Justice, Good Governance and Rule of Law, three important pillars, which were prioritised in the 2021 Budget, brought about a record of unpreceded reforms and amendments to the law. This week a total of €6.1m was allocated to the Justice sector for year 2022. This adds up to an increase of 45% from the previous year, such funds shall be used to further invest in the justice sector.

Through this year's Budget we shall continue to prioritise good governance and rule of law, by doing so we shall instil more trust in our institutions, further the country's economic growth and enhance Malta's reputation abroad.

The above is a living testimony that this government truly believes in these three fundamental principles: an efficient justice system, good governance and rule of law.

 

Office of the Advocate of state

€2m have been allocated to this Office to further strengthen and consolidate its importance. Additionally, €2.25m, a sum that can be interpreted as a total increase of 32% on the year 2021 was also allocated to this Office to further invest in its operations.

 

Office of the Attorney General

A significant increase of 78% has been allocated for the operation of this Office. Such funds shall be used to further equip this office with the necessary resources to address the current workload. This increase will ensure that the AG office is well resourced to tackle the increase in workload, from an already activated programme assuring that all prosecution is to be conducted by the AG by not later than 2025.

 

Permanent commission against corruption

It is worth noting that following the reform implemented as part of the Venice Commission that altered the process through which members of this Board are appointed, government continued to invest in this commission. In the Budget for 2022, government will be allocating double the funds that were allocated in 2021; this continues to show that this government is actively committed to further combat corruption in our country.

 

Court Services Agency (CSA)

Efficiency and effectiveness in the Law Courts of Malta will continue to be a priority next year. A total increase of 20%, which amounts to €21.5m, will be allocated to CSA. Through this the Judiciary, professionals and service users shall continue to be supported and provided with a more efficient and effective service.

In 2021 government started investing in a depilated building next to the main Court building. This will be converted into a building that will house three new chambers and 25 additional. In 2022, a new courtroom is planned within the current court building through which it is estimated that every year there will be an increase of 5,180 hearings, equivalent to an increase of an approximate 4% in the number of hearings per year.

 

Department of Justice

The Department is now also responsible of the Office of Conduct and Criminal Records (Criminal Fees). In this regard all administrative processes related to certificates of conduct and criminal record shall be administered and accessed through digital means.

 

Legal Aid Agency

When compared to 2021, an additional €630,000 has been allocated to this Agency. We will continue to invest in legal aid to create a digital system where prospective clients can also apply online and that is accessible to all.

 

Asset Recovery Bureau

€500,000 has been allocated, an increase of 150% over the year 2021, to the Asset Recovery Bureau.

Following the entry in force of the Proceeds of Crime Act, an innovative piece of legislation, we shall continue to invest in the Asset Recovery Bureau by providing new technologies for the exchange, management and retrieval of information. We will continue to work on the ambitious project related to the construction of a state-of-the-art specialised building to host an asset tracking laboratory and to have adequate space for the preservation of confiscated assets.

 

Notary to Government

We shall continue to invest in the process of digitisation of all notarial acts, making it more accessible to all. A system to ensure that all public deeds and wills are recorded in the public register on time and that all relevant taxes collected by Notary Public are effectively paid to the relevant entities is also in the pipeline.

 

The Robert Abela administration has succeeded in making unprecedented reforms and investments. The president of the Commission of the European Union, Ursula Von der Leyen praised Malta for this in her State of the Union Address. I shall remain committed to work tirelessly to further ameliorate the Justice sector in Malta.

This is the government known for its reforms, Good Governance and Rights - this is the government of change. This is the government that through this Budget is forward looking; investing in Malta that we want to leave for future generations.

 

Edward Zammit Lewis is Minister for Justice and Governance