Cap. 591 Art. 52Proceedings for debts due to the Authority. 

(1) When the Authority wants to sue for the recovery of a debt due to the Authority under the Act or any other law which it is entitled to administer or enforce or under European Union and, or international legislation applicable to Malta, the Chairperson or the Chief Executive Officer or an officer of the Authority duly authorised by the Authority to act on its behalf may make a declaration on oath before the registrar of the Courts, a Judge or a Magistrate wherein he specifies the nature of the debt and the details of the debtor and confirms that the debt is due.

(2) The declaration referred to in sub-article (1) shall be served upon the debtor by means of a judicial act and it shall have the same effect as a final judgement of the competent court unless the debtor shall, within a period of twenty (20) days from service upon him of the said declaration, oppose the claim by filing an application demanding that the court declare the claim unfounded.

(3) The application filed in terms of sub-article (2) shall be served upon the Authority, which shall be entitled to file a reply within a period of twenty (20) days. The court shall appoint the application for hearing on a date after the lapse of that period.

(4) Any debts due to the Authority in accordance with this article shall be prescribed by the lapse of the period of five (5) years from the date on which the debt was due.