MALTA

Government

The legal system of Malta stems from the doctrine of the separation of powers which was first clearly laid down in Malta by Sir Thomas Maitland in 1851, in the early years of the British connection.

Traditionally, the Courts have been divided into Superior and Inferior Courts, the adjective indicating the extent of jurisdiction of such Courts.

In criminal matters the Inferior Courts have jurisdiction to try offences which are contraventions, i.e. really minor matters, and crimes which are liable to relatively short terms of imprisonment; they also conducts the preliminary enquiries in all indictable offences (i.e. crimes within the jurisdiction of the Criminal Court). Obviously Magistrates in Malta are not Lay but Stipendiary Magistrates, this in contrast to practice in common law countries.

Traditionally, too, there have been three courts in Malta, the Criminal Court, the Commercial Court and the Civil Court - divided into a first or contentious hall and second or non-contentious hall. Every one of these Courts applies a separate Code of Laws.

The Independence Constitution, 1964, created a constitutional Court to consider decisions of a constitutional nature consisting of three judges who could, in accordance with any law currently in force in Malta, compose the Court of Appeal, and also hear appeals against decisions of the Criminal Court. Such appeals go to the Court of Criminal Appeal, consisting of the Chief Justice and two other Judges appointed by the President.

For the purpose of dealing with offences, committed by young people there is a Juvenile court which is really the Judicial Police Court of Magistrates sitting in a building separate from that of the Courts and competent to deal with young people coming from all areas or districts of the country.

Economy

Significant resources of Malta are limestone, a favourable geographic location, and a productive labour force. Malta produces only about 20% of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has no domestic energy sources. The economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles), and tourism; the state-owned Malta drydocks employs about 3,800 people. In 1998, almost 1 million tourists visited the island. Per capita GDP of roughly $ 13,000 places Malta in the ranks of the less affluent EU countries. The island is divided politically over the question of joining the EU. The sizable budget deficit remains a key concern.

Police

The objectives of the Malta Police are the maintenance of public order and peace, and the enforcement of all laws of the Republic, as well as the detection and apprehension of offenders. The established strength of the Force is one thousand six hundred and seventy-six officers and other ranks.

The island of Malta, including Gozo and Comino, is divided into ten Police Districts, and each District is again subdivided into Divisions. Each Division is in charge of an Inspector who is duty bound to keep the Superintendent, who is in overall charge of the District, informed of anything which comes to his notice in the course of his duties.

The 3 islands have been divided into 2 Regions, A and B. Region A consists of Districts from One to Five, whilst Region B consists of Districts from Six to Ten. All Police Districts have the same duties.

Apart from the above-mentioned Districts, the Malta Police Force also comprises other Branches for better service to the Maltese community. The General Police Headquarters at Floriana is the base of the Traffic, Security and Criminal Investigation Departments. It also houses the Price Enforcement, the Quartermaster's Stores, Trading and Data Processing Departments. The Licensing Section has moved to new premises at Crown's Works Ditch in Floriana. The Security Branch and the Criminal Investigation Department are composed of the Detective and Uniformed Sections. The specialized Services Division, namely the Forensic Department, forms its backbone. This includes police personnel experienced in the fields of ballistics, photography, explosive and fingerprints, and scene of crime officers.

A Vice Squad and a Fraud Squad have also been set up. As well a Special Assignments Group, with its Headquarters at Ta'Kandia limits off Siggiewi. The Police Academy was founded on 12th July 1988, and is located at Fort St.Elmo in Valletta.

All passengers arriving, leaving or in transit in the Maltese islands, are dealt with by the Immigration Police which is a Department of the Security Branch.

The Vehicle Records Office, Criminal Records Office, Weapons Office, Dogs' Section, Identity Cards Office and Interpol Office all form part of the Security Branch. The Statistics Office is now part of the Criminal Investigation Department, whilst the Mounted Section and the Fire Brigade are part of the Traffic Branch.