Watch: PN MP Breaks Down Some Court Problems Leading To Major Case Delays
PN MP Darren Carabott has called for major investment in the courts’ human resources to counter the problem of excessive delays that have long plagued the Maltese justice system.
Addressing Parliament, Carabott – a lawyer who practices in the courts – said it is unacceptable for people to take time off work to go to court only to find out that their case has been deferred, often by several months.
He steered clear of criticising the judiciary, instead pinning the blame on a shortage of human resources.
Data shows that the courts issued 45,946 notifications by hand in 2021 and a further 66,847 by mail in 2021. Between January and October of this year, some 40,000 notifications have been issued by hand and 55,000 by mail.
“However, the Court Services Agency currently employs one head marshal, five senior marshals, and 20 marshals, two of whom are on retirement leave. This means that 26 people are responsible for handling thousands of notifications… no wonder they don’t arrive on time.”
“This is over and above the criminal notifications, that police must issue. While the remits of the police force have expanded, with many recourses having to be allocated cybercrime and financial crime, they still employ 2,152 officers, roughly the same as they did in 2014.”
Carabott also warned of severe shortages in magistrates’ staff, to the point where lawyers have to pass over copies of applications to magistrates themselves because no one is available to type them.
Staff shortages at the court registry were also flagged, with Carabott warning that security staff have had to take on administrative duties and cashiers have been unable to take leave due to a lack of human resources.
“These might sound like small changes but people can win back some time and quality of life if the court system works efficiently,” he said. “The reality is that as it stands, you know when your case will start but you have no idea when it will end.”
How do you think the courts can become more efficient?
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