Lectures in administrative law VI

Abstract

To understand the concept of administrative acts, it is necessary to refer to the definitions provided in local legislation. Two instances of such definitions can be found in Maltese law, that is to say one in Chapter 12 and another in Chapter 490. According to Article 469A in Chapter 12, "administrative act" is defined as follows: ‘"administrative act" includes the issuing by a public authority of any order, licence, permit, warrant, decision, or a refusal to any demand of a claimant, but does not include any measure intended for internal organization or administration within the said authority: Provided that, saving those cases where the law prescribes a period within which a public authority is required to make a decision, the absence of a decision of a public authority following a claimant’s written demand served upon it, shall, after two months from such service, constitute a refusal for the purposes of this definition.’ According to Chapter 490, "administrative act" is defined as follows: ‘"administrative act" includes the issuing by the public administration of any order, licence, permit, warrant, authorisation, concession, decision or a refusal to any demand of a member of the public, but does not include any measure intended for internal organisation or administration within the said public administration.’