As demand for free legal representation continues to rise, Malta's Legal Aid Agency is undergoing a significant transformation to ensure that access to justice does not become a privilege reserved for those who can afford it.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Chief Executive Officer Bruno Zahra speaks about the agency's expanding role, modernisation efforts and the growing pressures it faces, while reaffirming a core principle of a democratic society: that justice must remain accessible to all.

Legal Aid Malta is there to ensure that people have the right to legal assistance, especially individuals who cannot afford private legal representation. He said the agency exists to make sure that people receive professional legal help in cases of defence and litigation, so that their rights are protected within a democratic society.

According to Zahra the agency's work is centred on ensuring that everyone has equal access to justice and that no one is left without legal representation because of financial difficulties. This applies across civil and criminal cases, as well as other proceedings where legal representation is essential for justice to be properly administered before the law.

According to figures provided to The Malta Independent on Sunday, over the past year the Legal Aid Agency responded to 2,820 requests for information. During the same period, legal aid was provided in 215 civil cases, over 1,400 criminal cases and more than 300 cases involving assistance to victims of crime, reflecting the growing demand for the agency's services.

Legal Aid Malta supports a wide range of individuals and cases. In criminal matters, the agency provides legal assistance to people accused of crimes of all kinds. Zahra said these include cases related to drugs, fraud, rape, robbery, aggravation, homicide and other serious offences. The agency also assists individuals involved in extradition proceedings and cases concerning European arrest warrants, where people are requested to be transfer to another country to face legal processes. The aim, he said is to ensure that anyone facing legal difficulties is assisted in a just and professional manner.

In civil cases, Legal Aid Malta provides assistance in matters that affect individuals' personal and family lives. Zahra said this includes personal separation, divorces, marriage annulments and inheritance cases, as well as disputes concerning the care and custody of children. The agency also assists in cases of paternity and filiation, where a stable legal relationship between parents and children needs to be established. In all such cases, he said, the objective is to ensure fairness and protect the rights of everyone involved.

Legal Aid Malta also provides legal assistance to victims of crime. Zahra emphasised that the agency's services are not limited to accused persons but also extend to victims who require legal advice or representation to protect their rights. This includes victims of domestic violence, rape and other serious crimes, where professional legal support is necessary to ensure that their rights are respected throughout the legal process.

Describing legal aid as a "bridge to justice", Zahra said the agency works to ensure that access to justice is available to those who meet the legibility criteria, regardless of nationality, gender, or social background. While the service is aimed primarily at people on low incomes, equal access remains a guiding principle.

Financial eligibility plays a key role in civil cases. Applicants must undergo a means test to establish that they cannot afford private legal representation. Zahra said this ensures that state resources are directed to those who genuinely need assistance. Applicants must also pass a merits test to confirm that there are valid legal grounds to open or defend a case or to continue proceedings, preventing cases without legal basis from being brought before the courts.

In criminal cases, Zahra said, the right to legal aid is automatic for anyone who cannot afford a lawyer. This right begins during the interrogation stage and continues until the conclusion of court proceedings, safeguarding the individual's right to liberty in cases that carry a potential prison sentence.

Legal Aid Malta has also taken steps to make its services more accessible. Zahra said the agency runs public awareness campaigns, provides online application systems to simplify procedures and, from 2025, allows legal aid services to be initiated through servizz.gov hubs in Birgu, Zejtun, Birkirkara, and St Paul's Bay

Professional standards remain a central focus. Zahra said legal aid clients are assisted by qualified and competent lawyers, and that complaints are treated through a formal process requiring sworn statements. Where necessary, complaints may be referred to the Committee for Advocates and Legal Procurators or the Commission for the Administration of Justice, ensuring accountability and transparency in the service provided by the state.

Outlining the application process, Zahra said individuals may apply for legal aid by visiting servizz.gov hubs, submitting an online application, contacting the agency by phone or visiting its offices in Valletta. He said contacting a hub or calling in advance allows applicants to understand which documents are required, helping to avoid unnecessary delays.

In civil cases, applicants must pass both the means and merits test before an application is submitted to the Courts Registrar for approval by the Court. If granted, a lawyer and legal procurator are appointed, and the client is informed by SMS or email. In criminal cases, arrested or suspected persons may request a legal aid lawyer while in police custody before giving any statement, with the same lawyer continuing to represent them throughout court proceedings. Individuals who were not assisted during interrogation may still request legal aid during the court hearing.

Victims of crime may seek assistance directly or through referrals from other entities. Zahra said those seeking legal advice must provide identification details, while victims requesting representation during ongoing proceedings must also submit the relevant police reference. Planning ahead, he said, ensures that a legal aid lawyer can be appointed with sufficient time for consultation.

Lawyers are assigned through specialised panels covering civil cases in the inferior and superior courts, criminal cases before the Court of Magistrates, representation during trials by jury, representation of victims during court proceedings and legal advice for victims of crime. Assignments are made according to the type of case and in line with legal provisions.

To further improve access for vulnerable groups, the agency is strengthening its digital transformation through the Legal Aid Management System and increasing human resources.. Outreach efforts include television slots, online information, brochures and educational programmes, alongside collaboration with governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations.

Zahra said Legal Aid Malta works closely with other entities such as  Active Ageing and Community Care, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services and the Victim Support Agency, while also collaborating with the Chamber of Advocates to promote good practices and maintain high professional standards.

Reflecting on the agency's development, Zahra said Legal Aid Malta has grown over the past decade from a small office into an agency with structured services, focused operations and daily client support. He said this growth, combined with transparency and collaboration with other entities, has contributed to greater public trust and a stronger role in ensuring equal access to justice.

The agency measures its social impact using both quantitative and qualitative indicators. Zahra said updated data is maintained to assist future reforms and improve services, while qualitative assessment focuses on ensuring that clients are professionally assisted and that expectations are balanced with the scope of legal aid.

Despite the challenges created by rising demand, Zahra said the agency remains focused on continuous improvement. Planned reforms include consolidating legal aid legislation into a single chapter of law, creating additional specialised panels, investing in continuous professional development for lawyers, integrating digital systems across government entities while respecting GDPR principles, and strengthening collaboration with NGOs to further improve transparency and access to justice.