Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici told Parliament yesterday that talks between the government and the opposition would continue on the changes necessary in introducing schemes on pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages and loss of earnings arising from permanent disability as a result of traffic and work related accidents. Winding up the debate on the Civil Code (Amendment), Dr Mifsud Bonnici said there were differing views on determining the percentage of permanent disability.

He said the aim of the bill was to try to expedite such court cases which took a long time to resolve because of the complexities involved. Another aim was to introduce a certain amount of certainty on damages to be awarded discouraging both parties from entering in lengthy court litigations. What was of the utmost importance was to alleviate hardships to victims’ families, he said.

The Bill was unanimously approved.