L.N. 61 of 2020
Some days back we had reported (LINK) that by way of precautionary measure to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, the Superintendent of Public Health had ordered the early recess of the Maltese Courts, Tribunals and their Registries with effect from the 16th March 2020. The order also applies to any boards, commissions, committees or other entities before which any proceedings are heard or procedures undertaken which are subject to legal or administrative time limits for filing any claims, defences or other acts.
Such order suspended the running of any legal and judicial times and of any other time limits including peremptory periods applicable to proceedings or other procedures before the said Courts and Tribunals.
By means of a new amendment introduced by virtue of L.N. 61 of 2020, the Superintendent of Health has clarified further that this suspension is also be applicable to "prescription in criminal and civil matters", which therefore is suspended until further notice.
- The suspension shall last until seven (7) days following the lifting of the repeal of any such order by the Superintendent. This means that if the last day of any legal or judicial time or other time limit expires during the time when an order provided for in this regulation is in force, the running of the times shall be suspended until seven (7) days after the day when the Superintendent repeals the order.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
THIS ORDER DOES NOT MEAN THAT URGENT APPLICATIONS CANNOT BE FILED BEFORE THE MALTESE COURTS REQUESTING THE OPENING OF THE REGISTRY, AS APPLICABLE, IN URGENT OR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD PROCEDURAL RULES.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
