Cap. 587 Art. 4Board for the psychotherapy profession in Malta.

(1) There shall be a Board, to be known as the Bord for the Psychotherapy Profession in Malta, which shall be composed as follows:

(a) four members appointed by the Minister of which:

(i) one person shall be a Chairperson having obtained a warrant from the Board and has at least six

(6) years experience in the practice of psychotherapy;

(ii) two persons who exercise the psychotherapy profession, and who have obtained a warrant from the Board;

(iii) one person shall be an advocate with at least five (5) years experience who shall be appointed as vice-chairperson;

(b) two members elected from amongst psychotherapists, having a warrant, in an election conducted by the Board:

Provided that, in the event of the setting up of the first Board, the psychotherapists referred to in this paragraph shall be nominated by the National Umbrella Organization;

(c) one psychotherapist nominated from amongst the permanent academic staff for psychotherapy education and training at the University of Malta;

(d) one psychotherapist nominated from amongst the staff providing training in psychotherapy at the Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute Malta;

(e) one psychotherapist from the staff providing training in psychotherapy at the Institute of Family Therapy Malta; and

(f) one psychotherapist from the staff of any other higher education institution in Malta providing training in psychotherapy.

(2) In the event of the setting up of the first Board after the coming into force of this Act, any reference in this article to psychotherapists forming part of such Board shall be understood as referring to persons eligible to the warrant in accordance with this Act.

(3) The nominations and elections made in terms of paragraph (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of sub-article (1) shall, for the first time, be made within two weeks from the date on which a request in writing is made for that purpose by the Minister and, for any subsequent nomination or election, within one month from the date on which the vacancy arises or, when the vacancy arises due to the expiry of the term of office, within one month prior to the said expiration. In the absence of any such nomination or election, the Minister shall himself make the appointment from amongst psychotherapists having a warrant.

(4) The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of three (3) years and shall, on the expiration of that term, be eligible to be reappointed:

Provided that no person shall serve as member of the Board for more than three consecutive terms.

(5) In the event that a member of the Board vacates his office before prior to the expiration of his term of office, the person appointed in his stead shall be appointed for the remaining period of the original appointment.

(6) The number of members present required to form a quorum shall be four:

Provided that, subject to the presence of a quorum, the Board may act notwithstanding any vacancy amongst its members.

(7) The Minister shall designate a person to act as secretary to the Board, but such secretary shall not have a vote.

(8) The Chairperson shall have an original vote and, in the case of equality of votes, a casting vote.

(9) The legal representation of the Board shall jointly vest in the Chairman and the Secretary to the Board:

Provided that the Board may designate any one or more of the other members of the Board, to appear in the name and on behalf of the Board in any judicial proceedings and to sign for and on its behalf any other act, contract, instrument or other document whatsoever.

(10) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions, and to that which may be prescribed under this Act, or other law or regulation, the Board may regulate its own procedures.

(11) The Board shall meet as often as necessary, but in no case less frequently than once every three months. The meetings of the Board shall be summoned by the Chairperson either on his own initiative, or on the request in writing of not less than two of the other members of the Board. In the second case, the Chairperson shall summon a meeting not later than two weeks from the date on which the request has been made.

(12) In the exercise of its functions under this Act, the Board may consult with any person as it deems appropriate. For this purpose, the Board may invite such persons to attend the meetings of the Board.

(13) The Board shall keep true and correct copies of the records of its proceedings and the Board shall give to the Minister any information as he may require within a reasonable period of time.