ACT No. XXXVIII of 2025 AN ACT to provide for the registration and warranting of sign language interpreters and any matter ancillary thereto.

I assent.

(L.S.)

MYRIAM SPITERI DEBONO

President

21st November, 2025

ACT No. XXXVIII of 2025

AN ACT to provide for the registration and warranting of sign

language interpreters and any matter ancillary thereto.

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 Registration and

commencement.

Warranting of Sign Language Interpreters Act, 2025.

(2) This Act shall come into force within two (2) months from the

date of its publication in the Gazette.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires

"Association" means the Association of Maltese Sign

Language Interpreters (Assoċjazzjoni Interpreti Lingwa tas-

Sinjali Malta - AILSM), registered with the Commissioner for

Voluntary Organisations with registration number VO/1826, in

terms of the Voluntary Organisations Act;

"Board" means the Interpreter Registration and Warranting

Board as established in article 4;

"citizen of a Member State" shall have the same meaning

as assigned to it in the Immigration Act;

"Council" means the Maltese Sign Language Council

established by means of article 7 of the Maltese Sign Language Cap. 556.

Recognition Act;

"Deaf People Association (Malta)" means the Deaf People

Association (Malta) (Għaqda Persuni Neqsin mis-Smigħ),

registered with the Commissioner for Voluntary Organisations

with registration number VO/0021, in accordance with the

Voluntary Organisations Act;

"EEA State" means a State which is a contracting party to

the agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto

on 2 May, 1992 as amended by the Protocol signed at Brussels

on the 17th March, 1993 and as amended from time to time;

"interpreter" means a sign language interpreter, whether a

Maltese Sign Language interpreter in accordance with the

Maltese Sign Language Recognition Act or otherwise;

"Maltese Sign Language" shall have the same meaning as Cap. 556.

assigned to it in the Maltese Sign Language Recognition Act;

"Minister" means the Minister responsible for disability

and the development of this sector;

"third country" means a country that is not an EEA State or

Switzerland;

"University of Malta" means the University of Malta

established by article 72 of the Education Act;

"warrant" means a warrant of a Maltese Sign Language

interpreter awarded in accordance with the provisions of article

L-ebda persuna ma tista’ teżerċita l-professjoni ta’ interpretu

(a) ma tkunx reġistrata mal-Kunsill skont tal-artikolu 7

jew 12; jew

(b) ma jkollhiex warrant ta’ interpretu tal-Lingwa tas-

Sinjali Maltija maħruġ mill-Ministru fuq parir tal-Kunsill skont

l-artikolu 9;

(ċ) ma tkunx qiegħda teżerċita l-professjoni fuq bażi

temporanja jew okkażjonali skont determinazzjoni taħt l-artikolu

13

Iżda dawn ir-rekwiżiti ma għandhomx japplikaw għal

kwalunkwe persuna li tkun qiegħda tappoġġa persuna oħra

permezz tal-interpretazzjoni tal-lingwa tas-sinjali, waqt soġġorn

qasir f’Malta ta’ mhux aktar minn tliet (3) xhur.

(1) Għandu jitwaqqaf Bord, li għandu jkun magħruf bħala l- Bord għar-

Bord għar-Reġistrazzjoni u l-Għoti ta’ Warrants lill-Interpreti, li Reġistrazzjoni

l-Għoti ta’

għandu jinħatar mill-Ministru fuq parir tal-Kunsill. Dan il-Bord Warrants

Interpreti.

għandu jkun magħmul minn

(a) chairperson li jkun ilu bil-warrant għall-inqas sentejn

(2), maħtur wara qbil bejn il-Kunsill u l-Assoċjazzjoni;

(b) tliet (3) membri illi l-Kunsill iqis illi jkollhom

kwalifiċi u esperjenza xierqa;

(ċ) żewġ (2) membri maħtura wara li l-Kunsill ikun

ikkonsulta l-Assoċjazzjoni, minn fost il-membri tal-

Assoċjazzjoni li jkunu ilhom bil-warrant għall-inqas għal sentejn

(2); u

(d) membru wieħed (1) li għandu jiġi elett b’vot sigriet

minn fost id-detenturi tal-warrant innifishom.

(2) Iċ-chairperson għandu jinħatar għal terminu ta’ tliet (3) snin,

u taħt dawk il-kondizzjonijiet li jistgħu jiġu stabbiliti fl-ittra tal-ħatra

tal-istess chairperson, kif soġġett għal perjodi ta’ ħatriet ulterjuri.

(3) Il-membri l-oħra tal-Bord għandhom jokkupaw il-kariga għal

perjodu ta’ sentejn (2), u taħt dawk il-kondizzjonijiet li jistgħu jiġu

stabbiliti fl-ittra tal-ħatra tagħhom, kif soġġett għal perjodi ta’ ħatriet

ulterjuri

Iżda fl-ewwel sena, dawk il-membri maħtura skont is-

subartikoli (1)(a) u (ċ) ma għandhomx ikunu meħtieġa li jkollhom

warrant, filwaqt illi l-membru maħtur skont is-subartikolu 1(d) għandu

jinħatar bl-istess mod preskritt fir-rigward ta’ membru maħtur skont is-

subartikolu (1)(ċ) fit-termini ta’ dan il-proviso.

(4) Meta jkun hemm kwalunkwe post battal fil-Bord, il-Ministru

għandu fuq parir tal-Kunsill, u hekk kif ikun prattikabbli, fil-każ taċ-

chairperson, jew ta’ membru maħtur minn tali Ministru, jaħtar persuna

oħra sabiex timla l-post battal, u fil-każ ta’ membru elett jara li ssir

elezzjoni sabiex jimtela l-post battal.

(5)

L-għadd ta’ membri meħtieġ sabiex jiġi ffurmat quorum

għandu jkun ta’ tlieta (3), iżda kemm-il darba jkun hemm quorum, il-

Bord jista’ jiffunzjona minkejja kwalunkwe post battal fost il-membri

tiegħu.

(6) Id-deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord għandhom jittieħdu b’maġġoranza

sempliċi tal-voti tal-membri preżenti u li għandhom vot. Kull membru

tal-Bord għandu jkun intitolat għal vot wieħed (1)

Iżda ċ-chairperson għandu jkollu vot inizjali u f’każ ta’ voti

ndaqs, vot deċisiv.

(7) Il-Ministru jista’ wkoll jiddelega uffiċjal pubbliku sabiex

jagħmilha ta’ segretarju tal-Bord, iżda tali persuna ma għandux ikollha

(8) Il-Bord jista’ jagħmel ir-regoli tiegħu u xort’oħra jirregola l-

proċedura tiegħu stess.

(1)

Il-Bord għandu jkollu l-funzjonijiet li ġejjin

(a) li jikkunsidra applikazzjonijiet għar-reġistrazzjoni

skont l-artikolu 7 jew 12, jew l-għoti ta’ warrant skont l-artikolu

9 jew dikjarazzjonijiet fir-rigward tal-forniment ta’ servizz fuq

bażi temporanja jew okkażjonali skont l-artikolu 13;

(b) li jagħti pariri lill-Kunsill dwar ir-regolamentazzjoni

tal-kondizzjonijiet ta’ taħriġ prattiku, inkluż ta’ perjodi

meħtieġa, b’żieda mad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 7 u 9;

(ċ) li jagħti pariri lill-Kunsill fir-rigward tal-

approvazzjoni ta’ universitajiet jew istituzzjonijiet akkademiċi,

b’żieda mad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 7 u 9; u

(d) li jagħti pariri lill-Kunsill fir-rigward tal-

organizzazzjoni u r-regolamentazzjoni tal-eżamijiet xierqa,

b’żieda mad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 7 u 9.

(2) Il-Bord

għandu

jeżerċita

l-funzjonijiet

tiegħu

indipendentement u skont il-ġudizzju tiegħu. Fl-eżerċizzju tal-

funzjonijiet tiegħu l-Bord jista’

(a)

jikkonsulta ma’ dawk il-persuni li jidhirlu meħtieġa;

u

(b) jappunta kumitati ta’ esperti ppreseduti minn

membru tal-Bord bil-għan li jitwettqu dawk id-dmirijiet u

ħidmiet li l-Bord jista’ jassenjalhom.

(1) Id-deċiżjonijiet tal-Bord għandhom ikunu soġġetti Appelli minn

g ħ a d - d r i t t t a l - a p p e l l q u d d i e m i t - Tr i b u n a l t a ’ R e v i ż j o n i deċiżjonijiet

Bord.

Amministrattiva kif imwaqqaf skont l-artikolu 5(1) tal-Att dwar il- Kap. 490.

Ġustizzja Amministrattiva.

(2) Kwalunkwe persuna li tħoss ruħha aggravata minn deċiżjoni

tal-Bord tista’, fi żmien għoxrin (20) ġurnata minn meta tiġi

nnotifikata bid-deċiżjoni tal-Bord tappella lit-Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni

Amministrattiva.

(3) It-Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva jista’, fid-

deċiżjoni tiegħu fuq kwalunkwe appell magħmul skont is-subartikolu

(1), jikkonferma, jibdel jew ivarja, totalment jew parzjalment, id-

deċiżjoni oriġinali tal-Bord.

(4)

Għandu jkun hemm dritt ta’ appell minn deċiżjonijiet tat-

Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni Amministrattiva skont id-dispożizzjonijiet tat-

Taqsima IV tal-Att dwar il-Ġustizzja Amministrattiva.

Persuna għandha tikkwalifika għal reġistrazzjoni bħala Reġistrazzjoni

ta’ interpreti.

interpretu mal-Kunsill, wara deċiżjoni tal-Bord, jekk tali persuna

(a) tkun ċittadina ta’ Malta jew ċittadina ta’ Stat

Membru jew xort’oħra jkollha l-permess li taħdem f’Malta bis-

saħħa ta’ kwalunkwe liġi oħra;

(b)

tkun ta’ kondotta tajba; u

(ċ)

tissodisfa lill-Kunsill illi

(i) jkollha kwalifiċi akkademiċi miksuba wara li

tkun itterminat b’suċċess kors ta’ studju tal-ewwel grad, li

fir-rigward tiegħu jkunu nkisbu jew inqabżu punteġġ jew

klassifikazzjoni preskritta, fl-Università ta’ Malta jew f’dik

l-università oħra jew istituzzjoni akkademika oħra li tista’

tiġi rikonoxxuta għal dak l-għan mill-Kunsill, wara illi

jkun ikkonsulta lill-Assoċjazzjoni;

(ii)

tkun itterminat b’suċċess

-

taħriġ preskritt fil-Lingwa tas-Sinjali

Maltija, mogħti mill-Għaqda Persuni Neqsin mis-

Smigħ flimkien mal-Istitut tal-Lingwistika u t-

Teknoloġija tal-Lingwa tal-Università ta’ Malta, jew

minn kwalunkwe istituzzjoni oħra li tista’ tiġi

rikonoxxuta għal dak l-għan mill-Kunsill, wara illi

jkun ikkonsulta lill-Assoċjazzjoni, u li jkun jinkludi

ttestjar standardizzat tal-kompetenza fil-Lingwa tas-

Sinjali Maltija mmexxija minn utenti neqsin mis-

smigħ ta’ din il-lingwa; u, jew

-

taħriġ preskritt fis-Sinjali Internazzjonali

u, jew f’mill-anqas lingwa tas-sinjali waħda (1) li ma

tkunx il-Lingwa tas-Sinjali Maltija, offrut minn tali

istituzzjoni universitarja jew akkademika li tista’ tiġi

rikonoxxuta skont ir-Regolamenti dwar ir-

Rikonoxximent Reċiproku ta’ Kwalifiki ta’

Edukazzjoni Ogħla fir-Reġjun tal-Ewropa, u

attestazzjonijiet jew prova fir-rigward tal-kompetenza

fis-Sinjali Internazzjonali u, jew f’tali lingwi oħra tas-

sinjali; u

(iii) tkun tifhem, taf taqra u taf tikteb bil-lingwa

Maltija u Ingliża fil-każ ta’ interpreti tal-Lingwa tas-Sinjali

Maltija u, jew b’lingwa mitkellma korrispondenti fil-każ

ta’ interpreti ta’ lingwa tas-sinjali oħra u, jew f’mill-anqas

lingwa waħda (1) mitkellma fil-każ ta’ interpreti tas-Sinjali

Internazzjonali

Iżda interpretu jista’ jitlob li jiġi rreġistrat għal par

wieħed (1) jew aktar ta’ lingwi, bis-Sinjali Internazzjonali jkun

potenzjalment komponent ta’ kwalunkwe tali par

Iżda wkoll persuna nieqsa mis-smigħ li tapplika

sabiex tirreġistra bħala interpretu għal kwalunkwe lingwa tas-

sinjali jew għas-Sinjali Internazzjonali għandha tkun meħtieġa

biss li tissodisfa r-rekwiżiti tas-subparagrafi (i) u (ii)

Iżda wkoll il-Kunsill, wara li jkun ikkonsulta lill-

Assoċjazzjoni, jista’ jippermetti derogi limitati fiż-żmien minn xi

waħda (1) jew aktar mid-dispożizzjonijiet li jinsabu f’dan il-

paragrafu, jekk jitqies li dawn id-derogi jkunu meħtieġa sabiex jiġi

żgurat il-forniment kontinwu ta’ servizzi ta’ interpretazzjoni lil

kwalunkwe parti tal-komunità tal-persuni neqsin mis-smigħ li

tirrisjedi lokalment

Iżda wkoll ir-rekwiżiti fir-rigward tas-subparagrafi

(i) u (ii), kif emendati minn żmien għal żmien, kif ukoll ir-regoli

ġenerali dwar ir-reġistrazzjoni stipulati f’dan l-Att, u kwalunkwe

deroga għalihom promulgata minn żmien għal żmien, għandhom

ikunu disponibbli għall-pubbliku fuq siti elettroniċi appositi

b’mod aċċessibbli mill-Kunsill.

Reġistrazzjoni maħruġa skont id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikolu Sospensjoni jew

7 tista’ tiġi sospiża jew kanċellata mill-Kunsill permezz ta’ avviż fil- kanċellazzjoni

tar-

Gazzetta, u wara deċiżjoni tal-Bord fejn meħtieġ, jekk interpretu reġistrazzjoni

ta’ interpretu.

reġistrat

(a) ikun instab li wara proċeduri quddiem il-Bord, illi

għandu jiddeċiedi dwar sospensjoni jew kanċellazzjoni tar-

reġistrazzjoni b’tali proċeduri jinbdew fuq talba mill-Kunsill fuq

inizjattiva tiegħu stess, jew wara talba magħmula minn partijiet

terzi, ikun ingaġġa f’wieħed (1) jew iktar mill-atti jew l-

ommissjonijiet li ġejjin

(i) diżonestà, imġiba ħażina jew negliġenza serja

fl-eżerċizzju tal-professjoni ta’ interpretu;

(ii)

imġiba li tiskredita l-professjoni; u, jew

(iii) nuqqas ta’ konformità mar-regoli fir-rigward

tal-istandards jew prattiċi professjonali, u speċifikament

tal-Kodiċi ta’ Etika tal-Assoċjazzjoni jekk interpretu jkun

ukoll membru ta’ tali Assoċjazzjoni;

(b) ikun instab ħati minn qorti kompetenti ta’ reat li

jolqot il-fiduċja pubblika jew serq jew frodi jew li xjentement

ikun irċieva proprjetà miksuba b’serq jew frodi, u wara proċeduri

quddiem il-Bord, tali Bord jiddeċiedi li jissposendi jew

jikkanċella r-reġistrazzjoni tal-interpretu; jew

(ċ) ikun talab lill-Kunsill jikkanċella r-reġistrazzjoni

preċedenti

Iżda reġistrazzjoni ġdida tista’ tiġi sottomessa fi

kwalunkwe waqt jekk il-kondizzjonijiet għal tali reġistrazzjoni

jkunu sodisfatti.

3. No person shall practise the profession of an interpreter unless Requirement for

interpreters to

be registered or

hold warrant.

(a) is registered with the Council in accordance with

articles 7 or 12; or

(b) is the holder of a warrant of a Maltese Sign Language

interpreter awarded by the Minister on the advice of the Council

in accordance with article 9;

(c) is exercising the profession on a temporary or

occasional basis further to a determination under article 13

Provided that this requirement shall not apply to any

person supporting another person with sign language

interpretation, during a short stay in Malta of not more than three

(3) months.

4. (1) There shall be established a Board, which shall be

known as the Interpreter Registration and Warranting Board, which

shall be appointed by the Minister on the advice of the Council. This

Board shall be composed of

(a) a chairperson who would have held his warrant for at

least two (2) years, to be appointed following agreement between

the Council and the Association;

(b) three (3) members who the Council deems to have

suitable qualifications and experience;

(c) two (2) members appointed after the Council would

have consulted the Association, from among members of the

Association who have held a warrant for at least two (2) years;

and

(d) one (1) member who shall be elected by secret ballot

by warrant holders from among themselves.

(2) The chairperson shall be appointed for a term of three (3)

years and under such conditions as may be set out in the letter of

appointment for the said chairperson, subject to further periods of

renewal.

(3) The other members of the Board shall hold office for a term of

two (2) years and under such conditions as may be set out in their letter

of appointment, subject to further periods of renewal

Provided that in the first year, those members appointed in

accordance with sub-articles (1)(a) and (c) shall not be required to be

warrant holders, while the member appointed in accordance with sub-

article (1)(d) shall be appointed in the same manner as that prescribed

for the member appointed in accordance with sub-article (1)(c) in

terms of this proviso.

(4) When any vacancy in the Board occurs, the Minister shall on

the advice of the Council, and as soon as practicable, in the case of the

chairperson, or a member appointed by the said Minister, appoint

another person to fill the vacancy, and in the case of an elected

member cause an election to be held to fill the vacancy.

(5) The number of members necessary to form a quorum shall be

three (3) provided that, subject to the presence of a quorum, the Board

may act notwithstanding any vacancy among its members.

(6) The decisions of the Board shall be adopted by a simple

majority of the members present and who have a vote. Each member of

the Board shall be entitled to one (1) vote

Provided that the chairperson shall have an initial vote and in

the case of an equality of votes, a casting vote.

(7) The Minister may also delegate a public officer to act as

secretary to the Board, but such person shall not have a vote.

(8) The Board may make its own rules and otherwise regulate its

own procedure.

5. (1)

The Board shall have the following functions

Functions of the

Board.

(a) to consider applications for registration in

accordance with articles 7 or 12, or for the issue of a warrant in

accordance with article 9, or declarations in respect of the

provision of a service on a temporary or occasional basis further

to article 13;

(b) to advise the Council in respect of regulating the

conditions of practical training, including required periods

thereof, further to the provisions of articles 7 and 9;

(c) to advise the Council in respect of the approval of

universities or academic institutions further to the provisions of

articles 7 and 9; and

(d) to advise the Council in respect of the organisation

and regulation of the appropriate tests, further to the provisions

of articles 7 and 9.

(2) The Board shall exercise its functions independently and

according to its own judgment. In the exercise of its functions the

Board may

(a)

consult such persons as it may consider necessary;

and

(b) appoint committees of experts presided over by a

member of the Board for the purpose of the carrying out of such

duties and tasks as the Board may assign to them.

6. (1) The decisions of the Board shall be subject to the right Appeals from

of appeal before the Administrative Review Tribunal as established by decisions

Board.

article 5(1) of the Administrative Justice Act.

(2) Any person who feels aggrieved by any decision of the Board

may, within twenty (20) days after the date of service upon him of the

Board’s decision, file an appeal before the Administrative Review

(3) The Administrative Review Tribunal may, in its determination

on any appeal entered in accordance with sub-article (1), confirm,

reverse or vary, in whole or in part, the original decision by the Board.

(4) There shall be a right of appeal from the decisions of the

Administrative Review Tribunal in accordance with the provisions of

Part IV of the Administrative Justice Act.

7. A person shall qualify for registration as an interpreter with

the Council, following a decision of the Board, if such person

(a) is a citizen of Malta or a citizen of a Member State or

otherwise permitted to work in Malta under any other law;

(b)

is of good conduct; and

(c)

satisfies the Council in respect of

(i) being in possession of academic qualifications

obtained after successful completion of a course of study at

undergraduate level, in respect of which a prescribed score

or classification would have been obtained or exceeded, at

the University of Malta or such other university or

academic institution as may be recognised for the purpose

by the Council, after having consulted the Association;

(ii)

having successfully completed

-

prescribed training in Maltese Sign

Language, offered by the Deaf People Association

(Malta) in conjunction with the Institute of

Linguistics and Language Technology of the

University of Malta, or by any other institution as

may be recognised for the purpose by the Council,

after having consulted the Association, and that

includes standardised fluency testing in Maltese Sign

Language led by Deaf users of this language; and, or

-

prescribed training in International Sign

and, or in at least one (1) sign language not being

Maltese Sign Language, offered by such university or

academic institution as may be recognised in

accordance with the Mutual Recognition of Higher

Education Qualifications in the European Region S.L. 451.02.

Regulations, and attestations or proof in respect of

fluency in International Sign and, or in such other sign

languages; and

(iii) being fluent in the Maltese and English

languages in the case of Maltese Sign Language

interpreters and, or in a corresponding spoken language in

the case of interpreters for another sign language and, or in

at least one (1) spoken language in the case of International

Sign interpreters

Provided that an interpreter may request to be

registered for one (1) or more language pairs, with International

Sign able to be a component of any such pair

Provided further that a deaf person applying to

register as an interpreter for any sign language or for

International Sign shall only be required to fulfil the

requirements of sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii)

Provided further that the Council, after having

consulted the Association, may allow for time-limited derogations

from any one (1) or more of the provisions contained in this

paragraph, should it be deemed that such derogations would be

necessary to ensure continued provision of interpretation services

to any part of the deaf community residing locally

Provided further that the requirements in respect of

sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii), as amended from time to time, as

well as the general rules on registration stipulated in this Act,

and any derogation thereto promulgated from time to time shall

be made publicly available in an accessible manner by the

Council on apposite websites.

8. A registration issued in accordance with the provisions of

article 7 may be suspended or cancelled by the Council by notice in the

Gazette, and following a decision of the Board where necessary, if a

registered interpreter

(a) has been found, after procedures before the Board,

which shall decide on the suspension or cancellation of

registration, initiated at the request of the Council, on its own

motion, or following representations made by third parties, to

have engaged in one (1) or more of the following acts or

omissions

(i) dishonesty, misconduct or gross negligence in

exercising the profession of interpreter;

(ii) conduct

which

is

discreditable

to

the

profession; and, or

(iii) failure to comply with rules with respect to

professional standards or practices, and specifically the

Code of Ethics of the Association should an interpreter also

be a member of said Association;

(b) has been found guilty by a competent court of a

crime affecting public trust or theft or fraud or knowingly

receiving property obtained by theft or fraud, and following

procedures before the Board, the said Board decides to suspend

or cancel the interpreter’s registration; or

(c) has requested that the Council cancel the previous

registration

Provided that a fresh warrant may be awarded at any

time if the conditions for such award are satisfied.

9. (1) A person shall qualify for the award of a warrant of

Maltese Sign Language interpreter by the Minister, on the advice of

the Council, following a decision of the Board, and such warrant shall

be valid for a period of (5) years from the date of such award, if such

person

(a) is a citizen of Malta or a citizen of a Member State or

otherwise permitted to work in Malta under any law;

(b)

is of good conduct;

(c)

satisfies the Council in respect of

(i) being in possession of the requirements listed

in article 7(1)(c) for Maltese Sign Language interpreters;

(ii) being in possession of academic qualifications

obtained after successful completion of the post-graduate

course in Maltese Sign Language Interpreting offered by

the Institute of Linguistics and Language Technology of

the University of Malta, or an equivalent recognised

interpreter training course at Malta Qualification

Framework (MQF) Level 6 or higher as may be recognised

for such purpose by the Council; and

(iii) having worked as a Maltese Sign Language

interpreter in Malta, for a period of not less than two (2)

years on a full-time basis, or for a comparable period on a

part-time basis, after having fulfilled the requirements

referred to in sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii); and

(d) after having satisfied the requirements contained in

the previous paragraphs, having taken before the Minister and

the Council, the following prescribed oath of office

I...................................................................do swear/

solemnly affirm that I shall faithfully and with honesty and

exactness perform the duties of a Maltese Sign Language

interpreter to the best of my knowledge and ability. [So

help me God.]

Provided that the requirements contained in this sub-

article, and in article 10 in respect of renewal of warrants, shall

be made publicly available in an accessible manner by the

Council on apposite websites.

(2) A warrant holder shall have the right to indicate this

fact in his professional designation and to also specify the

relevant warrant registration number in so doing.

On the expiration of five (5) years from the date of the initial Renewal of

award of a warrant in terms of article 9, or of a renewal of a warrant in warrant

Maltese Sign

accordance with this article, a warrant of Maltese Sign Language Language

interpreter.

interpreter shall be renewed for a subsequent period of five (5) years

by the Minister, on the advice of the Council after a decision of the

Board, provided that the Council be satisfied that during the previous

five (5) years, the warrant holder has

(a) worked as a Maltese Sign Language interpreter and

had a minimum of thirty-five (35) contact hours annually;

(b) satisfied all the continuous professional development

requirements as may be prescribed from time to time by the

Council, after having consulted the Association, for warrant

holders; and

(c)

been a person of good conduct.

A warrant awarded in accordance with the provisions of

article 9 may be suspended or cancelled by the Minister, on the advice

of the Council by notice in the Gazette and following a decision of the

Board where necessary, if a warrant holder

(a) has been found, after procedures before the Board,

which shall decide on suspension or cancellation of the warrant,

initiated at the request of the Council, on the Council’s own

initiative, or following requests made by third parties, to have

engaged in one (1) or more of the following acts or omissions

(i) dishonesty, misconduct or gross negligence in

exercising the profession of Maltese Sign Language

interpreter;

(ii) conduct

which

is

discreditable

to

the

profession; and, or

(iii) failure to comply with rules with respect to

professional standards or practices, and specifically the

Code of Ethics of the Association should an interpreter also

be a member of said Association; or

(b) has been found guilty by a competent court of a

crime affecting public trust or theft or fraud or knowingly

receiving property obtained by theft or fraud and following

procedures before the Board, the said Board decides to suspend

or cancel the interpreter’s warrant; or

(c) has requested that the Minister cancel a warrant

previously awarded

Provided that a fresh warrant may be awarded at any

time if the conditions for such award are satisfied.

(1) The Council shall keep a Register of interpreters

registered in accordance with articles 7 or 12, warrant holders awarded

in terms of article 9, and interpreters exercising the profession on a

temporary or occasional basis further to a determination under article 13,

that shall be made publicly available in an accessible manner by the

Council on apposite websites, and shall not later than three (3) months

after the end of every year, publish in the Gazette a list of persons

whose names, on the 31st December of the said year appear on the

Register.

(2) A person who satisfies the requirements of article 7(a) and is

registered as an interpreter in his home country, not being a third

country, where such profession is regulated, and who intends to

establish himself in Malta, may be considered as qualified to be

entered in such Register, provided that he also satisfies the

requirement of article 7(b)

Provided that an interpreter may request to be registered for

one (1) or more language pairs, with International Sign able to be a

component of any such pair, with such requests being assessed taking

into considerations qualifications held by, training undertaken and

fluency enjoyed by the interpreter.

(3) In the case of an applicant where the profession in the home

country, not being a third country, is not regulated, the applicant shall

satisfy the following requirements

(a)

the applicant has pursued the profession

(i)

on a full-time basis for one (1) year; or

(ii) for an equivalent overall duration on a part-

time basis during the previous ten (10) years in another

country, not being a third country, which does not regulate

the profession; and

(b) the applicant possesses one (1) or more attestations

of competence or evidence of formal qualifications issued by

another country, not being a third country, which does not

regulate the profession

Provided that evidence of formal qualifications

issued by a third country shall be regarded as evidence of formal

qualifications for the purposes of this article, if the applicant

(i) has obtained certification of the said evidence

of formal qualifications issued by a third country from a

country that is not a third country; and

(ii) furnishes proof of three (3) years professional

experience as an interpreter in the territory of such other

country that is not a third country

Provided further that an applicant may request to be

registered for one (1) or more language pairs, with International

Sign able to be a component of any such pair.

(1) No person shall be prohibited from exercising the

profession of interpreter on a temporary or occasional basis in Malta if

he

(a)

satisfies the requirements of article 12(2) or (3); and

(b) has submitted to the Board a written declaration and

the documentation provided for in sub-article (2).

(2) Any person who wants to exercise the profession of

interpreter on a temporary or occasional basis in Malta shall, prior to

the intended date of commencement of the said activity, submit to the

Board a written declaration in such form as may be determined by the

Board from time to time and made available by the Board,

accompanied by supporting documentation, and including details of

relevant services to be provided in Malta

Provided that where, due to a material change in the status of

such person, the written declaration and, or the supporting

documentation being submitted no longer reflect such status, said

person shall submit to the Board an updated written declaration and, or

supporting documentation reflecting such change in status within

fifteen (15) days from the date when the said change occurred

Provided further that where a person wants to exercise the

profession of interpreter on a temporary or occasional basis in Malta in

the calendar year immediately following the year in which a written

declaration has been submitted, or resubmitted as the case may be,

such written declaration shall be renewed or resubmitted to the Board

and, in any case, such written declaration shall be renewed or

resubmitted prior to the commencement of service provision in Malta

in that particular year.

(3) The determination of whether a person would be exercising

the profession of interpreter on a temporary or occasional basis in

Malta shall be assessed by the Board, by reference to all the particular

circumstances of the relevant request entered in terms of sub-article

(2) including, but not limited to the duration, frequency, regularity and

continuity of the services to be provided in Malta, and

(a) where the Board determines that relevant services

would be provided on a temporary or occasional basis in Malta,

such person shall be granted temporary registration by the Board,

and entered into the Register established by article 12 in addition

to an indication that such registration is a temporary one, and of

the time period during which the said temporary registration

shall subsist. Such period shall in no case exceed the period of

one (1) year;

(b) where the Board determines that relevant services

would not be provided on a temporary or occasional basis in

Malta, such person shall, upon notification by the Board of such

a determination, be prohibited from exercising the profession of

interpreter in Malta unless he fulfils any of the requirements in

article 3

Provided that a decision of the Board taken pursuant to this

sub-article shall be subject to appeal in terms of article 6

Provided further that where a person, notwithstanding being

notified by the Board in terms of this paragraph, exercises the

profession of interpreter in Malta, without fulfilling any of the

requirements in article 3, he shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on

conviction, be liable to a fine (multa) of not less than two thousand

euro (€2,000) and not more than six thousand euro (€6,000).

The Minister, on the advice of the Council, may make Powers of the

regulations to give better effect to the provisions of this Act, and for Minister.

the enforcement thereof and, without prejudice to the generality of the

foregoing may by means of regulations, provide for any matter

consequential, incidental to or connected with any of the above-

mentioned provisions

Provided that the Minister, in consultation with the Minister

responsible for finance, may by such regulations provide for any fee

that could be established in respect of the various procedures foreseen

under this Act.

In the Second Schedule to the Administrative Justice Act, Consequential

immediately after the item "Customs Ordinance" there shall be added amendment.

the following new item

"Registration and Warranting of Act No. XXXVIII of

Inferior

Sign Language Interpreters Act

Competence".

Passed by the House of Representatives at Sitting No. 406 of the

17th November, 2025.

ANĠLU FARRUGIA

Speaker

ELEANOR SCERRI

Clerk of the House of Representatives

€1.26