Court lawyers to strike on Monday over wiretapping claims
Chamber of Advocates issues directive to members, Avukati Għawdex says directive extended to Gozo Courts
Updated 7.30pm
Lawyers will strike on Monday in protest over the alleged secret recording of confidential conversations between lawyers and their clients inside prison.
In a directive issued on Wednesday, the Chamber of Advocates instructed its members to refrain from attending any court hearings or making legal filings on Monday, June 22.
Lawyers will not attend or participate in any sitting, hearing, or scheduled case before any Court, Tribunal, or Board in Malta or Gozo. They will also be forbidden from filing non-urgent applications, notes, or other written submissions in the Court Registry.
Lawyers were advised to contact their clients immediately to inform them that they will not be attending hearings scheduled for Monday.
On Wednesday evening, Avukati Għawdex said in support of the chamber that it was also directing all lawyers practising in Gozo that the directive will extend to the Courts of Gozo.
The same exemptions for urgent cases provided for in the chamber's directive- such as urgent criminal arrangements, applications for bail, Habeas Corpus applications, and acts or filings whose time limits expire on that day, shall continue to apply.
The chamber's announcement comes two days after the Chamber of Advocates filed a judicial protest against the prime minister and government officials concerning an alleged January 2021 ministerial warrant authorising the use of listening devices in prison visitors' rooms, used by inmates to meet both family members and legal representatives.
Lawyers contend that the 2021 warrant, coupled with testimony given by a former prison director, suggests authorities were secretly listening to inmates' conversations without distinguishing between conversations they had with lawyers and others with other visitors.
Conversations between an accused person and their legal representatives are considered privileged under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
The issue, the Chamber said, went beyond potential individual criminal responsibility and raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of criminal proceedings that may have been affected by such interceptions over a substantial period.
The Chamber is understood to have met with its members on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the issue.
On Wednesday, it issued a notice informing its members and the public of its intention to strike next week.
Lawyers will only be permitted to do court-related work on Monday if they are representing clients in time-bound criminal court arraignments, urgent requests for bail, habeas corpus cases concerning allegations of illegal detention or arrest, or to make court submissions subject to strict deadlines.
It reassured lawyers that it would back members facing judicial pressure to break the strike action.
"The chamber remains open to discussion but this directive will remain in force for the entirety of Monday, June 22, 2026 until another directive annulling it is published on the chamber's official website," it said.