Commissions and authority established by the constitution, difficulties related to composition, court scrutiny and reform

Abstract

This thesis will examine various aspects relating to commissions established by the Constitution of Malta, which aspects have a bearing of how the said commissions are appointed, how they are composed and how they function. An analysis will be carried out with regards to the current obtaining position in the lighto of past instances through which the commissions would have been involved in and how these instances helped to bring forth possible deficiencies in the way the commissions function. It will also examine whether or not these instances have served to bring about change in the way the commissions are composed and more importantly whether or not these instances served to bring about change in the way the various commissions have gone about their duties. The thesis will also examine the workings of these commissions from the point of view of whether they fulfil a judicial or quasi-judicial function and whether they determine a civil right or obligation. Finally the thesis will also put forward some suggestions and proposals which may be considered in order that the workings of the commissions would be enhanced in such a way as to enable them to fulfil better their constitutional roles and functions.