Cap. 622 Art. 12Establishment of the Kamra tal- Periti.

(1) The Kamra tal-Periti is constituted in continuation of the Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers established by

Ordinance No. XIV of 1919 (Government Notice No. 202 of the 12 June 1920) and continued in article 8(1) of Act XIV of 1996.

(2) The Kamra tal-Periti shall be the recognised and approved national regulatory and representative body for the profession whose purpose is that of:

(a) advancing the practice of architectural and civil engineering professional activities in Malta;

(b) corresponding with Government, and vice-versa, on all matters concerning the profession, including advice to Government on the formulation of public policy related to the built environment;

(c) ensuring that all members of the profession act responsibly and ethically, having due regard for sustainable development practices, the protection of the national, cultural, social and environmental heritage, the upholding of public health and safety and structural integrity before, during and after construction processes, and the adherence to the Code of Professional Conduct, as may be prescribed by regulation.

(3) The Kamra tal-Periti has jurisdiction in terms of this article over all services rendered by the profession in Malta under this Act.

(4) All warrant holders shall form part of the Kamra upon inclusion in the register held by the Warranting Board, and shall abide

*Vide Legal Notice 373 of 2022 for the applicability of this article. by its rules and regulations and any directives issued by it, and be entitled to participate in its activities. Moreover, all such warrant holders shall have the right to vote at the general meetings of the Kamra and to subscribe to any services provided by the Kamra at fees established by its Council.

(5) The Minister shall prescribe the conditions and rules required for the legal establishment and administration of the Kamra, its maintenance, and the validity of its decisions, and for determining its functions and powers.

(6) The Kamra shall be represented by a Council which shall be constituted in accordance with prescribed regulations.

(7) The Minister shall, after consulting the Council of the Kamra, make regulations:

(a) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the power and duty of conducting inquiries into any charge of professional misconduct or malpractice or abuse or failures made by or against any warrant holder in connection with the exercise of his profession or in connection with professional matters, to establish whether these are in violation of the Code of Professional Conduct, or inconsistent with the dignity and good practice of the profession, in accordance with procedures as prescribed by regulations;

(b) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the power to delegate the investigation of any breach of the Code of Professional Conduct to an independent Board to be known as the Periti Professional Conduct Board set up for the purpose;

(c) making provisions for securing the enforcement of all decisions of the Periti Professional Conduct Board except in as far as these are related to provisions under article 14(4), in which cases enforcement will remain within the Warranting Board’s responsibility;

(d) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the authority and responsibility to collate and the right to request information from warrant holders relating to professional indemnity insurance;

(e) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the authority to issue on a yearly basis a certificate to practise to each warrant holder upon being satisfied that the provisions of article 18 and any other provisions that may be established from time to time, have been satisfied;

(f) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the authority to collect an application fee in connection with the processing of any alleged breach of the Code of Professional Conduct or of article 20;

(g) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the authority to issue a professional stamp to each warrant holder or partnership upon receiving the certificate to practise;

(h) vesting the Council of the Kamra with the authority to collect from warrant holders an administration fee in connection with the processing of their annual declaration in terms of article 18.