Malta Law Reform: New Opportunities in Light of the Statute Law Revision Act, 2021.

The article focuses on the evolution and current state of Malta's legal system as a mixed jurisdiction influenced by civil law, British common law, and European Union (EU) law, highlighting challenges in legislative coherence and transposition of EU directives. Malta's legal framework, historically rooted in civil law and the Napoleonic Code, incorporated common law elements during British rule and further evolved into a hybrid system after independence in 1964 and EU accession in 2004. The transposition of EU law is primarily ministerial-driven, often relying on subsidiary legislation for efficiency but resulting in fragmented laws spread over more than 600 chapters, which complicates legal consistency and local legal culture integration. The article argues for the establishment of a robust, independent Maltese Law Commission to consolidate, codify, and scrutinize legislation, ensuring coherence and respect for Malta's unique legal identity. The Statute Law Revision Act of 2021 is noted as a positive but limited step toward legislative reform, with concerns about political influence and insufficient resources hindering its effectiveness.