Malta’s Justice Minister has hinted at a significant shift in the country’s justice system, suggesting that citizens may soon be required to request a police investigation before a magisterial inquiry can be initiated. This proposed change has sparked interest and debate among legal experts and the general public alike.
In the current system, a magisterial inquiry can be launched without a prior police investigation, allowing for a more direct and potentially faster route to justice. However, the proposed change would introduce an additional step, requiring citizens to first request a police investigation before a magisterial inquiry can be considered.
The rationale behind this proposed change is not yet clear, but it may be aimed at streamlining the justice process, reducing the workload of the magistrates, or ensuring that police investigations are more thorough and effective. Nevertheless, the potential impact of this change on citizens’ access to justice and the overall efficiency of the justice system will likely be closely watched and debated in the coming days and weeks.¹
