Government says there has been continuous and unprecedented investment in the courts
The Court Services Agency has made continuous and unprecedented investment in infrastructure and human resources over the last two years, the Ministry for Justice said in a statement on Thursday, replying to an earlier statement by the Nationalist Pa
The Court Services Agency has made continuous and unprecedented investment in infrastructure and human resources over the last two years, the Ministry for Justice said in a statement on Thursday, replying to an earlier statement by the Nationalist Party.
The PN lamented at how a court extension in a building near the Family Court promised by the government four years ago has seemingly been abandoned.
Responding to this, the Justice Ministry said that it would like to clarify some things, and continued that evidence of the Courts' "unprecedented investment" can be seen through the allocation of €60 million for the justice sector in the last Budget. The Ministry added that this means there was an increase of 21% from 2023 and that this allocation is "almost four times more than that allocated in the past".
Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said that with the project known as tal-Ferjol, the building will be regenerated into a Criminal Court with a total investment of over €5 million. He continued that the tender for this project was issued on January 12th and is currently in the adjudication process. He said that this building will be transformed into three courtrooms which will be equipped with the latest technology, including judges' chambers as well as a number of offices for the workers who assist the judiciary. He said that this building will also house the criminal register, "as well as an innovative concept for our country, that of a specialised area for victims". He added that this area will be accessible only to victims, and will have a different entrance to ensure the best protection.
Attard remarked that in addition to this project, the Court Services Agency added an additional courtroom in the Family Court. He continued that maintenance and beautification works were carried out to make this building "the first Grade A Energy building within the agency". He added that an additional courtroom was also added for trials in the main Court. He also said that technological improvements were made, including a document camera, an audio and video conferencing system, and a new wifi system.
"This is together with the addition of new offices for the judiciary, the workers who assist them, as well as an office for the Attorney General and the State Advocate."
Having said that, Attard reiterated that this infrastructural investment was complemented by the strengthening of human resources, in which he said that during the last two years, "the largest increase in the number of the judiciary in the history of our country" has been seen. He continued that this also led to the creation of the section for inquiring magistrates who specialise in inquiries.
He remarked that this was "a historic step that others were only able to talk about, and this government carried it out". He continued that the workers of the Court Services Agency, of which he said there are 540, are benefiting from a collective agreement which improved their conditions. "The commitment is a constant one to improve the conditions of everyone who is involved in the judicial process, and we look forward to continue improving the conditions of the workers within the agency."
The Ministry said that the Court has a total of 78 lawyers engaged to assist the judiciary, with the make-up being 29 court attorneys, 48 judicial assistants, and 1 principal legal officer.
Attard concluded that in the coming weeks, the government will continue to bring forward legislative reforms "that strengthen effectiveness and efficiency". He added that more infrastructural and digital projects will be announced in order to continue investing and carrying out the government's plan in the justice sector.
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