ACT No. XXIII of 2023 AN ACT to amend the Code of Organization and 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:-

I assent.

(L.S.)

GEORGE VELLA

President

14th July, 2023

ACT No. XXIII of 2023

AN ACT to amend the Code of Organization and 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:-

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

and Civil Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2023 and this Act shall be read commencement.

and construed as one with the Code of Organisation and Civil Cap. 12.

Procedure, hereinafter referred to as "the Code".

(2) This Act shall come into force on such date or dates as the

Minister responsible for justice may by notice in the Gazette establish

and different dates may be so established for different provisions and

purposes of this Act.

Immediately after article 36 of the Code there shall be added Addition of a

new article to

the Code.

the following new article

36A. (1) The Civil Court, First Hall when

exercising its jurisdiction to hear cases filed under the

provisions of the Constitution or of the European

Convention Act shall hold sittings in the building of the

Courts of Gozo when taking cognizance of cases where

the applicant is a natural person having his ordinary

abode, or a legal person having its registered office, in the

islands of Gozo and Comino.

(2) Sub-article (1) shall not apply where, when the

case is filed the number of applicants and respondents,

excluding respondents who are representatives of the

Government or of any public authority, residing in the

island of Malta exceeds the number of applicants and

respondents residing in the islands of Gozo and Comino,

in which case the sittings of the Court shall be held in the

building of the courts in Malta.".

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 145 of the

10th July, 2023.

ANĠLU FARRUGIA

Speaker

RAYMOND SCICLUNA

Clerk of the House of Representatives

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