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CONSTITUTION OF MALTA (constitutionofmalta)

147 Articles / Provisions · Malta
Open official source Machine-readable Markdown (.md)

Table of Provisions (147)

Art. 1 The Republic and its territories. Art. 2 Religion. Art. 3 National Flag. Art. 4 National Anthem. Art. 5 Language. Art. 5A Capital City. First Schedule Art. 6 Constitution to be supreme law. Second Schedule Art. 7 Right to work. Third Schedule Art. 8 Promotion of culture, etc. Fourth Schedule Art. 9 Safeguarding of landscape and historical and artistic patrimony. Art. 10 Compulsory and free primary education. It-Tieni Skeda Art. 11 Educational interests. It-Tielet Skeda Art. 12 Protection of work. Ir-Raba’ Skeda Art. 13 Hours of work. L-Ewwel Skeda Art. 14 Equal rights of men and women. It-Tieni Skeda Art. 15 Minimum age for paid labour. It-Tielet Skeda Art. 16 Safeguarding labour of minors. Ir-Raba’ Skeda Art. 17 Social assistance and insurance. Art. 18 Encouragement of private economic enterprise. Art. 19 Protection of artisan trades. Art. 20 Encouragement of co-operatives. Art. 20A Participation of Maltese citizens living abroad. Art. 21 Application of the principles contained in this Chapter. Art. 22 Citizenship regulated by law. Art. 23 Commonwealth citizens. Art. 24 Criminal liability of Commonwealth citizens. Renumbered and Art. 25 Acquisition of citizenship by birth or descent by persons born on or after appointed day. Art. 26 Marriage to citizen of Malta. Art. 27 Dual citizenship. Art. 28 XXIII.1989.5. Art. 30 Powers of Parliament. Art. 31 Interpretation. Art. 32 Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. Art. 33 Protection of right to life. Art. 34 Protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. Art. 35 Protection from forced labour. Art. 36 Protection from inhuman treatment. Art. 37 Protection from deprivation of property without compensation. Art. 38 Protection for privacy of home or other property. Art. 39 Provisions to secure protection of law. Art. 40 Protection of freedom of conscience and worship. Art. 41 Protection of freedom of expression. Art. 42 Protection of freedom of assembly and association. Art. 43 Prohibition of deportation. Art. 44 Protection of freedom of movement. Art. 45 Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc. Art. 46 Enforcement of protective provisions. Art. 47 Interpretation of Chapter IV. Art. 48 Establishment of the office of President. Art. 49 Discharge of President’s functions during vacancy, etc. Art. 51 Establishment of Parliament. Art. 52 Composition of the House of Representatives. Art. 52A Additional seats for under- represented sex. Art. 53 Qualifications for membership of House of Representatives. Art. 54 Disqualifications for membership of House of Representatives. Art. 55 Tenure of office of members. Art. 56 Voting at Elections. Art. 57 Qualification of voters. Art. 58 Disqualification of voters. Art. 59 Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Art. 60 Establishment of Electoral Commission. Art. 61 Electoral divisions. Art. 61A Gozo and the islands of the Mal- tese Archipelago other than the Island of Malta not to be divided. Art. 62 Filling of vacancies. Art. 63 Determination of questions as to membership. Art. 64 Clerk to House of Representatives and his staff. Art. 64A Office of Ombudsman. Art. 65 Power to make laws. Art. 66 Alteration of this Constitution. Art. 67 Regulation of procedure in House of Representatives. Art. 68 Oath to be taken by members of House of Representatives. Art. 69 Presiding in House of Representatives. Art. 70 Quorum in House of Representatives. Art. 71 Voting. Art. 72 Mode of exercising legislative powers. Art. 73 Restriction with regard to certain financial measures. Art. 74 Language of Laws. Art. 75 Sessions of Parliament. Art. 76 Prorogation and dissolution of Parliament. Art. 77 General elections. Art. 78 Executive authority of Malta. Art. 79 The Cabinet. Art. 80 Appointment of Ministers. Art. 81 Tenure of office of Ministers. Art. 82 Allocation of portfolios to Ministers. Art. 83 Acting Prime Minister. Art. 84 Temporary Ministers. Art. 85 Exercise of functions of President. Art. 86 Exercise of Prime Minister’s functions. Art. 87 The President to be informed concerning matters of government. Art. 88 Parliamentary Secretaries. Art. 89 Oath to be taken by Ministers. Art. 90 Leader of the Opposition. Art. 91 Attorney General. Art. 91A State Advocate. Art. 92 Permanent Secretaries and heads of government departments. Art. 93 Prerogative of mercy. Art. 94 Secretary to the Cabinet. Art. 95 Superior Courts. Art. 96 Appointment of judges. Art. 96A Judicial Appointments Committee. Art. 96B Vacancies in the office of member of the judiciary. Art. 97 Tenure of office of judges. Art. 98 Acting Chief Justice and acting judges. Art. 99 Inferior Courts. Art. 100 Magistrates. Art. 101 Oaths to be taken by judges and magistrates. Art. 101A Commission for the Administration of Justice. Art. 101AA Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary. Art. 101AB Declaration of the assets of the Judiciary. Art. 101B Discipline of judges and magistrates. Art. 101BA Report of the Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary. Art. 101C Appeal from the decisions of the Commission for the Administration of Justice. Art. 102 Consolidated Fund. Art. 103 Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Fund. Art. 104 Authorisation of expenditure before appropriation. Art. 105 Contingencies Fund. Art. 106 Public debt. Art. 107 Remuneration in respect of certain offices. Art. 108 Auditor General. Art. 109 Public Service Commission. Art. 110 Appointment, etc., of public officers. Art. 111 Principal representatives of Malta abroad. Art. 112 Appointment on transfer in respect of certain offices. Art. 113 Protection of pension rights. Art. 114 Grant and withholding of pensions, etc. Art. 115 Protection of Public Service Commission from legal proceedings. Art. 116 Actions on validity of laws. Art. 117 Prohibition of certain associations. Art. 118 Broadcasting Authority. Art. 119 Function of the Broadcasting Authority. Art. 120 Employment Commission. Art. 121 Powers and procedure of Commissions. Art. 122 Resignations. Art. 123 Reappointments, etc. Art. 124 Interpretation.

Statutory Text (147 Articles)

Constitution of Malta
Art. 1 The Republic and its territories. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Malta is a democratic republic founded on work and on

respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.

(2) The territories of Malta consist of those territories

co m prised in Ma lta im m edi ate ly before the app oi nt ed day,

including the territorial waters thereof, or of such territories and

waters as Parliament may from time to time by law determine.

(3) Malta is a neutral state actively pursuing peace, security

and social progress among all nations by adhering to a policy of

non-alignment and refusing to participate in any military alliance.

Such a status will, in particular, imply that

(a) no foreign military base will be permitted on Maltese

territory;

(b) no military facilities in Malta will be allowed to be

used by any foreign forces except at the request of the

Government of Malta, and only in the following cases

(i) in the exercise of the inherent right of self-

defence in the event of any armed violation of

the area over which the Republic of Malta has

sovereignty, or in pursuance of measures or

actions decided by the Security Council of the

United Nations; or

(ii) whenever there exists a threat to the sovereignty,

independence, neutrality, unity or territorial

integrity of the Republic of Malta;

(c) except as aforesaid, no other facilities in Malta will be

allowed to be used in such manner or extent as will

amount to the presence in Malta of a concentration of

foreign forces;

(d) except as aforesaid, no foreign military personnel will

be allowed on Maltese territory, other than military

personnel performing, or assisting in the performance

*See The Malta Independence Order of the 2nd of September, 1964.

of, civil works or activities, and other than a

reasonable number of military technical personnel

assisting in the defence of the Republic of Malta;

(e) the shipyards of the Republic of Malta will be used for

civil commercial purposes, but may also be used,

within reasonable limits of time and quantity, for the

repair of military vessels which have been put in a

state of non-combat or for the construction of vessels;

and in accordance with the principles of non-alignment

the said shipyards will be denied to the military

vessels of the two superpowers.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 2 Religion. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)

The religion of Malta is the Roman Catholic Apostolic

Religion.

(2) The authorities of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Church

have the duty and the right to teach which principles are right and

which are wrong.

(3) Religious teaching of the Roman Catholic Apostolic Faith

shall be provided in all State schools as part of compulsory

education.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 3 National Flag. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The National Flag of Malta consists of two equal

vertical stripes, white in the hoist and red in the fly.

(2) A representation of the George Cross awarded to Malta by

His Majesty King George the Sixth on the 15th April, 1942 is

carried, edged with red, in the canton of the white stripe.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 4 National Anthem. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The National Anthem of Malta is "L-Innu Malti" opening

with the words "Lil din l-Art Ħelwa 1-Omm li tatna isimha", the

twenty seventh (27th) December being Jum l-Innu Malti.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 5 Language. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)

The National language of Malta is the Maltese

language.

(2) The Maltese and the English languages and such other

language as may be prescribed by Parliament (by a law passed by

not less than two-thirds of all the members of the House of

Representatives) shall be the official languages of Malta and the

Administration may for all official purposes use any of such

languages

Provided that any person may address the Administration in

any of the official languages and the reply of the Administration

thereto shall be in such language.

(3)

The language of the Courts shall be the Maltese language

Provided that Parliament may make such provision for the

use of the English language in such cases and under such

conditions as it may prescribe.

(4) The House of Representatives may, in regulating its own

procedure, determine the language or languages that shall be used

in Parliamentary proceedings and records.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 5A Capital City. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The Capital City of Malta is Il-Belt Valletta (Città Umilissima).

Constitution of Malta
First Schedule — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Article 47(7)

Criminal Code (Chapter 9)

Code of Police Laws (Chapter 10)

Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Chapter 12)

Commercial Code (Chapter 13)

Civil Code (Chapter 16)

Constitution of Malta
Art. 6 Constitution to be supreme law. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Subject to the provisions of sub-articles (7) and (9) of

article 47 and of article 66 of this Constitution, if any other law is

inconsistent with this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail

and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

CHAPTER II

Declaration of Principles

Constitution of Malta
Second Schedule — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Articles 50 and 89

Oaths of Office

(a)

Oath for the due execution of the office of President.

I................................. solemnly swear/affirm that I will

faithfully execute the office of President (perform the functions of

the President) of Malta, and will, to the best of my ability preserve,

protect and defend the Constitution of Malta. (So help me God).

(b) Oath for the due execution of the office of Prime Minister or

other Minister or Parliamentary Secretary.

I ................................. solemnly swear/affirm that I will

faithfully and conscientiously perform my duties as (Prime

Minister/Minister/Parliamentary Secretary) in accordance with the

Constitution and the laws of Malta, without fear or favour. (So help

me God).

Constitution of Malta
Art. 7 Right to work. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State recognises the right of all citizens to work and

shall promote such conditions as will make this right effective.

Constitution of Malta
Third Schedule — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Article 124(1)

Oath of allegiance

I .................................. solemnly swear/affirm that I will bear

true faith and allegiance to the people and the Republic of Malta

and its Constitution. (So help me God).

Constitution of Malta
Art. 8 Promotion of culture, etc. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall promote the development of culture and

scientific and technical research.

Constitution of Malta
Fourth Schedule — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(Article 23)

List of Commonwealth Countries other than Malta

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Bahamas

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Cameroon

Canada

Cyprus

Dominica

The Gambia

Ghana

Grenada

Guyana

India

Jamaica

Kenya

Kiribati

Lesotho

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritius

Mozambique

CONSTITUTION OF MALTA

Namibia

Nauru

New Zealand

Nigeria

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

St. Kitts and Nevis

St. Lucia

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Sri Lanka

Swaziland

Tanzania

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Tuvalu

Uganda

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and

Colonies

Vanuatu

Western Samoa

Zambia

Zimbabwe.

CONSTITUTION OF MALTA

Constitution of Malta
Art. 9 Safeguarding of landscape and historical and artistic patrimony. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The State shall safeguard the landscape and the

historical and artistic patrimony of the Nation.

(2) The State shall protect and conserve the environment and its

resources for the benefit of the present and future generations and shall

take measures to address any form of environmental degradation in

Malta, including that of air, water and land, and any sort of pollution

problem and to promote, nurture and support the right of action in

favour of the environment.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 10 Compulsory and free primary education. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Primary education shall be compulsory and in State

schools shall be free of charge.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
It-Tieni Skeda: — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

Ġuramenti ta’ Kariga

Constitution of Malta
Art. 11 Educational interests. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Capable and deserving students, even if without

financial resources, are entitled to attain the highest grades of

education.

(2) The State shall give effect to this principle by means of

scholarships, of contributions to the families of students and other

provisions on the basis of competitive examinations.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
It-Tielet Skeda: — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

Ġurament ta’ Lealtà

Constitution of Malta
Art. 12 Protection of work. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The State shall protect work.

(2) It shall provide for the professional or vocational training

and advancement of workers.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
Ir-Raba’ Skeda: — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

Elenku ta’ Pajjiżi tal-Commonwealth minbarra Malta

KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA

L-Ordni tal-1964 dwar l-Indipendenza ta’ Malta, kif emendata bl-Atti

XLI tal-1965, XXXVII tal-1966, IX tal-1967, XXV1 tal-1970, XLVII tal-

1972, LVII, LVIII tal-1974, XXXVIII tal-1976, X tal-1977, XXIX tal-1979,

IV tal-1987, XXIII tal-1989; bil-Prok1ami: Nri.II u VI tal-1990; bl-Atti

XIX tal-1991 u IX tal-1994; bil-Prok1ami Nri. IV tal-1995 u III tal-1996, u

bl-Atti: XI tal-1996, XVII tal-1997, III tal-2000, XIII tal-2001, V tal-2003,

XIV u XXI tal-2007, XX tal-2011, VII u X tal-2014; XXIV tal-2015, XLII u

XLIV tal-2016 .u IV tal-2018. ,XXII tal-2018 u III tal-2019 u XXV tal-2019. u

XIX , XLII , XLIII, XLIV, XLV u XLI u LV tal-2020 u XII u XX u XXVI tal-

2021 , XVI tal-2022, III tal-2024 , XVI u XXXIX tal-2025 u IX tal-2026 .

21 ta’ Settembru 1964 *

KAPITOLU I

Ir-Repubblika ta’ Malta

1. (1) Malta hija repubblika demokratika bbażata fuq ix-

xogħol u fuq ir-rispett għad-drittijiet u l-libertajiet fundamentali

tal-individwu.

(2) It-territorji ta’ Malta jikkonsistu f’dawk it-territorji

kompriżi f’Malta minnufih qabel il-ġurnata stabbilita, magħduda l-

ibħra territorjali tagħhom, jew dawk it-territorji u ibħra li l-

Parlament jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jistabbilixxi b’liġi.

(3) Malta hija stat newtrali li jrid attivament jilħaq il-paċi, is-

siġurtà u l-progress soċjali fost in-nazzjonijiet kollha billi jħaddan

politika ta’ non-allineament u jirrofta li jipparteċipa f’kull alleanza

militari. Dan l-istatus jimplika b’mod partikolari, illi

(a) l-ebda bażi militari barranija ma titħalla fuq territorju

Malti;

(b) l-ebda faċilitajiet militari f’Malta ma jitħallew jiġu

wżati minn xi forzi barranin ħlief fuq talba tal-Gvern

ta’ Malta, u biss fil-każi li ġejjin

(i)

fl-eżerċizzju tal-jedd naturali ta’ difiża leġittima

f’każ ta’ vjolazzjoni armata tal-area li fuqha r-

Repubblika ta’ Malta għandha sovranità, jew

biex tieħu miżuri jew azzjonijiet deċiżi mill-

Kunsill tas-Sigurtà tal-Ġnus Magħquda; jew

(ii) kull meta jkun hemm theddida għas-sovranità,

indipendenza, in-newtralità, l-unità jew l-

integrità territorjali tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta;

(ċ) minbarra fil-każi msemmija hawn fuq, l-ebda

faċilitajiet oħra f’Malta ma jitħallew jintużaw b’tali

mod u b’tali miżura li jwasslu għall-preżenza f’Malta

ta’ konċentrazzjoni ta’ forzi barranin;

(d) minbarra fil-każi msemmija hawn fuq, l-ebda persunal

militari barrani ma jitħalla fuq territorju Malti, ħlief

dak il-persunal militari li jkun qed jagħmel, jew jgħin

*Ara L-Ordni tat-2 ta’ Settembru, 1964 dwar l-Indipendenza ta’ Malta.

biex jitwettqu, xogħlijiet jew attivitajiet ċivili, u ħlief

għadd reġonevoli ta’ persunal tekniku militari li jgħin

fid-difiża tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta;

(e) it-tarznari tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta jintużaw għal

skopijiet kummerċjali ċivili, iżda jistgħu wkoll

jintużaw, f’limiti raġonevoli ta’ żmien u għadd, għat-

tiswija ta’ bastimenti militari li jkunu tpoġġew

f’qagħda li ma jistgħux jiġġieldu jew għall-bini ta’

vapuri; u skont il-prinċipji ta’ non-allineament l-

imsemmija tarznari jiġu mċaħħda lill-bastimenti

militari taż-żewġ superpotenzi.

2. (1) Ir-reliġjon

ta’

Malta

hija

r-Reliġjon

Kattolika

Apostolika Rumana.

(2) L-awtoritajiet tal-Knisja Kattolika Apostolika Rumana

għandhom id-dmir u l-jedd li jgħallmu liema prinċipji huma tajbin

u liema huma ħżiena.

(3) It-tagħlim reliġjuż tal-fidi Kattolika Apostolika Rumana

għandu jkun provdut fl-iskejjel kollha tal-Istat bħala parti mill-

edukazzjoni obbligatorja.

3. (1) Il-Bandiera Nazzjonali ta’ Malta tikkonsisti f’żewġ

strixxi vertikali ndaqs, bajda mal-arblu u ħamra n-naħa ta’ barra.

(2) Rappreżentazzjoni tal-George Cross mogħti lil Malta mill-

Maestà Tiegħu r-Re Ġorġ Sitta fil-15 ta’ April, 1942 tkun qiegħda,

imberfla bl-aħmar, fir-rokna tal-istrixxa l-bajda.

4. L-Innu Nazzjonali ta’ Malta huwa "L-Innu Malti" li jibda bil-

kliem "Lil din l-Art Ħelwa l-Omm li tatna isimha", bis-sebgħa u

għoxrin (27) ta’ Diċembru jkun Jum l-Innu Malti.

5. (1)

L-ilsien Nazzjonali ta’ Malta huwa l-ilsien Malti.

(2) L-ilsien Malti u l-ilsien Ingliż u dawk l-ilsna l-oħra li

jistgħu jiġu preskritti mill-Parlament (b’liġi mgħoddija b’mhux

anqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra tad-Deputati)

ikunu l-ilsna uffiċjali ta’ Malta u l-Amministrazzjoni tista’ għall-

finijiet kollha uffiċjali tuża kull wieħed minn dawk l-ilsna

Iżda kull persuna tista’ tindirizza ruħha lejn l-

Amministrazzjoni f’kull wieħed mill-ilsna uffiċjali u t-tweġiba tal-

Amministrazzjoni għal hekk tkun b’dak l-ilsien.

(3)

L-ilsien tal-Qrati jkun l-ilsien Malti

Iżda l-Parlament jista’ jagħmel dak il-provvediment għall-

użu tal-ilsien Ingliż f ’dawk il-każijiet u taħt dawk il-

kondizzjonijiet li jista’ jippreskrivi.

(4) Il-Kamra tad-Deputati tista’, meta tirregola l-proċedura

tagħha, tistabbilixxi l-ilsien jew l-ilsna li għandhom ikunu wżati fi

proċeduri u annotazzjonijiet parlamentari.

5A. Il-Belt Kapitali ta’ Malta hija Il-Belt Valletta (Città

Umilissima).

6. Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (7) u (9)

tal-artikolu 47 u tal-artikolu 66 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, jekk xi liġi

oħra tkun inkonsistenti ma’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, din il-

Kostituzzjoni għandha tipprevali u l-liġi l-oħra għandha, safejn

tkun inkonsistenti, tkun bla effett.

KAPITOLU II

Dikjarazzjoni ta’ Prinċipji

7. L-Istat jirrikonoxxi d-dritt taċ-ċittadini kollha għal xogħol

u għandu jġib ’il quddiem dawk il-kondizzjonijiet li jagħmlu dan

id-dritt effettiv.

8. L-Istat għandu jġib ’il quddiem l-iżvilupp tal-kultura u tat-

tfittix xjentifiku u tekniku.

9. (1) L-Istat għandu jissalvagwardja

l-paesaġġ

u

l-

patrimonju storiku u artistiku tan-Nazzjon.

(2) L-Istat għandu jħares u jikkonserva l-ambjent u r-riżorsi tiegħu

għall-benefiċċju tal-ġenerazzjonijiet preżenti u futuri u għandu jieħu

miżuri sabiex jindirizza kull għamla ta’ degradazzjoni tal-ambjent

f’Malta, inkluża dik tal-arja, l-ilma u l-art, u kull tip ta’ problema ta’

tniġġis u sabiex jippromwovi, irawwem u jappoġġja d-dritt għall-azzjoni

favur l-ambjent.

10. L-edukazzjoni primarja għandha tkun obbligatorja u fl-

iskejjel tal-Istat għandha tkun bla ħlas.

11. (1) L-istudenti kapaċi u meritevoli, ukoll jekk mingħajr

risorsi finanzjarji, għandhom dritt li jilħqu l-ogħla gradi ta’

edukazzjoni.

(2) L-Istat għandu jagħti effett għal dan il-prinċipju permezz

ta’ boroż ta’ studju, ta’ kontribuzzjonijiet lill-familji tal-istudenti u

provvedimenti oħra fuq il-bażi ta’ eżamijiet kompetittivi.

12. (1) L-Istat għandu jipproteġġi x-xogħol.

(2) Huwa għandu jipprovdi għat-tħarriġ professjonali jew ta’

vokazzjoni u miljorament tal-ħaddiema.

13. (1) L-akbar numru ta’ siegħat tax-xogħol kull jum għandu

jkun stabbilit mil-liġi.

(2) Il-ħaddiem għandu dritt għal ġurnata mistrieħ fil-ġimgħa u

għal btajjel annwali bi ħlas; huwa ma jistax jirrinunzja għal dan id-

dritt.

14. L-Istat għandu jippromwovi dritt ugwali ta’ rġiel u nisa li

jgawdu d-drittijiet ekonomiċi, soċjali, kulturali, ċivili u politiċi

kollha u għal dan il-għan għandu jieħu dawk il-miżuri li jkunu

ndikati biex jelimina kull forma ta’ diskriminazzjoni bejn is-sessi,

minn kull persuna, organizzazzjoni jew azjenda; l-Istat għandu

b’mod partikolari jimmira li jiżgura li l-ħaddiema nisa jgawdu

drittijiet indaqs u l-istess pagi għall-istess xogħol bħal irġiel.

15. L-anqas età għal xogħol bi ħlas għandha tkun preskritta

b’liġi.

16. L-Istat għandu jipprovdi biex jiġi salvagwardat ix-xogħol

ta’ minuri u jiżguralhom id-dritt tal-istess paga għall-istess xogħol.

17. (1) Kull ċittadin li ma jkunx kapaċi għal xogħol u li ma

jkunx provdut bir-risorsi meħtieġa għall-għixien għandu dritt għal

manteniment u għajnuna soċjali.

(2) Il-ħaddiema għandhom dritt għal assigurazzjoni xierqa fuq

bażi kontributorja għall-ħtiġiet tagħhom f’każ ta’ disgrazzja, mard,

inkapaċità, xjuħija u disimpieg involontarju.

(3) Persuni inkapaċitati u persuni li ma jkunux kapaċi għal

xogħol għandhom dritt għal edukazzjoni u tħarriġ ta’ vokazzjoni.

18. L-Istat

għandu

jinkoraġġixxi

l-intrapriża

ekonomika

privata.

19. L-Istat għandu jipprovdi għall-protezzjoni u l-iżvilupp tas-

snajja artiġjani.

20. L-Istat jirrikonoxxi l-funzjoni soċjali ta’ ko-operattivi u

għandu jinkoraġġixxi l-iżvilupp tagħhom.

20A. L-Istat għandu jiffaċilita s-sehem taċ-ċittadini Maltin li

jgħixu barra minn Malta fil-ħajja politika, soċjali, ekonomika u

kulturali ta’ Malta.

21. Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Kapitolu ma jkunux

esegwibbli f ’xi qorti, iżda l-prinċipji li hemm fihom huma b’dan

kollu fondamentali għall-iggvernar tal-pajjiż u jkun l-iskop tal-Istat

li japplika dawn il-prinċipji fl-egħmil ta’ liġijiet.

KAPITOLU III

Ċittadinanza

22. (1) Il-ksib, il-pussess, ir-rinunzja u t-telfien

taċ-

ċittadinanza Maltija għandhom jiġu regolati bil-liġi.

(2) Iċ-ċittadinanza doppja jew multipla hija permessa skont liġi

li f’dak iż-żmien tkun fis-seħħ f’Malta.

23. (1) Kull min skont din il-Kostituzzjoni jew xi Att tal-

Parlament huwa ċittadin ta’ Malta jew skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-

żmien tkun isseħħ f’xi pajjiż li għalih dan l-artikolu jgħodd huwa

ċittadin ta’ dak il-pajjiż ikollu, bis-saħħa ta’ dik iċ-ċittadinanza,

status ta’ ċittadin tal-Commonwealth.

(2) Kull min huwa sudditu Ingliż mingħajr ċittadinanza skont

il-British Nationality Act, 1948 * jew ikompli jkun sudditu Ingliż

skont l-artikolu 2 ta’ dak l-Att ikollu, bis-saħħa ta’ dak l-istatus, l-

istatus ta’ ċittadin tal-Commonwealth.

(3)

Il-pajjiżi li għalihom jgħodd dan l-artikolu huma dawk

*11 & 12 Geo. 6.c.56.

elenkati fir-Raba’ Skeda li tinsab ma’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(4) Il-President jista’ bi Proklama jemenda, iżid ma’, jirrevoka

jew jissostitwixxi l-elenku ta’ pajjiżi li hemm fir-Raba’ Skeda li

tinsab ma’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

24. (1) Ċittadin tal-Commonwealth li ma jkunx ċittadin ta’

Malta jew ċittadin tar-Repubblika tal-Irlanda li ma jkunx ċittadin

ta’ Malta ma jkunx ħati ta’ reat kontra xi liġi li sseħħ f ’Malta

minħabba f ’xi ħaġa magħmula jew omessa f ’xi parti tal-

Commonwealth li ma tkunx Malta jew fir-Repubblika tal-Irlanda

jew f’xi pajjiż stranġier kemm-il darba -

(a) l-att jew ommissjoni ma kienx ikun reat kieku kien

frustier; u

(b) fil-każ ta’ att jew ommissjoni f’xi parti tal-

Commonwealth jew fir-Repubblika tal-Irlanda, ma

kienx ikun reat jekk il-pajjiż li fih l-att ikun magħmul

jew l-ommissjoni tkun saret kien pajjiż stranġier.

(2)

F’dan l-artikolu -

"frustier" tfisser persuna li ma tkunx ċittadin tal-Commonwealth,

persuna protetta Ingliża jew ċittadin tar-Republika tal-Irlanda;

"pajjiż barrani" tfisser kull pajjiż (minbarra r-Repubblika tal-

Irlanda) li ma jkunx parti mill-Commonwealth;

"Persuna Protetta Ingliża" tfisser persuna li tkun persuna protetta

Ingliża għall-finijiet tal-British Nationality Act, 1948 jew ta’ kull

liġi oħra tar-Renju Unit li tieħu post dak l-Att.

25. Imħassar bl-Att III tal-2000.

26. Imħassar bl-Att III tal-2000.

27. Imħassar bl-Att III tal-2000.

28. u 29. ġew rinumerati bl-Att III taa’ l-2000.

30. Imħassar bl-Att III tal-2000.

31. Imħassar bl-Att III tal-2000.

KAPITOLU IV

Drittijiet u Libertajiet Fundamentali tal-Individwu

32. Billi kull persuna f’Malta hija intitolata għad-drittijiet u

libertajiet fundamentali tal-individwu, jiġifieri, id-dritt, tkun xi

tkun ir-razza, post ta’ oriġini, fehmiet politiċi, kulur, twemmin,

sess, orjentazzjoni sesswali jew identità tal-ġeneru tagħha, iżda

suġġett għar-rispett tad-drittijiet u l-libertajiet ta’ oħrajn u tal-

interess pubbliku, għal kull waħda u kollha kemm huma dawn li

ġejjin, jiġifieri-

(a) il-ħajja, libertà, sigurtà tal-persuna, it-tgawdija ta’

proprjetà u l-protezzjoni tal-liġi;

(b) il-libertà ta’ kuxjenza, ta’ espressjoni u ta’ għaqda u

assoċjazzjoni paċifika; u

(ċ Ċ ) ir-rispett għall-ħajja privata u familjari tiegħu,

id-disposizzjonijiet li ġejjin ta’ dan il-Kapitolu jkollhom effett

sabiex jagħtu protezzjoni għad-drittijiet u libertajiet imsemmija

qabel, salvi dawk il-limitazzjonijiet ta’ dik il-protezzjoni kif

jinsabu f ’dawk id-disposizzjonijiet li huma limitazzjonijiet

maħsuba biex jiżguraw illi t-tgawdija tal-imsemmija drittijiet u

libertajiet minn xi individwu ma tippreġudikax id-drittijiet u

libertajiet ta’ oħrajn jew l-interess pubbliku.

33. (1) Ħadd ma jista’ jiġi pprivat mill-ħajja tiegħu

intenzjonalment ħlief fl-esekuzzjoni tas-sentenza ta’ qorti dwar reat

kriminali skont il-liġi ta’ Malta li tiegħu jkun ġie misjub ħati.

(2) Mingħajr ħsara għal xi responsabbiltà għal ksur ta’ xi liġi

oħra dwar l-użu ta’ forza f’dawk il-każijiet li huma hawnhekk iżjed

’il quddiem imsemmija, persuna ma għandhiex titqies li tkun ġiet

ipprivata mill-ħajja tagħha bi ksur ta’ dan l-artikolu jekk tmut

b’riżultat tal -użu ta’ forza d aqs kemm tkun raġonevolm ent

ġustifikabbli fiċ-ċirkostanzi tal-każ -

(a) fid-difiża ta’ xi persuna minn vjolenza jew fid-difiża

ta’ proprjetà;

(b) sabiex jiġi effetwat arrest skont il-liġi jew tiġi evitata

l-ħarba ta’ persuna detenuta skont il-liġi;

(ċ) sabiex tiġi megħluba rewwixta, insurrezzjoni jew

ammutinament; jew

(d) sabiex jiġi evitat l-egħmil minn dik il-persuna ta’ reat

kriminali,

jew jekk tmut minħabba att leġittimu ta’ gwerra.

34. (1) Ħadd ma għandu jiġi pprivat mill-libertà personali

tiegħu ħlief kif jista’ jkun awtorizzat b’liġi fil-każijiet li ġejjin,

jiġifieri -

(a) bħala konsegwenza tal-inkapaċità tiegħu li jwieġeb

għal akkuża kriminali;

(b) fl-esekuzzjoni tas-sentenza jew ordni ta’ qorti, sew

Malta sew band’oħra dwar reat kriminali li tiegħu ikun

ġie misjub ħati;

(ċ) fl-esekuzzjoni tal-ordni ta’ qorti li tikkundannah għal

disprezz lejn dik il-qorti jew lejn qorti jew tribunal

ieħor jew fl-esekuzzjoni tal-ordni tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati li tikkundannah għal disprezz lejha stess jew

lejn il-membri tagħha jew għal ksur ta’ privileġġ;

(d) fl-esekuzzjoni tal-ordni ta’ qorti magħmul biex jiżgura

twettiq ta’ xi obbligu impost lilu b’liġi;

(e) sabiex jinġieb quddiem qorti fl-esekuzzjoni tal-ordni

ta’ qorti jew quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati fl-

esekuzzjoni tal-ordni ta’ dik il-Kamra;

(f)

fuq suspett raġonevoli li huwa jkun ikkommetta, jew

ikun sejjer jikkommetti, reat kriminali;

(g) fil-każ ta’ persuna li ma tkunx għalqet l-età ta’

tmintax-il sena, għall-iskop tal-edukazzjoni u ġid

tagħha;

(h) sabiex jiġi evitat it-tixrid ta’ marda infettiva jew

kontaġġuża;

(i)

fil-każ ta’ persuna li tkun, jew tkun raġonevolment

suspetta li tkun, ta’ moħħ marid, mogħtija għan-

narkotiċi jew xorb, jew vagabonda, għall-iskop tal-

kura jew trattament tagħha jew protezzjoni tal-

komunità; jew

(j)

sabiex jiġi evitat id-dħul illeġittimu ta’ dik il-persuna

f’Malta, jew sabiex tiġi effettwata l-espulsjoni, l-

estradizzjoni jew it-tneħħija leġittima oħra ta’ dik il-

persuna minn Malta jew it-teħid ta’ proċeduri dwar

hekk jew sabiex tiġi mrażżna dik il-persuna waqt li

tkun qed tiġi mgħoddija minn Malta fil-kors tal-

estradizzjoni jew tneħħija tagħha bħala priġunier

misjub ħati minn pajjiż għal ieħor.

(2) Kull min ikun arrestat jew detenut għandu jiġi nformat, fil-

ħin tal-arrest jew detenzjoni tiegħu, f ’ilsien li huwa jifhem, bir-

raġunijiet tal-arrest jew detenzjoni tiegħu

Iżda jekk interpretu jkun meħtieġ u ma jkunx disponibbli

malajr jew jekk ikun xort’oħra imprattikabbli li jiġu mħarsa d-

disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu fil-ħin tal-arrest jew

detenzjoni tiegħu, dawn id-disposizzjonijiet għandhom jiġu mħarsa

kemm jista’ jkun malajr.

(3)

Kull min jiġi arrestat jew detenut -

(a) sabiex jinġieb quddiem qorti fl-esekuzzjoni tal-ordni

ta’ qorti; jew

(b) fuq suspett raġonevoli li jkun ikkommetta, jew li jkun

sejjer jikkommetti, reat kriminali,

u li ma jiġix meħlus, għandu jinġieb quddiem qorti mhux aktar

tard minn tmienja u erbgħin siegħa wara; u jekk xi ħadd arrestat

jew detenut f’xi każ bħal dak li huwa msemmi fil-paragrafu (b) ta’

dan is-subartikolu ma jiġix iġġudikat fi żmien raġonevoli, f’dak il-

każ, bla ħsara għal kull proċeduri oħra li jistgħu jinġiebu kontra

tiegħu, huwa għandu jiġi meħlus jew bla kondizzjoni jew

b’kondizzjonijiet raġonevoli, magħduda b’mod partikolari dawk il-

kondizzjonijiet li jkunu meħtieġa raġonevolment biex jiġi żgurat li

huwa jidher f ’data aktar tard għall-kawża jew għall-proċeduri

preliminari għall-kawża

Iżda l-Parlament jista’ b’liġi jipprovdi l-estensjoni, soġġetta

għal salvagwardji proċedurali adegwati u għall-awtorizzazzjoni ta’

Maġistrat, tal-perjodu ta’ tmienja u erbgħin (48) siegħa li fih il-

persuna arrestata jew detenuta għandha titressaq quddiem qorti,

b’perjodu ieħor li ma jaqbiżx it-tmienja u erbgħin (48) siegħa oħra jekk

il-persuna arrestata jew detenuta tkun raġonevolment suspettata li

wettqet reat li jista’ jwassal għal piena massima ta’ aktar minn tnax-il

(12) sena priġunerija.

(4) Kull min ikun arrestat jew detenut illegalment minn xi

persuna oħra jkollu dritt għal kumpens għal hekk minn dik il-

persuna.

(5) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew li tkun magħmula bl-awtorità ta’

xi liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’

dan l-artikolu safejn il-liġi in kwistjoni tawtorizza t-teħid matul dak

il-perijodu ta’ emerġenza pubblika skont ma hu msemmi fil-

paragrafu (a) jew (ċ) tas-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 47 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni ta’ miżuri li jkunu raġonevolment ġustifikabbli

sabiex tiġi affrontata s-sitwazzjoni li teżisti matul dak il-perijodu

ta’ emerġenza pubblika.

(6) Jekk xi ħadd li jkun detenut legalment bis-saħħa biss ta’ liġi

bħal dik imsemmija fis-subartikolu li jaħbat l-aħħar qabel dan hekk

jitlob f’xi żmien matul il-perijodu ta’ dik id-detenzjoni mhux qabel

sitt xhur wara li jkun għamel l-aħħar talba bħal dik matul dak il-

perijodu, il-każ tiegħu jiġi rivedut minn tribunal indipendenti u

imparzjali mwaqqaf b’liġi u magħmul minn persuna jew persuni li

kull waħda minnhom ikollha jew kellha kariga ġudizzjarja jew tkun

kwalifikata biex tiġi maħtura għal kariga bħal dik f’Malta.

(7) Wara xi reviżjoni minn tribunal skont is-subartikolu li

jaħbat l-aħħar qabel dan tal-każ ta’ xi persuna detenuta, it-tribunal

jista’ jagħmel rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar il-ħtieġa jew espedjenza

tat-tkomplija tad-detenzjoni tagħha lill-awtorità li minnha -kienet

ġiet ordnata. iżda. kemm-il darba ma jkunx provdut xort,oħra

b’liġi, dik l-awtorità ma tkunx obbligata taġixxi skont xi rak

komandazzjonijiet bħal dawk.

35. (1) Ħadd ma għandu jkun meħtieġ jagħmel xogħol furzat.

(2) Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-frażi "xogħol furzat" ma

tinkludix -

(a) xi xogħol meħtieġ b’konsegwenza tas-sentenza jew

ordni ta’ qorti;

(b) xogħol meħtieġ mingħand xi ħadd waqt li jkun

legalment detenut b’sentenza jew ordni ta’ qorti li,

għalkemm ma jkunx meħtieġ b’konsegwenza ta’ dik

is- sentenza jew ordni, ikun meħtieġ raġonevolment fl-

interessi tal-iġjene jew għat-tiżmim tal-post li fih ikun

detenut jew, jekk ikun detenut għall-iskop tal-kura,

trattament, edukazzjoni jew ġid tiegħu, ikun

raġonevolment meħtieġ għal dak l-iskop;

(ċ) xi xogħol meħtieġ mingħand membru ta’ korp

dixxiplinat minħabba d-dmirijiet tiegħu bħala tali jew,

fil-każ ta’ persuna li jkollha oġġezzjonijiet ta’

kuxjenza għal servizz bħala membru ta’ forza navali,

militari jew tal-ajru, xi xogħol li dik il-persuna hija

meħtieġa b’liġi li taqdi minflok dak is-servizz;

(d) xi xogħol meħtieġ matul perijodu ta’ emerġenza

pubblika jew fil-każ ta’ xi emerġenza oħra jew

kalamità li thedded il-ħajja jew il-ġid tal-komunità.

36. (1) Ħadd ma għandu jkun assoġġettat għal piena jew

trattament inuman jew degradanti.

(2) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ xi

liġi ma titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan l-

artikolu safejn il-liġi in kwistjoni tawtorizza l-għoti ta’ xi

deskrizzjoni ta’ piena li kienet legali f ’Malta minnufih qabel il-

ġurnata stabbilita.

(3)

(a) Ebda liġi ma għandha tipprovdi għall-impożizzjoni ta’

pieni kollettivi.

(b) Ebda ħaġa f’dan is-subartikolu ma tipprekludi l-

impożizzjoni ta’ pieni kollettivi fuq il-membri ta’ korp

dixxiplinat skont il-liġi li tirregola d-dixxiplina ta’ dak

il-korp.

37. (1) Ebda proprjetà ta’ kull xorta li tkun ma għandu

jittieħed pussess tagħha b’mod obbligatorju, u ebda nteress fi jew

dritt fuq proprjetà ta’ kull xorta li tkun ma għandu jiġi miksub

b’mod obbligatorju, ħlief meta hemm disposizzjoni ta’ liġi

applikabbli għal dak it-teħid ta’ pussess jew akkwist -

(a) għall-ħlas ta’ kumpens xieraq;

(b) li tiżgura lil kull persuna li tippretendi dak il-kumpens

dritt ta’ aċċess lil qorti jew tribunal indipendenti u

imparzjali mwaqqaf b’liġi sabiex jiġi deċiż l-interess

tagħha fi jew dritt fuq il-proprjetà u l-ammont ta’ kull

kumpens li għalih tista’ tkun intitolata, u sabiex tikseb

ħlas ta’ dak il-kumpens; u

(ċ) li tiżgura lil kull parti fi proċeduri f’dik il-qorti jew

tribunal dwar pretensjoni bħal dik dritt ta’ appell mid-

deċiżjoni tagħha lill-Qorti tal-Appell f’Malta

Iżda f’każijiet speċjali l-Parlament jista’, jekk hekk jidhirlu

xieraq li jagħmel fl-interess nazzjonali, b’liġi jistabbilixxi l-kriterji

li għandhom jitħarsu, magħduda l-fatturi u ċ-ċirkostanzi l-oħra li

għandhom jitqiesu, biex jiġi stabbilit il-kumpens li għandu jitħallas

dwar proprjetà li jittieħed pussess tagħha jew li tiġi akkwistata

b’mod obbligatorju; u f’kull każ bħal dak il-kumpens għandu jiġi

iffissat u għandu jitħallas skont hekk.

(2) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma għandha tinftiehem li tolqot

l-egħmil jew ħdim ta’ xi liġi safejn tipprovdi għat-teħid ta’ pussess

jew akkwist ta’ proprjetà -

(a) bi ħlas ta’ xi taxxa, rata jew drittijiet;

(b) bħala penali għal, jew bħala konsegwenza ta’, ksur tal-

liġi, sew jekk bi proċeduri ċivili jew wara

dikjarazzjoni ta’ ħtija ta’ reat kriminali;

(ċ) wara l-attentat ta’ tneħħija tal-proprjetà barra minn

jew ġewwa Malta bi ksur ta’ xi liġi;

(d) bħala teħid ta’ kampjun għall-finijiet ta’ xi liġi;

(e) meta l-proprjetà tikkonsisti f’annimal meta jiġi misjub

f’art ħaddieħor jew mitluf;

(f)

bħala inċidentali għal kirja, liċenza, privileġġ jew

ipoteka, mortgage, dritt, bill of sale, pleġġ jew kuntratt

ieħor;

(g) bħala l-għoti jew l-amministrazzjoni ta’ proprjetà

għan-nom u għab-benefiċċju tal-persuna ntitolata

għall-interess benefiċjarju fiha, proprjetà fi trust,

proprjetà tal-għadu jew il-proprjetà ta’ persuni

dikjarati falluti b’sentenza jew xort’oħra dikjarati

falluti jew insolventi, persuni ta’ moħħ marid, persuni

mejta, jew għaqdiet korporati jew mhux korporati fil-

kors ta’ stralċ jew likwidazzjoni;

(h) fl-esekuzzjoni ta’ sentenzi jew ordnijiet ta’ qrati;

(i)

minħabba li tkun fi stat perikoluż jew ta’ ħsara għas-

saħħa tan-nies, annimali jew pjanti;

(j)

bħala konsegwenza ta’ xi liġi dwar il-preskrizzjoni ta’

azzjonijiet,

preskrizzjoni

akkwiżittiva,

art

abbandunata, teżor misjub, manumorta jew id-drittijiet

ta’ suċċessjoni kompetenti lill-Gvern ta’ Malta; jew

(k) għal dak iż-żmien biss sakemm ikun meħtieġ għall-

finijiet ta’ xi eżami, investigazzjoni, kawża jew

inkjesta jew, fil-każ ta’ art, l-egħmil fuqha -

(i)

ta’ xogħol ta’ konservazzjoni ta’ ħamrija jew il-

konservazzjoni ta’ risorsi naturali oħra ta’ kull

xorta jew ta’ rikostruzzjoni ta’ ħsara tal-gwerra;

jew

(ii) ta’ żvilupp jew titjib agrikolu li s-sid jew

okkupant tal-art ikun ġie mitlub, u jkun mingħajr

skuża raġonevoli u legali rrofta jew naqas li

jagħmel.

(3) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma għandha tinftiehem li tolqot

l-egħmil jew ħdim ta’ xi liġi safejn tipprovdi għall-għoti lill-Gvern

tal-proprjetà ta’ xi minerali, ilma jew antikitajiet ta’ taħt l-art.

(4) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma għandha tinftiehem li tolqot

l-egħmil jew ħdim ta’ xi liġi għat-teħid ta’ pussess obbligatorju fl-

interess pubbliku ta’ xi proprjetà, jew l-akkwist obbligatorju fl-

interess pubbliku u ta’ xi interess fi jew dritt fuq proprjetà, meta

dik il-proprjetà, interess jew dritt huwa miżmum minn għaqda

korporata li hija mwaqqfa għal skopijiet pubbliċi minn xi liġi u li

fiha ebda flejjes ma ġew investiti barra minn flejjes provduti minn

xi leġislatura f’Malta.

38. (1) Ħief bil-kunsens tiegħu stess jew b’dixxiplina tal-

ġenituri, ħadd ma għandu jiġi assoġġettat għat-tfittix fuq il-persuna

tiegħu jew proprjetà tiegħu jew għad-dħul minn oħrajn fil-post

tiegħu.

(2) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew li hija magħmula skont l-awtorità

ta’ xi liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur

ta’ dan l-artikolu safejn dik il-liġi tagħmel provvediment -

(a) li jkun raġonevolment meħtieġ fl-interess tad-difiża,

sigurtà pubblika, ordni pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza

pubblika, saħħa pubblika, pjani regolaturi ta’ bliet u

rħula, l-iżvilupp u utilizzazzjoni ta’ risorsi minerali,

jew l-iżvilupp u utilizzazzjoni ta’ xi proprjetà b’dak il-

mod biex jinġieb ’il quddiem il-benefiċċju pubbliku;

(b) li jkun raġonevolment meħtieġ sabiex jinġiebu ’l

quddiem id-drittijiet u l-libertajiet ta’ persuni oħra;

(ċ) li jawtorizza dipartiment tal-Gvern ta’ Malta, jew

awtorità tal-gvern lokali, jew għaqda korporata

mwaqqfa b’liġi għal skop pubbliku, li jidħol fil-post

ta’ xi persuna sabiex jispezzjona dak il-post jew xi

ħaġa li jkun hemm fih għall-fini ta’ xi taxxa, rata jew

drittijiet jew sabiex jagħmel xogħol li għandu

x’jaqsam ma’ xi proprjetà jew xi installazzjoni li tkun

legalment f’dak il-post u li tkun ta’ dak il-Gvern, dik l-

awtorità, jew dik l-għaqda korporata, skont il-każ; jew

(d) li jawtorizza, għall-fini ta’ esekuzzjoni ta’ sentenza

jew ordni ta’ qorti, it-tfittix ta’ xi persuna jew

proprjetà b’ordni ta’ qorti jew dħul f’xi post b’ordni

bħal dak, jew li jkun meħtieġ sabiex jiġu evitati jew

mikxufa reati kriminali,

u ħlief safejn dak il-provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa

m a g ħ m ul a s ko n t l- a w t or i tà t ie għ u, h ij a m ur i ja l i m a tk un x

ġustifikabbli raġonevolment f’soċjetà demokratika.

39. (1) Kull meta xi ħadd ikun akkużat b’reat kriminali huwa

għandu, kemm-il darba l-akkuża ma tiġix irtirata, jiġi mogħti smigħ

xieraq għeluq żmien raġonevoli minn qorti indipendenti u

imparzjali mwaqqfa b’liġi.

(2) Kull qorti jew awtorità oħra ġudikanti mwaqqfa b’liġi

għad-deċiżjoni dwar l-eżistenza jew l-estensjoni ta’ drittijiet jew

obbligi ċivili għandha tkun indipendenti u imparzjali; u meta l-

proċeduri għal deċiżjoni bħal dik huma mibdija minn xi persuna

quddiem qorti jew awtorità oħra ġudikanti bħal dik, il-każ għandu

jiġi mogħti smigħ xieraq għeluq żmien raġonevoli.

(3) Ħlief bil-ftehim tal-partijiet kollha, il-proċeduri kollha ta’

kull qorti u l-proċeduri dwar id-deċiżjoni tal-eżistenza jew l-

estensjoni tad-drittijiet jew obbligi ċivili ta’ persuna quddiem xi

awtorità ġudikanti oħra, magħdud il-pronunzjament tad-deċiżjoni

tal-qorti jew awtorità oħra, għandhom jinżammu fil-pubbliku.

(4) Ebda ħaġa fis-subartikolu (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandha

timpedixxi lil xi qorti jew xi awtorità bħalma hija msemmija f’dak

is-subartikolu milli teskludi mill-proċeduri persuni li ma jkunux il-

partijiet tal-proċeduri u r-rappreżentanti legali tagħhom -

(a) fi proċeduri quddiem qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni volontarja

u proċeduri oħra li, fil-prattika tal-Qrati f’Malta jiġu,

jew huma tal-istess xorta bħal dawk li jiġu, deċiżi in

camera;

(b) fi proċeduri skont xi liġi dwar it-taxxa fuq l-income;

jew

(ċ) safejn il-qorti jew awtorità oħra -

(i)

tista’ tqis meħtieġ jew espedjenti f’ċirkostanzi li

fihom il-pubbliċità tista’ tippreġudika l-interessi

tal-ġustizzja; jew

(ii) jista’ jkollha setgħa jew tkun meħtieġa b’liġi li

tagħmel hekk fl-interess tad-difiża, sigurtà

pubblika, ordni pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza

pubblika, il-ġid ta’ persuni taħt l-età ta’ tmintax-

il sena jew il-protezzjoni tal-ħajja privata ta’

persuni li jkollhom x’jaqsmu mal-proċeduri.

(5) Kull min jiġi akkużat b’reat kriminali għandu jiġi meqjus li

jkun innoċenti sakemm jiġi pruvat jew ikun wieġeb li huwa ħati

Iżda ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità

ta’ xi liġi ma titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan is-

subartikolu safejn dik il-liġi timponi fuq xi persuna akkużata kif

intqal qabel il-piż tal-prova ta’ fatti partikolari.

(6)

Kull min ikun akkużat b’reat kriminali -

(a) għandu jiġi nformat bil-miktub, b’ilsien li huwa jifhem

u bid-dettalji, dwar ix-xorta tar-reat li bih ikun

akkużat;

(b) għandu jiġi mogħti żmien u faċilitajiet xierqa għall-

preparazzjoni tad-difiża tiegħu;

(ċ) għandu jitħalla jiddefendi ruħu personalment jew

permezz ta’ rappreżentant legali u min ma jkunx jista’

jħallas għal rappreżentanza legali hekk kif tkun

meħtieġa raġonevolment miċ-ċirkostanzi tal-każ

tiegħu jkollu dritt li jkollu dik ir-rappreżentanza bi

spejjeż pubbliċi;

(d) għandu jiġi mogħti faċilitajiet biex jeżamina

personalment jew permezz tar-rappreżentant legali

tiegħu x-xhieda msejħa mill-prosekuzzjoni quddiem

kull qorti u li jikseb l-attendenza ta’ xhieda suġġett

għall-ħlas tal-ispejjeż raġonevoli tagħhom, u jagħmel

l-eżami tax-xhieda li jkunu ser jixhdu għalih quddiem

il-qorti bl-istess kondizzjonijiet bħal dawk li jgħoddu

għal xhieda msejħa mill-prosekuzzjoni; u

(e) għandu jitħalla li jkollu bla ħlas l-għajnuna ta’

interpretu jekk ma jkunx jista’ jifhem l-ilsien użat fil-

proċeduri dwar l-akkuża,

u ħlief bil-kunsens tiegħu stess il-proċeduri ma jistgħux jinżammu

fl-assenza tiegħu ħlief jekk huwa jġib ruħu hekk li jagħmel it-

tkomplija tal-proċeduri fil-preżenza tiegħu imprattikabbli u l-qorti

tkun ordnat li jiġi mwarrab u li l-proċeduri jitkomplew fl-assenza

tiegħu.

(7) Meta xi ħadd jgħaddi proċeduri dwar reat kriminali, il-

persuna akkużata jew xi persuna awtorizzata minnha għal hekk

għandha, jekk hekk teħtieġ u bi ħlas ta’ dak id-dritt raġonevoli li

jista’ jkun preskritt b’liġi, tiġi mogħtija fi żmien raġonevoli wara s-

sentenza kopja għall-użu tal-persuna akkużata ta’ kull inkartament

tal-proċeduri magħmula minn jew għan-nom tal-qorti.

(8) Ħadd ma għandu jitqies li jkun ħati ta’ reat kriminali

minħabba f’xi att jew omissjoni li, fil-ħin meta jkun sar, ma jkunx

jikkostitwixxi reat bħal dak, u ebda piena ma għandha tiġi mposta

għal xi reat kriminali li tkun aktar severa fi grad jew xorta mill-

ogħla piena li setgħet tiġi mposta għal dak ir-reat fiż-żmien meta

jkun ġie magħmul.

(9) Ebda persuna li turi li tkun għaddiet proċeduri quddiem xi

qorti kompetenti għal reat kriminali u jew tkun ġiet misjuba ħatja

jew liberata ma għandha terġa’ tgħaddi proċeduri għal dak ir-reat

jew għal xi reat kriminali ieħor li għalih setgħat tiġi misjuba ħatja

fil-proċeduri għal dak ir-reat ħlief wara ordni ta’ qorti superjuri

mogħti matul il-kors ta’ appell jew proċeduri ta’ reviżjoni dwar id-

dikjarazzjoni ta’ ħtija jew liberazzjoni; u ebda persuna ma għandha

tgħaddi proċeduri għal reat kriminali jekk turi li tkun ħadet il-

maħfra għal dak ir-reat

Iżda ebda ħaġa f’xi liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun

inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan is-subartikolu minħabba biss

li tawtorizza xi qorti li tagħmel proċeduri kontra membru ta’ korp

d ix x ip li n a t g ħa l r e a t k r im i na li no no s t a n ti k u ll p r oċ e du r i u

dikjarazzjoni ta’ ħtija jew liberazzjoni ta’ dak il-membru skont il-

liġi dixxiplinarja ta’ dak il-korp, imma hekk illi kull qorti li tkun

hekk tiġġudika dak il-membru u li hekk issibu ħati għandha meta

tikkundannah għal xi piena tieħu kont ta’ kull piena mogħtija lilu

skont dik il-liġi dixxiplinarja.

(10) Ebda persuna li tgħaddi proċeduri għal reat kriminali ma

għandha tkun obbligata li tixhed fil-proċeduri kontra tagħha.

(11) F’dan l-artikolu "rappreżentant legali" tfisser persuna

intitolata li teżerċita f’Malta bħala avukat jew, ħlief dwar proċeduri

quddiem qorti fejn prokuratur legali ma għandux dritt ta’ smigħ,

prokuratur legali.

40. (1) Il-persuni kollha f’Malta għandu jkollhom libertà

sħiħa ta’ kuxjenza u jgawdu l-eżerċizzju liberu tal-mod rispettiv

tagħhom ta’ qima reliġjuża.

(2) Ebda persuna ma tkun meħtieġa li tirċievi tagħlim fir-

reliġjon jew li turi tagħrif jew profiċjenza fir-reliġjon jekk, fil-każ

t a’ p ersun a li m a t kunx l aħqet l-età t a’ si ttax -i l sen a, issir

oġġezzjoni għal din il-ħtieġa mill-persuna li skont il-liġi jkollha

awtorità fuqha u, f ’kull każ ieħor, jekk il-persuna hekk meħtieġa

toġġezzjona

Iżda ebda ħtieġa bħal dik ma għandha titqies li tkun

inkonsistenti ma’, jew bi ksur ta’, dan l-artikolu safejn it-tagħrif

ta’, jew il-profiċjenza jew istruzzjoni fi, ir-reliġjon ikunu meħtieġa

għat-tagħlim ta’ dik ir-reliġjon, jew għal ammissjoni għas-

saċerdozju jew għal ordni reliġjuż, jew għal għanijiet oħra relijjużi,

u ħlief safejn dik il-ħtieġa tiġi murija li ma tkunx raġonevolment

ġustifikabbli f’soċjetà demokratika.

(3) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ xi

liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur tas-

subartikolu (1), safejn dik il-liġi tagħmel provvediment li jkun

meħtieġ raġonevolment fl-interess tas-sigurtà pubblika, ordni

pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza pubblika, saħħa pubblika, jew il-

protezzjoni tad-drittijiet u libertajiet ta’ oħrajn, u ħlief safejn dak

il-provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa magħmula skont l-

awtorità tiegħu, hija murija li ma tkunx ġustifikabbli

raġonevolment f’soċjetà demokratika.

41. (1) Ħlief bil-kunsens tiegħu stess jew bħala dixxiplina tal-

ġenituri, ħadd ma għandu jiġi mfixkel fit-tgawdija tal-libertà tiegħu

ta’ espressjoni, magħduda libertà li jkollu fehmiet mingħajr indħil,

libertà li jirċievi idejiet u tagħrif mingħajr indħil, libertà li

jikkomunika idejiet u tagħrif mingħajr indħil (kemm jekk il-

komunikazzjoni tkun lill-pubbliku in ġenerali jew lil xi persuna jew

klassi ta’ persuni) u libertà minn indħil dwar il-korrispondenza

tiegħu.

(2) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ xi

liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur tas-

subartikol u (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu safejn di k il-liġi tagħm el

provvediment -

(a) li jkun meħtieġ raġonevolment -

(i)

fl-interess tad-difiża, sigurtà pubblika, ordni

pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza pubblika, jew

saħħa pubblika; jew

(ii) sabiex jiġu protetti r-reputazzjonijiet, drittijiet u

libertajiet ta’ persuni oħra, jew il-ħajja privata

ta’ persuni li jkollhom x’jaqsmu ma’ proċeduri

legali, jiġi evitat il-kxif ta’ tagħrif riċevut

sigriet, tiġi miżmuma l-awtorità u l-

indipendenza tal-qrati, jiġu protetti l-privileġġi

tal-Parlament, jew jiġu regolati t-telefonu, it-

telegrafu, il-posta, ix-xandir bil-wireless, it-

televiżjoni jew mezzi oħra ta’ komunikazzjoni,

esibizzjonijiet

pubbliċi

jew

divertimenti

pubbliċi; jew

(b) li jimponi restrizzjonijiet fuq uffiċjali pubbliċi,

u ħlief safejn dak il-provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa

magħmula skont l-awtorità tiegħu tiġi murija li ma tkunx

raġonevolment ġustifikabbli f’soċjetà demokratika.

(3) Kull min ikun residenti f’Malta jista’ joħroġ jew jistampa

gazzetta jew ġurnal pubblikat kull jum jew perjodikament

Iżda jista’ jsir provvediment b’liġi -

(a) li jipprojbixxi jew jillimita l-ħruġ jew stampar ta’ xi

gazzetta jew ġurnal bħal dak minn persuni taħt il-

wieħed u għoxrin sena ta’ età; u

(b) li jeħtieġ kull persuna li tkun l-editur jew stampatur ta’

xi gazzetta jew ġurnal bħal dak li tinforma l-awtorità

preskritta b’hekk u dwar l-età tagħha u li żżomm lill-

awtorità preskritta informata dwar il-post tar-residenza

tagħha.

(4) Meta l-pulizija taqbad xi edizzjoni ta’ gazzetta bħala li tkun

il-mezz li bih reat kriminali jkun ġie magħmul il-pulizija għandha

fi żmien erbgħa u għoxrin siegħa mill-qbid iġġib il-qbid għak-

konjizzjoni tal-qorti kompetenti u jekk il-qorti ma tkunx sodisfatta

li jkun hemm prova prima facie ta’ dak ir-reat, dik l-edizzjoni

għandha tiġi mogħtija lura lill-persuna li minn għandha tkun ġiet

maqbuda.

(5) Ħadd ma jkun ipprivat miċ-ċittadinanza tiegħu skont xi

disposizzjonijiet magħmula taħt l-artikolu 30 (1) (b) ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni jew mill-kapaċità ġuridika tiegħu minħabba biss l-

opinjoni politika tiegħu.

42. (1) Ħlief bil-kunsens tiegħu stess jew bħala dixxiplina tal-

ġenituri ħadd ma għandu jiġi mfixkel fit-tgawdija tal-libertà tiegħu

ta’ għaqda u assoċjazzjoni paċifika, jiġifieri, id-dritt tiegħu li

jingħaqad paċifikament u liberament u jassoċja ma’ persuni oħra u

b’mod partikolari li jifforma jew jappartjeni lil trade union jew

unions jew assoċjazzjonijiet oħra għall-protezzjoni tal-interessi

tiegħu.

(2) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ xi

liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan

l-artikolu safejn dik il-liġi tagħmel provvediment-

(a) li jkun meħtieg raġonevolment -

(i)

fl-interess tad-difiża, sigurtà pubblika, ordni

pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza pubblika, jew

saħħa pubblika; jew

(ii) sabiex jiġu protetti d-drittijiet jew libertajiet ta’

persuni oħra; jew

(b) li jimponi restrizzjonijiet fuq uffiċjali pubbliċi,

u ħlief safejn dak il-provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa

magħmula skont l-awtorità tiegħu hija murija li ma tkunx

ġustifikabbli raġonevolment f’soċjetà demokratika.

(3) Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, kull disposizzjoni f’xi liġi

li tipprojbixxi li jsiru meetings jew dimostrazzjonijiet pubbliċi f’xi

belt jew raħal partikolari jew f ’aktar minn belt waħda jew raħal

wieħed partikolari għandha titqies li hi disposizzjoni li m’hijiex

raġonevolment ġustifikabbli f’soċjetà demokratika.

43. (1) L-estradizzjoni hija permessa biss in esekuzzjoni ta’

arranġamenti magħmula bi trattat u skont l-awtorità ta’ liġi.

(2)

Ħadd ma għandu jiġi estradett għal reat ta’ karattru

politiku.

(3) Ebda ċittadin ta’ Malta ma għandu jiġi mwarrab minn Malta

ħlief bħala konsegwenza ta’ proċeduri ta’ estradizzjoni jew skont xi

liġi bħalma hija msemmija fl-artikolu 44(3)( b ) ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni.

(4) Id-disposizzjonijiet magħmula bi jew skont l-Att dwar l-

Estradizzjoni * li jkunu għal dak iż-żmien fis-seħħ, għat-tneħħija ta’

persuni minn Malta għal pajjiż ieħor tal-Commonwealth biex

jgħaddu proċeduri jew jiskuntaw piena f ’dak il-pajjiż dwar reat

magħmul f ’dak il-pajjiż u kull arranġamenti ġenerali għall-

estradizzjoni ta’ persuni bejn pajjiżi tal-Commonwealth li għalihom

Malta għal dak iż-żmien taderixxi għandhom jitqiesu, għall-finijiet

tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu, li jkunu arranġamenti

magħmula bi trattat, u s-subartikolu (2) ma jgħoddx dwar it-

tneħħija jew estradizzjoni ta’ persuna skont dawk id-

disposizzjonijiet jew arranġamenti.

44. (1) Ebda ċittadin ta’ Malta ma għandu jiġi pprivat mil-

libertà tiegħu ta’ moviment, u għall-fini ta’ dan l-artikolu din il-

libertà tfisser id-dritt ta’ moviment liberu ġewwa Malta, id-dritt li

jirrisjedi f ’kull parti ta’ Malta, id-dritt li joħroġ minn Malta u d-

dritt li jidħol Malta.

(2) Kull restrizzjoni tal-libertà ta’ moviment ta’ ċittadin, li tkun

involuta fid-detenzjoni tiegħu legali ma għandhiex titqies li tkun

inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan l-artikolu.

(3) Ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ xi

liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ dan

l-artikolu safejn dik il-liġi tagħmel provvediment -

(a) għall-impożizzjoni ta’ restrizzjonijiet li jkunu

raġonevolment meħtieġa fl-interess tad-difiża, sigurtà

pubblika, ordni pubbliku, moralità jew deċenza

pubblika, jew saħħa pubblika u ħlief safejn dak il-

provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa magħmula

skont l-awtorità tiegħu hija murija li ma tkunx

ġustifikabbli raġonevolment f’soċjetà demokratika;

(b) għall-impożizzjoni ta’ restrizzjonijiet fuq il-libertà ta’

moviment ta’ xi ċittadin ta’ Malta li ma jkunx ċittadin

bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 3(1) jew tal-artikolu 5(1) tal-Att

dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija kif ikun fis-seħħ mal-

bidu fis-seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li jemenda l-Att dwar iċ-

Ċittadinanza Maltija;

(ċ) għall-impożizzjoni ta’ restrizzjonijiet fuq il-moviment

jew residenza ġewwa Malta ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi; jew

(d) għall-imposizzjoni ta’ restrizzjonijiet fuq id-dritt ta’ xi

persuna li toħroġ minn Malta li jkunu raġonevolment

meħtieġa sabiex jiġi żgurat it-twettiq ta’ xi obbligu

impost fuq dik il-persuna b’liġi u ħlief safejn dak il-

provvediment jew, skont il-każ, il-ħaġa magħmula

*Dan l-Att issostitwixxa l-Att tal-1970 dwar l-Estradizzjoni (Pajjiżi tal-Common-

wealth).

skont l-awtorità tiegħu hija murija li ma tkunx

raġonevolment ġustifikabbli f’soċjetà demokratika.

(4)

Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu kull persuna -

(a) li tkun emigrat minn Malta (kemm jekk qabel, fi jew

wara l-ġurnata stabbilita) u, billi kienet ċittadin ta’

Malta bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 3(1) jew tal-artikolu 5(1)

tal-Att dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija kif ikun fis-seħħ

mal-bidu fis-seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li jemenda l-Att

dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija, tkun temmet milli tkun

ċittadin bħal dak; jew

(b) li emigrat minn Malta qabel il-ġurnata stabbilita u, li

ma kienx għaliex tkun temmet milli tkun ċittadin tar-

Renju Unit u Kolonji qabel dik il-ġurnata, kienet issir

ċittadin ta’ Malta bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 3(1) l-Att dwar

iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija kif ikun fis-seħħ mal-bidu fis-

seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li jemenda l-Att dwar iċ-

Ċittadinanza Maltija; jew

(ċ) * li jkun il-konjuġi ta’ persuna msemmija fil-paragrafu

(a) jew (b) ta’ dan is-subartikolu jew ta’ persuna li

tkun ċittadin ta’ Malta bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 3(1) jew

tal-artikolu 5(1) tal-Att dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija

kif ikun fis-seħħ mal-bidu fis-seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li

jemenda l-Att dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija u li tkun

miżżewġa lil dik il-persuna għal mill-inqas ħames snin

u li tkun tgħix ma’ dik il-persuna, jw tkun l-iben jew

il-bint taħt il-wieħed u għoxrin sena ta’ età ta’ dik il-

persuna; jew,

(d) li tkun l-armla jew l-armel ta’ persuna msemmija fil-

paragrafu (a) jew fil-paragrafu (b) ta’ dan is-

subartikolu jew ta’ persuna li fil-waqt tal-mewt tiegħu

jew tagħha kienet ċittadin ta’ Malta bis-saħħa tal-

artikolu 3(1) jew tal-artikolu 5(1) tal-Att dwar iċ-

Ċittadinanza Maltija kif ikun fis-seħħ mal-bidu fis-

seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li jemenda l-Att dwar iċ-

Ċittadinanza Maltija, u li kienet għadha tgħix miegħu

jew jgħix magħha fil-waqt tal-mewt tiegħu jew tagħha

u li kienet ilha miżżewġa lil dik il-persuna għal mill-

inqas ħames snin, jew li kieku kienet, li ma kienx

għall-mewt ta’ dik il-persuna, tkun ilha hekk

miżżewġa għal mill-inqas ħames snin, jew tkun l-iben

jew il-bint taħt l-età ta’ wieħed u għoxrin sena ta’ dik

il-persuna,

għandha titqies li tkun ċittadin ta’ Malta bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 3(1)

jew tal-artikolu 5(1) tal-Att dwar iċ-Ċittadinanza Maltija kif ikun

fis-seħħ mal-bidu fis-seħħ tal-Att tal-2000 li jemenda l-Att dwar iċ-

Ċittadinanza Maltija

Iżda jekk il-Ministru responsabbli għall-ħwejjeġ li

għandhom x’jaqsmu maċ-ċittadinanza Maltija f ’xi żmien b’ordni

*Ara l-artikolu 5 tal-Att XIII tal-2001.

jiddikjara li jkun kontra l-interess pubbliku li konjuġi kif hemm

imsemmi fil-paragrafu (ċ), jew armla jew armel kif hemm imsemmi

fil-paragrafu (d), jew iben jew bint li jkollhom ’il fuq minn tmintax

il-sena ta’ età kif hemm imsem mi fil-paragrafu ( ċ) jew (d)

għandhom hekk jitqiesu, jew ikomplu hekk jitqiesu, dawk il-

konjuġi, armla, armel, iben jew bint, skont il-każ, għandhom ma’

dan itemmu milli jitqiesu bħala ċittadini ta’ Malta kif imsemmi

qabel

Iżda wkoll, il-Ministru responsabbli għall-ħwejjeġ li

għandhom x’jaqsmu maċ-ċittadinanza Maltija ma għandux ikun

meħtieġ li jagħti ebda raġuni għall-ħruġ ta’ xi ordni msemmi fil-

proviso li jiġi minnufih qabel, u d-deċiżjoni tal-Ministru dwar xi

ordni bħal dan ma għandha tkun suġġetta għal appell jew stħarriġ

f’ebda qorti.

(5) Jekk xi ħadd li l-libertà ta’ moviment tiegħu tkun ġiet

ristretta bis-saħħa ta’ provvediment skont ma hu maħsub fis-

subartikolu (3)(a) ta’ dan l-artikolu hekk jitlob f’xi żmien matul il-

perijodu ta’ dik ir-restrizzjoni mhux qabel sitt xhur wara li jkun sar

l-ordni jew sitt xhur wara li jkun għamel l-aħħar talba bħal dik,

skont il-każ, il-każ tiegħu jiġi rivedut minn tribunal indipendenti u

imparzjali mwaqqaf b’liġi magħmul minn persuna jew persuni li

kull waħda minnhom ikollha jew kellha kariga ġudizzjarja jew tkun

kwalifikata biex tkun maħtura għal kariga bħal dik f’Malta

Iżda persuna li l-libertà ta’ moviment tagħha tkun ġiet

ristretta bis-saħħa ta’ restrizzjoni li tkun applikabbli lil persuni

b’mod ġenerali jew lil gruppi ġenerali ta’ persuni ma għandhiex

tagħmel talba skont dan is-subartikolu jekk ma tkunx kisbet qabel

il-kunsens tal-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili.

(6) Wara reviżjoni minn tribunal skont dan l-artikolu tal-każ ta’

persuna li l-libertà ta’ moviment tagħha tkun ġiet ristretta t-tribunal

jista’ jagħmel rakkomandazzjonijiet dwar il-ħtieġa jew espedjenza

li titkompla r-restrizzjoni lill-awtorità li minnha tkun ġiet ordnata

iżda, jekk ma jkunx provdut xort’oħra b’liġi, dik l-awtorità ma

tkunx obbligata li taġixxi skont xi rakkomandazzjonijiet bħal dawk.

45. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (4), (5)

u (7) ta’ dan l-artikolu, ebda liġi ma għandha tagħmel xi

disposizzjoni li tkun diskriminatorja sew fiha nnifisha jew fl-effett

tagħha.

(2) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (6), (7) u

(8) ta’ dan l-artikolu, ħadd ma għandu jiġi trattat b’mod

diskriminatorju minn xi persuna li taġixxi bis-saħħa ta’ xi liġi

miktuba jew fil-qadi tal-funzjonijiet ta’ xi kariga pubblika jew xi

awtorità pubblika.

(3) F’dan l-artikolu, il-kelma "diskriminatorju" tfisser għoti ta’

trattament differenti lil persuni differenti attribwibbli għal kollox

jew prinċipalment għad-deskrizzjoni tagħhom rispettiva skont ir-

razza, post ta’ oriġini, opinjonijiet politiċi, kulur, fidi, sess,

orjentazzjoni sesswali jew identità tal-ġeneru li minħabba fihom

persuni ta’ deskrizzjoni waħda bħal dawn ikunu suġġetti għal

inkapaċitajiet jew restrizzjonijiet li persuni ta’ deskrizzjoni oħra

bħal dawn ma jkunux suġġetti għalihom jew ikunu mogħtija

privileġġi jew vantaġġi li ma jkunux mogħtija lil persuni ta’

deskrizzjoni oħra bħal dawn.

(4) Is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandux jgħodd

għal xi liġi safejn dik il-liġi tipprovdi -

(a) għall-approprjazzjoni ta’ dħul pubbliku jew fondi

pubbliċi oħra; jew

(b) dwar persuni li ma jkunux ċittadini ta’ Malta; jew

(ċ) dwar adozzjoni, żwieġ, xoljiment ta’ żwieġ, dfin,

devoluzzjoni ta’ proprjetà mal-mewt jew xi ħwejjeġ ta’

liġi personali mhux hawn qabel speċifikati; jew

(d) li biha persuni ta’ xi deskrizzjoni bħal dik kif hija

msemmija fis-subartikolu (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu jistgħu

jiġu assoġġettati għal xi inkapaċità jew restrizzjoni

jew jistgħu jiġu mogħtija xi privileġġ jew vantaġġ li,

meta jittieħed kont tax-xorta ta’ dawn u ta’ ċirkostanzi

speċjali li jappartjenu lil dawk il-persuni jew lil

persuni ta’ xi deskrizzjoni oħra bħal dik u ta’ kull

disposizzjoni oħra ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, ikun

raġonevolment ġustifi-kabbli f’soċjetà demokratika;

jew

(e) għall-awtorizzazzjoni tat-teħid matul perijodu ta’

emerġenza pubblika ta’ miżuri li jkunu raġonevolment

ġustifikabbli sabiex tiġi milqugħa s-sitwazzjoni li tkun

teżisti matul dak il-perijodu ta’ emerġenza pubblika

Iżda l-paragrafu (ċ) ta’ dan is-subartikolu ma għandux

japplika għal xi liġi li tagħmel xi disposizzjoni li tkun

diskriminatorja sew fiha nnifisha jew fl-effett tagħha, billi tagħti

trattament differenti lil persuni differenti attribwibbli għal kollox

jew prinċipalment għad-deskrizzjoni tagħhom skont is-sess.

(5) Ebda ħaġa li jkun hemm f’xi liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun

inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu

sa fejn tipprovdi

(a) dwar kwalifiki għal servizz u kundizzjonijiet ta’

servizz f’xi korp dixxiplinat; jew

(b) dwar kwalifiki (li ma jkunux kwalifiki li jirrigwardaw

is-sess, 1-orjentazzjoni sesswali jew 1-identità tal-

ġeneru speċifikament) għal servizz bħala uffiċjal

pubbliku jew għas-servizz ta’ awtorità ta’ gvern lokali

jew għaqda korporata mwaqqfa għal skopijiet pubbliċi

b’xi liġi.

(6) Is-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandux jgħodd

għal xi ħaġa li tkun espressament jew b’implikazzjoni meħtieġa

awtorizzata li ssir minn xi disposizzjoni bħal dik ta’ liġi kif huwa

msemmi fis-subartikolu (4) jew (5) ta’ dan l-artikolu.

(7) Ebda ħaġa li tkun hemm jew li tkun magħmula bl-awtorità

ta’ xi liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma jew bi ksur ta’

dan l-artikolu safejn il-liġi in kwistjoni tagħmel provvediment (li

ma jkunux provvedimenti li jirrigwardaw is-sess speċifikatament)

li li bih persuni ta’ xi deskrizzjoni bħal dik kif hija msemmija fis-

subartikolu (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu jistgħu jiġu assoġġettati għal xi

restrizzjoni fuq drittijiet u libertajiet garantiti bl-artikoli 38, 40, 41,

42 u 44 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, li tkun restrizzjoni bħal dik kif

awtorizzata bl-artikolu 38(2), 40(2), 41(2), 42(2) jew 44(3).

(8) Ebda ħaġa fis-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandha

tolqot xi diskrezzjoni dwar l-egħmil, tmexxija jew nuqqas ta’

tkomplija ta’ proċeduri ċivili jew kriminali f ’xi qorti li jkollha xi

persuna bi jew skont din il-Kostituzzjoni jew xi liġi oħra.

(9) Ħtieġa, tkun magħmula kif tkun, li r-Reliġjon Kattolika

Apostolika Rumana għandha tiġi mgħallma minn persuna li tkun

tipprofessa dik ir-reliġjon ma titqiesx li hi inkonsistenti ma’, jew bi

ksur ta’, dan l-artikolu.

(10) Sa tmiem ta’ perjodu ta’ sentejn li jibda fl-1 ta’ Lulju, 1991,

ebda ħaġa li hemm f’xi liġi magħmula qabel l-1 ta’ Lulju, 1991, ma

titqies li tkun inkonsistenti mad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu,

billi dik il-liġi tkun tipprovdi għal trattament differenti lil persuni

differenti attribwibbli għal kollox jew prinċipalment għad-

deskrizzjoni tagħhom rispettiva skont is-sess.

(11) Ebda ħaġa fid-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu ma

għandha tgħodd għal xi liġi, jew għal xi ħaġa magħmula taħt l-

awtorità ta’ xi liġi, jew għal xi proċedura jew arranġament, sa fejn

dik il-liġi, ħaġa magħmula, proċedura jew arranġament jipprovdu

għat-tehid ta’ miżuri speċjali bil-għan li ti ġi aċċellerata l-

ugwaljanza de facto bejn irġiel u nisa, u sa fejn biss dawk il-miżuri,

meħud kont tat-tessut soċjali ta’ Malta, ikunu murija li huma

raġjonevolment ġustifikati f’soċjetà demokratika.

46. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (6) u

(7) ta’ dan l-artikolu, kull persuna li tallega li xi waħda mid-

disposizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 33 sa 45 (magħdudin) ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni tkun ġiet, tkun qed tiġi jew tkun x’aktarx ser tiġi

miksura dwarha, jew kull persuna oħra li l-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti

Ċivili f’Malta tista’ taħtar ad istanza ta’ xi persuna li hekk tallega,

tista’, bla ħsara għal kull azzjoni oħra dwar l-istess ħaġa li tkun

tista’ ssir legalment, titlob lill-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili għal

rimedju.

(2) Il-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili għandu jkollha ġurisdizzjoni

oriġinali li tisma’ u tiddeċidi kull talba magħmula minn xi persuna

skont is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu, u tista’ tagħmel dawk l-

ordnijiet, toħroġ dawk l-atti u tagħti dawk id-direttivi li tqis xierqa

sabiex twettaq, jew tiżgura t-twettiq ta’ kull waħda mid-

disposizzjonijiet tal-imsemmija artikoli 33 sa 45 (magħdudin) li

għall-protezzjoni tagħhom tkun intitolata dik il-persuna

Iżda l-Qorti tista’, jekk tqis li jkun desiderabbli li hekk

tagħmel, tirrifjuta li teżerċita s-setgħat tagħha skont dan is-

subartikolu f ’kull każ meta tkun sodisfatta li mezzi xierqa ta’

rimedju għall-ksur allegat huma jew kienu disponibbli favur dik il-

persuna skont xi liġi oħra.

(3) Jekk f’xi proċeduri f’xi qorti li ma tkunx il-Prim’Awla tal-

Qorti Ċivili jew il-Qorti Kostituzzjonali tqum xi kwistjoni dwar il-

ksur ta’ xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet tal-imsemmija artikoli 33 sa

45 (magħdudin), dik il-qorti għandha tibgħat il-kwistjoni quddiem

il-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili kemm-il darba fil-fehma tagħha t-

tqanqil tal-kwistjoni ma tkunx sempliċement frivola jew vessatorja;

u dik il-qorti għandha tagħti d-deċiżjoni tagħha fuq kull kwistjoni

mibgħuta quddiemha skont dan is-subartikolu u, bla ħsara għad-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-qorti li

quddiemha tkun qamet il-kwistjoni għandha tiddisponi mill-

kwistjoni skont dik id-deċiżjoni.

(4) Kull parti fi proċeduri miġjuba quddiem il-Prim’Awla tal-

Qorti Ċivili skont dan l-artikolu jkollha dritt ta’ appell quddiem il-

Qorti Kostituzzjonali.

(5) Ma jkunx hemm appell minn xi deċiżjoni skont dan l-

artikolu li xi talba jew it-tqanqil ta’ xi kwistjoni tkun sempliċement

frivola jew vessatorja.

(6) Jista’ jsir provvediment bi jew skont Att tal-Parlament biex

jiġu mogħtija lill-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili dawk is-setgħat

b’żieda għal dawk mogħtija b’dan l-artikolu li jkunu meħtieġa jew

mixtieqa sabiex il-Qorti tkun tista’ aktar effettivament teżerċita l-

ġurisdizzjoni mogħtija lilha b’dan l-artikolu.

(7) Regolamenti tal-qorti li jipprovdu dwar il-prattika u

proċedura tal-Qrati ta’ Malta għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu jistgħu

jiġu magħmula mill-persuna jew awtorità li għal dak iż-żmien

ikollha setgħa li tagħmel regolamenti tal-qorti dwar il-prattika u

proċedura ta’ dawk il-Qrati, u għandhom ikunu maħsuba biex jiġi

żgurat li l-proċedura għandha tkun b’rikors u illi s-smigħ għandu

jkun b’kull ħeffa possibbli.

47. (1) F’dan il-Kapitolu, ħlief fejn ir-rabta tal-kliem ma

teħtieġx xort’oħra, il-kliem li ġejjin ikollhom it-tifsiriet li ġejjin

rispettivament, jiġifieri -

"korp dixxiplinat" tfisser -

(a) korp navali, militari jew tal-ajru tal-Gvern ta’ Malta;

(b) il-Korp tal-Pulizija ta’ Malta;

(ċ) kull korp ieħor ta’ pulizija mwaqqaf b’liġi f’Malta;

(d) is-servizz tal-ħabs ta’ Malta;

(e) il-Forza ta’ Għajnuna u Salvataġġ fi ħdan id-Dipartiment

tal-Protezzjoni Ċivili;

"ksur", dwar xi ħtieġa, tinkludi nuqqas ta’ tħaris ta’ dik il-ħtieġa,

u kliem simili għandhom jiftehmu skont hekk;

"liġi dixxiplinarja" tfisser liġi li tirregola d-dixxiplina -

(a) ta’ xi korp dixxiplinat;

(b) ta’ persuni li jkunu qed jiskontaw kundanni ta’ ħabs;

"membru", dwar korp dixxiplinat, tinkludi kull persuna li, skont

il-liġi li tirregola d-dixxiplina ta’ dak il-korp, tkun suġġetta għal

dik id-dixxiplina;

"qorti" tfisser kull qorti f ’Malta li ma tkunx qorti mwaqqfa bi

jew skont liġi dixxiplinarja u fl-artikoli 33 u 35 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni tinkludi, dwar reat kontra liġi dixxiplinarja qorti

hekk imwaqqfa.

(2) F’dan il-Kapitolu "perijodu ta’ emerġenza pubblika" tfisser

kull perijodu li matulu -

(a) Malta tkun qegħda f’xi gwerra; jew

(b) tkun isseħħ proklama mill-President li tiddikjara li

jeżisti stat ta’ emerġenza pubblika; jew

(ċ) tkun isseħħ riżoluzzjoni tal-Kamra tad-Deputati li jkun

hemm jaqblu magħha l-voti ta’ mħux anqas minn żewġ

terzi tal-Membri kollha tal-Kamra li tiddikjara li l-

istituzzjonijiet demokratiċi f’Malta huma mhedda

b’sovversjoni.

(3) (a)Meta tkun saret xi proklama ta’ emergenza, ir-raġuni li

għaliha tkun saret għandha tiġi komunikata minnufih lill-Kamra

tad-Deputati u, jekk il-Kamra ma tkunx f’dak iż-żmien ser tiltaqa’

b’dak l-aġġornament jew proroga li ma jtemmux għeluq għaxart

ijiem il-President għandu bi proklama jsejħilha biex tiltaqa’ fi

żmien ħamest ijiem u għandha hekk tiltaqa’ u żżomm seduta fil-

ġurnata stabbilita bil-proklama u tkompli tiltaqa’ u taġixxi

bħallikieku kienet aġġornata jew prorogata għal dik il-ġurnata.

(b) Proklama ta’ emerġenza għandha, kemm-il darba ma tiġix

imħassra qabel mill-President, tispiċċa mis-seħħ fit-tmiem ta’

perijodu ta’ erbatax-il ġurnata li jibda fid-data li fiha tkun saret jew

dak il-perijodu itwal kif jista’ jkun provdut skont il-paragrafu li ġej

minnufih wara dan, iżda bla ħsara għall-egħmil ta’ proklama oħra

ta’ emerġenza fil jew qabel it-tmiem ta’ dak il-perijodu.

(ċ) Jekk f’xi żmien waqt li proklama ta’ emerġenza tkun isseħħ

(magħdud kull żmien waqt li tkun isseħħ bis-saħħa ta’ dan il-

paragrafu) riżoluzzjoni tiġi mgħoddija mill-Kamra tad-Deputati li

tapprova t-tkomplija fis-seħħ tagħha għal perijodu ieħor, ta’ mhux

iżjed minn tliet xhur, li jibda fid-data li fiha kieku kienet ittemm, il-

proklama għandha, jekk ma tiġix imħassra qabel, tkompli sseħħ

għal dak il-perijodu l-ieħor.

(4) Riżoluzzjoni bħal dik imsemmija fil-paragrafu (ċ) tas-

subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu għandha, kemm-il darba ma tkunx

imħassra qabel mill-Kamra tad-Deputati, tispiċċa mis-seħħ fit-

t m i e m t a ’ t n a x - i l x a h a r l i j i b d e w f i d - d a t a l i f i ha t k u n ġ i e t

mgħoddija jew f’dak il-perijodu aqsar kif jista’ jkun speċifikat fiha,

iżda mingħajr ħsara għall-mogħdija ta’ riżoluzzjoni oħra mill-

Kamra tad-Deputati bil-mod preskritt f ’dak il-paragrafu fil jew

qabel it-tmiem ta’ dak il-perijodu.

(5) Dwar kull persuna li tkun membru ta’ korp dixxiplinat

imwaqqaf skont xi liġi li tkun isseħħ f’Malta, ebda ħaġa li hemm fi

jew magħmula skont l-awtorità tal-liġi dixxiplinarja ta’ dak il-korp

ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ xi

waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Kapitolu li ma jkunux l-

artikoli 33, 35 u 36.

(6)

Dwar kull persuna li tkun membru ta’ korp dixxiplinat

imwaqqaf xort’oħra milli kif intqal qabel u preżenti legalment

f’Malta, ebda ħaġa li hemm fi jew magħmula skont l-awtorità tal-

liġi dixxiplinarja ta’ dak il-korp ma għandha titqies li tkun

inkonsistenti ma’ jew bi ksur ta’ xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet ta’

dan il-Kapitolu.

(7) Sa tmiem ta’ perijodu li jagħlaq fit-30 ta’ Ġunju, l993, ebda

ħaġa li hemm f’xi liġi speċifikata fl-Ewwel Skeda li tinsab ma’ din

il-Kostituzzjoni u, sat-tmiem ta’ perijodu ta’ tliet snin li jibda bil-

ġurnata stabbilita, ebda ħaġa li hemm f ’xi liġi oħra magħmula

qabel il-ġurnata stabbilita ma titqies li tkun inkonsistenti mad-

disposizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 33 sa 45 (magħdudin) ta’ dan il-

Kapitolu u, salv kif intqal qabel, ebda ħaġa magħmula skont l-

awtorità ta’ xi liġi bħal dik ma titqies li tkun saret bi ksur ta’ dawk

l-artikoli.

(8) Meta xi disposizzjoni ta’ liġi maħruġa qabel il-ġurnata

stabbilita titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’ xi waħda mid-

disposizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 33 sa 45 (magħdudin) ta’ dan il-

Kapitolu, ebda persuna ma jkollha dritt għal kumpens dwar xi ħaġa

magħmula skont l-awtorità ta’ dik id-disposizzjoni qabel ma kienet

hekk meqjusa bħala inkonsistenti.

(9) Ebda ħaġa fl-artikolu 37 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni ma

għandha tolqot il-ħdim ta’ xi liġi fis-seħħ minnufih qabel it-3 ta’

Marzu 1962 jew xi liġi magħmula fi jew wara dik id-data li

temenda jew tissostitwixxi xi liġi fis-seħħ minnufih qabel dik id-

data (jew xi liġi li minn żmien għal żmien tkun emendata jew

sostitwita bil-mod deskritt f’dan is-subartikolu) u li ma -

(a) iżżidx max-xorta ta’ proprjetà li jista’ jittieħed pussess

tagħha jew id-drittijiet fuq u interess fi proprjetà li

jistgħu jiġu miksuba;

(b) iżżidx mal-finijiet li għalihom jew ċirkostanzi li fihom

dik il-proprjetà jista’ jittieħed pussess tagħha jew tiġi

miksuba;

(ċ) tagħmilx il-kondizzjonijiet li jirregolaw id-dritt għal

kumpens jew l-ammont tiegħu anqas favorevoli lil xi

persuna li jkollha jew li tkun interessata fil-proprjetà;

jew

(d) tipprivax xi persuna minn xi dritt bħal dak li huwa

msemmi fil-paragrafu (b) jew paragrafu (ċ) tal-artikolu

37(1) ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

KAPITOLU V

Il-President

*

48. (1) Għandu jkun hemm President ta’ Malta li għandu jiġi

maħtur b’Riżoluzzjoni li jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda illi minkejja d-dispożizzjoni tas- subartikolu (3)(a), jekk ir-

*Nota: Is-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-artikolu ġie ommess għaliex kellu l-effett tiegħu.

Riżoluzzjoni ma jkollhiex favur tagħha il-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra, il-persuna li tkun tokkupa l-

kariga ta’ President ta’ Malta għandha, fi kwalunkwe ċirkostanza, tibqa’

fil-kariga sakemm ir-Riżoluzzjoni jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux

inqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra..

(2) Persuna ma tistax tiġi maħtura fil-kariga ta’ President

jekk -

(a) ma tkunx ċittadin ta’ Malta; jew

(b) ikollha jew kellha l-kariga ta’ Prim Imħallef jew

imħallef ieħor tal-Qorti Superjuri; jew

(ċ) ma tkunx eliġibbli għal ħatra jew biex taġixxi f’xi

kariga pubblika skont l-artikoli 109, 118 u 120 ta’ din

il-Kostituzzjoni.

(3)

Il-kariga ta’ President issir vakanti

(a) fit-tmiem ta’ ħames snin mid-data tal-ħatra f’dik il-

kariga; jew

(b) jekk id-detentur tal-kariga jitneħħa wara indirizz mill-

Kamra li jkollu favur tiegħu voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tagħha u jitolbu għal din

it-tneħħija fuq il-bażi ta’ inkapaċità pruvata li jwettaq il-

funzjonijiet tiegħu (sew jekk minħabba f’inkapaċità tal-

ġisem jew tal-moħħ jew minħabba xi kawża oħra) jew

imġiba ħażina pruvata

Iżda l-Parlament jista’ b’liġi jirregola l-proċedura għall-

preżentazzjoni ta’ indirizz u għall-investigazzjoni u

prova ta’ inkapaċità jew imġiba ħażina tad-detentur tal-

kariga taħt id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-paragrafu.

49. Kull meta l-kariga ta’ President tkun temporanjament

vakanti, u sakemm jiġi maħtur President ġdid, u kull meta d-

detentur tal-kariga jkun assenti minn Malta jew ikun bil-vakanzi

jew għal xi raġuni ma jkunx jista’ jaqdi l-funzjonijiet mogħtija lilu

b’din il-Kostituzzjoni, dawk il-funzjonijiet għandhom jiġu moqdija

minn dik il-persuna li l-Prim Ministru, wara konsultazzjoni mal-

Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni, jista’ jaħtar jew, jekk ma jkun hemm ebda

persuna f ’Malta hekk maħtura u li tkun tista’ taqdi dawk il-

funzjonijiet, mill-iSpeaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

* 50. Persuna

maħtura għal jew li tassumi l-funzjonijiet tal-

kariga ta’ President għandha, qabel ma tidħol f’dik il-kariga, tieħu

u tiffirma l-ġurament tal-kariga muri fit-Tieni Skeda li tinsab ma’

din il-Kostituzzjoni. Kull persuna maħtura fil-kariga ta’ President

skont is-subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu 48 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni

għandha tieħu l-ġurament tal-kariga quddiem il-Kamra.

KAPITOLU VI

Il-Parlament

*Ir-riferenza għas-subartikolu (4) tal-artikolu 48 ġiet imħollija barra billi dak is-

subartikolu ġie ommess.

TAQSIMA I

Għamla tal-Parlament

51. Għandu jkun hemm Parlament ta’ Malta li jkun magħmul

mill-President u minn Kamra tad-Deputati.

52. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-Kapitolu, il-

Kamra tad-Deputati tkun magħmula minn dak in-num ru ta’

membri, li jkun numru fard u li jkun diviżibbli bin-numru tad-

distretti elettorali, li l-Parlament jista’ minn żmien għal żmien

b’liġi jistabbilixxi. Dawk il-membri jiġu eletti bil-mod provdut

minn jew skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta bi

proporzjonijiet indaqs mid-distretti elettorali msemmija fl-artikolu

56 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, billi kull distrett jeleġġi dak in-numru

ta’ membri, li ma jkunx inqas minn ħamsa u mhux iktar minn

sebgħa kif il-Parlament għandu minn żmien għal żmien

jistabbilixxi; u dawk il-membri jkunu magħrufa bħala "Membri tal-

Parlament"

Iżda meta -

(i)

f’xi elezzjoni ġenerali, partit politiku (hawn

iżjed ’il quddiem f’dan l-artikolu msejjaħ "partit

li jkollu maġġoranza assoluta") jikseb fit-total

kollu iktar minn ħamsin fil-mija tal-voti validi

kollha mitfugħin f’dik l-elezzjoni, kif

akkreditati

lill-kandidati

tiegħu

mill-

Kummissjoni Elettorali fl-ewwel għadd tal-voti

kollha; jew

(ii) f’elezzjoni ġenerali li tkun kontestata minn aktar

minn żewġ partiti politiċi u li fiha jiġu eletti biss

kandidati minn tnejn minn dawk il-partiti, partit

politiku jikseb perċentwali tal-voti validi kollha

mitfugħin f’dik l-elezzjoni, kif akkreditati lill-

kandidati tiegħu mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali fl-

ewwel għadd tal-voti kollha (hawn iżjed ’il

quddiem f’dan l-artikolu msejjaħ "partit li jkollu

maġġoranza relattiva"), li jkun akbar minn dak li

jinkiseb minn xi partit wieħed ieħor (hawn iżjed

’il quddiem f’dan l-artikolu msejjaħ "partit li

jkollu minoranza"),

u l-proporzjon li n-numru ta’ kandidati eletti akkreditat lill-partit li

jkollu maġġoranza assoluta jew lill-partit li jkollu maġġoranza

relattiva (skont il-każ) ikun jirrappreżenta fil-konfront tan-numru

totali ta’ membri eletti fil-Kamra tad-Deputati jkun anqas mill-

proporzjon li l-għadd ta’ voti akkreditati lil dawk il-kandidati fl-

ewwel għadd tal-voti kollha jkun jirrappreżenta fil-konfront tat-

total tal-voti akkreditati f’dak l-istess l-ewwel għadd tal-voti kollha

lill-kandidati kollha tal-partiti kollha li jkollhom il-kandidati

tagħhom eletti, in-numru tal-kandidati eletti ta’ dak il-partit għandu

jiżdied (skont ma jkun il-każ) b’numru ta’ kandidati addizzjonali

fiċ-ċirkostanzi skont ma jiġi stabbilit minn u skont id-

d i s p o s i z z j o n i j i e t t a t - Ta q s i m a I V t a r- R e g o l a m e n t i d w a r l -

Elezzjonijiet Ġenerali (Klassifika tal-Poloz tal-Votazzjoni,

Elezzjonijiet Każwali u b’Għażla) li hemm fit-Tlettax-il Skeda li

tinsab mal-Att dwar l-Elezzjonijiet Ġenerali u l-Anness ma’ dik l-

Iskeda (hawn iżjed ’il quddiem imsejħa "ir-regolamenti rilevanti")

kif dawn ikunu fis-seħħ fit-30 ta’ Settembru 2007 jew kif dawn jiġu

sussegwentement emendati jew sostitwiti bil-mod provdut fis-

subartikolu (3)

Iżda wkoll

(i)

jekk jiġri li jkun hemm riżultat tal-elezzjoni

skont m’hemm provdut fis-subparagrafu (i) tal-

ewwel proviso li hemm ma’ dan is-subartikolu

iżda sakemm ikun hemm wieħed biss partit li

jkollu minoranza; jew

(ii) jekk jiġri li jkun hemm riżultat tal-elezzjoni

skont m’hemm provdut fis-subparagrafu (ii) tal-

ewwel proviso li hemm ma’ dan is-subartikolu,

u l-proporzjon li n-numru ta’ kandidati eletti akkreditati lill-partit li

jkollu minoranza jkun jirrappreżenta fil-konfront tan-numru totali

ta’ membri eletti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jkun inqas mill-

proporzjon li n-numru ta’ voti akkreditati lill-kandidati kollha

tiegħu fl-ewwel għadd tal-voti kollha jkun jirrappreżenta fil-

konfront tat-total ta’ voti akkreditati fl-istess l-ewwel għadd mill-

voti kollha lill-kandidati kollha tal-partiti kollha li jkollhom il-

kandidati tagħhom eletti, in-numru tal-kandidati eletti tal-partit li

jkollu minoranza għandu jiżdied b’numru ta’ kandidati addizzjonali

li jiġi stabbilit skont ir-regolamenti rilevanti kif dawn ikunu fis-

seħħ fit-30 ta’ Settembru 2007 jew kif dawn jiġu sussegwentement

emendati jew sostitwiti bil-mod provdut għaldaqstant fis-

subartikolu (3).

F’kull każ kif previst fl-ewwel u fit-tieni proviso li hemm

ma’ dan is-subartikolu, dawk il-persuni għandhom jiġu dikjarati

mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali bħala li jkunu ġew eletti biex jimlew

il-postijiet addizzjonali li jirriżultaw skont dawk il-proviso li, għax

ikunu kandidati tal-partit li jkun ser jiġi akkreditat bil-postijiet

addizzjonali, ġew akkreditati mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali fl-aħħar

għadd bl-ogħla jew bin-numru ta’ voti li jmiss l-aktar għoli

mingħajr ma jkunu ġew eletti, irrispettivament mid-distrett fejn

jinkiseb dak l-ogħla numru ta’ voti jew ta’ voti li jmiss l-aktar

għoli.

(2) Jekk xi persuna li ma tkunx membru tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati tiġi eletta biex tkun Speaker tal-Kamra hija għandha, bis-

saħħa li tkun tiddetjeni l-kariga ta’ Speaker, tkun membru tal-

Kamra b’żieda mal-membri l-oħra

Iżda f’kull każ bħal dak l-iSpeaker ma jitqiesx bħala

membru tal-Kamra sabiex jiġi stabbilit in-numru ta’ voti meħtieġa

li jkunu favur abbozz għal xi wieħed mill-finijiet tal-artikolu 66 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(3) Id-disposizzjonijiet tat-Taqsima IV tar-Regolamenti dwar l-

Elezzjonijiet Ġenerali (Klassifika tal-Poloz tal-Votazzjoni,

Elezzjonijiet Każwali u b’Għażla) li hemm fit-Tlettax-il Skeda li

tinsab mal-Att dwar l-Elezzjonijiet Ġenerali u l-Anness ma’ dik l-

Iskeda, kif fis-seħħ fil-bidu fis-seħħ ta’ dan is-subartikolu jistgħu

biss jiġu mħassra, emendati jew sostitwiti b’abbozz biex isir Att

tal-Parlament mgħoddi bil-mod speċifikat fis-subartikolu (2) tal-

artikolu 66 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

52A. (1)Jekk f’elezzjoni ġenerali li tkun ikkontestata minn żewġ

partiti politiċi jew aktar u li fiha l-kandidati ta’ żewġ partiti biss

ikunu eletti jew f ’każ ta’ riżultat ta’ elezzjoni kif provdut fis-

subparagrafi (i) u (ii) tal-proviso tas-subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu 52

u fil-każ li n-numru ta’ Membri tal-Parlament tas-sess l-inqas

rappreżentat, elett bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 52, inkluż dawk il-membri

eletti f’elezzjoni każwali skont ir-regolamenti rilevanti, huwa inqas

minn erbgħin fil-mija (40%) tal-Membri kollha tal-Parlament,

allura n-numru ta’ Membri tal-Parlament għandu jiżdied b’mhux

aktar minn tnax (12)-il Membru tas-sess l-inqas rappreżentat

Iżda n-numru ta’ Membri Parlamentari tas-sess l-inqas

rappreżentat elett bis-saħħa tal-artikolu 52 miżjud mal-membri tas-

sess l-inqas rappreżentat elett bis-saħħa ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandux

jaqbeż l-erbgħin fil-mija (40%) tan-numru totali ta’ Membri eletti tal-

Parlament li jifforma l-Kamra.

Il-kandidati eletti bis-saħħa ta’ dan l-artikolu għandhom ikunu

mqassma ugwalment bejn il-partit b’maġġoranza assoluta jew il-partit

b’maġġoranza relattiva u l-partit b’minoranza.

(2)

Dak il-kandidat jew il-kandidati li jagħmlu parti mis-sess l-

inqas rappreżentat u li jkunu kandidati tal-partit jew tal-partiti li

għandhom jiġu akkreditati bis-siġġijiet addizzjonali, u li jkunu ġew

akkreditati mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali fl-aħħar għadd bl-ogħla jew bin-

numru ta’ voti li jmiss l-aktar għoli mingħajr ma jkunu ġew eletti,

irrispettivament mid-distrett fejn jinkiseb dak l-ogħla jew in-numru ta’

voti li jmiss l-aktar għoli, għandhom jiġu ddikjarati mill-Kummissjoni

Elettorali bħala eletti biex jimlew is-siġġijiet addizzjonali maħluqa mis-

subartikolu (1)

Iżda f’każ li n-numru ta’ kandidati stabbiliti taħt dan l-

artikolu ma jintlaħaqx, wara l-applikazzjoni tas-subartikolu

preċedenti, għandhom ikunu ddikjarati eletti mill-Kummissjoni

Elettorali biex jimlew il-bqija tas-siġġijiet addizzjonali maħluqa minn

dan l-artikolu, dawk il-kandidati li jagħmlu parti mis-sess l-inqas

rappreżentat, li jkunu kandidati tal-partiti li għandhom jiġu akkreditati

bis-siġġijiet addizzjonali u li ġew gradati fuq bażi nazzjonali mill-

Kummissjoni Elettorali bl-ogħla jew bin-numru li jmiss l-aktar għoli

ta’ kwota perċentwali miksuba fuq il-bażi tal-għadd finali tal-vot

rispettiv tagħhom, qabel l-eliminazzjoni, b’rabta mal-kwota tad-

distrett elettorali kkontestat

Iżda wkoll f’każ li n-numru ta’ kandidati stabbiliti taħt dan

l-artikolu ma jintlaħaqx kif previst f’dan is-subartikolu, is-siġġijiet li

jibqgħu vakanti għandhom jimtlew bl-għażla ta’ Membru jew Membri

mill-Kamra u dak il-Membru jew Membri għandhom ikunu kwalifikati

biex ikunu eletti bħala Membru tal-Kamra kif stabbilit taħt l-artikolu

53, ma għandhomx ikunu soġġetti għal ebda skwalifika għas-sħubija

fil-Kamra kif provdut taħt l-artikolu 54 u għandhom jappartjenu għas-

sess l-inqas rappreżentat.

(3)

Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, kandidati eletti jew li ma

jkunux ġew eletti li huma identifikati bħala newtrali fir-rigward tal-

ġeneru fid-dokumentazzjoni uffiċjali, għandhom jingħaddu mas-sess l-

inqas rappreżentat.

(4) Dan l-artikolu għandu jibqa’ fis-seħħ sal-iskadenza tal-perjodu

ta’ għoxrin (20) sena mid-data li jidħol fis-seħħ, sakemm ma jiġix

imħassar jew imdaħħal mill-ġdid bi jew mingħajr modifika permezz

ta’ Att tal-Parlament skont id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

53. Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 54 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, persuna tkun kwalifikata biex tkun eletta bħala

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jekk ikollha, u ma tkunx

kwalifikata biex tkun hekk eletta kemm-il darba ma jkollhiex l-età ta’

tmintax-il sena u l-kwalifiki għar-reġistrazzjoni bħala elettur għall-

elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati msemmija fil-paragrafi

(a) u (ċ) tal-artikolu 57 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

54. (1) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat biex ikun elett bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati -

(a) jekk ikun ċittadin ta’ pajjiż li ma jkunx Malta billi jkun

sar hekk ċittadin volontarjament jew ikun taħt

dikjarazzjoni ta’ lealtà lejn pajjiż bħal dak;

(b) ħlief kif ikun provdut xort’oħra mill-Parlament, jekk

ikun jiddetjeni jew ikun qed jaġixxi f’xi kariga

pubblika jew ikun membru tal-forzi armati tal-Gvern

ta’ Malta;

(ċ) jekk ikun parti fi, jew ikun soċju b’responsabbiltà

illimitata f’soċjetà jew direttur jew manager ta’

kumpannija li tkun parti fi, kuntratt mal-Gvern ta’

Malta li jkun kuntratt ta’ appalt għal xi xogħol jew

kuntratt għall-provvista ta’ merkanzija biex tiġi wżata

fil-qadi tal-pubbliku u ma jkunx, għeluq xahar qabel

id-data tal-elezzjoni, ippubblika fil-Gazzetta avviż li

juri x-xorta ta’ xi kuntratt bħal dak, u l-interess tiegħu,

jew l-interess ta’ xi soċjetà jew kumpannija bħal dik,

fih;

(d) ikun fallut mhux rijabilitat, billi jkun ġie dikjarat fallut

b’sentenza jew xort’oħra dikjarat fallut skont xi liġi li

tkun isseħħ f’Malta;

(e) jekk ikun interdett jew inabilitat minħabba xi mard

mentali jew minħabba prodigalità minn qorti f’Malta,

jew ikun xort’oħra deċiż f’Malta li jkun ta’ moħħ

marid;

(f)

ikun taħt kundanna tal-mewt imposta fuqu minn xi

qorti f’Malta jew ikun qed jiskonta kundanna ta’

priġunerija (tkun kif tkun imsejħa) ta’ aktar minn tnax

il-xahar imposta fuqu minn qorti bħal dik jew

sostitwita minn awtorità kompetenti għal xi kundanna

oħra imposta fuqu minn qorti bħal dik;

(g) jekk ikun jiddetjeni jew ikun jaġixxi f’xi kariga li l-

funzjonijiet tagħha jinvolvu xi responsabbiltà għal,

jew dwar, it-tmexxija ta’ xi elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-

Kamra tad-Deputati jew il-kompilazzjoni jew reviżjoni

ta’ xi reġistru elettorali;

(h) jekk ikun skwalifikat milli jkun membru tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati bi jew skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien

tkun isseħħ f’Malta minħabba li jkun ġie misjub ħati

ta’ xi reat dwar l-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati;

(i)

jekk ma jkunx għalaq l-età ta’ tmintax-il sena.

(2) Għall-finijiet tal-paragrafu (f) tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-

artikolu -

(a) żewġ kundanni jew aktar li jkunu meħtieġa li jiġu

skuntati konsekuttivament għandhom jitqiesu bħala

kundanni separati jekk ebda waħda minnhom ma tkun

għal iżjed minn tnax-il xahar, iżda jekk waħda

minnhom tkun iżjed minn dak it-terminu għandhom

jitqiesu bħala kundanna waħda; u

(b) ebda kont ma għandu jittieħed ta’ xi kundanna ta’

priġunerija imposta bħala alternattiva għal, jew

minħabba nuqqas ta’, il-ħlas ta’ multa.

(3) Persuna ma għandhiex tiġi meqjusa bħala li tiddetjeni, jew

li taġixxi fi, kariga pubblika għall-fini tal-paragrafu (b) tas-

subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu -

(a) jekk tkun bil-permess ta’ assenza qabel it-tluq minn

kariga pubblika;

(b) jekk tkun surmast fl-Università ta’ Malta li ma tkunx

skont il-kondizzjonijiet tal-impieg tagħha impeduta

mill-prattika privata tal-professjoni tagħha jew mitluba

li tagħti l-ħin kollu tagħha għad-disposizzjoni tal-

Gvern ta’ Malta.

55. (1) Il-post ta’ membru tal-Parlament isir vakanti -

(a) max-xoljiment sussegwenti tal-Parlament wara l-

elezzjoni tiegħu;

(b) jekk jirriżenja mill-post tiegħu b’kitba minn idejh

indirizzata lill-iSpeaker jew, jekk il-kariga ta’ Speaker

tkun vakanti jew l-iSpeaker ikun assenti minn Malta,

lid-Deputy Speaker;

(ċ) jekk huwa jsir parti f’xi kuntratt mal-Gvern ta’ Malta

li jkun kuntratt ta’ appalt għal xi xogħol jew kuntratt

għall-provvista ta’ merkanzija biex tiġi wżata fil-qadi

tal-pubbliku, jew jekk xi soċjetà li fiha huwa jkun

soċju b’responsabbiltà illimitata jew kumpannija li

tagħha huwa jkun direttur jew manager issir parti f’xi

kuntratt bħal dak, jew jekk isir soċju b’responsabbiltà

illimitata f’soċjetà jew direttur jew manager ta’

kumpannija li tkun parti f’xi kuntratt bħal dak

Iżda huwa ma jivvakax il-post tiegħu skont id-

disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-paragrafu jekk qabel ma jsir

parti fil-kuntratt jew qabel ma, jew kemm jista’ jkun

prattikabbli wara li, isir xort’oħra nteressat fil-kuntratt

(kemm bħala soċju b’responsabbiltà illimitata

f’soċjetà jew bħala direttur jew manager ta’

kumpannija) huwa jikxef lill-iSpeaker ix-xorta tal-

kuntratt u l-interess tiegħu jew l-interess tas-soċjetà

jew kumpannija fih u l-Kamra tad-Deputati

b’riżoluzzjoni teżentah mid- disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan

il-paragrafu;

(d) jekk ikun assenti mis-seduti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

għal dak il-perijodu u f’dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi li jistgħu

jkunu preskritti mill-Ordnijiet Permanenti tal-Kamra;

(e) jekk itemm milli jkun ċittadin ta’ Malta;

(f)

jekk itemm milli jkun kwalifikat għar-reġistrazzjoni

bħala elettur għall-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati;

(ff)

jekk il-Qorti Kostituzzjonali tiddeċiedi li kandidat

elett ikun ta informazzjoni li tkun falza fil-prospett tal-

ispejjeż elettorali jew li kandidat elett ikun nefaq

ammont fi spejjeż elettorali li jaqbeż l-ammont

permissibbli mil-liġi;

(g) bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) ta’

dan l-artikolu, jekk jinqalgħu xi ċirkostanzi li, kieku

ma kienx membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, kienu

jġegħluh ikun skwalifikat għal elezzjoni għaliha.

(2) (a)Jekk ċirkostanzi bħal dawk li huma msemmija fil-

paragrafu (g) tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu jinħolqu billi xi

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jkun taħt kundanna tal-mewt jew

priġunerija, interdett jew inabilitat jew dikjarat b’sentenza li jkun

moħħu marid, dikjarat b’sentenza jew dikjarat xort’oħra fallut jew

misjub ħati ta’ reat dwar elezzjonijiet u jekk il-membru jkun jista’

jappella kontra d-deċiżjoni (sew bil-permess ta’ qorti jew awtorità

oħra jew mingħajr dak il-permess), huwa jtemm minnufih milli

jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala Membru tal-Kamra iżda, bla ħsara

għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, huwa ma jivvakax il-post

tiegħu sat-tmiem ta’ perijodu ta’ tletin ġurnata wara dakinhar

Iżda l-iSpeaker jista’, minn żmien għal żmien, jestendi dak

il-perijodu għal perijodi oħra ta’ tletin ġurnata biex il-membru jkun

jista’ jkompli appell kontra d-deċiżjoni, hekk illi estensjonijiet ta’

żmien li jeċċedu fit-total globali mija u ħamsin ġurnata ma

għandhomx jingħataw mingħajr l-approvazzjoni, murija

b’riżoluzzjoni, tal-Kamra.

(b) Jekk, mad-deċiżjoni ta’ xi appell, dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi

jkomplu jeżistu u ebda appell ieħor ma jkun jista’ jsir mill-membru,

jew jekk, minħabba t-temm ta’ xi perijodu għall-egħmil ta’ appell

jew avviż dwaru jew iċ-ċaħda ta’ permess għal appell jew għal xi

raġuni oħra, jispiċċa milli l-membru jkun jista’ jappella, huwa

għandu minnufih jivvaka l-post tiegħu.

(ċ) Jekk f’xi żmien qabel ma l-membru jivvaka l-post tiegħu

dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi bħalma ntqal qabel itemmu milli jeżistu, il-post

tiegħu ma jsirx vakanti mat-tmiem tal-perijodu msemmi fil-

paragrafu (a) ta’ dan is-subartikolu u huwa jkun jista’ jirreżumi l-

qadi tal-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

(d) Għall-finijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu "appell" tfisser, fil-każ

ta’ ordni minn qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni volontarja għall-interdizzjoni

jew inabilitazzjoni ta’ membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, it-teħid ta’

xi azzjoni għar-reviżjoni ta’ dak l-ordni quddiem il-Prim’Awla tal-

Qorti Ċivili.

56. (1) Il-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati għandhom jiġu

eletti fuq il-prinċipju tar-rappreżentanza proporzjonali permezz ta’

vot singlu trasferibbli minn dak in-numru ta’ distretti elettorali, li

jkun numru fard u li ma jkunx inqas minn disgħa u mhux iżjed

minn ħmistax, kif il-Parlament għandu minn żmien għal żmien

jistabbilixxi.

(2) L-elezzjoni tal-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati għandha

tkun ħielsa minn attijiet illegali jew ta’ korruzzjoni u indħil barrani.

(3) Ikun id-dmir tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali li tissospendi l-

elezzjoni, jew fid-distretti elettorali kollha jew f ’xi wieħed jew

iktar minn dawk id-distretti, jekk ikollha raġuni xierqa li temmen li

jkunu saru attijiet illegali jew ta’ korruzzjoni jew reati oħra li

għandhom x’jaqsmu mal-elezzjonijiet jew kien hemm indħil

barrani u dawk l-attijiet, reati jew indħil ikunu pprevalew b’mod

hekk estensiv jew ikunu ta’ dik ix-xorta li raġonevo1ment ikunu

mistennija li jkollhom effett fuq ir-riżultat tal-elezzjoni, fid-

distretti elettorali kollha jew f’xi wieħed jew iktar minnhom.

(4) F’kull każ meta elezzjoni tiġi sospiża taħt is-subartikolu (3)

ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-Kummissjonarju Elettorali Prinċipali għandu

minnufih jirriferi l-kwistjoni lill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali għad-

deċiżjoni tagħha.

(5) Meta tkun teżisti xi waħda mir-raġunijiet li fuqha tista’ tiġi

sospiża elezzjoni taħt is-subartikolu (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu u l-

elezzjoni ma tkunx ġiet sospiża, jew jekk attijiet illegali jew ta’

korruzzjoni jew reati oħra jew indħil barrani kif imsemmija f’dak

is-subartikolu jistgħu raġonevolment jitqiesu li kellhom effett fuq

ir-riżultat ta’ elezzjoni, fid-distretti elettorali kollha jew f’wieħed

jew aktar minnhom, kull persuna li għandha l-jedd għall-vot f’dik

l- e l e z z jo n i t i s t a ’ , m h u x a k t a r t a r d m i nn t l e t t i j i e m w a r a l -

pubblikazzjoni tar-riżultat uffiċjali tal-elezzjoni, tirreferi l-

kwistjoni lill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali għad-deċiżjoni tagħha.

(6) Kull riferenza lill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali taħt jew is-

subartikolu (4) jew is-subartikolu (5) ta’ dan l-artikolu għandha ssir

u għandha tiġi deċiża minn dik il-Qorti skont kull liġi li f’dak iż-

żmien tkun isseħħ f ’Malta. Fuq kull riferenza bħal dik il-Qorti

jkollha, bla ħsara għal kull setgħat oħra, is-setgħa li tannulla l-

elezzjoni, fid-distretti elettorali kollha jew f ’wieħed jew aktar

minnhom, għal kull waħda mir-raġunijiet imsemmija f ’dawk is-

subartikoli, u li tagħti dawk id-direttivi u ordnijiet u li tagħti dawk

ir-rimedji jew provvedimenti oħra li jidhrilha xierqa fiċ-ċirkostanzi

u b’mod partikolari biex tiżgura li elezzjoni ħielsa, minflok dik li

tkun ġiet annullata, issir mill-aktar fis possibbli.

(7) Meta tkun ġiet annullata elezzjoni taħt is-subartikolu (6) ta’

dan l-artikolu, ir-riżultat tal-elezzjoni ma jkunx komplet qabel il-

pubblikazzjoni tar-riżultat uffiċjali ta’ elezzjoni valida fid-distretti

elettorali kollha.

(8) Ħlief b’abbozz għal-Att tal-Parlament mgħoddi bil-mod

speċifikat fis-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 66 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni,

ma għandu jsir ebda tibdil f’xi liġi -

(a) li bih xi egħmil jew nuqqas ma jibqax att illegali jew

ta’ korruzzjoni jew reat ieħor dwar l-elezzjoni ta’

membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jew indħil barrani; jew

(b) li jibdel jew iżid iċ-ċirkostanzi jew il-kondizzjonijiet li

fihom jew taħthom l-egħmil jew in-nuqqas ikunu att

illegali jew ta’ korruzzjoni jew reat ieħor jew indħil

barrani; jew

(ċ) li jnaqqas il-piena li ħati jista’ minn żmien għal żmien

jeħel għal xi att jew reat ieħor jew indħil bħal dawk;

u għall-finijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu d-disposizzjonijiet tas-

subartikolu (7) tal-artikolu 66 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni għandhom

japplikaw bħallikieku riferenzi għat-tibdil f ’xi waħda mid-

disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni kienu riferenzi għat-tibdil

f’xi liġi.

(9) Ħadd ma jivvota fl-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati għal xi distrett elettorali jekk ma jkunx reġistrat skont xi

liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta bħala elettur f’dak id-

distrett.

(10) Fl-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati -

(a) il-votazzjoni tkun bil-vot u għandha ssir b’dak il-mod

li ma jikxifx kif il-vot ta’ xi elettur partikolari jkun

ingħata; u

(b) ħadd ma jitħalla jivvota għan-nom ta’ ħaddieħor

Iżda jista’ jsir provvediment b’liġi li bih, jekk

persuna ma tkunx tista’, minħabba għama, kawża

fiżika oħra jew analfabetiżmu timmarka l-karta tal-vot

tagħha, il-karta tal-vot tagħha tista’ tiġi immarkata

għan-nom tagħha u fuq direttivi tagħha minn xi

persuna oħra li tkun qiegħda tissorvelja uffiċjalment il-

votazzjoni fil-post tal-votazzjoni.

Iżda meta minħabba f’li persuna tkun għamja ma tkunx

tista’ timmarka l-karta tal-vot tagħha, jista’ jiġi provdut b’liġi li

jekk dik il-persuna hekk titlob din tkun tista’ tingħata mezz

adegwat u speċjali li permezz tiegħu hija tkun tista’ timmarka l-

k a r t a t a l - v ot t a g ħ ha w e ħi d ha u m i n għ a j r i l- ħ t ie ġ a ta ’ e b da

għajnuna.

(11) Il-karti tal-vot għandhom ikunu hekk magħmula sabiex

illitterati jkunu jistgħu jiddistingwu bejn il-partiti politiċi li

għalihom jappartjenu l-kandidati.

(12) Il-kandidati u l-aġenti tagħhom jiġu mogħtija faċilitajiet

biex jaraw it-trasport tal-kaxxi tal-voti u s-siġillar u t-tneħħija tas-

siġill tagħhom.

(13) Il-kliem "att illegali jew ta’ korruzzjoni", "reati li

għandhom x’jaqsmu mal-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati" u "indħil barrani" għandhom it-tifsir mogħti lilhom b’liġi

li f ’dak iż-żmien tkun fis-seħħ u li tkun tirregola t-tmexxija ta’

elezzjonijiet jew indħil barrani dwar elezzjonijiet, u xi liġi bħal dik

għandha titqies għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu u tal-artikoli 32 sa

47 (magħdudin) ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni li tkun meħtieġa

raġonevolment fl-interess tal-ordni pubbliku u raġonevolment

ġustifikabbli f’soċjetà demokratika.

57. Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 58 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, persuna tkun kwalifikata biex tkun reġistrata bħala

elettur għall-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jekk

tkun, u ma tkunx kwalifikata biex tkun hekk reġistrata jekk ma

tkunx -

(a) ċittadin ta’ Malta;

(b) għalqet l-età ta’ sittax-il sena; u

(ċ) residenti f’Malta u matul it-tmintax-il xahar minnufih

qabel ir-reġistrazzjoni tagħha hekk residenti għal

perijodu kontinwu ta’ sitt xhur jew għal perijodi li

jammontaw fit-total globali għal sitt xhur

Iżda dan il-paragrafu ma japplikax għal persuna li

tkun ordinarjament tirrisjedi f’Malta iżda ma tkunx

tirrisjedi f’Malta kif meħtieġ b’dan il-paragrafu

minħabba servizz barra minn Malta fis-servizz

pubbliku, magħdud servizz fil-karigi msemmija fis-

subartikolu (3) tal-artikolu 124 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, jew minħabba servizz barra minn Malta

f’korp, jew bħala membru ta’ korp, dixxiplinat kif

imfisser fl-artikolu 47 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

58. Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat li jkun reġistrat bħala elettur

għall-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jekk -

(a) ikun interdett jew inabilitat minħabba xi mard mentali

minn qorti f’Malta jew ikun xort’oħra deċiż f’Malta li

jkun ta’ moħħ marid;

(b) ikun taħt kundanna ta’ mewt imposta fuqu minn xi

qorti f’Malta jew ikun qed jiskonta kundanna ta’

priġunerija (tkun kif tkun imsejħa) ta’ iżjed minn tnax

il-xahar imposta fuqu minn qorti bħal dik jew

sostitwita minn awtorità kompetenti għal xi kundanna

oħra imposta fuqu minn qorti bħal dik; jew

(ċ) ikun skwalifikat minn reġistrazzjoni bħala elettur minn

jew skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ

f’Malta minħabba li jkun ġie misjub ħati ta’ xi reat

dwar l-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

59. (1) Meta l-Kamra tad-Deputati tiltaqa’ għall-ewwel darba

wara xi elezzjoni ġenerali u qabel ma tipproċedi għat-tmexxija ta’

xi xogħol ieħor, għandha teleġġi persuna biex tkun l-iSpeaker tal-

Kamra; u jekk il-kariga ta’ Speaker issir vakanti f’xi żmien qabel

ix-xoljiment sussegwenti tal-Parlament, il-Kamra għandha, kemm

jista’ jkun malajr, teleġġi persuna oħra għal dik il-kariga.

(2)

L-iSpeaker jista’ jiġi elett jew -

(a) minn fost persuni li jkunu membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati, imma li ma jkunux Ministri jew Segretarji

Parlamentari; jew

(b) minn fost persuni li ma jkunux membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati u jkunu kwalifikati għal elezzjoni bħala

membri tagħha.

(3) Meta l-Kamra tad-Deputati tiltaqa’ l-ewwel darba wara xi

elezzjoni ġenerali u qabel ma tipproċedi għat-tmexxija ta’ xi

xogħol ieħor ħlief l-elezzjoni tal-iSpeaker, il-Kamra għandha

teleġġi membru tal-Kamra, li ma jkunx Ministru jew Segretarju

Parlamentari, biex ikun Deputy Speaker tal-Kamra; u jekk il-kariga

ta’ Deputy Speaker issir vakanti f ’xi żmien qabel ix-xoljiment

sussegwenti tal-Parlament, il-Kamra għandha, malli jkun

konvenjenti, teleġġi membru ieħor bħal dak għal dik il-kariga.

(4) Persuna għandha tivvaka l-kariga ta’ Speaker jew Deputy

Speaker -

(a) fil-każ ta’ Speaker elett minn fost il-membri tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati jew fil-każ tad-Deputy Speaker -

(i)

jekk itemm milli jkun membru tal-Kamra

Iżda l-iSpeaker ma għandux jivvaka l-

kariga minħabba biss li jkun temm milli jkun

membru

tal-Kamra

max-xoljiment

tal-

Parlament, sakemm il-Kamra tiltaqa’ għall-

ewwel darba wara dak ix-xoljiment;

(ii) jekk jiġi maħtur biex ikun Ministru jew

Segretarju Parlamentari;

(b) fil-każ ta’ Speaker elett minn fost persuni li ma jkunux

membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati -

(i)

meta l-Kamra tiltaqa’ l-ewwel darba wara xi

xoljiment tal-Parlament;

(ii) jekk jinqalgħu xi ċirkostanzi li kienu jġegħluh li

jkun skwalifikat għal elezzjoni bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati;

(ċ) jekk javża r-riżenja tiegħu tal-kariga tiegħu lill-Kamra

tad-Deputati jew jekk b’kitba taħt idejh indirizzata, fil-

każ tal-iSpeaker lill-Iskrivan tal-Kamra u fil-każ tad-

Deputy Speaker lill-iSpeaker (jew, jekk il-kariga ta’

Speaker tkun vakanti jew l-iSpeaker ikun assenti minn

Malta, lill-Iskrivan tal-Kamra) jirriżenja dik il-kariga;

jew

(d) fil-każ tad-Deputy Speaker, jekk jiġi elett biex ikun

Speaker.

(5)

(a) Jekk, bis-saħħa tas-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 55 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni, l-iSpeaker jew id-Deputy Speaker

ikun meħtieġ li jtemm milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu

bħala membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati huwa għandu

jtemm ukoll milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala

Speaker jew Deputy Speaker, skont il-każ, u dawk il-

funzjonijiet għandhom sakemm huwa jivvaka l-post

tiegħu fil-Kamra jew jirriżumi l-qadi tal-funzjonijiet

tal-kariga tiegħu, jiġu moqdija -

(i)

fil-każ tal-iSpeaker, mid-Deputy Speaker jew,

jekk il-kariga ta’ Deputy Speaker tkun vakanti

jew id-Deputy Speaker ikun meħtieġ li jtemm

milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru

tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati

bis-saħħa

tas-

subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 55 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, minn dak il-membru tal-Kamra (li

ma jkunx Ministru jew Segretarju Parlamentari)

kif il-Kamra tista’ teleġġi għal dan l-iskop;

(ii) fil-każ tad-Deputy Speaker, minn dak il-membru

tal-Kamra (li ma jkunx Ministru jew Segretarju

Parlamentari) kif il-Kamra tista’ teleġġi għal dan

l-iskop.

(b) Jekk l-iSpeaker jew Deputy Speaker jirreżumi l-qadi tal-

funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru tal-Kamra, skont id-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 55 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, huwa għandu jirreżumi wkoll il-qadi tal-funzjonijiet

tiegħu ta’ Speaker jew Deputy Speaker, skont il-każ.

60. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kummissjoni Elettorali għal

Malta.

(2) Il-Kummissjoni Elettorali tkun magħmula minn Chairman,

l i j k u n i l - p e r s u n a l i g ħa l d a k i ż - ż m i e n i k o ll h a l - k a r i g a t a ’

Kummissjonarju Elettorali Prinċipali u li tkun maħtura għal dik il-

kariga mis-servizz pubbliku, u dak in-numru ta’ membri li ma

jkunx anqas minn erbgħa li jista’ jkun preskritt b’xi liġi li għal dak

iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

(3) Il-membri tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandhom jiġu

maħtura mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru,

mogħti wara li jikkonsulta l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni.

(4) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat li jżomm kariga bħala membru tal-

Kummissjoni Elettorali jekk ikun Ministru, Segretarju

Parlamentari, membru ta’, jew kandidat għall-elezzjoni għal, il-

Kamra tad-Deputati jew uffiċjal pubbliku.

(5) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, membru

tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandu jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu -

(a) fit-tmiem ta’ tliet snin mid-data tal-ħatra tiegħu jew

f’dak iż-żmien qabel li jista’ jkun speċifikat fid-

dokument li bih ikun ġie maħtur; jew

(b) jekk jinqalgħu xi ċirkostanzi li, kieku ma kienx

membru tal-Kummissjoni, kienu jġegħluh ikun

skwalifikat għall-ħatra bħala tali.

(6) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (7) ta’ dan

l-artikolu, membru tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali jista’ jitneħħa mill-

kariga mill-President li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

(7) Membru tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali ma għandux jitneħħa

mill-kariga ħlief għal inkapaċità li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga

tiegħu (sew jekk minħabba mard mentali jew korporali jew għal xi

raġuni oħra) jew għal imġieba ħażina.

(8) Jekk il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali tkun

vakanti jew jekk membru ma jkunx jista’ għal xi raġuni jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir

tal-Prim Ministru, mogħti wara li jkun ikkonsulta l-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni, jista’ jaħtar persuna li tkun kwalifikata biex tkun

maħtura bħala membru biex tkun membru temporanju tal-

Kummissjoni; u kull persuna hekk maħtura għandha, bla ħsara

għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (5), (6) u (7) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, ittemm milli tkun membru bħal dak meta persuna tiġi

maħtura biex timla l-vakanza jew, skont il-każ, meta l-membru li

ma kienx jista’ jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jirreżumi dawk

il-funzjonijiet.

(9) Fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tagħha skont din il-

Kostituzzjoni l-Kummissjoni Elettorali ma tkunx suġġetta għad-

direzzjoni jew kontroll ta’ xi persuna jew awtorità oħra.

61. (1) Il-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandha tirrivedi l-konfini

tad-distretti elettorali msemmija fl-artikolu 56(1) ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni b’intervalli ta’ mhux anqas minn sentejn u mhux

iżjed minn ħames snin u tista’, skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-

artikolu, tbiddel dawk il-konfini safejn tqis mixtieq skont ir-riżultat

tar-reviżjoni

Iżda l-Kummissjoni għandha tagħmel reviżjoni bħal dik u,

skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, tbiddel l-imsemmija

konfini kull meta l-Parlament ikun għamel provvediment li jibdel

in-numru ta’ distretti elettorali; u b’żieda l-Kummissjoni tista’

f’kull żmien tagħmel reviżjoni bħal dik u, skont id-disposizzjonijiet

ta’ dan l-artikolu, tibdel l-imsemmija konfini safejn tqis

desiderabbli bħala konsegwenza tat-tiżmim ta’ ċensiment tal-

popolazzjoni bis-saħħa ta’ xi liġi.

(2) Kull provvediment tal-Parlament li jibdel in-numru tad-

distretti elettorali għandu jibda jseħħ meta t-tibdil tal-konfini tad-

distretti elettorali li, skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (1)

ta’ dan l-artikolu, huwa konsegwenzjali għalih jiġi fis-seħħ.

(3) Kull meta jsir tibdil tal-konfini mill-Kummissjoni skont

dan l-artikolu għandu jkollhom effett id-disposizzjonijiet li ġejjin

(a) il-Kummissjonarju Elettorali Prinċipali għandu

jgħarraf bit-tibdil, malajr kemm jista’ jkun wara li jsir,

lill-Prim Ministru u lill-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni;

(b) mhux aktar tard minn xahrejn wara li jirċievi dak it-

tagħrif, il-Prim Ministru għandu jara li t-tibdil

jitqiegħed quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati biex jiġi

kunsidrat minnha;

(ċ) mhux aktar tard minn ħames xhur wara li l-Prim

Ministru jirċievi dak it-tagħrif, il-Kamra tista’,

b’riżoluzzjoni, jew tapprova t-tibdil jew tibagħtu lura

lill-Kummissjoni biex terġa’ tikkunsidrah mill-ġdid;

(d) wara li jgħaddu sitt xhur mid-data li fiha t-tibdil ikun

ġie mgħarraf lill-Prim Ministru, jew, jekk it-tibdil ikun

ġie approvat mill-Kamra, malli jiġi hekk approvat,

jew, jekk it-tibdil jintbagħat lura lill-Kummissjoni,

wara li jgħaddu xahrejn minn meta hekk jintbagħat

lura, il-Kummissjonarju Elettorali Prinċipali għandu

jieħu ħsieb li t-tibdil jiġi pubblikat fil-Gazzetta jew fil-

forma oriġinali tiegħu jew, jekk ikun ġie modifikat

mill-Kummissjoni, kif hekk modifikat; u

(e) kull tibdil bħal dak għandu jibda jseħħ mal-ewwel

xoljiment tal-Parlament wara li t-tibdil ikun ġie

pubblikat fil-Gazzetta skont il-paragrafu (d) ta’ dan is-

subartikolu

Iżda ebda ħaġa f’dan il-paragrafu ma għandha

tinftiehem li timpedixxi l-pubblikazzjoni ta’ xi reġistru

elettorali jew xi ħtieġa oħra li għandha x’taqsam mar-

reġistrazzjoni ta’ eletturi milli jiġu esegwiti skont it-

tibdil, taħt xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ

f’Malta, qabel dak ix-xoljiment.

(4) Kull tibdil tal-konfini ta’ xi distrett elettorali skont dan l-

artikolu għandu jsir b’dak il-mod li jiżgura li, fiż-żmien meta l-

Kummissjoni tagħmel ir-reviżjoni tagħha, in-numru miksub bid-

diviżjoni tal-elettorat totali fid-distrett (kif żgurat b’riferenza għar-

reġistru elettorali fis-seħħ dak iż-żmien) bin-numru ta’ membri li

għandhom jiġu eletti għall-Kamra tad-Deputati minn dak id-distrett

ikun kemm jista’ jkun daqs il-kwota elettorali kemm ikun

raġonevolment prattikabbli

Iżda kull tibdil bħal dak jista’ jsir b’dak il-mod li n-numru

ta’ eletturi f ’dak id-distrett ikun, fiż-żmien meta l-Kummissjoni

tagħmel ir-reviżjoni tagħha, akbar jew anqas mill-kwota elettorali

moltiplikata bin-numru ta’ membri li għandhom ikunu hekk eletti,

iżda f’ebda każ b’aktar minn ħamsa fil-mija, sabiex jittieħed kont

tal-viċinanza ġeografika, differenzi fid-densità ta’ popolazzjoni u

fatturi oħra rilevanti

Iżda wkoll il-Gżira ta’ Għawdex u l-gżejjer tal-Arċipelagu

Malti minbarra l-Gżira ta’ Malta għandhom flimkien ikunu ttrattati

bħala distrett elettorali wieħed u ma jistgħux jinqasmu bejn żewġ

distretti elettorali jew aktar.

(4A) Il-konfini tad-distretti elettorali għall-fini ta’ xi

elezzjonijiet ġenerali li jsiru wara x-xoljiment tal-Parlament wara l-

1 ta’ Settembru 2007 għandhom ikunu dawk il-konfini li kienu

jeżistu f ’dik id-data flimkien ma’ dawk l-aġġustamenti li jsiru

skont id-disposizzjonijiet tal-proviso li hemm mas-subartikolu (4B)

ta’ dan l-artikolu li jistgħu jkunu meħtieġa sabiex id-distretti

e l e tt o r a l i f ’ da w k l- e l e z z j o n i j i e t i k u nu j i k k on f o r m a w m a d -

disposizzjonijiet tat-tieni proviso li hemm mas-subartikolu (4) ta’

dan l-artikolu u tal-artikolu 61A ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(4B) Minkejja d-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, il-Kummissjoni Elettorali m’għandhiex tirrevedi l-konfini

tad-distretti elettorali kif dawn ikunu jeżistu fl-1 ta’ Settembru

2007 ħlief wara l-elezzjonijiet ġenerali li jsiru minnufih wara x-

xoljiment tal-Parlament minnufih wara dik id-data u dik ir-

reviżjoni għandha ssir f ’dawk l-intervalli mid-data meta jiġi

pubblikat ir-riżultat uffiċjali ta’ dawk l-elezzjonijiet skont m’hemm

provdut fis-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu jew skont ma jista’

jkun xort’oħra meħtieġ skont id-disposizzjonijiet tal-istess

subartikolu

Iżda l-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandha sat-30 ta’ Settembru

2007 tirrevedi l-konfini tad-distretti elettorali safejn ikun meħtieġ,

u daqstant kemm ikun meħtieġ biss, biex tagħmel dawk l-

aġġustamenti f ’dawk il-konfini sabiex id-distretti elettorali jkunu

għall-fini ta’ dawk l-elezzjonijiet jikkonformaw mad-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-artikolu; u dawn l-

aġġustamenti għandhom, minkejja kull disposizzjoni oħra ta’ dan l-

artikolu, jiġu fis-seħħ bil-pubblikazzjoni tar-reġistru kif korrett fit-

30 ta’ Settembru 2007.

(5) Għall-finijiet ta’ kull reviżjoni magħmula skont dan l-

artikolu, "kwota elettorali" tfisser in-numru miksub bid-diviżjoni

tal-elettorat totali ta’ Malta (kif żgurat mir-reġistru elettorali fis-

seħħ fiż-żmien meta l-Kummissjoni tagħmel dik ir-reviżjoni) bin-

numru totali ta’ membri li għandhom ikunu eletti għall-Kamra tad-

Deputati fl-elezzjoni ġenerali li ssir wara x-xoljiment sussegwenti

tal-Parlament.

(6) It-tmexxija ta’ elezzjonijiet f’kull distrett elettorali u ta’

kull votazzjoni meħuda skont id-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 66(3)

ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni tkun suġġetta għad-direzzjoni u sorveljanza

tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali.

61A. (1) Dawn id-disposizzjonijiet li ġejjin ta’ dan l-artikolu

għandhom japplikaw jekk, meta tkun qegħda ssir ir-reviżjoni tal-

konfini tad-distretti elettorali skont id-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu

61 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, il-Kummissjoni Elettorali kien ikollha,

li kieku ma kienx hemm id-disposizzjonijiet tat-tieni proviso mas-

subartikolu (4) tal-istess artikolu, taqsam il-Gżira ta’ Għawdex u l-

gżejjer tal-Arċipelagu Malti minbarra l-Gżira ta’ Malta, jew xi parti

minnha, bejn żewġ distretti elettorali jew aktar.

(2)

Il-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandha

(a) tistabbilixxi l-Gżira ta’ Għawdex flimkien mal-gżejjer

tal-Arċipelagu Malti minbarra l-Gżira ta’ Malta bħala

distrett elettorali wieħed; u

(b) tapplika d-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (4) u (5)

tal-artikolu 61 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni b’riferenza biss

għall-eletturi u d-distretti fil-Gżira ta’ Malta mingħajr

ma tinkludi fil-kalkoli tagħha d-distrett li minnu jkunu

jagħmlu Għawdex u l-gżejjer l-oħra tal-Arċipelagu

Malti jew l-eletturi li jkun hemm fih

Iżda dan il-paragrafu ma għandux japplika għall-fini tal-

ewwel proviso tas-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 52A.

(3) Għall-finijiet tal-paragrafu (b) tas-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, meta jkun qiegħed jiġi kalkulat in-numru ta’ eletturi f’kull

distrett elettorai fil-Gżira ta’ Malta n-numru totali tad-distretti

elettorali għandu jkun in-numru ta’ distretti elettorali stabbilit bl-

artikolu 17 tal-Att dwar l-Elezzjonijiet Ġenerali nieqes wieħed.

62. Kull meta l-post ta’ xi membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jsir

vakanti l-vakanza għandha timtela bil-mod provdut bi jew skont xi

liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

63. Kull kwistjoni jekk -

(a) xi persuna tkunx ġiet eletta validament bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati;

(b) xi membru tal-Kamra jkunx ivvaka l-post tiegħu fiha

jew ikunx meħtieġ, skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-

subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 55 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni,

li jtemm milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala

membru;

(ċ) xi persuna tkunx ġiet eletta validament bħala Speaker

minn fost persuni li ma jkunux membri tal-Kamra u,

wara li tkun ġiet hekk eletta, tkunx ivvakat il-kariga

ta’ Speaker; jew

(d) il-post ta' Membru tal-Parlament ikun sar vakanti

skont il-paragrafu (ff) tas-subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu

55,

għandha tiġi mressqa quddiem u deċiża mill-Qorti Kostituzzjonali

skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ

f’Malta.

64. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Skrivan tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

(2) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (6) tal-

artikolu 110 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni u ta’ kull liġi oħra li tkun

tapplika dwar impjieg fis-settur pubbliku, u bla ħsara għad-

dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu, l-iSpeaker

jista’ jaħtar dawk l-uffiċjali u impjegati kif jista’ jkun meħtieġ

għat-twettiq tal-funzjonijiet, setgħat u dmirijiet taħt l-Att dwar is-

Servizz Parlamentari. Din is-setgħa ta’ ħatra tinkludi s-setgħa ta’

approvazzjoni tan-numru ta’ persuni li jistgħu jkunu maħtura taħt

dan is-subartikolu kemm b’referenza għall-għadd totali kif ukoll

dwar kull dmir speċifiku, is-salarji u l-kundizzjonijiet tal-impjieg

Iżda meta l-għadd ta’ karigi fis-Servizz Parlamentari jiġi

approvat mill-Ministru għall-Finanzi u l-fondi jkunu tqiegħdu għad-

dispożizzjoni tiegħu, ma jkun hemm bżonn ebda approvazzjonijiet

amministrativi ulterjuri sabiex is-Servizz Parlamentari jikkonkludi

kuntratti ta’ impjieg skont dawk l-approvazzjonijiet.

64A. (1) Ikun hemm Kummissarju għal Investigazzjonijiet

Amministrattivi li jissejjaħ Ombudsman li jkollu l-funzjoni li

jinvestiga kull azzjoni li ssir minn jew f ’isem il-Gvern, jew minn

dik l-awtorità, dak il-korp jew dik il-persuna oħra skont ma jista’

jiġi provdut b’liġi (inkluża awtorità, korp jew kariga stabbiliti

b’din il-Kostituzzjoni), li jkunu azzjonijiet li jsiru fit-twettiq tal-

funzjonijiet amministrattivi tagħhom.

(2) L-Ombudsman għandu jinħatar mill-President li jaġixxi skont

riżoluzzjoni tal-Kamra li tgħaddi bil-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ

terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda illi minkejja d-dispożizzjoni ta’ xi liġi oħra, jekk ir-

Riżoluzzjoni ma jkollhiex favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ

terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra, il-persuna li tkun tokkupa l-kariga ta’

Ombudsman għandha, fi kwalunkwe ċirkostanza, tibqa’ fil-kariga

sakemm ir-Riżoluzzjoni jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda wkoll meta persuna li ma tkunx membru tal-Kamra tiġi

eletta biex tkun l-Ispeaker tal-Kamra ma għandhiex titqies bħala

membru tal-Kamra bil-għan li tiġi stabbilita l-maġġoranza meħtieġa

minn dan l-artikolu.

(3) L-Ombudsman jista’ f’kull ħin jitneħħa jew jiġi sospiż

mill-kariga tiegħu mill-President, fuq indirizz mill-Kamra li

jgħaddi bil-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha

tal-Kamra, fejn jitolbu għal din it-tneħħija fuq ir-raġuni ta’ prova

tal-inkapaċità tiegħu li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm

jekk jirriżulta minn nuqqas ta’ saħħa fiżika jew mentali jew

kwalunkwe kawża oħra) jew imġiba ħażina pruvata, u d-

disp ożi zzjo nij iet t al-provi so t as-su barti kol u (2 ) għan dh om

japplikaw ukoll għall-fini li tiġi stabbilita l-maġġoranza meħtieġa

taħt dan is-subartikolu

Iżda fi kwalunkwe ħin meta l-Parlament ma jkunx

f'sessjoni, Ombudsman jista’ jiġi sospiż mill-kariga tiegħu mill-

President li jaġixxi skont id-diskrezzjoni tiegħu stess għall-

inkapaċità li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jew imġiba ħażina

pruvata għas-sodisfazzjon tal-President; iżda kwalunkwe

sospensjoni bħal din ma għandhiex tibqa’ fis-seħħ aktar minn

xahrejn wara l-bidu tas-sessjoni tal-Parlament li jmiss.

(4) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu u

mingħajr preġudizzju għas-subartikolu (1), l-Ombudsman jista’

jmexxi kull investigazzjoni fuq l-inizjattiva tiegħu jew wara li

jasallu lment bil-miktub ta’ persuna li jkollha interess fil-kwistjoni

li tkun ġiet leża minn xi azzjoni bħal dawk imsemmija, jew meta l-

persuna leża tkun mietet jew għal kull raġuni li tkun ma tkunx

kapaċi taġixxi f’isimha, tal-eredi jew rappreżentant tagħha

Iżda kwalunkwe Kumitat tal-Kamra jista’ fi kwalunkwe ħin

jirreferi lill-Ombudsman għal kwalunkwe petizzjoni li tkun

qu ddiem il-Kumi tat għall -kon sid erazzj oni, jew kw al unkwe

kwistjoni li għandha x’taqsam mal-petizzjoni. Fi kwalunkwe każ l-

Ombudsman għandu, soġġett għal kwalunkwe direzzjoni speċjali

tal-Kumitat, jinvestiga kwistjonijiet hekk msemmija, sa fejn ikunu

fil-ġuriżdizzjoni tiegħu u jagħmel dak ir-rapport lill-Kumitat jekk

jidhirlu xieraq

Iżda wkoll il-Prim Ministru jista’ fi kwalunkwe ħin

jirreferi lill-Ombudsman għall-investigazzjoni u jirrapporta

kwalunkwe kwistjoni, għajr għal kwistjoni li tkun soġġetta għal

proċeduri ġudizzjarji, li l-Prim Ministru jqis li għandha tiġi

investigata mill-Ombudsman. Fejn, skont dan il-proviso, kwistjoni

tiġi investigata mill-Ombudsman, huwa għandu jirrapporta dwarha

lill-Prim Ministru, u wara jista’ jagħmel dak ir-rapport lill-

Parlament dwar il-kwistjoni kif jidhirlu xieraq

Iżda wkoll fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tiegħu, l-

Ombudsman ma għandux ikun soġġett għad-direzzjoni u l-kontroll

ta’ kwalunkwe persuna jew awtorità

Iżda wkoll jekk l-Ombudsman matul jew wara xi

investigazzjoni jkun tal-fehma li jkun hemm prova ta’ att ta’

korruzzjoni kif imfisser fl-Att dwar il-Kummissjoni Permanenti

Kontra l-Korruzzjoni, l-Ombudsman jista’ jirreferi dak li jkun

irriżulta direttament lill-Avukat Ġenerali.

(5) Kull kwistjoni anċillari jew inċidentali għaliha jew li hija

meqjusa neċessarja jew spedjenti għat-twettiq tal-funzjoni msemmija

fis-subartikolu (1) għandha tiġi pprovduta minn Att tal-Parlament.

TAQSIMA 2

Setgħat u Proċedura tal-Parlament

65. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, il-Parlament jista’ jagħmel liġijiet għall-paċi, ordni

u gvernar tajjeb ta’ Malta b’mod konformi ma’ rispett sħiħ għad-

drittijiet tal-bniedem, il-prinċipji ġeneralment aċċettati tad-dritt

internazzjonali u l-obbligi internazzjonali u reġjonali ta’ Malta

partikolarment dawk assunti bit-trattat tal-adeżjoni mal-Unjoni

Ewropea iffirmat f’Ateni fis-16 ta’ April, 2003.

(2)

Bla ħsara għall-ġeneralità tas-subartikolu (1) u suġġetti

għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (3), (4) u (5) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, il-Parlament jista’ b’liġi jistabbilixxi l-privileġġi,

immunitajiet u setgħat tal-Kamra tad-Deputati u l-membri tagħha.

(3) Ma jistgħu jittieħdu ebda proċeduri ċivili jew kriminali

kontra xi membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati għal kliem li jkunu

ntqalu quddiem, jew miktuba f ’rapport lil, il-Kamra jew kumitat

tagħha jew minħabba xi kwistjoni jew ħaġa miġjuba hemm minnu

b’petizzjoni, abbozz, riżoluzzjoni, mozzjoni jew xort’oħra.

(4) Matul kull sessjoni l-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

għandhom igawdu libertà minn arrest għal kull dejn ċivili ħlief dejn

li l-egħmil tiegħu jikkostitwixxi reat kriminali.

(5) Ebda proċediment maħruġ minn xi qorti fl-eżerċizzju ċivili

tagħha ma għandu jiġi notifikat jew esegwit ġewwa r-reċinti tal-

Kamra tad-Deputati waqt li l-Kamra tkun f’seduta jew permezz tal-

iSpeaker, l-Iskrivan jew xi uffiċjal tal-Kamra.

66. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-

Parlament jista’ jibdel kull waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni u (safejn tagħmel parti mil-liġi ta’ Malta) kull waħda

mid-disposizzjonijiet tal-Att tal-1964 dwar l-Indipendenza ta’

Malta.

(2)

Safejn jibdel -

(a) dan l-artikolu; jew

(b) l-artikolu 1, is-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 2, is-

subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu 3, is-subartikolu (1) tal-

artikolu 5, l-artikolu 5A, l-artikolu 6, l-artikoli minn 32

sa 48 (it-tnejn inklużi), l-artikoli 51, 52, 52A, 56, 57, 60,

61 u 64A, is-subartikolu (3) tal-artikolu 65, is-

subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 75, l-artikolu 76 (barra

mis-subartikolu (2) tiegħu), l-artikoli 77 u 78, l-

artikolu 80, l-artikolu 91, l-artikoli 95, 96, 96A, 97, 98,

99, 100, 101A, 101B, l-artikoli minn 102 sa 110 (it-

tnejn inklużi), l-artikoli 113, 114, 115A, 118, 119 jew

120 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni; jew

(ċ) l-artikolu 124 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni fl-applikazzjoni

tiegħu għal xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet speċifikati

fil-paragrafu (a) jew (b) ta’ dan is-subartikolu,

abbozz għal Att tal-Parlament skont dan l-artikolu ma għandux jiġi

mgħoddi mill-Kamra tad-Deputati kemm-il darba fil-votazzjoni

finali dwaru f’dik il-Kamra ma jkollux favur tiegħu l-voti ta’ mhux

anqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra.

(3)

Safejn jibdel -

(a) dan is-subartikolu jew is-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-

artikolu; jew

(b) is-subartikolu

(2)

tal-artikolu

ta’

din

il-

Kostituzzjoni,

abbozz għal Att tal-Parlament skont dan l-artikolu ma għandux jiġi

ppreżentat lill-President għall-kunsens tiegħu kemm-il darba mhux

inqas minn tliet xhur u mhux iktar minn sitt xhur wara li jkun

għadda mill-Kamra hekk kif speċifikat fis-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-

artikolu ma jkunx ġie mqiegħed quddiem l-eletturi kwalifikati li

jivvotaw għall-elezzjoni tal-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati u l-

maġġoranza tal-eletturi li jivvotaw ma jkunux approvaw l-abbozz.

(4) Id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (10) tal-artikolu 56 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni għandhom japplikaw għall-votazzjoni fuq

abbozz imqiegħed quddiem l-eletturi skont is-subartikolu (3) ta’

dan l-artikolu kif japplikaw għall-votazzjoni fl-elezzjoni ta’

membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, u bla ħsara għal dak li ntqal qabel

il-vot fuq dak l-abbozz għandu jittieħed b’dak il-mod kif

jippreskrivi l-Parlament.

(5) Safejn jibdel xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni barra minn dawk speċifikati fis-subartikoli (2) u (3)

ta’ dan l-artikolu, abbozz għal Att tal-Parlament skont dan l-

artikolu ma għandux jiġi mgħoddi mill-Kamra tad-Deputati kemm-

il darba fil-votazzjoni finali dwaru f’dik il-Kamra ma jkollux favur

tiegħu l-voti ta’ maġġoranza tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra.

(6) Att tal-Parlament li jibdel in-numru tal-membri tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati ma għandux jolqot in-numru tal-membri tal-Kamra

qabel ix-xoljiment tal-Parlament li jaħbat wara l-ħruġ tiegħu b’liġi.

(7)

F’dan l-artikolu -

(a) riferenzi għal xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni jew tal-Att tal-1964 dwar l-Indipendenza

ta’ Malta jinkludu riferenzi għal kull liġi li tiġi

emendata jew tissostitwixxi dik id-disposizzjoni; u

(b) riferenzi għat-tibdil ta’ xi waħda mid-disposizzjonijiet

ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni jew tal-Att tal-1964 dwar l-

Indipendenza ta’ Malta jinkludu riferenzi għall-

emendar, modifika jew ħruġ b’liġi mill-ġdid b’emenda

jew modifika jew mingħajrhom, ta’ dik id-

disposizzjoni, is-sospensjoni jew tħassir ta’ dik id-

disposizzjoni u l-egħmil ta’ disposizzjoni differenti

minflok dik id-disposizzjoni.

67. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, il-Kamra tad-Deputati tista’ tirregola l-proċedura

tagħha stess.

(2) Il-Kamra tad-Deputati tista’ taġixxi nonostanti xi vakanzi

fost il-membri tagħha (magħduda kull vakanza mhux mimlija meta

l-Kamra tiltaqa’ għall-ewwel darba fil jew wara l-ġurnata stabbilita

jew wara xi xoljiment tal-Parlament) u l-preżenza jew

parteċipazzjoni ta’ xi persuna mhux intitolata li tkun preżenti jew li

tipparteċipa fil-proċeduri tal-Kamra ma tneħħix il-validità ta’ dawk

il-proċeduri.

(3) Kull disposizzjoni magħmula bis-saħħa tas-subartikolu (1)

ta’ dan l-artikolu għat-twaqqif ta’ Kumitati tal-Kamra biex

jinvestigaw ħwejjeġ ta’ importanza pubblika ġenerali għandha tkun

hekk magħmula biex tiżgura illi, safejn ikun jidher prattikabbli lill-

Kamra, kull Kumitat bħal dak ikun hekk magħmul li jkun

jirrappreżenta b’mod xieraq lill-Kamra.

68. Ebda membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati ma jitħalla jieħu

parti fil-proċeduri tal-Kamra (barra minn proċeduri meħtieġa għall-

finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu) sakemm ma jkunx ħa u ffirma quddiem il-

Kamra l-ġurament ta’ lealtà

Iżda l-elezzjoni tal-iSpeaker u Deputy Speaker tista’ ssir

qabel ma l-membri tal-Kamra jkunu ħadu u ffirmaw dak il-

ġurament.

69. (1) Għandu jippresjedi f’kull seduta tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati -

(a) l-iSpeaker; jew

(b) fl-assenza tal-iSpeaker, id-Deputy Speaker; jew

(ċ) fl-assenza tal-iSpeaker u tad-Deputy Speaker, dak il-

membru tal-Kamra (li ma jkunx Ministru jew

Segretarju Parlamentari) li l-Kamra tista’ teleġġi għal

dak l-iskop.

(2) Riferenzi f’dan l-artikolu għal ċirkostanzi li fihom l-

iSpeaker jew id-Deputy Speaker ikun assenti jinkludu riferenzi għal

ċirkostanzi li fihom il-kariga ta’ Speaker jew Deputy Speaker tkun

vakanti.

70. (1) Jekk f’xi seduta tal-Kamra tad-Deputati xi membru li

jkun preżenti jiġbed l-attenzjoni tal-persuna li tkun qed tippresjedi

fis-seduta għall-assenza ta’ quorum u, wara dak l-intervall li jista’

jkun preskritt fl-Ordnijiet Permanenti tal-Kamra, il-persuna li tkun

qed tippresjedi f ’dik is-seduta tiżgura li quorum tal-Kamra jkun

għadu mhux preżenti, il-Kamra għandha tiġi aġġornata.

(2)

Għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu -

(a) quorum tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jkun magħmul minn

ħmistax-il membru; u

(b) il-persuna li tkun tippresjedi fis-seduta tal-Kamra ma

tkunx magħduda fil-kalkolu jekk hemmx quorum

preżenti.

71. (1) Ħlief safejn ikun provdut xort’oħra f’din il-

Kostituzzjoni, kull kwistjoni proposta għal deċiżjoni fil-Kamra tad-

Deputati għandha tiġi deċiża b’maġġoranza tal-voti tal-membri

tagħha preżenti u li jivvotaw.

(2) L-iSpeaker ma għandux jivvota dwar xi kwistjoni jekk

mhux meta l-voti jkunu ndaqs, f’liema każ huwa jkollu u jeżerċita

vot deċiżiv.

(3) Kull persuna oħra għandha, meta tippresjedi fil-Kamra tad-

Deputati, iżżomm il-vot tagħha oriġinali bħala membru u, jekk

dwar xi kwistjoni, il-voti jkunu ndaqs, ikollha wkoll u teżerċita vot

deċiżiv.

72. (1) Is-setgħa tal-Parlament li jagħmel liġijiet għandha tiġi

eżerċitata b’abbozzi mgħoddija mill-Kamra tad-Deputati, u bil-

kunsens mogħti għalihom mill-President.

(2)

Meta abbozz jiġi preżentat lill-President għall-kunsens,

huwa għandu mingħajr dewmien juri li jagħti l-kunsens.

(3) Abbozz ma għandux isir liġi kemm-il darba ma jkunx ġie

mgħoddi kif imiss u ma jkunx ġie mogħti l-kunsens għalih skont

din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(4) Meta liġi jkun ġie mogħti l-kunsens għaliha mill-President

din għandha bla dewmien tiġi pubblikata fil-Gazzetta u ma

għandhiex tibda sseħħ sakemm ma tkunx hekk pubblikata, iżda l-

Parlament jista’ jipposponi l-bidu fis-seħħ ta’ xi liġi bħal dik u

jista’ jagħmel liġijiet b’effett retroattiv.

73. Ħlief wara rakkomandazzjoni tal-President murija minn

Ministru, il-Kamra tad-Deputati ma għandhiex -

(a) tipproċedi dwar xi abbozz (magħduda kull emenda

għal abbozz) li, fil-fehma tal-persuna li tkun

tippresjedi, jipprovdi għal xi wieħed mill-iskopijiet li

ġejjin, jiġifieri, biex jimponi jew iżid xi taxxa, biex

jimponi jew iżid xi piż fuq id-dħul jew fondi oħra ta’

Malta jew biex jibdel xi piż bħal dak xort’oħra milli

billi jnaqqsu, jew biex isir ftehim jew maħfra dwar xi

dejn dovut lil Malta;

(b) tipproċedi dwar xi mozzjoni (magħduda kull emenda

għal mozzjoni) li l-effett tagħha, fil-fehma tal-persuna

li tkun tippresjedi, ikun li tipprovdi għal xi wieħed

mill-iskopijiet imsemmija qabel; jew

(ċ) tirċievi xi petizzjoni li, fil-fehma tal-persuna li tkun

tippresjedi, teħtieġ li jsir provvediment għal xi wieħed

mill-iskopijiet imsemmija qabel.

74. Ħlief kif provdut xort’oħra mill-Parlament, kull liġi

għandha ssir kemm bl-ilsien Malti kif ukoll bl-ilsien Ingliż u, jekk

ikun hemm xi konflitt bejn it-test Malti u t-test Ingliż ta’ xi liġi, it-

test Malti għandu jipprevali.

TAQSIMA 3

Sejħa, Proroga u Xoljiment

75. (1) Kull sessjoni tal-Parlament għandha tibda f’dak iż-

żmien li l-President jista’ bi proklama jistabbilixxi u għandha

tinżamm f ’dak il-post jew f ’dawk il-postijiet li l-President bi

proklama, jew li l-Kamra tad-Deputati b’kull mod li jidhrilha

xieraq, jistgħu minn żmien għal żmien jistabbilixxu.

(2) Għandu jkun hemm sessjoni tal-Parlament għall-inqas

darba kull sena, hekk illi perijodu ta’ tnax-il xahar ma jgħaddix

bejn l-aħħar seduta tal-Parlament f ’sessjoni waħda u l-ewwel

seduta tiegħu fis-sessjoni sussegwenti.

(3) Il-Kamra tad-Deputati għandha tiltaqa’ mhux aktar tard

minn xahrejn wara l-pubblikazzjoni tar-riżultat uffiċjali ta’ xi

elezzjoni ġenerali mill-Kummissjoni Elettorali f’ġurnata stabbilita

mill-President.

76. (1) Il-President jista’ f’kull żmien bi proklama jipproroga

jew ixolji l-Parlament.

(2) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (3) ta’ dan

l-artikolu, il-Parlament, jekk ma jkunx xolt aktar kmieni, għandu

jkompli għal ħames snin mid-data tal-ewwel seduta tiegħu wara xi

xoljiment u għandu wara dan ixolji.

(3) F’kull żmien meta Malta tkun fi gwerra, il-Parlament jista’

minn żmien għal żmien jestendi l-perijodu ta’ ħames snin speċifikat

fis-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu għal mhux iżjed minn tnax-il

xahar kull darba

Iżda l-ħajja tal-Parlament ma għandhiex tiġi estiża skont

dan is-subartikolu għal aktar minn ħames snin.

(4) Jekk bejn xoljiment tal-Parlament u l-elezzjoni ġenerali

sussegwenti ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati tinħoloq

emerġenza ta’ dik ix-xorta li, fil-fehma tal-Prim Ministru jkun

jeħtieġ li jerġa’ jissejjaħ il-Parlament, il-President jista’ bi

proklama jsejjaħ il-Parlament li jkun ġie xolt biex jiltaqa’, u dak il-

Parlament għandu wara dan jitqies (ħlief għall-fini tal-artikolu 77

u, dwar l-elezzjoni ġenerali sussegwenti, l-artikoli 61(3) u 66(6) ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni) li ma jkunx ġie xolt iżda għandu jitqies (ħlief

kif ingħad qabel) li jiġi xolt fid-data li fiha l-votazzjoni tkun

konkluża fl-elezzjoni ġenerali sussegwenti.

(5) Fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat tiegħu skont dan l-artikolu l-

President għandu jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru

Iżda -

(a) jekk il-Kamra tad-Deputati tgħaddi riżoluzzjoni, li

jkollha voti favur tagħha ta’ maġġoranza tal-membri

kollha tagħha, li ma għandhiex fiduċja fil-Gvern, u l-

Prim Ministru fi żmien tliet ijiem la ma jirriżenja mill-

kariga tiegħu u l-anqas jagħti parir għal xoljiment, il-

President jista’ jxolji l-Parlament;

(b) jekk il-kariga ta’ Prim Ministru tkun vakanti u l-

President iqis li x’aktarx ma jkunx jista’ fi żmien

raġonevoli jaħtar għal dik il-kariga persuna li jista’

jkollha l-appoġġ ta’ maġġoranza tal-membri tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati, il-President jista’ jxolji l-Parlament; u

(ċ) jekk il-Prim Ministru jirrakkomanda xoljiment u l-

President iqis li l-Gvern ta’ Malta jista’ jitkompla

mingħajr xoljiment u illi xoljiment ma jkunx fl-

interess ta’ Malta, il-President jista’ jirrifjuta li jxolji

l-Parlament.

77. Elezzjoni ġenerali tal-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

għandha tinżamm f ’dak iż-żmien għeluq tliet xhur wara kull

xoljiment tal-Parlament kif il-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-

Prim Ministru, għandu jistabbilixxi bi proklama.

KAPITOLU VII

L-Esekuttiv

78. (1) L-awtorità esekuttiva ta’ Malta hija fil-President.

(2) L-awtorità esekuttiva ta’ Malta għandha tiġi eżerċitata mill-

President, jew direttament jew permezz ta’ uffiċjali subordinati

għalih, skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(3) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma timpedixxi lill-Parlament

milli jikkonferixxi funzjonijiet fuq il-President jew fuq persuni jew

awtoritajiet li ma jkunux il-President.

79. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kabinett għal Malta li jkun

magħmul mill-Prim Ministru u dak in-numru ta’ Ministri oħra li

jistgħu jiġu maħtura skont l-artikolu 80 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Il-Kabinett ikollu d-direzzjoni ġenerali u l-kontroll tal-

Gvern ta’ Malta u jkun responsabbli kollettivament dwar hekk lejn

il-Parlament.

80. Kull meta jkun hemm lok għall-ħatra ta’ Prim Ministru, il-

President għandu jaħtar bħala Prim Ministru l-membru tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati li, fil-ġudizzju tiegħu, ikun l-aħjar li jkun jista’ jgawdi

l-appoġġ tal-maġġoranza tal-membri tal-Kamra u għandu, waqt li

jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru, jaħtar lill-Ministri l-oħra

minn fost il-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

Iżda jekk ikun hemm lok għall-egħmil ta’ ħatra għall-kariga

ta’ Prim Ministru jew xi Ministru ieħor waqt li l-Parlament ikun

xolt, persuna li kienet membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati minnufih

qabel ix-xoljiment tista’ tiġi maħtura bħala Prim Ministru jew xi

Ministru ieħor bħallikieku, f’kull każ, dik il-persuna kienet għadha

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, iżda kull persuna hekk maħtura

għandha tivvaka l-kariga fil-bidu tas-sessjoni sussegwenti tal-

Parlament jekk ma tkunx f’dak iż-żmien membru tagħha.

81. (1) Jekk il-Kamra tad-Deputati tgħaddi riżoluzzjoni, li

jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ maġġoranza tal-membri kollha

tagħha, li ma jkollhiex fiduċja fil-Gvern, il-President jista’ jneħħi l-

Prim Ministru mill-kariga

Iżda l-President ma għandux jagħmel hekk jekk ma jkunux

għaddew tliet ijiem u jkun iddeċida li ma jxoljix il-Parlament skont

l-artikolu 76 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(2)

Il-kariga ta’ Prim Ministru ssir ukoll vakanti -

(a) meta, wara xi xoljiment tal-Parlament, il-Prim

Ministru jkun informat mill-President li l-President

ikun sejjer jaħtru mill-ġdid bħala Prim Ministru jew

sejjer jaħtar persuna oħra bħala Prim Ministru;

(b) jekk itemm milli jkun membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

xort’oħra milli b’xoljiment tal-Parlament; jew

(ċ) jekk, skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) tal-

artikolu 55 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, huwa jkun meħtieġ

li jtemm milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

(3) Il-kariga ta’ Ministru, minbarra dik ta’ Prim Ministru,

għandha ssir vakanti-

(a) mal-ħatra jew ħatra mill-ġdid ta’ xi persuna għall-

kariga ta’ Prim Ministru;

(b) jekk il-ħatra tiegħu għall-kariga tiegħu tiġi mħassra

mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim

Ministru;

(ċ) jekk itemm milli jkun membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

xort’oħra milli b’xoljiment tal-Parlament; jew

(d) jekk, skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) tal-

artikolu 55 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, huwa jkun meħtieġ

li jtemm milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati.

82. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, il-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim

Ministru, jista’, b’direttivi bil-miktub, jassenja lill-Prim Ministru

jew kull Ministru ieħor responsabbiltà ta’ kull xogħol tal-Gvern ta’

Malta magħduda l-amministrazzjoni ta’ xi dipartiment tal-gvern.

(2) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma tagħti setgħa lill-President li

jagħti lil xi Ministru awtorità biex jeżerċità xi setgħa jew jaqdi xi

dmir li hija mogħtija jew huwa impost minn din il-Kostituzzjoni

jew xi liġi oħra fuq xi persuna jew awtorità li ma tkunx dak il-

Ministru.

83. (1) Kull meta l-Prim Ministru jkun assenti minn Malta jew

bil-vaganzi, jew ma jkunx jista’ minħabba mard jaqdi l-funzjonijiet

tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President jista’ jawtorizza xi membru ieħor tal-

Kabinett biex jaqdi dawk il-funzjonijiet (li ma jkunux dawk il-

funzjonijiet mogħtija b’dan l-artikolu) u dak il-membru jkun jista’

jaqdi dawk il-funzjonijiet sakemm l-awtorità tiegħu tiġi revokata

mill-President.

(2) Is-setgħat tal-President skont dan l-artikolu għandhom jiġu

eżerċitati minnu skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru

Iżda jekk il-President iqis li ma jkunx prattikabbli li jikseb

il-parir tal-Prim Ministru minħabba l-assenza jew mard tiegħu

huwa jkun jista’ jeżerċità dawk is-setgħat mingħajr dak il-parir.

84. (1) Kull meta Ministru li ma jkunx il-Prim Ministru ma

jkunx jista’, minħabba mard jew assenza tiegħu minn Malta, jaqdi

l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President jkun jista’ jaħtar

membru ieħor tal-Kamra tad-Deputati biex ikun Ministru

temporanju

Iżda jekk ikun hemm lok għall-egħmil ta’ ħatra waqt li l-

Parlament ikun xolt, persuna li, minnufih qabel ix-xoljiment, kienet

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati tista’ tiġi maħtura bħala Ministru

temporanju bħallikieku kienet għadha membru ta’ dik il-Kamra,

iżda kull persuna hekk maħtura għandha tivvaka l-kariga fil-bidu

tas-sessjoni sussegwenti tal-Parlament jekk ma tkunx f ’dak iż-

żmien membru tagħha.

(2) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 81 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, Ministru temporanju għandu jżomm il-kariga

sakemm jiġi notifikat mill-President li l-Ministru, li minħabba l-

inkapaċità tiegħu li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu huwa ġie

maħtur, reġa’ sar kapaċi li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu jew sakemm

dak il-Ministru jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu.

(3) Is-setgħat tal-President skont dan l-artikolu għandhom jiġu

eżerċitati minnu skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

85. (1) Fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tiegħu l-President għandu

jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Kabinett jew ta’ Ministru li jaġixxi skont

l-awtorità ġenerali tal-Kabinett ħlief fil-każijiet meta huwa meħtieġ

b’din il-Kostituzzjoni jew b’xi liġi oħra li jaġixxi skont il-parir ta’

xi persuna jew awtorità li ma tkunx il-Kabinett

Iżda l-President għandu jaġixxi skont il-ġudizzju deliberat

tiegħu stess fl-esekuzzjoni tal-funzjonijiet li ġejjin -

(a) fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat dwar ix-xoljiment tal-

Parlament mogħtija lilu skont il-proviso li hemm mas-

subartikolu (5) tal-artikolu 76 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni;

(b) fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħa li jaħtar il-Prim Ministru jew

ineħħi l-Prim Ministru mill-kariga mogħtija lilu bl-

artikolu 80 u bis-subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu 81 ta’ din

il-Kostituzzjoni;

(ċ) fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat mogħtija lilu bl-artikolu 83 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni (li jirriferixxi għall-qadi tal-

funzjonijiet tal-Prim Ministru matul assenza, vaganzi

jew mard) fiċ-ċirkostanzi msemmija fil-proviso li

hemm mas-subartikolu (2) ta’ dak l-artikolu;

(d) fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħa li jaħtar il-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni u li jħassar kull ħatra bħal dik mogħtija

lilu bl-artikolu 90 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni; u

(e) meta juri l-approvazzjoni tiegħu għall-finijiet tas-

subartikolu (4) tal-artikolu 110 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni

dwar ħatra għal kariga fil-persunal tiegħu;

(f)

fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat konferiti minn din il-

Kostituzzjoni li jagħmel ħatriet għal xi kariga skont il-

Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Meta skont din il-Kostituzzjoni l-President huwa meħtieġ li

jaġixxi skont il-parir ta’ xi persuna jew awtorità, il-kwistjoni jekk

ikunx f ’xi każ irċieva, jew ikunx aġixxa skont, dak il-parir ma

għandhiex tiġi eżaminata minn ebda qorti.

(3) Ir-riferenza fis-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu għall-

funzjonijiet tal-President għandha tinftiehem bħala riferenza għas-

setgħat u dmirijiet tiegħu fl-eżerċizzju tal-awtorità esekuttiva ta’

Malta u għal kull setgħat u dmirijiet oħra mogħtija lilu jew imposti

fuqu bħala President bi jew skont din il-Kostituzzjoni jew xi liġi

oħra.

86. (1) Meta skont din il-Kostituzzjoni l-Prim Ministru huwa

meħtieġ li jeżerċita xi funzjoni skont ir-rakkomandazzjoni ta’ xi

persuna jew awtorità huwa għandu jeżerċita dik il-funzjoni skont

dik ir-rakkomandazzjoni

Iżda -

(a) qabel ma jaġixxi skont hekk huwa jista’ jirriferixxi

lura għal darba waħda dik ir-rakkomandazzjoni għal

konsiderazzjoni mill-ġdid minn dik il-persuna jew

awtorità; u

(b) jekk dik il-persuna jew awtorità, wara li tkun

ikkunsidrat mill-ġdid ir-rakkomandazzjoni oriġinali

skont il-paragrafu ta’ qabel dan, tissostitwixxi

rakkomandazzjoni differenti, id-disposizzjonijiet ta’

dan is-subartikolu għandhom jgħoddu għal dik ir-

rakkomandazzjoni differenti bħalma jgħoddu għar-

rakkomandazzjoni oriġinali.

(2) Meta skont din il-Kostituzzjoni l-Prim Ministru huwa

meħtieġ li jaqdi xi funzjoni wara konsultazzjoni ma’ xi persuna jew

awtorità, huwa ma jkunx obbligat li jaqdi dik il-funzjoni skont il-

parir ta’ dik il-persuna jew awtorità.

(3) Meta skont din il-Kostituzzjoni l-Prim Ministru huwa

meħtieġ li jaqdi xi funzjoni skont ir-rakkomandazzjoni ta’, jew

wara konsultazzjoni ma’, xi persuna jew awtorità, il-kwistjoni jekk

huwa jkunx f ’xi każ irċieva, jew ikunx aġixxa skont dik ir-

rakkomandazzjoni jew jekk ikunx ikkonsulta ma’ dik il-persuna

jew awtorità ma għandhiex tiġi eżaminata minn ebda qorti.

(4) Fejn b'din il-Kostituzzjoni l-Prim Ministru huwa meħtieġ li

jwettaq il-funzjonijiet elenkati fl-artikoli 120(2), (6) u (7), huwa għandu

jagħmel dan wara li jkun aġixxa fuq dak il-parir li jista’ jkun ingħata

f’dak ir-rigward mill-Kabinett tal-Ministri.

87. Il-Prim Ministru għandu jżomm lill-President informat

għal kollox dwar it-tmexxija ġenerali tal-Gvern ta’ Malta u għandu

jagħti lill-President dak it-tagħrif li huwa jista’ jitlob dwar xi ħaġa

partikolari li għandha x’taqsam mal-Gvern ta’ Malta.

88. (1) Il-President, li għandu jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim

Ministru, jista’ jaħtar Segretarji Parlamentari minn fost il-membri

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati biex jgħinu lill-Ministri fil-qadi tad-

dmirijiet tagħhom

Iżda jekk jinqala’ lok għall-egħmil ta’ ħatra waqt li l-

Parlament ikun xolt, persuna li minnufih qabel ix-xoljiment kienet

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati tista’ tiġi maħtura bħala Segretarju

Parlamentari bħallikieku kienet għadha membru ta’ dik il-Kamra,

imma kull persuna hekk maħtura għandha tivvaka l-kariga fil-bidu

tas-sessjoni sussegwenti tal-Parlament jekk ma tkunx dak iż-żmien

membru tagħha.

(2) Id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (3) tal-artikolu 81 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni għandhom jgħoddu għas-Segretarji

Parlamentari bħalma jgħoddu għall-Ministri.

89. Ministru jew Segretarju Parlamentari ma għandux jidħol

għad-dmirijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jekk ma jkunx ħa u ffirma l-

ġurament ta’ lealtà u l-ġurament għall-qadi xieraq tal-kariga tiegħu

m u r i j a f i t - Ti e l e t u f i t - Ti e n i S k e d a l i j i n s a b u m a ’ d i n i l -

Kostituzzjoni.

90. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni li jkun

maħtur mill-President.

(2) Kull meta jkun hemm lok għall-ħatra ta’ Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni, il-President għandu jaħtar -

(a) jekk ikun hemm partit ta’ oppożizzjoni wieħed li l-

forza numerika tiegħu fil-Kamra tad-Deputati tkun

akbar mill-forza ta’ kull partit ieħor ta’ oppożizzjoni,

il-membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati li jkun il-Kap ta’

dak il-partit; jew

(b) jekk, minħabba egwaljanza fil-forza numerika tal-

partiti ta’ oppożizzjoni fil-Kamra jew minħabba li ma

jkunx hemm partit ta’ oppożizzjoni, ebda persuna ma

tkun kwalifikata għall-ħatra skont il-paragrafu (a) ta’

dan is-subartikolu, il-membru tal-Kamra li, fil-

ġudizzju tal-President, ikollu l-appoġġ tal-akbar grupp

singlu ta’ membri tal-Kamra f’oppożizzjoni għall-

Gvern li jkunu lesti biex jappoġġaw kap wieħed.

(3)

Il-kariga ta’ Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni għandha ssir vakanti -

(a) jekk wara xi xoljiment tal-Parlament, huwa jiġi

nformat mill-President illi l-President ikun sejjer

jaħtar persuna oħra bħala Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni;

(b) jekk itemm milli jkun membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati

xort’oħra milli b’xoljiment tal-Parlament;

(ċ) jekk, skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) tal-

artikolu 55 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, huwa jkun meħtieġ

li jtemm milli jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tiegħu bħala membru

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati; jew

(d) jekk il-ħatra tiegħu tiġi mħassra skont id-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-artikolu.

(4) Jekk, fil-ġudizzju tal-President, membru tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati li ma jkunx il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni, ikun sar il-Kap fil-

Kamra tal-partit fl-oppożizzjoni li jkollu l-akbar forza numerika fil-

Kamra jew, skont il-każ, il-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni jkun temm milli

jkollu l-appoġġ tal-akbar grupp singlu ta’ membri f’oppożizzjoni

għall-Gvern, il-President għandu jħassar il-ħatra tal-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni.

(5) Is-subartikolu (4) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma jkollux seħħ waqt li

l-Parlament ikun xolt.

91. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Avukat Ġenerali li l-kariga tiegħu

tkun kariga pubblika u li jkun maħtur mill-President li għandu

jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

(2) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat li jkollu l-kariga ta’ Avukat

Ġenerali jekk ma jkunx kwalifikat għal ħatra bħala mħallef tal-

Qrati Superjuri.

(3)

Fl-eżerċizzju tas-setgħat tiegħu biex jistitwixxi, jagħmel

u jwaqqaf proċeduri kriminali u ta’ kull setgħat oħra mogħtija lilu

b’xi liġi f ’termini li jawtorizzawh li jeżerċita dik is-setgħa fil-

ġudizzju individwali tiegħu l-Avukat Ġenerali għandu jkollu

indipendenza kostituzzjonali u ma jkunx soġġett għad-direzzjoni jew

kontroll ta’ ebda persuna jew awtorità oħra ħlief sa fejn xi liġi tista’

tipprovdi

(a) għall-istħarriġ ġudizzjarju ta’ deċiżjoni li ma ssirx

prosekuzzjoni jew ta’ deċiżjoni oħra meħuda mill-

Avukat Ġenerali, fuq il-bażi ta’ illegalità jew

irraġjonevolezza; jew

(b) għall-eżami fil-mertu minn qorti fuq il-bażi ta’ kriterji

stabbiliti b’liġi ta’ deċiżjoni tal-Avukat Ġenerali li

prosekuzzjoni għandha ssir f’qorti superjuri ta’

ġuriżdizzjoni kriminali fejn il-piena li tkun tapplika

tkun ogħla minn dik li kienet tkun tapplika għall-istess

reat kieku l-proċess kellu jsir quddiem qorti inferjuri

ta’ ġuriżdizzjoni kriminali.

(4) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (5) ta’ dan

l-artikolu, l-Avukat Ġenerali għandu jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu meta

jagħlaq l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin sena.

(5) L-Avukat Ġenerali ma għandux jitneħħa mill-kariga tiegħu

ħlief mill-President wara indirizz mill-Kamra li jkollu favur tiegħu

l-vot ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tagħha u li

jitlob għal dik it-tneħħija minħabba inkapaċità ippruvata li jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk għal mard korporali jew

mentali jew għal xi raġuni oħra) jew imġiba ħażina ppruvata.

(6) Il-Parlament jista’ b’liġi jirregola l-proċedura għal preżentata

ta’ indirizz u għall-investigazzjoni u prova dwar l-inkapaċità jew

imġiba ħażina skont id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-aħħar subartikolu qabel

dan.

91A. (1)

Għandu jkun hemm Avukat tal-Istat li l-kariga tiegħu

tkun kariga pubblika u li jkun maħtur mill-President li għandu jaġixxi

skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

(2)

Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat li jkollu l-kariga ta’ Avukat tal-

Istat jekk ma jkunx kwalifikat għal ħatra bħala imħallef tal-Qrati

Superjuri.

(3)

L-Avukat tal-Istat għandu jkun il-konsulent tal-Gvern fi

kwistjonijiet ta’ liġi u opinjoni legali. Huwa għandu jaġixxi fl-interess

pubbliku u għandu jissalvagwardja l-legalità tal-azzjoni tal-Istat. L-

Avukat tal-Istat għandu jwettaq ukoll dawk id-dmirijiet u funzjonijiet

oħra li jistgħu jingħatawlu minn din il-Kostituzzjoni jew minn xi liġi.

Fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tiegħu, l-Avukat tal-Istat għandu jaġixxi

fil-ġudizzju individwali tiegħu u ma għandux ikun suġġett għad-

direzzjoni jew għall-kontroll ta’ ebda persuna jew awtorità oħra.

(4)

Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (5), l-

Avukat tal-Istat għandu jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu meta jagħlaq l-età ta’

ħamsa u sittin (65) sena.

(5)

L-Avukat tal-Istat ma għandux jitneħħa mill-kariga tiegħu

ħlief mill-President wara indirizz mill-Kamra li jkollu favur tiegħu l-

vot ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tagħha u li jitlob

għal dik it-tneħħija minħabba inkapaċità ippruvata li jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk għal mard korporali jew

mentali jew għal xi raġuni oħra) jew imġiba ħażina ppruvata.

(6)

Il-Parlament jista’ b’liġi jirregola l-proċedura għal

preżentata ta’ indirizz u għall-investigazzjoni u prova dwar l-

inkapaċità jew imġiba ħażina skont id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-aħħar

subartikolu qabel dan.

92. (1) Meta lil xi Ministru tkun ġiet mogħtija r-

responsabbiltà għal xi dipartiment tal-gvern, huwa għandu jeżerċita

direzzjoni ġenerali u kontroll fuq dak id-dipartiment; u, bla ħsara

għal dik id-direzzjoni u kontroll, id-dipartiment jista’ jkun taħt is-

sorveljanza ta’ Segretarju Permanenti

Iżda żewġ dipartimenti tal-gvern jew iżjed jistgħu jitqegħdu

taħt is-sorveljanza ta’ Segretarju Permanenti wieħed.

(2) Il-Prim Ministru jkun responsabbli għall-assennjazzjoni ta’

dipartimenti tal-gvern lil Segretarji Permanenti.

(3) Is-setgħa ta’ ħatra ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi biex iżommu jew

jaġixxu fil-kariga ta’ Segretarju Permanenti u ta’ tneħħija mill-kariga

ta’ persuni li jkunu jżommu jew ikunu qegħdin jaġixxu f’dik il-kariga

tkun fil-President ta’ Malta li jaġixxi fuq il-parir tal-Kummissjoni

dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

Iżda l-Kummissjoni tas-Servizz Pubbliku għandha tagħti l-

parir tagħha lill-President wara li tkun irċeviet u evalwat ir-

rakkommandazzjoni mogħtija mis-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni.

(4) Il-kapijiet ta’ dipartimenti tal-gvern li ma jkunux dawk li l-

mod ta’ ħatra tagħhom huwa speċifikatament provdut f ’din il-

Kostituzzjoni għandhom ikunu maħtura minn fost l-uffiċjali

pubbliċi anzjani mill-Prim Ministru wara konsultazzjoni mal-

Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

Iżda li, minkejja d-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu l-

ħatra ta’ Kummissarju tal-Pulizija għandha ssir mill-Prim Ministru

wara konsultazzjoni mal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku kif

ikun provdut fl-Att dwar il-Pulizija.

(5) Is-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni għandu jinħatar bl-istess

mod kif jinħatar Segretarju Permanenti minn fost persuni li

jkollhom il-kwalifiki biex jiġu hekk maħtura skont id-

dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (1), (2) u (3)

Iżda s-setgħa li taħtar is-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni

għandha tkun vestita fil-President li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Kabinett

tal-Ministri u wara li jikkonsultaw l-Kummissjoni tas-Servizz

Pubbliku

Iżda wkoll l-funzjonijiet tas-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni

flimkien ma’ kull ħaġa oħra anċillari jew inċidentali jew li titqies

meħtieġa jew spedjenti għat-twettiq tal-funzjonijiet tas-Segretarju

Permanenti Ewlieni għandhom jiġu stabbiliti permezz ta’ Att tal-

Parlament.

93. (1) Il-President ikollu s-setgħa li -

(a) jagħti lil xi persuna li jkollha x’taqsam fi jew tkun ġiet

misjuba ħatja ta’ xi reat maħfra, sew ħielsa jew

suġġetta għal kondizzjonijiet skont il-liġi;

(b) jagħti lil xi persuna sospensjoni, sew indefinita jew

għal perijodu speċifikat, dwar l-esekuzzjoni ta’ xi

kundanna mogħtija lil dik il-persuna għal xi reat;

(ċ) jissostitwixxi forma ta’ piena anqas ħarxa minflok xi

piena imposta fuq xi persuna għal xi reat; jew

(d) jaħfer fl-intier tagħha jew f’parti minnha kull

kundanna mogħtija lil xi persuna għal reat jew għal xi

penali jew konfiska li xort’oħra tkun dovuta lill-Istat

minħabba f’xi reat.

(2)

(a) Meta xi persuna tkun ġiet kundannata għal mewt minn

xi qorti f’Malta, il-President għandu jara li rapport bil-

miktub tal-każ mill-imħallef ġudikant, jew, fil-każ ta’

qorti marzjali mill-persuna li tkun ippresjediet, u dak

it-tagħrif l-ieħor miksub mill-inkartament tal-każ jew

minn band’oħra kif il-President jista’ jeħtieġ, jiġi

mibgħut lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja.

(b) L-imsemmi Ministru għandu jibgħat dak ir-rapport

miktub u tagħrif (jekk ikun hemm) lill-Kabinett, u l-

Kabinett għandu jagħti parir lill-President jekk

għandux jagħti lill-ħati maħfra jew sospensjoni fl-

eżerċizzju tas-setgħat mogħtija lilu b’dan l-artikolu.

94. (1) Is-Segretarju Permanenti Ewlieni jkun l-iktar uffiċjal

pubbliku anzjan u għandu jaġixxi bħala Segretarju għall-Kabinett

Iżda l-Prim Ministru jista’ jaħtar persuna differenti biex

taġixxi bħala Segretarju għall-Kabinett, u f’dan il-każ is-Segretarju

għall-Kabinett għandu jinħatar bl-istess mod bħal Segretarju

Permanenti minn fost persuni li jkollhom il-kwalifiki biex jiġu

hekk maħtura skont id-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 92.

(2) Is-Segretarju għall-Kabinett ikun responsabbli, skont dawk l-

istruzzjonijiet li jistgħu jiġu mogħtija lilu mill-Prim Ministru, biex

jipprepara x-xogħol għal, u biex iżomm il-minuti ta’, il-laqgħat tal-

Kabinett u biex iwassal id-deċiżjonijiet tal-Kabinett lill-persuna jew

awtorità xierqa, u jkollu dawk il-funzjonijiet l-oħra li l-Prim Ministru

jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jordna.

KAPITOLU VIII

Il-Ġudizzjarju

95. (1) Għandu jkun hemm f’MaIta u għal Malta dawk il-Qrati

Superjuri li jkollhom dawk is-setgħat u ġurisdizzjoni kif ikun

provdut b’xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

(2) Waħda mill-Qrati Superjuri, magħmula minn tlieta mill-

imħallfin li jkunu jistgħu, skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun

isseħħ f ’Malta, joqgħodu fil-Qorti tal-Appell, għandha tkun

magħrufa bħala l-Qorti Kostituzzjonali u jkollha ġurisdizzjoni li

tisma’ u tiddeċidi -

(a) dawk il-kwistjonijiet li huma msemmija fl-artikolu 63

tal-Kostituzzjoni;

(b) kull ħaġa riferita lilha skont l-artikolu 56 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni u kull ħaġa riferita lilha skont kull liġi

dwar l-elezzjoni tal-membri tal-Kamra tad-Deputati;

(ċ) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet tal-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti

Ċivili skont l-artikolu 46 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni;

(d) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet ta’ xi qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni

oriġinali

f’Malta

fuq

kwistjonijiet

dwar

interpretazzjoni ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni li ma jkunux

dawk li jistgħu jaqgħu taħt l-artikolu 46 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni;

(e) appelli minn deċiżjonijiet ta’ xi qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni

oriġinali f’Malta fuq kwistjonijiet dwar il-validità ta’

liġijiet li ma jkunux dawk li jistgħu jaqgħu taħt l-

artikolu 46 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni; u

(f)

kull kwistjoni deċiża minn qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni

oriġinali f’Malta flimkien ma’ xi waħda mill-

kwistjonijiet imsemmija fil-paragrafi ta’ qabel ta’ dan

is-subartikolu li minnha jkun sar appell lill-Qorti

Kostituzzjonali

Iżda ebda ħaġa li tinsab f’dan il-paragrafu ma

ttellef li appell jinġieb separatament quddiem il-Qorti

tal-Appell skont xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien ikun hemm

isseħħ f’Malta.

(3) Minkejja d-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, jekk xi kwistjoni bħalma hija msemmija fil-paragrafu (d)

jew (e) ta’ dak is-subartikolu tqum għall-ewwel darba fi proċeduri

f’qorti ta’ ġurisdizzjoni ta’ appell, dik il-qorti għandha tibgħat il-

kwistjoni quddiem il-qorti li tkun tat id-deċiżjoni oriġinali, kemm-

il darba fil-fehma tagħha t-tqanqil tal-kwistjoni ma tkunx

sempliċement frivola jew vessatorja, u dik il-qorti għandha tagħti

d-deċiżjoni tagħha fuq kull kwistjoni bħal dik u, bla ħsara għal kull

appell skont id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-

artikolu, il-qorti li quddiemha tkun qamet il-kwistjoni għandha

tiddisponi mill-kwistjoni skont dik id-deċiżjoni.

(4) Id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (6) u (7) tal-artikolu 46

ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni għandhom jgħoddu għall-Qorti

Kostituzzjonali u għal dak l-iskop riferenzi għal dak l-artikolu fl-

imsemmija subartikoli għandhom jiftehmu bħala riferenzi għal dan

l-artikolu.

(5) Jekk f’xi żmien matul l-elezzjoni ta’ membri tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati u matul it-tletin ġurnata li jiġu wara dik l-elezzjoni, il-

Qorti Kostituzzjonali ma tkunx kostitwita kif provdut f ’dan l-

artikolu, dik il-Qorti għandha minnufih u sakemm tkun xort’oħra

kostitwita skont il-liġi, tkun kostitwita bis-saħħa ta’ dan is-

subartikolu u tkun magħmula mit-tliet imħallfin l-aktar anzjani li

jkunu fil-kariga f’dak iż-żmien, magħdud, jekk ikun hemm f’dik il-

kariga, il-Prim Imħallef jew imħallef ieħor li jkun qed jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet ta’ Prim Imħallef; u jekk f’xi żmien ieħor l-imsemmija

Qorti ma tkunx kostitwita kif provdut f ’dan l-artikolu għal iktar

minn ħmistax-il ġurnata, dik il-Qorti għandha, malli jgħaddi l-

imsemmi żmien ta’ ħmistax-il ġurnata u sakemm tkun xort’oħra

kostitwita skont il-liġi, tkun kostitwita bis-saħħa ta’ dan is-

subartikolu u tkun magħmula mit-tliet imħallfin l-aktar anzjani kif

imsemmi qabel.

(6) L-imħallfin tal-Qrati Superjuri għandhom ikunu Prim

Imħallef u dak in-numru ta’ imħallfin oħra kif jista’ jkun preskritt

b’xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta

Iżda l-kariga ta’ imħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri ma għandhiex,

mingħajr il-kunsens tiegħu, tiġi abolita waqt li huwa jkun fil-

kariga.

96. (1) L-imħallfin tal-qrati superjuri għandhom jiġu maħtura

mill-President li jaġixxi fuq ir-rakkomandazzjoni magħmula mill-

Kumitat dwar il-Ħatriet tal-Ġudikatura stabbilit bl-artikolu 96A tal-

Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat biex ikun maħtur imħallef tal-

Qrati Superjuri kemm-il darba għal perijodu ta’, jew perijodi li

jammontaw b’kollox għal, mhux anqas minn tnax-il sena ma jkunx

jew eżerċita bħala avukat f ’Malta jew serva bħala maġistrat

f’Malta, jew f’parti hekk eżerċita u f’parti hekk serva.

(3) Il-Prim Imħallef għandu jiġi maħtur mill-President li jaġixxi fuq

riżoluzzjoni tal-Kamra li jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda illi minkejja d-dispożizzjoni tal-artikolu 97(1), jekk ir-

Riżoluzzjoni ma jkollhiex favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ

terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra, il-persuna li tkun tokkupa l-kariga ta’

Prim Imħallef għandha, fi kwalunkwe ċirkostanza, tibqa’ fil-kariga

sakemm ir-Riżoluzzjoni jkollha favur tagħha l-voti ta’ mhux inqas minn

żewġ terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra.

96A. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kumitat dwar il-Ħatriet tal-

Ġudikatura, hawn iżjed ’il quddiem f ’dan l-artikolu msejjaħ ''il-

Kumitat'', li għandu jkun sottokumitat tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja mwaqqfa bl-artikolu 101A ta’ din

il-Kostituzzjoni u li jkun magħmul kif ġej

(a) il-Prim Imħallef;

(b) żewġ membri eletti għal perjodu ta’ erba’ (4) snin

minn fost l-imħallfin tal-qrati superjuri;

(ċ) membru elett għal perjodu ta’ erba’ (4) snin minn fost

il-maġistrati tal-qrati inferjuri;

(d) l-Awditur Ġenerali;

(e) il-Kummissarju għall-Investigazzjonijiet Amminis-

trattivi (Ombudsman); u

(f)

il-President tal-Kamra tal-Avukati

Iżda l-President tal-Kamra tal-Avukati ma għandux ikun

eliġibbli għal ħatra bħala membru fil-ġudikatura qabel l-għeluq tal-

perjodu ta’ sentejn (2) li jibda mill-ġurnata li fiha l-aħħar kellu kariga

fil-Kumitat jew aġixxa bħala membru tal-Kumitat.

(2) Il-Kumitat għandu jkun presedut mill-Prim Imħallef jew, fl-

assenza tiegħu, mill-imħallef li jkun is-sostitut tiegħu skont il-paragrafu

(d) tas-sub-artikolu (3).

(3)

(a) Persuna ma tkunx kwalifikata li tinħatar jew tkompli

żżomm il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kumitat jekk tkun

Ministru, Segretarju Parlamentari, Membru tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati, membru ta’ gvern lokali jew uffiċjal jew

kandidat ta’ partit politiku

Iżda meta l-President tal-Kamra tal-Avukati ma jkunx

kwalifikat li jinħatar jew iżomm il-kariga kif intqal

qabel, il-Kamra tal-Avukati għandha tinnomina avukat

ieħor biex ikun membru tal-Kumitat floku.

(b) Il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kumitat ssir vakanti jekk

jinħolqu ċirkostanzi li, kieku dik il-persuna ma kenitx

membru tal-Kumitat, hi ma kenitx tikkwalifika biex

issir membru tiegħu.

(ċ) Membru tal-Kumitat għandu jastjeni u jista’ jiġi

rikużat fl-istess ċirkostanzi bħal imħallef tal-Qrati

Superjuri.

(d) Meta membru tal-Kumitat ikun astjena jew ikun ġie

rikużat, fil-każ tal-Prim Imħallef għandu jiġi sostitwit

minn imħallef li jkun l-aktar imħallef anzjan fil-kariga li

jkun imiss, fil-każ tal-Awditur Ġenerali għandu jiġi

sostitwit mill-aktar uffiċjal anzjan skont il-kariga fl-

Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika li jkun imiss, fil-każ tal-

Kummissarju għall-Investigazzjonijiet Amministrattivi

mill-aktar uffiċjal anzjan li jkun imiss fl-Uffiċċju tal-

Ombudsman u fil-każ tal-President tal-Kamra tal-Avukati

mill-aktar avukat anzjan skont il-kariga fil-kumitat tal-

Kamra tal-Avukati.

(4) Fit-twettiq tal-funzjonijiet tagħhom il-membri tal-Kumitat

għandhom jaġixxu skont il-ġudizzju individwali tagħhom u ma

jkunux soġġetti għad-direzzjoni jew kontroll ta’ xi persuna jew

awtorità oħra.

(5) Għandu jkun hemm Segretarju tal-Kumitat li jinħatar mill-

Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja.

(6)

Il-funzjonijiet tal-Kumitat ikunu

(a) li jirċievi u jeżamina espressjonijiet ta’ interess minn

persuni li jkunu interessati li jinħatru fil-kariga ta’ imħallef

tal-Qrati Superjuri (barra milli fil-kariga ta’ Prim Imħallef)

jew ta’ maġistrat tal-Qrati Inferjuri, ħlief mingħand

persuni li għalihom japplika l-paragrafu (e);

(b) li jżomm reġistru permanenti tal-espressjonijiet ta’ interess

imsemmija fil-paragrafu (a) u tal-atti relattivi għalihom,

liema reġistru għandu jinżamm sigriet u għandu jkun

aċċessibbli biss għall-membri tal-Kumitat, u għall-

President ta’ Malta;

(ċ) li jagħmel intervisti u evalwazzjonijiet ta’ kandidati għall-

karigi fuq imsemmija b’dak il-mod li jidhirlu xieraq u li

għal dan il-għan jitlob dik l-informazzjoni mingħand kull

awtorità pubblika kif iqis illi jkun raġonevolment meħtieġ;

(d) meta sseħħ vakanza fil-kariga ta’ mħallef jew

maġistrat, il-Kumitat għandu jibgħat lill-President,

permezz tas-Segretarju, l-ismijiet ta’ tliet kandidati li

fl-opinjoni tal-Kumitat ikunu l-aktar kandidati idoneji

flimkien ma’ rapport dettaljat dwar l-idoneità u l-

mertu ta’ dawn it-tliet kandidati li, fl-opinjoni tal-

Kumitat, huma meqjusa bħala l-aktar xierqa għall-

ħatra ta' dawn il-karigi

Iżda illi l-President għandu jkun intitolat li jeleġġi

mħallef jew maġistrat esklussivament mill-ismijiet tat-

tliet kandidati mogħtija mill-Kumitat liema ismijiet tat-

tliet kandidati għandhom jiġu ppubblikati fid-deċiżjoni

tal-President;

(e) li jagħti parir dwar il-ħatra għal xi kariga oħra ġudizzjarja

jew fil-Qrati kif il-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja

jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jitlob;

(f)

biex javviċina bil-għan li jqajjem interess fost persuni

kwalifikati għall-kariga ta' mħallef jew maġistrat

Iżda l-evalwazzjoni msemmija fil-paragrafu (d) għandha

ssir mhux aktar tard minn sittin jum mindu l-Kumitat jirċievi l-

espressjoni ta’ interess u l-parir imsemmi fil-paragrafi (e) u (f)

għandu jingħata mhux aktar tard minn tletin jum minn meta jkun

intalab jew f’termini oħra hekk kif il-Ministru responsabbli għall-

ġ u s t i z z j a j i s t a ’ , b i q b i l m a l -K u m i t a t , b ’ o r d n i f i l - G a z z e t t a

jistabbilixxi.

(7) Il-proċeduri tal-Kumitat ikunu kunfidenzjali u jinżammu fil-

magħluq u l-ebda membru jew segretarju tal-Kumitat ma għandu

jintalab jixhed quddiem xi qorti jew korp ieħor fir-rigward ta’ xi

dokument riċevut jew xi ħaġa diskussa jew trasmessa lil jew mill-

Kumitat.

(8) Il-Kumitat għandu jirregola l-proċedura tiegħu stess u għandu

d-dmir li jippubblika mingħajr ma jkun soġġett għall-ebda direzzjoni,

il-politika tiegħu li għandha tinkludi fost l-oħrajn iż-żamma ta’ bilanċ

bejn is-sessi fil-ħatra tal-membri tal-ġudikatura liema politika għandha

tkun ta’ gwida għall-Kumitat.

96B. (1)Kull meta sseħħ vakanza fil-kariga ta’ mħallef jew ta’

maġistrat, il-Ministru responsabbli mill-ġustizzja għandu joħroġ

sejħa pubblika għall-applikazzjonijiet miftuħa għal persuni li

għandhom il-kwalifiki meħtieġa sabiex jinħatru għall-kariga ta’

mħallef jew maġistrat.

(2) Ħadd ma jkun intitolat li jiġi maħtur fil-kariga ta’ mħallef

jew maġistrat jekk

(a) ma jkollux in-numru ta’ snin ta’ prattika fil-

professjoni ta’ avukat f’Malta kif stabbilit fl-artikoli

96 jew 100 tal-Kostituzzjoni, skont il-każ;

(b) fil-mument li japplika ma jkunx fil-pussess ta’ warrant

validu biex jipprattika ta’ avukat f’Malta u ma jkunx

prekluż li jiġi maħtur bħala membru tal-ġudikatura fuq

impediment legali;

(ċ) ma jkunx kapaċi jesprimi lilu nnifsu fil-lingwa Maltija

u Ingliża u jkun kapaċi jikkomunika b’mod ċar u

konċiż;

(d) ma jippossjedix integrità, korrettezza u onestà fil-ħajja

pubblika u privata;

(e) ma jkollux għarfien tal-liġi, tal-proċeduri tal-qrati u

esperjenza professjonali;

(f)

ma jkunx spedjenti, kapaċi jaħdem taħt pressjoni,

diliġenti, analitiku u kapaċi jieħu deċiżjoni;

(g) ma jkunx imparzjali u indipendenti;

(h) ikun involut f’xi attività kummerċjali jew negozju u

ma jkunx f’sitwazzjoni finanzjarja li tqajjem dubju

dwar il-kapaċità li jwettaq dmirijiet ġudizzjarji b’mod

xieraq;

(i)

ma jkunx kapaċi jaħdem f’ambjent kolleġġjali; u

(j)

ma jippossjedix għarfien tal-Kodiċi tal-Etika tal-membri

tal-ġudikatura u jkun lest li jidħol għal żvilupp

professjonali.

97. (1) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu,

imħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri għandu jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu meta

jagħlaq l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin (65) sena

Iżda mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri għandu jgħarraf lill-Prim

Imħallef u lill-President ta’ Malta qabel jilħaq l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin

(65) sena ladarba jagħżel li jibqa’ fil-kariga sakemm jilħaq l-età ta’

tmienja u sittin (68) sena.

(2) Imħallef tal-qrati superjuri ma għandux jitneħħa mill-kariga

tiegħu ħlief kif provdut fl-artikoli 101B u 101Ċ tal-Kostituzzjoni.

98. (1) Jekk il-kariga ta’ Prim Imħallef tkun vakanti jew jekk

il-Prim Imħallef għal xi raġuni ma jkunx jista’ jaqdi l-funzjonijiet

tal-kariga tiegħu, f’dak il-każ, sakemm persuna tkun maħtura għal

u tkun assumiet il-funzjonijiet ta’ dik il-kariga jew sakemm il-Prim

Imħallef ikun irreżuma dawk il-funzjonijiet, skont il-każ, dawk il-

funzjonijiet għandhom (ħlief safejn, u fil-każ, isir provvediment

ieħor b’liġi) jiġu moqdija minn dak il-wieħed mill-imħallfin l-oħra

tal-Qrati Superjuri li jista’ jkun nominat għal hekk mill-President,

li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

(2) Jekk il-kariga ta xi mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri (li ma jkunx

il-Prim Imħallef) tkun vakanti jew jekk xi mħallef bħal dak ikun

maħtur biex jaġixxi bħala Prim Imħallef jew ikun għal xi raġuni

inkapaċi li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President, li

jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru, jista’ jaħtar persuna

kwalifikata għal ħatra bħala mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri biex taġixxi

bħala mħallef ta’ dawk il-Qrati

Iżda persuna tista’ tiġi hekk maħtura għalkemm tkun

għalqet l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin sena.

(3) Kull persuna maħtura skont is-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-

artikolu biex taġixxi bħala mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri għandha

tkompli hekk taġixxi għal perijodu tal-ħatra tagħha jew, jekk ebda

perijodu bħal dak ma jkun speċifikat, sakemm il-ħatra tagħha tiġi

mħassra mill-President li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru.

99. Għandu jkun hemm f’Malta u għal Malta dawk il-qrati

inferjuri li jkollhom dawk is-setgħat u ġurisdizzjoni kif jista’ jkun

provdut b’xi liġi li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

100. (1) Il-maġistrati tal-qrati inferjuri għandhom jiġu maħtura

mill-President li jaġixxi fuq ir-rakkomandazzjoni magħmula mill-

Kumitat dwar il-Ħatriet tal-Ġudikatura stabbilita bl-artikolu 96A tal-

Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat biex ikun maħtur għal jew biex

jaġixxi fil-kariga ta’ maġistrat tal-qrati inferjuri kemm-il darba ma

jkunx eżerċita bħala avukat f’Malta għal perijodu ta’, jew perijodi

li jammontaw b’kollox għal, mhux anqas minn seba’ snin.

(3) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4),

maġistrat tal-qrati inferjuri għandu jivvaka l-kariga tiegħu meta

jagħlaq l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin (65) sena

Iżda maġistrat tal-qrati inferjuri għandu jgħarraf lill-Prim

Imħallef u lill-President ta’ Malta qabel jilħaq l-età ta’ ħamsa u sittin

(65) sena ladarba jagħżel li jibqa’ fil-kariga sakemm jilħaq l-età ta’

tmienja u sittin (68) sena.

(4) Id-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2) tal-artikolu 97 tal-

Kostituzzjoni għandhom japplikaw għal maġistrat tal-qrati inferjuri.

101. Imħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri jew maġistrat tal-qrati inferjuri

ma għandux jidħol għad-dmirijiet tal-kariga tiegħu sakemm ma

jkunx ħa u iffirma l-ġurament ta’ lealtà u dak il-ġurament għall-

qadi xieraq tal-kariga tiegħu kif jista’ jkun preskritt b’xi liġi li għal

dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

101A. (1) Għandu

jkun

hemm

Kummissjoni

għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja li tkun magħmula mill-President, li

jkun Chairman, u minn disa’ membri oħra kif ġej

(a) il-Prim Imħallef li jkun Deputy Chairman u jippresjedi

l-Kummissjoni fin-nuqqas taċ-Chairman;

(b) żewġ membri eletti għal żmien erba’ snin mill-

imħallfin tal-Qrati Superjuri minn fosthom stess;

(ċ) żewġ membri eletti għal żmien erba’ snin mill-

maġistrati tal-Qrati Inferjuri minn fosthom stess;

(d) żewġ membri maħturin għal żmien erba’ snin, wieħed

mill-Prim Ministru u l-ieħor mill-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni li f’kull każ ikunu persuna li mill-inqas

ikollha l-età ta’ ħamsa u erbgħin sena, u li tkun tgawdi

r-rispett ġenerali tal-pubbliku u tkun magħrufa għall-

integrità u onestà tagħha;

(e) il-President tal-Kamra tal-Avukati, ex officio.

(2)

Il-President għandu jkollu il-vot oriġinali.

(3) Il-membri eletti fil-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni

tal-Ġustizzja għandhom jiġu eletti skont dawk ir-Regoli li jistgħu

jiġu stabbiliti mill-persuna jew awtorità kif imsemmi fis-

subartikolu (7) tal-artikolu 46 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(4)

(a) Persuna ma tkunx kwalifikata li tinħatar jew tkompli

żżomm il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

(i)

jekk tkun Ministru, Segretarju Parlamentari,

Membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati jew membru ta’

awtorità ta’ gvern lokali; jew

(ii) jekk ikun instab ħati ta’ reat punibbli bi

priġunerija għal kull żmien li jkun; jew

(iii) jekk ikun skwalifikat milli jiġi elett bħala

membru tal-Kamra tad-Deputati għal xi waħda

mir-raġunijiet imsemmija fil-paragrafi (a), (ċ),

(d), (e), (f), (g) jew (h) tas-subartikolu (1) tal-

artikolu 54 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(b) Il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministraz-zjoni tal-Ġustizzja ssir vakanti jekk

jinħolqu ċirkostanzi li, kieku dik il-persuna ma kenitx

membru tal-Kummissjoni, hi ma kenitx tikkwalifika

biex issir membru, u membru tal-Kummissjoni għandu

jastjeni u jista’ jiġi rikużat fl-istess ċirkostanzi bħal

imħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri.

(5)

(a) Meta persuna timla’ vakanza maħluqa minn membru

tal-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

li ma jibqax membru għal xi raġuni, ħlief dik tal-

iskadenza tal-perjodu tal-kariga tiegħu, dik il-persuna

għandha tokkupa l-kariga għaż-żmien mhux skadut tal-

kariga ta’ dak il-membru li jkun issostitwixxa.

(b) Meta membru jkun ġie rikużat jew ikun astjena, il-

President li jaġixxi skont il-ġudizzju tiegħu innifsu

biss, jaħtar bħala membru sostitwit biex joqgħod fil-

Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

kull fejn hu possibbli, persuna li fil-fehma tiegħu

jkollha kemm jista’ jkun l-istess kwalitajiet u kwalifiki

daqs il-membru li jkun qiegħed jiġi sostitwit.

(ċ) Meta l-membri li għandhom jiġu eletti taħt il-paragrafi

(ċ) u (d) tas-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu, jew

maħtura taħt il-paragrafu (e) tal-istess subartikolu, ma

jiġux hekk eletti jew maħtura fi żmien ġimgħatejn

minn meta ssir sejħa għalhekk mill-President, il-

President li fl-għemil ta’ dik il-ħatra jaġixxi skont il-

ġudizzju tiegħu biss għandu hu stess jaħtar membri

minflokhom li kull fejn hu possibbli fil-fehma tiegħu

jkollhom l-istess kwalitajiet u kwalifiki li għandu

jkollhom dawk il-membri.

(6)

(a) Il-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

għandha f’kull żmien ikollha Kumitat għall-Avukati u

Prokuraturi Legali li jkollu dik il-kompożizzjoni, u

dawk il-funzjonijiet, dawk is-setgħat u dmirijiet li

jistgħu jiġu assenjati lilu b’liġi. Il-Kummissjoni

għandha fl-eżerċizzju ta’ kull funzjoni tagħha relattiva

għal professjonijiet ta’ Avukati u Prokuraturi Legali,

taġixxi permezz tal-imsemmi kumitat b’dak il-mod, u

suġġett għal dik ir-reviżjoni kif dik il-liġi tista’

tipprovdi.

(b) Minkejja d-disposizzjonijiet tal-paragrafu (a) ta’ dan

is-subartikolu, il-Kummissjoni għandha tirreferi lill-

Kumitat għall-Avukati u Prokuraturi Legali (hawn

aktar ’il quddiem f’dan is-subparagrafu msejjaħ "il-

Kumitat") kull kwistjoni li tirrigwarda l-imġieba

ħażina ta’ avukat jew prokuratur legali fl-eżerċizzju

tal-professjoni tagħhom, u, ħlief f’każ ta’ appell, il-

Kummissjoni ma għandhiex taġixxi xort’oħra fuq dik

il-kwistjoni ħlief wara li tkun irċeviet u skont il-

konklużjonijiet tal-Kumitat f’dik il-materja. B’dana

illi meta rapport tal-konklużjonijiet tal-Kumitat ma

jkunx għadu ġie ppreżentat lill-Kummissjoni fi żmien

xahrejn mill-jum meta l-kwistjoni tkun tressqet l-

ewwel darba quddiem il-Kumitat, jew f’dak il-perjodu

ieħor jew perjodi oħrajn li l-Kummissjoni tista’

tippermetti, li fl-ebda każ, ħlief għal raġunijiet

eċċezzjonali ħafna, ma għandhom jissuperaw l-erba’

xhur, il-Kummissjoni għandha minnufih tinvestiga l-

kwistjoni u taqtagħha hi nnifisha.

(ċ) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tal-paragrafu ta’ qabel

dan, il-Kummissjoni tista’ taħtar dawk il-kumitati l-

oħra biex jgħinuha fuq kull ħaġa li tiġi fil-funzjonijiet

tagħha, kif jidhrilha xieraq.

(7) Fit-twettiq ta’ dmirijiethom il-membri tal-Kummissjoni u

ta’ xi wieħed mill-kumitati tagħha għandhom jaġixxu skont il-

ġudizzju individwali tagħhom u ma jkunux suġġetti għad-

direzzjoni jew kontroll ta’ xi persuna jew awtorità oħra.

(8) Is-subartikoli (2) u (3) tal-artikolu 121 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni għandhom japplikaw għal kull kumitat tal-

Kummissjoni.

(9) Għandu jkun hemm Segretarju tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja li għandu jaġixxi wkoll bħala

Segretarju għal kull kumitat tal-Kummissjoni. Is-Segretarju tal-

Kummissjoni għandu jinħatar mill-istess Kummissjoni minn fost l-

uffiċjali pubbliċi li jkunu assenjati fil-Qrati jew minn fost membri

tal-professjonijiet legali. Is-Segretarju għandu jibqa’ fil-kariga sa

dak iż-żmien li l-Kummissjoni ttemmlu l-ħatra tiegħu.

(10) Min

jinħatar

membru

tal-Kummissjoni

għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja jew ta’ xi wieħed mill-kumitati

tagħha jista’ jitneħħa mill-kariga tiegħu mill-President, li jaġixxi

skont il-parir tal-korp jew persuna li taħtar dak il-membru, iżda dak

il-membru jista’ biss jitneħħa minħabba f’inkapaċità li jwettaq id-

dmirijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk għal mard korporali jew

mentali jew għal xi raġuni oħra) jew imġieba ħażina.

(11) Il-funzjonijiet tal-Kummissjoni għall-Amministraz-zjoni

tal-Ġustizzja huma

(a) li tissorvelja l-ħidma tal-qrati superjuri u inferjuri

kollha u li tagħmel dawk ir-rakkomandazzjonijiet

meħtieġa lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja

dwar ir-rimedji li fil-fehma tagħha jistgħu jwasslu għal

ħidma aktar effiċjenti ta’ dawk il-qrati;

(b) li tagħti parir lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja

dwar kull ħaġa li għandha x’taqsam mal-

organizzazzjoni tal-amministrazzjoni tal-ġustizzja;

(ċ) li teżerċita, bla ħsara għall-artikolu 101B ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, dixxiplina fuq l-imħallfin u l-maġistrati;

(d) li tifformula kodiċi jew kodiċijiet ta’ etika li

jirregolaw l-imġieba tal-membri tal-ġudikatura;

(e) fuq il-parir tal-Kumitat għall-Avukati u Prokuraturi

Legali, li tifformula kodiċi jew kodiċijiet ta’ etika li

jirregolaw l-imġieba professjonali ta’ membri ta’ dawk

il-professjonijiet

Iżda meta dak il-parir ma jingħatax f’dak iż-

żmien li l-Kummissjoni tista’ tistabbilixxi, il-

Kummissjoni tista’ tifformula dak il-kodiċi jew dawk

il-kodiċijiet mingħajr il-ħtieġa ta’ dak il-parir;

(f)

li tiġbed l-attenzjoni ta’ kull imħallef jew maġistrat fuq

kull ħaġa, fil-qorti li fiha hu jkun ipoġġi, li tista’ ma

twassalx għal funzjonament effiċjenti u xieraq ta’ dik il-

qorti;

(g) li teżerċita, skont kull liġi, dixxiplina fuq avukati u

prokuraturi legali fit-twettiq tal-professjoni tagħhom;

u

(h) dawk il-funzjonijiet l-oħra li jistgħu jingħatawlha

b’kull liġi.

(12) Il-Kummissjoni

għall-Amministrazzjoni

tal-Ġustizzja

għandha ta’ kull sena tagħmel rapport lill-Ministru responsabbli

għall-ġustizzja dwar l-attivitajiet tagħha matul is-sena kalendarja

ta’ qabel, u għandha f’kull żmien meta hekk jidhrilha xieraq jew kif

jista’ jitlob l-istess Ministru, tagħmel rapport lill-imsemmi

Ministru fuq xi materja partikolari.

(13) Is-setgħat tal-President taħt kull liġi dwar is-surroga tal-

imħallfin u l-maġistrati u dwar it-tqassim ta’ dmirijiet tal-imħallfin

u l-maġistrati għandhom ikunu eżerċitati fuq ir-rakkomandazzjoni

tal-Prim Imħallef

Iżda meta l-Prim Imħallef jonqos milli jagħmel

rakkomandazzjoni lill-President, il-President għandu jeżerċita din

is-setgħa fuq il-parir tal-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja

Iżda wkoll, f'dak il-każ il-Ministru responsabbli għall-

ġustizzja għandu jippubblika minnufih fil-Gazzetta, avviż dwar dak il-

fatt li fih jagħti r-raġunijiet tiegħu għal dik l-azzjoni, u għandu jagħmel

stqarrija dwar dak il-fatt fil-Kamra mhux aktar tard mit-tieni seduta li

tiġi minnufih wara li jkun ta dak il-parir lill-President.

(14) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (1) tal-

artikolu 101Ċ tal-Kostituzzjoni, il-kwistjoni jekk il-Kummissjoni

għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja tkunx qdiet validament xi

funzjoni mogħtija lilha bi jew skont din il-Kostituzzjoni ma

għandhiex tiġi eżaminata minn ebda qorti.

101AA. (1) Kull min ikollu tħassib dwar kwalunkwe membru tal-

ġudikatura li jista’ jagħti lok għall-proċeduri dixxiplinarji tiegħu skont l-

artikolu 101B jista’ jissottometti tali tħassib bil-miktub lill-Kummissarju

għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura

Iżda l-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura jista’

jordna lill-persuna li tressaq it-tħassib bil-miktub sabiex tagħmel dan

bil-ġurament.

(2)

Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu

jinħatar mill-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja għal

terminu ta’ tliet (3) snin, li jista’ jiġi mġedded.

(3)

L-ebda persuna ma għandha tikkwalifika sabiex tokkupa l-

kariga ta’ Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura sakemm ma

tkunx Imħallef jew Maġistrat irtirat jew avukat anzjan mhux

prattikanti.

(4)

Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura jista’ f’kull

waqt jitneħħa jew jiġi sospiż mill-kariga tiegħu mill-Kummissjoni

għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja minħabba inkapaċità ppruvata li

jwettaq il-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, kemm jekk din tkun minħabba

nuqqas ta’ saħħa fiżika jew mentali jew għal xi raġuni oħra ppruvata

jew minħabba mġiba ħażina ppruvata.

(5)

Il-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja tista’

(a)

fi kwalunkwe waqt meta l-kariga ta’

Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura tkun vakanti

skont is-subartikolu (4); jew

(b)

għal kwalunkwe raġuni oħra temporanja meta l-

Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura jqis li huwa ma

għandux imexxi investigazzjoni minħabba dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi

li fihom kien ikollu jastjeni li kieku kien Imħallef tal-Qrati

Superjuri,

taħtar Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura sabiex jokkupa l-

kariga temporanjament skont dan l-artikolu u li għandu jibqa’ fil-

kariga sa dak iż-żmien meta l-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni

tal-Ġustizzja taħtar Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura ġdid

skont is-subartikolu (2), jew meta tiġi konkluża l-investigazzjoni

msemmija fil-paragrafu (b) rispettivament.

(6)

Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu

jirċievi tali remunerazzjoni li l-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni

tal-Ġustizzja t ista’ tiddetermina, liema remunerazzjoni għandha

titħallas mill-Fond Konsolidat.

(7)

L-irwol tal-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura

għandu jkun li

(a)

b’konsultazzjoni mal-Ġudikatura jwettaq analiżi

tal-volum tal-każijiet u l-istatistika, kemm kollettivament kif

ukoll individwalment, kif preżentati lilu mid-Direttorat fi ħdan

il-Ministeru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja;

(b)

jinvestiga allegazzjonijiet li jirċievi dwar il-

membri tal-ġudikatura u li jirrapporta bil-miktub lill-Prim

Imħallef u lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja f’każ li jsib

li hemm biżżejjed evidenza prima facie sabiex jinbdew proċeduri

dixxiplinarji kontra Imħallef jew Maġistrat. F’każ li l-ilment

huwa dwar il-Prim Imħallef, il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards

tal-Ġudikatura għandu jirrapporta bil-miktub unikament lill-

Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja. Il-Kummissarju għall-

Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu wkoll jibgħat kopja tar-

rapport lill-membru tal-ġudikatura li dwaru sar l-ilment.

(8)

Kull investigazzjoni li ssir mill-Kummissarju għall-

Istandards tal-Ġudikatura skont is-subartikolu (7)(b) għandha titmexxa

bil-magħluq. Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura jista’

jisma’ jew jirċievi tagħrif minn tali persuni li jidhirlu xierqa, u jista’

jagħmel dawk l-investigazzjonijiet li jidhirlu xierqa. Il-Kummissarju

għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura ma għandu jasal għall-ebda sejbien ta’

ħtija jew jagħmel l-ebda rakkomandazzjoni fir-rigward ta’ dak il-

membru tal-ġudikatura li jkun qiegħed jiġi investigat mingħajr ma

jkun preċedentement ta lill-imsemmi membru tal-ġudikatura aċċess

għall-provi kollha u d-dritt għas-smigħ skont il-prinċipji tas-smigħ

xieraq.

(9)

Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu

jkollu s-setgħa li

(a)

iħarrek ix-xhieda;

(b)

jamministra l-ġurament lil kwalunkwe xhud u

persuna involuti fl-investigazzjoni, u jirrikjedi li dawn jagħtu x-

xhieda u li jipproduċu dokumenti fil-pussess tagħhom jew fil-

kustodja tagħhom f’dawk iċ-ċirkostanzi u bl-istess mod kif

jista’ jiġi mitlub sabiex jagħtu x-xhieda jew jipproduċu

dokumenti quddiem Qorti tal-Ġustizzja.

(10) Il-Prim Imħallef u l-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja

jistgħu fid-diskrezzjoni tagħhom jagħżlu li ma jsegwux ir-rapport tal-

Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura.

(11) Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura ma

għandux jipproċedi sabiex jinvestiga kwalunkwe allegazzjoni dwar xi

kwistjoni li fuqha jkun hemm pendenti proċeduri fil-Qorti jew

quddiem kwalunkwe tribunal, bord jew korp imwaqqaf bil-liġi.

(12) Meta l-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura

jiddeċiedi li ma jinvestigax jew li ma jinvestigax ulterjorment

allegazzjoni, huwa għandu jgħarraf bil-miktub b’dan lill-persuna li

tkun għamlet l-allegazzjoni, kif ukoll lill-Prim Imħallef u lill-Ministru

responsabbli għall-ġustizzja u jagħti r-raġunijiet għal tali deċiżjoni.

(13) Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura jista’ jiġi

maħtur mill-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja sabiex

jaġixxi bħala prosekutur speċjali indipendenti fil-proċeduri dixxiplinarji.

101AB. Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu

jkollu s-setgħa li jeżamina u jekk ikun meħtieġ jivverifika dawk id-

dikjarazzjonijiet relatati mad-dħul jew l-assi, jew interessi jew

benefiċċji oħra ta’ kull xorta, li membri tal-ġudikatura jistgħu jkunu

meħtieġa li jagħmlu skont l-artikolu 101A(11)(d) u li jagħmel

rakkomandazzjonijiet fil-forma ta’ linji gwida li l-imsemmi

Kummissarju jqis li jkunu xierqa u proporzjonati anke fir-rigward ta’

kwalunkwe membru tal-ġudikatura li jonqos milli jagħmel kwalunkwe

dikjarazzjoni kif imsemmi qabel jew li jagħmel dikjarazzjoni skorretta

b’mod li sostanzjalment tiżvija l-iskop tad-dikjarazzjoni.

101B. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kumitat għall-Imħallfin u l-

Maġistrati (hawn iżjed ’il quddiem imsejjaħ ''il-Kumitat'') li għandu jkun

sottokumitat tal-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja u li

għandu jkun kompost minn tliet membri tal-ġudikatura illi ma jkunux

membri tal-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja u li

għandhom jiġu eletti minn fost l-imħallfin u l-maġistrati skont

regolamenti maħruġa mill-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-

Ġustizzja b’dan iżda li f’każ ta’ dixxiplina ta’ maġistrat, tnejn mit-tliet

membri għandhom ikunu maġistrati filwaqt illi f’każ ta’ dixxiplina ta’

mħallef, tnejn mit-tliet membri għandhom ikunu mħallfin.

(2) Il-President tal-Kumitat għandu jiġi elett mill-membri tal-

Kumitat minn fosthom.

(3) Kull membru tal-Kumitat jista’ jiġi rikużat u għandu

jastjeni fl-istess ċirkostanzi bħalma mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri

jista’ jiġi rikużat jew jista’ jastjeni. Meta membru tal-Kumitat jiġi

rikużat u jew jastjeni, il-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-

Ġustizzja għandha taħtar membru sostitut.

(4) Il-Kumitat għandu jeżerċita dixxiplina fuq imħallfin u

maġistrati kif preskritt f’dan l-artikolu.

(5) Proċeduri dixxiplinarji kontra mħallef jew maġistrat

jinbdew meta jsir ilment bil-miktub u li jkun fih akkużi ċari

magħmulin lill-Kumitat mill-Prim Imħallef jew mill-Ministru

responsabbli għall-ġustizzja, għal ksur tad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-

Kodiċi ta’ Etika għall-Membri tal-Ġudikatura jew ta’ Kodiċi jew regoli

ta’ dixxiplina għall-membri tal-ġudikatura li jsiru bl-istess proċedura li

biha jiġi promulgat l-imsemmi Kodiċi ta’ Etika li jkunu minn żmien għal

żmien applikabbli għall-membri tal-ġudikatura. L-ilment għandu

jkun fih ukoll ir-raġunijiet li fuqhom kull waħda mill-akkużi tkun

ibbażata.

(6) Il-Kumitat għandu, meta jirċievi ilment taħt is-subartikolu

(5), jinnotifika l-imsemmi lment lill-imħallef jew maġistrat li

kontra tiegħu jkun sar l-ilment u jagħtih jew jagħtiha żmien

raġonevoli biex iwieġeb jew twieġeb.

(7) Jekk, wara konsiderazzjoni prima facie tal-ilment u tat-

tweġiba, il-Kumitat jidhirlu li ma hemmx raġunijiet suffiċjenti biex

jinbdew proċeduri dixxiplinarji, il-Kumitat għandu jieqaf milli

jkompli jittratta dwar il-każ.

(8) Jekk, wara konsiderazzjoni tal-ilment u tat-tweġiba kif

msemmi fis-subartikolu (7), il-Kumitat jidhirlu li hemm raġunijiet

suffiċjenti biex ikompli l-proċeduri dixxiplinarji, il-Kumitat

għandu jappunta data għas-smigħ.

(9) Il-proċeduri quddiem il-Kumitat għandhom jinżammu fil-

magħluq sakemm l-imħallef jew il-maġistrat li kontra tiegħu jkunu

ttieħdu l-proċeduri ma jitlobx xort’oħra. Min jagħmel l-ilment jew

ir-rappreżentant tiegħu u l-imħallef jew il-maġistrat li kontra tiegħu

ttieħdu l-proċeduri jkollhom id-dritt li jkunu preżenti matul il-kors

kollu tal-proċeduri, li jipproduċu xhieda bħala appoġġ għal jew

difiża kontra l-akkużi elenkati fl-ilment, u li jkunu assistiti minn

avukat jew prokuratur legali. Il-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja tista’ wkoll taħtar avukat biex

jaġixxi bħala prosekutur speċjali indipendenti fil-proċeduri

dixxiplinarji.

(10) Il-Kumitat, jekk isib li l-imħallef jew il-maġistrat kiser il-

Kodiċi ta’ Etika għall-Membri tal-Ġudikatura, għandu

(a) jekk jidhirlu li l-ksur hu ta’ natura mhux gravi, jew

iwiddeb jew jimponi penali pekunjarja li tinġabar

bħala dejn ċivili li titħallas lis-Segretarju tal-

Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja,

liema penali ma tkunx aktar minn għaxra fil-mija tas-

salarju annwali tal-imħallef jew tal-maġistrat kif ikun

stabbilit bil-liġi f’dak iż-żmien;

(b) jekk jidhirlu li l-ksur hu ta’ natura serja jista’

jissospendi l-imħallef jew il-maġistrat milli jeżerċita

d-dmirijiet tiegħu għal perjodu ta’ mhux aktar minn

sitt xhur waqt li jitħallas nofs is-salarju u l-allowances

kif riċevuti f’dak iż-żmien;

(ċ) jekk jidhirlu li l-ksur hu ta’ natura tant serja li jistħoqq

it-tneħħija tal-imħallef jew tal-maġistrat mill-kariga,

jew huwa bbażat fuq ir-raġuni ta’ inkapaċità li jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk ghal mard

korporali jew mentali jew għal xi raġuni oħra), għandu

jirrapporta l-konklużjonijiet tiegħu lill-Kummissjoni

għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja li għandha tqis

jekk il-provi jippruvawx il-każ prima facie u, jekk tqis

li jkun hemm dak il-grad ta’ prova, il-Kummissjoni

għandha tissospendi lill-imħallef jew maġistrat

konċernat u għandha tipproċedi bis-smigħ tal-każ. Fiż-

żmien li matulu imħallef jew maġistrat ikun sospiż

skont id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan il-paragrafu, li ma

għandux jeċċedi s-sitt (6) xhur, l-imħallef jew il-

maġistrat għandu jkun intitolat għal nofs is-salarju u l-

allowances tal-kariga tiegħu u wara t-trapass ta’ tali

perjodu ta’ sitt (6) xhur huwa għandu jerġa’ jibda

jirċievi s-salarju u l-allowances kollha tal-kariga

tiegħu irrispettivament minn jekk il-każ riferut ikunx

ġie konkluż jew le. F’każ illi l-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja tqis li l-ksur investigat

jistħoqqlu t-tneħħija tal-imħallef jew tal-maġistrat

mill-kariga, hija għandha tipproċedi biex tagħti parir

lill-President biex ineħħi l-imħallef jew maġistrat mill-

kariga għal imġiba ħażina ppruvata jew inkapaċità

ppruvata li jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu

Iżda f’każ li l-proċeduri quddiem il-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja ma jwasslux għat-tneħħija mill-

kariga tal-membru tal-ġudikatura, allura l-membru tal-ġudikatura

għandu jitħallas is-salarju u l-allowances li jkunu ġew mizmuma

matul il-perjodu kollu tas-sospensjoni.

(11) Il-Kumitat jista’ wkoll, fuq talba tal-Prim Imħallef, jordna

li mħallef jew maġistrat jiġi sospiż milli jwettaq id-dmirijiet tiegħu

għal raġunijiet mediċi serji għal perjodu definit li matulu l-imħallef

jew il-maġistrat jibqa’ jirċievi s-salarju tiegħu sħiħ u l-allowances.

Il-proċedura stabbilita f’dan l-artikolu dwar proċeduri dixxiplinarji

għandha tapplika mutatis mutandis fil-każ ta’ proċeduri li jsiru taħt

dan is-subartikolu.

(12) (a) L-imħallef jew il-maġistrat li l-Kumitat isib kontra

tiegħu jkollu dritt ta’ appell lill-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja minn deċiżjonijiet tal-

Kumitat.

(b) L-appell għandu jiġi ppreżentat għand is-Segretarju

tal-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

mhux aktar tard minn għoxrin jum minn meta l-

Kumitat jagħti d-deċiżjoni tiegħu.

(ċ) Il-preżentata tal-appell kif hawn qabel imsemmi

tissospendi l-eżekuzzjoni tad-deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat.

(d) Il-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

tista’, minn żmien għal żmien, tistabbilixxi regoli ta’

proċedura għal appelli bħal dawn.

(e) Il-President ta’ Malta ma għandux ikun parti mill-

Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja

meta l-imsemmija Kummissjoni tkun qed tisma’ appell

minn deċiżjoni tal-Kumitat.

(13) Il-proċeduri quddiem il-Kumitat għandhom jintemmu fi

żmien sena u l-proċeduri tal-appell quddiem il-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja għandhom jintemmu fi żmien

perjodu ieħor ta’ sitt xhur.

(14) Fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tagħhom taħt dan l-artikolu l-

Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja u l-Kumitat

għall-Imħallfin u l-Maġistrati għandu jkollhom is-setgħat kollha li

huma assenjati lill-Prim’Awla tal-Qorti Ċivili bil-Kodiċi ta’

Organizzazzjoni u Proċedura Ċivili jew b’xi liġi li minn żmien għal

żmien tirregola s-setgħat tal-Qrati ta’ ġurisdizzjoni ċivili.

(15) Fl-eżerċizzju tal-funzjonijiet tagħhom il-membri tal-

Kumitat għandhom jaġixxu skont il-ġudizzju individwali tagħhom

u ma jkunux soġġetti għad-direzzjoni jew kontroll ta’ xi persuna

jew awtorità oħra.

(16) Id-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu huma mingħajr

preġudizzju għall-applikazzjoni tas-subartikoli (2) u (3) tal-artikolu

97 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni kull fejn dawn ikunu japplikaw.

101BA. Il-Kummissarju għall-Istandards tal-Ġudikatura għandu jħejji

rapport, ta’ mill-inqas kull sena jew kemm-il darba jista’ jqis spedjenti,

lill-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja dwar it-twettiq

tal-funzjonijiet tiegħu skont din il-Kostituzzjoni. Kwalunkwe tali rapport

għandu jiġi sottomess lill-Kummissjoni għall-Amministrazzjoni tal-

Ġustizzja u lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-ġustizzja.

101Ċ. (1) Għandu jkun hemm dritt ta’ appell lill-Qorti

Kostituzzjonali mid-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja għas-sejba ta’ tneħħija ta’ imħallef

jew maġistrat u mid-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja mogħtija skont l-artikolu

101B(12).

(2)

L-appell għandu jiġi ppreżentat fi żmien tmien ġranet tax-

xogħol mid-data meta d-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja tiġi kkomunikata lill-imħallef jew

maġistrat.

(3) Il-preżentata tal-appell skont is-subartikolu (1) għandha

tissospendi l-eżekuzzjoni tad-deċiżjoni tal-Kummissjoni għall-

Amministrazzjoni tal-Ġustizzja.

KAPITOLU IX

Finanzi

102. (1) Id-dħul kollu u l-flejjes l-oħra kollha miġbura jew

imdaħħla minn Malta (li ma jkunux dħul jew flejjes oħra li jitħallsu

f’xi fond ieħor, li jkun fond imwaqqaf minn jew skont xi liġi li għal

dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta għal skop speċifiku) għandhom,

kemm-il darba l-Parlament ma jipprovdix xort’oħra, jitħallsu fi u

jifformaw Fond Konsolidat wieħed.

(2) Ebda flejjes ma għandhom jiġu rtirati mill-Fond Konsolidat

ħlief biex titħallas l-ispiża li hija addebitata lill-Fond b’din il-

Kostituzzjoni jew xi liġi oħra li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ

f ’Malta jew meta l-ħruġ ta’ dawk il-flejjes ikun ġie awtorizzat

b’Att ta’ Approprjazzjoni jew skont l-artikolu 104 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni.

(3) Ebda flejjes ma għandhom jiġu rtirati minn xi fond

pubbliku li ma jkunx il-Fond Konsolidat kemm-il darba l-ħruġ ta’

dawk il-flejjes ma jkunx ġie awtorizzat bi jew skont xi liġi li għal

dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

(4) Ebda flejjes ma għandhom jiġu rtirati mill-Fond Konsolidat

jew minn xi fond pubbliku ieħor ħlief bil-mod preskritt bi jew skont

xi liġi.

(5) In-nefqat, piżijiet u spejjeż inċidentali għall-ġbir u

amministrazzjoni tal-Fond Konsolidat għandhom jiġu addebitati

lill-Fond.

103. (1) Il-Ministru responsabbli għall-finanzi għandu jara li

tiġi preparata u mqegħda quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati qabel, jew

mhux aktar tard minn tletin ġurnata wara, il-bidu ta’ kull sena

finanzjarja estimi tad-dħul u ħruġ ta’ Malta għal dik is-sena.

(2) Il-kapi tan-nefqa li jkun hemm fl-estimi (li ma tkunx nefqa

addebitata lill-Fond Konsolidat b’din il-Kostituzzjoni jew b’xi liġi

oħra li għal dak iż-żmien tkun isseħħ f ’Malta) għandhom jiġu

mdaħħla f’abbozz ta’ liġi, li jkun imsejjaħ bħala abbozz ta’ liġi ta’

approprjazzjoni, li jipprovdi għall-ħruġ mill-Fond Konsolidat tas-

somom meħtieġa biex titħallas dik l-ispiża u l-approprjazzjoni ta’

dawk is-somom għall-iskopijiet speċifikati fih.

(3)

Jekk dwar xi sena finanzjarja jinsab -

(a) li l-ammont approprjat bl-Att ta’ Approprjazzjoni għal

xi skop ikun insuffiċjenti, jew li tkun qamet ħtieġa ta’

spiża għal skop li għalih ebda ammont ma jkun ġie

approprjat b’dak l-Att; jew

(b) li xi flejjes ikunu ġew minfuqa għal xi skop b’eċċess

tal-ammont (jekk ikun hemm) approprjat għal dak l-

iskop b’dak l-Att,

estimu supplementari li juri s-somom meħtieġa jew minfuqa

għandu jitqiegħed quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati u l-kapi ta’ kull

nefqa bħal dik għandhom jiġu mdaħħla f ’abbozz ta’ liġi ta’

approprjazzjoni supplementari.

104. Il-Parlament jista’ jagħmel provvediment li bis-saħħa

tiegħu, jekk l-Att ta’ Approprjazzjoni dwar xi sena finanzjarja ma

jkunx beda jseħħ mal-bidu ta’ dik is-sena finanzjarja, il-Ministru

responsabbli għall-finanzi jista’ jawtorizza l-irtir ta’ flejjes mill-

Fond Konsolidat sabiex titħallas dik l-ispiża li jista’ jqis meħtieġa

biex jitmexxa l-Gvern ta’ Malta sat-tmiem ta’ erba’ xhur mill-bidu

ta’ dik is-sena finanzjarja jew sa meta jibda jseħħ dak l-Att, liema

jkun l-ewwel.

105. (1) Il-Parlament jista’ jipprovdi għat-twaqqif ta’ Fond ta’

Kontinġenzi u biex jawtorizza lill-Ministru responsabbli għall-

finanzi, jekk ikun sodisfatt li tkun qamet ħtieġa urġenti u

mprevvista għal nefqa li għaliha ma jkunx hemm provvediment

ieħor, biex jagħmel avvanzi minn dak il-Fond biex jilqa’ dik il-

ħtieġa.

(2) Meta jsir xi avvanz skont is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-

artikolu għandu jiġi preżentat estimu supplementari u għandu jiġi

mressaq kemm jista’ jkun malajr abbozz ta’ liġi ta’ approprjazzjoni

supplementari sabiex jiġi mqiegħed lura l-ammont hekk avvanzat.

106. (1) Id-dejn pubbliku ta’ Malta għandu jiġi addebitat lill-

Fond Konsolidat u fondi oħra pubbliċi ta’ Malta.

(2) F’dan l-artikolu riferenzi għad-dejn pubbliku ta’ Malta

jinkludu riferenzi għall-imgħax fuq dak id-dejn, ħlasijiet ta’ fond

ta’ ammortizzament u flejjes ta’ fidwa dwar dak id-dejn u n-nefqat,

piżijiet u spejjeż inċidentali għall-amministrazzjoni ta’ dak id-dejn.

107. (1) Bla ħsara għad-dispożizzjonijiet tal-artikoli 101A u 101B,

għandu jiġi mħallas lid-detenturi tal-karigi li għalihom jgħodd dan l-

artikolu dawk is-salarji li jistgħu jkunu preskritti bi jew skont xi

liġi.

(2) Is-salarji u kull allowance li jitħallsu lid-detenturi tal-karigi

li għalihom jgħodd dan l-artikolu għandhom jiġu addebitati lill-

Fond Konsolidat.

(3) Is-salarju li jitħallas lid-detentur ta’ xi kariga li għalih

jgħodd dan l-artikolu u l-kondizzjonijiet tiegħu ta’ kariga, ħlief

allowances, ma għandhomx jiġu mibdula bi żvantaġġ tiegħu wara l-

ħatra tiegħu, u, għall-finijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu, safejn is-salarju

jew il-kondizzjonijiet ta’ servizz ta’ xi persuna jiddependu fuq l-

għażla minn dik il-persuna, is-salarju jew il-kondizzjonijiet li

għalihom tagħmel l-għażla għandhom jitqiesu li jkunu aktar

vantaġġużi għaliha minn kull oħrajn li għalihom setgħat tagħmel l-

għażla.

(4) Dan l-artikolu jgħodd għall-karigi msemmija fl-artikoli 48,

91, 95(6), 100, 109, 118 u 120 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

108. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Awditur Ġenerali li 1-kariga

tiegħu tkun kariga pubblika u li jkollu dawk il-funzjonijiet skont

ma hemm provdut fid-disposizzjonijiet li ġejjin ta’ dan l-artikolu.

(2) L-Awditur Ġenerali jkun uffiċjal tal-Kamra tad-Deputati u

jinħatar mill-President li jaġixxi skont riżoluzzjoni tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati li tgħaddi bis-saħħa tal-voti ta’ mhux anqas minn żewġ-

terzi tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda minkejja d-dispożizzjonijiet ta’ kwalunkwe liġi oħra, jekk

fiż-żmien meta jiskadi t-terminu tal-ħatra tal- Awditur Ġenerali ma

tkunx ġiet preżentata riżoluzzjoni quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati

għall-ħatra ta’ Awditur Ġenerali jew għall-ħatra mill-ġdid tal-Awditur

Ġenerali, jew għad li tkun ġiet preżentata riżoluzzjoni kif imsemmi

quddiem il-Kamra tad-Deputati, ma tkunx għaddiet bis-saħħa tal-voti

favur tagħha ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ terzi (2/3) tal-membri kollha

tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, il-persuna li minnufih qabel ma jkun skada l-

imsemmi terminu tkun tokkupa l-kariga ta’ Awditur Ġenerali għandha,

fi kwalunkwe ċirkostanzi, tibqa’ fil-kariga sakemm tgħaddi r-

riżoluzzjoni bis-saħħa tal-voti favur tagħha ta’ mhux inqas minn żewġ

terzi (2/3) tal-membri kollha tal-Kamra

Iżda wkoll meta persuna li ma tkunx membru tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati tiġi eletta bħala Speaker tal-Kamra tad-Deputati, dik

il-persuna ma għandhiex titqies li tkun membru tal-Kamra għall-

għan li tiġi stabbilita l-maġġoranza meħtieġa b’dan is-subartikolu.

(3)

(a) Bla hsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (4) ta’

dan l-artikolu l-Awditur Ġenerali għandu jibqa’ fil-

kariga għal perijodu ta’ ħames snin mid-data tal-ħatra

tiegħu u jkun eliġibbli li jerġa’ jinħatar għal perijodu

wieħed ieħor ta’ ħames snin.

(b) Meta l-Awditur Ġenerali jkun inħatar minn fost

uffiċjali pubbliċi u meta tintemm il-ħatra jkun ta’ età

iżgħar mill-età ta’ irtirar fis-servizz pubbliku, il-

persuna li tkun ġiet hekk maħtura għandha terġa’ lura

fis-servizz pubbliku u tkompli tgawdi l-istess salarju u

allowances imsemmija fis-subartikolu (6).

(ċ) L-Awditur Ġenerali ma jkunx jista’, filwaqt li huwa

jkun qed jokkupa dik il-kariga, ikollu xi kariga bi qligħ

oħra, jew mod ieħor mal-Gvern ta’ Malta jew ma’ xi

intrapriża kummerċjali jew professjonali, tkun xi tkun.

(4)

(a) L-Awditur Ġenerali jista’ f’kull żmien jitneħħa jew jiġi

sospiż mill-kariga tiegħu mill-President, meta jsirlu

indirizz mill-Kamra tad-Deputati li jsir bis-saħħa tal-

voti ta’ mhux anqas minn żewġ-terzi tal-membri kollha

tal-Kamra, li fih jintalab biex ineħħih mill-kariga

minħabba f ’inkapaċità ppruvata li jwettaq il-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (sew jekk din tkun

minħabba nuqqas ta’ saħħa fiżika jew mentali jew

minħabba xi raġuni oħra) jew minħabba f ’imġieba

ħażina ppruvata, u d-disposizzjonijiet tal-proviso li

hemm mas-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu għandhom

japplikaw ukoll għall-għan li tiġi stabbilita l-

maġġoranza meħtieġa b’dan is-subartikolu.

(b) F’kull żmien meta ma jkunx hemm sessjoni tal-

Parlament, l-Awditur Ġenerali jkun jista’ jiġi sospiż

mill-kariga tiegħu mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-

ġudizzju deliberat tiegħu stess, dwar l-inkapaċità li

jwettaq id-dmirijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jew imġieba

ħażina li dwarha tinġieb prova li tissodisfa lill-

President; iżda kull sospensjoni bhal dik ma għandhiex

tkompli sseħħ għal aktar minn xahrejn wara li tibda s-

sessjoni tal-Parlament li jkun imiss minnufih wara.

(5)

Il-kontijiet

(a) tad-dipartimenti u uffiċċji tal-Gvern ta’ Malta,

magħdud l-Uffiċċju tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku, u l-uffiċċju tal-Iskrivan tal-Kamra tad-

Deputati, u tal-qrati kollha Superjuri u Inferjuri

f’Malta, u

(b) ta’ dawk l-awtoritajiet pubbliċi l-oħra jew korpi oħra li

jamministraw, ikollhom f’idejhom, jew jużaw fondi li

jappartjenu direttament jew indirettament lill-Gvern

ta’ Malta kif jista’ jiġi preskritt minn xi liġi jew bis-

saħħa tagħha li f’dak iż-żmien tkun fis-seħħ f’Malta,

għandhom jiġu verifikati u jsir rapport dwarhom kull sena mill-

Awditur Ġenerali lill-Kamra tad-Deputati u għal dak l-iskop l-

Awditur Ġenerali jew kull persuna awtorizzata minnu għal hekk

ikollu aċċess għall-kotba, notamenti, reżokonti u dokumenti oħra

kollha li jirriferixxu għal dawk il-kontijiet.

(6)

(a) L-Awditur Ġenerali għandu jingħata dak is-salarju u

dawk l-allowances li jistgħu minn żmien għal żmien

jiġu preskritti jew permessi għal Imħallef tal-Qrati

Superjuri.

(b) Dak is-salarju u allowances jinħarġu mill-Fond

Konsolidat u d-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (3)

tal-artikolu 107 tal-Kostituzzjoni ikunu japplikaw għal

dak is-salarju.

(7) L-Awditur Ġenerali ma jibdiex iwettaq id-dmirijiet tal-

kariga tiegħu qabel ma jieħu u jiffirma quddiem il-President il-

ġurament ta’ lealtà u dak il-ġurament li jirrigwarda l-eżekuzzjoni

sew tal-kariga tiegħu hekk kif jista’ jiġi preskritt b’liġi li f’dak iż-

żmien tkun isseħħ f’Malta.

(8) Il-Parlament jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jipprovdi

permezz ta’ liġi dwar il-mod kif ir-rapporti li jsiru mill-Awditur

Ġenerali għandħom jintgħamlu.

(9)

(a) Għandu jkun hemm ukoll Deputat Awditur Ġenerali li

l-kariga tiegħu tkun kariga pubblika u li jkollu dawk il-

funzjonijiet li l-Awditur Ġenerali jista’ minn żmien

għal żmien lilu jiddelega u li, kull meta l-kariga ta’

Awditur Ġenerali tkun temporanjament vakanti, u kull

meta d-detentur tal-kariga jkun assenti minn Malta jew

ikun bil-vaganza jew għal xi raġuni ma jkunx jista’

jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, iwettaq il-

funzjonijiet ta’ Awditur Ġenerali.

(b) Id-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (2), tal-paragrafi

(a) u (ċ) tas-subartikolu (3), tas-subartikolu (4), tal-

paragrafu (b) tas-subartikolu (6) u tas-subartikolu (7)

ta’ dan l-artikolu għandhom ikunu japplikaw għad-

Deputat Awditur Ġenerali.

(ċ) Id-Deputat Awditur Ġenerali għandu jingħata dak is-

salarju u dawk l-allowances li jistgħu minn żmien għal

żmien jiġu preskritti għal jew jingħataw lil Maġistrat

tal-Qrati Inferjuri.

(d) Meta d-Deputat Awditur Ġenerali jkun maħtur min fost

uffiċjali pubbliċi u meta tintemm il-ħatra jkun ta’ età

iżgħar mill-età ta’ irtirar fis-servizz pubbliku, il-

persuna li tkun ġiet hekk maħtura għandha terġa’ lura

fis-servizz pubbliku u tkompli tgawdi l-istess salarju u

allowances imsemmija f’dan is-subartikolu.

(10) (a) Għandu jkun hemm Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika li

jkun magħmul mill-Awditur Ġenerali, li jkun imexxi

dak l-uffiċċju, id-Deputat Awditur Ġenerali u dawk il-

funzjonarji l-oħra, li jinħatru mill-Awditur Ġenerali,

hekk kif l-Awditur Ġenerali jista’ jqis li jkun meħtieġ

sabiex jassistuh fit-twettiq sew tal-kariga tiegħu, u d-

disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 110 tal-Kostituzzjoni ma

għandhomx ikunu japplikaw għall-uffiċjali li jinħatru

fl-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika.

(b) Il-Parlament jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jipprovdi

permezz ta’ liġi dwar il-mod kif jiġu allokati flejjes

lill-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika u dwar il-mod kif

il-kontijiet tal-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-Verifika jiġu

verifikati u jsir rapport dwarhom.

(11) Ebda ħaġa f’dan l-artikolu ma għandha tinftiehem bħala li

tipprekludi lill-Awditur Ġenerali jew lill-Uffiċċju Nazzjonali tal-

Verifika milli jingħataw xi funzjonijiet jew setgħat oħra taħt jew

skont xi liġi li tkun fis-seħħ.

(12) Fit-twettiq tal-funzjonijiet tagħhom taħt il-Kostituzzjoni, l-

Awditur Ġenerali u d-Deputat Awditur Ġenerali ma jkunux suġġetti

għall-awtorità jew kontroll ta’ ebda persuna oħra.

KAPITOLU X

Is-Servizz Pubbliku

109. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku għal Malta li tkun magħmula minn chairman, deputy

chairman u minn membru wieħed sa tliet membri oħra.

(2) Il-membri tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

għandhom ikunu maħtura mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir

tal-Prim Ministru mogħti wara li jkun ikkonsulta l-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni.

(3) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat biex iżomm kariga bħala membru

tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku jekk ikun Ministru,

Segretarju Parlamentari, membru ta’, jew kandidat għal elezzjoni

ta’, il-Kamra tad-Deputati, membru ta’ awtorità ta’ gvern lokali jew

jekk ikun uffiċjal pubbliku.

(4) Membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku ma

għandux, għeluq perijodu ta’ tliet snin li jibda mill-ġurnata li fiha

kellu kariga l-aħħar bħala membru, ikun eliġibbli għal ħatra jew

biex jaġixxi f’xi kariga pubblika.

(5) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-kariga

ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku għandha

ssir vakanti -

(a) fit-tmiem ta’ ħames snin mid-data tal-ħatra tiegħu jew

f’dik id-data qabel kif jista’ jkun speċifikat fid-

dokument li bih huwa jkun ġie maħtur; jew

(b) jekk jinħolqu xi ċirkostanzi li, kieku ma kienx membru

tal-Kummissjoni, kienu jġagħluh ikun skwalifikat għal

ħatra bħala hekk.

(6) Membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku jista’

jitneħħa mill-kariga mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim

Ministru, iżda jista’ jiġi mneħħi biss minħabba inkapaċità li jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk minħabba mard mentali

jew korporali jew għal xi raġuni oħra) jew għal imġieba ħażina.

(7) Jekk il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku tkun vakanti jew jekk xi membru għal xi raġuni ma jkunx

jista’ jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President, li jaġixxi

skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru, mogħti wara li jkun ikkonsulta lill-

Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni, jista’ jaħtar persuna li tkun kwalifikata biex

tkun maħtura bħala membru biex tkun membru temporanju tal-

Kummissjoni; u kull persuna hekk maħtura għandha, bla ħsara

għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (5) u (6) ta’ dan l-artikolu,

tispiċċa milli tkun membru bħal dak meta persuna tkun ġiet

maħtura biex timla l-vakanza jew, skont il-każ, meta l-membru li

ma setgħax jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jirreżumi dawk il-

funzjonijiet.

110. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni, is-setgħa li jagħmel ħatriet għall-karigi uffiċjali u li

jneħħi, u li jeżerċita kontroll dixxiplinarji fuq, persuni li jkollhom

jew ikunu jaġixxu f’xi karigi bħal dawk tkun fil-Prim Ministru, li

jaġixxi fuq ir-rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku

Iżda l-Prim Ministru jista’, billi jaġixxi fuq ir-

rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku,

jiddelega bil-miktub, salvi dawk il-kondizzjonijiet li jistgħu jkunu

speċifikati fid-dokument ta’ delega, kull waħda mis-setgħat

imsemmija f ’dan is-subartikolu lil dak l-uffiċjal pubbliku jew

awtorità oħra kif jista’ jkun speċifikat fid-dokument.

(2)

Delega ta’ setgħa skont dan l-artikolu -

(a) tkun mingħajr ħsara għall-eżerċizzju ta’ dik is-setgħa

mill-Prim Ministru li jaġixxi fuq ir-rakkomandazzjoni

tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku;

(b) tista’ tawtorizza lill-uffiċjal pubbliku jew awtorità

oħra konċernata li jeżerċita dik is-setgħa sew

b’riferenza lill-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

jew mingħajrha; u

(ċ) dwar l-impieg ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi minn barra s-

servizz pubbliku, għandha, kemm-il darba dak l-

impieg ma jsirx wara eżami pubbliku li jiġi avżat fil-

Gazzetta, tiġi eżerċitata biss permezz ta’ servizz għall-

impjegar provdut minn fondi pubbliċi li jiżgura li ebda

distinzjoni, esklużjoni jew preferenza ma jsiru jew

jingħataw favur jew kontra xi persuna minħabba l-

fehma politika tagħha u liema servizz jipprovdi

opportunità għall-impiegi biss fl-aħjar interessi tas-

servizz pubbliku u tan-nazzjon in ġenerali.

(3)

(a) Għandu jkun hemm appell lill-Prim Ministru, li jaġixxi

skont ir-rakkomandazzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-

Servizz Pubbliku, minn kull deċiżjoni ta’ uffiċjal

pubbliku jew awtorità għat-tneħħija ta’ xi persuna

minn kariga uffiċjali b’eżerċizzju ta’ setgħa delegata

skont is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu

Iżda dak id-dritt ta’ appell ikun mingħajr ħsara

għal kull dritt ieħor ta’ appell li jista’ jkun provdut

skont l-artikolu 121(1) ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni dwar l-

eżerċizzju ta’ kull setgħa oħra delegata skont is-

subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu.

(b) Dritt ta’ appell skont dan l-artikolu għandu jiġi

eżerċitat skont dak il-provvediment dwar proċedura kif

jista’ jkun preskritt mill-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku skont l-artikolu 121(1) ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni

Iżda kull proċedura hekk preskritta tkun l-istess

għal kull klassi ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi.

(ċ) Meta jinġieb appell skont il-paragrafu (b) ta’ dan is-

subartikolu minn xi uffiċjal pubbliku huwa għandu,

meta jiġi kunsidrat l-appell mill-Kummissjoni dwar is-

Servizz Pubbliku, ikollu dritt li jiġi mismugħ

personalment mill-Kummissjoni u li jkun mgħejjun

minn rappreżentant ta’ xi trade union li lilha jkun

jappartjeni.

(4) Ebda persuna ma tkun maħtura skont dan l-artikolu għal

jew biex taġixxi f ’xi kariga tal-persunal tal-President ħlief bl-

approvazzjoni tal-President.

(5) Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandhomx

jgħoddu relattivament għal -

(a) il-karigi msemmija fl-artikoli 91, 92 (barra mis-

subartikolu (4) tiegħu), 94, 95(6), 100, 108 u 111 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni; jew

(b) ħatriet biex jaġixxi f’xi kariga uffiċjali għal xahrejn

jew

anqas

safejn

ir-rakkomandazzjoni

tal-

Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku hija meħtieġa

għal xi ħatra bħal dik; jew

(ċ) ħatriet għall-karigi msemmija fl-artikolu 92(4), u

ħatriet bi trasferiment għall-karigi jew mill-karigi

msemmija fl-artikolu 112 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(6) Dħul f’impiegi ma’ kull korp stabbilit bil-Kostituzzjoni jew

b’xi liġi jew taħt xi liġi oħra, u ma’ kull soċjetà jew korp ieħor li

fih il-Gvern ta’ Malta, jew xi korp kif intqal qabel, ikollhom sehem

biżżejjed biex jikkontrollaw jew li fuqu jkollhom kontroll effettiv,

għandu, kemm-il darba dak id-dħul ma jkunx sar wara eżami

pubbliku li jkun ġie avżat kif imiss, isir permezz tas-servizz għall-

impjegar kif provdut fis-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu.

111. (1) Is-setgħa ta’ ħatra ta’ persuni biex iżommu jew

jaġixxu fil-karigi li għalihom dan l-artikolu jgħodd u għat-tneħħija

ta’ persuni hekk maħtura minn xi kariga bħal dik tkun fil-President,

li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru

Iżda dwar kull persuna magħżula għall-ħatra mis-servizz

pubbliku l-Prim Ministru għandu, qabel ma jagħti l-parir tiegħu

skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, jikkonsulta mal-

Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku u, meta tiġi mneħħija mill-

kariga li fiha tkun ġiet maħtura skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-

artikolu, il-persuna hekk maħtura għandha tirritorna fil-grad li

kellha fis-servizz pubbliku minnufih qabel dik il-ħatra.

(2) Il-karigi li għalihom jgħodd dan l-artikolu huma l-karigi ta’

kull Ambaxxatur, Kummissarju Għoli jew rappreżentant ieħor

prinċipali ta’ Malta f’xi pajjiż ieħor.

112. (1) Is-setgħa li jagħmel ħatriet bi trasferiment lil u mill-

karigi li għalihom dan l-artikolu jgħodd tkun fil-Prim Ministru li

jaġixxi wara konsultazzjoni mal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz

Pubbliku

Iżda l-persuna maħtura għal xi kariga bħal dik skont id-

disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu għandha, meta tiġi trasferita

minn dik il-kariga, tirritorna fil-grad li kellha fis-servizz pubbliku

minnufih qabel il-ħatra tagħha f’dik il-kariga.

(2)

Il-karigi li għalihom dan l-artikolu jgħodd huma -

(a) karigi li d-detenturi tagħhom ikunu meħtieġa jirrisjedu

barra minn Malta għall-qadi xieraq tal-funzjonijiet

tagħhom; u

(b) dawk il-karigi fil-Ministeru responsabbli għall-

affarijiet barranin ta’ Malta kif jistgħu, minn żmien

għal żmien, jiġu speċifikati mill-Prim Ministru.

113. (1) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tal-artikolu 114 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni, il-liġi applikabbli għal kull benefiċċju li

għalih dan l-artikolu jgħodd għandha, dwar kull persuna li tkun ġiet

mogħtija, jew li tkun eliġibbli għall-għoti ta’ xi benefiċċji bħal

dawk, tkun dik li tkun fis-seħħ fid-data relattiva jew xi liġi oħra

sussegwenti u li ma tkunx anqas favorevoli għal dik il-persuna.

(2)

F’dan l-artikolu "id-data relattiva" tfisser -

(a) dwar kull benefiċċju mogħti qabel il-ġurnata

stabbilita, id-data li fiha dawk il-benefiċċji kienu

mogħtija;

(b) dwar kull benefiċċju mogħti jew li għandu jingħata fi

jew wara l-ġurnata stabbilita lil jew dwar xi persuna li

kienet uffiċjal pubbliku qabel dik id-data, il-ġurnata

qabel il-ġurnata stabbilita; u

(ċ) dwar kull benefiċċju mogħti jew li għandu jingħata lil

jew dwar xi persuna li ssir uffiċjal pubbliku fi jew

wara l-ġurnata stabbilita, id-data li fiha hija ssir

uffiċjal pubbliku.

(3) Meta persuna jkollha dritt teżerċita għażla dwar liema minn

żewġ liġijiet jew iżjed għandha tapplika għall-każ tagħha, il-liġi li

hija tagħżel għandha, għall-finijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, titqies li tkun

aktar favorevoli għaliha mil-liġi jew liġijiet l-oħra.

(4) Kull benefiċċju li għalih jgħodd dan l-artikolu (li ma jkunx

benefiċċju li għandu jiġi addebitat lil xi fond pubbliku ieħor ta’

Malta) għandu jkun addebitat lill-Fond Konsolidat.

(5) Dan l-artikolu jgħodd għal kull benefiċċju li jitħallas skont

xi liġi li tipprovdi għall-għoti ta’ pensjonijiet, gratifikazzjonijiet

jew kumpens lil persuni li jkunu jew li kienu uffiċjali pubbliċi dwar

is-servizz tagħhom fis-servizz pubbliku jew lir-romol, ulied,

dipendenti jew rappreżentanti personali ta’ dawk il-persuni dwar

dak is-servizz.

(6) Riferenzi għal-liġi applikabbli għal xi benefiċċji li

għalihom dan l-artikolu jgħodd jinkludu (mingħajr ħsara għall-

ġeneralità tagħhom) riferenzi għal kull liġi dwar iż-żmien li fih u l-

mod li bih xi persuna tista’ tirtira sabiex tkun eliġibbli għal dawk

il-benefiċċji.

(7) Ebda ħaġa li tinsab fi, jew magħmula taħt l-awtorità ta’, xi

liġi ma għandha titqies li tkun inkonsistenti ma’, jew bi ksur ta’,

dan l-artikolu safejn dik il-liġi tagħmel provvediment li bih xi

benefiċċji li għalihom igħodd dan l-artikolu jistgħu jitnaqqsu jew

jinżammu -

(a) sakemm il-persuna li tkun eliġibbli għalihom tilħaq is-

sittin sena, jew dik l-età aktar baxxa li tista’ tiġi

stabbilita minn jew taħt liġi, jekk dik il-persuna tkun

qed tirċievi xi income li għalih japplika dan is-

subartikolu u dik id-disposizzjoni ssir sabiex kull

income bħal dak flimkien ma’ kull benefiċċji kif intqal

mhux imnaqqsa ma jkunux iktar fit-total minn dak l-

ammont li jista’ jiġi stabbilit minn, jew taħt jew skont

xi liġi, li jkun ammont li ma jkunx inqas mis-salarju li

minn żmien għal żmien jitħallas dwar il-kariga

miżmuma minn dik il-persuna meta tirtira, billi

jitqiesu biss, jekk dak is-salarju jkun b’żidiet

inkrimentali, dawk iż-żidiet korrispondenti li jkunu

ttieħdu qabel l-irtir; jew

(b) sabiex jiġi żgurat it-tħaris ta’ xi ħtieġa legali dwar xi

wieħed mill-għanijiet tal-paragrafu (a) ta’ dan is-

subartikolu; jew

(ċ) jekk il-persuna li tkun eliġibbli għalihom ma tibqax

ċittadin ta’ Malta.

(8) L-income li għalih japplika s-subartikolu (7) ta’ dan l-

artikolu hu kull remunerazzjoni dwar, jew income ieħor li jinkiseb

minn, xi mpieg, xogħol, servizz, kariga, kummerċ, negozju,

professjoni jew vokazzjoni, jew minn xi pensjoni, allowance,

gratifikazzjoni jew ħlas ieħor bħal dan dwar xi mpieg bħal dak jew

xi għajn oħra ta’ income.

114. (1) Meta xi benefiċċji li għalihom dan l-artikolu jgħodd

jistgħu jiġu miżmuma, imnaqqsa fl-ammont jew sospiżi minn xi

persuna jew awtorità skont xi liġi dawk il-benefiċċji ma

għandhomx jiġu hekk miżmuma, imnaqqsa fl-ammont jew sospiżi

mingħajr ma tkun taqbel il-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku,

kemm-il darba dawk il-benefiċċji ma jitnaqqsux jew ma jinżammux

skont xi liġi msemmija fis-subartikolu (7) tal-artikolu 113 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Il-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku ma għandhiex

taqbel skont is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu f’azzjoni meħuda

għar-raġuni li xi persuna li għandha jew kellha xi waħda mill-karigi

msemmija fl-artikoli 91, 95(6), 100 u 108 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni

kienet ħatja ta’ mġieba ħażina kemm-il darba ma tkunx ġiet

imneħħija mill-kariga minħabba dik l-imġieba ħażina.

(3) Dan l-artikolu jgħodd għal kull benefiċċju li jitħallas skont

xi liġi li tipprovdi għall-għoti ta’ pensjonijiet, gratifikazzjonijiet

jew kumpens lil persuni li jkunu jew kienu uffiċjali pubbliċi dwar

is-servizz tagħhom fis-servizz pubbliku jew lir-romol, ulied,

dipendenti jew rappreżentanti personali ta’ dawk il-persuni dwar

dak is-servizz.

115. Il-kwistjoni jekk -

(a) il-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku tkunx qdiet

validament xi funzjoni mogħtija lilha bi jew skont din

il-Kostituzzjoni;

(b) xi membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

jew xi uffiċjal pubbliku jew awtorità oħra tkunx qdiet

validament xi funzjoni delegata lil dak il-membru,

uffiċjal pubbliku jew awtorità bis-saħħa tad-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikolu (1) tal-artikolu 110 ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni; jew

(ċ) xi membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar is-Servizz Pubbliku

jew xi uffiċjal pubbliku jew awtorità oħra tkunx qdiet

validament xi funzjoni oħra dwar ix-xogħol tal-

Kummissjoni jew dwar xi funzjoni bħal dik kif hija

msemmija fil-paragrafu ta’ qabel dan,

ma għandhiex tiġi eżaminata minn ebda qorti.

KAPITOLU XA

Kunsilli Lokali

115A.L-Istat, għandu jadotta sistema ta’ gvern lokali li biha t-

territorju ta’ Malta jinqasam f’dak l-għadd ta’ lokalitajiet hekk kif

jista’ minn żmien għal żmien jiġi stabbilit b’liġi, b’dan li kull

lokalità tkun amministrata minn Kunsill Lokali elett mir-residenti

tal-lokalità u li jitwaqqaf u jitħaddem skont dik il-liġi li tista’ minn

żmien għal żmien tkun fis-seħħ.

KAPITOLU XI

Mixxellanji

116. Dritt ta’ azzjoni għal dikjarazzjoni li xi liġi tkun invalida

għal xi raġunijiet ħlief inkonsistenza mad-disposizzjonijiet tal-

artikoli 33 sa 45 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni tkun tappartjeni lill-

persuni kollha mingħajr distinzjoni u persuna li ġġib azzjoni bħal

dik ma tkunx meħtieġa turi xi interess persunali b’appoġġ għall-

azzjoni tagħha.

117. (1) Ikun illegali li twaqqaf, iżżomm jew tagħmel parti

minn xi assoċjazzjoni ta’ persuni li jkunu organizzati u mħarrġa

jew organizzati u mgħammra sabiex ikunu jistgħu jiġu wżati għall-

użu jew wiri ta’ forza fiżika fit-tmexxija ’l quddiem ta’ xi skop

politiku.

(2) Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu għandhom jiġu

mwettqa b’dak il-mod kif jista’ jkun provdut mill-Parlament.

118. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir għal

Malta li tkun magħmula minn chairman u dak in-numru ta’ membri

oħra li ma jkunx anqas minn erbgħa kif jista’ jkun preskritt minn xi

liġi li tkun dak iż-żmien isseħħ f’Malta.

(2) Il-membri tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir għandhom jiġu

maħtura mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru

mogħti wara li jkun ikkonsulta l-Kap tal-Oppożizzjoni.

(3) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat li jkollu l-kariga ta’ membru tal-

Aw t o r i t à d w a r i x - X a n d i r j e k k i k u n M i n i s t r u , S e g r e t a r j u

Parlamentari, membru ta’, jew kandidat għall-elezzjoni ta’, il-

Kamra tad-Deputati, membru ta’ awtorità ta’ gvern lokali jew jekk

ikun uffiċjal pubbliku.

(4) Membru tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir ma għandux, għeluq

perijodu ta’ tliet snin li jibda mill-ġurnata li fiha l-aħħar kellu

kariga jew aġixxa bħala membru, ikun eliġibbli għal ħatra jew biex

jaġixxi f’xi kariga pubblika.

(5) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-kariga

ta’ membru tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir issir vakanti -

(a) fit-tmiem ta’ ħames snin mid-data tal-ħatra tiegħu jew

f’dak iż-żmien qabel kif jista’ jkun speċifikat fid-

dokument li bih kien maħtur; jew

(b) jekk jinħolqu xi ċirkostanzi li, kieku ma kienx membru

tal-Awtorità, kienu jġegħluh ikun skwalifikat għal

ħatra bħala hekk.

(6) Membru tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir jista’ jitneħħa mill-

kariga mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru,

iżda jista’ jitneħħa biss għal inkapaċità li jaqdi d-dmirijiet tal-

kariga tiegħu (sew minħabba mard mentali jew korporali jew għal

xi raġuni oħra) jew għal imġieba ħażina.

(7)

Jekk il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir tkun

vakanti jew jekk membru għal xi raġuni ma jkunx jista’ jaqdi l-

funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir

tal-Prim Ministru, mogħti wara li jkun ikkonsulta lill-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni, jista’ jaħtar persuna li tkun kwalifikata biex tkun

maħtura bħala membru biex tkun membru temporanju tal-Awtorità;

u kull persuna hekk maħtura għandha, bla ħsara għad-

disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (5) u (6) ta’ dan l-artikolu, tispiċċa

milli tkun membru bħal dak meta persuna tkun ġiet maħtura biex

timla l-vakanza jew, skont il-każ, meta l-membru li ma setgħax

jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu jirreżumi dawk il-funzjonijiet.

(8) Fl-eżerċizzju tal-kariga tagħha skont l-artikolu 119(1) ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni l-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir ma għandhiex tkun

suġġetta għad-direzzjoni jew kontroll ta’ xi persuna jew awtorità

oħra.

119. (1) Tkun funzjoni tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir li tiżgura

illi, safejn ikun possibbli, f’dawk is-servizzi ta’ xandir ta’ smigħ u

televiżjoni li jistgħu jkunu provduti f ’Malta, tiġi miżmuma

imparzjalità xierqa dwar ħwejjeġ ta’ kontroversja politika jew

industrjali jew li jirriferixxu għal policy pubblika korrenti u illi l-

faċilitajiet u l-ħin ta’ xandir huma mqassma b’mod xieraq bejn

persuni li jkunu ta’ partiti politiċi differenti.

(2) Il-funzjoni tal-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir imsemmija fis-

subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu tkun bla ħsara għal dawk il-

funzjonijiet u dmirijiet l-oħra li jistgħu jiġu mogħtija lilha b’xi liġi

li tkun dak iż-żmien isseħħ f’Malta.

120. (1) Għandu jkun hemm Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi għal

Malta li tkun magħmula minn chairman u minn erba’ membri oħra.

(2) Il-membri tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi jkunu maħtura

mill-President li, fil-ħatra taċ-chairman għandu jaġixxi skont il-

parir tal-Prim Ministru mogħti wara li dan ikun ikkonsulta l-Kap

tal-Oppożizzjoni, fil-ħatra ta’ tnejn mill-erba’ membri oħra għandu

jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Prim Ministru, u fil-ħatra taż-żewġ

membri l-oħra għandu jaġixxi skont il-parir tal-Kap tal-

Oppożizzjoni.

(3) Ħadd ma jkun kwalifikat biex iżomm kariga bħala membru

tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi jekk ikun Ministru, Segretarju

Parlamentari, membru ta’, jew kandidat għal elezzjoni ta’, il-Kamra

tad-Deputati, membru ta’ awtorità ta’ gvern lokali, jew ikun

uffiċjal pubbliku.

(4) Membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi ma għandux,

għeluq perijodu ta’ tliet snin li jibda mill-ġurnata li fiha kellu

kariga jew aġixxa l-aħħar bħala membru, ikun eliġibbli għal ħatra

jew biex jaġixxi f’xi kariga pubblika.

(5) Bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu, il-kariga

ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi għandha ssir vakanti -

(a) fit-tmiem ta’ tliet snin mid-data tal-ħatra tiegħu; jew

(b) jekk jinħolqu ċirkostanzi li, kieku ma kienx membru

tal-Kummissjoni, kienu jġagħluh ikun skwalifikat għal

ħatra bħala hekk.

(6) Membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi jista’ jitneħħa

mill-kariga mill-President, li jaġixxi skont il-parir tad-detentur tal-

kariga li fuq il-parir tiegħu jkun ġie maħtur dak il-membru, mogħti,

meta jkun il-każ, kif provdut fis-subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu,

iżda dak il-membru jista’ jiġi mneħħi biss minħabba inkapaċità li

jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu (kemm jekk minħabba mard

mentali jew korporali jew għal xi raġuni oħra) jew għal imġieba

ħażina.

(7) Jekk il-kariga ta’ membru tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi

tkun vakanti jew jekk xi membru għal xi raġuni ma jkunx jista’

jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu, il-President, li jaġixxi skont

il-parir tad-detentur tal-kariga li fuq il-parir tiegħu dak il-membru

jkun ġie m aħtur, mogħti, meta jkun il-każ, kif provdut fis-

subartikolu (2) ta’ dan l-artikolu, jista’ jaħtar persuna li tkun

kwalifikata biex tkun maħtura bħala membru biex tkun membru

te mp o ra nj u t a l -K u m mi s s j o ni ; u k ul l p e r s u na h e k k m a ħ tu r a

għandha, bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-subartikoli (5) u (6)

ta’ dan l-artikolu, tispiċċa milli tkun membru bħal dak malli

persuna tkun ġiet maħtura biex timla l-vakanza jew, skont il-każ,

malli l-membru li ma setax jaqdi l-funzjonijiet tal-kariga tiegħu

jirreżumi dawk il-funzjonijiet.

(8) Tkun il-funzjoni tal-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi li tiżgura

li, dwar l-impiegi, ebda distinzjoni, esklużjoni jew preferenza li ma

tkunx ġustifikabbli f ’soċjetà demokratika ma għandha ssir jew

tingħata favur jew kontra xi persuna minħabba l-opinjoni politika

tagħha.

(9) Kull persuna li tallega li tkun saret jew ingħatat bi ħsara

għaliha xi distinzjoni, esklużjoni jew preferenza kif intqal qabel

tista’ titlob lill-Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi, b’dak il-mod u f’dak

iż-żmien li jista’ jiġi preskritt, għar-rimedju.

(10) Il-Parlament għandu jipprovdi biex jingħataw lill-

Kummissjoni dwar l-Impiegi dawk is-setgħat li jkunu meħtieġa jew

mixtieqa sabiex il-Kummissjoni tkun tista’ effikaċement tagħti

rimedju xieraq u b’mod ġenerali biex taqdi l-funzjonijiet tagħha

taħt din il-Kostituzzjoni.

121. (1) Kull Kummissjoni mwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni

tista’, bil-kunsens tal-Prim Ministru jew ta’ dak il-Ministru l-ieħor

li jista’ jkun awtorizzat għal hekk mill-Prim Ministru, b’regolament

jew xort’oħra tirregola l-proċedura tagħha stess u tagħti setgħat u

timponi dmirijiet fuq kull uffiċjal pubbliku jew awtorità tal-Gvern

ta’ Malta għall-fini tal-qadi tal-funzjonijiet tagħha.

(2) Kull Kummissjoni mwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni tista’

taġixxi nonostanti kull vakanza fost il-membri tagħha jew l-assenza

ta’ xi membru u kull proċedura tagħha tkun valida għalkemm xi

persuna li ma kellhiex dritt tagħmel hekk tkun ħadet parti fiha.

(3) Kull kwistjoni mressqa għal deċiżjoni f’xi laqgħa ta’ xi

Kummissjoni mwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni għandha tiġi deċiża

b’maġġoranza tal-voti tal-membri kollha tagħha, u jekk fuq xi

kwistjoni bħal dik il-voti jkunu maqsuma ndaqs il-membru li jkun

jippresjedi għandu jkollu u għandu jeżerċita vot deċiżiv.

(4) Għall-finijiet tas-subartikolu (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu, ir-

riferenzi għal membru tal-Kummissjoni Elettorali għandhom

jinftiehmu bħala li jinkludu riferenza għaċ-Chairman ta’ dik il-

Kummissjoni.

(5) Id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan l-artikolu għandhom jgħoddu

għall-Awtorità dwar ix-Xandir imwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni.

122. (1) Kull min ikun maħtur, elett jew xort’oħra magħżul

għal xi kariga mwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni (magħduda l-kariga

ta’ Prim Ministru jew Ministru ieħor jew Segretarju Parlamentari)

jista’ jirriżenja minn dik il-kariga b’kitba minn taħt idejh

indirizzata lill-persuna jew awtorità li minnha kien maħtur, elett

jew magħżul.

(2) Ir-riżenja ta’ xi persuna minn xi kariga bħal dik kif intqal

qabel tibda sseħħ meta l-kitba li turi r-riżenja tiġi riċevuta mill-

persuna jew awtorità li lilha tkun indirizzata jew minn xi persuna

awtorizzata minn dik il-persuna jew awtorità biex tirċeviha.

123. (1) Salv kif mod ieħor provdut f’din il-Kostituzzjoni,

meta xi persuna tkun ivvakat xi kariga mwaqqfa b’din il-

Kostituzzjoni magħduda l-kariga ta’ Prim Ministru jew Ministru

ieħor jew Segretarju Parlamentari, hija tista’, jekk kwalifikata,

terġa tiġi maħtura, eletta jew xort’oħra magħżula biex iżżomm dik

il-kariga skont id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni.

(2) Is-subartikolu (1) ta’ dan l-artikolu ma għandux japplika

għall-kariga ta’ President, iżda għandu japplika għal persuna li tkun

inħatret sabiex taqdi l-funzjonijiet ta’ President skont l-artikolu 49

tal-Kostituzzjoni.

(3) Meta b’din il-Kostituzzjoni hija mogħtija setgħa lil xi

persuna jew awtorità li tagħmel xi ħatra għal xi kariga pubblika,

persuna tista’ tiġi maħtura għal dik il-kariga għalkemm xi persuna

oħra jista’ jkollha dik il-kariga, meta dik il-persuna l-oħra tkun bil-

permess ta’ assenza qabel tluq mill-kariga; u meta żewġ persuni

jew iżjed ikollhom l-istess kariga minħabba f’ħatra magħmula bis-

saħħa ta’ dan is-subartikolu, f ’dak il-każ għall-finijiet ta’ xi

funzjoni mogħtija lid-detentur ta’ dik il-kariga l-persuna li tkun

maħtura l-aħħar għandha titqies li tkun l-unika detentriċi tal-kariga.

124. (1) F’din il-Kostituzzjoni, kemm-il darba r-rabta tal-

kliem ma teħtiegx xort’oħra -

"Att tal-Parlament" tfisser liġi magħmula mill-Parlament;

"il-Commonwealth" tfisser Malta, kull pajjiż li għalih l-artikolu

23 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni jgħodd u kull dipendenza ta’ xi pajjiż

bħal dak;

"il-Fond Konsolidat" tfisser il-Fond Konsolidat imwaqqaf bl-

artikolu 102 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni;

"Gazzetta" tfisser il-Gazzetta tal-Gvern ta’ Malta jew kull ġurnal

uffiċjali ieħor sostitwit għaliha pubblikat b’ordni tal-Gvern ta’

Malta;

"ġurament ta’ lealtà" tfisser il-ġurament ta’ lealtà muri fit-Tielet

Skeda li tinsab ma’ din il-Kostituzzjoni jew dak il-ġurament l-ieħor

li jista’ jkun preskritt mill-Parlament;

"il-ġurnata stabbilita" tfisser il-21 ta’ Settembru 1964;

"il-Kabinett" tfisser il-Kabinett imwaqqaf bl-artikolu 79 ta’ din

il-Kostituzzjoni;

"Kamra" tfisser il-Kamra tad-Deputati mwaqqfa bl-artikolu 5l ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni;

"kariga pubblika" tfisser kariga bi ħlas fis-servizz pubbliku;

"liġi" tinkludi kull dokument li jkollu l-forza ta’ liġi u kull regola

ta’ liġi mhux miktuba u "skont il-liġi" u "legalment" għandhom

jiftehmu skont hekk;

"Malta" tfisser il-Gżira ta’ Malta, il-Gżira ta’ Għawdex u l-

gżejjer l-oħra tal-Arċipelagu Malti, magħduda l-ibħra territorjali

tagħhom;

"Parlament" tfisser il-Parlament ta’ Malta;

"Qorti Kostituzzjonali" tfisser il-Qorti Kostituzzjonali mwaqqfa

bl-artikolu 95 ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni;

"seduta" tfisser perijodu li matulu l-Kamra tad-Deputati tkun

f’seduta kontinwa mingħajr aġġornament u tinkludi kull perijodu li

matulu l-Kamra tkun f’kumitat;

"sena finanzjarja" tfisser il-perijodu ta’ tnax-il xahar li jtemmu

fil-wieħed u tletin ġurnata ta’ Diċembru ta’ xi sena jew f ’dik id-

data l-oħra kif jista’ jkun preskritt mill-Parlament;

"is-servizz pubbliku" tfisser, bla ħsara għad-disposizzjonijiet tas-

subartikoli (2) u (3) ta’ dan l-artikolu, is-servizz tal-Gvern ta’

Malta f’kariga ċivili;

"sessjoni" tfisser is-seduti tal-Kamra tad-Deputati li jibdew meta

tiltaqa’ l-ewwel darba wara li tibda sseħħ din il-Kostituzzjoni jew

wara l-proroga jew xoljiment tal-Parlament f ’kull żmien u

jispiċċaw meta l-Parlament jiġi prorogat jew xolt mingħajr ma jkun

ġie prorogat;

"l-iSpeaker" u "id-Deputy Speaker" ifissru rispettivament l-

iSpeaker u d-Deputy Speaker eletti skont l-artikolu 59 ta’ din il-

Kostituzzjoni;

"uffiċjal pubbliku" tfisser id-detentur ta’ xi kariga pubblika jew

persuna maħtura biex taġixxi f’xi kariga bħal dik.

(2) F’din il-Kostituzzjoni, kemm-il darba r-rabta tal-kliem ma

tfissirx xort’oħra, "is-servizz pubbliku" tinkludi servizz fil-kariga

ta’ mħallef tal-Qrati Superjuri, servizz fil-kariga ta’ Awditur

Ġenerali u Deputat Awditur Ġenerali, servizz fil-kariga ta’

maġistrat tal-Qrati Inferjuri u servizz fil-kariga ta’ membru fil-

Korp tal-Pulizija ta’ Malta.

(3) F’din il-Kostituzzjoni "is-servizz pubbliku" ma tinkludix

servizz fil-kariga ta’ -

(i)

Prim Ministru jew Ministru ieħor, Segretarju

Parlamentari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, membru

tal-Kamra

tad-Deputati,

membru

ta’

Kummissjoni mwaqqfa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni;

(ii) ħlief meta d-detentur tal-kariga jkun magħżul

mis-servizz

pubbliku,

Ambaxxatur,

Kummissarju Għoli jew rappreżentant ieħor

prinċipali ta’ Malta f’xi pajjiż ieħor; jew

(iii) ħlief safejn jista’ jkun preskritt mill-Parlament,

membru ta’ xi kunsill, bord, lista, kumitat jew

korp ieħor simili mwaqqaf bi jew skont xi liġi.

(4) Għall-finijiet ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni persuna ma għandhiex

titqies li jkollha kariga pubblika minħabba biss il-fatt li tkun qed

tirċievi pensjoni jew allowance ieħor bħalha dwar servizz pubbliku.

(5) F’din il-Kostituzzjoni, kemm-il darba r-rabta tal-kliem ma

teħtieġx xort’oħra -

(a) riferenza għal ħatra f’xi kariga għandha tinftiehem

bħala li tinkludi riferenza għal ħatra bi promozzjoni

jew trasferiment għal dik il-kariga u għall-ħatra ta’

persuna biex taqdi funzjonijiet ta’ dik il-kariga matul

xi perijodu li tkun vakanti jew li matulu d-detentur

tagħha ikun bil-vaganzi jew ma jkunx jista’ (sew

minħabba assenza jew mard korporali jew mentali jew

għal xi raġuni oħra) jaqdi dawk il-funzjonijiet; u

(b) riferenza għad-detentur ta’ kariga bl-isem li jispeċifika

l-kariga tiegħu jew b’riferenza għad-disposizzjoni ta’

din il-Kostituzzjoni li twaqqaf dik il-kariga għandha

tinftiehem li tinkludi riferenza għal kull persuna li għal

dak iż-żmien tkun taqdi skont il-liġi l-funzjonijiet ta’

dik il-kariga.

(6) Meta hija mogħtija setgħa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni lil xi

persuna jew awtorità li taħtar xi persuna biex taġixxi fi jew taqdi l-

funzjonijiet ta’ xi kariga jekk id-detentur tagħha jkun huwa stess

inkapaċi li jaqdi dawk il-funzjonijiet, ebda ħatra bħal dik ma

għandha tiġi attakkata għar-raġuni li d-detentur tal-kariga ma kienx

inkapaċi li jaqdi dawk il-funzjonijiet.

(7) Riferenzi f’din il-Kostituzzjoni għas-setgħa ta’ tneħħija ta’

uffiċjal pubbliku mill-kariga tiegħu għandhom jiftehmu bħala li

jinkludu riferenzi għal kull setgħa mogħtija b’xi liġi li teħtieġ jew

tippermetti lil dak l-uffiċjal li jirtira mis-servizz pubbliku

Iżda -

(a) ebda ħaġa f’dan is-subartikolu ma għandha tinftiehem

bħala li tagħti lil xi persuna jew awtorità setgħa li

teħtieġ xi persuna li jkollha xi waħda mill-karigi

msemmija fl-artikoli 91, 95(6), 100 jew 108(1) jew (9)

ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni li tirtira mis-servizz pubbliku;

u

(b) id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ dan is-subartikolu ma

għandhomx jgħoddu għal xi setgħa mogħtija b’xi liġi li

tippermetti persuna li tirtira mis-servizz pubbliku meta

dik il-persuna tkun talbet permess biex tirtira mis-

servizz pubbliku għal raġunijiet mediċi pprovati.

(8) Kull disposizzjoni f’din il-Kostituzzjoni li tagħti lil xi

persuna jew awtorità setgħa ta’ tneħħija ta’ xi uffiċjal pubbliku

mill-kariga tiegħu tkun mingħajr ħsara għas-setgħa ta’ xi persuna

jew awtorità li tabolixxi xi kariga jew għal xi liġi li tipprovdi għall-

irtir obbligatorju ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi b’mod ġenerali jew xi klassi

ta’ uffiċjali pubbliċi meta jagħlqu l-età speċifikata fiha.

(9) Meta xi setgħa hija mogħtija b’din il-Kostituzzjoni għall-

egħmil ta’ xi proklama, ordni, regoli jew regolamenti jew għall-

għoti ta’ xi direttivi jew għall-egħmil ta’ xi nomina, is-setgħa

għandha tinftiehem bħala li tinkludi setgħa, eżerċitabbli bl-istess

m o d, bi e x te m e nd a j e w t ħ a s s a r x i p r ok l a m a , or d n i , r e go l i ,

regolamenti, direttivi jew nomina bħal dawk.

(10) Ebda disposizzjoni ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni illi xi persuna

jew awtorità ma tkunx suġġetta għad-direzzjoni jew kontroll minn

xi persuna jew awtorità oħra fl-eżerċizzju ta’ xi funzjonijiet skont

din il-Kostituzzjoni ma għandha tinftiehem bħala li tipprekludi

qorti milli teżerċita ġurisdizzjoni dwar xi kwistjoni jekk dik il-

persuna jew awtorità tkunx qdiet dawk il-funzjonijiet skont din il-

Kostituzzjoni jew xi liġi oħra.

(11) Meta persuna hija meħtieġa b’din il-Kostituzzjoni li tieħu

ġurament hija tkun tista’, jekk tkun hekk tixtieq, tħares dik il-ħtieġa

billi tagħmel dikjarazzjoni.

(12) Kull riferenza f’din il-Kostituzzjoni għal liġi magħmula

qabel ma tibda sseħħ din il-Kostituzzjoni għandha, kemm-il darba

r-rabta tal-kliem ma teħtieġx xort’oħra, tinftiehem bħala riferenza

għal dik il-liġi kif tkun isseħħ minnufih qabel il-ġurnata stabbilita.

(13) Kull riferenza f’din il-Kostituzzjoni għal liġi li temenda

jew tissostitwixxi xi liġi oħra għandha tinftiehem li tinkludi

riferenza għal liġi li timmodifika, toħroġ b’liġi mill-ġdid, b’emenda

jew modifika jew mingħajrhom, jew tagħmel disposizzjonijiet

differenti minflok dik il-liġi l-oħra.

(14) Meta

l-Parlament

ikun

b’liġi

ipprovda

għall-

interpretazzjoni ta’ Atti tal-Parlament, id-disposizzjonijiet ta’ kull

liġi bħal dik, ukoll jekk imfissra li jgħoddu għal liġijiet mgħoddija

wara l-bidu fis-seħħ tagħha, għandhom igħoddu għall-finijiet tal-

interpretazzjoni ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni, u xort’oħra relattivament

għaliha, kif igħoddu għall-fini tal-interpretazzjoni u xort’oħra

relattivament għal Atti tal-Parlament bħallikieku din il-

Kostituzzjoni kienet Att tal-Parlament mgħoddi wara l-bidu fis-

seħħ ta’ kull liġi bħal dik

Iżda, sa dak iż-żmien li l-Parlament ikun ipprovda kif intqal

qabel, il-liġi li tgħodd għall-interpretazzjoni ta’ din il-Kostituzzjoni

u xort’oħra relattivament għaliha tkun il-liġi li kienet tgħodd għal

hekk fil-ġurnata stabbilita.

SKEDI LI JINSABU MAL-KOSTITUZZJONI

Constitution of Malta
Art. 13 Hours of work. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The maximum number of hours of work per day shall

be fixed by law.

(2) The worker is entitled to a weekly day of rest and to annual

holidays with pay; he cannot renounce this right.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
L-Ewwel Skeda — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

(Artikolu 47(7))

Kodiċi Kriminali (Kapitolu 9)

Kodiċi tal-Liġijiet tal-Pulizija (Kapitolu 10)

Kodiċi ta’ Organizzazzjoni u Proċedura Ċivili (Kapitolu 12)

Kodiċi tal-Kummerċ (Kapitolu 13)

Kodiċi Ċivili (Kapitolu 16)

Constitution of Malta
Art. 14 Equal rights of men and women. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall promote the equal right of men and women

to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights and

for this purpose shall take appropriate measures to eliminate all

f o r m s o f d i s c r i m i n a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e se x e s b y a n y p e r s o n ,

organisation or enterprise; the State shall in particular aim at

ensuring that women workers enjoy equal rights and the same

wages for the same work as men.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
It-Tieni Skeda — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

(Artikoli 50 u 89)

Ġuramenti ta’ Kariga

(a) Ġurament għall-qadi xieraq tal-kariga ta’ President.

Jiena ..............................................., solennement naħlef/

niddikjara li naqdi fedelment il-kariga ta’ President (li naqdi

fedelment il-funzjonijiet tal-President) ta’ Malta, u li, skont l-aħjar

ħila tiegħi nikkonserva, inħares u niddefendi l-Kostituzzjoni ta’

Malta. (Hekk Alla jgħini).

(b) Ġurament għall-qadi xieraq tal-kariga ta’ Prim Ministru jew

Ministru ieħor jew Segretarju Parlamentari.

Jiena ................................................ solennement naħlef/

niddikjara li naqdi fedelment u skont il-kuxjenza d-dmirijiet tiegħi

bħala (Prim Ministru/Ministru/Segretarju Parlamentari) skont il-

Kostituzzjoni u l-liġijiet ta’ Malta, mingħajr biża’ jew favur. ( Hekk

Alla jgħini).

Constitution of Malta
Art. 15 Minimum age for paid labour. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The minimum age for paid labour shall be prescribed by

law.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
It-Tielet Skeda — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

(Artikolu 124(1))

Ġurament ta’ Lealtà

Jiena ................................................ solennement naħlef/

niddikjara li nkun tassew fidili u leali lejn il-Poplu u r- Repubblika

ta’ Malta u l-Kostituzzjoni tagħha. (Hekk Alla jgħini).

KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA

Constitution of Malta
Art. 16 Safeguarding labour of minors. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall provide for safeguarding the labour of

minors and assure to them the right to equal pay for equal work.

Kostituzzjoni ta' Malta — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA
Ir-Raba’ Skeda — KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA Open official source

Miżjuda

XXIII.1989.9.

Emendata

(Artikolu 23)

Proklama II tal-

1990;

Elenku ta’ Pajjiżi tal-Commonwealth minbarra Malta

Proklama VI tal-

1990;

Afrika ta’ Isfel

Proklama IV tal-

1995;

Antigua u Barbuda

Proklama III tal-

1996;

Awstralja

III.2000.6.

Bahamas

Bangladesh

Barbados

Belize

Botswana

Brunei Darussalam

Ċipru

Dominica

Il-Gambia

Ghana

Grenada

Guyana

Indja

Jamaica

Kameroon

Kanada

Kenya

Kiribati

Lesotho

Malawi

Malaysia

Maldives

Mauritius

Mozambique

Namibia

Nauru

New Zealand

Nigerja

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Renju Unit tal-Gran Brittanja u l-Irlanda ta’ Fuq u Kolonji

St. Kitts u Nevis

St. Lucia

KOSTITUZZJONI TA’ MALTA

St. Vincent u l-Grenadines

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

Sri Lanka

Swaziland

Tanzania

Tonga

Trinidad u Tobago

Tuvalu

Uganda

Vanuatu

Western Samoa

Zambja

Zimbabwe

Constitution of Malta
Art. 17 Social assistance and insurance. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Every citizen incapable of work and unprovided with

the resources necessary for subsistence is entitled to maintenance

and social assistance.

(2) Workers are entitled to reasonable insurance on a

contributory basis for their requirements in case of accident,

illness, disability, old-age and involuntary unemployment.

(3) Disabled persons and persons incapable of work are entitled

to education and vocational training.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 18 Encouragement of private economic enterprise. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall encourage private economic enterprise.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 19 Protection of artisan trades. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall provide for the protection and development

of artisan trades.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 20 Encouragement of co-operatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State recognises the social function of co-operatives

and shall encourage their development.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 20A Participation of Maltese citizens living abroad. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The State shall facilitate the participation of Maltese

citizens who live abroad in the political, social, economic and

cultural life of Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 21 Application of the principles contained in this Chapter. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The provisions of this Chapter shall not be enforceable in

any court, but the principles therein contained are nevertheless

fundamental to the governance of the country and it shall be the

aim of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

CHAPTER III

Citizenship

Constitution of Malta
Art. 22 Citizenship regulated by law. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The acquisition, possession, renunciation and loss of

Maltese citizenship shall be regulated by law.

(2) Dual or multiple citizenship is permitted in accordance with

any law for the time being in force in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 23 Commonwealth citizens. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Every person who under this Constitution or any Act

of Parliament is a citizen of Malta or under any enactment for the

time being in force in any country to which this article applies is a

citizen of that country shall, by virtue of that citizenship, have the

status of a Commonwealth citizen.

(2) Every person who is a British subject without citizenship

under the British Nationality Act, 1948 or who continues to be a

British subject under article 2 of that Act shall by virtue of that

status have the status of a Commonwealth citizen.

(3) The countries to which this article applies are those listed in

the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution.

(4)

The President may by Proclamation amend, add to, revoke

or substitute the list of countries in the Fourth Schedule to this

Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 24 Criminal liability of Commonwealth citizens. Renumbered and — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) A Commonwealth citizen who is not a citizen of Malta

or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland who is not a citizen of Malta

shall not be guilty of an offence against any law in force in Malta

by reason of anything done or omitted in any part of the

Commonwealth other than Malta or in the Republic of Ireland or in

any foreign country unless -

(a) the act or omission would be an offence if he were an

alien; and

(b) in the case of an act or omission in any part of the

Commonwealth or in the Republic of Ireland, it would

be an offence if the country in which the act was done

or the omission made were a foreign country.

(2)

In this article -

"alien" means a person who is not a Commonwealth citizen, a

British protected person or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland;

"British Protected Person" means a person who is a British

protected person for the purposes of the British Nationality Act,

1948 or any other law of the United Kingdom replacing that Act;

"foreign country" means a country (other than the Republic of

Ireland) that is not a part of the Commonwealth.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 27 Dual citizenship. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Repealed by Act III of 2000.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 28 XXIII.1989.5. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

and 29. were renumbered by Act III of 2000.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 30 Powers of Parliament. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Repealed by Act III of 2000.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 31 Interpretation. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Repealed by Act III of 2000.

CHAPTER IV

Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual

Constitution of Malta
Art. 32 Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Whereas every person in Malta is entitled to the

fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say,

the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions,

colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, but subject

to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the public

interest, to each and all of the following, namely -

(a) life, liberty, security of the person, the enjoyment of

property and the protection of the law;

(b) freedom of conscience, of expression and of peaceful

assembly and association; and

(c) respect for his private and family life,

the subsequent provisions of this Chapter shall have effect for the

purpose of affording protection to the aforesaid rights and

freedoms, subject to such limitations of that protection as are

contained in those provisions being limitations designed to ensure

that the enjoyment of the said rights and freedoms by any

individual does not prejudice the rights and freedoms of others or

the public interest.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 33 Protection of right to life. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No person shall intentionally be deprived of his life

save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal

offence under the law of Malta of which he has been convicted.

(2) Without prejudice to any liability for a contravention of any

other law with respect to the use of force in such cases as are

hereinafter mentioned, a person shall not be regarded as having

been deprived of his life in contravention of this article if he dies as

the result of the use of force to such extent as is reasonably

justifiable in the circumstances of the case -

(a) for the defence of any person from violence or for the

defence of property;

(b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the

escape of a person lawfully detained;

(c) for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or

mutiny; or

(d) in order to prevent the commission by that person of a

criminal offence,

or if he dies as the result of a lawful act of war.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 34 Protection from arbitrary arrest or detention. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No person shall be deprived of his personal liberty

save as may be authorised by law in the following cases, that is to

say -

(a) in consequence of his unfitness to plead to a criminal

charge;

(b) in execution of the sentence or order of a court,

whether in Malta or elsewhere, in respect of a criminal

offence of which he has been convicted;

(c) in execution of the order of a court punishing him for

contempt of that court or of another court or tribunal

or in execution of the order of the House of

Representatives punishing him for contempt of itself

or of its members or for breach of privilege;

(d) in execution of the order of a court made to secure the

fulfilment of any obligation imposed on him by law;

(e) for the purpose of bringing him before a court in

execution of the order of a court or before the House of

Representatives in execution of the order of that

House;

(f)

upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or

being about to commit, a criminal offence;

(g) in the case of a person who has not attained the age of

eighteen years, for the purpose of his education or

welfare;

(h) for the purpose of preventing the spread of an

infectious or contagious disease;

(i)

in the case of a person who is, or is reasonably

suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to drugs or

alcohol, or a vagrant, for the purpose of his care or

treatment or the protection of the community; or

(j)

for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of that

person into Malta, or for the purpose of effecting the

expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal of that

person from Malta or the taking of proceedings

relating thereto or for the purpose of restraining that

person while he is being conveyed through Malta in

the course of his extradition or removal as a convicted

prisoner from one country to another.

(2) Any person who is arrested or detained shall be informed at

the time of his arrest or detention, in a language that he

understands, of the reasons for his arrest or detention

Provided that if an interpreter is necessary and is not readily

available or if it is otherwise impracticable to comply with the

provisions of this sub-article at the time of the person’s arrest or

detention, such provisions shall be complied with as soon as

practicable.

(3)

Any person who is arrested or detained -

(a) for the purpose of bringing him before a court in

execution of the order of a court; or

(b) upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or

being about to commit, a criminal offence,

and who is not released, shall be brought not later than forty-eight

hours before a court; and if any person arrested or detained in such

a case as is mentioned in paragraph (b) of this sub-article is not

tried within a reasonable time, then, without prejudice to any

further proceedings which may be brought against him, he shall be

released either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions,

including in particular such conditions as are reasonably necessary

to ensure that he appears at a later date for trial or for proceedings

preliminary to trial

Provided that Parliament may by law provide for the

extension, subject to adequate procedural safeguards and to the

authorisation of a Magistrate, of the period of forty-eight (48) hours

within which the person arrested or detained shall be brought before a

court, by another period not exceeding a further forty-eight (48) hours if

the person who is arrested or detained is reasonably suspected to have

committed a crime liable to a maximum punishment exceeding twelve

(12) years imprisonment.

(4) Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any

other person shall be entitled to compensation therefor from that

person.

(5) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question authorises the taking

during such a period of public emergency as is referred to in

pa r a g ra ph (a) o r ( c) o f su b - a r t ic le ( 2 ) o f ar t ic le 4 7 of th i s

Constitution of measures that are reasonably justifiable for the

purpose of dealing with the situation that exists during that period

of public emergency.

(6) If any person who is lawfully detained by virtue only of

such a law as is referred to in the last foregoing sub-article so

requests at any time during the period of that detention not earlier

than six months after he last made such a request during that

period, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial

tribunal established by law and composed of a person or persons

each of whom holds or has held judicial office or is qualified to be

appointed to such office in Malta.

(7) On any review by a tribunal in pursuance of the last

foregoing sub-article of the case of any detained person, the

tribunal may make recommendations concerning the necessity or

expediency of continuing his detention to the authority by whom it

was ordered, but, unless it is otherwise provided by law, that

authority shall not be obliged to act in accordance with any such

recommendations.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 35 Protection from forced labour. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No person shall be required to perform forced labour.

(2) For the purposes of this article, the expression "forced

labour" does not include -

(a) any labour required in consequence of the sentence or

order of a court;

(b) labour required of any person while he is lawfully

detained by sentence or order of a court that, though

not required in consequence of such sentence or order,

is reasonably necessary in the interests of hygiene or

for the maintenance of the place at which he is

detained or, if he is detained for the purpose of his

care, treatment, education or welfare, is reasonably

required for that purpose;

(c) any labour required of a member of a disciplined force

in pursuance of his duties as such or, in the case of a

person who has conscientious objections to service as

a member of a naval, military or air force, any labour

that that person is required by law to perform in place

of such service;

(d) any labour required during a period of public

emergency or in the event of any other emergency or

calamity that threatens the life or well-being of the

community.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 36 Protection from inhuman treatment. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No person shall be subjected to inhuman or degrading

punishment or treatment.

(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question authorises the infliction

of any description of punishment which was lawful in Malta

immediately before the appointed day.

(3) (a) No law shall provide for the imposition of collective

punishments.

(b) Nothing in this sub-article shall preclude the imposition of

collective punishments upon the members of a disciplined force in

accordance with the law regulating the discipline of that force.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 37 Protection from deprivation of property without compensation. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No property of any description shall be compulsorily

taken possession of, and no interest in or right over property of any

description shall be compulsorily acquired, except where provision

is made by a law applicable to that taking of possession or

acquisition -

(a) for the payment of adequate compensation;

(b) securing to any person claiming such compensation a

right of access to an independent and impartial court or

tribunal established by law for the purpose of

determining his interest in or right over the property

and the amount of any compensation to which he may

be entitled, and for the purpose of obtaining payment

of that compensation; and

(c) securing to any party to proceedings in that court or

tribunal relating to such a claim a right of appeal from

its determination to the Court of Appeal in Malta

Provided that in special cases Parliament may, if it deems it

appropriate so to act in the national interest, by law establish the

criteria which are to be followed, including the factors and other

circumstances to be taken into account, in the determination of the

compensation payable in respect of property compulsorily taken

possession of or acquired; and in any such case the compensation

shall be determined and shall be payable accordingly.

(2) Nothing in this article shall be construed as affecting the

making or operation of any law so far as it provides for the taking

of possession or acquisition of property -

(a) in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;

(b) by way of penalty for, or as a consequence of, breach

of the law, whether under civil process or after

conviction of a criminal offence;

(c) upon the attempted removal of the property out of or

into Malta in contravention of any law;

(d) by way of the taking of a sample for the purposes of

any law;

(e) where the property consists of an animal upon its

being found trespassing or straying;

(f)

as an incident of a lease, tenancy, licence, privilege or

hypothec, mortgage, charge, bill of sale, pledge or

other contract;

(g) by way of the vesting or administration of property on

behalf and for the benefit of the person entitled to the

beneficial interest therein, trust property, enemy

property or the property of persons adjudged bankrupt

or otherwise declared bankrupt or insolvent, persons of

unsound mind, deceased persons, or bodies corporate

or unincorporate in the course of being wound up or

liquidated;

(h) in the execution of judgments or orders of courts;

(i)

by reason of its being in a dangerous state or injurious

to the health of human beings, animals or plants;

(j)

in consequence of any law with respect to the

limitation of actions, acquisitive prescription, derelict

land, treasure trove, mortmain or the rights of

succession competent to the Government of Malta; or

(k) for so long only as may be necessary for the purposes

of any examination, investigation, trial or inquiry or,

in the case of land, the carrying out thereon -

(i) of work of soil conservation or the conservation

of other natural resources of any description or

of war damage reconstruction; or

(ii) of agricultural development or improvement

which the owner or occupier of the land has been

required and has without reasonable and lawful

excuse refused or failed to carry out.

(3) Nothing in this article shall be construed as affecting the

making or operation of any law so far as it provides for vesting in

the Government of Malta the ownership of any underground

minerals, water or antiquities.

(4) Nothing in this article shall be construed as affecting the

making or operation of any law for the compulsory taking of

possession in the public interest of any property, or the compulsory

acquisition in the public interest of any interest in or right over

property, where that property, interest or right is held by a body

corporate which is established for public purposes by any law and

in which no monies have been invested other than monies provided

by any legislature in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 38 Protection for privacy of home or other property. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Except with his own consent or by way of parental

discipline, no person shall be subjected to the search of his person

or his property or the entry by others on his premises.

(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question makes provision -

(a) that is reasonably required in the interest of defence,

public safety, public order, public morality or decency,

public health, town and country planning, the

development and utilisation of mineral resources, or

the development and utilisation of any property in

such a manner as to promote the public benefit;

(b) that is reasonably required for the purpose of

promoting the rights or freedoms of other persons;

(c) that authorises a department of the Government of

Malta, or a local government authority, or a body

corporate established by law for a public purpose, to

enter on the premises of any person in order to inspect

those premises or anything thereon for the purpose of

any tax, rate or due or in order to carry out work

connected with any property or installation which is

lawfully on those premises and which belongs to that

Government, that authority, or that body corporate, as

the case may be; or

(d) that authorises, for the purpose of enforcing a

judgment or order of a court, the search of any person

or property by order of a court or entry upon any

premises by such order, or that is necessary for the

purpose of preventing or detecting criminal offences,

and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing

done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably

justifiable in a democratic society.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 39 Provisions to secure protection of law. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Whenever any person is charged with a criminal

offence he shall, unless the charge is withdrawn, be afforded a fair

hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial

court established by law.

(2) Any court or other adjudicating authority prescribed by law

for the determination of the existence or the extent of civil rights or

o b l i g a t i o n s sh a ll b e i n d e p e n d e n t an d i m p a r t i a l ; a nd w h e r e

proceedings for such a determination are instituted by any person

before such a court or other adjudicating authority, the case shall be

given a fair hearing within a reasonable time.

(3) Except with the agreement of all the parties thereto, all

proceedings of every court and proceedings relat ing to the

determination of the existence or the extent of a person’s civil

rights or obligations before any other adjudicating authority,

including the announcement of the decision of the court or other

authority, shall be held in public.

(4) Nothing in sub-article (3) of this article shall prevent any

court or any authority such as is mentioned in that sub-article from

excluding from the proceedings persons other than the parties

thereto and their legal representatives -

(a) in proceedings before a court of voluntary jurisdiction

and other proceedings which, in the practice of the

Courts in Malta are, or are of the same nature as those

which are, disposed of in chambers;

(b) in proceedings under any law relating to income tax;

or

(c) to such extent as the court or other authority -

(i) may consider necessary or expedient in

circumstances where publicity would prejudice

the interests of justice; or

(ii) may be empowered or required by law to do so

in the interests of defence, public safety, public

order, public morality or decency, the welfare of

persons under the age of eighteen years or the

protection of the private lives of persons

concerned in the proceedings.

(5) Every person who is charged with a criminal offence shall

be presumed to be innocent until he is proved or has pleaded guilty

Provided that nothing contained in or done under the

authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in

contravention of this sub-article to the extent that the law in

question imposes upon any person charged as aforesaid the burden

of proving particular facts.

(6)

Every person who is charged with a criminal offence -

(a) shall be informed in writing, in a language which he

understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence

charged;

(b) shall be given adequate time and facilities for the

preparation of his defence;

(c) shall be permitted to defend himself in person or by a

legal representative and a person who cannot afford to

pay for such legal representation as is reasonably

required by the circumstances of his case shall be

entitled to have such representation at the public

expense;

(d) shall be afforded facilities to examine in person or by

his legal representative the witnesses called by the

prosecution before any court and to obtain the

attendance of witnesses subject to the payment of their

reasonable expenses, and carry out the examination of

witnesses to testify on his behalf before the court on

the same conditions as those applying to witnesses

called by the prosecution; and

(e) shall be permitted to have without payment the

assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand the

language used at the trial of the charge,

and except with his own consent the trial shall not take place in his

absence unless he so conducts himself as to render the continuance

of the proceedings in his presence impracticable and the court has

ordered him to be removed and the trial to proceed in his absence.

(7) When a person is tried for any criminal offence, the accused

person or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall, if he so

requires and subject to payment of such reasonable fee as may be

prescribed by law, be given within a reasonable time after judgment

a copy for the use of the accused person of any record of the

proceedings made by or on behalf of the court.

(8) No person shall be held to be guilty of a criminal offence on

account of any act or omission that did not, at the time it took

place, constitute such an offence, and no penalty shall be imposed

for any criminal offence which is severer in degree or description

than the maximum penalty which might have been imposed for that

offence at the time when it was committed.

(9) No person who shows that he has been tried by any

competent court for a criminal offence and either convicted or

acquitted shall again be tried for that offence or for any other

criminal offence of which he could have been convicted at the trial

for that offence save upon the order of a superior court made in the

course of appeal or review proceedings relating to the conviction or

acquittal; and no person shall be tried for a criminal offence if he

shows that he has been pardoned for that offence

Provided that nothing in any law shall be held to be

inconsistent with or in contravention of this sub-article by reason

only that it authorises any court to try a member of a disciplined

f o r c e f o r a c r i m i n a l o ff e n c e n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g a n y t r i a l a n d

conviction or acquittal of that member under the disciplinary law of

that force, so however that any court so trying such a member and

convicting him shall in sentencing him to any punishment take into

account any punishment awarded him under that disciplinary law.

(10) No person who is tried for a criminal offence shall be

compelled to give evidence at his trial.

(11) In this article "legal representative" means a person

entitled to practise in Malta as an advocate or, except in relation to

proceedings before a court where a legal procurator has no right of

audience, a legal procurator.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 40 Protection of freedom of conscience and worship. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) All persons in Malta shall have full freedom of

conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of

religious worship.

(2) No person shall be required to receive instruction in

religion or to show knowledge or proficiency in religion if, in the

case of a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years,

objection to such requirement is made by the person who according

to law has authority over him and, in any other case, if the person

so required objects thereto

Provided that no such requirement shall be held to be

inconsistent with or in contravention of this article to the extent

that the knowledge of, or the proficiency or instruction in, religion

is required for the teaching of such religion, or for admission to the

priesthood or to a religious order, or for other religious purposes,

and except so far as that requirement is shown not to be reasonably

justifiable in a democratic society.

(3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of sub-

article (1), to the extent that the law in question makes provision

that is reasonably required in the interests of public safety, public

order, public morality or decency, public health, or the protection

of the rights and freedoms of others, and except so far as that

provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority

thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic

society.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 41 Protection of freedom of expression. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Except with his own consent or by way of parental

discipline, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his

freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions without

interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without

interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information

without interference (whether the communication be to the public

generally or to any person or class of persons) and freedom from

interference with his correspondence.

(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of sub-

article (1) of this article to the extent that the law in question makes

provision -

(a) that is reasonably required -

(i)

in the interests of defence, public safety, public

order, public morality or decency, or public

health; or

(ii) for the purpose of protecting the reputations,

rights and freedoms of other persons, or the

private lives of persons concerned in legal

proceedings, preventing the disclosure of

information received in confidence, maintaining

the authority and independence of the courts,

protecting the privileges of Parliament, or

regulating telephony, telegraphy, posts, wireless

broadcasting, television or other means of

communication, public exhibitions or public

entertainments; or

(b) that imposes restrictions upon public officers,

and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing

done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably

justifiable in a democratic society.

(3) Anyone who is resident in Malta may edit or print a

newspaper or journal published daily or periodically

Provided that provision may be made by law -

(a) prohibiting or restricting the editing or printing of any

such newspaper or journal by persons under twenty-

one years of age; and

(b) requiring any person who is the editor or printer of any

such newspaper or journal to inform the prescribed

authority to that effect and of his age and to keep the

prescribed authority informed of his place of

residence.

(4) Where the police seize any edition of a newspaper as being

the means whereby a criminal offence has been committed they

shall within twenty-four hours of the seizure bring the seizure to

the notice of the competent court and if the court is not satisfied

that there is a prima facie case of such offence, that edition shall be

returned to the person from whom it was seized.

(5) No person shall be deprived of his citizenship under any

provisions made under article 30(1) (b) of this Constitution or of

his juridical capacity by reason only of his political opinions.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 42 Protection of freedom of assembly and association. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Except with his own consent or by way of parental

discipline no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his

freedom of peaceful assembly and association, that is to say, his

right peacefully to assemble freely and associate with other persons

and in particular to form or belong to trade or other unions or

associations for the protection of his interests.

(2) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question makes provision -

(a) that is reasonably required -

(i) in the interests of defence, public safety, public

order, public morality or decency, or public

health; or

(ii) for the purpose of protecting the rights or

freedoms of other persons; or

(b) that imposes restrictions upon public officers,

and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing

done under the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably

justifiable in a democratic society.

(3) For the purposes of this article, any provision in any law

prohibiting the holding of public meetings or demonstrations in any

one or more particular cities, towns, suburbs or villages shall be

held to be a provision which is not reasonably justifiable in a

democratic society.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 43 Prohibition of deportation. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Extradition is only permitted in pursuance

of

arrangements made by treaty and under the authority of a law.

(2) No person shall be extradited for an offence of a political

character.

(3) No citizen of Malta shall be removed from Malta except as

a result of extradition proceedings or under any such law as is

referred to in article 44(3) (b) of this Constitution.

(4) The provisions made by or under the Extradition Act * , as

for the time being in force, for the removal of persons from Malta

to another Commonwealth country to undergo trial or punishment

in that country in respect of an offence committed in that country

and any general arrangements for the extradition of persons

between Commonwealth countries to which Malta for the time

being adheres shall be deemed, for the purposes of sub-article (1)

of this article, to be arrangements made by treaty, and sub-article

(2) shall not apply in relation to the removal or extradition of a

person under such provisions or arrangements.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 44 Protection of freedom of movement. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No citizen of Malta shall be deprived of his freedom of

movement, and for the purpose of this article the said freedom

means the right to move freely throughout Malta, the right to reside

in any part of Malta, the right to leave and the right to enter Malta.

(2) Any restriction on a citizen’s freedom of movement that is

involved in his lawful detention shall not be held to be inconsistent

with or in contravention of this article.

(3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question makes provision -

(a) for the imposition of restrictions that are reasonably

required in the interests of defence, public safety,

public order, public morality or decency, or public

health and except so far as that provision or, as the

case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof

is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a

democratic society;

(b) for the imposition of restrictions on the freedom of

movement of any citizen of Malta who is not a citizen

by virtue of article 3(1) or of article 5(1) of the

Maltese Citizenship Act as in force upon the coming

into force of the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment)

Act, 2000;

(c) for the imposition of restrictions upon the movement

or residence within Malta of public officers; or

(d) for the imposition of restrictions on the right of any

person to leave Malta that are reasonably required in

order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation

imposed on that person by law and except so far as that

provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under

the authority thereof is shown not to be reasonably

justifiable in a democratic society.

(4)

For the purposes of this article, any person -

(a) who has emigrated from Malta (whether before, on or

after the appointed day) and, having been a citizen of

Malta by virtue of article 3(1) or of article 5(1) of the

Maltese Citizenship Act as in force upon the coming

*This Act has replaced the Extradition (Commonwealth Countries) Act, 1970.

into force of the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment)

Act, 2000, has ceased to be such a citizen; or

(b) who emigrated from Malta before the appointed day

and, but for his having ceased to be a citizen of the

United Kingdom and Colonies before that day, would

have become a citizen of Malta by virtue of article 3(1)

of the Maltese Citizenship Act as in force upon the

coming into force of the Maltese Citizenship

(Amendment) Act, 2000; or

(c) * who is the spouse of a person mentioned in paragraph

(a) or (b) of this sub-article or of a person who is a

citizen of Malta by virtue of article 3(1) or of article

5(1) of the Maltese Citizenship Act as in force upon

the coming into force of the Maltese Citizenship

(Amendment) Act, 2000, and who has been married to

that person for at least five years and is living with that

person, or is the child under twenty-one years of age of

such a person; or

(d) who is the widow or the widower of a person

mentioned in paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this

subarticle or of a person who at the time of his or her

death was a citizen of Malta by virtue of article 3(1) or

of article 5(1) of the Maltese Citizenship Act as in

force upon the coming into force of the Maltese

Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2000, and who was still

living with him or her at the time of his or her death

and had been married to that person for at least five

years or who would, but for the death of that person,

have been so married for at least five years, or is the

child under twenty-one years of age of such a person,

shall be deemed to be a citizen of Malta by virtue of article 3(1) or

of article 5(1) of the Maltese Citizenship Act as in force upon the

coming into force of the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment) Act,

2000

Provided that if the Minister responsible for matters

relating to Maltese citizenship at any time by order declares that it

is contrary to the public interest that a spouse as is mentioned in

paragraph (c), or a widow or widower as is mentioned in paragraph

(d), or a child over eighteen years of age as is mentioned in

paragraph (c) or (d) is to be so deemed, or to continue to be so

deemed, such spouse, widow, widower or child, as the case may be,

shall thereupon cease to be deemed to be a citizen of Malta as

aforesaid

Provided further that the Minister responsible for matters

relating to Maltese citizenship shall not be required to assign any

reason for the issue of any order referred to in the immediately

preceding proviso, and the decision of the Minister on any such

order shall not be subject to appeal to or review in any court.

*see article 5 of Act XIII of 2001 .

(5) If any person whose freedom of movement has been

restricted by virtue of such a provision as is referred to in sub-

article (3)(a) of this article so requests at any time during the

period of that restriction not earlier than six months after the order

was made or six months after he last made such request, as the case

may be, his case shall be reviewed by an independent and impartial

tribunal established by law composed of a person or persons each

of whom holds or has held judicial office or is qualified to be

appointed to such office in Malta

Provided that a person whose freedom of movement has

been restricted by virtue of a restriction which is applicable to

persons generally or to general classes of persons shall not make a

request under this sub-article unless he has first obtained the

consent of the Civil Court, First Hall.

(6) On any review by a tribunal in pursuance of this article of

the case of a person whose freedom of movement has been

restricted the tribunal may make recommendations concerning the

necessity or expediency of continuing the restriction to the

authority by which it was ordered but, unless it is otherwise

provided by law, that authority shall not be obliged to act in

accordance with any such recommendations.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 45 Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-articles (4), (5) and

(7 ) o f t hi s a rt i cle , n o law shal l m ak e any pr ov is io n th at i s

discriminatory either of itself or in its effect.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-articles (6), (7) and (8) of

this article, no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner

by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the

performance of the functions of any public office or any public

authority.

(3) In this article, the expression "discriminatory" means

affording different treatment to different persons attributable

wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of

origin, political opinions, colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation or

gender identity whereby persons of one such description are

subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another

such description are not made subject or are accorded privileges or

advantages which are not accorded to persons of another such

description.

(4) Sub-article (1) of this article shall not apply to any law so

far as that law makes provision -

(a) for the appropriation of public revenues or other public

funds; or

(b) with respect to persons who are not citizens of Malta;

or

(c) with respect to adoption, marriage, dissolution of

marriage, burial, devolution of property on death or

any matters of personal law not hereinbefore specified;

or

(d) whereby persons of any such description as is

mentioned in sub-article (3) of this article may be

subjected to any disability or restriction or may be

accorded any privilege or advantage which, having

regard to its nature and to special circumstances

pertaining to those persons or to persons of any other

such description and to any other provision of this

Constitution, is reasonably justifiable in a democratic

society; or

(e) for authorising the taking during a period of public

emergency of measures that are reasonably justifiable

for the purpose of dealing with the situation that exists

during that period of public emergency;

Provided that paragraph (c) of this sub-article shall not

apply to any law which makes any provision that is discriminatory,

either of itself or in its effect by affording different treatment to

different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective

description by sex.

(5) Nothing contained in any law shall be held to be

inconsistent with or in contravention of sub-article (1) of this

article to the extent that it makes provision

(a) with respect to qualifications for service or conditions

of service in any disciplined force; or

(b) with respect to qualifications (not being qualifications

specifically relating to sex, sexual orientation or

gender identity) for service as a public officer or for

service of a local government authority or a body

corporate established for public purposes by any law.

(6) Sub-article (2) of this article shall not apply to anything

which is expressly or by necessary implication authorised to be

done by any such provision of law as is referred to in sub-article (4)

or (5) of this article.

(7) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question makes provision (not

being provisions specifically relating to sex) whereby persons of

any such description as is mentioned in sub-article (3) of this

article may be subjected to any restriction on the rights and

freedoms guaranteed by articles 38, 40, 41, 42 and 44 of this

Constitution, being such a restriction as is authorised by article

38(2), 40(2), 41(2), 42(2) or 44(3).

(8) Nothing in sub-article (2) of this article shall affect any

discretion relating to the institution, conduct or discontinuance of

civil or criminal proceedings in any court that is vested in any

person by or under this Constitution or any other law.

(9) A requirement, however made, that the Roman Catholic

Apostolic Religion shall be taught by a person professing that

religion shall not be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention

of this article.

(10) Until the expiration of a period of two years commencing

on the lst July, 1991, nothing contained in any law made before the

1st July, 1991, shall be held to be inconsistent with the provisions

of this article, in so far as that law provides for different treatment

t o d i ff e r e n t p e r s o n s a t t r i b u t a b l e w h o l l y o r m a i n l y t o t h e i r

respective description by sex.

(11) Nothing in the provisions of this article shall apply to any

law or anything done under the authority of a law, or to any

procedure or arrangement, in so far as such law, thing done,

procedure or arrangement provides for the taking of special

measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and

women, and in so far only as such measures, taking into account the

social fabric of Malta, are shown to be reasonably justifiable in a

democratic society.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 46 Enforcement of protective provisions. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of sub-articles (6) and (7) of

this article, any person who alleges that any of the provisions of

articles 33 to 45 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been, is being

or is likely to be contravened in relation to him, or such other

person as the Civil Court, First Hall, in Malta may appoint at the

instance of any person who so alleges, may, without prejudice to

any other action with respect to the same matter that is lawfully

available, apply to the Civil Court, First Hall, for redress.

(2) The Civil Court, First Hall, shall have original jurisdiction

to hear and determine any application made by any person in

pursuance of sub-article (1) of this article, and may make such

orders, issue such writs and give such directions as it may consider

appropriate for the purpose of enforcing, or securing the

enforcement of, any of the provisions of the said articles 33 to 45

(inclusive) to the protection of which the person concerned is

entitled

Provided that the Court may, if it considers it desirable so to

do, decline to exercise its powers under this sub-article in any case

where it is satisfied that adequate means of redress for the

contravention alleged are or have been available to the person

concerned under any other law.

(3) If in any proceedings in any court other than the Civil

Court, First Hall, or the Constitutional Court any question arises as

to the contravention of any of the provisions of the said articles 33

to 45 (inclusive), that court shall refer the question to the Civil

Court, First Hall, unless in its opinion the raising of the question is

merely frivolous or vexatious; and that court shall give its decision

on any question referred to it under this sub-article and, subject to

the provisions of sub-article (4) of this article, the court in which

the question arose shall dispose of the question in accordance with

that decision.

(4) Any party to proceedings brought in the Civil Court, First

Hall, in pursuance of this article shall have a right of appeal to the

Constitutional Court.

(5) No appeal shall lie from any determination under this

article that any application or the raising of any question is merely

frivolous or vexatious.

(6) Provision may be made by or under an Act of Parliament

for conferring upon the Civil Court, First Hall, such powers in

addition to those conferred by this article as are necessary or

desirable for the purpose of enabling the Court more effectively to

exercise the jurisdiction conferred upon it by this article.

(7) Rules of Court making provision with respect to the

practice and procedure of the Courts of Malta for the purposes of

this article may be made by the person or authority for the time

being having power to make rules of court with respect to the

practice and procedure of those Courts, and shall be designed to

secure that the procedure shall be by application and that the

hearing shall be as expeditious as possible.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 47 Interpretation of Chapter IV. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) In this Chapter, save where the context otherwise

requires, the following expressions shall have the following

meanings respectively, that is to say -

"contravention", in relation to any requirement, includes a failure

to comply with that requirement, and cognate expressions shall be

construed accordingly;

"court" means any court of law in Malta other than a court

constituted by or under a disciplinary law and in articles 33 and 35

of this Constitution includes, in relation to an offence against a

disciplinary law, a court so constituted;

"disciplinary law" means a law regulating the discipline -

(a) of any disciplined force; or

(b) of persons serving prison sentences;

"disciplined force" means -

(a) a naval, military or air force of the Government of

Malta;

(b) the Malta Police Force;

(c) any other police force established by law in Malta;

(d) the Malta prison service;

(e) the Assistance and Rescue Force within the Civil

Protection Department;

"member", in relation to a disciplined force, includes any person

who, under the law regulating the discipline of that force, is subject

to that discipline.

(2) In this Chapter "period of public emergency" means any

period during which -

(a) Malta is engaged in any war; or

(b) there is in force a proclamation by the President

declaring that a state of public emergency exists; or

(c) there is in force a resolution of the House of

Representatives supported by the votes of not less than

two-thirds of all the Members of the House declaring

that democratic institutions in Malta are threatened by

subversion.

(3) (a) Where any proclamation of emergency has been made,

the occasion therefor shall forthwith be communicated to the House

of Representatives and, if the House is then separated by such

adjournment or prorogation as will not expire within ten days the

President shall by proclamation summon it to meet within five days

and it shall accordingly meet and sit upon the day appointed by the

proclamation and shall continue to sit and act as if it had stood

adjourned or prorogued to that day.

(b) A proclamation of emergency shall, unless it is sooner

revoked by the President, cease to be in force at the expiration of a

period of fourteen days beginning on the date on which it was made

or such longer period as may be provided under the next following

pa r a g r a p h , b ut w it h o u t p r e j u d ic e t o t h e m a k in g of a no t h e r

proclamation of emergency at or before the end of that period.

(c) If at any time while a proclamation of emergency is in force

(including any time while it is in force by virtue of this paragraph)

a resolution is passed by the House of Representatives approving

its continuance in force for a further period, not exceeding three

months, beginning on the date on which it would otherwise expire,

the proclamation shall, if not sooner revoked, continue in force for

that further period.

(4) A resolution such as is referred to in paragraph (c) of sub-

article (2) of this article shall, unless it is sooner revoked by the

House of Representatives, cease to be in force at the expiration of

twelve months beginning on the date on which it was passed or

such shorter period as may be specified therein, but without

prejudice to the passing of another resolution by the House of

Representatives in the manner prescribed by that paragraph at or

before the end of that period.

(5) In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined

force raised under any law in force in Malta, nothing contained in

or done under the authority of the disciplinary law of that force

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of any of

the provisions of this Chapter other than articles 33, 35 and 36.

(6) In relation to any person who is a member of a disciplined

force raised otherwise than as aforesaid and lawfully present in

Malta, nothing contained in or done under the authority of the

disciplinary law of that force shall be held to be inconsistent with

or in contravention of any of the provisions of this Chapter.

(7) Until the expiration of a period ending on the 30th June,

1993, nothing contained in any such law as is specified in the First

Schedule to this Constitution and, until the expiration of a period of

three years commencing with the appointed day, nothing contained

in any other law made before the appointed day shall be held to be

inconsistent with the provisions of articles 33 to 45 (inclusive) of

this Chapter and, subject as aforesaid, nothing done under the

authority of any such law shall be held to be done in contravention

of those articles.

(8) Where any provision of law enacted before the appointed

day is held to be inconsistent with any of the provisions of articles

33 to 45 (inclusive) of this Chapter, no person shall be entitled to

compensation in respect of anything done under the authority of

that provision before it was so held to be inconsistent.

(9) Nothing in article 37 of this Constitution shall affect the

operation of any law in force immediately before 3rd March 1962

or any law made on or after that date that amends or replaces any

law in force immediately before that date (or such a law as from

time to time amended or replaced in the manner described in this

sub-article) and that does not -

(a) add to the kinds of property that may be taken

possession of or the rights over and interests in

property that may be acquired;

(b) add to the purposes for which or circumstances in

which such property may be taken possession of or

acquired;

(c) make the conditions governing entitlement to

compensation or the amount thereof less favourable to

any person owning or interested in the property; or

(d) deprive any person of any right such as is mentioned in

paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of article 37(1) of this

Constitution.

CHAPTER V

The President

*

Constitution of Malta
Art. 48 Establishment of the office of President. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)

There shall be a President of Malta who shall be

appointed by Resolution supported by the votes of not less than two-

thirds of all the members of the House

Provided that notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article

(3)(a), if the Resolution is not supported by the votes of not less than

two-thirds of all the members of the House, the person occupying the

office of the President of Malta shall, in any circumstance, remain in

office until the Resolution is supported by the votes of not less than two-

thirds of all the members of the House.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office

of President if -

(a) he is not a citizen of Malta; or

(b) he holds or has held the office of Chief Justice or other

Judge of the Superior Courts; or

(c) he is not eligible for appointment to or to act in any

public office in accordance with articles 109, 118 and

120 of this Constitution.

(3)

The office of President shall become vacant -

(a) on the expiration of five years from the date of the

appointment to that office; or

(b) if the holder of the office is removed upon an address

by the House supported by the votes of not less than

*Note: sub-article (4) of this article has been omitted as it has had its effect.

two-thirds of all the members thereof and praying for

such removal on the grounds of proved inability to

perform functions of his office (whether arising from

infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or

proved misbehaviour

Provided that Parliament may by law regulate the

procedure for the presentation of an address and for the

investigation and proof of the inability or misbehaviour

of the holder of the office under the provisions of this

paragraph.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 49 Discharge of President’s functions during vacancy, etc. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Whenever the office of President is temporarily vacant, and

until a new President is appointed, and whenever the holder of the

office is absent from Malta or on vacation or is for any reason

unable to perform the functions conferred upon him by this

Constitution, those functions shall be performed by such person as

the Prime Minister, after consultation with the Leader of the

Opposition, may appoint or, if there is no person in Malta so

appointed and able to perform those functions, by the Speaker of

the House of Representatives.

* 50.

A person appointed to or assuming the functions of the

office of President shall, before entering upon that office, take and

subscribe the oath of office set out in the Second Schedule to this

Constitution. Any person appointed to the office of President under

sub-article (1) of article 48 of this Constitution shall take the oath

of office before the House.

CHAPTER VI

Parliament

PART 1

Composition of Parliament

Constitution of Malta
Art. 51 Establishment of Parliament. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

There shall be a Parliament of Malta which shall consist of

the President and a House of Representatives.

*The reference to sub-article (4) of article 48 has been omitted in view of the omission

of that sub-article.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 52 Composition of the House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the House of

Representatives shall consist of such number of members, being an

odd number and divisible by the number of electoral divisions, as

Parliament shall from time to time by law determine. Such

members shall be elected in the manner provided by or under any

law for the time being in force in Malta in equal proportions from

the electoral divisions referred to in article 56 of this Constitution,

each division returning such number of members, being not less

than five and not more than seven as Parliament shall from time to

time by law determine; and such members shall be known as

"Members of Parliament"

Provided that where -

(i)

at any general election, a political party

(hereinafter referred to in this article as the

"absolute majority party") obtains in the

aggregate more than fifty per centum of all the

valid votes cast at that election, as credited to its

candidates by the Electoral Commission at the

first count of all the votes; or

(ii) at a general election which is contested by more

than two political parties and in which only

candidates of two of such parties are elected, a

political party obtains a percentage of all the

valid votes cast at such election, as credited to

its candidates by the Electoral Commission at

the first count of all the votes (hereinafter also

referred to in this article as the "relative majority

party"), which is greater than that obtained by

any one other party (hereinafter referred to in

this article as the "minority party"),

and the proportion which the number of the elected candidates

credited to the absolute majority party or to the relative majority

party (as the case may be) represents in relation to the total number

of elected members of the House of Representatives is less than the

proportion which the number of votes credited to such candidates at

the first count of all the votes represents in relation to the total of

the votes credited at the same first count of all the votes to all the

candidates of all the parties electing candidates, the number of the

elected candidates of such party shall be increased (as the case may

be) by a number of additional candidates in the circumstances as

determined by and in accordance with the provisions of Part IV of

the General Elections (Sorting of Ballot Papers, Casual Elections

and Co-opting) Regulations in the Thirteenth Schedule to the

General Elections Act and the Annex to such Schedule (hereinafter

referred to as "the relevant regulations") as in force on 30th

September 2007 or as subsequently amended or substituted in the

manner provided in sub-article (3)

Provided further that

(i)

in the eventuality of an election result as

provided for in sub-paragraph (i) of the first

proviso to this subarticle but provided there is

only one minority party; or

(ii) in the eventuality of an election result as

provided for in sub-paragraph (ii) of the first

proviso to this sub-article,

and the proportion which the number of elected candidates credited

to the minority party represents in relation to the total number of

elected members of the House of Representatives is less than the

proportion which the number of votes credited to all its candidates

at the first count of all the votes represents in relation to the total of

the votes credited at the same first count of all the votes to all the

candidates of all the parties electing candidates, the number of the

elected candidates of the minority party shall be increased by a

number of additional candidates as determined by the relevant

regulations as in force on 30th September 2007 or as subsequently

amended or substituted in the manner provided in sub-article (3).

In any case as forseen in the first and second proviso to this

sub-article, such persons shall be declared by the Electoral

Commission to be elected to fill the additional seats created by the

said provisos who, being candidates of the party which is to be

credited with the additional seats, were credited by the Electoral

Commission at the last count with the highest or next higher

number of votes without being elected, irrespective of the division

in which such highest or higher number of votes occurs.

(2) If any person who is not a member of the House of

Representatives is elected to be Speaker of the House he shall, by

virtue of holding the office of Speaker, be a member of the House

in addition to the other members

Provided that in any such case the Speaker shall not be

treated as a member of the House for the purpose of establishing

the number of votes required to support a bill for any of the

purposes of article 66 of this Constitution.

(3) The provisions of Part IV of the General Elections (Sorting

of Ballot Papers, Casual Elections and Co-opting) Regulations, in

the Thirteenth Schedule to the General Elections Act and the Annex

to such Schedule, as in force on the coming into force of this sub-

article may only be deleted, amended or substituted by a bill for an

Act of Parliament passed in the manner specified in sub-article (2)

of article 66 of this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 52A Additional seats for under- represented sex. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) If at a general election which is contested by two or

more political parties and in which only candidates of two parties are

elected or in the eventuality of an election result as provided for in

sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) of the proviso to sub-article (1) of article 52

and in the event that the number of Members of Parliament of the

under-represented sex, elected by virtue of article 52, inclusive of

those members elected at a casual election in terms of the relevant

regulations, is less than forty per cent (40%) of all the Members of

Parliament, then the number of Members of Parliament shall increase

by not more than twelve (12) Members of the under-represented sex

Provided that the number of Members of Parliament of the

under-represented sex elected by virtue of article 52 added to the

members of the under-represented sex elected by virtue of this article

shall not exceed forty per cent (40%) of the total number of elected

Members of Parliament making up the House.

The candidates elected by virtue of this article are to be

apportioned equally between the absolute majority party or the relative

majority party and the minority party.

(2)

Such candidate or candidates belonging to the under-

represented sex and who are candidates of the party or parties which

shall be credited with the additional seats, and which were credited by

the Electoral Commission at the last count with the highest or next

higher number of votes without being elected, irrespective of the

division in which such highest or next higher number of votes occur,

shall be declared by the Electoral Commission as elected to fill the

additional seats created by sub-article (1)

Provided that in the event that the number of candidates

established under this article is not reached, following the application

of the preceding sub-article, such candidates belonging to the under-

represented sex shall be declared by the Electoral Commission to be

elected to fill the remaining additional seats created by this article

who, being candidates of the party which is to be credited with the

additional seats, were ranked on a national basis by the Electoral

Commission with the highest or next higher number of percentage

quota obtained on the basis of their respective final count vote before

elimination in relation to the quota of the electoral division contested

Provided further that in the event that the number of

candidates established under this article is not reached as foreseen in

this sub-article, the seats thereafter remaining vacant shall be filled by

the co-option of a Member or Members by the House and such

Member or Members shall be qualified to be elected as a Member of

the House as established under article 53, shall not be subject to any

disqualifications for membership of the House as provided under

article 54 and shall belong to the under-represented sex.

(3)

For the purpose of this article, elected and unelected

candidates who are identified as gender-neutral persons in their official

documentation, shall be counted with the under-represented sex.

(4) This article shall remain in force until the expiry of the period

of twenty (20) years from the date of its coming into force, unless

revoked or re-enacted with or without modification by means of an Act

of Parliament according to the provisions of this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 53 Qualifications for membership of House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Subject to the provisions of article 54 of this Constitution,

a person shall be qualified to be elected as a member of the House

of Representatives if, and shall not be qualified to be so elected

unless, that person has attained the age of eighteen years and he has the

qualifications for registration as a voter for the election of members

of the House of Representatives mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (c)

of article 57 of this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 54 Disqualifications for membership of House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) No person shall be qualified to be elected as a member

of the House of Representatives -

(a) if he is a citizen of a country other than Malta having

become such a citizen voluntarily or is under a

declaration of allegiance to such a country;

(b) save as otherwise provided by Parliament, if he holds

or is acting in any public office or is a member of the

armed forces of the Government of Malta;

(c) if he is a party to, or is a partner with unlimited

liability in a partnership or a director or manager of a

company which is a party to, a contract with the

Government of Malta being a contract of works or a

contract for the supply of merchandise to be used in

the service of the public and has not, within one month

before the date of election, published in the Gazette a

notice setting out the nature of any such contract, and

his interest, or the interest of any such partnership or

company, therein;

(d) if he is an undischarged bankrupt, having been

adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt under any

law in force in Malta;

(e) if he is interdicted or incapacitated for any mental

infirmity or for prodigality by a court in Malta, or is

otherwise determined in Malta to be of unsound mind;

(f)

if he is under sentence of death imposed on him by any

court in Malta or is serving a sentence of

imprisonment (by whatever name called), exceeding

twelve months imposed on him by such a court or

substituted by competent authority for some other

sentence imposed on him by such a court;

(g) if he holds or is acting in any office the functions of

which involve any responsibility for, or in connection

with, the conduct of any election of members of the

House of Representatives or the compilation or

revision of any electoral register;

(h) if he is disqualified for membership of the House of

Representatives by or under any law for the time being

in force in Malta by reason of his having been

convicted of any offence connected with the election

of members of the House of Representatives;

(i)

if he has not yet attained the age of eighteen years.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (f) of sub-article (1) of this

article -

(a) two or more sentences that are required to be served

consecutively shall be regarded as separate sentences

if none of them exceeds twelve months, but if any one

of them exceeds that term they shall be regarded as

one sentence; and

(b) no account shall be taken of a sentence of

imprisonment imposed as an alternative to, or in

default of, the payment of a fine.

(3) A person shall not be treated as holding, or acting in, a

public office for the purpose of paragraph (b) of sub-article (1) of

this article -

(a) if he is on leave of absence pending relinquishment of

a public office;

(b) if he is a teacher at the University of Malta who is not

by the terms of his employment prevented from the

private practice of his profession or called upon to

place his whole time at the disposal of the Government

of Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 55 Tenure of office of members. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The seat of a member of Parliament shall become

vacant-

(a) upon the next dissolution of Parliament after his

election;

(b) if he resigns his seat by writing under his hand

addressed to the Speaker or, if the office of Speaker is

vacant or the Speaker is absent from Malta, to the

Deputy Speaker;

(c) if he becomes a party to a contract with the

Government of Malta being a contract of works or a

contract for the supply of merchandise to be used in

the service of the public, or if any partnership in which

he is a partner with unlimited liability or a company of

which he is a director or manager becomes a party to

any such contract, or if he becomes a partner with

unlimited liability in a partnership or a director or

manager of a company that is a party to any such

contract

Provided that he shall not vacate his seat under the

provisions of this paragraph if before becoming a party

to the contract or before, or as soon as practicable

after, becoming otherwise interested in the contract

(whether as a partner with unlimited liability in a

partnership or as a director or manager of a company)

he discloses to the Speaker the nature of the contract

and his interest or the interest of the partnership or

company therein and the House of Representatives by

resolution exempts him from the provisions of this

paragraph;

(d) if he is absent from the sittings of the House of

Representatives for such period and in such

circumstances as may be prescribed by the Standing

Orders of the House;

(e) if he ceases to be a citizen of Malta;

(f)

if he ceases to be qualified for registration as a voter

for the election of members of the House of

Representatives;

(ff) if the Constitutional Court decides that an elected

candidate has given information which is false in the

return of election expenses or that an elected candidate

has incurred election expenses in an amount exceeding

the amount permissible by law;

(g) subject to the provisions of sub-article (2) of this

article, if any circumstances arise that if he were not a

member of the House of Representatives, would cause

him to be disqualified for election thereto.

(2) (a) If circumstances such as are referred to in paragraph (g)

of sub-article (1) of this article arise because any member of the

House of Representatives is under sentence of death or

imprisonment, interdicted or incapacitated or adjudged to be of

unsound mind, adjudged or otherwise declared bankrupt or

convicted of an offence connected with elections and if it is open to

the member to appeal against the decision (either with the leave of

a court or other authority or without such leave), he shall forthwith

cease to perform his functions as a member of the House but,

subject to the provisions of this article, he shall not vacate his seat

until the expiration of a period of thirty days thereafter

Provided that the Speaker may, from time to time, extend

that period for further periods of thirty days to enable the member

to pursue an appeal against the decision, so however that

extensions of time exceeding in the aggregate one hundred and fifty

d a y s sh a l l n o t b e g i v e n wi t h o u t t h e ap p r o va l , s i g n i f i e d b y

resolution, of the House.

(b) If, on the determination of any appeal, such circumstances

continue to exist and no further appeal is open to the member, or if,

by reason of the expiration of any period for entering an appeal or

notice thereof or the refusal of leave to appeal or for any other

reason, it ceases to be open to the member to appeal, he shall

forthwith vacate his seat.

(c) If at any time before the member vacates his seat such

circumstances as aforesaid cease to exist, his seat shall not become

vacant on the expiration of the period referred to in paragraph (a)

of this sub-article and he may resume the performance of his

functions as a member of the House of Representatives.

(d) For the purposes of this sub-article "appeal" means, in the

case of an order by a court of voluntary jurisdiction for the

interdiction or incapacitation of a member of the House of

Representatives, the taking of any action for the review of that

order before the Civil Court, First Hall.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 56 Voting at Elections. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The members of the House of Representatives shall be

elected upon the principle of proportional representation by means

of the single transferable vote from such number of electoral

divisions, being an odd number and not less than nine and not more

than fifteen, as Parliament shall from time to time determine.

(2) The election of members of the House of Representatives

shall be free of illegal or corrupt practices and foreign interference.

(3) It shall be the duty of the Electoral Commission to suspend

the election, either in all electoral divisions or in any one or more

of such divisions, if it has reasonable ground to believe that illegal

or corrupt practices or other offences connected with the elections

have been committed or there has been foreign interference and

such practices, offences or interference have so extensively

prevailed or have been of such nature that they may reasonably be

expected to affect the result of the election, in all or in any one or

more of the electoral divisions.

(4) In any case in which an election is suspended under sub-

article (3) of this article, the Chief Electoral Commissioner shall

forthwith refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for its

decision.

(5) Where any of the grounds on which an election may be

suspended under sub-article (3) of this article exist and the election

has not been suspended, or where illegal or corrupt practices or

other offences or foreign interference as are referred to in that sub-

article may reasonably be supposed to have affected the result of an

election, in all or in any one or more of the electoral divisions, any

person entitled to vote at that election may, not later than three days

after the publication of the official result of the election, refer the

matter to the Constitutional Court for its decision.

(6) Any reference to the Constitutional Court under either sub-

article (4) or sub-article (5) of this article shall be made and shall

be determined by that Court in accordance with any law for the

time being in force in Malta. On any such reference the Court shall,

without prejudice to any other powers, have power to annul the

election, in all or in any one or more of the electoral divisions, on

any of the grounds mentioned in the said sub-articles, and to give

such directions and orders and to provide such redress and other

remedies as it may deem appropriate in the circumstances and in

particular to ensure that a free election, in place of any one that

may have been annulled, be held at the earliest possible

opportunity.

(7) Where an election has been annulled under sub-article (6)

of this article, the result of the election shall not be complete before

the publication of the official result of a valid election in all

electoral divisions.

(8) Except by a bill for an Act of Parliament passed in the

manner specified in sub-article (2) of article 66 of this

Constitution, no alteration in any law shall be made -

(a) whereby any act or omission shall cease to be an

illegal or corrupt practice or other offence relating to

the election of members of the House of

Representatives or foreign interference; or

(b) which alters or adds to the circumstances or conditions

in which or under which an act or omission is such a

practice or other offence or foreign interference; or

(c) reduces the punishment to which from time to time any

such practice or other offence or interference renders

the offender liable;

and for the purposes of this sub-article the provisions of sub-article

(7) of article 66 of this Constitution shall apply as if references to

the alteration to any of the provisions of this Constitution were

references to the alteration of any law.

(9) No person shall vote at the election of members of the

House of Representatives for any electoral division who is not

registered under any law for the time being in force in Malta as a

voter in that division.

(10) At the election

of

members

of

the

House

of

Representatives-

(a) voting shall be by ballot and shall be carried out in

such a manner as not to disclose the way in which the

vote of any particular voter is given; and

(b) no person shall be permitted to vote on behalf of

another

Provided that provision may be made by law

whereby, if a person is unable, by reason of blindness,

other physical cause or illiteracy to mark on his ballot

paper, his ballot paper may be marked on his behalf

and on his directions by some other person officially

supervising the poll at the place of voting.

Provided that where a person is by reason of blindness

unable to mark on his ballot paper, provision may be made by law

requiring that at the request of any such person adequate and

special means are to be provided which will enable that person to

mark on his ballot paper independently and without the need of

assistance.

(11) Ballot papers shall be drawn up in such a manner as to

enable illiterates to distinguish between the political parties to

which candidates belong.

(12) Candidates and their agents shall be given facilities to

watch the transportation of ballot boxes and the sealing and

unsealing thereof.

(13) The expressions "corrupt practice", "offences connected

with the election of members of the House of Representatives" and

"foreign interference" have the meaning assigned to them by a law

for the time being in force regulating the conduct of elections or

foreign interference with respect to elections, and any such law

shall be deemed for the purposes of this article and of articles 32 to

47 (inclusive) of this Constitution to be reasonably required in the

interest of public order and reasonably justifiable in a democratic

society.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 57 Qualification of voters. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Subject to the provisions of article 58 of this Constitution,

a person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter for the

election of members of the House of Representatives if, and shall

not be qualified to be so registered unless -

(a) he is a citizen of Malta;

(b) he has attained the age of sixteen years; and

(c) he is resident in Malta and has during the eighteen

months immediately preceding his registration been a

resident for a continuous period of six months or for

periods amounting in the aggregate to six months

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply to a person

who is ordinarily resident in Malta but has not been

resident in Malta as required by this paragraph by

reason of service abroad in the public service,

including service in the offices referred to in sub-

article (3) of article 124 of this Constitution, or by

reason of service abroad in, or as a member of, a

disciplined force as defined in article 47 of this

Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 58 Disqualification of voters. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

No person shall be qualified to be registered as a voter for

the election of members of the House of Representatives if -

(a) he is interdicted or incapacitated for any mental

infirmity by a court in Malta or is otherwise

determined in Malta to be of unsound mind;

(b) he is under sentence of death imposed on him by any

court in Malta or is serving a sentence of

imprisonment (by whatever name called) exceeding

twelve months imposed on him by such a court or

substituted by competent authority for some other

sentence imposed on him by such a court; or

(c) he is disqualified for registration as a voter by or under

any law for the time being in force in Malta by reason

of his having been convicted of any offence connected

with the election of members of the House of

Representatives.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 59 Speaker and Deputy Speaker. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) When the House of Representatives first meets after

any general election and before it proceeds to the despatch of any

other business, it shall elect a person to be the Speaker of the

House; and if the office of Speaker falls vacant at any time before

the next dissolution of Parliament, the House shall, as soon as

practicable, elect another person to that office.

(2)

The Speaker may be elected either -

(a) from among persons who are members of the House of

Representatives,

but

are

not

Ministers

or

Parliamentary Secretaries, or

(b) from among persons who are not members of the

House of Representatives and are qualified for election

as members thereof.

(3) When the House of Representatives first meets after any

general election and before it proceeds to the despatch of any other

business except the election of the Speaker, the House shall elect a

member of the House, who is not a Minister or a Parliamentary

Secretary, to be Deputy Speaker of the House; and if the office of

Deputy Speaker falls vacant at any time before the next dissolution

of Parliament, the House shall, as soon as convenient, elect another

such member to that office.

(4) A person shall vacate the office of Speaker or Deputy

Speaker -

(a) in the case of a Speaker elected from among the

members of the House of Representatives or in the

case of the Deputy Speaker -

(i) if he ceases to be a member of the House

Provided that the Speaker shall not vacate his

office by reason only that he has ceased to be a

member of the House on a dissolution of

Parliament, until the House first meets after that

dissolution;

(ii) if he is appointed to be a Minister or a

Parliamentary Secretary;

(b) in the case of a Speaker elected from among persons

who are not members of the House of Representatives-

(i) when the House first meets after any dissolution

of Parliament;

(ii) if any circumstances arise that would cause him

to be disqualified for election as a member of the

House of Representatives;

(c) if he announces his resignation of his office to the

House of Representatives or if by writing under his

hand addressed, in the case of the Speaker to the Clerk

of the House and in the case of the Deputy Speaker to

the Speaker (or, if the office of Speaker is vacant or

the Speaker is absent from Malta, to the Clerk of the

House) he resigns that office; or

(d) in the case of the Deputy Speaker, if he is elected to be

Speaker.

(5) (a) If, by virtue of sub-article (2) of article 55 of this

Constitution, the Speaker or Deputy Speaker is required to cease to

perform his functions as a member of the House of Representatives

he shall also cease to perform his functions as Speaker or Deputy

Speaker, as the case may be, and those functions shall until he

vacates his seat in the House or resumes the performance of the

functions of his office, be performed -

(i)

in the case of the Speaker, by the Deputy

Speaker or, if the office of Deputy Speaker is

vacant or the Deputy Speaker is required to

cease to perform his functions as a member of

the House of Representatives by virtue of sub-

article (2) of article 55 of this Constitution, by

such member of the House (not being a Minister

or Parliamentary Secretary) as the House may

elect for the purpose;

(ii)

in the case of the Deputy Speaker, by such

member of the House (not being a Minister or

Parliamentary Secretary) as the House may elect

for the purpose.

(b) If the Speaker or Deputy Speaker resumes the

performance of his functions as a member of the House, in

accordance with the provisions of sub-article (2) of article 55 of

this Constitution, he shall also resume the performance of his

functions of Speaker or Deputy Speaker, as the case may be.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 60 Establishment of Electoral Commission. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be an Electoral Commission for Malta.

(2) The Electoral Commission shall consist of a Chairman, who

shall be the person for the time being holding the office of Chief

Electoral Commissioner and who shall be appointed to that office

from the public service, and such number of members not being

less than four as may be prescribed by any law for the time being in

force in Malta.

(3) The members of the Electoral Commission shall be

appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister, given after he has consulted the Leader of the

Opposition.

(4) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member

of the Electoral Commission if he is a Minister, a Parliamentary

Secretary, a member of, or a candidate for election to, the House of

Representatives or a public officer.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this article, a member of the

Electoral Commission shall vacate his office -

(a) at the expiration of three years from the date of his

appointment or at such earlier time as may be specified

in the instrument by which he was appointed; or

(b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a

member of the Commission, would cause him to be

disqualified for appointment as such.

(6) Subject to the provisions of sub-article (7) of this article, a

member of the Electoral Commission may be removed from office

by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime

Minister.

(7) A member of the Electoral Commission shall not be

removed from office except for inability to discharge the functions

of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any

other cause) or for misbehaviour.

(8) If the office of a member of the Electoral Commission is

vacant or if a member is for any reason unable to perform the

functions of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the Prime Minister, given after he has consulted the

Leader of the Opposition, may appoint a person who is qualified to

be appointed to be a member to be a temporary member of the

Commission; and any person so appointed shall, subject to the

provisions of sub-articles (5), (6) and (7) of this article cease to be

such a member when a person has been appointed to fill the

vacancy or, as the case may be, when the member who was unable

to perform the functions of his office resumes those functions.

(9) In the exercise of its functions under this Constitution the

Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or

control of any other person or authority.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 61 Electoral divisions. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The Electoral Commission shall review the boundaries

of the electoral divisions referred to in article 56(1) of this

Constitution at intervals of not less than two nor more than five

years and may, in accordance with the provisions of this article,

alter such boundaries to such extent as it considers desirable in the

light of the review

Provided that the Commission shall carry out such a review

and, in accordance with the provisions of this article, alter the said

boundaries whenever Parliament has made provision altering the

number of electoral divisions; and in addition the Commission may

at any time carry out such a review and, in accordance with the

provisions of this article, alter the said boundaries to such extent as

it considers desirable in consequence of the holding of a census of

the population in pursuance of any law.

(2) Any provision by Parliament altering the number of

electoral divisions shall come into effect when the alteration of the

boundaries of the electoral divisions that, in accordance with the

provisions of sub-article (1) of this article, is consequential thereon

comes into effect.

(3) Whenever an alteration of boundaries is made by the

Commission under this article the following provisions shall have

effect

(a) the Chief Electoral Commissioner shall, as soon as

practicable after it is made, communicate the alteration

to the Prime Minister and to the Leader of the

Opposition;

(b) not later than two months from the receipt of such

communication, the Prime Minister shall cause the

alteration to be placed before the House of

Representatives for consideration by it;

(c) not later than five months from the receipt of the said

communication by the Prime Minister, the House may,

by resolution, either approve the alteration or refer it

back to the Commission for reconsideration;

(d) upon the expiration of six months from the date on

which the alteration was communicated to the Prime

Minister, or, if the alteration is approved by the House,

upon such approval, or, if the alteration is referred

back to the Commission, upon the expiration of two

months from such reference, the Chief Electoral

Commissioner shall cause the alteration to be

published in the Gazette either in its original form or,

if it has been modified by the Commission, as so

modified; and

(e) any such alteration shall come into effect upon the

next dissolution of Parliament after the alteration is

published in the Gazette under paragraph (d) of this

sub-article

Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be

construed as preventing the publication of any

electoral register or any other requirments connected

with the registration of voters from being carried out

in accordance with the alteration, under any law for

the time being in force in Malta, before that

dissolution.

(4) An alteration of the boundaries of any electoral division

under this article shall be made in such manner as secures that, at

the time when the Commission carries out its review, the number

obtained by dividing the total electorate in the division (as

ascertained by reference to the electoral register in force at that

time) by the number of members to be returned to the House of

Representatives from that division is as nearly equal to the electoral

quota as is reasonably practicable

Provided that any such alteration may be made in such

manner that the number of voters in that division is, at the time

when the Commission carries out its review, greater or less than the

electoral quota multiplied by the number of members to be so

returned, but in no case by more than five per centum, in order to

take account of geographical vicinity, differences in density of

population and other relevant factors

Provided further that the Island of Gozo and the islands of

the Maltese Archipelago other than the Island of Malta shall

together be treated as one electoral division and may not be divided

between two or more electoral divisions.

(4A) The boundaries of electoral divisions for the purpose of any

general elections to be held after the dissolution of Parliament after

the 1st of September 2007 shall be those boundaries as existing on

that date with such adjustments made in accordance with the

provisions of the proviso to sub-article (4B) of this article as may

be necessary in order that the electoral divisions for those elections

shall comply with the provisions of the second proviso of sub-

article (4) of this article and of article 61A of this Constitution.

(4B) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (1) of this

article, the Electoral Commission shall not review the boundaries

of the electoral divisions as existing on the 1st of September 2007

except until after the general elections to be held immediately after

the dissolution of Parliament immediately after that date which

review shall take place at such intervals from the date of the

publication of the official result of those elections as provided in

sub-article (1) of this article or as otherwise required by the

provisions of the same sub-article

Provided that the Electoral Commission shall by the 30th

September 2007 review the boundaries of the electoral divisions to

the extent necessary, and only to such extent, to make such

adjustments to the said boundaries in order that the electoral

divisions for the purpose of those elections shall comply with the

provisions of sub-article (4) of this article; and these adjustments

shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, come into

force upon the publication of the register as correct on the 30th

September, 2007.

(5) For the purposes of any review carried out under this

article, "electoral quota" means the number obtained by dividing

the total electorate of Malta (as ascertained from the electoral

register in force at the time when the Commission carries out that

review) by the total number of members to be returned to the House

of Representatives at the general election following the next

dissolution of Parliament.

(6) The conduct of elections in every electoral division and of

any vote taken under the provisions of article 66(3) of this

Constitution shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the

Electoral Commission.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 61A Gozo and the islands of the Mal- tese Archipelago other than the Island of Malta not to be divided. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The following provisions of this article shall apply if,

when reviewing the boundaries of the electoral divisions in

accordance with the provisions of article 61 of this Constitution,

the Electoral Commission would, but for the provisions of the

second proviso of sub-article (4) of the same article, have had to

divide the Island of Gozo and the islands of the Maltese

Archipelago other than the Island of Malta, or any part thereof,

between two or more electoral divisions.

(2)

The Electoral Commission shall

(a) establish the Island of Gozo together with the islands

of the Maltese Archipelago other than the Island of

Malta as one electoral division; and

(b) apply the provisions of sub-articles (4) and (5) of

article 61 of this Constitution only with reference to

the voters and divisions on the Island of Malta without

including in its calculations the division consisting of

Gozo and the other islands of the Maltese Archipelago

or the voters therein

Provided that this paragraph shall not apply for the purpose

of t he f ir st p ro vi so o f sub - ar ti cle ( 2) of a rt ic le 52 A of th e

Constitution.

(3) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of subarticle (2) of this

article, when calculating the number of voters in each electoral

division on the Island of Malta the total number of electoral

divisions shall be the number of electoral divisions established by

article 17 of the General Elections Act minus one.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 62 Filling of vacancies. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Whenever the seat of any member of the House of

Representatives becomes vacant the vacancy shall be filled in the

manner provided by or under any law for the time being in force in

Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 63 Determination of questions as to membership. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Any question whether -

(a) any person has been validly elected as a member of the

House of Representatives;

(b) any member of the House has vacated his seat therein

or is required, under the provisions of sub-article (2)

of article 55 of this Constitution, to cease to perform

his functions as a member;

(c) any person has been validly elected as Speaker from

among persons who are not members of the House or,

having been so elected, has vacated the office of

Speaker; or

(d) the seat of a Member of Parliament has become vacant

in terms of paragraph (ff) of sub-article (1) of article

55,

shall be referred to and determined by the Constitutional Court in

accordance with the provisions of any law for the time being in

force in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 64 Clerk to House of Representatives and his staff. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Clerk to the House of Representatives.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-article (6) of

article 110 of this Constitution and to any other law applicable to

employment in the public sector, and without prejudice to the

provisions of sub-article (1) of this article, the Speaker may appoint

such officials and employees as may be required for the fulfilment

of functions, powers and duties under the Parliamentary Service

Act. The said power of appointment includes the power to approve

the number of persons who may be appointed under this article both

with reference to the total number and with reference to specific

duties, salaries and conditions of employment

Provided that once the number of posts in the Parliamentary

Service has been approved by the Minister for Finance and funds

are made available, no further administrative approvals shall be

required for the Parliamentary Service to conclude contracts of

employment in accordance with those approvals.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 64A Office of Ombudsman. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Commissioner for Administrative

Investigations to be called the Ombudsman who shall have the

function to investigate actions taken by or on behalf of the

Government, or by such other authority, body or person as may be

provided by law (including an authority, body or office established

by this Constitution), being actions taken in the exercise of their

administrative functions.

(2) The Ombudsman shall be appointed by the President acting in

accordance with a resolution of the House supported by the votes of not

less than two-thirds of all the members of the House

Provided that notwithstanding the provisions of any other law,

if the Resolution is not supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds

of all the members of the House, the person occupying the office of the

Ombudsman shall, in any circumstance, remain in office until the

Resolution is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the

members of the House

Provided further that when a person who is not a member of the

House is elected to be Speaker of the House, he shall not be treated as a

member of the House for the purpose of establishing the majority

required by this article.

(3) The Ombudsman may at any time be removed or suspended

from his office by the President, upon an address from the House

supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all members of

the House, requesting such removal on the ground of proved

inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising

from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or proved

misbehaviour, and the provisions of the proviso to sub-article (2)

shall also apply for the purpose of establishing the majority

required under this sub-article

Provided that at any time when Parliament is not in

session, an Ombudsman may be suspended from his office by the

President acting in accordance with his own discretion for inability

to perform the functions of his office or misbehaviour proved to the

satisfaction of the President; but any such suspension shall not

continue in force beyond two months after the beginning of the

next ensuing session of Parliament.

(4) Subject to the provisions of this sub-article and without

prejudice to sub-article (1), the Ombudsman may conduct any such

investigation on his initiative or on the written complaint of any

person having an interest who claims to have been aggrieved by

any action as aforesaid, or where the person aggrieved has died or

is for any reason unable to act for himself, of his heir or

representative

Provided that any Committee of the House may at any time

refer to the Ombudsman any petition that is before that Committee

for consideration, or any matter to which the petition relates. In any

such case the Ombudsman shall, subject to any special directions of

the Committee, investigate the matters so referred, so far as they

are within his jurisdiction and make such report to the Committee if

he thinks fit

Provided further that the Prime Minister may at any time

refer to the Ombudsman for investigation and report any matter,

other than a matter which is subject to judicial proceeding, which

the Prime Minister considers should be investigated by the

Ombudsman. Where, pursuant to this proviso, a matter is

investigated by the Ombudsman, he shall report thereon to the

Prime Minister, and may thereafter make such report to Parliament

on the matter as he thinks fit

Provided further that in the exercise of his functions, the

Ombudsman shall not be subject to the direction or control of any

other person or authority

Provided further that if during or after any investigation

the Ombudsman is of the opinion that there is evidence of any

corrupt practice as defined in the Permanent Commission Against

Corruption Act, the Ombudsman may refer his findings directly to

the Attorney General.

(5) Any matter ancillary or incidental thereto or considered

necessary or expedient for the carrying out of the function referred to

in sub-article (1) shall be provided for by an Act of Parliament.

PART 2

Powers and Procedure of Parliament

Constitution of Malta
Art. 65 Power to make laws. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution,

Parliament may make laws for the peace, order and good

government of Malta in conformity with full respect for human

rights, generally accepted principles of international law and

Malta’s international and regional obligations in particular those

assumed by the treaty of accession to the European Union signed in

Athens on the 16th April, 2003.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-article (1) and

subject to the provisions of sub-articles (3), (4) and (5) of this

article, Parliament may by law determine the privileges,

immunities and powers of the House of Representatives and the

members thereof.

(3) No civil or criminal proceedings may be instituted against

any member of the House of Representatives for words spoken

before, or written in a report to, the House or a committee thereof

or by reason of any matter or thing brought by him therein by

petition, bill, resolution, motion or otherwise.

(4) For the duration of any session members of the House of

Representatives shall enjoy freedom from arrest for any civil debt

except a debt the contraction of which constitutes a criminal

offence.

(5) No process issued by any court in the exercise of its civil

jurisdiction shall be served or executed within the precincts of the

House of Representatives while the House is sitting or through the

Speaker, the Clerk or any officer of the House.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 66 Alteration of this Constitution. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this article, Parliament

may alter any of the provisions of this Constitution and (in so far as

it forms part of the law of Malta) any of the provisions of the Malta

Independence Act, 1964.

(2)

In so far as it alters -

(a) this article; or

(b) article 1, sub-article (2) of article 2, sub-article (1) of

article 3, sub-article (1) of article 5, article 5A, article

6, articles 32 to 48 (inclusive), articles 51, 52, 52A, 56,

57, 60, 61 and 64A, sub-article (3) of article 65, sub-

article (2) of article 75, article 76 (other than sub-

article (2) thereof), articles 77 and 78, article 80,

article 91, articles 95, 96, 96A, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101A,

101B, articles 102 to 110 (inclusive), articles 113, 114,

115A, 118, 119 or 120 of this Constitution; or

(c) article 124 of this Constitution in its application to any

of the provisions specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of

this sub-article,

a bill for an Act of Parliament under this article shall not be passed

in the House of Representatives unless at the final voting thereon in

that House it is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of

all the members of the House.

(3)

In so far as it alters -

(a) this sub-article or sub-article (4) of this article; or

(b) sub-article (2) of article 76 of this Constitution,

a bill for an Act of Parliament under this article shall not be

presented to the President for his assent unless not less than three

nor more than six months after its passage through the House in the

manner specified in sub-article (2) of this article it has been

submitted to the electors qualified to vote for the election of

members of the House of Representatives and the majority of the

electors voting have approved the bill.

(4) The provisions of sub-article (10) of article 56 of this

Constitution shall apply to the voting on a bill submitted to the

electors under sub-article (3) of this article as they apply to voting

at the election of members of the House of Representatives, and

subject as aforesaid the vote on such bill shall be taken in such

manner as Parliament may prescribe.

(5) In so far as it alters any of the provisions of this

Constitution other than those specified in sub-articles (2) and (3) of

this article, a bill for an Act of Parliament under this article shall

not be passed in the House of Representatives unless at the final

voting thereon in that House it is supported by the votes of a

majority of all the members of the House.

(6) An Act of Parliament altering the number of members of

the House of Representatives shall not affect the membership of the

House before the dissolution of Parliament next following its

enactment.

(7)

In this article -

(a) references to any of the provisions of this Constitution

or of the Malta Independence Act, 1964 include

references to any law that amends or replaces that

provision; and

(b) references to the alteration of any of the provisions of

this Constitution or of the Malta Independence Act,

1964 include references to the amendment,

modification or re-enactment, with or without

amendment or modification, of that provision, the

suspension or repeal of that provision and the making

of a different provision in lieu of that provision.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 67 Regulation of procedure in House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the

House of Representatives may regulate its own procedure.

(2) The House of Representatives may act notwithstanding any

vacancy in its membership (including any vacancy not filled when

the House first meets on or after the appointed day or after any

dissolution of Parliament) and the presence or participation of any

person not entitled to be present at o r to participate i n the

proceedings of the House shall not invalidate those proceedings.

(3) Any provision made in pursuance of sub-article (1) of this

article for setting up Committees of the House to enquire into

matters of general public importance shall be designed to secure

that, so far as it appears practicable to the House, any such

Committee is so composed as fairly to represent the House.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 68 Oath to be taken by members of House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

No member of the House of Representatives shall be

permitted to take part in the proceedings of the House (other than

proceedings necessary for the purposes of this article) until he has

taken and subscribed before the House the oath of allegiance

Provided that the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker

may take place before the members of the House have taken and

subscribed such oath.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 69 Presiding in House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall preside at any sitting of the House of

Representatives -

(a) the Speaker; or

(b) in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker; or

(c) in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker,

such member of the House (not being a Minister or a

Parliamentary Secretary) as the House may elect for

that purpose.

(2) References in this article to circumstances in which the

Speaker or the Deputy Speaker is absent include references to

circumstances in which the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker is

vacant.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 70 Quorum in House of Representatives. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) If at any sitting of the House of Representatives any

member who is present draws the attention of the person presiding

at the sitting to the absence of a quorum and, after such interval as

may be prescribed in the Standing Orders of the House, the person

presiding at the sitting ascertains that a quorum of the House is still

not present, the House shall be adjourned.

(2)

For the purposes of this article -

(a) a quorum of the House of Representatives shall consist

of fifteen members; and

(b) the person presiding at the sitting of the House shall

not be included in reckoning whether there is a quorum

present.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 71 Voting. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all

questions proposed for decision in the House of Representatives

shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members

thereof present and voting.

(2) The Speaker shall not vote unless on any question the votes

are equally divided, in which case he shall have and exercise a

casting vote.

(3) Any other person shall, when presiding in the House of

Representatives, retain his original vote as a member and, if upon

any question, the votes are equally divided, shall also have and

exercise a casting vote.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 72 Mode of exercising legislative powers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The power of Parliament to make laws shall be

exercised by bills passed by the House of Representatives and

assented to by the President.

(2) When a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall

without delay signify that he assents.

(3) A bill shall not become law unless it has been duly passed

and assented to in accordance with this Constitution.

(4) When a law has been assented to by the President it shall

without delay be published in the Gazette and shall not come into

operation until it has been so published, but Parliament may

postpone the coming into operation of any such law and may make

laws with retrospective effect.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 73 Restriction with regard to certain financial measures. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Except upon the recommendations of the President

signified by a Minister, the House of Representatives shall not -

(a) proceed upon any bill (including any amendment to a

bill) that, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes

provision for any of the following purposes, that is to

say, for imposing or increasing any tax, for imposing

or increasing any charge on the revenues or other

funds of Malta or for altering any such charge

otherwise than by reducing it, or for compounding or

remitting any debt due to Malta;

(b) proceed upon any motion (including any amendment

to a motion) the effect of which, in the opinion of the

person presiding, would be to make provision for any

of the purposes aforesaid; or

(c) receive any petition which, in the opinion of the

person presiding, requests that provision be made for

any of the purposes aforesaid.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 74 Language of Laws. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Save as otherwise provided by Parliament, every law shall

be enacted in both the Maltese and English languages and, if there

is any conflict between the Maltese and the English texts of any

law, the Maltese text shall prevail.

PART 3

Summoning, prorogation and dissolution

Constitution of Malta
Art. 75 Sessions of Parliament. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Each session of Parliament shall commence at such

time as the President may by proclamation appoint and shall be

held at such place or places as the President by proclamation, or as

the House of Representatives in any manner it may deem

appropriate, may from time to time appoint.

(2) There shall be a session of Parliament once at least in every

year, so that a period of twelve months shall not intervene between

the last sitting of Parliament in one session and the first sitting

thereof in the next session.

(3) The House of Representatives shall meet not later than two

months after the publication of the official result of any general

election by the Electoral Commission on a day appointed by the

President.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 76 Prorogation and dissolution of Parliament. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The President may at any time by proclamation

prorogue or dissolve Parliament.

(2) Subject to the provisions of sub-article (3) of this article,

Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years

from the date of its first sitting after any dissolution and shall then

stand dissolved.

(3) At any time when Malta is at war, Parliament may from

time to time extend the period of five years specified in sub-article

(2) of this article for not more than twelve months at a time

Provided that the life of Parliament shall not be extended

under this sub-article for more than five years.

(4) If between a dissolution of Parliament and the next ensuing

general election of members of the House of Representatives an

emergency arises of such a nature that, in the opinion of the Prime

Minister it is necessary to recall Parliament, the President may by

proclamation summon the Parliament that has been dissolved to

meet, and that Parliament shall thereupon be deemed (except for

the purpose of article 77 and, in relation to the next ensuing general

election, article 61(3) and 66(6) of this Constitution) not to have

been dissolved but shall be deemed (except as aforesaid) to be

dissolved on the date on which the polls are concluded in the next

ensuing general election.

(5) In the exercise of his powers under this article the President

shall act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister

Provided that -

(a) if the House of Representatives passes a resolution,

supported by the votes of a majority of all the

members thereof, that it has no confidence in the

Government, and the Prime Minister does not within

three days either resign from his office or advise a

dissolution, the President may dissolve Parliament;

(b) if the office of Prime Minister is vacant and the

President considers that there is no prospect of his

being able within a reasonable time to appoint to that

office a person who can command the support of a

majority of the members of the House of

Representatives, the President may dissolve

Parliament; and

(c) if the Prime Minister recommends a dissolution and

the President considers that the Government of Malta

can be carried on without a dissolution and that a

dissolution would not be in the interests of Malta, the

President may refuse to dissolve Parliament.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 77 General elections. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

A general election of members of the House of

Representatives shall be held at such time within three months after

every dissolution of Parliament as the President acting in

accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister, shall by

proclamation appoint.

CHAPTER VII

The Executive

Constitution of Malta
Art. 78 Executive authority of Malta. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The executive authority of Malta is vested in the

President.

(2) The executive authority of Malta shall be exercised by the

President, either directly or through officers subordinate to him, in

accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from

conferring functions on the President or on persons or authorities

other than the President.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 79 The Cabinet. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Cabinet for Malta which shall consist

of the Prime Minister and such number of other Ministers as may

be appointed in accordance with article 80 of this Constitution.

(2) The Cabinet shall have the general direction and control of

the Government of Malta and shall be collectively responsible

therefor to Parliament.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 80 Appointment of Ministers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Wherever there shall be occasion for the appointment of a

Prime Minister, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister the

member of the House of Representatives who, in his judgment, is

best able to command the support of a majority of the members of

that House and shall, acting in accordance with the advice of the

Prime Minister, appoint the other Ministers from among the

members of the House of Representatives

Provided that if occasion arises for making an appointment to the

office of Prime Minister or any other Minister while Parliament is

dissolved, a person who was a member of the House of

Representatives immediately before the dissolution may be

appointed as Prime Minister or any other Minister as if, in each

case, such person were still a member of the House of

Representatives, but any person so appointed shall vacate office at

the beginning of the next session of Parliament if he is not then a

member thereof.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 81 Tenure of office of Ministers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) If the House of Representatives passes a resolution,

supported by the votes of a majority of all the members thereof,

that it has no confidence in the Government, the President may

remove the Prime Minister from office

Provided that the President shall not do so unless three days have

elapsed and he has decided not to dissolve Parliament under article

76 of this Constitution.

(2)

The office of Prime Minister shall also become vacant -

(a) when, after any dissolution of Parliament, the Prime

Minister is informed by the President that the

President is about to re-appoint him as Prime Minister

or to appoint another person as Prime Minister;

(b) if he ceases to be a member of the House of

Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of

Parliament; or

(c) if, under the provisions of sub-article (2) of article 55

of this Constitution, he is required to cease to perform

his functions as a member of the House of

Representatives.

(3) The office of a Minister, other than the office of Prime

Minister shall become vacant -

(a) upon the appointment or re-appointment of any person

to the office of Prime Minister;

(b) if his appointment to his office is revoked by the

President, acting in accordance with the advice of the

Prime Minister;

(c) if he ceases to be a member of the House of

Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of

Parliament; or

(d) if, under the provisions of sub-article (2) of article 55

of this Constitution, he is required to cease to perform

his functions as a member of the House of

Representatives.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 82 Allocation of portfolios to Ministers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the

President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime

Minister, may, by directions in writing, assign to the Prime

Minister or any other Minister responsibility for any business of the

Government of Malta including the administration of any

department of government.

(2) Nothing in this article shall empower the President to

confer on any Minister authority to exercise any power or to

discharge any duty that is conferred or imposed by this Constitution

or any other law on any person or authority other than that Minister.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 83 Acting Prime Minister. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Whenever the Prime Minister is absent from Malta or

on vacation, or is unable by reason of illness to perform the

functions of his office, the President may authorise any other

member of the Cabinet to perform those functions (other than the

functions conferred by this article) and that member may perform

those functions until his authority is revoked by the President.

(2) The powers of the President under this article shall be

exercised by him in accordance with the advice of the Prime

Minister

Provided that if the President considers that it is impracticable to

obtain the advice of the Prime Minister owing to his absence or

illness he may exercise those powers without that advice.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 84 Temporary Ministers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Whenever a Minister other than the Prime Minister is

unable, by reason of his illness or absence from Malta, to perform

the functions of his office, the President may appoint another

member of the House of Representatives to be a temporary

Minister

Provided that if occasion arises for making an appointment while

Parliament is dissolved, a person who, immediately before the

dissolution, was a member of the House of Representatives may be

appointed as a temporary Minister as if he were still a member of

that House, but any person so appointed shall vacate office at the

beginning of the next session of Parliament if he is not then a

member thereof.

(2) Subject to the provisions of article 81 of this Constitution, a

temporary Minister shall hold office until he is notified by the

President that the Minister on account of whose inability to perform

the functions of his office he was appointed is again able to

perform those functions or until that Minister vacates his office.

(3) The powers of the President under this article shall be

exercised by him in accordance with the advice of the Prime

Minister.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 85 Exercise of functions of President. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) In the exercise of his functions the President shall act

in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet or a Minister acting

under the general authority of the Cabinet except in cases where he

is required by this Constitution or any other law to act in

accordance with the advice of any person or authority other than

the Cabinet

Provided that the President shall act in accordance with his own

deliberate judgment in the performance of the following functions-

(a) in the exercise of the powers relating to the dissolution

of Parliament conferred upon him by the proviso to

sub-article (5) of article 76 of this Constitution;

(b) in the exercise of the power to appoint the Prime

Minister or remove the Prime Minister from office

conferred upon him by article 80 and sub-article (1) of

article 81 of this Constitution;

(c) in the exercise of the powers conferred upon him by

article 83 of this Constitution (which relates to the

performance of the functions of the Prime Minister

during absence, vacation or illness) in the

circumstances described in the proviso to sub-article

(2)of that article;

(d) in the exercise of the power to appoint the Leader of

the Opposition and to revoke any such appointment

conferred upon him by article 90 of this Constitution;

and

(e) in signifying his approval for the purposes of sub-

article (4) of article 110 of this Constitution of an

appointment to an office on his personal staff;

(f)

in the exercise of the power conferred by this

Constitution to make appointment to any office under this

Constitution.

(2) Where by this Constitution the President is required to act

in accordance with the advice of any person or authority, the

question whether he has in any case received, or acted in

accordance with, such advice shall not be enquired into in any

court.

(3) The reference in sub-article (1) of this article to the

functions of the President shall be construed as a reference to his

powers and duties in the exercise of the executive authority of

Malta and to any other powers and duties conferred or imposed on

him as President by or under this Constitution or any other law.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 86 Exercise of Prime Minister’s functions. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Where by this Constitution the Prime Minister is

required to exercise any function on the recommendation of any

person or authority he shall exercise that function in accordance

with such recommendation

Provided that -

(a) before he acts in accordance therewith he may once

refer that recommendation back for reconsideration by

the person or authority concerned; and

(b) if that person or authority, having reconsidered the

original recommendation under the preceding

paragraph,

substitutes

therefor

a

different

recommendation, the provisions of this sub-article

shall apply to that different recommendation as they

apply to the original recommendation.

(2) Where by this Constitution the Prime Minister is required

to perform any function after consultation with any person or

authority, he shall not be obliged to perform that function in

accordance with the advice of that person or authority.

(3) Where by this Constitution the Prime Minister is required

to perform any function in accordance with the recommendation of,

or after consultation with, any person or authority, the question

whether he has in any case received, or acted in accordance with

such recommendation or whether he has consulted with such person

or authority shall not be enquired into in any court.

(4) Where by this Constitution the Prime Minister is required to

perform the functions listed in articles 120(2), (6) and (7), he shall do so

after acting on such advice as might have been given in that respect by

the Cabinet of Ministers.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 87 The President to be informed concerning matters of government. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The Prime Minister shall keep the President fully informed

concerning the general conduct of the Government of Malta and

shall furnish the President with such information as he may request

with respect to any particular matter relating to the Government of

Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 88 Parliamentary Secretaries. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The President, acting in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister, may appoint Parliamentary Secretaries from

among the members of the House of Representatives to assist

Ministers in the performance of their duties

Provided that if occasion arises for making an appointment while

Parliament is dissolved, a person who immediately before the

dissolution was a member of the House of Representatives may be

appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary as if he were still a member

of that House, but any person so appointed shall vacate office at the

beginning of the next session of Parliament if he is not then a

member thereof.

(2) The provisions of sub-article (3) of article 81 of this

Constitution shall apply to Parliamentary Secretaries as they apply

to Ministers.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 89 Oath to be taken by Ministers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

A Minister or a Parliamentary Secretary shall not enter

upon the duties of his office unless he has taken and subscribed the

oath of allegiance and the oath of office set out in the Third and in

the Second Schedule to this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 90 Leader of the Opposition. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Leader of the Opposition who shall be

appointed by the President.

(2) Whenever there shall be occasion for the appointment of a

Leader of the Opposition, the President shall appoint -

(a) if there is one opposition party whose numerical

strength in the House of Representatives is greater

than the strength of any other opposition party, the

member of the House of Representatives who is the

Leader of that party; or

(b) if, by reason of an equality in the numerical strength of

the opposition parties in the House or by reason that

there is no opposition party, no person is qualified for

appointment under paragraph (a) of this sub-article,

the member of the House who, in the judgment of the

President, commands the support of the largest single

group of members of the House in opposition to the

Government who are prepared to support one leader.

(3) The office of Leader of the Opposition shall become

vacant -

(a) if after any dissolution of Parliament, he is informed

by the President that the President is about to appoint

another person as Leader of the Opposition;

(b) if he ceases to be a member of the House of

Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of

Parliament;

(c) if, under the provisions of sub-article (2) of article 55

of this Constitution, he is required to cease to perform

his functions as a member of the House of

Representatives; or

(d) if his appointment is revoked under the provisions of

sub-article (4) of this article.

(4) If, in the judgment of the President, a member of the House

of Representatives other than the Leader of the Opposition, has

become the Leader in the House of the opposition party having the

greatest numerical strength in the House or, as the case may be, the

Leader of the Opposition has ceased to command the support of the

largest single group of members in opposition to the Government,

the President shall revoke the appointment of the Leader of the

Opposition.

(5) Sub-article (4) of this article shall not have effect while

Parliament is dissolved.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 91 Attorney General. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be an Attorney General whose office shall

be a public office and who shall be appointed by the President

acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as Attorney

General unless he is qualified for appointment as a judge of the

Superior Courts.

(3)

In the exercise of his powers to institute, undertake and

d i s c o n t i n u e c r i m i n a l p r o c e e d i n g s an d o f a n y o t h e r p o w e r s

conferred on him by any law in terms which authorise him to

exercise that power in his individual judgment the Attorney General

shall have Constitutional independence and shall not be subject to the

direction or control of any other person or authority except insofar as a

law may provide

(a) for the judicial review of a decision not to prosecute or

of any other decision taken by the Attorney General,

on the grounds of illegality or unreasonableness; or

(b) for the judicial review on the basis of criteria

established by law of a decision of the Attorney

General that a prosecution should take place in a

superior court of criminal jurisdiction where the

punishment applicable would be higher than that

which would apply had the same offence been tried

before an inferior court of criminal jurisdiction.

(4) Subject to the provisions of sub-article (5) of this article,

the Attorney General shall vacate his office when he attains the age

of sixty-five years.

(5)

The Attorney General shall not be removed from his office

except by the President upon an address by the House supported by

the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof and

requesting such removal on the grounds of proved inability to

perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity

of body or mind or any other cause) or proved misbehaviour.

(6) Parliament may by law regulate the procedure for the

presentation of an address and for the investigation and proof of the

inability or misbehaviour under the provisions of the last preceding

sub-article.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 91A State Advocate. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)

There shall be a State Advocate whose office shall be

a public office and who shall be appointed by the President acting in

accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.

(2)

A person shall not be qualified to hold office as State

Advocate unless he is qualified for appointment as a judge of the

Superior Courts.

(3)

The State Advocate shall be the advisor to Government in

matters of law and legal opinion. He shall act in the public interest and

shall safeguard the legality of State action. The State Advocate shall

also perform such other duties and functions as may be conferred upon

him by this Constitution or by any law. In the exercise of his functions,

the State Advocate shall act in his individual judgment and he shall not

be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

(4)

Subject to the provisions of sub-article (5), the State

Advocate shall vacate his office when he attains the age of sixty-five

(65) years.

(5)

The State Advocate shall not be removed from office except

by the President upon an address by the House supported by the votes

of not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof and requesting

such removal on the ground of proved inability to perform the

functions of office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or

any other cause) or proved misbehaviour.

(6) Parliament may by law regulate the procedure for the

presentation of an address and for the investigation and proof of the

inability or misbehaviour under the provisions of the last preceding

sub-article.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 92 Permanent Secretaries and heads of government departments. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Where any Minister has been charged with

responsibility for any department of government, he shall exercise

general direction and control over that department; and, subject to

such direction and control, the department may be under the

supervision of a Permanent Secretary

Provided that two or more departments of government may be

placed under the supervision of one Permanent Secretary.

(2) The Prime Minister shall be responsible for assigning

departments of government to Permanent Secretaries.

(3) Power to appoint public officers to hold or act in the office of

Permanent Secretary and to remove from office persons holding or

acting in such office shall vest in the President of Malta acting in

accordance with the advice of the Public Service Commission

Provided that the Public Service Commission shall give its

advice to the President after having received and evaluated the

recommendation given by the Principal Permanent Secretary.

(4) Heads of departments of government other than those

whose manner of appointment is specifically provided for in this

Constitution shall be appointed from amongst senior public officers

by the Prime Minister acting after consultation with the Public

Service Commission

Provided that notwithstanding the provisions of this sub-

article the appointment of the Commissioner of Police shall be made

by the Prime Minister after consultation with the Public Service

Commission as may be provided in the Police Act.

(5) The Principal Permanent Secretary shall be appointed in the

same manner as a Permanent Secretary from amongst persons

having the qualifications to be so appointed in terms of sub-articles

(1), (2) and (3)

Provided that the power to appoint the Principal Permanent

Secretary shall vest in the President acting in accordance with the

advice of the Cabinet of Ministers and after consulting the Public

Service Commission

Provided further that the functions of the Principal Permanent

Secretary together with any other matter ancillary or incidental or

considered necessary or expedient for the carrying out of the functions

of the Principal Permanent Secretary shall be provided for by an Act of

Parliament.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 93 Prerogative of mercy. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)

The President shall have power to -

(a) grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any

offence a pardon, either free or subject to lawful

conditions;

(b) grant to any person a respite, either indefinite or for a

specified period, of the execution of any sentence

passed on that person for any offence;

(c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any

punishment imposed on any person for any offence; or

(d) remit the whole or part of any sentence passed on any

person for an offence or for any penalty or forfeiture

otherwise due to the State on account of any offence.

(2) (a) Where any person has been sentenced to death by any

court in Malta, the President shall cause a written report of the case

from the trial judge, or, in the case of a court-martial the person

presiding, and such other information derived from the record of

the case or elsewhere as the President may require, to be sent to the

Minister responsible for justice.

(b) The said Minister shall send such written report and

information (if any) to the Cabinet, and the Cabinet shall advise the

President whether he should grant the offender a pardon or respite

in the exercise of the powers conferred on him by this article.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 94 Secretary to the Cabinet. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1)The Principal Permanent Secretary shall be the most

senior public officer and shall act as Secretary to the Cabinet

Provided that the Prime Minister may appoint a different

person to act as Secretary to the Cabinet, and in such case the

Secretary to the Cabinet shall be appointed in the same manner as a

Permanent Secretary from amongst persons having the

qualifications to be so appointed in terms of article 92.

(2) The Secretary to the Cabinet shall be responsible, in

accordance with such instructions as may be given to him by the Prime

Minister, for arranging the business for, and keeping the minutes of,

the meetings of the Cabinet and for conveying the decisions of the

Cabinet to the appropriate person or authority, and shall have such

other functions as the Prime Minister may from time to time direct.

CHAPTER VIII

The Judiciary

Constitution of Malta
Art. 95 Superior Courts. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be in and for Malta such Superior Courts

having such powers and jurisdiction as may be provided by any law

for the time being in force in Malta.

(2) One of the Superior Courts, composed of such three judges

as could, in accordance with any law for the time being in force in

Malta, compose the Court of Appeal, shall be known as the

Constitutional Court and shall have jurisdiction to hear and

determine -

(a) such questions as are referred to in article 63 of the

Constitution;

(b) any reference made to it in accordance with article 56

of this Constitution and any matter referred to it in

accordance with any law relating to the election of

members of the House of Representatives;

(c) appeals from decisions of the Civil Court, First Hall,

under article 46 of this Constitution;

(d) appeals from decisions of any court of original

jurisdiction in Malta as to the interpretation of this

Constitution other than those which may fall under

article 46 of this Constitution;

(e) appeals from decisions of any court of original

jurisdiction in Malta on questions as to the validity of

laws other than those which may fall under article 46

of this Constitution; and

(f)

any question decided by a court of original jurisdiction

in Malta together with any of the questions referred to

in the foregoing paragraphs of this sub-article on

which an appeal has been made to the Constitutional

Court

Provided that nothing in this paragraph shall preclude

an appeal being brought separately before the Court of

Appeal in accordance with any law for the time being

in force in Malta.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (2) of this

article, if any such question as is referred to in paragraph (d) or (e)

of that sub-article arises for the first time in proceedings in a court

of appellate jurisdiction, that court shall refer the question to the

court which gave the original decision, unless in its opinion the

raising of the question is merely frivolous or vexatious, and that

court shall give its decision on any such question and, subject to

any appeal in accordance with the provisions of sub-article (2) of

this article, the court in which the question arose shall dispose of

the question in accordance with that decision.

(4) The provisions of sub-articles (6) and (7) of article 46 of

this Constitution shall apply to the Constitutional Court and for that

purpose references to that article in the said sub-articles shall be

construed as references to this article.

(5) If at any time during an election of members of the House

of Representatives and the period of thirty days following any such

election, the Constitutional Court is not constituted as provided in

this article, the said Court shall, thereupon and until otherwise

constituted according to law, be constituted by virtue of this sub-

article and shall be composed of the three more senior of the judges

then in office, including, if any is in office, the Chief Justice or

other judge performing the functions of Chief Justice; and if at any

other time the said Court is not constituted as provided in this

article for a period exceeding fifteen days, such Court shall, upon

the expiration of the said period of fifteen days and until otherwise

constituted according to law, be constituted by virtue of this sub-

article and shall be composed of the three more senior judges as

aforesaid.

(6) The judges of the Superior Courts shall be a Chief Justice

and such number of other judges as may be prescribed by any law

for the time being in force in Malta

Provided that the office of a judge of the Superior Courts shall

not, without his consent, be abolished during his continuance in

office.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 96 Appointment of judges. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The judges of the superior courts shall be appointed by

the President acting in accordance with the recommendation made by

the Judicial Appointments Committee established by article 96A of the

Constitution.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed a judge of

the Superior Courts unless for a period of, or periods amounting in

the aggregate to, not less than twelve years he has either practised

as an advocate in Malta or served as a magistrate in Malta, or has

partly so practised and partly so served.

(3) The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the President acting in

accordance with a resolution of the House supported by the votes of not

less than two-thirds of all the members of the House

Provided that notwithstanding the provisions of article 97(1), if

the Resolution is not supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds

of all the members of the House, the person occupying the office of

Chief Justice shall, in any circumstance, remain in office until the

Resolution is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the

members of the House.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 96A Judicial Appointments Committee. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Judicial Appointments Committee,

hereinafter in this article referred to as "the Committee", which

shall be a subcommittee of the Commission for the Administration

of Justice established by article 101A of this Constitution and

which shall be composed as follows

(a) the Chief Justice;

(b) two (2) members elected for a period of four (4) years

by the judges of the superior court from among

themselves;

(c) one member elected for a period of four (4) years by

the magistrates of the inferior courts from among

themselves;

(d) the Auditor General;

(e) the Commissioner for Administrative Investigations

(Ombudsman); and

(f)

the President of the Chamber of Advocates

Provided that the President of the Chamber of Advocates shall

not be eligible to be appointed a member of the judiciary before the

expiration of a period of two (2) years starting from the day on which he

last occupied a post on the Committee or he was last a Committee

member.

(2) The Committee shall be chaired by the Chief Justice or, in

his absence, by the judge who substitutes him in accordance with

paragraph (d) of sub-article (3).

(3)

(a) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed or to

continue to hold office as a member of the Committee if

he is a Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary, a Member

of the House of Representatives, a member of a local

government or an official or a candidate of a political

party

Provided that where the President of the Chamber of

Advocates is not qualified to be appointed or to hold

office as aforesaid the Chamber of Advocates shall

nominate another advocate to sit on the Committee in

his stead.

(b) The office of a member of the Committee shall become

vacant if any circumstances arise that, if the person

were not a member of the Committee, the person would

not qualify for membership thereof.

(c) A member of the Committee may abstain or be

challenged in the same circumstances as a judge of the

Superior Courts.

(d) Where a member of the Committee abstains or is

challenged, in the case of the Chief Justice he shall be

substituted by a judge who shall be the next most senior

judge in office, in the case of the Auditor General he shall

be substituted by the next most senior officer according

to office in the National Audit Office, in the case of the

Commissioner for Administrative Investigations he shall

be substituted by the next most senior officer according

to the Office of the Ombudsman and in the case of the

President of the Chamber of Advocates he shall be

replaced by the next most senior advocate according to

office in the committee of the Chamber of Advocates.

(4) In the exercise of their functions the members of the

Committee shall act on their individual judgement and shall not be

subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.

(5) There shall be a Secretary to the Committee who shall be

appointed by the Minister responsible for justice.

(6)

The functions of the Committee shall be

(a) to receive and examine expressions of interest from

persons interested in being appointed to the office of

judge of the Superior Courts (other than the office of

Chief Justice) or of magistrate of the Inferior Courts,

except from persons to whom paragraph (e) applies;

(b) to keep a permanent register of expressions of interest

mentioned in paragraph (a) and to the acts relative

thereto, which register shall be kept secret and shall be

accessible only to the members of the Committee, and

the President of Malta;

(c) to conduct interviews and evaluations of candidates

for the above-mentioned offices in such manner as it

deems appropriate and for this purpose to request

information from any public authority as it considers

to be reasonably required;

(d) when a vacancy in the office of judge or magistrate

occurs, the Committee shall send to the President,

through the Secretary, the names of three candidates

that the Committee considers to be most suitable along

with a detailed report on the suitability and merit of

these three candidates who, in the opinion of the

Committee, are deemed to be the most suitable for the

appointment of these offices

Provided that the President shall be entitled to elect a

judge or a magistrate exclusively from the names of the

three candidates transmitted by the Committee which

names of the three candidates shall be made public in the

President’s decision;

(e) to give advice on appointment to any other judicial

office or office in the courts as the Minister

responsible for justice may from time to time request;

(f)

to approach with a view of eliciting interest amongst

qualified persons for the office of judge or magistrate

Provided that the evaluation referred to in paragraph (d)

shall be made by not later than sixty days from when the

Committee receives the expression of interest and the advice

mentioned in paragraphs (e) and (f) shall be given by not later than

thirty days from when it was requested, or within such other time

limits as the Minister responsible for justice may, with the

agreement of the Committee, by order in the Gazette establish.

(7) The proceedings of the Committee shall be confidential and

shall be held in camera a n d n o m e m b e r o r s e c r e t a r y o f t h e

Committee may be called to give evidence before any court or other

body with regard to any document received by or any matter

discussed or communicated to or by the Committee.

(8) The Committee shall regulate its own procedure and shall be

obliged to publish without being subject to any direction the policy

amongst others of maintaining gender balance in the appointment of

members of the judiciary, which shall guide the Committee.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 96B Vacancies in the office of member of the judiciary. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of judge or

magistrate, the Minister responsible for justice shall issue a public

call for applications open to persons who have the necessary

qualifications and experience required to be appointed to the office

of judge or magistrate.

(2) No person shall be entitled to be appointed to the office of

judge or magistrate unless that person

(a) has the number of years of practice of the profession of

advocate in Malta as established in articles 96 or 100

of the Constitution as the case may be;

(b) at the time of application be in possession of a valid

warrant to practice as an advocate in Malta and must

not be precluded from appointment as a member of the

judiciary by any legal impediment;

(c) is able to express oneself in the Maltese and English

language and able to communicate in a clear and

concise manner;

(d) possesses integrity, correctness and honesty in public

and private life;

(e) has knowledge of the law, of court procedures and

professional experience;

(f)

is industrious, able to work under pressure, diligent,

analytical and able to make decisions;

(g) is impartial and independent;

(h) is not involved in any commercial or business activity

and does not have a financial situation which raises

doubt about the ability to perform judicial duties in a

proper manner;

(i)

is able to work in a collegial environment; and

(j)

possesses knowledge of the Code of Ethics for members

of the Judiciary and is willing to undertake continuing

professional development.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 97 Tenure of office of judges. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of this article, a

judge of the Superior Courts shall vacate his office upon reaching

the age of sixty-five (65) years

Provided that a judge of the Superior Courts shall inform the

Chief Justice and the President of Malta of this decision before he

reaches the age of sixty-five (65) years once he chooses to remain in

office until he reaches the age of sixty-eight (68) years.

(2) A judge of the superior courts shall not be removed from his

office except as provided in articles 101B and 101C of the

Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 98 Acting Chief Justice and acting judges. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) If the office of Chief Justice is vacant or if the Chief

Justice is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his

office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed

the functions of that office or until the Chief Justice has resumed

those functions, as the case may be, those functions shall (except to

such extent, if any, as other provision is made by law) be performed

by such one of the other judges of the Superior Courts as may be

designated in that behalf by the President, acting in accordance

with the advice of the Prime Minister.

(2) If the office of any judge of the Superior Courts (other than

the Chief Justice) is vacant or if any such judge is appointed to act

as Chief Justice or is for any reason unable to perform the functions

of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister, may appoint a person qualified for appointment

as a judge of the Superior Courts to act as a judge of those Courts

Provided that a person may be so appointed notwithstanding that

he has attained the age of sixty-five years.

(3) Any person appointed under sub-article (2) of this article to

act as a judge of the Superior Courts shall continue so to act for the

period of his appointment or, if no such period is specified, until his

appointment is revoked by the President acting in accordance with

the advice of the Prime Minister.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 99 Inferior Courts. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

There shall be in and for Malta such inferior courts having

such powers and jurisdiction as may be provided by any law for the

time being in force in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 100 Magistrates. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Magistrates of the inferior courts shall be appointed by

the President acting in accordance with the recommendation made by

the Judicial Appointments Committee established by article 96A of the

Constitution.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to or to act

in the office of magistrate of the inferior courts unless he has

practised as an advocate in Malta for a period of, or periods

amounting in the aggregate to, not less than seven years.

(3) Without prejudice to sub-article (4), a magistrate of the

inferior courts shall vacate his office upon reaching the age of

sixty-five (65) years

Provided that a magistrate of the inferior courts shall inform

the Chief Justice and the President of Malta of this decision before he

reaches the age of sixty-five (65) years once he chooses to remain in

office until he reaches the age of sixty-eight (68) years.

(4) The provisions of sub-article (2) of article 97 of the

Constitution shall apply to a magistrate of the inferior courts.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101 Oaths to be taken by judges and magistrates. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

A judge of the Superior Courts or a magistrate of the

inferior courts shall not enter upon the duties of his office unless he

has taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance and such oath for

the due execution of his office as may be prescribed by any law for

the time being in force in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101A Commission for the Administration of Justice. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Commission for the Administration

of Justice which shall consist of the President, who shall be the

Chairman, and nine other members as follows

(a) the Chief Justice who shall be Deputy Chairman and

shall preside over the Commission in the absence of

the Chairman;

(b) two members elected for a period of four years by the

judges of the Superior Court from among themselves;

(c) two members elected for a period of four years by the

magistrates of the Inferior Courts from among

themselves;

(d) two members appointed for a period of four years as to

one by the Prime Minister and as to the other by the

Leader of the Opposition, being in each case, a person

of at least forty-five years of age, and who enjoys the

general respect of the public and a reputation of

integrity and honesty;

(e) the President of the Chamber of Advocates, ex officio.

(2)

The President shall have an original vote.

(3) The members elected to the Commission for the

Administration of Justice shall be elected in accordance with such

rules as may be prescribed by the person or authority referred to in

sub-article (7) of article 46 of this Constitution.

(4)

(a) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed or

continue to hold office as a member of the

Commission for the Administration of Justice

(i)

if he is a Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary, a

Member of the House of Representatives or a

member of a local government authority; or

(ii) if he has been convicted of any crime punishable

by imprisonment for any term; or

(iii) if he is disqualified to be elected as a member of

the House of Representatives for any of the

reasons stated in paragraphs (a), (c), (d), (e), (f),

(g) or (h) of sub-article (1) of article 54 of this

Constitution.

(b) The office of a member of the Commission for the

Administration of Justice shall become vacant if any

circumstances arise that if he were not a member of the

Commission he would not qualify for membership

thereof, and a member of the Commission may abstain

or be challenged in the same circumstances as a judge

of the superior courts.

(5)

(a) Where a person fills a vacancy caused by a member of

the Commission for the Administration of Justice

ceasing to be such a member for any reason, other than

the expiration of the period of office, such person shall

hold office for the unexpired period of office of the

member he replaces.

(b) Where a member of the Commission has been

challenged or has abstained, the President acting in

accordance with his own deliberate judgement shall

appoint as a substitute member to sit on the

Commission, a person who in his opinion has as far as

may be the same qualities and qualifications as the

member substituted.

(c) Where the members who, are to be elected under

paragraph (c) and (d) of sub-article (1) of this article,

or who are to be appointed under paragraph (e) of the

same sub-article, are not so elected or appointed

within two weeks from a call for the purpose by the

President, the President who in making such

appointment shall act in accordance with his own

deliberate judgement shall himself appoint members in

their stead who where possible in his opinion shall

have the same qualities and qualifications as such

members.

(6)

(a) The Commission for the Administration of Justice

shall at all times have a committee for Advocates and

Legal Procurators which shall have such composition,

functions, powers and duties as may be assigned to it

by law. The Commission shall in the exercise of any of

its functions in relation to the professions of

Advocates and Legal Procurators act through the said

committees in such manner and subject to such review

as may by the said law be provided.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of

this sub-article, the Commission shall refer to the

Committee for Advocates and Legal Procurators

(hereinafter in this article referred to as "the

Committee") any matter concerning the misconduct of

an advocate or legal procurator in the exercise of their

profession, and, saving in the case of an appeal, the

Commission shall not act otherwise than on receipt of,

and in accordance with, the findings of the Committee

in any such matter. So however that, where a report of

findings by the Committee has not been submitted to

the Commission within two months from the day on

which the matter was brought before the Committee,

or within such further period or periods as the

Commission may allow, which shall in no case, except

for very exceptional reasons, exceed a further four

months, the Commission shall thereupon itself

investigate and determine the matter.

(c) Without prejudice to the provisions of the foregoing

paragraph the Commission may appoint such other

committees to assist it on any matter falling within its

functions as it may deem fit.

(7) In the exercise of their functions the members of the

Commission and of any of its committees shall act on their

individual judgement and shall not be subject to the direction or

control of any person or authority.

(8) Sub-articles (2) and (3) of article 121 of this Constitution

shall apply to any committee of the Commission.

(9) There shall be a secretary of the Commission for the

Administration of Justice who shall also act as secretary of any

committee of the Commission. The Secretary of the Commission

shall be appointed by the Commission from among public officers

assigned to the Courts or from among members of the legal

professions. The Secretary shall hold office until such time as his

appointment is terminated by the Commission.

(10) A person appointed as a member of the Commission for the

Administration of Justice or any of its committees may be removed

from office by the President, acting in accordance with the advice

of the body or the holder of the office appointing such member, but

he may be removed only for inability to discharge the functions of

his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any

other cause) or for misbehaviour.

(11) The functions of the Commission for the Administration of

Justice shall be

(a) to supervise the workings of all the superior and

inferior courts and to make such recommendations to

the Minister responsible for justice as to the remedies,

which appear to it, conductive to a more efficient

functioning of such courts;

(b) to advise the Minister responsible for justice on any

matter relating to the organisation of the

administration of justice;

(c) to exercise, subject to article 101B of this Constitution,

discipline on judges and magistrates;

(d) to draw up a code or codes of ethics regulating the

conduct of members of the judiciary;

(e) on the advice of the Committee for Advocates and

Legal Procurators to draw up a code or codes of ethics

regulating the professional conduct of members of

those professions

Provided that where such advice is not given within

such time as the Commission may establish, the

Commission may draw up such code or codes without

the necessity of such advice;

(f)

to draw the attention of any judge or magistrate on any

matter, in any court in which he sits, which may not be

conducive to an efficient and proper functioning of such

court;

(g) to exercise, in accordance with any law, discipline

over advocates and legal procurators practising their

profession; and

(h) such other function as may be assigned to it by law.

(12) The Commission for the Administration of Justice shall

each year make a report to the Minister responsible for justice on

its activities during the previous calendar year, and shall at any

time, when it deems fit or as may be required by the said Minister,

make a report on any particular matter to the said Minister.

(13) The powers of the President under any law with regard to

the subrogation of judges and magistrates and to the assignment of

d u t i es o f j u d g e s a n d m a g i s t r a t es s h a l l b e e x e r c i s e d o n t h e

recommendation of the Chief Justice

Provided that where the Chief Justice fails to make a

recommendation to the President, the President shall exercise this

power on the advice of the Minister responsible for justice

Provided further that in any such case the Minister responsible

for justice shall immediately publish in the Gazette, a notice of that

fact together with the reasons therefore, and he shall make a statement

of such fact in the House not later than the second sitting immediately

after he has so advised the President.

(14) Subject to provisions of sub-article (1) of article 101C of the

Constitution, the question whether the Commission for the Adminis-

tration of Justice has validly performed any function vested in it by

or under this Constitution shall not be enquired into in any court.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101AA Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Whosoever has concerns about any member of the

judiciary that may give rise to his disciplinary proceedings in

accordance with article 101B may submit such concerns in writing to

the Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary

Provided that the Commissioner for Standards of the

Judiciary may direct the person raising the concerns in writing to do so

under oath.

(2)

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall be

appointed by the Commission for the Administration of Justice for a

term of three (3) years, which may be renewed.

(3)

No person shall be qualified to hold the office of

Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary unless he is a retired

Judge or Magistrate or a non-practising senior advocate.

(4)

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary may at

any time be removed or suspended from his office by the Commission

for the Administration of Justice on the grounds of proven inability to

perform the functions of his office, whether arising from infirmity of

body or mind or any other cause, or proven misbehaviour.

(5)

The Commission for the Administration of Justice may

(a)

at any time when the office of the Commissioner

for Standards of the Judiciary is vacant in accordance with sub-

article (4); or

(b)

for any other temporary reason which the

Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary considers due to

those circumstances that he would abstain from had he been a

Judge of the Superior Courts,

appoint a Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary to hold office

temporarily in accordance with this article, and who shall remain in

office until such time as the Commission for the Administration of

Justice appoints a new Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary in

accordance with sub-article (2) or when the investigation referred to in

paragraph (b) is concluded respectively.

(6)

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall

receive such remuneration as the Commission for the Administration

of Justice m a y determine, which remuneration shall be paid from the

Consolidated Fund.

(7)

The role of the Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary

shall be to

(a)

in consultation with the Judiciary carry out case-

load and statistical analyses, both collectively and individually,

as presented to him by the Directorate within the Ministry

responsible for justice;

(b)

investigate allegations he receives about members

of the judiciary and report in writing to the Chief Justice and the

Minister responsible for justice in case he finds that there is

sufficient prima facie evidence to initiate disciplinary

proceedings against a Judge or Magistrate. In case the

complaint concerns the Chief Justice, the Commissioner for

Standards of the Judiciary shall report only in writing to the

Minister responsible for justice. The Commissioner for

Standards of the Judiciary shall also send a copy of the report to

the member of the judiciary against whom the complaint was

made.

(8)

Every investigation carried out by the Commissioner for

Standards of the Judiciary in accordance with sub-article (7)(b) shall

be conducted in camera. The Commissioner for Standards of the

Judiciary may hear or receive information from such persons as he

deems fit, and may make such investigations as he deems fit. The

Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall not make any

finding of guilt or any recommendation in respect of such person

under investigation without giving the said member of the judiciary

access to all evidence and the right to be heard in accordance with the

principles of fair trial.

(9)

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall have

the power to

(a)

summon witnesses;

(b)

administer an oath to any witness and person

involved in the investigation, and require them to give evidence

and produce documents in their possession or in their custody

in such circumstances and in the same manner as may be

required to give evidence or produce documents before a Court

of Justice.

(10) The Chief Justice and the Minister responsible for justice

may at their discretion choose not to follow the report of the

Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary.

(11) The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall not

proceed to investigate any allegation on any matter on which

proceedings are pending in Court or before any tribunal, board or body

established by law.

(12) When the Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary

decides not to investigate or to further investigate an allegation, he

shall so inform in writing the person who made the allegation, as well

as the Chief Justice and the Minister responsible for justice and state

the reasons for such decision.

(13) The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary may be

appointed by the Commission for the Administration of Justice to act as

a special independent prosecutor in the disciplinary proceedings.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101AB Declaration of the assets of the Judiciary. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall have

the power to examine and if necessary verify such declarations relating

to income or assets, or interests or other benefits of any kind, as

members of the judiciary may be required to make in accordance with

article 101A(11)(d) and to make recommendations in the form of

guidelines as the said Commissioner considers appropriate and

proportionate also in respect of any member of the judiciary who fails

to make any declaration as aforesaid or makes an incorrect declaration

in a manner which substantively misleads the purpose of the

declaration.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101B Discipline of judges and magistrates. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Committee for Judges and

Magistrates (hereinafter referred to as "the Committee") which

shall be a subcommittee of the Commission for the Administration

of Justice and which shall consist of three members of the judiciary

who are not members of the Commission for the Administration of

J u s t i c e a n d wh o s h a l l b e e lec t e d f r o m a m o ng s t j u d ge s a nd

magistrates according to regulations issued by the Commission for

the Administration of Justice so however that in disciplinary

proceedings against a magistrate two of the three members shall be

magistrates and in the case of disciplinary proceedings against a

judge two of the three members shall be judges.

(2) The Chairman of the Committee shall be elected by

the members of the Committee from amongst themselves.

(3) Any member of the Committee may be challenged

and shall abstain in the same circumstances as a judge of the

Superior Courts may be challenged or may abstain. Where a

member has been challenged or has abstained, the Commission for

the Administration of Justice shall appoint a substitute member.

(4) The Committee shall exercise discipline on judges

and magistrates in the manner prescribed in this article.

(5) Disciplinary proceedings against a judge or a

magistrate shall be commenced upon a complaint in writing and

containing definite charges made to the Committee by the Chief

Justice or by the Minister responsible for justice, for breach of the

provisions of the Code of Ethics for Members of the Judiciary or of a

code or disciplinary rules for members of the judiciary promulgated

according to the same procedure according to which the said Code of

Ethics is promulgated which are from time to time applicable to the

members of the judiciary. The complaint shall also include the

grounds upon which each of such charges is based.

(6) The Committee shall, upon receipt of a complaint

under sub-article (5), notify the said complaint to the judge or

magistrate against whom it is made granting him or her a

reasonable time to reply.

(7) If, following prima facie consideration of the

complaint and of the reply, the Committee considers that there are

not sufficient grounds to commence disciplinary proceedings, the

Committee shall refrain from further consideration of the case.

(8)

If, following the consideration of the complaint and

of the reply as referred to in sub-article (7), the Committee

considers that there are sufficient grounds to continue the

disciplinary proceedings the Committee shall appoint a date for

the hearing.

(9) Proceedings before the Committee shall be held in

camera unless the judge or magistrate against whom the

proceedings are taken requests otherwise. The complainant or his

representative and the judge or magistrate against whom the

proceedings are taken shall have a right to be present during the

whole of the proceedings, to produce witnesses in support or in

defence of the charges set in the complaint, and to be assisted by

an advocate or a legal procurator. The Commission for the

Administration of Justice may also appoint an advocate to act as a

special independent prosecutor in the disciplinary proceedings.

(10) If the Committee finds that the judge or magistrate

has breached the Code of Ethics for Members of the Judiciary it

shall

(a) if it considers that the breach is of a minor nature,

either issue a warning or impose a pecuniary penalty

recoverable as a civil debt payable to the Secretary of

the Commission for the Administration of Justice, not

exceeding ten per centum of the annual salary of the

judge or magistrate as at the time established

according to law;

(b) if it considers that the breach is of a serious nature it

may suspend the judge or magistrate from the exercise

of his duties for a period of not more than six months

on half of his salary and allowances as recoverable at

the time;

(c) if it considers that the breach is of such a serious

nature as to merit the removal of the judge or

magistrate from office, or is based on the grounds of

incapacity to perform the functions of his office (both

whether for bodily or mental illness or for any other

reason), it shall report its findings to the Commission

for the Administration of Justice which shall consider

whether the evidence proves the case prima facie and,

if it considers that there is such degree of proof, the

Commission shall suspend the judge or magistrate

concerned and shall proceed with the hearing of the

case. During the period during which a judge or

magistrate is suspended in accordance with the

provisions of this paragraph, which shall not exceed

six (6) months, the judge or magistrate shall be entitled

to half the salary and allowances relative to the office

and after the expiry of such a period of six (6) months

he shall resume receiving his salary and all allowances

for his post irrespective of whether or not the case

referred has been concluded. In the event that the

Commission for the Administration of Justice

considers that the breach under investigation merits

the removal of the judge or magistrate from office, it

shall proceed to advise the President to remove the

judge or magistrate from office for proven misconduct

or proven incapacity to perform the functions of his

office

Provided that in the event that the proceedings before the

Commission for the Administration of Justice do not

result in the removal of the member of the judiciary, then

the member of the judiciary shall be paid the salary and

allowances which have been held throughout the period

of suspension.

(11) The Committee may also upon the request of the Chief

Justice order that a judge or a magistrate be suspended from the

performance of his duties on serious medical grounds for a definite

period during which the said judge or magistrate shall continue to

receive his full salary and allowances. The procedure laid down in

this article in respect of disciplinary proceedings shall apply

mutatis mutandis in the case of any proceedings taken under this

sub-article.

(12) (a) There shall be a right of appeal to the Commission for

the Administration of Justice from decisions of the

Committee by the judge or magistrate against whom

the Committee makes a finding.

(b) The appeal shall be filed with the Secretary of the

Commission for the Administration of Justice by not

later than twenty days from when the Committee

delivers its decision.

(c) The filing of an appeal as aforesaid shall suspend the

execution of the decision of the Committee.

(d) The Commission for the Administration of Justice may

from time to time establish rules of procedure for such

appeals.

(e) The President of Malta shall not form part of the

Commission for the Administration of Justice when

the said Commission is hearing an appeal from a

decision of the Committee.

(13) Proceedings before the Committee shall be concluded

within a period of one year and appeal proceedings before the

Commission for the Administration of Justice shall be concluded

within a further period of six months.

(14) In the exercise of their function under this article the

Commission for the Administration of Justice and the Committee

for Judges and Magistrates shall have all the powers as are assigned

to the First Hall of the Civil Court by the Code of Organization and

Civil Procedure or by any law from time to time regulating the

powers of Courts of civil jurisdiction.

(15) In the exercise of their functions the members of the

Committee shall act on their own individual judgment and shall not

be subject to the direction or control of any other person or

authority.

(16) The provisions of this article shall be without prejudice to

the application of sub-articles (2) and (3) of article 97 of this

Constitution wherever they may apply.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101BA Report of the Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The Commissioner for Standards of the Judiciary shall draw

up a report, at least annually or as many times as he may deem expedient,

to the Commission for the Administration of Justice on the performance

of his functions in accordance with this Constitution. Any such report

shall be submitted to the Commission for the Administration of Justice

and to the Minister responsible for justice.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 101C Appeal from the decisions of the Commission for the Administration of Justice. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a right of appeal to the Constitutional

Court from a decision of the Commission for the Administration of

Justice’s finding for the removal of a judge or magistrate and from the

decision of the Commission for the Administration of Justice delivered

in accordance with article 101B(12).

(2)

The appeal shall be filed within eight working days from the

date when the decision of the Commission for the Administration of

Justice is communicated to the judge or magistrate.

(3) The filing of an appeal in terms of sub-article (1) shall suspend

the execution of the decision of the Commission for the

Administration of Justice.

CHAPTER IX

Finance

Constitution of Malta
Art. 102 Consolidated Fund. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) All revenues and other moneys raised or received by

Malta (not being revenues or other moneys payable into some other

fund, being a fund established by or under any law for the time

being in force in Malta for a specific purpose) shall, unless

Parliament otherwise provides, be paid into and form one

Consolidated Fund.

(2) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund

except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the Fund by this

Constitution or any other law for the time being in force in Malta or

where the issue of those moneys has been authorised by an

Appropriation Act or under article 104 of this Constitution.

(3) No moneys shall be withdrawn from any public fund other

than the Consolidated Fund unless the issue of those moneys has

been authorised by or under any law for the time being in force in

Malta.

(4) No moneys shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund

or any other public fund except in the manner prescribed by or

under any law.

(5) The costs, charges and expenses incidental to the collection

and management of the Consolidated Fund shall be a charge on the

Fund.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 103 Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Fund. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The Minister responsible for finance shall cause to be

prepared and laid before the House of Representatives before, or

not later than thirty days after, the commencement of each financial

year estimates of the revenues and expenditure of Malta for that

year.

(2) The heads of expenditure contained in the estimates (other

than the expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund by this

Constitution or any other law for the time being in force in Malta)

shall be included in a bill, to be known as an appropriation bill,

providing for the issue from the Consolidated Fund of the sums

necessary to meet that expenditure and the appropriation of those

sums for the purposes specified therein.

(3)

If in respect of any financial year it is found -

(a) that the amount appropriated by the Appropriation Act

for any purpose is insufficient, or that a need has

arisen for expenditure for a purpose for which no

amount has been appropriated by that Act; or

(b) that any moneys have been expended for any purpose

in excess of the amount (if any) appropriated for the

purpose by that Act,

a supplementary estimate showing the sums required or spent shall

be laid before the House of Representatives and the heads of any

such expenditure shall be included in a supplementary

appropriation bill.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 104 Authorisation of expenditure before appropriation. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

Parliament may make provision under which, if the

Appropriation Act in respect of any financial year has not come

into operation by the beginning of that financial year, the Minister

responsible for finance may authorise the withdrawal of moneys

from the Consolidated Fund for the purpose of meeting such

expenditure as he may consider necessary to carry on the

government of Malta until the expiration of four months from the

beginning of that financial year or the coming into operation of the

Act, whichever is the earlier.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 105 Contingencies Fund. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Parliament may provide for the establishment of a

Contingencies Fund and for authorising the Minister responsible

for finance, if he is satisfied that there has arisen an urgent and

unforeseen need for expenditure for which no other provision

exists, to make advances from that Fund to meet that need.

(2) Where any advance is made in accordance with sub-article

(1) of this article a supplementary estimate shall be presented and a

supplementary appropriation bill shall be introduced as soon as

practicable for the purpose of replacing the amount so advanced.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 106 Public debt. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) The public debt of Malta shall be a charge upon the

Consolidated Fund and other public funds of Malta.

(2) In this article references to the public debt of Malta include

references to the interest on that debt, sinking fund payments and

redemption moneys in respect of that debt and the costs, charges

and expenses incidental to the management of that debt.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 107 Remuneration in respect of certain offices. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of articles 101A and

101B, there shall be paid to the holders of the offices to which this

article applies such salaries as may be prescribed by or under any

law.

(2) The salaries and any allowances payable to the holders of

the offices to which this article applies shall be a charge on the

Consolidated Fund.

(3) The salary payable to the holder of any office to which this

article applies and his terms of office, other than allowances, shall

not be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment, and for the

purposes of this sub-article, in so far as the salary or the terms of

service of any person depend upon the option of that person, the

salary or terms for which he opts shall be deemed to be more

advantageous to him than any others for which he might have

opted.

(4) This article applies to the offices referred to in articles 48,

91, 95(6), 100, 109, 118 and 120 of the Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 108 Auditor General. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be an Auditor General whose office shall

be a public office who shall have the functions as provided in the

following provisions of this article.

(2) The Auditor General shall be an officer of the House of

Representatives and shall be appointed by the President acting in

accordance with a resolution of the House of Representatives

supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the

members in the House

Provided that notwithstanding the provisions of any other law,

if at the time of expiry of the term of appointment of the Auditor

General a resolution has not been presented before the House of

Representatives for the appointment of an Auditor General or for the

re-appointment of the Auditor General, or if a resolution as aforesaid

has been presented before the House of Representatives, such

resolution has not been approved by the votes in favour of not less than

two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the House of Representatives,

the person who immediately before the expiry of the said term was

occupying the office of Auditor General shall, in any circumstances,

remain in office until the resolution is approved by the votes in favour

of not less than two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the House

Provided further that when a person who is not a member of

the House of Representatives is elected to be the Speaker of the House

of Representatives, he shall not be treated as a member of the House

for the purpose of establishing the majority required by this sub-

article.

(3)

(a) Subject to the provisions of sub-article (4) of this

article the Auditor General shall hold office for a

period of five years from the date of his appointment

and shall be eligible for reappointment for one further

period of five years.

(b) Where the Auditor General has been appointed from

among public officers and at the end of his

appointment is below the retiring age in the public

service, the person so appointed shall revert to the

public service and shall continue to enjoy the salary

and allowances referred to in sub-article (6).

(c) It shall not be lawful for the Auditor General, during

his tenure of such office, to hold any other office of

profit or otherwise with the Government of Malta or

with any commercial or professional venture

whatsoever.

(4)

(a) The Auditor General may at any time be removed or

suspended from his office by the President, upon an

address from the House of Representatives supported

by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all members

in the House, praying for such removal on the ground

of proved inability to perform the functions of his

office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind

or any other cause) or proved misbehaviour, and the

provisions of the proviso to sub-article (2) of this

article shall also apply for the purpose of establishing

the majority required under this sub-article.

(b) At any time when Parliament is not in session, the

Auditor General may be suspended from his office by

the President, acting in accordance with his own

deliberate judgement, for inability to perform the

functions of his office or misbehaviour proved to the

satisfaction of the President; but any such suspension

shall not continue in force beyond two months after

the beginning of the next session of Parliament.

(5)

The accounts -

(a) of all departments and offices of the Government of

Malta, including the office of the Public Service

Commission, and the office of the Clerk of the House

of Representatives and of all Superior and Inferior

Courts of Malta, and

(b) of such other public authorities or other bodies

administering, holding, or using funds belonging

directly or indirectly to the Government of Malta as

may be prescribed by or under any law for the time

being in force in Malta,

shall be audited and reported upon annually by the Auditor General

to the House of Representatives and for that purpose the Auditor

General or any person authorised by him in that behalf shall have

access to all books, records, returns and other documents relating to

those accounts.

(6)

(a) There shall be paid to the Auditor General such salary

and such allowances as may from time to time be

prescribed or allowed for a Judge of the Superior

Courts.

(b) Such salary and allowances shall be a charge on the

Consolidated Fund and the provisions of sub-article

(3) of article 107 of the Constitution shall apply to

such salary.

(7) The Auditor General shall not enter upon the duties of his

office unless he has taken and subscribed before the President the

oath of allegiance and such oath for the due execution of his office

as may be prescribed by any law for the time being in force in

Malta.

(8) Parliament may by law from time to time provide for the

manner in which the reports of the Auditor General shall be made.

(9)

(a) There shall also be a Deputy Auditor General whose

office shall be a public office and who shall have such

functions as the Auditor General may from time to

time delegate to him and who shall, whenever the

office of Auditor General is temporarily vacant, and

whenever the holder of the office is absent from Malta

or on vacation or is for any reason unable to perform

the functions of his office, perform the functions of

Auditor General.

(b) The provisions of sub-article (2), paragraphs (a) and

(c) of sub-article (3), sub-article (4), paragraph (b) of

sub-article (6) and sub-article (7) of this article shall

apply to the Deputy Auditor General.

(c) There shall be paid to the Deputy Auditor General

such salary and such allowances as may from time to

time be prescribed or allowed to a Magistrate of the

Inferior Courts.

(d) Where the Deputy Auditor General has been appointed

from among public officers and at the end of his

appointment is below the retiring age in the public

service, the person so appointed shall revert to the

public service and shall continue to enjoy the salary

and allowances referred to in this sub-article.

(10) (a) There shall be a National Audit Office consisting of

the Auditor General, who shall be the head of that

office, the Deputy Auditor General and such other

officers, appointed by the Auditor General, as the

Auditor General may consider necessary to assist him

in the proper discharge of his office, and the

provisions of article 110 of this Constitution shall not

apply to the officers appointed to the National Audit

Office.

(b) Parliament may from time to time by law provide for

the manner in which funds shall be allocated to the

National Audit Office and in the manner whereby the

accounts of the National Audit Office shall be audited

and reported upon.

(11) Nothing in this article shall be construed as precluding the

grant of any other functions or powers on the Auditor General or

the National Audit Office by or under any law for the time being in

force.

(12) In the exercise of their functions under the Constitution the

Auditor General and the Deputy Auditor General shall not be

subject to the authority or control of any person.

CHAPTER X

The Public Service

Constitution of Malta
Art. 109 Public Service Commission. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Public Service Commission for Malta

which shall consist of a chairman, a deputy chairman and from one

to three other members.

(2) The members of the Public Service Commission shall be

appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister given after he has consulted the Leader of the

Opposition.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member

of the Public Service Commission if he is a Minister, a Parliamen-

tary Secretary, a member of, or a candidate for election to, the

House of Representatives, a member of a local government

authority or if he is a public officer.

(4) A member of the Public Service Commission shall not,

within a period of three years commencing with the day on which

he last held office as a member, be eligible for appointment to or to

act in any public office.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this article, the office of a

member of the Public Service Commission shall become vacant -

(a) at the expiration of five years from the date of his

appointment or at such earlier time as may be specified

in the instrument by which he was appointed; or

(b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a

member of the Commission, would cause him to be

disqualified for appointment as such.

(6) A member of the Public Service Commission may be

removed from office by the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the Prime Minister, but he may be removed only for

inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising

from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for

misbehaviour.

(7) If the office of a member of the Public Service Commission

is vacant or if a member is for any reason unable to perform the

functions of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the Prime Minister, given after he has consulted the

Leader of the Opposition, may appoint a person who is qualified to

be appointed to be a member to be a temporary member of the

Commission; and any person so appointed shall, subject to the

provisions of sub-articles (5) and (6) of this article, cease to be

such a member when a person has been appointed to fill the

vacancy or, as the case may be, when the member who was unable

to perform the functions of his office resumes those functions.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 110 Appointment, etc., of public officers. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, power

to make appointments to public offices and to remove and to

exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in any

such offices shall vest in the Prime Minister, acting on the

recommendation of the Public Service Commission

Provided that the Prime Minister may, acting on the

recommen-dation of the Public Service Commission, delegate in

writing, subject to such conditions as may be specified in the

instrument of delegation, any of the powers referred to in this sub-

article to such public officer or other authority as may be specified

in that instrument.

(2)

A delegation of a power under this article -

(a) shall be without prejudice to the exercise of that power

by the Prime Minister acting on the recommendation

of the Public Service Commission;

(b) may authorise the public officer or other authority

concerned to exercise that power either with or

without reference to the Public Service Commission;

and

(c) in respect of recruitment to public offices from outside

the public service, shall, unless such recruitment is

made after a public examination advertised in the

Gazette, be exercised only through an employment

service provided out of public funds which ensures

that no distinction, exclusion or preference is made or

given in favour or against any person by reason of his

political opinion and which provides opportunity for

employment solely in the best interests of the public

service and of the nation generally.

(3) (a) An appeal shall lie to the Prime Minister, acting in

accordance with the recomm endation of the Public Service

Commission, from any decision of a public officer or authority to

remove any person from a public office in exercise of power

delegated under sub-article (1) of this article

Provided that such right of appeal shall be without

prejudice to any such other right of appeal as may be provided

under article 121(1) of this Constitution in respect of the exercise

of any other power delegated under sub-article (1) of this article.

(b) A right of appeal under this article shall be exercised

in accordance with such provision relating to procedure as may be

prescribed by the Public Service Commission under article 121(1)

of this Constitution

Provided that any procedure so prescribed shall be the same

for all classes of public officers.

(c) Where an appeal is brought under paragraph (b) of this

sub-article by any public officer he shall, upon the consideration of

the appeal by the Public Service Commission, have the right to be

heard by the Commission in person and to be assisted by a

representative of any trade union to which he belongs.

(4) No person shall be appointed under this article to or to act

in any office on the personal staff of the President except with the

approval of the President.

(5)

The provisions of this article shall not apply in relation to -

(a) the offices referred to in articles 91, 92 (other than

sub-article (4) thereof), 94, 95(6), 100, 108 and 111 of

this Constitution; or

(b) appointments to act in any public office for two

months or less in so far as the recommendation of the

Public Service Commission is required for any such

appointment; or

(c) appointments to the offices referred to in article 92(4)

and appointments on transfer to and from the offices

referred to in article 112 of this Constitution.

(6) Recruitment for employment with any body established by

th e C on sti tu ti on o r b y or u nd er an y ot he r law, o r w it h any

partnership or other body in which the Government of Malta, or

any such body as aforesaid, have a controlling interest or over

which they have effective control, shall, unless such recruitment is

made after a public examination duly advertised, be made through

an employment service as provided in sub-article (2) of this article.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 111 Principal representatives of Malta abroad. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices

to which this article applies and to remove persons so appointed

f r o m a n y s u c h o ff i c e s h a l l v e s t i n t h e P r e s i d e n t , a c t i n g i n

accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister

Provided that in respect of any person selected for appointment

from the public service the Prime Minister shall, before giving his

advice under the provisions of this article, consult with the Public

Service Commission and, on being removed from the office to

which he has been appointed under the provisions of this article,

the person so appointed shall revert to the rank which he held in the

public service immediately before such appointment.

(2) The offices to which this article applies are the offices of

a n y A m b a s s a d o r, H i g h C o m m i s s i o n e r o r o t h e r p r i n c i p a l

representative of Malta in any other country.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 112 Appointment on transfer in respect of certain offices. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Power to make appointments on transfer to and from

the offices to which this article applies shall vest in the Prime

M i n i s t e r a c t i n g a f t e r c o n s u l t at i o n w i t h t h e P u b l i c S e r v i c e

Commission

Provided that the person appointed to any such office under the

provisions of this article shall, on being transferred from that

office, revert to the rank which he held in the public service

immediately before his appointment to that office.

(2)

The offices to which this article applies are -

(a) offices the holders of which are required to reside

outside Malta for the proper discharge of their

functions; and

(b) such offices in the Ministry responsible for the

external affairs of Malta as may, from time to time, be

designated by the Prime Minister.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 113 Protection of pension rights. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Subject to the provisions of article 114 of this

Constitution the law applicable to any benefits to which this article

applies shall, in relation to any person who has been granted or who

is eligible for the grant of such benefits be that in force on the

relevant date or any later law that is not less favourable to that

person.

(2)

In this article "the relevant date" means -

(a) in relation to any benefits granted before the appointed

day, the date on which those benefits were granted;

(b) in relation to any benefits granted or to be granted on

or after the appointed day to or in respect of any

person who was a public officer before that date, the

day before the appointed day; and

(c) in relation to any benefits granted or to be granted to

or in respect of any person who becomes a public

officer on or after the appointed day, the date on which

he becomes a public officer.

(3) Where a person is entitled to exercise an option as to which

of two or more laws shall apply in his case, the law for which he

opts shall, for the purposes of this article, be deemed to be more

favourable to him than the other law or laws.

(4) Any benefit to which this article applies (not being a

benefit that is a charge upon some other public fund of Malta) shall

be a charge upon the Consolidated Fund.

(5) This article applies to any benefits payable under any law

providing for the grant of pensions, gratuities or compensation to

persons who are or have been public officers in respect of their

service in the public service or to the widows, children, depen-

dants or personal representatives of such persons in respect of such

service.

(6) References to the law applicable to any benefits to which

this article applies include (without prejudice to their generality)

references to any law relating to the time at which and the manner

in which any person may retire in order to become eligible for those

benefits.

(7) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law

shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this

article to the extent that the law in question makes provision

whereby any benefits to which this article applies are or may be

reduced or withheld -

(a) until the person eligible therefor reaches the age of

sixty years, or such lower age as may be determined by

or under a law, if such person is in receipt of any

income to which this sub-article applies and such

provision is made in order that any such income

together with any uncommuted benefits aforesaid do

not in the aggregate exceed such amount as may be

determined by, under or in accordance with any law,

being an amount not less than the salary from time to

time payable in respect of the post held by such person

on retirement, taking account only, if such salary is

incremental, of the corresponding increments earned

prior to retirement; or

(b) in order to ensure compliance with any legal

requirements relating to any of the purposes of

paragraph (a) of this sub-article; or

(c) if the person eligible therefor ceases to be a citizen of

Malta.

(8) The income to which sub-article (7) of this article applies is

any remuneration in respect of, or other income deriving from, any

employment, work, service, office, trade, business, profession or

vocation, or from any pension, allowance, gratuity or similar

payment in respect of any such employment or other source of

income.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 114 Grant and withholding of pensions, etc. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Where any benefits to which this article applies can

be withheld, reduced in amount or suspended by any person or

authority under any law those benefits shall not be so withheld,

reduced in amount or suspended without the concurrence of the

Public Service Commission, unless such benefits are reduced or

withheld in accordance with any law referred to in sub-article (7) of

article 113 of this Constitution.

(2) The Public Service Commission shall not concur under sub-

article (1) of this article in action taken on the ground that any

person who holds or has held any of the offices referred to in

articles 91, 95(6), 100 and 108 of this Constitution has been guilty

of misbehaviour unless he has been removed from office by reason

of such misbehaviour.

(3) This article applies to any benefits payable under any law

providing for the grant of pensions, gratuities or compensation to

persons who are or have been public officers in respect of their

service in the public service or to the widows, children, dependants

or personal representatives of such persons in respect of such

service.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 115 Protection of Public Service Commission from legal proceedings. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

The question whether -

(a) the Public Service Commission has validly performed

any function vested in it by or under this Constitution;

(b) any member of the Public Service Commission or any

public officer or other authority has validly performed

any function delegated to such member, public officer

or authority in pursuance of the provisions of sub-

article (1) of article 110 of this Constitution; or

(c) any member of the Public Service Commission or any

public officer or other authority has validly performed

any other function in relation to the work of the

Commission or in relation to any such function as is

referred to in the preceding paragraph,

shall not be enquired into in any court.

CHAPTER XA

Local Councils

115A.The State shall adopt a system of local government

whereby the territory of Malta shall be divided into such number of

localities as may by law be from time to time determined, each

locality to be administered by a Local Council elected by the

residents of the locality and established and operating in terms of

such law as may from time to time be in force.

CHAPTER XI

Miscellaneous

Constitution of Malta
Art. 116 Actions on validity of laws. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

A right of action for a declaration that any law is invalid on

any grounds other than inconsistency with the provisions of articles

33 to 45 of this Constitution shall appertain to all persons without

distinction and a person bringing such an action shall not be

required to show any personal interest in support of his action.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 117 Prohibition of certain associations. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) It shall be unlawful to establish, maintain or belong to

any association of persons who are organised and trained or

organised and equipped for the purpose of enabling them to be

employed for the use or display of physical force in promoting any

political object.

(2) The provisions of this article shall be enforced in such

manner as may be provided by Parliament.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 118 Broadcasting Authority. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be a Broadcasting Authority for Malta

which shall consist of a chairman and such number of other

members not being less than four as may be prescribed by any law

for the time being in force in Malta.

(2) The members of the Broadcasting Authority shall be

appointed by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister given after he has consulted the Leader of the

Opposition.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member

of the Broadcasting Authority if he is a Minister, a Parliamentary

Secretary, a member of, or candidate for election to, the House of

Representatives, a member of a local government authority or if he

is a public officer.

(4) A member of the Broadcasting Authority shall not, within a

period of three years commencing with the day on which he last

held office or acted as a member, be eligible for appointment to or

to act in any public office.

(5)

Subject to the provisions of this article, the office of a

member of the Broadcasting Authority shall become vacant -

(a) at the expiration of five years from the date of his

appointment or at such earlier time as may be specified

in the instrument by which he was appointed; or

(b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a

member of the Authority, would cause him to be

disqualified for appointment as such.

(6) A member of the Broadcasting Authority may be removed

from office by the President, acting in accordance with the advice

of the Prime Minister, but he may be removed only for inability to

discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity

of mind or body or any other cause) or for misbehaviour.

(7) If the office of a member of the Broadcasting Authority is

vacant or if a member is for any reason unable to perform the

functions of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the Prime Minister, given after he has consulted the

Leader of the Opposition, may appoint a person who is qualified to

be appointed to be a member to be a temporary member of the

Authority; and any person so appointed shall, subject to the

provisions of sub-articles (5) and (6) of this article, cease to be

such a member when a person has been appointed to fill the

vacancy or, as the case may be, when the member who was unable

to perform the functions of his office resumes those functions.

(8) In the exercise of its functions under article 119 (1) of this

Constitution the Broadcasting Authority shall not be subject to the

direction or control of any other person or authority.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 119 Function of the Broadcasting Authority. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) It shall be the function of the Broadcasting Authority

to ensure that, so far as possible, in such sound and television

broadcasting services as may be provided in Malta, due impartiality

is preserved in resp ect of matters of political or industrial

controversy or relating to current public policy and that

broadcasting facilities and time are fairly apportioned between

persons belonging to different political parties.

(2) The function of the Broadcasting Authority referred to in

sub-article (1) of this article shall be without prejudice to such

other functions and duties as may be conferred upon it by any law

for the time being in force in Malta.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 120 Employment Commission. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) There shall be an Employment Commission for Malta

which shall consist of a chairman and four other members.

(2) The members of the Employment Commission shall be

appointed by the President who, in appointing the chairman shall

act in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister given after

he has consulted the Leader of the Opposition, in appointing two of

the four other members shall act in accordance with the advice of

the Prime Minister, and in appointing the other two members shall

act in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to hold office as a member

of the Employment Commission if he is a Minister, a Parliamentary

Secretary, a member of, or a candidate for election to, the House of

Representatives, a member of a local government authority, or if he

is a public officer.

(4) A member of the Employment Commission shall not,

within a period of three years commencing with the day on which

he last held office or acted as a member, be eligible for appointment

to or to act in any public office.

(5) Subject to the provisions of this article, the office of a

member of the Employment Commission shall become vacant -

(a) at the expiration of three years from the date of his

appointment; or

(b) if any circumstances arise that, if he were not a

member of the Commission, would cause him to be

disqualified for appointment as such.

(6) A member of the Employment Commission may be

removed from office by the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the holder of the office on whose advice such member

was appointed, given, where applicable, as provided in sub-article

(2) of this article, but such member may be removed only for

inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising

from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for

misbehaviour.

(7) If the office of a member of the Employment Commission

is vacant or if a member is for any reason unable to perform the

functions of his office, the President, acting in accordance with the

advice of the holder of the office on whose advice such member

was appointed, given, where applicable, as provided in sub-article

(2) of this article, may appoint a person who is qualified to be

appointed to be a member to be a temporary member of the

Commission; and any person so appointed shall, subject to the

provisions of sub-articles (5) and (6) of this article, cease to be

such a member when a person has been appointed to fill the

vacancy or, as the case may be, when the member who was unable

to perform the functions of his office resumes those functions.

(8) It shall be the function of the Employment Commission to

ensure that, in respect of employment, no distinction, exclusion or

preference that is not justifiable in a democratic society is made or

given in favour or against any person by reason of his political

opinions.

(9) Any person who alleges that any distinction, exclusion or

preference as aforesaid has been made or given to his prejudice

may apply to the Employment Commission, in such manner and

within such time as may be prescribed, for redress.

(10) Parliament shall make provision conferring upon the

E m p l o y m e n t C o m m i ss i o n su ch p o w er s a s ar e n e c e ss ar y o r

desirable for the purpose of enabling the Commission effectively to

afford adequate redress and generally to carry out its function

under this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 121 Powers and procedure of Commissions. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Any Commission established by this Constitution

may, with the consent of the Prime Minister or such other Minister

as may be authorised in that behalf by the Prime Minister by

regulation or otherwise regulate its own procedure and confer

powers and impose duties on any public officer or authority of the

Government of Malta for the purpose of the discharge of its

functions.

(2) Any Commission established by this Constitution may act

notwithstanding any vacancy in its membership or the absence of

any member and any proceedings thereof shall be valid

notwithstanding that some person who was not entitled so to do

took part therein.

(3) Any question proposed for decision at any meeting of any

Commission established by this Constitution shall be determined

by a majority of the votes of all the members thereof, and if on any

such question the votes are equally divided the member presiding

shall have and exercise a casting vote.

(4) For the purposes of sub-article (3) of this article, the

references to a member of the Electoral Commission shall be

constru ed as in cl udin g a r eference to the Chairman of that

Commission.

(5) The provisions of this article shall apply

to

the

Broadcasting Authority established by this Constitution.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 122 Resignations. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Any person who is appointed, elected or otherwise

selected to any office established by this Constitution (including

the office of the Prime Minister or other Minister or Parliamentary

Secretary) may resign from that office by writing under his hand

addressed to the person or authority by whom he was appointed,

elected or selected.

(2) The resignation of any person from any such office as

a fo r e s a id s h a l l tak e eff e c t w he n th e w ri ti ng s i g ni fy in g th e

resignation is received by the person or authority to whom it is

addressed or by any person authorised by that person or authority to

receive it.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 123 Reappointments, etc. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Constitution,

where any person has vacated any office established by this

Constitution including the office of Prime Minister or other

Minister or Parliamentary Secretary, he may, if qualified, again be

appointed, elected or otherwise selected to hold that office in

accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) Sub-article (1) of this article shall not apply to the office of

President, but shall apply to a person appointed to perform the

functions of President in accordance with arti cl e 4 9 of t he

Constitution.

(3) Where by this Constitution a power is conferred upon any

person or authority to make any appointment to any public office, a

person may be appointed to that office notwithstanding that some

other person may be holding that office, when that other person is

on leave of absence pending relinquishment of the office; and

where two or more persons are holding the same office by reason of

an appointment made in pursuance of this sub-article, then for the

purposes of any function conferred upon the holder of that office

the person last appointed shall be deemed to be the sole holder of

the office.

Constitution of Malta
Art. 124 Interpretation. — CONSTITUTION OF MALTA Open official source

(1) In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise

requires -

"Act of Parliament" means any law made by Parliament;

"the appointed day" means 21st September 1964;

"the Cabinet" means the Cabinet established by article 79 of this

Constitution;

"the Commonwealth" means Malta, any country to which article

23 of this Constitution applies and any dependency of any such

country;

"the Consolidated Fund" means the Consolidated Fund

established by article 102 of this Constitution;

"Constitutional Court" means the Constitutional Court

established by article 95 of this Constitution;

"financial year" means the period of twelve months ending on the

thirty-first day of December in any year or on such other date as

may be prescribed by Parliament;

"Gazette" means the Malta Government Gazette or any other

official journal substituted therefor published by order of the

Government of Malta;

"House" means the House of Representatives established by

article 51 of this Constitution;

"law" includes any instrument having the force of law and any

unwritten law and "lawful" and "lawfully" shall be construed

accordingly;

"Malta" means the Island of Malta, the Island of Gozo and the

other islands of the Maltese Archipelago, including the territorial

waters thereof;

"oath of allegiance" means the oath of allegiance set out in the

Third Schedule to this Constitution or such other oath as may be

prescribed by Parliament;

"Parliament" means the Parliament of Malta;

"public office" means an office of emolument in the public

service;

"public officer" means the holder of any public office or of a

person appointed to act in any such office;

"the public service" means, subject to the provisions of sub-

articles (2) and (3) of this article, the service of the Government of

Malta in a civil capacity;

"session" means the sittings of the House of Representatives

beginning when it first meets after the commencement of this

Constitution or after the prorogation or dissolution of Parliament at

any time and terminating when Parliament is prorogued or is

dissolved without having been prorogued; `

"sitting" means a period during which the House of Represen-

tatives is sitting continuously without adjournment and includes

any period during which the House is in committee;

"the Speaker" and "Deputy Speaker" mean respectively the

Speaker and the Deputy Speaker elected under article 59 of this

Constitution.

(2) In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires,

"the public service" includes service in the office of judge of the

Superior Courts, service in the office of Auditor General and

Deputy Auditor General, service in the office of magistrate of the

Inferior Courts and service in the office of a member of the Malta

Police Force.

(3) In this Constitution "the public service" does not include

service in the office of -

(i)

Prime Minister or other Minister, a Parliamen-

tary Secretary, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, a

member of the House of Representatives, a

member of a Commission established by this

Constitution;

(ii) save where the holder of the office is selected

from the public service, an Ambassador, High

Commissioner or other principal representative

of Malta in any other country; or

(iii) save in so far as may be prescribed by

Parliament, a member of any council, board,

panel, committee or other similar body

established by or under any law.

(4) For the purposes of this Constitution a person shall not be

regarded as holding a public office by reason only of the fact that

he is in receipt of a pension or other like allowance in respect of

public service.

(5)

In this Constitution, unless the context otherwise requires -

(a) a reference to an appointment to any office shall be

construed as including a reference to an appointment

on promotion or transfer to that office and to the

appointment of a person to perform the functions of

that office during any period during which it is vacant

or during which the holder thereof is on vacation or

unable (whether by reason of absence or infirmity of

body or mind or any other cause) to perform those

functions; and

(b) a reference to the holder of an office by the term

designating his office or by reference to the provision

of this Constitution establishing that office shall be

construed as including a reference to any person for

the time being lawfully performing the functions of

that office.

(6) Where power is vested by this Constitution in any person or

authority to appoint any person to act in or perform the functions of

any office if the holder thereof is himself unable to perform those

functions, no such appointment shall be called in question on the

ground that the holder of the office was not unable to perform those

functions.

(7) References in this Constitution to the power to remove a

public officer from his office shall be construed as including

references to any power conferred by any law to require or permit

that officer to retire from the public service

Provided that -

(a) nothing in this sub-article shall be construed as

conferring on any person or authority power to require

any person holding any of the offices referred to in

articles 91, 95(6), 100 or 108(1) or (9) of this

Constitution to retire from the public service; and

(b) the provisions of this sub-article shall not apply to any

power conferred by any law to permit a person to retire

from the public service where that person has

requested permission to retire from the public service

on proved medical grounds.

(8) Any provision in this Constitution that vests in any person

or authority power to remove any public officer from his office

shall be without prejudice to the power of any person or authority

to abolish any office or to any law providing for the compulsory

retirement of public officers generally or any class of public

officers on attaining an age specified therein.

(9) Where any power is conferred by this Constitution to make

any proclamation, order, rules or regulations or to give any

directions or to make any designation, the power shall be construed

as including a power, exercisable in like manner, to amend or

revoke any such proclamation, order, rules, regulations, directions

or designation.

(10) No provision of this Constitution that any person or

authority, shall not be subject to the direction or control of any

other person or authority in exercising any functions under this

Co nstitu tion shall b e construed as precludi ng a co urt from

exercising jurisdiction in relation to any question whether that

person or authority has performed those functions in accordance

with this Constitution or any other law.

(11) Where a person is required by this Constitution to make an

oath he shall be permitted, if he so desires, to comply with that

requirement by making an affirmation.

(12) Any reference in this Constitution to a law made before the

commencement of this Constitution shall, unless the context

otherwise requires, be construed as a reference to that law as in

force immediately before the appointed day.

(13) Any reference in this Constitution to a law that amends or

replaces any other law shall be construed as including a reference

to a law that modifies, re-enacts, with or without amendment or

modification, or makes different provisions in lieu of that other

law.

(14)

Where Parliament has by law provided for the

interpretation of Acts of Parliament, the provisions of any such law,

even if expressed to apply to laws passed after the commencement

thereof, shall apply for the purposes of interpreting this

Constitution, and otherwise in relation thereto, as they apply for the

purpose of interpreting and otherwise in relation to Acts of

Parliament as if this Constitution were an Act of Parliament passed

after the commencement of any such law as aforesaid

Provided that, until such time as Parliament has made provision

as aforesaid, the law applicable for the interpretation of this

Constitution and otherwise in relation thereto shall be the law

which was applicable for that purpose on the appointed day.

SCHEDULES TO THE CONSTITUTION

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