On Tuesday 3 September 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry for Lands and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme and the Faculty of Law at the University of Malta, aimed at conducting a study that thoroughly analyses the judgments of the Administrative Review Tribunal and the Court of Appeal concerning decisions made by the Lands Authority.
The signing of the agreement was presided over by the Minister for Lands and the Implementation of the Electoral Program, Hon. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, and the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima.
This agreement will lead to a better understanding of some legal challenges encountered as well as provide suggestions for revisions to the legislative and administrative framework so that the Lands Authority operations become more efficient and better regulated while being aligned with best legal practices.
Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi expressed his satisfaction, stating that through this agreement, not only will the team working at the Lands Authority be increasing the necessary legal knowledge in this sector, but this research exercise will also eventually serve as a reliable guide for professionals and officials in their legal work.
“I am confident that the results of this study will be instrumental in continuing to guide the Lands Authority towards greater efficiency and accountability. The recommendations that emerge from this research will help us not only refine our legal framework but also ensure that the Authority’s practices are aligned with the highest standards of public administration,” he added.
“Research is one of the key pillars on which the Maltese educational system is built. The Government recognises the potential of research to create more wealth, knowledge, improvement in sectors, and also quality jobs,” said Hon. Grima. “Today we have another agreement involving research. This is the synergy between the University of Malta and a government entity that will lead to improvement not only in this sector but in the country as a whole,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Rector of the University of Malta, Prof. Alfred J. Vella, said he is proud to affirm that the University is fully committed to fulfilling its civic duty by actively contributing to the improvement of the quality of life in the society it serves. “This is another case, one that is very useful and necessary,” he added, “where, by using our legal knowledge and resources, we will continue to work towards improving the well-being of everyone.”