July of the country, except in the exercise of those 1964, and the Malta Independence Order in powers which are stated in the Constitution to be Council, with its accompanying Schedule, issued exercisable in his discretion (Const. s. 86). In by Her Majesty "by and with the advice of Her general, these relate to the dissolution of Parlia- * Professor and Dean of Law, The Royal Univer­ sity of Malta, Valletta. National Reports (2 )) and the Cabinet must resi~n as a body if the ment in certain specified circumstances, a~d .to the legislature gives ~o~ e:cpressxon to lack of con~ appointment or removal of the Prime Minister. fidence in its poliCles or Its personnel. c. Legislative body.- Malta has~ uni~er~ legi: Territorial authorities. -A restricted form oflocai lature. The legislative authonty resides m ~ e~vemment was established in the Island of Gozo Governor-General and the House ofRepresentatl­ f y the Gozo Local Government Ordinance (Or­ ves but a rather unusual provision in the Con­ dinance XI of 1961), enacted by the then Gover­ lays it down that when a Bill is presented sti~tion nor. The Ordinance provides for the creation of to the Governor-General "he shall without delay a Civic Council in Gozo, composed of 14 members signify that he assents" (Const. s. 73 (2)).. which empowered to discharge certain locai Broadly speaking, citizens of Malta resxdent m is functions, chiefly with relating Malta who have attained the age of 2! years are connect~d ~tters entitled to vote for members of the House of to public works and pubhc health m the Island. Representatives, who are elected on a syste'? of proportional representation by means of a s~gle 4· Judiciary transferable vote. The House of Representatives consists of 55 members, but it is constitutionally a. The constitutional judiciary. - The Constitution possible for the Speaker to be elected fro.m out­ establishes a Constitutional Court and defines its side the House, in which case he is, by vrrtue of jurisdiction (Const. s. 96 (2)). holding the office of Speaker, also a member of The Court has (1) exclusive original jurisdiction the House in addition to the other 55 members. in electoral cases, and (2) appellate jurisdiction The House of Representatives is empowered to from decisions of lower courts on alleged viola­ legislate for the peace, order and good govern­ tions of the Fundamental Human Rights enumer­ ment of Malta, but the Constitutional Court has ated in the Constitution and on questions relating jurisdiction to invalidate any law which runs to constitutional interpretation or to the consti­ counter to the provisions of the Constitution, tutional validity of ordinary legislation. Appeal though the Constitution itself is capable of to the Privy Council has been abolished (Canst. amendment in the prescribed manner (Const. s. of Malta (Amendments) Act, 1972). 67). The party system plays an essential part in the b. Judicial organiz ation. - Courts ofJustice in Malta working of the Constitution. The party which are either inferior or superior. wins the majority of seats at a General Election The i11[erior courtS are (I) the Court of Magis­ forms the Government. The larger minority party trates ofJudi cial Police for the Island ofMalta, and becomes the Opposition, and its leader is accorded (2) the Court of Magistrates for the Islands of official recognition as Leader of the Opposition Gozo and Comino. (Const. s. 91). In civil m atters, appeals lie (1) from the Court of Magistrates for Malta to the Court of Appeal d. Government. - The executive authority of constituted by one judge, and (2) from the Court Malta is nominally vested in the Queen and is of Magistrates for Gozo and Camino, to Court exercised by the Governor-General on her behal£ a The Governor-General appoints as Prime Minister of three magistrates in Gozo or, in appropriate the member ofthe House ofRepresentatives who cases, to the Court of Appeal in Malta. in his judgment, is best able to command th; In criminal matters, appeals lie to the Court of support of the majority of members. Members of ~ri_minal, Appeal in Malta composed ofone judge, the Cabinet are chosen by the Prime Minister and Sittmg Without a jury. are .appointed by the Governor-General on the . ~he s~perior courts are (1) the Civil Court, adVIce of the Prime Minister. divxded mto First Hall (contentious jurisdiction) The Cabinet is the real executive authority and Second Hall (non-contentious jurisdiction); 2 though its a~ are, ~ form, acts of the Governor~ ( ) the Commercial Court which is also an Ge~eral on Its advice. The Cabinet formulates Admira.l~ Court; (3) the Court of Appeal; (4) policy and sponsors most of the important . 1 . h d . f 1egis ­ ~e. Cru~unal Court, composed of one judge atxon, t ~ a optton o which it can usually obtain smmg With a jury and (5) the Court of Criffi.inal through Its control of the ma· ority of th . Appeal. t Th d · 1 e 1egis 1 a- ure. e octnne of Cabinet respons1 'bill The Court of Appeal hears and determines ~hereby the Cabinet as a whole is h ld ty, appeals from judgments of the Civil Court. F~t SI~l~ for ~e. official acts and policies of incll~fd:~ Hall,_ and the Commercial Court, while a partY muusters, 1s mcorporated in the Constt't n· ( u on s. 8o aggneved by a decree of the Civil Court, Second Hall, may bring an action before the Civil Court. III Malta M-47 First Hall The Court of Criminal Appeal d f thr · d h ' com- d. Prosecution. - The principal law officer is the pose of th eeCJ~ ~esal, ears appeals from judg- ments o e runm Court, other than · udg- Crown Advocate-General, who holds a public ments of acquittal. J office and is appointed by the Governor-General Appeal from the Court of Appeal to the p · acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Council has been abolished (supra a). nvy Minister. In the exercise ofhis powers to institute or to discontinue public prosecutions, the Crown Advocate-General acts in a quasi-judicial capacity c. Administrativ. e tribunals.-. f In Malta, as elsewhere, the contmumg extenston o governmental activity and is not subject to the direction or control ofthe government of the day. and responsibility for the general well-being ofthe The Crown Advocate-General cannot be community in the post-war years has led to a sub­ removed from his office except by the Governor­ stantial growth in the number and importance of General upon an address by the House of Repre­ Administrative Tribunals. In fact, so varied have sentatives, supported by the votes ofnot less than they become in constitution, function and proce­ two-thirds of its total membership, praying for dure that a classification which is both succinct such removal on the ground of proved misbeha­ and satisfactory is impossible.
Recommended publications
  • Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in the Commonwealth
    Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The Commonwealth Struggles for Decriminalisation and Change Edited by Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites Human Rights, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in The Commonwealth: Struggles for Decriminalisation and Change Edited by Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites © Human Rights Consortium, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London, 2013 This book is published under a Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NCND 4.0) license. More information regarding CC licenses is available at https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/ Available to download free at http://www.humanities-digital-library.org ISBN 978-1-912250-13-4 (2018 PDF edition) DOI 10.14296/518.9781912250134 Institute of Commonwealth Studies School of Advanced Study University of London Senate House Malet Street London WC1E 7HU Cover image: Activists at Pride in Entebbe, Uganda, August 2012. Photo © D. David Robinson 2013. Photo originally published in The Advocate (8 August 2012) with approval of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) and Freedom and Roam Uganda (FARUG). Approval renewed here from SMUG and FARUG, and PRIDE founder Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera. Published with direct informed consent of the main pictured activist. Contents Abbreviations vii Contributors xi 1 Human rights, sexual orientation and gender identity in the Commonwealth: from history and law to developing activism and transnational dialogues 1 Corinne Lennox and Matthew Waites 2
    [Show full text]
  • Reading Around the World
    Reading Around Name:__________________________________ The World Phone/ Email___________________________________ Date: ___________________________________ Passport of Reading Suggestions Let the Adventure Begin! Our Spring Reading Challenge is a virtual trip around the world. We’ve divided the world into 21 regions, and invite you to travel the world by reading a book for each, OR by spending an hour learning a language spoken in that region, using the online program Mango (a free program offered by the library). As you travel, use the dots to indicate each country you have visited. Once you’ve visited 7 or more re- gions, stop by the library for a free gift (while supplies last). How to get to Mango: Go to the Auburn Public Library website. Scroll down until you see the Mango logo on the home page. It’s under the Quick Link section just below digital main library logo. Once there, sign in as a guest using the barcode number on your library card. This booklet will give you examples of both fiction and nonfiction books for each region, but you are not lim- ited to these books. Let us know if we can help! Rules: North America You must read at least 7 of the regions. Please list This includes: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Barbados, Domin- them on the Travel Itinerary and put a sticker on ican Republic, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad the region on the map you were given. Fiction: This reading challenge will go until all of the prizes have been claimed. Prizes will be claimed on a first Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok come first serve basis.
    [Show full text]
  • Rethinking Maltese Legal Hybridity: a Chimeric Illusion Or a Healthy Grafted European Law Mixture? Kevin Aquilina
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Louisiana State University: DigitalCommons @ LSU Law Center Journal of Civil Law Studies Volume 4 Number 2 Mediterranean Legal Hybridity: Mixtures and Movements, the Relationship between the Legal Article 5 and Normative Traditions of the Region; Malta, June 11-12, 2010 12-1-2011 Rethinking Maltese Legal Hybridity: A Chimeric Illusion or a Healthy Grafted European Law Mixture? Kevin Aquilina Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/jcls Part of the Civil Law Commons Repository Citation Kevin Aquilina, Rethinking Maltese Legal Hybridity: A Chimeric Illusion or a Healthy Grafted European Law Mixture?, 4 J. Civ. L. Stud. (2011) Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/jcls/vol4/iss2/5 This Conference Proceeding is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews and Journals at LSU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of Civil Law Studies by an authorized editor of LSU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. RETHINKING MALTESE LEGAL HYBRIDITY: A CHIMERIC ILLUSION OR A HEALTHY GRAFTED EUROPEAN LAW MIXTURE? Kevin Aquilina* Abstract ....................................................................................... 261 I. Introduction ............................................................................. 262 II. The Nature of the Maltese Mixed Legal System.................... 263 III. The Nine Periods of Maltese Legal History ......................... 265 A. Roman Malta (218 B.C.-870) .............................................266 B. Arab Malta (870-1090)........................................................267 C. Norman Malta (1090-1530) ................................................268 D. Hospitallers Malta (1530-1798) ..........................................269 E. French Malta (1798-1800) ...................................................270 F. British Malta (1800-1964) ...................................................271 G.
    [Show full text]
  • Spine for Bulletin of Medieval Canon Law
    Spine for Bulletin of Medieval Canon Law Top to Bottom Vol. 32 Bulletin of Medieval Canon Law 2015 THE STEPHAN KUTTNER INSTITUTE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW MÜNCHEN 2015 BULLETIN OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW NEW SERIES VOLUME 32 AN ANNUAL REVIEW PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA PRESS FOR THE STEPHAN KUTTNER INSTITUTE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW BULLETIN OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW THE STEPHAN KUTTNER INSTITUTE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW MÜNCHEN 2015 BULLETIN OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW NEW SERIES VOLUME 32 AN ANNUAL REVIEW PUBLISHED BY THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA PRESS FOR THE STEPHAN KUTTNER INSTITUTE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW Published annually at the Stephan Kuttner Institute of Medieval Canon Law Editorial correspondence should be addressed to: STEPHAN-KUTTNER INSTITUTE OF MEDIEVAL CANON LAW Professor-Huber-Platz 2 D-80539 München PETER LANDAU, Editor Universität München [email protected] or KENNETH PENNINGTON, Editor The School of Canon Law The Catholic University of America Washington, D.C. 20064 [email protected] Advisory Board PÉTER CARDINAL ERDP PETER LINEHAN Archbishop of Esztergom St. John’s College Budapest Cambridge University JOSÉ MIGUEL VIÉJO-XIMÉNEZ ORAZIO CONDORELLI Universidad de Las Palmas de Università degli Studi Gran Canaria Catania FRANCK ROUMY KNUT WOLFGANG NÖRR Université Panthéon-Assas Universität Tübingen Paris II Inquiries concerning subscriptions or notifications of change of address should be sent to the Bulletin of Medieval Canon Law Subscriptions, PO Box 19966, Baltimore, MD 21211-0966. Notifications can also be sent by email to [email protected] Telephone (410) 516-6987 or 1-800-548-1784 or fax 410-516-3866.
    [Show full text]
  • Looking Behind the Veil Treee.Pdf
    Bohemian Grove Woods, Samuel P. Taylor State Park, and a separate redwood grove owl stands at the head of the lake in the Grove and, since 1929, has represents the act of embracing the revelry of Bohemian Grove while near Duncan Mills, down river from the current location. served as the site of the yearly "Cremation of Care" ceremony (see setting aside the "dull cares" of the outside world. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia below). The club's motto, Weaving Spiders Come Not Here, is taken The first parcel of the grove was purchased from Melvin Cyrus Meeker [edit] (Redirected from Bohemian grove) from the second scene of Act 2 from A Midsummer Night's Dream; it who developed a successful logging operation in the area. Gradually Jump to: navigation, search signifies that the club and the grove are not for conducting business, over the next decades, members of the club purchased land Alex Jones' exposé Bohemian Grove is a 2700 acre (11 km²) campground located in but exchanging friendship and free sharing of common passion, surrounding the original location to the perimeter of the basis in which Monte Rio, California belonging to a private San Francisco-based summarized in the term, "the Bohemian Spirit." it resides. This was done to secure the rights to the water, so that its men's fine arts club known as the Bohemian Club, which was founded water supply would not be affected by uphill operations. [edit] in 1872. The club's membership includes many artists, particularly Cremation of Care musicians, as well as many high-ranking business leaders and [edit] The Cremation of Care was devised in 1893 by a member named government officials.
    [Show full text]
  • This Thesis Has Been Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for a Postgraduate Degree (E.G. Phd, Mphil, Dclinpsychol) at the University of Edinburgh
    This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the author. When referring to this work, full bibliographic details including the author, title, awarding institution and date of the thesis must be given. THE TRUST LAWS OF JERSEY AND MALTA: A CIVILIAN INTERPRETATION Ph D The University of Edinburgh June 2015 Patrick J Galea 1 THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH This thesis has been submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for a postgraduate degree (e.g. PhD, MPhil, DClinPsychol) at the University of Edinburgh. Please note the following terms and conditions of use: • This work is protected by copyright and other intellectual property rights, which are retained by the thesis author, unless otherwise stated. • A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research of study, without prior permission or charge. • This thesis cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the author. • The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the prior formal permission of the author.
    [Show full text]
  • (With VAT) the Property of Hever Stud Farm Ltd
    HORSE OUT OF TRAINING, consigned by Hever Stud Farm The Property of Hever Stud Farm Ltd. Lot 1 (With VAT) Royal Applause Acclamation Harbour Watch (IRE) Princess Athena Woodman Gorband JANE CAMILLE Sheroog (GB) Alhaarth Unfuwain April 9th, 2016 Emulate (GB) Irish Valley (2004) Kenmare Bay Filly Aquarelle Aquamarine E.B.F. Nominated. JANE CAMILLE (GB): ran a few times at 3 years, 2019. Sold as she stands (see Conditions of Sale). FLAT 5 starts LAST THREE STARTS Latest BHA Rating 40 (Flat) (prior to compilation) 09/11/19 11/14 Class 6 (WFA AWT) Southwell 1m 13y 26/10/19 9/13 Class 6 (WFA AWT) Chelmsford City 7f 07/10/19 6/10 Class 5 (WFA Maiden) Windsor 6f 12y 1st dam EMULATE (GB): winner at 2 years and £6855; dam of 2 winners from 4 runners and 9 foals: Sandra (GB) (2010 f. by Three Valleys (USA)): 2 wins at 3 and 6 years in Bulgaria and in Germany and £9842 and placed 14 times. Manton Grange (GB) (2013 g. by Siyouni (FR)): 2 wins at 4 years, 2017 and £22,345 and placed 9 times. Dale Doback (GB) (2015 g. by Medicean (GB)): ran twice in N.H. Flat Races. Jane Camille (GB) (2016 f. by Harbour Watch (IRE)): see above. She also has a yearling filly by Harbour Watch (IRE) and a colt foal by Lethal Force (IRE). 2nd dam AQUARELLE (GB): winner at 2 years in France and £15,898; dam of 4 winners inc.: Coastline (GB): 3 wins in France and £18,132; dam of 3 winners inc.: Pain Perdu (FR): 9 wins in France and in Germany and £300,776, 2nd Prix La Force, Longchamp, Gr.3, Prix Francois Mathet, Saint-Cloud, L.
    [Show full text]
  • World Heritage Papers 7 ; Cultural Landscapes: the Challenges Of
    Ferrara 7-couv 12/01/04 17:38 Page 1 7 World Heritage papers7 World Heritage papers Cultural Landscapes: Cultural Landscapes: the Challenges of Conservation of Challenges the Landscapes: Cultural the Challenges of Conservation World Heritage 2002 Shared Legacy, Common Responsibility Associated Workshops 11-12 November 2002 Ferrara - Italy For more information contact: paper; printed on chlorine free Cover paper interior printed on recycled RectoVerso Design by UNESCO World Heritage Centre papers 7, place de Fontenoy 75352 Paris 07 SP France Tel : 33 (0)1 45 68 15 71 Fax : 33 (0)1 45 68 55 70 E-mail : [email protected] orld Heritage W http://whc.unesco.org/venice2002 photo:Cover Delta © Studio B&G Po Ferrara 7 12/01/04 17:34 Page 1 Cultural Landscapes: the Challenges of Conservation World Heritage 2002 Shared Legacy, Common Responsibility Associated Workshops 11-12 November 2002 Ferrara - Italy Hosted by the Province of Ferrara and the City of Ferrara Organized by the University of Ferrara and UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre in collaboration with ICCROM, ICOMOS and IUCN With the support of the Nordic World Heritage Foundation (NWHF) and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Sciences (OCenW) Ferrara 7 12/01/04 17:34 Page 2 Disclaimer The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this publication and for the opinions therein, which are not necessarily those of UNESCO and do not commit the Organization. The designation employed and the presentation of the material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
    [Show full text]
  • Private International Law: Choice of Law in Tort and Delict
    The Law Commission Working Paper No. 87 and The Scottish Law Commission Consultative Memorandum No. 62 Private International Law 2 Choice of Law in Tort and Delict LONDON H ER MAJ ESTY 'S STAT10 N ERY 0 F FIC E f6.25 net The Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission were set up by the Law Commissions Act 1965 for the purpose of promoting the reform of the law I The Law Commissioners are: .'. The Honourable Mr Justice Ralph Gibson, Chairman Mr Brian Davenport, Q.C. Professor Julian Farrand Mrs Brenda Hoggett Dr Peter North Thesecretaryof theLawCommission isMrJ.G.H.Gassonandits offices are at Conquest House, 37-38 John Street, Theobald's Road, London, WC1 N 2BQ. The Scottish Law Commissioners are: The Honourable Lord Maxwell, Chairman Mr R. D. D. Bertram, W.S. Dr E. M. Clive Mr. J. Murray, Q.C. Sheriff C. G. B. Nicholson, Q.C. The Secretary of the Scottish Law Commission is Mr R. Eadie and its offices are at 140 Causewayside. Edinburgh, EH9 1 PR. This consultation paper, completed for publication on 28 September 1984, is circulated for comment and criticism only. It does not rewesent the final views of the two Law Commissions. I The Law Commissions would be grateful for comments on the consultation paper before 16 July 1985 All correspondence should be addressed to MrR J Dormer MissJ McLeod Law Cornmission or Scottish Law Commission Conquest House 140 Causewayside 37-38 John Street Edinburgh EH9 1 PR Theobald's Road London WC1 N 2BQ (Tel 01-242 0861, ext 227) (Tet 031-668 2131, ext 25) The Law Commission Working Paper No.
    [Show full text]
  • Relations Between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court from the Viewpoint of Malta
    Strasbourg, 27 October 1997 Restricted <s:\cdl\doc\(97)\cdl-ju\49.e> CDL-JU (97) 49 Engl. only EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR DEMOCRACY THROUGH LAW Relations between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court from the viewpoint of Malta Meeting of Presidents of Supreme Courts of Central and Eastern European Countries on "The Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court: interrelation of the roles, powers and responsibilities" (Prague & Brno, 20-23 October 1997) - 2 - Relations between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court from the viewpoint of Malta Mr. Chairman, Colleagues, It is an honour for me to be invited as a member of the Venice Commission for Democracy through Law to participate in this Seminar and to report on the relations between the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court from the view point of Malta. My first reaction was: Why Malta? The answer was immediately obvious, because in our Island’s state the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court, which is, in our legal system, termed the Court of Appeal, are in practice, though not in theory, the same Court, having separate and distinct jurisdictions. Considering that this meeting is concerned with relations between the two Courts and hence the possibility of contrasts and dissenting opinions, the notion of the two Courts functioning as one must have seemed novel and, perhaps, even intriguing. Hence my pleasant presence in your august company. I shall attempt to trace Malta’s experience in this field giving some indication as to how the system works in practice, its advantages and disadvantages. Historical notes I think it useful at this early stage to give a very brief outline of Constitutional development in Malta, a small republic in the very middle of the Mediterranean Sea, with a population of less than 400,000 but with a chequered history.
    [Show full text]
  • The Change from a Monarchy to a Republic
    Dr CENSU TABONE, M.D., D.O. (Oxen.), D.O.M.S. (Land.) D.M.J. (S.A. Land), F.R.C.S. (Edin.) About Dr Tabone: Dr Tabone was born in Gozo in 1913. He was educated at the Gozo Elementary School, St. Aloysius College, the University of Malta, Oxford University, and The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He graduated M. D. (Malta) 1937, Post-graduate education and training at Oxford University, and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. During the war he served as Army Medical Officer. He was Medical Consultant with the World Health Organisation on a short-term basis between 1952 to 1960 and served in Geneva and in several Countries in the Far and Middle East. He was member of the WHO Expert Committee on Trachoma in 1955. He entered Parliament in 1966 and was elected in all subsequent elections up to 1989, and served as Minister of Labour Employment and Welfare between 1966 and 1971, and Minister of Foreign Affairs between 19)5~ and 1989. In 1989 he was appointed President of Malta by parliament, and his term as Presiderlt ended on the 4th April 1994. The following is the text of a talk he gave at a meeting held in Gozo as part of the Lowenbrail series on important personages in Gozo. THE CHANGE FROM A MONARCHY TO A REPUBLIC In my talk I shall deal briefly with politics in The 1962 elections had the main political theme post war Malta, particularly after of Independence and were won by the Independence.
    [Show full text]
  • North America
    Read Around the World Challenge- Possible Titles Please note: these are not required titles; they are optional suggestions from the MARINet system. Some of these books are not at the Mill Valley Library, but can easily be requested from another library. See the reference desk to request a book. (* indicates library staff recommendation) North America Antigua and Barbuda: 1. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (Storage Fiction Kincaid) 2. My Brother by Jamaica Kincaid (Bio Kincaid, J) 3. Antigua and my life before : a novel by Marcela Serano (Fiction Serano) 4. Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid (Fiction Kincaid) The Bahamas: 1. Dolphin diaries : my 25 years with spotted dolphins in the Bahamas by Denise L. Herzing (599.53 Herzing ) 2. Bahama burnout : a novel by Don Bruns (Fiction Bruns) 3. Killer Cruise by Jennifer Shaw (Fiction Shaw) 4. A Deeper Blue by John Ringo (Fiction Ringo) Barbados: 1. The sugar barons : family, corruption, empire, and war in the West Indies by Matthew Parker (338.17 Parker) 2. Triangular road : a memoir by Paule Marshall (Bio Marshall) 3. Soul Clap Hands and Sing by Paule Marshall (Fiction Marshall) 4. Testimony of an Irish Slave Girl by Kate McCafferty (Fiction McCafferty) Belize: 1. In the Heat by Ian Vasquez (Fiction Vasquez, I) 2. The Last Flight of the Scarlet Macaw: One Woman’s Fight to Save the World’s Most Beautiful Bird by Bruce Barcott (333.95 Barcott) 3. The Temple of the Jaguar: Travels in the Yucatan by Donald Schueler (917.26 Schueler) 4. Sastun: One Woman’s Apprenticeship with a Maya Healer and Their Efforts to Save the Vanishing Traditions of Rainforest Medicine by Rosita Arvigo Canada: 1.
    [Show full text]