ESTABLISHING A DIGITAL STRATEGY FOR THE MALTESE JUSTICE SECTOR
SRSS/S2019/033 - "Support to Member States in the implementation of structural reforms"
Context of the Project
The digitalisation of justice is widely seen as a means of improving the efficiency of justice and facilitating access to justice for court users. In Malta, the transition from a paper-based system to an electronic system started in 2000 with the introduction of the first electronic systems which helped courts to compile and retrieve data relating to court processes. More recently, the court administration has been working to introduce new information technology (IT) initiatives to modernise its services and improve efficiency; however, these initiatives have been recognised by the Maltese authorities as being isolated in their implementation, without following a unified and pre-established strategy. Furthermore, while this trend towards increased use of technology seems to have motivated users to make greater use of IT tools, change management has not been adequately addressed through training initiatives or targeted information campaigns.
The Ministry for Justice, Equality and Governance of Malta has therefore expressed its willingness to develop a comprehensive digital strategy for the judicial field, with the support of the CEPEJ.
The CEPEJ has a long-standing experience of working with Malta. The CEPEJ has also been developing tools on the specific integration of IT in judicial systems. First and foremost, the “Guidelines on how to drive change towards cyberjustice” and the "Toolkit for its implementation which set out good practices from European Member States" that will be of significant help to build up a Maltese Digital Justice Strategy (DJS). A report entitled “The use of information technology in European Courts” that contains baseline data and the “European Ethical Charter on the use of AI in judicial systems and their environment” will be a basis for awareness-raising workshops in Malta.
Project's objective
The objective of the project shall be the adoption of a Digital Justice Strategy and the corresponding Action Plan by the Ministry for of Justice, Culture and Local Government. A particular focus will be placed on:
- the co-ordination of past and future IT initiatives while preparing for a strategy in line with European best practices;
- a supporting the Maltese authorities in developing the DJS and its Action Plan with a comprehensive consultation process of all stakeholders.
Project beneficiaries and stakeholders
The final beneficiary of the Action is the Ministry for Justice, Equality and governance of Malta. The target groups include civil servants in MJCL, and judges, court managers, judicial trainers, and court staff. The action shall finally benefit to court users and ultimately the entire population of Malta, which will benefit directly and indirectly from the modernisation and improved efficiency and quality of the Maltese judicial system.
Malta launches digital justice strategy co-drafted by CEPEJ experts
On 3 December 2021, the Maltese Ministry for Justice and Governance launched its new Digital Justice Strategy during an event which was opened by the Minister for Justice and Governance Dr. Edward Zammit Lewis and Mr. Daniele Dotto of DG REFORM of the European Union. The launch of this strategy...
Closing event of the cooperation Project to establish a digital strategy for the Maltese justice sector: conclusions and way forward
On 26 October 2021, the CEPEJ, in cooperation with the European Union and the Maltese Ministry of Justice, organised the closing event of the Project entitled “Establishing a digital strategy for the Maltese justice sector”, which started in May 2020. Participants included representatives of the...
Minister of Justice of Malta launches public consultation procedure for the Digital strategy for the Maltese Justice sector co-drafted by CEPEJ experts
On 22 September the Ministry of Justice, Equality and Governance of Malta launched the three-week public consultation procedure for the first Digital strategy for the Maltese justice sector, co-drafted by CEPEJ experts over the last year, before it can be adopted. Dozens of videconferences were...
Digital study visit to Estonia by the Maltese justice sector as inspiration for Malta’s first digital justice strategy
A group composed of representatives of the Ministry for Justice, Equality and Governance of Malta, civil servants, judges, court managers, judicial trainers, court staff, and other justice sector stakeholders are participating in a virtual study visit to the Estonian Ministry of Justice on 23 and...
Steering Committee meetings via videoconference for two CEPEJ Projects with Malta
On 2nd October 2020 took place a joint steering Committee videoconference of the Projects “Supporting the efficiency of Justice in Malta” which will last until December 2020 and “Establishing a Digital Strategy for the Maltese Justice Sector” which started in May 2020 and will end in May 2021....
Press conference on the development of a digital justice strategy for Malta
On 17 July, Dr Edward Żammit Lewis, Maltese Minister of Justice, Equality and Governance, held a press conference on the development of a digital justice strategy for Malta. The Minister stressed the need to increase the efficiency of the Maltese judicial system, which should be achieved in...
Launch of a new Cyberjustice Project in Malta
On 11 May 2020, a first Steering Committee Meeting was organised via videoconference, officially starting the CEPEJ Project “Establishing a Digital Strategy for the Maltese Justice Sector”, which is funded by the Directorate General For Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM) of the European...
