The Chamber of Advocates has instructed lawyers not to fill up or sign a new form required for the registration of leases issued by Identità.

The Notarial Council of Malta had, similarly, told the Notarial College that the new form for the registration of leases issued by Identità should neither be signed nor filled out by the notary, until further notice.

This comes after Identita Malta issued the new Lease Agreement Attestation Form, which started being effective from 1 September. Any property lease agreement presented as part of a residence permit application must be officially attested by a Notary, Lawyer, or Legal Procurator. This additional layer of verification was introduced to further ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided to the Agency, it was said.

The new form followed news reports that Maltese people and property owners started receiving mail addressed to foreign persons who are not residing in their properties, which led to allegations of a widespread racket regarding allegations of ID cards being issued based on forged documents.

The Chamber of Advocates said that it was "not previously informed about this change and is requesting clarification from Identity Malta, together with the Notarial council and the Chamber for Legal Procurators. Until further directive is issued by the Chamber, lawyers are directed not to full up or put their signatures on that for,"