The Gozo Chamber of Advocates has advised that with effect from today, Wednesday, the 3rd of November, lawyers will resume attending sittings at the Gozo Court.
The Gozo lawyers have been refusing to attend Court sittings since the 30th of September because of a number of “serious shortcomings” within the Court which it said, “are hampering the judicial process,” including the problem of the lack of Court Marshals and staff, document handling, administration, and the condition of the building itself.
In a statement on Wednesday morning the Chamber said that during the last meeting with Justice Minister Zammit Lewis which was also attended by Court Services Agency CEO Eunice Grech Fiorni, it was promised that at least two new people and an usher would be brought in to ”increase efficiency in the Gozo Court.”
”Up until yesterday, these people were reporting to the Court, the Chamber said. It insisted that, ”while much remains to be done, it is acknowledged that this is reasonable progress in the shortcomings within the Gozo Court.”
The Chamber however highlighted the fact that the Gozo Court is still without a Marshal, saying that it will therefore ”continue to insist that this Court should have the same dignity and means of the Malta Court as it is in accordance with the Law.”
In addition, in the coming months another official will also retire from Court staff who is currently working as an usher / messenger, therefore advance arrangements should be made to address the situation, the Chamber said.
The Gozo Chamber of Advocates concluded by saying that ”in light of all this, it was therefore decided that with effect from today, Wednesday, the lawyers will resume their attendance at the Court sittings.”