The use of videoconferencing is being introduced in mediation proceedings in separation cases, Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis has announced.

This is being done to reduce the impact of Covid-19 Malta's justice system and slowly head back to normality.

He explained that this will apply for cases wherein both parties would have agreed on a personal separation contract in order to regulation their situation. The court sitting which usually takes place in front of the mediator can take place in an office outside of the court or through virtual meetings using video conferencing.

The separating couples can take part in the videoconference meetings from different locations, accompanied by their respective lawyers, while the mediator will be in another location as well.

This was agreed upon by the ministry and the magistrates and mediators of the Family Courts.

"This measure is aimed to reduce the amount of contact between people and thus reduce chance of transmission of Covid-19 and to also ensure that any agreements which are reached between parties are published as soon as possible," Zammit Lewis said.

This is one of the measures that will be announce in the near future as part of the digital stratagey that the ministry is working on implementing within the justice system.

At the end of April, while replying to a parliamentary question from PN MP Jason Azzopardi, Zammit Lewis had already indicated that the ministry is working on a digital stratagey that will offer online services including virtual court sessions.

This was done after a suggestion presented by the Chamber of Advocates in a report on how the court should function in the current Covid-19 situation.

"This digital strategy will build on the national digital strategy and it will be a reflection of the work that the government is doing to bring together existent digital services and the entities attributing to the Justice Ministry," he explained.

This includes the implementation of virtual court sittings in the courts of justice and tribunals, but it is not limited to just that.

The Justice Minister had said that all suggestions were being analysed from a legal and procedural perspective while considering what technological recourses can be used.

He pointed out that, in recent years, the Web App eCourts.gov.mt has made a number of services available online for legal professionals and updated the court's network infrastructure. This was all done so that the ministry can plan any initiatives that require the use of video conferencing in court more effectively.

This digital scheme is being financed by EU fund from the Social Reform Support Services, under the directive of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice.