The global pandemic has affected lives all around the world in different aspects, being it economic, social or political. It is to be mentioned that the clusters that are being affected the most are the vulnerable and needy, particularly individuals in underpaid jobs and in challenging financial situations, especially those who have a low quality of life due to strenuous external factors, together with those who suffer from health conditions – whether physical, mental or both.

Furthermore, this pandemic has put women and children at further risk of violence and exacerbated the inequality that already existed between men and women. This also led to a rise in persons seeking legal advice and judicial remedies. For this reason, we must face the music; any route for a long-term recovery must incorporate accessible and people-centred justice systems as a core pillar, given that legal and justice as a whole play a key role in taking back control and restoring confidence in the country’s economy of institutions.

Health measures taken by all departments that fall under the Ministry

The very first measures that were put into practice in all the departments within the Ministry, were all the basic procedures recommended by the superintendent for Public Health Professor Charmaine Gauci. Such measures include but are not limited to the monitoring of body temperature of all who enter the varied Ministerial buildings; use of masks; distribution and frequent use of a hand sanitizer; measures of social distance and signage; regular fumigation of Court buildings as a method of prevention.

The Courts of Malta

Our main aim was to ensure that quality justice is available for people to access not withstanding that we find ourselves in unprecedented times, facing challenges which have not been known to man in the last century. We have met this crisis by implementing measures to protect the health and safety of employees within our law courts including legal professionals.

In this context, we took the necessary steps to provide viable access to justice and facilitate the court hearings by creating a structured framework which addresses COVID-19 pandemic. These range from online service delivery by courts, alternative mechanisms to resolve disputes, 24/7 access to legal aid, enhanced use of data systems online to plan judicial workload and greater coordination of services. Concrete examples include ACT III of 2021 which is aimed at creating a mechanism for electronic filing of judicial acts in the Criminal Superior and Inferior Courts and the establishment of an alternative. An area within the Courts building has been allocated for the taking of oaths aimed at reducing the influx of people at the registry.

An important revolutionary practice that is being implemented is the digitisation of the justice system. Act No LIII of 2020 provides a sound legal framework for civil proceedings to be held virtually. By end of 2021 we foresee that most of the court halls will be equipped with all necessary equipment for a digitalised system.

Equality and Human Rights

Now more than ever this pandemic has shown that equality is vital for the wellbeing of society therefore it must be a core-principle of any policy or legislative framework.

The pandemic magnified the inequalities that already existed and made them more apparent than ever. Studies show that before the pandemic most inequalities were experienced in places of work. However, during the pandemic this has shifted and most inequality is suffered behind closed doors, in the homes of those who reside in every day. Furthermore, Malta has experienced an increase in the domestic violence cases, an approximate 15% increase for the first half of 2020 when compared to the same period in 2019.

In such crucial moments, the government has worked thoroughly to protect women and girls, particularly from varied forms of violence, by means of free legal aid and the establishment of a section within the Police force focusing on Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence.

Government has undertaken all efforts to keep male and female workers in employment through specific extraordinary fiscal measures including the wage supplement, and the vouchers scheme thus limiting the economic impact of that COVID-19 pandemic can have on our economy.

The help provided by the government over the past months was funded on addressing needs of the necessity of ensuring that our economy does not fail to sustain the families across Malta and Gozo. Even in this time we stand together as one nation to support most vulnerable and those who may suffer from any condition. There is no room for inequality in a country that is seen as a best practice in civil liberties, it is for this reason that as Minister I have taken legislative measures to keep on strengthening the principles of equity and equality. In this context, I appeal to the many, to keep on strength together as one united Nation to truly get through these difficult and challenging moments for our country and the International community as a whole.

Dr Edward Zammit Lewis is Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance