Cap. 477 Art. 2Interpretation. Cap. 363.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires -"archival repository" means a building or part of a building in which archives are preserved and made available for consultation; "archives" means records of enduring value selected for permanent preservation; "Council" means the National Archives Council established under article 14; "current records" means records regularly used for the conduct of the current business of an institution; "financial year" means any period of twelve months ending on the 31st December: Provided that the first financial year of the National Archives shall begin on the coming into force of this Act and shall end on the 31st December of the next following year;

"heads of public offices" means the Permanent Secretaries, Heads of Departments of Government, Chief Executive Officers and officials in a comparable positions responsible for the administration and operation of any public office; "Local Council" means a local council established under the Local Government Act; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for the National Archives; "National Archives" means the entity called the National Archives of Malta established under article 3; "National Archivist" means the head of the National Archives appointed under article 5; "prescribed" means prescribed by regulations or orders made under this Act; "private records" means records other than public records as specified in the Second Schedule; "public office" means any body established by the Constitution "public officer" has the same meaning assigned to it by article 124 of the Constitution;

"public records" means the records specified in the Second Schedule;

"records" means recorded information regardless of form or medium created, received and maintained by any public office in pursuance of its legal obligations or in the transaction of its business and providing evidence of the performance of those obligations or that business;

"Records Officer" means the person so appointed under article 16;

"retention and disposal schedule" means the control document recording appraisal decisions and prescribing retention or disposal action in respect of records. Part II

Constitution, Composition and Functions of the National Archives