Malta’s Lawyers To Boycott Courts Over Alleged Prison Wiretapping

Lawyers across Malta and Gozo will stage a one-day strike next Monday in protest over allegations that confidential conversations between inmates and their legal representatives may have been secretly recorded.

The directive was issued by the Chamber of Advocates, which instructed members not to attend court hearings, tribunal sittings or board proceedings on 22nd June.

Lawyers have also been told not to file non-urgent applications, notes or other written submissions in court registries and to inform clients that they will not be attending scheduled hearings.

The industrial action follows a judicial protest filed earlier this week by the Chamber of Advocates against the Prime Minister and several government officials over an alleged 2021 ministerial warrant authorising listening devices in prison visitors’ rooms.

According to the chamber, testimony given by a former prison director, combined with the existence of the warrant, raises concerns that authorities may have intercepted conversations between inmates and visitors without distinguishing between family visits and meetings with lawyers.

Conversations between lawyers and their clients are protected by legal professional privilege and are considered a fundamental right under both the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Chamber of Advocates has argued that the issue extends beyond individual responsibility and raises broader concerns about the integrity of criminal proceedings that may have been affected by any alleged interceptions.

Certain urgent matters will still be handled during the strike, including criminal arraignments, urgent bail requests, habeas corpus proceedings and submissions subject to strict legal deadlines.

The chamber said it remains open to discussions but confirmed the directive will remain in force throughout Monday unless officially withdrawn.

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Dylan Attard

Dylan Attard is a Social Media Executive at Lovin Malta and a proud Gozitan with a passion for digital media, content creation, and social trends. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him at the gym, watching series and keeping up with everything happening online.