Challenges faced by lawyers practising in Gozo, as well as by the general public, are to be addressed, promised Justice Minister Dr Jonathan Attard during a meeting with the Gozo Chamber of Lawyers on Friday.

In a statement, the Chamber said that “these challenges include the shortage of staff and marshals within the Gozo Court, the accumulation of unpaid taxes, delays in the notification system and the existing inadequate Court building inside the Cittadella.”

“The Justice Minister understood these challenges and promised to address them in the shortest time possible,” the Chamber said.

The Chamber added that he had explained that there will be a reorganisation of the Gozo Court management and that the problem of human resources will be addressed by engaging more staff there.

The Minister also explained that there will be some changes in the system of carrying out the notifications, and that for now a bailiff will continue to be sent by the Court of Malta in case of need.

It was also suggested that the accumulated taxes be worked by an officer who works the taxes in the Court of Malta, the Chamber said.

The existing problem of the Court building was also discussed. The Chamber explained that the current building as it is, is small for the growing number of cases in Gozo, so much so, that the lawyers’ room inside the building is even being used as a Courtroom.

The Chamber pointed out that the general public with limited accessibility, are finding it difficult to use the services in the Court building due to the lack of lifts. Even though several promises were made in the past, the Chamber again asked that another building be identified as soon as possible so that it can be used as the Court of Gozo, and that in the meantime measures will be implemented so that the Court will be more accessible.

The Gozo Chamber of Lawyers concluded by saying that it “welcomes the commitment that the Minister is promising and hopes that the reforms discussed become a reality as soon as possible.”

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