The Minister for Justice Jonathan Attard together with the Law Commissioner Emeritus Judge Antonio Mizzi launched for public consultation the reform in the system of compilations and the removal of the referral process.
This is one of the biggest reforms in the criminal field and it is also an electoral measure that should ensure that justice is not only done and seen to be done, but also done in a reasonable time.
Minister Jonathan Attard said that this is another reform that will continue to positively impact the field of criminal justice and will continue to build on other reforms, particularly the reforms made in the Attorney General’s Office. He stressed how this is also a reform that precedes other reforms that the government is working on, including that in the field of magisterial inquiries with the creation of a section within the magistracy that specializes in inquiries. “This reform is aimed both to ensure that society is better protected from the dangers of crime, as well as to benefit those who are involved in a criminal process, whether as an accused, whether as a victim, as even if as a witness, so that these people enjoy respect for their rights and justice is done in a reasonable time,” stressed Minister Attard.
The Commissioner of Laws, Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi, explained in detail the main points of this reform which include that the Compilation will end within a year; increase the cases where the compilation may not be done; whereas from crimes with a maximum of six years in prison, those for which the maximum does not exceed twelve years in prison will also be added; and the Prosecution must go to Court with the evidence and present it within a maximum period of 70 days.
He also explained that a number of witnesses will be able to testify with an affidavit, as well as Constitutional and Fundamental Rights issues will not stop the compilation, and amendments will be introduced to see that the victims have the right to actively participate in -procedures. Minister Attard concluded by saying that the reform will be put to wider consultation of society and citizens, and this to continue the democratic exercise of consultation on such an important field. This public consultation will be open until Wednesday 31 May 2023 and everyone can submit their proposals.
Photos: DOI/MFJ
