S.L. 12.21 Art. 3Courts of Justice Division and functions of Director General (Courts).

(1) There shall continue to be in Malta a division of government styled "Courts of Justice Division" which shall be headed by the Director General (Courts).

(2) The Director General (Courts) shall perform his functions either personally or through any court executive officer listed in

(GOZO) AND OTHER COURT EXECUTIVE OFFICERS)

regulation 8(2)(a) and (c) to (m) (both inclusive).

(3) The Director General (Courts) shall be responsible for the management and administration of the Courts of Justice Division, including the registries, archives and other services. He shall head the Courts of Justice Division and all court executive officers performing duties in the Courts of Justice Division shall, in the execution of their duties, take instruction from, and be answerable to, the Director General (Courts).

(4) Saving the provisions of sub-regulation (2), the Director General (Courts) shall be assisted in the performance of his functions under sub-regulation (3) by:

(a) the Director, Civil Courts and Tribunals who shall carry out the duties of Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals;

(b) the Director, Legal Services who shall be entrusted with providing legal services to the Courts of Justice Division;

(c) the Director, Finance and Administration who shall be responsible for administrative and corporate services of the Courts of Justice Division.

(5) Without prejudice to sub-regulation (3), the Director General (Courts) shall be responsible for the management of all the space falling under the responsibility of the Courts of Justice Division, including, but without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid -

(a) halls used by courts, tribunals, judges, magistrates and other persons;

(b) office space;

(c) meeting rooms; and

(d) other spaces within all the buildings managed by the Courts of Justice Division.

(6) Whenever a court or tribunal requires for the execution of its lawful functions the use of any space as aforesaid, it shall, through the deputy registrar assigned to it or performing duties therewith, request the use of such space to the Director General (Courts) or to such officer whom the Director General (Courts) may delegate for the purpose.

(7) Sittings which are not presided by judges and magistrates shall be held, if there is no space available during the morning, after sittings presided by judges and magistrates come to an end.

(8) When video conferencing facilities are required, the Director General (Courts) or his delegate shall ensure that first preference is given to that court which needs to use a hall having such facilities and any other court or tribunal which usually uses that particular hall or which had already been assigned that hall shall, subject to availability of space, be provided with an alternative hall.

(9) All halls in the Courts of Justice Division buildings shall be numbered.