Malta 1964 (rev. 2016) Subsequently amended

1. The Republic and its territories

1. Type of government envisioned
   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 comprised in Malta immediately before the appointed 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:
   1. no foreign military base will be permitted on Maltese territory;
   2. 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:
      1. International organizations
         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
      2. whenever there exists a threat to the sovereignty, independence, neutrality, unity or territorial integrity of the Republic of Malta;
   3. 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;
   4. except as aforesaid, no foreign military personnel will be allowed on Maltese territory, other than military personnel performing, or assisting in the performance of, civil works or activities, and other than a reasonable number of military technical personnel assisting in the defence of the Republic of Malta;
   5. 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.

2. Religion

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.

3. National Flag

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.

4. National Anthem

5. Language

1. The National language of Malta is the Maltese language.
2. Supermajority required for legislation
   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.

6. Constitution to be supreme law

7. Right to work

8. Promotion of culture, etc

9. Safeguarding of landscape and historical and artistic patrimony

10. Compulsory and free primary education

11. Educational interests

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.

12. Protection of work

1. The State shall protect work.
2. It shall provide for the professional or vocational training and advancement of workers.

13. Hours of work

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.

14. Equal rights of men and women

15. Minimum age for paid labour

16. Safeguarding labour of minors

17. Social assistance and insurance

1. State support for the unemployed
   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. State support for the disabled
   Disabled persons and persons incapable of work are entitled to education and vocational training.

18. Encouragement of private economic enterprise

19. Protection of artisan trades

20. Encouragement of co-operatives

20A. Participation of Maltese citizens living abroad

21. Application of the principles contained in this Chapter

22. Citizenship regulated by law

1. Right to renounce citizenship, Requirements for birthright citizenship, Conditions for revoking citizenship, Requirements for naturalization
   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.

23. Commonwealth citizens

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.

24. Criminal liability of Commonwealth citizens

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 -
   1. the act or omission would be an offence if he were an alien; and
   2. 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.

25. Acquisition of citizenship by birth or descent by persons born on or after appointed day

26. Marriage to citizen of Malta

27. Dual citizenship

28 and 29

30. Powers of Parliament

31. Interpretation

32. Fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual

33. Protection of right to life

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 -
   1. for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property;
   2. in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
   3. for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or
   4. 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.

34. Protection from arbitrary arrest or detention

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 -
   1. in consequence of his unfitness to plead to a criminal charge;
   2. 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;
   3. 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;
   4. in execution of the order of a court made to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed on him by law;
   5. 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;
   6. upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed, or being about to commit, a criminal offence;
   7. in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years, for the purpose of his education or welfare;
   8. for the purpose of preventing the spread of an infectious or contagious disease;
   9. Drugs, alcohol, and illegal substances
      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
   10. Restrictions on entry or exit, Extradition procedure, Power to deport citizens
       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. Trial in native language of accused
   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 -
   1. for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court; or
   2. Protection from unjustified restraint, Right to pre-trial release
      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.

4. Protection from false imprisonment
   Any person who is unlawfully arrested or detained by any other person shall be entitled to compensation therefor from that person.
5. Emergency provisions
   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 paragraph (a) or (c) of sub-article (2) of article 47 of this 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.

35. Protection from forced labour

1. No person shall be required to perform forced labour.
2. For the purposes of this article, the expression "forced labour" does not include -
   1. any labour required in consequence of the sentence or order of a court;
   2. 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;
   3. Right to conscientious objection
      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;
   4. Emergency provisions
      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.

36. Protection from inhuman treatment

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. 1. No law shall provide for the imposition of collective punishments.
   2. 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.

37. Protection from deprivation of property without compensation

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 -
   1. for the payment of adequate compensation;
   2. 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
   3. 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 -
   1. in satisfaction of any tax, rate or due;
   2. 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;
   3. upon the attempted removal of the property out of or into Malta in contravention of any law;
   4. by way of the taking of a sample for the purposes of any law;
   5. where the property consists of an animal upon its being found trespassing or straying;
   6. as an incident of a lease, tenancy, licence, privilege or hypothec, mortgage, charge, bill of sale, pledge or other contract;
   7. 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;
   8. in the execution of judgments or orders of courts;
   9. Protection of environment
      by reason of its being in a dangerous state or injurious to the health of human beings, animals or plants;
   10. 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
   11. 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 -
       1. Protection of environment
          of work of soil conservation or the conservation of other natural resources of any description or of war damage reconstruction; or
       2. 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. Ownership of natural resources
   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.

38. Protection for privacy of home or other property

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 -
   1. 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;
   2. that is reasonably required for the purpose of promoting the rights or freedoms of other persons;
   3. 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
   4. 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.

39. Provisions to secure protection of law

1. Right to fair trial, Judicial independence, Right to speedy trial
   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. Judicial independence
   Any court or other adjudicating authority prescribed by law for the determination of the existence or the extent of civil rights or obligations shall be independent and impartial; and where 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. Right to public trial
   Except with the agreement of all the parties thereto, all proceedings of every court and proceedings relating 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 -
   1. 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;
   2. in proceedings under any law relating to income tax; or
   3. to such extent as the court or other authority –
      1. may consider necessary or expedient in circumstances where publicity would prejudice the interests of justice; or
      2. Privileges for juveniles in criminal process
         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. Presumption of innocence in trials
   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 -
   1. Trial in native language of accused
      shall be informed in writing, in a language which he understands and in detail, of the nature of the offence charged;
   2. shall be given adequate time and facilities for the preparation of his defence;
   3. Right to counsel
      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;
   4. Right to examine evidence/witnesses
      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
   5. Trial in native language of accused
      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. Protection from ex post facto laws, Principle of no punishment without law
   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. Right to appeal judicial decisions, Prohibition of double jeopardy
   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 force for a criminal offence notwithstanding any trial and 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. Protection from self-incrimination
    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.

40. Protection of freedom of conscience and worship

1. Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience
   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 subarticle (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.

41. Protection of freedom of expression

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 subarticle (1) of this article to the extent that the law in question makes provision -
   1. that is reasonably required -
      1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or decency, or public health; or
      2. Radio, Right to protect one's reputation, Television, Telecommunications
         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
   2. 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 -

   1. prohibiting or restricting the editing or printing of any such newspaper or journal by persons under twenty-one years of age; and
   2. 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.

42. Protection of freedom of assembly and association

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 -
   1. that is reasonably required -
      1. in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or decency, or public health; or
      2. for the purpose of protecting the rights or freedoms of other persons; or
   2. 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.

43. Prohibition of deportation

1. International law
   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. International law
   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.

44. Protection of freedom of movement

1. Restrictions on entry or exit
   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 -
   1. 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;
   2. 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;
   3. for the imposition of restrictions upon the movement or residence within Malta of public officers; or
   4. Restrictions on entry or exit
      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. Requirements for birthright citizenship, Requirements for naturalization
   For the purposes of this article, any person -
   1. 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 into force of the Maltese Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2000, has ceased to be such a citizen; or
   2. 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
   3. 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
   4. 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.

5. If any person whose freedom of movement has been restricted by virtue of such a provision as is referred to in subarticle (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.

45. Protection from discrimination on the grounds of race, etc

1. Subject to the provisions of sub-articles (4), (5) and (7) of this article, no law shall make any provision that is 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 –
   1. for the appropriation of public revenues or other public funds; or
   2. with respect to persons who are not citizens of Malta; or
   3. with respect to adoption, marriage, dissolution of marriage, burial, devolution of property on death or any matters of personal law not hereinbefore specified; or
   4. 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
   5. Emergency provisions
      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:
   1. with respect to qualifications for service or conditions of service in any disciplined force; or
   2. 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 1st 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 to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their 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.

46. Enforcement of protective provisions

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.

47. Interpretation of Chapter IV

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 -

     1. of any disciplined force; or
     2. of persons serving prison sentences;

     "disciplined force" means -

     1. a naval, military or air force of the Government of Malta;
     2. the Malta Police Force;
     3. any other police force established by law in Malta;
     4. the Malta prison service;

     "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. Emergency provisions
   In this Chapter "period of public emergency" means any period during which –
   1. Malta is engaged in any war; or
   2. there is in force a proclamation by the President declaring that a state of public emergency exists; or
   3. 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. Emergency provisions
   1. 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.
   2. 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 paragraph, but without prejudice to the making of another proclamation of emergency at or before the end of that period.
   3. 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. Emergency provisions
   A resolution such as is referred to in paragraph (c) of subarticle (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 –
   1. add to the kinds of property that may be taken possession of or the rights over and interests in property that may be acquired;
   2. add to the purposes for which or circumstances in which such property may be taken possession of or acquired;
   3. make the conditions governing entitlement to compensation or the amount thereof less favourable to any person owning or interested in the property; or
   4. deprive any person of any right such as is mentioned in paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) of article 37(1) of this Constitution.

48. Establishment of the office of President

1. Head of state selection, Name/structure of executive(s)
   There shall be a President of Malta who shall be appointed by Resolution of the House of Representatives.
2. Eligibility for head of state
   A person shall not be qualified to be appointed to the office of President if -
   1. he is not a citizen of Malta; or
   2. he holds or has held the office of Chief Justice or other Judge of the Superior Courts; or
   3. 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. Head of state term length
   The office of President shall become vacant -
   1. on the expiration of five years from the date of the appointment to that office; or
   2. Head of state removal
      if the holder of the office is removed from office by Resolution of the House of Representatives on the ground of inability to perform the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of body or mind or any other cause) or misbehaviour.

49. Discharge of President's functions during vacancy, etc

50. Oath to be taken by the President

PART 1. Composition of Parliament

PART 2. Powers and Procedure of Parliament

PART 3. Summoning, prorogation and dissolution

78. Executive authority of Malta

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 persons or authorities other than the President.

79. The Cabinet

1. Name/structure of executive(s)
   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. Powers of cabinet, Cabinet removal
   The Cabinet shall have the general direction and control of the Government of Malta and shall be collectively responsible therefor to Parliament.

80. Appointment of Ministers

81. Tenure of office of Ministers

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 -
   1. 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;
   2. if he ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of Parliament; or
   3. 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 -
   1. upon the appointment or re-appointment of any person to the office of Prime Minister;
   2. if his appointment to his office is revoked by the President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister;
   3. if he ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of Parliament; or
   4. 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.

82. Allocation of portfolios to Ministers

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.

83. Acting Prime Minister

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.

84. Temporary Ministers

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.

85. Exercise of functions of President

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-

   1. 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;
   2. 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;
   3. 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;
   4. 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
   5. in signifying his approval for the purposes of subarticle (4) of article 110 of this Constitution of an appointment to an office on his personal staff.
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.

86. Exercise of Prime Minister's functions

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 -

   1. before he acts in accordance therewith he may once refer that recommendation back for reconsideration by the person or authority concerned; and
   2. 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.

87. The President to be informed concerning matters of government

88. Parliamentary Secretaries

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.

89. Oath to be taken by Ministers

90. Leader of the Opposition

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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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 -
   1. 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;
   2. if he ceases to be a member of the House of Representatives otherwise than by a dissolution of Parliament;
   3. 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
   4. 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.

91. Attorney General

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 discontinue criminal proceedings and of any other powers conferred on him by any law in terms which authorise him to exercise that power in his individual judgment the Attorney General shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.
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. Sub-articles (2) and (3) of article 97 of this Constitution shall apply to the Attorney General.

92. Permanent Secretaries and heads of government departments

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 acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister given after the Prime Minister has consulted with the Public Service Commission.
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.

93. Prerogative of mercy

1. The President shall have power to -
   1. grant to any person concerned in or convicted of any offence a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions;
   2. 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;
   3. substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on any person for any offence; or
   4. 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. Establishment of military courts
   1. Establishment of military courts
      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.
   2. 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.

94. Secretary to the Cabinet

1. There shall be a Secretary to the Cabinet who shall be a public officer designated in that behalf by the Prime Minister.
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.

95. Superior Courts

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. Constitutional court powers, Eligibility for const court judges, Establishment of constitutional court
   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 -
   1. such questions as are referred to in article 63 of the Constitution;
   2. 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;
   3. appeals from decisions of the Civil Court, First Hall, under article 46 of this Constitution;
   4. Constitutional interpretation
      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;
   5. 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
   6. 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 subarticle 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 subarticle and shall be composed of the three more senior judges as aforesaid.
6. Number of supreme court judges
   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.

96. Appointment of judges

1. The judges of the Superior Courts shall be appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.
2. Eligibility for supreme court judges, Eligibility for const court judges, Attorney general
   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. Establishment of judicial council
   Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-article (4), before the Prime Minister gives his advice in accordancewith sub-article (1) in respect of the appointment of a judge of the Superior Courts, (other than the Chief Justice) the evaluation by the Judicial Appointments Committee established by article 96A of this Constitution as provided in paragraphs(c), (d) or (e) of sub-article (6) of the said article 96A shall have been made.
4. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (3), the Prime Minister shall be entitled to elect not to comply with the resultof the evaluation referred to in sub-article (3):

   Provided that after the Prime Minister shall have availed himself of the power conferred upon him by this sub-article, thePrime Minister or the Minister responsible for justice shall:

   1. publish within five days a declaration in the Gazette announcing the decision to use the said power and giving thereasons which led to the said decision; and
   2. make a statement in the House of Representatives about the said decision explaining the reasons upon which the decision was based by not later than the second sitting of the House to be held after the advice was given to the President in accordance with sub-article (1):

   Provided further that the provisions of the first proviso to this sub-article shall not apply in the case of appointment to the office of Chief Justice.

96A. Judicial Appointments Committee

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:
   1. the Chief Justice;
   2. the Attorney General;
   3. the Auditor General;
   4. the Commissioner for Admiistrative Investigations (Ombudsman); and
   5. the President of the Chamber of Advocates:

      Provided that the President of the Chamber of Advocates shall not, before the expiration of a period of two years starting from the day on which he last occupied a post on the Committee or he was last a Committee member, be eligible to be appointed a member of the judiciary.

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).

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1. 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.

2. 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.
3. A member of the Committee may abstain or be challenged in the same circumstances as a judge of the Superior Courts.
4. 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 Attorney General he shall be substituted by the next most senior advocate according to office in the Office of the Attorney General, 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 office in 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.

3. 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.
4. There shall be a Secretary to the Committee who shall be appointed by the Minister responsible for justice.
5. The functions of the Committee shall be:
   1. 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;
   2. 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, to the Prime Minister and to the Minister responsible for justice;
   3. 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;
   4. to give advice to the Prime Minister through the Minister responsible for justice about its evaluation on the eligibility and merit of the candidates for appointment to the above-mentioned offices;
   5. when requested by the Prime Minister, to give advice on the eligibility and merit of persons who already occupy the offices of Attorney General, Auditor General, Commissioner for Administrative Investigations (Ombudsman) or of magistrate of the Inferior Courts to be appointed to an office in the judiciary;
   6. 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:

   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.

6. The proceedings of the Committee shall be confidential and shall be held in camera and no member or secretary of the 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.
7. The Committee shall regulate its own procedure and shall be obliged to publish, with the concurrence of the Minister responsible for justice, the criteria on which its evaluations are made.

97. Tenure of office of judges

1. Mandatory retirement age for judges
   Subject to the provisions of this article, a judge of the Superior Courts shall vacate his office when he attains the age of sixty-five years.
2. A judge of the Superior Courts shall not be removed from his office except by the President upon an address by the House of Representatives supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members thereof and 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.
3. 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 a judge of the Superior Courts under the provisions of the last preceding sub-article.

98. Acting Chief Justice and acting judges

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.

99. Inferior Courts

100. Magistrates

1. Magistrates of the inferior courts shall be appointed by the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.
2. Eligibility for ordinary court judges
   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. Mandatory retirement age for judges
   Subject to the provisions of sub-article (4) of this article, a magistrate of the inferior courts shall vacate his office when he attains the age of sixty-five years.
4. Supreme/ordinary court judge removal
   The provisions of sub-articles (2) and (3) of article 97 of this Constitution shall apply to magistrates of the inferior courts.
5. Establishment of judicial council
   Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-article (6), before the Prime Minister gives his advice in accordance with sub-article (1) in respect of the appointment of a magistrate of the Inferior Courts the evaluation by the Judicial Appointments Committee established by article 96A of this Constitution as provided in paragraphs (c), (d) or (e) of sub-article (6) of the said article 96A shall have been made.
6. Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-article (5), the Prime Minister shall be entitled to elect not to comply with the result of the evaluation referred to in sub-article (5):

   Provided that after the Prime Minister shall have availed himself of the power conferred upon him by this sub-article, the Prime Minister or the Minister responsible for justice shall:

   1. publish within five days a declaration in the Gazette announcing the decision to use the said power and giving the reasons which led to the said decision; and
   2. make a statement in the House of Representatives about the said decision explaining the reasons upon which the decision was based by not later than the second sitting of the House to be held after the advice was given to the President in accordance with sub-article (1).

101. Oaths to be taken by judges and magistrates

101A. Commission for the Administration of Justice

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:
   1. the Chief Justice who shall be Deputy Chairman and shall preside over the Commission in the absence of the Chairman;
   2. the Attorney General, ex officio;
   3. two members elected for a period of four years by the judges of the Superior Court from among themselves;
   4. two members elected for a period of four years by the magistrates of the Inferior Courts from among themselves;
   5. 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;
   6. the President of the Chamber of Advocates, ex officio.
2. The President shall only have a casting vote; when the Deputy Chairman presides over a meeting of the Commission he shall retain his original vote together with the casting 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. 1. 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:
      1. if he is a Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary, a Member of the House of Representatives or a member of a local government authority; or
      2. if he has been convicted of any crime punishable by imprisonment for any term; or
      3. 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.
   2. 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. 1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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. 1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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:
    1. 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;
    2. to advise the Minister responsible for justice on any matter relating to the organisation of the administration of justice;
    3. to exercise, subject to article 101B of this Constitution, discipline on judges and magistrates;;
    4. to draw up a code or codes of ethics regulating the conduct of members of the judiciary;
    5. 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;

    6. 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;
    7. to exercise, in accordance with any law, discipline over advocates and legal procurators practising their profession; and
    8. 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 duties of judges and magistrates shall be exercised on the advice of the Minister responsible for justice, so however that, the Minister shall, in advising the President, act in accordance with any recommendation on the matter by the Chief Justice:

    Provided that where the Chief Justice fails to make a recommendation to the Minister, and in any case where the Minister deems it so appropriate, the Minister may advise the President on the matter, in any manner which, in the circumstances, he considers appropriate:

    Provided further that in any such case he shall immediately publish in the Gazette, a notice of that fact together with the reasons therefor, and he shall make a statement of such fact in the House of Representatives not later than the second sitting immediately after he has so advised the President.

14. The question whether the Commission for the Administration of Justice has validly performed any function vested in it by or under this Constitution shall not be enquired into in any court.

101B. Discipline of judges and magistrates

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 Justice and who shall be elected from amongst judges and 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:
    1. 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;
    2. 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;
    3. if it considers that the breach is of such a serious nature that it merits the removal of the judge or magistrate from office, it shall report its findings to the Commission for the Administration of Justice which shall consider whether the evidence constitutes prima facie proof and, if it considers that such degree of proof exists, the Commission shall suspend the judge or the magistrate concerned and shall refer the matter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the Prime Minister. During the period of suspension of a judge or a magistrate in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, which shall not exceed six months, the judge or magistrate shall be entitled to half the salary and allowances appertaining to his office and after the lapse of the said period of six months he shall again start receiving his salary and all the allowances of his office irrespective of whether the case referred has been concluded or otherwise. In the event that the proceedings before the House of Representatives do not lead to the removal from office of the member of the judiciary then the member of the judiciary shall be paid the salary and allowances which shall have been withheld from him during all the period of his 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.

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1. 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.
2. 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.
3. The filing of an appeal as aforesaid shall suspend the execution of the decision of the Committee.
4. The Commission for the Administration of Justice may from time to time establish rules of procedure for such appeals.
5. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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 Organisation and Civil Procedure or by any law from time to time regulating the powers of Courts of civil jurisdiction.
14. 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.
15. 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.

102. Consolidated Fund

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.

103. Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Fund

1. Budget bills
   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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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.

104. Authorisation of expenditure before appropriation

105. Contingencies Fund

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.

106. Public debt

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.

107. Remuneration in respect of certain offices

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. Protection of judges' salaries
   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. Protection of judges' salaries
   This article applies to the offices referred to in articles 48, 91, 95(6), 100, 109, 118 and 120 of the Constitution.

108. Auditor General

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 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. 1. 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.
   2. 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).
   3. 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. 1. 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 subarticle (2) of this article shall also apply for the purpose of establishing the majority required under this sub-article.
   2. 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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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. 1. 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.
   2. 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. 1. 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 until a new Auditor General 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 of his office, perform the functions of Auditor General.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. 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. 1. 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.
    2. 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.

109. Public Service Commission

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 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 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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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.

110. Appointment, etc., of public officers

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 recommendation 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 subarticle to such public officer or other authority as may be specified in that instrument.

2. A delegation of a power under this article -
   1. shall be without prejudice to the exercise of that power by the Prime Minister acting on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission;
   2. may authorise the public officer or other authority concerned to exercise that power either with or without reference to the Public Service Commission; and
   3. 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. 1. An appeal shall lie to the Prime Minister, acting in accordance with the recommendation 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.

   2. 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.

   3. 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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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
   3. 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 anybody established by the Constitution or by or under any other law, or with 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.

111. Principal representatives of Malta abroad

1. Power to appoint persons to hold or act in the offices to which this article applies and to remove persons so appointed from any such office shall vest in the President, acting in 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 any Ambassador, High Commissioner or other principal representative of Malta in any other country.

112. Appointment on transfer in respect of certain offices

1. Power to make appointments on transfer to and from the offices to which this article applies shall vest in the Prime Minister acting after consultation with the Public Service 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 -
   1. offices the holders of which are required to reside outside Malta for the proper discharge of their functions; and
   2. such offices in the Ministry responsible for the external affairs of Malta as may, from time to time, be designated by the Prime Minister.

113. Protection of pension rights

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 -
   1. in relation to any benefits granted before the appointed day, the date on which those benefits were granted;
   2. 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
   3. 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, dependants 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 -
   1. 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
   2. in order to ensure compliance with any legal requirements relating to any of the purposes of paragraph (a) of this sub-article; or
   3. 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.

114. Grant and withholding of pensions, etc

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 subarticle (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.

115. Protection of Public Service Commission from legal proceedings

115A. Local Councils

116. Actions on Validity of laws

117. Prohibition of certain associations

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.

118. Broadcasting Authority

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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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.

119. Function of the Broadcasting Authority

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 respect 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.

120. Employment Commission

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 -
   1. at the expiration of three years from the date of his appointment; or
   2. 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 Employment Commission such powers as are necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Commission effectively to afford adequate redress and generally to carry out its function under this Constitution.

121. Powers and procedure of Commissions

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 construed as including a reference to the Chairman of that Commission.
5. The provisions of this article shall apply to the Broadcasting Authority established by this Constitution.

122. Resignations

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 aforesaid shall take effect when the writing signifying the 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.

123. Reappointments, etc

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 article 49 of the 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.

124. Interpretation

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 subarticles (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 Representatives 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 -
   1. Prime Minister or other Minister, a Parliamentary Secretary, Speaker, Deputy Speaker, a member of the House of Representatives, a member of a Commission established by this Constitution;
   2. 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
   3. 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 -
   1. 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
   2. 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 -

   1. 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
   2. 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 Constitution shall be construed as precluding a court 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.

a. Oath for the due execution of the office of President

b. Oath for the due execution of the office of Prime Minister or other Minister or Parliamentary Secretary