Steward ordered to pay €160,000 for security, clerical services
Steward failed to pay Signal 8 after the hospitals concession terminated
Steward Malta has been ordered by a court to pay almost €160,000 to a security company for professional services at Gozo General and Karin Grech hospitals.
The case centred around outstanding payments for a range of services provided by Signal 8 Security Services, including security, clerical support, storekeeping and fire marshal duties.
According to the court judgement, delivered by Mr Justice Mark Simiana, Steward Malta had fallen into arrears for work performed at the two hospitals. Signal 8 argued that the debt was certain, liquid, and due, leading them to seek a court order for payment and a precautionary warrant of seizure.
In its defence, Steward Malta argued that it was not the legitimate defendant in the case. It claimed that clerical services were governed by contracts with the Ministry of Health, rather than Steward directly.
Steward also claimed that the payments were contingent on Steward receiving funds from the health ministry, which it allegedly did not receive.
It said that it could not be held responsible for any services rendered after March 18, which was when their government concession to run the hospitals was terminated.
In his sentence, the judge dismissed Steward’s argument because the written extensions for clerical services had been signed by the two parties, making Steward responsible for those specific costs.
The judge also noted that Steward was dealing with the company in its own personal interest, and not as an agent for the ministry. Therefore, Steward remained contractually obligated to pay Signal 8.
The judge also ruled that, while the government concession had ended, Steward did not terminate its own private contracts with Signal 8. Rather, the security company was told to continue working as usual during the transition period, according to testimony in court.
Steward Malta was therefore ordered to pay €159,388.45 to Signal 8, with all commercial interest dating back to 30 April 2023 and all legal costs related to the case and the warrant of seizure.