ACT No. IX of 2004 AN ACT to amend the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure, Cap. 12, and other laws relating to civil procedure.

I assent.

E DWARD F ENECH A DAMI

(L.S.)

President

6th August, 2004

ACT No. IX of 2004

AN ACT to amend the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure,

Cap. 12, and other laws relating to civil procedure.

BE IT ENACTED by the President, by and with the advice and

consent of the House of Representatives, in this present Parliament

assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows>-

Part I

(1) The short title of this Act is the Code of Organization

and Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2004.

(2) The provisions of the various parts of this Act shall

come into force on such date as the Minister responsible for Justice

may by notice in the Gazette establish and different dates may be so

established for different provisions and different purposes thereof.

Part II

This Part amends, and shall be read and construed as one

with, the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure, hereinafter

referred to as “the Code”.

Minnufih fi tmiem l-artikolu 34 tal-Kodiçi, g[andu ji]died Emenda ta’ l-

artikolu 34 tal-

il-proviso li ;ej>

Kodiçi.

“I]da fil-ka]ijiet fejn kaw]a li tkun inbdiet permezz ta’

çitazzjoni, u fejn ebda deçi]joni espliçita ma tkun intalbet u

ng[atat dwar l-interpretazzjoni tal-Kostituzzjoni skond l-

artikolu 95(2)(d) ta’ l-imsemmija Kostituzzjoni, tkun ;iet deçi]a

mill-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili b’sentenza li fiha jkunu ;ew

diskussi u deçi]i punti ta’ li;i dwar drittijiet fondamentali tal-

bniedem jew referenzi g[all-Kostituzzjoni b[ala parti mill-

meritu tal-kaw]a, il-Qorti ta’ l-Appell g[andha xorta wa[da

titqies li hija kompetenti u li g[andha ;urisdizzjoni biex

tiddeçiedi appell minn tali sentenza tal-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti

?ivili.”.

Minnufih wara l-artikolu 166 tal-Kodiçi, g[andhom ji]diedu

dawn l-artikoli ;odda li ;ejjin>–

166A. (1) F’azzjonijiet g[all-[las ta’ dejn çert,

g[ar-rigward likwidu u li g[alaq u li ma jkunx jikkonsisti fl-esekuzzjoni

ta’ fatt u meta l-ammont tad-dejn ma jkunx jeççedi l-[amest

opposti eçç. elef lira, il-kreditur ikun jista’ jipproçedi skond dawn is-

subartikoli ta’ dan l-artikolu li ;ejjin>

I]da meta d-dejn ma jkunx likwidu, il-kreditur jista’

jimxi skond dan l-artikolu jekk huwa jillimita d-dejn tieg[u

g[al ammont li ma jeççedix il-[amest elef lira u jirrinunzja

espressament g[al kull parti mit-talba tieg[u li tista’ meta

ti;i likwidata teççedi dik is-somma ta’ [amest elef lira>

I]da wkoll il-kreditur ikun jista’ jimxi skond dan l-

artikolu biss jekk id-debitur ikun pre]enti f’Malta u ma

jkunx minuri jew persuna inkapaçitata skond il-li;i u jekk

id-dejn ma jkunx dovut minn eredità ;jaçenti. Il-[atra ta’

kuraturi skond it-Titolu XI tat-Tielet Ktieb ta’ dan il-Kodiçi

ma g[andhiex tapplika g[al proçeduri skond dan l-artikolu>

I]da wkoll, bla [sara g[ad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ l-

Ordinanza dwar l-Assigurazzjoni ta’ Vetturi tal-Mutur

g[ar-Riskji ta’ Terzi Persuni, meta dejn illi g[alih ikun

japplika dan l-artikolu jkun kopert b’polza ta’

assigurazzjoni, l-assigurat g[andu, bla [sara g[al dak

stipulat fil-polza ta’ assigurazzjoni, fi ]mien [mistax-il

;urnata mindu ji;i notifikat b’ittra uffiçjali mag[mula

skond dan l-artikolu jav]a bil-miktub lill-assigurazzjoni

b’dik l-ittra uffiçjali u jag[tiha dawk id-dettalji dwar it-

talba illi huwa jkun jaf bihom. Fin-nuqqas, kull titolu

e]ekuttiv li jinkiseb skond dan l-artikolu ma jkollu l-ebda

effett fir-rigward ta’ l-assiguratur.

(2) Il-kreditur g[andu jmexxi billi jippre]enta ittra

uffiçjali, illi g[andha tkun skond forma stabbilita mill-

Ministru responsabbli g[all-:ustizzja b’Avvi] Legali u illi

l-kontenut tag[ha g[andu ji;i konfermat bil-;urament mill-

kreditur, li g[andha ti;i notifikata lid-debitur fejn g[andu

ji;i dikjarat b’mod çar, ta[t piena ta’ nullità, ir-ra;uni li

fuqha tkun imsejsa t-talba, ir-ra;unijiet g[aliex it-talba

g[andha tintlaqa’, u dikjarazzjoni tal-fatti b’sostenn tat-

talba>

I]da ma jistax isir u]u mid-disposizzjonijiet tas-

subartikoli (3), (5) jew (6) ta’ l-artikolu 187 ta’ dan il-

Kodiçi biex issir in-notifika ta’ l-imsemmija ittra uffiçjali.

(3) L-ittra uffiçjali g[andu wkoll ikun fiha ta[t piena

ta’ nullità intimazzjoni lid-debitur li jekk huwa ma jwe;ibx

fi ]mien tletin jum mindu ji;i notifikat bl-imsemmija ittra

uffiçjali billi jippre]enta nota fl-atti ta’ dik l-ittra uffiçjali

li fiha ti;i respinta t-talba u li tista’ ti;i ffirmata u

ppre]entata fil-qorti mid-debitur stess ming[ajr il-[tie;a

ta’ firma ta’ Avukat jew Prokuratur Legali, dik l-ittra

uffiçjali tkun tikkostitwixxi titolu e]ekuttiv>

I]da>

(a) d-debitur jista’ fl-istess nota jammetti t-

talba f’parti minnha biss u jopponiha f’partijiet o[ra,

u meta t-talba tkun opposta f’xi parti minnha biss din

titqies b[ala li tkun ;iet ammessa sal-limitu li din ma

tkunx ;iet opposta<

(b) meta d-debitur ikun oppona talba jew xi

parti minn talba li ti;i sussegwentement milqug[a, l-

ispejje] relattivi g[at-talba jew parti minnhom li tkun

;iet opposta u sussegwentement milqug[a g[andhom

ji;u m[allsa mid-debitur<

(ç) l-ispejje] ta’ kull talba jew parti minnha li

tkun ;iet opposta u mhux sussegwentement milqug[a

g[andhom dejjem jit[allsu mill-kreditur<

(d) meta d-debitur ikun oppona t-talba kif imiss,

il-proçedura speçjali li tinsab f’dan l-artikolu ma tistax

ter;a’ tintu]a kontra d-debitur g[ar-rigward ta’ l-istess

talba li jkun hemm fl-ittra ufficjali notifikata lid-

debitur< u

(e) meta t-talba tori;ina ta[t l-Ordinanza dwar

l-Assigurazzjoni ta’ Vetturi tal-Mutur g[ar-Riskji ta’

Terzi Persuni, dik l-ittra uffiçjali g[andha ta[t piena

ta’ nullità ti;i wkoll notifikata lill-assigurazzjoni

awtorizzata li g[andu jkollha l-istess drittijiet ta[t dan

l-artikolu daqslikieku kienet id-debitur fuq imsemmi.

(4) Meta d-debitur ma jopponix it-talba, fi ]mien

tletin jum minn notifika tag[ha lid-debitur, jew meta d-

debitur jopponi biss it-talba f’parti minnha fi]-]mien hawn

qabel imsemmi, l-ittra uffiçjali g[andha g[ar-rigward tat-

talba hekk mhux opposta, jew dik il-parti fiha hekk mhux

opposta, tkun tikkostitwixxi titolu e]ekuttiv b[allikieku dik

l-ittra uffiçjali kienet inklu]a fl-artikolu 253(a) ta’ dan il-

Kodiçi.

(5) Titolu e]ekuttiv li jinkiseb skond id-

disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, dejjem jekk ma jkunx

hemm oppo]izzjoni min-na[a tad-debitur, g[andu ji;i

rexiss u ddikjarat null u bla ebda effett jekk meta ssir talba

permezz ta’ rikors fil-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (Malta) jew fil-

Qorti tal-Ma;istrati (G[awdex), skond il-ka], li ti;i

ppre]entata mid-debitur fi ]mien g[oxrin ;urnata minn l-

ewwel notifika li ssirlu ta’ xi mandat e]ekuttiv jew xi att

;udizzjarju ie[or imsejjes fuq dak it-titolu, il-qorti tkun

sodisfatta>

(i) li d-debitur ma kienx jaf b’dik l-ittra uffiçjali

g[aliex huwa ma kienx notifikat kif imiss< jew

(ii) li l-ittra uffiçjali ma kienx fiha l-[ti;ijiet

stipulati fis-subartikoli (1), (2) jew (3) ta’ dan l-

artikolu.

(6) Ebda oppo]izzjoni, [lief dik li hemm

speçifikament provdut dwarha fis-subartikolu (5), ma

g[andha twaqqaf il-[ru; jew l-e]ekuzzjoni ta’ xi att

e]ekuttiv li jinkiseb ta[t dak is-subartikolu jew il-[las tar-

rikavat ta’ xi mandat jew bejg[ b’irkant li jsir

konformement ma’ dan.

166B. (1) Ittra uffiçjali ma[ru;a skond l-artikolu

Re;istrazzjoni

166A ma tkunx tikkostitwixxi titolu e]ekuttiv sakemm ma

tkunx ;iet re;istrata skond id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-

artikolu li g[andhom japplikaw g[ar-re;istrazzjoni ta’

166A. dawk l-ittri uffiçjali b[ala titoli e]ekuttivi.

(2) L-applikant g[ar-re;istrazzjoni ta’ ittra

uffiçjali li tkun tikkwalifika b[ala titolu e]ekuttiv g[andu

jippre]enta lir-Re;istratur tal-Qorti kopja legali ta’ l-ittra

uffiçjali, inklu]a l-prova tan-notifika u kopja ta’ kull

risposta li tkun ;iet riçevuta g[aliha jekk ikun hemm.

(3) Meta jirçievi d-dokumenti msemmija fis-

subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu r-Re;istratur g[andu

je]amina d-dokumenti ppre]entati, jivverifika jekk id-

debitur ippre]entax nota ta’ twe;iba fi]-]mien stipulat u

jekk huwa jkun sodisfatt illi l-kondizzjonijiet g[ar-

re;istrazzjoni ta’ l-ittra uffiçjali b[ala titolu e]ekuttiv jkunu

jissussistu, huwa g[andu jipproçedi biex jirre;istra d-

dokumenti ppre]entati f’re;istru li jissejja[ ir-Re;istru ta’

Ittri Uffiçjali b[ala Titoli E]ekuttivi li g[andu jin]amm

mir-Re;istratur g[all-iskopijiet ta’ l-artikolu 166A.”.

Fis-subartikolu (4) ta’ l-artikolu 195 tal-Kodiçi, minnufih Emenda ta’

l-artikolu 195

wara l-kliem “l-qorti tista’ tiddeçiedi,” g[andu jid[ol il-kliem “jew tal-Kodiçi.

jekk t[oss li huwa hekk xieraq jew”.

Fis-subartikolu (3) ta’ l-artikolu 229 tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem Emenda ta’

l-artikolu 229

“fi ]mien sitt ijiem” g[andu ji;i sostitwit bil-kliem “fi ]mien g[axart tal-Kodiçi.

ijiem” u fl-a[[ar tas-subartikolu minnufih wara l-kliem “tin;ieb

quddiem il-Qorti ta’ l-Appell qabel ma ting[ata s-sentenza

definittiva” g[andu ji]died il-kliem “u t-terminu biex ji;i pre]entat

tali appell g[andu jibda jg[addi mid-data tad-digriet li bih il-Qorti

tkun laqg[et li jsir dak l-appell”.

Minnufih wara paragrafu (d), fl-artikolu 253 tal-Kodiçi, Emenda ta’ l-

artikolu

g[andu ji]died dan il-paragrafu (e) li ;ej>

253 tal-Kodiçi.

“(e) kambjali u promissory notes ma[ru;a skond il-

Kodiçi tal-Kummerç>

B’dan i]da illi l-qorti kompetenti skond il-valur tal-

kambjala jew promissory note tista’, b’digriet li ma jkunx

appellabbli, tissospendi l-e]ekuzzjoni ta’ dik il-kambjala jew

promissory note kollha jew f’parti minnha u sew su;;ett g[al

garanzija kif ukoll ming[ajrha, fuq rikors tal-persuna li tkun

qed topponi l-e]ekuzzjoni ta’ dik il-kambjala jew promissory

note kif fuq imsemmi min[abba illi l-firma fuq dik il-kambjala

jew promissory note ma tkunx tag[ha jew tal-mandatarju tag[ha

jew fejn dik il-persuna tressaq ra;unijiet o[ra gravi u validi

biex topponi dik l-e]ekuzzjoni u f’dak il-ka] biex persuna tesi;i

l-[las ta’ dik il-kambjala jew promissory note tkun trid

tipproçedi b’kaw]a skond id-disposizzjonijiet tal-Kodiçi tal-

Kummerç.”.

Minnufih wara s-sub-artikolu (4) ta’ l-artikolu 306 tal-

Kodiçi, g[andu jid[ol dan is-subartikolu ;did li ;ej>

“(5) Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ l-artikolu 8 ta’ l-Att dwar ir-

Re;istru Pubbliku g[andhom mutatis mutandis ikunu japplikaw

g[ar-re;istrazzjonijiet li jsiru ta[t dan l-artikolu.”.

Fis-subartikolu (1) ta’ l-artikolu 911 tal-Kodiçi, minnufih

wara l-kliem “f’kull qorti msemmija fl-artikoli 3 u 4 ta’ dan il-

Kodiçi” g[andu jid[ol il-kliem “, f’kull arbitra;; fejn l-arbitra;;

ikun obbligatorju bil-li;i”.

L-artikolu 915 tal-Kodiçi g[andu ji;i m[assar.

10.

Il-kliem “Sekond’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili” g[andhom ji;u

sostitwiti bil-kliem “qorti ta’ ;urisdizzjoni volontarja” fit-Tqassim

tal-Kodiçi kull fejn jokkorru, u fl-artikolu 35 u fin-nota mar;inali

tieg[u, fl-artikolu 121(1), fit-titolu tat-Taqsima II tat-Tieni Ktieb,

fl-artikoli 499, 512, 518, 520(1), 536, 540, 541, 549, fit-Titolu VIII

tat-Taqsima II tat-Tieni Ktieb, fin-nota mar;inali g[all-artikolu 552

u fl-artikolu 734(2).

Taqsima III

3. Immediately at the end of article 34 of the Code, there shall

be added the following proviso>

“Provided that in cases where a cause commenced by writ

of summons, and where no explicit decision has been requested

and given as to the interpretation of the Constitution in terms

of article 95(2)(d) of the said Constitution, is decided by the

First Hall of the Civil Court by a judgement wherein points of

law about fundamental human rights or references to the

Constitution are discussed and decided as part of the merits of

the cause, the Court of Appeal shall still be deemed to be

competent and to have jurisdiction to decide an appeal from

such judgement of the First Hall of the Civil Court.”.

4. Immediately after article 166 of the Code, there shall be Addition of new

articles 166A and

added the following new articles>–

166B to the Code.

166A. (1) In actions for the recovery of a debt

certain, liquidated and due not consisting in the

performance of an act, and where the amount of the debt

does not exceed five thousand liri, it shall be lawful for

the creditor to proceed in accordance with the following

subarticles of this article>

Provided that where the debt is not liquidated the

creditor may proceed in accordance with this article if he

limits his debt to an amount not exceeding five thousand

liri and expressly renounces to any part of his claim that

may upon liquidation exceed the said sum of five thousand

liri>

Provided further that the creditor may only proceed

according to this article if the debtor is present in Malta

and is not a minor or a person incapacitated according to

law or if the debt is not due by a vacant inheritance. The

appointment of curators under Title XI of Book Third of

this Code shall not apply to proceedings under this article>

Provided further that, without prejudice to the

provisions of the Motor Vehicle Insurance (Third Party

Risk) Ordinance, when a debt to which this article applies

is covered by an insurance policy the insured shall, without

prejudice to that stipulated in the insurance policy, within

fifteen days from service upon him of the judicial letter

made in accordance with this article, give to the insurer

notice in writing of the said judicial letter and of any

particulars of the claim of which he is aware. In default,

any executive title obtained in accordance with this article

shall have no effect with regard to the insurer.

(2) The creditor shall proceed by filing a judicial

letter which shall be drawn up in the form established by

Legal Notice by the Minister responsible for Justice and

the content of which shall be confirmed on oath by the

creditor, to be served upon the debtor wherein shall be

stated clearly, under pain of nullity, the cause of the claim,

the reasons why the claim should be upheld, and a statement

of facts in support of the claim>

Provided that subarticles (3), (5) and (6) of article 187

of this Code may not be availed of to effect the service of

the aforesaid judicial letter.

(3) The judicial letter shall also on pain of nullity

contain an intimation to the debtor that if he does not reply

within thirty days from service upon him of the said judicial

letter by presenting a note in the record of the said judicial

letter rebutting the claim and which note may be signed and

presented in court by the debtor himself without the signature

of an Advocate or of a Legal Procurator being required, such

official letter shall, constitute an executive title>

Provided that>

(a) the debtor may in such note admit the claim

in part only and oppose it in other parts, and where

the claim is opposed in part only it shall be deemed

admitted to the extent that it has not been so opposed<

(b) where the debtor shall have opposed a claim

or part of a claim which is subsequently upheld, the

costs relative to the claim or part thereof opposed and

subsequently upheld shall be borne by him<

(c) the costs of any claim or part thereof that is

opposed and not subsequently upheld shall always be

borne by the creditor<

(d) where the debtor has duly opposed the

claim, the special procedure contained in this article

may not be used again against the debtor as regards

the same claim contained in the judicial letter served

on the debtor< and

(e) where the claim arises under the Motor

Vehicle Insurance (Third Party Risk) Ordinance the

said judicial letter shall under pain of nullity be also

notified to the authorised insurance which shall have

the same rights under this article as though it were

the debtor as aforesaid.

(4) Where the debtor does not oppose the claim,

within thirty days from the notification thereof to the

debtor, or where the debtor only opposes the claim in part

within the aforesaid term, the judicial letter shall for the

purposes of any law in respect of the claim so unopposed

or the part therein so unopposed, constitute an executive

title as if such judicial letter were included in article 253(a)

of this Code.

(5) Any executive title obtained according to the

provisions of this article in the absence of any opposition on

the part of the debtor shall be rescinded and declared null

and void if upon a request by application in the Court of

Magistrates (Malta) or in the Court of Magistrates (Gozo), as

the case may be, to be filed by the debtor within twenty days

from the first service upon him of any executive warrant or

other judicial act based on the said title, the court is satisfied

that>

(i) the debtor was unaware of the said judicial

letter because he was not duly notified< or

(ii) the judicial letter did not contain the

requirements laid down in subarticles (1), (2) or (3)

of this article.

(6) No opposition other than that specifically

provided for in subarticle (5) shall stay the issue or

execution of any executive act obtained thereunder or the

paying out of the proceeds of any warrant or sale by auction

carried out in pursuance thereof.

166B (1) A judicial letter issued in terms of article

Registration

of Executive

166A shall not constitute an executive title unless it is

registered according to the provisions of this article which

article 166A. shall apply to the registration of such judicial letters as

executive titles.

(2) The applicant for the registration of a

judicial letter which qualifies as an executive title shall

present to the Registrar of the Court a legal copy of the

judicial letter, including evidence of service, and a copy

of any response received thereto, if any.

(3) Upon receipt of the documents described

in subarticle (2) of this article the Registrar shall examine

the documents presented and shall verify whether the

debtor has filed a note of reply within the stipulated time

and if he is satisfied that the conditions for the registration

of the judicial letter as an executive title subsist he shall

proceed to register the documents presented in a register

to be known as the Register of Judicial Letters as Executive

Titles which shall be maintained by the Registrar for the

purposes of article 166A.”.

5. In subarticle (4) of article 195 of the Code, immediately

after the words “provided that the court may decide,” there shall be

inserted the words “either where it deems to be appropriate or”.

6. In subarticle (3) of article 229 of the Code, the words

“within six days” shall be substituted by the words “within ten days”

and at the end of the said subarticle (3) of article 229 immediately

after the words “before the Court of Appeal before the definitive

judgement” there shall be added the words “and the time limit for

the filing of such an appeal shall commence to run from the date of

the said decree”.

7. Immediately after paragraph (d) in article 253 of the Code,

there shall be added the following paragraph (e)>

“(e) bills of exchange and promissory notes issued in

terms of the Commercial Code>

Provided that the court which is competent according to

the value of the bill of exchange or promissory note may, by

decree which shall not be subject to appeal, suspend the

execution of such a bill of exchange or promissory note in whole

or in part and with or without security, upon an application of

the person opposing the execution of such bill of exchange or

promissory note on the grounds that the signature on the said

bill of exchange or promissory note is not that of the said person

or of his mandatory or where such person brings forward grave

and valid reasons to oppose the said execution and in such case

any person demanding the payment of the bill of exchange or

promissory note shall file an action according to the provisions

of the Commercial Code.”.

8. Immediately after sub-article (4) of article 306 of the Code, Amendment of

article

there shall be added the following sub-article>

306 of the Code.

“(5) The provisions of article 8 of the Public

Registry Act shall mutatis mutandi apply to the

registrations made under this article.”.

9. In subarticle (1) of article 911 of the Code, immediately Amendment of

article 911 of the

after the words “in any court mentioned in articles 3 and 4” there Code.

shall be added the words “, in any arbitration which is compulsory

by law”.

Article 915 of the Code shall be repealed.

10. Repeal of article

915 of the Code.

11. The words “Civil Court, Second Hall,” shall be substituted Substitution of

title “Civil Court,

by the words “court of voluntary jurisdiction” in the Arrangement Second Hall”

of Code, wherever they occur, and in article 35 and the marginal wherever it occurs.

note thereto, article 121(1), the title of Part II of Book Second, articles

499, 512, 518, 520(1), 536, 540, 541, 549, Title VIII of Part II of

Book Second, the marginal note to article 552 and article 734(2).

Part III

12. This Part amends and shall be read and construed as one Amendment of the

Civil Code, Cap.

with the Civil Code hereinafter referred to as “the Code”.

(i) fil-paragrafu (a) minflok il-kliem “l-isem u l-kunjom

tal-kreditur,” g[andhom jid[lu l-kliem “l-isem u l-kunjom tal-

kreditur u n-numru tal-karta ta’ l-identita’ tieg[u miktuba bil-

figuri biss u fejn ma jistax ikollu karta ta’ l-identità, in-numru

f’dokument ie[or ta’ identifikazzjoni,”< u

(ii) fil-paragrafu (b) minflok il-kliem “l-isem u l-kunjom

tad-debitur,” g[andhom jid[lu l-kliem “l-isem u l-kunjom tad-

debitur u n-numru tal-karta ta’ l-identita’ tieg[u miktuba bil-

figuri biss u fejn ma jistax ikollu karta ta’ l-identità, in-numru

f’dokument ie[or ta’ identifikazzjoni,”.

(1) Il-kliem “qorti ta’ ;urisdizzjoni volontarja” fl-artikoli Sostituzzjoni

titolu “qorti ta’

3A(2)(b), 6A(1), 101, fin-nota mar;inali g[all-artikolu 107, fl- ;urisdizzjoni

artikoli 114(1), 126(1), 128(4), 133(1), 175(2), 194, 205, 208, 216(1), volontarja”

fejn jokkorri.

223, 253(4) u 666 tal-Kodiçi, g[andhom ji;u sostitwiti bil-kliem

“il-qorti kompetenti”.

(2) Fl-artikoli 92(2)(b) u 253(4) tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem “il-

Prim ’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili jew quddiem il-Qorti tal-Ma;istrati

(G[awdex), skond il-ka],” g[andu ji;i sostitwit bil-kliem “il-qorti

kompetenti”.

(3) Fl-artikolu 523 tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem “tal-qorti ta’

;urisdizzjoni volontarja jew kontenzju]a, skond il-ka]” g[andu ji;i

sostitwit bil-kliem “tal-qorti kompetenti”.

(4) Fl-artikolu 679(1) tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem “fis-

Sekond’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili” g[andu ji;i sostitwit bil-kliem “fil-

qorti ta’ ;urisdizzjoni volontarja”.

(5) Fl-artikoli 1323(1) u 1325(1) tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem “lill-

qorti kompetenti ta’ ;urisdizzjoni kontenzju]a” g[andu ji;i sostitwit

bil-kliem “lill-qorti kompetenti”.

(6) Fl-artikolu 1340(7) tal-Kodiçi, il-kliem “Re;istru tal-

Prim’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili” g[andu ji;i sostitwit bil-kliem “qorti

kompetenti”.

(7) Il-kliem “MIR-RE:ISTRU TAS-SEKOND’AWLA

TAL-QORTI ?IVILI” u l-kliem “Sekond’Awla tal-Qorti ?ivili” fil-

Formula A tal-Kodiçi g[andhom ji;u sostitwiti rispettivament bil-

kliem “MIR-RE:ISTRU TAL-QORTI ?IVILI SEZZJONI

:URISDIZZJONI VOLONTARJA” u bil-kliem “Qorti ?ivili

(Sezzjoni :urisdizzjoni Volontarja)” rispettivament.

Taqsima IV

Din it-Taqsima temenda l-Att dwar il-Professjoni Nutarili Emenda ta’ l-Att

u l-Arkivji Nutarili hawn i]jed ’il quddiem imsejja[ “l-Att dwar

Nutarili u l-Arkivji

prinçipali”.

Nutarili, Kap. 55.

Article 2042 of the Code shall be amended as follows>

13. Amendment of

article

2042 of the Code.

(i) in paragraph (a) thereof for the words “the name and

surname of the creditor” there shall be substituted the words

“the name and surname of the creditor and his identity card

number written in figures only and where the person is not

eligible to hold an identity card, the number as appearing in

another document of identification,”< and

(ii) in paragraph (b) thereof for the words “the name and

surname of the debtor” there shall be substituted the words “the

name and surname of the debtor and his identity card number

written in figures only and where the person is not eligible to

hold an identity card, the number as appearing in another

document of identification,”.

14. (1) The words “court of voluntary jurisdiction”, in

articles 3A(2)(b), 6A(1), 101, in the marginal note to article 107,

articles 114(1), 126(1), 128(4), 133(1), 175(2), 194, 205, 208, 216(1),

wherever it occurs.

223, 253(4) and 666 of the Code, shall be substituted by the words

“the competent court”.

(2) The words “Civil Court, First Hall, or the Court of

Magistrates (Gozo), as the case may be,” in articles 92(2)(b) and

253(4) of the Code, shall be substituted by the words “competent

court”.

(3) The words “court of voluntary or contentious

jurisdiction, as the case may be,” in the proviso to article 523 of the

Code, shall be substituted by the words “competent court”.

(4) The words “Civil Court, Second Hall,” in article

679(1) of the Code, shall be substituted by the words “court of

voluntary jurisdiction”.

(5) The words “competent court of contentious

jurisdiction” in articles 1323(1) and 1325(1) of the Code, shall be

substituted by the words “competent court”.

(6) The words “Registry of the First Hall of the Civil

Court” in article 1340(7) of the Code, shall be substituted by the

words “registry of the competent court”.

(7) The words “REGISTRY OF THE CIVIL COURT,

SECOND HALL” and the words “Civil Court, Second Hall” in Form

A of the Code shall be respectively substituted by the words

“REGISTRY OF THE CIVIL COURT (VOLUNTARY

JURISDICTION SECTION)” and “Civil Court (Voluntary

Jurisdiction Section)”.

Part IV

15. This Part amends the Notarial Profession and Notarial

Archives Act hereinafter referred to as “the principal Act”.

16. The full stop (.) at the end of paragraph (i) of article 2(2)

of the principal Act, shall be replaced with a semicolon (<) and

immediately after the said paragraph (i) of article 2(2) there shall be

added the following>

“(j)

to act as mediators.”.

Part V

This Part amends and shall be read and construed as one Amendment of the

with the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Risks) Ordinance, hereinafter Motor

Insurance

in this Part referred to as “the Ordinance”.

(Third Party

Risks)

Ordinance, Cap.

104.

Immediately after subarticle (4) of article 10 of the Amendment of

article

Ordinance, there shall be added the following sub-article (5)>

10 of the

Ordinance.

“(5) Any reference in this article to a judgement or

a sentence shall be deemed to include a reference to an

arbitral award made under the Arbitration Act, Cap. 387,

and one obtained under article 166A of the Code of

Organization and Civil Procedure, and any reference to

an action or to proceedings shall be deemed to include

reference to arbitration proceedings and to the said article

166A under the said Act.”.

Part VI

This Part amends the Marriage Act, hereinafter referred Amendment of the

Marriage Act, Cap.

to as “the principal Act”.

255.

Immediately after article 37 of the principal Act, there Addition of article

38 to the principal

shall be added the following>

Act.

(1) Any person who contracts a marriage with

convenience. the sole purpose of obtaining>

(a)

Maltese citizenship< or

(b)

freedom of movement in Malta< or

(c)

a work or residence permit in Malta< or

(d)

the right to enter Malta< or

(e)

the right to obtain medical care in Malta,

shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be

liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years.

(2) Any right or benefit obtained by a person

convicted of an offence under subarticle (1) on the basis

of the marriage referred to in that subarticle (1) may be

rescinded or annulled by the public authority from which

it was obtained.

(3) Any person who contracts a marriage with

another person knowing that the sole purpose of such other

person in contacting the marriage is one or more of the

purposes referred to in subarticle (1) shall be guilty of an

offence and shall on conviction be liable for the same

punishment laid down in subarticle (1).”.

Part VII

21. This Part amends, and shall be read and construed as one

with, the Arbitration Act, hereinafter in this Part referred to as “the

principal Act”.

Article 15 of the principal Act shall be amended as follows>

22. (a) in sub-article (3) thereof the words “or that in fact

there is no dispute between the parties with regard to the matter

agreed to be referred,” shall be deleted<

(b) sub-article (7) thereof shall be deleted and substituted

by the following new sub-article>

“(7) Any submission to arbitration of a dispute by an

administrator, agent or attorney shall not be valid unless –

(a) such person is authorised to submit disputes

to arbitration< and

(b) the submission refers to an issue which falls

within the powers of such person.”< and

(c) immediately after sub-article (10) thereof there shall

be added the following sub-articles>

“(11) In addition to those designated by other laws,

the classes of disputes referred to in the Fourth Schedule

to this Act are subject to mandatory arbitration and in such

cases the parties shall be deemed to be bound by an

arbitration agreement in relation to such disputes.

(12) The Centre shall have the power to issue rules

in accordance with article 10 relating to the procedures to

be adopted in mandatory arbitrations.

(13) The Minister shall have the power by

regulations to add, remove or substitute and amend the

classes of disputes referred to in the Fourth Schedule and

the conditions applicable thereto. Such regulation may

determine the conditions applicable in such cases,

including>

(i)

the specific nature of the disputes<

(ii) the maximum monetary value of such

disputes<

(iii) the remedies sought and awardable in

relation to such disputes< and

(iv) the manner in which an arbitrator or

arbitrators are to be appointed.

(14) Any rules or regulations referred to in the

preceding sub-articles shall come into force with effect

from the date designated by the Minister and shall not affect

any disputes at the time already pending before any court

or tribunal.

(15) Saving the grounds allowing for the press and

the public to be excluded from all or part of the proceedings

provided for in paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the European

Convention on Human Rights, the proceedings in a

compulsory arbitration shall be conducted and the decision

shall be delivered in public.”.

Article 44 of the principal Act shall be amended as follows> Amendment

23. of article 44 of

the principal Act.

(a) immediately at the end of sub-article (3) thereof there

shall be added the following new proviso>

“Provided that in the case of interlocutory awards

relating to the procedures of the arbitration, no reasons

are to be given.”<

(b) in subarticle (8) thereof the words “with all partial,

interim and interlocutory awards not already registered” shall

be substituted by the words “with all partial and interim awards

not already registered”< and

(c) immediately after subarticle (9) there shall be added

the following subarticle>

“(10) Interlocutory awards are not subject to

registration, no recourse may be taken against them and

they are binding on the parties to the proceedings

immediately on their notification to the parties who shall

carry them on without delay.”.

24. Article 51 of the principal Act shall be deleted and

substituted by the following new article 51>

(1) The arbitral tribunal shall determine fees

and costs in accordance with such rules and guidelines

which may be made by the Minister responsible for justice

with the concurrence of the Centre from time to time and

such determinations on fees and costs shall be subject to

review as may be prescribed in such rules or guidelines.

(2) The Centre may be delegated the function

of determining fees and costs, by applicable law or by the

parties, in specific cases or classes of cases under such

conditions as may be stated in such law, in any rules or

guidelines issued by the Minister responsible for justice

with the concurrence of the Centre or in the arbitration

agreement.”.

25. In article 71B of the principal Act, for subarticle (3) there

shall be substituted the following>

“(3)

Recourse may not be taken against interlocutory

awards.”.

26. Immediately after the Third Schedule to the principal Act,

there shall be added the following Fourth Schedule>

“FOURTH SCHEDULE

(Article 15)

Mandatory Arbitration

The disputes hereunder stated in Part A shall be settled by

arbitration and shall be referred to arbitration under the rules stated

in Part B in addition to such rules as may be issued by the Centre

from time to time.

Part A

1.1

Condominium Disputes.

All disputes regarding a condominium which according to the

Condominium Act (Cap. 398) are to be submitted to for arbitration.

1.2

Motor Traffic Disputes

Any civil or commercial disputes, not being one in connection

with a claim for damages for personal injuries, being a dispute arising

from>

(a)

any collision between vehicles, or

(b) any involuntary damage to property involving

vehicles, or

(c) any such claim against an authorized insurer, an

assurance company, an underwriter approved by the Minister

responsible for transport or other person who in accordance with

the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third-Party Risks) Ordinance

(Cap. 104) or any policy of insurance may be liable therefor,

and

(d)

the value whereof does not exceed five thousand liri.

Part B

1. The arbitration, being domestic arbitration, shall be

governed by Part IV of the Act.

2. The arbitral tribunal shall be composed of one arbitrator

unless the parties agree that it shall be composed of three arbitrators

and notify the Centre within 15 days of the receipt by the respondent

of the notice of arbitration<

3. The sole arbitrator, or any of the members of the arbitral

tribunal in case it is composed of three arbitrators, shall be appointed

by the Chairman of the Centre in accordance with the provisions of

the Act unless the Centre is notified of the appointment of an arbitral

tribunal within 15 days of the receipt by the respondent of the notice

of arbitration<

4. Unless the parties expressly agree otherwise, there shall

be a right of appeal from a final award as provided by the Act<

5. The rules on confidentiality, including those stated in

articles 37 and 70 of the Act shall not apply to mandatory arbitrations

unless the parties expressly agree to such rules and notify the

arbitrator and the Centre accordingly.”.

Part VIII

27. This Part amends and shall be read and construed as one

Condominium Act,

with the Condominium Act hereafter in this Part referred to as “the

principal Act”.

28. In article 26 of the principal Act, for the words from “the

parties to the dispute” to the words “of the Malta Arbitration Centre.”

there shall be substituted the following “the rules contained in the

Arbitration Act or made thereunder relating to mandatory arbitration

shall apply.”.

Article 27 of the principal Act shall be repealed.

29.

30. In article 28 of the principal Act, for the words from “be

conducted under the authority” to the words “no one is prejudiced”

there shall be substituted the words “be conducted in such rules

contained in the Arbitration Act or made thereunder.” and for the

words “as envisaged in section 27” there shall be substituted the

words “as envisaged in article 26”.

Part IX

31. (1) This Part amends the Courts and Tribunals Amendment of

Courts and

Procedures Act, 2002, hereinafter in this Part referred to as “the Tribunals

principal Act”.

Procedures Act,

2002, Act XXXI

of 2002.

(2) The provisions of this Part shall come into force on

the same date as the provisions of paragraph (b) of article 21 of the

principal Act.

32. Immediately after article 197 of the principal Act, there Addition of new

article

shall be inserted the following new article 197B>-

197B to the

principal Act.

197B. All cases pending before the Court of

Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates (Gozo)

(Inferior Jurisdiction) which relate to any claim for the

ejectment or eviction from immovable property, whether

before them. urban or rural, before the coming into force of paragraph

(b) or article 21 of this Act, shall continue to be heard by

the Court of Magistrates (Malta) or the Court of Magistrates

(Gozo) (Inferior Jurisdiction), as the case may be,

notwithstanding the provisions of article 47(3) of the Code

of Organization and Civil Procedure as substituted by

article 21 of this Act, and an appeal shall lie from the

decision of such courts in the same manner and before the

same court as lies form any other decision thereof.”.

Part X

33. Notwithstanding the provisions of Part VII of this Act, Transitory

Provisions.

where on the coming into force of that article a case is pending before

any court, such case shall continue to be heard by that Court.

34. (1) Saving the following provisions of this article, cases Cases pending

pending before the Civil Court before the coming into force of this before

the Civil Court.

article where the value of the claim or of any counter-claim>

(i)

does not exceed five thousand liri< or

(ii)

is not declared< or

(iii)

is declared not to exceed five thousand liri,

shall continue to be heard by that court and shall be taxed as if the

value of the claim and counter-claim were over five thousand liri.

(2) When a party of a case as is referred to in subarticle

(1) by note filed within sixty days from the coming into force of this

article elects that the lawsuit be decided by the Court of Magistrates,

then the record of the case shall be transmitted to the competent

Court of Magistrates to be decided by it and that case shall be taxed

and shall for all effects and purposes of law be considered as if it

were a case which was as from its commencement introduced in the

Court of Magistrates.

(3) Cases the record of which is transmitted to the

competent Court of Magistrates in accordance with subarticle (2)

shall be distributed amongst the Magistrates who preside over the

hearing of civil cases in the competent Court of Magistrates as though

they were new cases which were introduced in that Court of

Magistrates on the day when their record was transmitted to that

Court.

(4)

This article shall not apply to>

(i) cases which stand adjourned for judgement in

the Civil Court on the date of coming into force of this article<

and

(ii) cases regarding contestations which according

to a provision of a special law are specifically assigned to the

competence of the First Hall of the Civil Court irrespective of

their value.

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 163 of the 27th July,

2004. A NTON T ABONE

Speaker

R ICHARD J. C AUCHI

Clerk to the House of Representatives

Mitbug[ fl-Istamperija tal-Gvern — Printed at the Government Printing Press