New Report: Delayed Justice in Wilful Homicide Proceedings in Malta

23 October 2025

Our new report, Justice at Risk: The Impact of Delayed Legal Proceedings in Wilful Homicide Cases in Malta, reveals severe and systemic failures within Malta’s judicial system, exposing how delays in homicide proceedings are denying victims and their families timely justice.

Malta continues to fail its legal obligations under both national and international law to ensure fair hearings within a reasonable time. The country is among the worst-performing EU member states for the length of judicial proceedings and has been repeatedly found in breach of its duty to deliver timely justice.

The report analyses homicide cases between 2010 and 2024. Its findings show that the current state of Malta’s justice system constitutes not only a denial of timely justice but also a direct threat to democratic integrity. Without decisive and immediate action, victims, their families, and the public at large will continue to suffer the consequences of a justice system in crisis.

We call on the Maltese authorities to act swiftly to eliminate delays and reduce the mounting backlog of cases, ensuring justice is delivered in a reasonable time.

Key findings

  • Low resolution rate: 46% of homicide cases committed and arraigned between 2010 and 2020 remain pending.
  • Growing backlog: Malta records an average of 6 murders per year, but only an average of 1.5 cases are concluded annually, leading to a mounting backlog of unresolved cases.
  • Long wait for trial: On average, accused persons wait three years for a trial date after being indicted.
  • Serious risks: Long waits increase the likelihood of accused persons absconding, dying, or being declared unfit for trial, and of witnesses’ memory fading and evidence becoming inadmissible as the law changes.
  • Figures don’t add up: Malta has one of the highest expenditure rates on the courts, yet one of the smallest judiciaries per capita and one of the lowest resolution rates in Europe.

Recommendations

The report shows that urgent systemic reform is needed to restore the rule of law and public confidence and calls for the following.

  • Formal analysis: A comprehensive, formal analysis of the justice system to identify all contributing factors to the delays.
  • Procedural reform: Reduced bureaucracy and streamlined legal procedures.
  • Human resources: Increased and better-managed human resources, and effective regulation of court translators and experts.
  • Performance monitoring: Specific targets for case completion and monitoring of the time between court hearings to ensure accountability.
  • Technological advancement: Investment in and implementation of new technologies, such as AI systems for transcribing testimony, and a digital-first system for document filing and notifications.
  • Court management: Improving the management and layout of court halls to be more efficient and victim-centered.

Media coverage