Chamber of Advocates sets up academic arm

The creation of an online database for legal research, a journal featuring academic articles on legal affairs and regular training programmes on specific areas of law are behind the launch of the Malta Law Academy, as the academic arm of the Maltese Chamber of Advocates.

Chamber President Reuben Balzan explained how after graduating from university lawyers were not prepared to face the realities of the legal sector. A gap existed between the high level of academic preparation and the practical aspects of legal education. In order to address this shortcoming, on 7 September the Chamber of advocates founded the Malta Law Academy as a special purpose voluntary NGO.

With the cooperation of the Faculty of Laws at the University of Malta a holistic and consistent approach was highlighted to provide further legal education. Pooling of resources will create new opportunities for newly appointed lawyers. Students reading law can also benefit from attending seminars and sharing resources.

The Chamber of Advocates designated Judge Giovanni Bonello, Judge Ena Cremona, Professors David Attard, Peter Xuereb and Andrew Muscat, Dr Anne Fenech and Dr Neville Gatt as Honorary Patrons on its Board of Advisors.

The Chamber has recently hosted members from the Surrey Law Society for a briefing on the Maltese Legal System. Next week a group of 30 Estonian lawyers and lecturers will be arriving in Malta on a similar visit. Close ties have also been established with the Scuola Superiore dell'Avocatura in Rome. Through these affiliations the Chamber expands its area of opportunities for its members in the field of legal training.