Parliament begins discussion on re-establishing Commercial Court

The reintroduction of a Commercial Court will increase efficiency, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said on Tuesday during parliament.

The minister was giving his opening speech for the second reading of a bill that proposes establishing a Commercial Court after it was previously abolished in 1995.

As things stand, commercial cases are heard by the First Hall of Civil Court. But if this bill passes, the specialised superior court will deal with cases related to competition, consumer protection, maritime disputes, civil aviation, insolvency, and intellectual property rights.

If this bill passes, Attard said that the final step would be for the government to invest in turning a site in Valletta that will house this specialised court. 

“This court will reduce the burden on the First Hall of the Civil Court where judges are handling a substantial number of cases,” he said.

Attard pointed out that numerous countries have commercial courts and said that this bill aims to modernise the current judicial system by moving towards specialisation.

“This will create a more efficient system that will have fewer delays,” he said.

It will accommodate and attract more commercial sectors, such as igaming and aviation, that have driven economic growth, he said.

“This reform will have a direct impact on our judicial system as well as a positive effect on numerous stakeholders… it is a strategic instrument for investment. For both local and foreign investment,” he said.

He added that the bill abides by suggestions given by the Consultative Council of European Judges, the OECD, and the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

The prime minister had initially announced plans to re-establish a Commercial Court a year ago.