45 lawyers today filed a judicial protest contesting new court tariffs, which were introduced in the beginning of this year.

The protest was filed against the court's general director, the civil and criminal courts' registrar, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici and  the Justice Ministry 's Permanent Secretary .

The lawyers are arguing that the new tariffs are not according to the local code of organisation and civil procedures, but higher. In addition, parliament has not approved any legislation amendment to introduce the new tariffs. 

The judicial protest describes the act as ultra vires and illegal, because it is not based on any legal ground, and is leading to damages and legal complications for lawyers and their clients, because they are paying a higher fee than that stipulated by the law. "As lawyers, we are responsible for respecting the law, and ensuring it is respected by others," the protest states. " The state, is obliged not to allow such legislations to be amended without the legal mechanism."

The lawyers are requesting the court to refund any additional costs the lawyers paid.

 

The judicial protest was filed by Dr Edward Debono.