Law Terms and Legal Definitions

Law is often described in technical terminology that is unfamiliar to many people. This glossary provides short definitions of Maltese legal terms that you will often find in Maltese court judgements and in the law.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Ż

 

A
 
Aċċenn   Mention, Reference E.ż. "L-Onor. AB għamel aċċenn ukoll għall-proċess ta’ konsultazzjoni pubblika..."
 
Aċċess   Access. Different meanings, according to circumstances. 1. Child Access: When following marriage breakdown the care and custody is entrusted to one parent and the other parent has access to the children. 2. Court Access: When a court expert is required to enter onsite and draw up a report. Regulated by the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Chapter 12) Sections 683 et seq.
 
Adattat   Suitable.
 
Adempjenza   Fulfill a duty - Default. E.ż. "Jekk parti kontraenti ma tonorax l-obbligi finanzjarji tagħha sa dik id-data, ir-regolamenti tal-Komunità li jkunu fis-seħħ li jirregolaw l-imgħax dovut fin-nuqqas ta' adempjenza tal-ħlas ta' kontribuzzjonijiet tal-budget tal-Komunità għandhom japplikaw..." (EU Law (SCH/Com-ex (97) 35))
 
Aggravju   Aggrievance. E.ż. "Il-Qorti rat li l-partijiet kontendenti qablu li l-ewwel jiġi trattat u deċiż l-aggravju tar-Rikorrenti, li t-talba tal-Kummissarju tat-Taxxi Interni issolleva is-somma għall ħlas...".
 
Aggregat   Aggregate
 
Aġjatezza   Prosperity. Derivered from Italian (Agiatezza)
 
Akkrexximent   Accretion. Article 737 et seq of the Civil Code. In inheritance, whenever a co-heir or a co-legatee predeceases the testator, his portion due will go to the other co-heirs or co-legatees. This is known as accretion.
 
A kuntrarju sensu   In the opposite sense
 
Ammissibbilità   Admissibility. Usually in the context of evidence, ex. certain evidence is to be admissible and certain evidence is not to be admissible in a court of law.
 
Andament   Various Meanings: Evolution, Performance, E.ż. "Għaldaqstant ir-rapport tal-Mater Dei mhux se jiġi ppubblikat sabiex ma jippreġudikax l-andament tal-inkjesta..."
 
Ankorkè   Although
 
Appell   Appeal
 
Appellat   The Appealed. The person against whom the appeal is made
 
Appellant   The Appellant. Ex. The person who is making the appeal
 
Apposita   Appropriate. Ex. "Dan billi imlew il-formola apposita u kitbu..."
 
Aprioristikament   From Beforehand. E.ż.1. "Naturalment huwa mpossibbli li wieħed jiddetermina aprioristikament x’inhi l-piena idoneja w hu għalhekk li jkun hemm il-proċess kollu sabiex il-ġustizzja ssir kemm mal-individiwu kif ukoll mas-soċjetà."; E.ż. 2. "Jekk addirittura stat mhux obbligat aprioristikament li jaċċetta 'a non-national spouse' li jirrisjedi jew tirrisjedi fit-territorju ta’ dak l-istat, kemm aktar allura ma hux obbligat li jakkorda ċ-ċittadinanza, ikun x’ikun il-kriterju li a bazi tiegħu dik iċ-ċittadinanza tiġi akkordata."
 
Assidwament   Assiduously. E.ż. "L-intimati appellati opponew assidwament dawn l-aggravji kollha li ressqu l-appellanti" (Appell Civili Numru. 21/2005/3).
 
Attur   Plaintiff
 
Avarija   Variation. E.ż. Artikolu 10(g), Kap 85 Liġijiet ta' Malta "...kemm jingħata li jista’ jkun hemm sustanzi barranin u avarija fil-qies tad-daqsijiet fissi..."
 

B
 
Bandu   Banns
 
Bixra   Theme E.ż. ħa bixra reliġjuza
 
Bonarja   Used in the context of an out of court settlement, See Ittra Bonarja; Separazzjoni Bonarja
 
Brevement   Briefly
 
Buon Fini   For all good intents and purposes
 

Ċ
 
Ċaħdet   Declined. E.ż. Il-Qorti caħdet t-talbiet attriċi
 
Canone   Groundrent
 
Ċedola   Schedule. E.ż. "Ċedola ta' depositu" translated to "Schedule of deposit"
 
Ċens   Emphyteusis
 
Ċikatriċi   Scar
 

D
 
Danneġjat   Person who causes damage E.ż. "F’din l-aħħar ipotesi d-danneġjat irid ikun ikkommetta vjolazzjoni jew trasgressjoni ta’ dover..." (Appell Ċivili Numru. 28/1988/1)
 
Danni   Damages
 
Debilità   Disability. E.ż. "...u l-vettura Nru. LLL NNN misjuqa minn Mr. Name Surname korriet il-mittenti li kienet passiġġiera fil-vettura Nru. LLL NNN li qed tbati minn debilità permanenti" (Government Gazzette: 17,953)
 
Debitament   Duly. E.ż. L-intimat ġie debitament notifikat (Defendant was duly notified).
 
Debitu   Debit
 
Definittiva   Definitive. A judgement given in the first instance may become definitive if it is not impugned by an appeal. However a definitive judgement may be impugned by an extra ordinary remedy such as a Retrial. Once all the extraordinary remedies for impugning a judgement are either used or the term for use has expired, the would become final and irrevocable.
 
Delitti   Tort. Mainly regulated by the Civil Code Articles 1029 et seq.
 
Dekadenza   The term 'dekadenza' is used in conjunction with prescription. A time period that is 'dekadenti' cannot be suspended or interrupted: Illum hu stabbilit li z-zmien ta’ sitt xhur imsemmi fl-artikolu 469 A tal-Kap 12 hu wiehed ta’ dekadenza (ara sentenza G Zammit vs Awtorita’ tal-Ippjanar PA 2 2 2000). Dan ifisser li tali terminu ma jigix interrot jew sospiz bhal ma jigri fil-kaz tat-terminu ta’ preskrizzjoni. Fi kliem iehor l-atti gudizzjarji li normalment jitqiesu bhala tajbin biex jinterrompu l-perjodu preskrittiv, jew il-fatt li jkunu ghaddejin diskussjonijiet bejn il-partijiet wara li jkun sar leghmil amministrattiv ma jservu xejn biex izommu lmoghdija ta’ sitt xhur li ssemmi l-ligi." Ċitazzjoni Numru. 793/2002
 
Dekors   lapse. E.ż. mad-dikors ta' żmien it-tifel tilef ir-relazzjoni ma ommu.
 
Deposizzjoni   Deposition. Various meanings. 1. Environmental law refers to the residual after a particular process; 2. Procedural law refers to the testimony of witnesses.
 
Depożitant   Depositor
 
Depożitarju   Depositary
 
Deroga   Derogation
 
Diabolica   Diabolical. (Occasionally spelt as Diabolika). Refers to the prova diabolika, which means a heavy, if not impossible, standard of proof. The term probatio diabolica is a Latin expression used in certain legal circles that means ‘the devil’s proof’. It was used in the sense that it is impossible to prove that the devil exists. In court proceedings, an individual may be required to prove something that’s very difficult to prove. In Maltese legal circles, the term prova diabolika is associated with the proof which the owner of a property must bring to prove that the property is his. In the middle ages, this was a very heavy standard of proof, particularly when a property was assigned from one person to another without anything to document such the transfers.
 
Dibattuta   Debated
 
Diċitura   Wording. E.ż. talba tal-appellanti mhux applikabbli għall-każ in eżami peress illi si tratta ta’ każ fejn hemm żball fid-diċitura fis-sens illi wara l-konnotati tal-appellata, kellha tiżdied il-frażi (Government Gazzette No. 18,810).
 
Differità   Deferred. In certain contexts, it is used instead of adjourning. E.ż. Il-kawża (Nru. XXX/YY ABC) hija differità għas-27 ta’ Mejju 2011 fin-12.30 p.m.
 
Digriet   Decree
 
Dilatorja   Dilatory. Pleas (eċċezzjonijiet) may be either dilatory or peremptory (peremptorji). A dilatory plea delays the decision on the merits. The dilatory plea may be either: i. on the proceedings (Ex. the the defence could argue that the plaintiff did not use the correct procedure to star the case) or ii. on the merits of the case (Ex. the defence could argue that money is not yet due).
 
Dikjarazzjoni   Declaration
 
Dipartixxi   Leave. Or rather as a starting point, E.ż. l-Qorti iddipartixxiet mil-fatt li l-akkuzat kien diġa qiegħed l-isptar
 
Disposizzjonijiet   Provisions
 
Dissidji   Internal Problems, E.ż. "Ir-rapport semma li t-Tarzna għandha aktar mis-sehem ġust tagħha ta' politika interna li tikkrea dissidji bejn il-Kunsill, il-General Workers' Union u l-management professjonal" DOI Press Commentries (16/11/1996)
 
Diżamina   in question. (Occasionally spelt disamina) E.ż. Fil-kawża in disamina jirriżulta
 
Domiċilju   Domicile
 
Dominju   Dominium. Right over property, which could be of different degrees. For example in Emphyteusis (Ċens) there is the Directum Dominium (the real owner, i.e. the one who has the right over the property) and there is the Utile Dominium (the person who has other rights to the property, ex. access, construction, etc...)
 
Dommatiku   Dogmatic
 
Dover   Duty
 
Drastikament   Drastically
 
Dritt   Right. E.ż. Drittijiet Fondamentali tal-Bniedem (Fundamental Human Rights)
 
Dubju   Doubt
 
Duttrina   Doctrine
 

E
 
Eċċessi   Excesses. The Civil Code uses this term in relation to matrimonial breakdown. There are excesses when one party surpasses the limits he or she is expected to behave in a relationship. Usually excesses has a sexual connotation and is used to refer to sexual acts that exceed what one ordinarily expects in the circumstance of the case.
 
Eċċezzjoni   Plea. A plea is a statement either relating to a given fact or to the interpretation of law that aims at confirming, mitigating or annulling the claim made by the other party. Ex. In a civil case the plaintiff claims that defendant owes him 10,000€ while the defendant pleads that he has already paid the plaintiff 5,000€ out of the claimed amount.
 
Eċċipjenti   Refers to the other party in a proceeding, ex. the defendant or the interpellant
 
Ekwipollenza   Treating something on the basis of equality. E.ż. L-appellati rrispondew ukoll li ma kien hemm ebda lok ta’ ultra petita izda fil-fatt hawn kien gie applikat korrettament mill-ewwel Qorti l-principju ta’ ekwipollenza u cioe li meta jirrizultaw fatti sussiddjarji, jew intimament parti mit-talba li jressaq l-attur, ghanda wkoll tinghata l-ordni opportuna. (Qorti ta' L-Appell. 975/2008)
 
Ekwivoku   Equivocally. However the term is often translated in different ways in various Maltese legal texts, such as:
  • minghajr ekwivoku => unequivocally
  • L-Artikolu tal-Liġi hu ċar, u ma jagħti lok għal ebda ekwivoku jew interpretazzjoni => The Article of the Law is clear and does not give rise to any misunderstanding or interpretation.
  • skans ta’ ekwivoku => to avoid misunderstanding
  • Biex ma jkunx hemm ekwivoku => For the avoidance of doubt
 
Elenku   Index
 
Ekwi   Equitable
 
Emolumenti   Emoluments. That which is received for work done in connection to employment or to one's office.
 
Enuncjazzjoni   Pronounced
 
Erarju   Coffers. ex. Errarju Pubbliku means state coffers
 
Eredi   Heirs
 
Erronea   Erroneous
 
Esponent   Interpellant. The party that is making a particular claim. E.ż. Fir-rikors ir-rikorrenti jesponi li l-intimat seraqlu tuffieħa. E.ż. 2 Fir-risposta l-intimat jesponi li t-tuffieħa hi tiegħu u mhux tal-intimat.
 
Esteri   Foreign
 
Eżami   Examination
 
Eżawriment   Exhausted. Used in different contexts: 1. Physically Exhausted: E.ż. “m’huwiex fi stat mentali u fiżiku li jkompli jagħmel ix-xogħol tiegħu minħabba eżawriment” 2. Make Use Of: Ex. In court one has to exhaust all ordinary remedies before making use of an extra-ordinary remedy. A situation may require that one must first appeal before a board or tribunal before instituting a human rights case given that human rights cases are deemed to be an of extra-ordinary nature.
 
Eżegwixxi   Execute. Carry out or carry into effect, ex. a court order or a contract signed before a notary
 
Eżekutur   Executor. A person who carries out something, usually in virtue of a law or a lawfully given order E.ż. Marishall Eżekutur
 
Eżekuttiv   Executive
 

F
 
Fassal   Plan
 
Fatt   Facts
 
Fedekommess   Entail
 
Fedelment   Faithfully
 
Fehma   Opinion
 
Fejjiedi   Fruitful
 
Ftehim   Agreement
 
Fieragħ    Futile, meaningless, useless. E.ż. "Dan l-eżerċizzju jkun fieragħ mingħajr l-involviment tal-partijiet interessati." 
 
Filjazzjoni   Filiation. When a child is recognized by his or her natural father
 
Fini   Purpose
 
Flargranti   Derived from in flagrante delicto, which is equivalent to 'caught red handed'.
 
Fond   Term has different meanings: 1. Immovable Property (or premises); 2. Fund Usually in the financial context, ex. the reserved fund.
 
Furżat   Forced
 

Ġ
 
Ġestita   Managed. E.ż. "Kuntratt perjodiku għall-provvista u konsenja ta xogħol... ġestita mill-WasteServ Malta Ltd" (DOI PR 18,818).
 
Ġudizzju   Term has different meanings 1.Judgment (E.ż. diskrezzjoni tal-ġudizzju); 2. Proceedings (E.ż. tirriserva li tipproċedi f'ġudizzju separat).
 
Ġuramentata   Sworn. E.ż. Rikors Ġuramentat translated to Sworn Application
 
Ġurista   Jurist
 
Ġurisdizzjoni   Jurisdiction. Term has different meanings. In general jurisdiction refers to the general powers of an entity to exercise power or authority over persons (natural or legal) in a given territory. Ex. the Maltese Courts of Criminal Judicature have jurisdiction to try and determine offences carried out: a. in Malta, b. offence carried out in ships registered in Malta, wherever they may be, c. certain offences by a Maltese, wherever s/he may be. The Jurisdiction of Criminal Courts is regulated by Article 5 of the Criminal Code.
 
Ġusta   Just. E.ż. Deċiżjoni ġusta li timmerita konferma
 
Ġuridiki   Judicial
 
Ġurisprudenza   Jurisprudence. Term has different meanings: 1. The study of law; 2. The study of caselaw
 

I
 
Ilment   Complaint
 
Inadempjenti   Defaulting. Did not do something that was requested or required to be done. E.ż. "Għalkemm ġejt interpellat sabiex tissana u tagħmel tajjeb għall-ħsara magħmula minnek int sal-lum bqajt inadempjenti".
 
Inkonfutibbli   Irrefutable. Derived from the Italian word (Inconfutabile)
 
Insenjament   Teachings. Derived from Italian (insegnamento)
 
Inter Alia   Amongst other things
 
Intempestiva   Untimely. E.ż. Din l-azzjoni hija intempestiva għaliex l-kreditu għadu ma sarx dovut.
 
Intier   whole or entirety
 
Interpost   filed. E.ż. l-Appell interpost mil-intimati (the appealed filed by the respondent)
 
Intimat   Respondent. Before a Maltese law court there is the applicant (person who alleges a violation of his/her right) and respondent (person who responds to that allegation).
Irkupru   recovery of property
 
Istruttorja   Criminal Inquiry. E.ż. Qorti tal-Maġistrati bħala Qorti Istruttorja
 
Ittra Bonarja   Interpellatory Letter. Ittra bonarja hija kitba li tintbgħat minn parti għall parti l-oħra mingħajr ebda formalita oħra. E.ż. ittra li tintbgħat minn kreditu lid-debitur biex jfakkru illi għandu jtiħ l-flus. Ittra bonarja għandha valur inqas minn ittra offiċjali, imma ittra bonarja tista' tintuża wkoll biex tinterrompi l-preskriżżjoni.
 
Ittituba (Ittitubat)   hesitate. E.ż. Hija ittitubat qabel ma aċċettat li tiżżewweġ
 

J
 
Jifdi   Redeem
 
Jemani   Emanates
 
Jirrileva   Points out
 
Jissustixxi   No proper translation found. Similar to "exist". E.ż. dan l-istat ta’ “komunjoni” jibqa’ jissustixxi bejn l-użufruttwarja u l-proprjetarji. E.ż. 2. F’dan il-każ, is-suspett raġjonevoli ta’ reat baqa’ jissustixxi sad-deċiżjoni finali.
 

K
 
Kalendat   No proper translation found. Similar to "written-in". E.ż. Tiddeċiedi t-talbiet tar-rikorrenti stante li hekk kif kalendat fl-artikolu 5(a) tal-Ordni dwar it-Twaqqif ta' Sezzjonijiet tal- Qrati Ċivili E.ż. 2. Illi skont kif kalendat fil-paragrafu 1 tal-artikolu 41 tal- imsemmi Regolament Nru 2201/2003
 
Kapparra   Earnest. Ex. promise of sale with earnest. See Section 1359 Civil Code.
 
Kawtelatorju   precautionary. Ex. precautionary warrants. Ex. Prohibitory Injunction (a warrant to stop a person from doing something because there is an allegation that by doing so he would prejudice another person's rights, a prohibitory injunction to stop a person from demolishing a building. see Code of Organization and Civil Procedure.
 
Kawża  

Different meanings
1. Court case;
2. consideration for the purpose of a contract (lawful consideration, the object of the contract must be lawful). One of the four prerequisites for a contract to be valid. The other three are a. capacity (of the party to enter into the contract); b. consent (of the party to enter into the contract) and c. object (an object of the contract)
 
Kerha   Rent
 
Kommunjoni ta’ l-akkwisti   Community of Acquests
 
Konċessjoni   Grant
 
Konfini   Boundaries
 
Kontendenti   Parties. Usually parties in the case
 
Kontenzjuża   contentious. Ex. contentious jurisdiction. When a court takes cognisance over a particular dispute.
 
Kontro-Talba   Counterclaim. Ex. Plaintiff alleges that defendant owes him 100€ for repairing his motorcycle. Defendant counter claims that in the course of repairing his motorcycle the plaintiff caused him 400€ in damages.
 
Kontumaċi   Contumacious - wilfully defiant to authority. This term is usually used to denote that a person has been required to do something by a court but failed to do so. Ex. Article 158 COCP "Jekk il-konvenut jonqos li jippreżenta r-risposta ġuramentata msemmija f’dan l-artikolu, il-Qorti tiddeċiedi l-kawża bħallikieku l-konvenut baqa’ kontumaċi..."
 
Konvenut   Defendant. Defendant in civil proceedings. Used in the context of attur (plaintiff) and konvenut (defendant).
 
Korteġġjament   Derived from Italian (corteggiamento)
 
Kwerela   Complaint in the context of criminal proceedings. Certain crimes such as rape and theft require the complaint of the injured party and therefore the police cannot prosecute with the complaint of the injured party.
 

L
 
Lanjanzi   Complain. E.ż. "Infatti mill-provi miġjuba sal-lum jidher ex abundantia illi l-lanjanzi li qed iqajmu l-atturi dwar il-kuntratt ta' kostituzzjoni ta' debitu"
 
Leżjoni   Lesion. A ground for annulling a contract on the basis that it is of a serious disadvantage to one of the parties to the contract. Generally speaking, Maltese law does not admit the excuse of lesion as a ground for annulling a contract (see Article 1213, Civil Code). However, the next article makes it possible for minors to annul a contract on the ground through lesion in certain cases.
 
Liberat   Discharged. Following criminal proceedings a person may be either convicted (issibu ħati), discharged (liberat) or acquitted (meħlus). When an accused is discharged the whole trial has not taken place and therefore he may be charged again. However when an accused is acquitted the court would have heard all the evidence and would come to the conclusion that s/he should not be found guilty as charged.
 
Liċitazzjoni   limitation. Sale of undividan ed property. See Civil Code Articles 515 - 523.
 

M
 
Mandat   Mandate is a contract whereby one gives another person the power to do something for him. See Civil Code Article 1856 et seq.
 
Mandatarju   Mandator is the one who gives the mandate to the mandatory
 
Meħlus   Different meanings: 1. Acquitted: See above; 2. Released: ex. released from prison.
 
Minaċċi   Threats
 
Mittenti   Derived from Italian (mittente). In Maltese legal practice it is used to refer to as the sender  or interpellant in a judicial letter  1) Interpellant. is the person who is making the assertion. E.ż. is-soċjetà mittenti tinterpellak sabiex tersaq għall-likwidazzjoni tad-danni. 2) The sender. A person or entity which send something. 
 
Mutatis Mutandis   In Maltese Law, the term is used to something is made applicable to something else. Example "a civil union, once registered, shall mutatis mutandis have the corresponding effects and consequences in law of civil marriage
 

N
 
Nffondati   Unfounded. Ex. when an allegation is unfounded in fact and in law "nfodati fil-fatt u fid-dritt"
 
Nġunt għas-subizzjoni   Summoned to make reference to the oath. E.ż. il-konvenuti huma nġunti għas-subizzjoni.
 
Nġunzjoni   Injunction. An order to do something or to refrain from doing something
 
Notifika   Served with a notice. Ex. when an application is sworn it has to be served on the defendant
 
Nutar   Notary
 

P
 
Paċifiku   Peaceful. Term used when a certain debate has been settled, E.ż. "Huwa paċifiku, ikomplu l-appellanti, illi meta t-testaturi ipprovdew expressis għad-dritt ta’ l-akkrexximent f’kaz ta’ premorjenza ta’ xi hadd fost il-prelegatarji għall-istess testatur dan għamluh fl-ewwel lok biex jeliminaw is-sostituzzjoni taċita u d-dritt tar-rapprezentazzjoni kontemplata fl-Artikolu 745 tal-Kapitolu 16 - Case No. 592/1996/2
 
Pależi   Obvious. Derived from Italian (palesi). E.ż. Mill-provi mressqa huwa pależi għall-Qorti li l-lamenteli tal-atturi ġew pruvati.
 
Parafernali   Paraphernal. Property that is owned by one of the spouses before marriage and therefore will remain his or hers even after marriage.
 
Parti dispożittiva   Each judgment has a "parti dispozittiva" and in this part the court gives its decisions and orders an action to be taken.
 
Patrimonju   Patrimony
 
Patroċina   When a client is being advised by an advocate.
 
Pendente Lite   Pending litigation. Ex. pending litigation the court declares that the property in dispute shall be deposited with a curator
 
Perentorji   Premeptory. E.ż. eċċezzjoni perentorja (premptory plea). See Pleas
 
Perit Ġudizzjarju   Court Expert
 
Periti   Referees are appointed by courts so as to collect or carry out an evaluation or surveillance of evidence and draw conclusions from that report
 
Perizja   Usually refers to a report by a court expert, but can also refer to the whole process of the drawing up of the report by the expert.
 
Pern   Means the pivotal point of a discussion. E.ż. Il-Qorti tqis li dan huwa l-pern tal-vertenza kollha
 
Ppreffiggitilhom   "Set a date" or "Expired". Derived from Italian (prefiggere), which means "set a date".
 
Prekarju   Precarious
 
Preskrizzjoni   Prescription. A right of action against a person is limited by time.
 
Presupposti proċesswali   Requirements of a court action. These are the prerequisites for a civil action, i.e. the validity of the legal procedure. In default of presupposti processwali, an action before a court may not commence.
 
Pretiż   Claimed. E.ż. id-dritt pretiż mil-intimat
 
Proċeduri   Proceedings. E.ż. Proċeduri Kostituzjonali (Constitutional Proceedings). Usually referring to where a human rights violation has taken place
 
Proċess   Refers to the file containing the court proceedings on a particular case. Generally speaking each case has its own file.
 
Prolazzjoni   Similar to 'delivery'. E.ż. l-avukat ta' l-appellanti talab il-Qorti tissospendi l-prolazzjoni tas-sentenza, the appellant's lawyer asked the court to suspend the delivery of the judgment
 
Proprio et nomine   In the name of another person E.ż. l-attur proprio et nomine
 
Propensa   Inclined. Eż. Il-Qorti hija propensa li taċċetta l-verżjoni tal-attur. Derived from Italian (propensione)
 
Prorogat   Extended. Eż. Dan it-terminu m’huwiex prorogabbli (this term is not extendable)
 
Prospett   Prospect
 
Pussess Paċifiku   Peaceful possession
 

R
 
Radikat   Rooted. From Italian "radicato". E.ż. Illi jingħad li l-kompetenza ta’ dan it-Tribunal huwa radikat bl-artikolu tlieta (3) tal-Kapitolu 380 tal-Liġijiet ta’ Malta
 
Replika   Reply. E.ż. Criminal Code, Article 464 about "Replika u Kontro-Replika", "Reply and Rejoined"
 
Revoka   Revoke. E.ż. Revoka ta' inhibizzjoni, Revoke a prohibitory injunction
 
Remissa   Coach room, stable
 
Rexxissjoni   Rescission. Article 1209 et. seq of the Civil Code. Generally speaking, following rescission of a contract the parties will return to the same condition in which they were before the contract
 
Ribadit   Reiterated or Reaffirm. Derived from Italian (ribadire)
 
Rikonvenjant   Plaintiff-Respondent. A respondent (konvenut) may be turned into a plaintiff because he alleges that the plaintiff is obliged to him in one way or another. Example A sues B for failing to pay him for work carried out in his home. In the same action B sues again A since the alleged work was badly carried out and he suffered further damages due to such work. B would therefore become Plaintiff-Respondent
 
Rikonvenut   see. Attur Rikonvenut
 
Rikorrent   Applicant
 
Rikors   Application. E.ż. Rikors biex isir Appel
 
Rikors Ġuramentat   Sworn Application
 
Rikors Promotorju   Original Application. The application used to initiate proceedings
 
Rikuża   Challenge, to any adjudicator, usually on the ground that the adjudicator has an interest in the case brought before him
 
Ritrattazzjoni   Re-Trial. COCP Article 811 et seq.
 
Rkupru   Redemption. Civil Code 1441 et seq.
 

S
 
Saltna tad-dritt   Rule of Law
 
Saġġjament   wisely
 
Sevizzi   threats
 
Sindakabbli   Scrutiny, subject to scrutiny. E.ż. L-operat ta’ Mr. XY mhux sindakabbli f’din il-kawza u ghalhekk il-Qorti mhux ser tidhol fil-mertu talkontribuzzjoni tieghu fl-incident.
 
Sive   also known as
 
Stat ta' Dritt   rule of law
 
Stħarriġ Ġudizzjarju   Judicial Review
 
Stralċjarju   Liquidator
 
Solvibbilita'   Solubility
 
Soprassessjoni   When a case is put on hold until another one is decided. Ex. Illi l-konvenuti ordnaw diversi xogħlijiet mingħand is-soċjeta attrici. Din il-kawża tirrigwarda parti biss minn dawn ix-xogħlijiet u dwarhom hemm kawża oħra pendenti, li din il-kawża għandha tistenna l-eżitu tagħha. Għalhekk għandu jkun hemm is-soprassessjoni.

 
 
Sprovista   Unprovided. Derived from Italian (sprovvisto). Ex. Ra li l-konvenut dejjem deher għas-seduti iżda kien sprovist mill-avukat

 
 
Subizzjoni   Procedure: reference to the oath. Ex. Article 696(1) COCP (1) Fil-Qrati..., l-attur li jkun irid jagħmel prova bis-subizzjoni tal-konvenut, għandu jsejjaħlu għaliha fl-iskrittura li biha jinbdew il-proċedimenti. Translated to "In the courts... a plaintiff who intends to furnish evidence by a reference to the oath of the defendant shall give him notice thereof in the written pleading commencing proceedings."
 
Suespost   What has been stated above. Derived from Italian (suesposto)
 
Sufferita   jisħqu fuq il-fatti
 
Surroga   surrogation. The act of substituting one person in the place of another. Ex. In cases relating to collisions the Insurance company substitutes the defendant.
 

T
 
Tissoprasjedi   stay proceedings
 
Taddavjeni   make him come forward for the case
 
Taħrika   Summon, to appear before a court
 
Terminu   Time limit or term
 
Testament   Will E.ż. Disposizzjoni Testamentarja (Testamentary Disposition)
 
Testament unica charta   Spouses are allowed to make a will together (see Civil Code).
 
Tirrevoka   Revoke
 
Tisfilza   Expunge. Verb. The act of expunging. Ex. Il-Qorti ordnat li dawk id-dokumenti li ma kienux maħlufa jkunu sfilzati mill-proċess.
 
Tissana   Remedy. E.ż. "Għalkemm ġejt interpellat sabiex tissana u tagħmel tajjeb għall-ħsara magħmula minnek int sal-lum bqajt inadempjenti"
 
Trasfuzjoni tal-ġudizzju   Change of parties during trial. Ex. when one of the heirs of the party takes over because that party dies.
 
Trattazzjoni   The handling (or treating) of an argument in a systematic way.  Derived from Italian (trattazione). E.ż. Il-kawża kienet differita għat-trattazjoni finali li seħħet fl-4 ta' Lulju 2020. 
 

U
 
Uffiċjal eżekuttiv   Executive Officer
 
Unicha Carta   Spouses are allowed to make a will together (see civil code).
 

V
 
Verbal   Minutes E.ż. Verbal tas-seduta. Minutes of court sitting.
 

X
 
Xejjen   Annihalate, Destroy. To bring to nothing. E.ż. Fiċ-ċirkostanżi l-akkużat xejjen l-akkużi
 
Xħieda   Witnesses
 
Xolta   Dissolved
 

Z
 
Żgumbrament   Ejection. Derived from Italian "sgomberato". E.ż. Fl-esekuzzjoni ta’ mandat ta’ żgumbrament jew ta’ tkeċċijata’ kerrej jew ta’ detenturi oħra ta’ beni immobbli, l-uffiċjależekuttiv tal-qorti għandu jordna lill-kerrej jew lid-detentur li jħallil-fond fi żmien mhux anqas minn erbat ijiem u mhux iżjed minntmint ijiem.
 
Żvista   Oversight. E.ż. Illi bi zvista, meta ghamel hekk, halla l-basket fil-garaxx tal-Bank intimat
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