ELSA Malta has recently been made aware of a renewed push by the Ministry for Justice, Equality, and Governance for the regulation of the profession through Bill 217 which seeks to amend, inter alia, the Code of Police laws and the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure. 

ELSA Malta unequivocally opposes any effort to allow any individual without a warrant in Malta or any European Union Member State (pursuant to Directive 2005/36/EC of the EU) to practice law. 

ELSA Malta is particularly concerned with the fact that such “providers of legal services” would fall outside the jurisdiction of the Committee for Advocates and Legal Procurators and would not be subject to the same ethical standards imposed on warranted practitioners. ELSA Malta reiterates the position taken by the Chamber of Advocates and firmly believes that any reforms to the profession should be made in a robust, singular manner and in consultation with the Chamber of Advocates and the profession, as a whole. 

As the largest student-led organisation for the representation of students undertaking legal education at the Faculty of Law, ELSA Malta understands the challenges associated with obtaining a warrant to practice law but firmly believes that it is ultimately these challenges that create better and more qualified advocates.