An employment relationship can end before work begins
The Industrial Tribunal explained that if an employment relationship is terminated prior to the commencement of work duties, then such termination cannot be considered to be...
Donation does not exonerate social security recipient from explaining how money was used
Malcolm Mifsud
​The Social Security Department must be certain that a cash donation was not used by an applicant to be eligible for medical assistance that is means tested
Breach of bail is a separate crime
Malcolm Mifsud

The Prosecution may choose to prosecute an accused, if they breache the bail conditions, according to a ruling delivered by the Court of Criminal Appeal...

The Prosecution may choose to prosecute an accused, if they...

Right to a widow’s pension even following annulment
Malcolm Mifsud

The annulment of a marriage may still allow a woman to receive a widow’s...

The annulment of a marriage may still allow a woman to...

One cannot take the law into his own hands, even when rights are allegedly violated

No person can take the law in his own hands, even if his own rights are allegedly being violated by the other party

No person can take the law in his own hands, even if his...

Court upholds claim for payments of sum owed by applicant in a case of contractual obligations for services rendered
Malcolm Mifsud

Court upholds claim for payments of sum owed by applicant in a case of contractual obligations for services rendered, with analysis regard diverging views on...

Court upholds claim for payments of sum owed by applicant...

Landlords' battle over rent control ends in defeat
Gianluca Cappitta

Judge Lawrence Mintoff, dismissed claims by property owners seeking to...

Judge Lawrence Mintoff, dismissed claims by property owners...

Court strikes down severe cash penalty as unconstitutional

In a landmark decision, the Constitutional Court on 24 June 2024 declared a...

In a landmark decision, the Constitutional Court on 24 June...

Court may turn down claims, even if Defendant did not file statement of defence
Malcolm Mifsud

The lack of a statement of defence does not mean that the Defendant is admitting to the claims filed by the Plaintiff

The lack of a statement of defence does not mean that the...

Scam victims are bound to be diligent
Malcolm Mifsud

A victim of a scam cannot use the scam as a defence against a claim to pay debts

A victim of a scam cannot use the scam as a defence against...

Plea of res judicata declined as merits not discussed in initial case

A plea of res judicata was rejected because the merits of the case were not...

A plea of res judicata was rejected because the merits of...

Increase in rent should reflect the open market value of the property
Malcolm Mifsud

The Court should take into account the value of the property when calculating...

The Court should take into account the value of the...

Qualifications must be equal to that listed in the law
Malcolm Mifsud

The law provides a list of subjects that have to be covered for a person to...

The law provides a list of subjects that have to be covered...

A threat must be realistic in order for it to be a crime
Malcolm Mifsud

A threat must be realistic and the person who is making the threat must have...

A threat must be realistic and the person who is making the...

Court will not enter into intricacies when dealing with a precautionary warrant
Malcolm Mifsud

The Court needs to be satisfied that a precautionary warrant was issued to safeguard a legitimate claim and was not issued because of abuse of the procedure

The Court needs to be satisfied that a precautionary...

Shareholder is distinct from the company
Malcolm Mifsud

An agreement entered into by the majority shareholder of a company may have no bearing on the company

An agreement entered into by the majority shareholder of a...

Litigants should make use of every remedy available to ensure justice

In the recent case of Mark Micallef vs The State Advocate, the plaintiff...

In the recent case of Mark Micallef vs The State Advocate,...

Parties in lawsuits living abroad must be represented in the proceedings
Malcolm Mifsud

If there is no representative, this does not make the acts null. On the other hand, this does not mean that the case can continue to proceed.

If there is no representative, this does not make the acts...

It is the judge who should evaluate the evidence produced
Malcolm Mifsud

A judge should evaluate all the evidence produced in the acts of the case

A judge should evaluate all the evidence produced in the...

Banks must explain to clients why they want certain documents
Malcolm Mifsud

Banks are expected to give reasons why they are asking for documents when they...

Banks are expected to give reasons why they are asking for...