In Malta, government receives Venice Commission opinion on proposed reforms

Proposed reforms in how fines are dished out by regulatory authorities should be implemented through a constitutional amendment, rather than an amendment to the Interpretation Act, the Venice Commission told the Maltese government on Tuesday. In a reasoned opinion published on Tuesday afternoon, the Council of Europe body said that a reform which deals with fair trial requirements in proceedings which may lead to the imposition of large administrative penalties was best done through the Constitution. The government had initially intended to amend the Constitution – which would require a two-thirds majority of MPs to vote in favour – but found the Opposition in its way. Amendments to the Interpretation Act – which would have required a simply parliamentary majority – were presented itself, but the proposals were universally panned by politicians, legal experts, and constituted bodies. The government had subsequently written to the Venice Commission within the Council of Europe for their opinion on the matter.
Read the full article here: Malta Independent