Dr Francois Dalli LL.D.

12/01/2026

𝘿𝙑 𝙄𝙉 𝙈𝘼𝙇𝙏𝘼 - A 2 Part Series

Following a recent news article which was published on the Times of Malta on 8 January 2026, with the above headline, what shall follow is a series of two parts delving into this unfortunate phenomenon and providing some modest insights, details and general law-related information on the subject.

1️⃣ Part I - Domestic Violence - Some Statistics

2️⃣ Part II - Domestic Violence - Relevant Laws _______________________________

Definition of the term 'Domestic Violence' (DV):

"Any incident of violence, threatening behaviour, or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial, or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality" - Oxford Dictionary.
_______________________________

1️⃣ Part I - Domestic Violence - Some Statistics:

➡️ In 2023 - 3,589 individuals reported experiencing domestic violence or made use of related services according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

➡️ In 2024 - 3,798 individuals reported experiencing domestic violence or made use of related services, always according to NSO figures.

➡️ Official reporting includes not just police reports but also counts from support services and specialist units, such as 'Aġenzija Appoġġ’s Domestic Violence Unit'.

➡️ As of January 2026, official national statistics for 2025 domestic violence cases in Malta have not yet been published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or similar authorities.

➡️ For both years indicated above (2023 & 2024), out of all the reported cases:

- 76% were from female victims;

- 24% were from male victims;

- Largest age group was 30–39 years old (approx. 29.3 %);

- Next largest age group was 50 years and over (approx. 24.7 %).

➡️ It is a worldwide and domestically established fact, that males tend to under-report being victims of DV and that consequently the actual number of male victims of DV is higher than the official figures might indicate. But precisely because of the fact that male victims tend not to report cases of DV committed against them, it is more difficult to provide realiable and most of all, realistic, statistical data of male victims of DV.

Third dedicated victims' hub to open in Mtarfa later this month

09/01/2026

Definitely expect some insight with regard to the content of this article which tackles a very delicate, prevalent and ever increasing phenomenon in Malta, unfortunately. Stay tuned.

Third dedicated victims' hub to open in Mtarfa later this month

08/01/2026

Man was separately charged with breaching restraining order

08/01/2026

The woman was charged with property damage and the man was accused of breaching a protection order in her favour

31/12/2025

😎🥃🍺...😁🌟🍾🥳🥂...🥴🚗😵‍💫💥... 🚓🚑🏥🤕...

This is a time for celebration, and of course, partying... but...

Don't Drink & Drive. Know the Law👉🏼

⚠️Traffic Regulation Ordinance (Chapter 65 of the Laws of Malta)

❌️Article 15A — Unfit to Drive Through Drink or Drugs

Driving, or attempting to drive, or even being in charge, of any motor-vehicle while unfit due to drink or drugs (i.e. impairment).

❌️Article 15B — Exceeding Prescribed Alcohol Limits

Driving, or attempting to drive, or even being in charge, of any motor-vehicle after consuming so much alcohol that its proportion in the blood/breath/urine exceeds the legal limit.

❌️Article 15H — Punishments for anyone found guilty of breaching Article 15A or Article 15B above:

(In the case of a first-time offender):

●Fine (multa): not less than €1,800
●Or Imprisonment: not exceeding six months
●Or both fine and imprisonment

(In the case of a second or subsequent offence):

●Fine (multa): not less than €3,000
●Or Imprisonment: not exceeding one year
●Or both fine and imprisonment

‼️In any of the above cases - in addition to the punishments mentioned above, the Court shall DISQUALIFY the offender from holding or obtaining a DRIVING LICENCE - in the case of a first conviction for a period of not less than six months, and in the case of a second or subsequent conviction for a period of not less than one year.

⚠️Criminal Code (Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta)

❌️Contains specific Laws regarding any unlawful action by a person, which causes any damage to any property, or any injury/ies (slight or grievous) to another person/s, or even the death of another person/s.

In such cases the offender will be charged (accused), besides the offence/s under the Traffic Regulation Ordinance, also with any relevant offence under the Criminal Code as indicated above, thereby considerably increasing their liabilty and eventual increase in punishment.

Let's all enjoy this period... and keep safe 🙏

Celebrate responsibly. Happy New Year 🌟

30/12/2025

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard! David Jangelovski, Michael Camilleri, Kelly Nelson, Frank Sciberras, Jason Gatt, Michael Cilia Debono, Barbara Micallef, Marthese Borg, Isaac Mallia, Doris Cassar, Alan Farrugia, Emidio Xerri, Iris Licari, El Mejor, Keith Pavia, Dario Debono, Bernard Micallef

24/12/2025

🤔🤔🤔

Did you know?

Christmas & The Law – some interesting and funny facts..🎄🌟⚖️

Did you know that there is a surprisingly rich, credible, and fascinating connection between law, justice, Christmas, and the New Year, stretching as far back from Biblical texts to Roman Law?

Below is an interesting narrative (based on factual information), which blends history, law, tradition, anecdotes, and a few genuinely fun facts.

• The Nativity of Jesus Christ (Christmas Day) as a Legal Event - the Christmas story itself is rooted in law and public administration.

Luke 2:1–5 in the Bible records that Jesus was born in Bethlehem because of a census ordered by Emperor Augustus:

“A decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.”

• This census was not symbolic - it was a Roman legal instrument used and enforced for:

o Taxation

o Military conscription

o Population control

o Property registration

• Without Roman administrative law, the Nativity would not have occurred in Bethlehem – thus one of the most important events in Christian theology happened in such manner and at the place indicated by the Bible because of a legally binding imperial decree.

• Jesus and the Rule of Law - The Christmas narrative also introduces the relation, and more pointedly, the tension, between divine justice and human law.

Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents as described in the Bible (Matthew 2:16) reflects:

o Abuse of executive power

o Absence of due process

o Arbitrary punishment

• “Peace on Earth” - Christmas and the Legal Concept of Peace and the dichotomy between “Pax Romana” and “Pax Christi”.

o When the angels proclaim:

“Peace on earth, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14) - The phrase "Peace on earth, good will toward men" comes from the angels' announcement of Jesus' birth, a key Christmas message about God's blessing, for which he sent His only begotten Son, Jesus, to Earth - on a mission of peace for all mankind.

o This is referred to as “Pax Christi” which contrasted with the “Pax Romana” which governed the whole Roman Empire for about 200 years – and which was however a notion of “peace” enforced by law, military power, and order.

This concept later influenced Christian legal philosophy, reinforcing ideas that:

o Law without justice is tyranny

o Power must be constrained by morality

o The idea that true peace requires justice, not merely order

• These themes would go on to deeply shape Canon Law, early constitutionalism, and eventually modern Human Rights Law.

• Medieval Christmas Truces (A Legal Curiosity) - From the Middle Ages onward, many European kingdoms observed Christmas Truces:

o Courts adjourned

o Executions postponed

o Hostilities temporarily suspended

The most famous example is the Christmas Truce of 1914, when British and German soldiers ceased fighting (!), sang carols together (!) and each were allowed to bury their dead.

• Christmas Mercy and the Law - Royal Pardons and Executive Clemency

o Christmas has long been associated with legal mercy

o English monarchs traditionally granted Christmas pardons

o Today, many countries (including Malta) see seasonal pardons or sentence reductions

• Charles Dickens, Christmas, and Penal Reform - Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ was not merely literature – but rather nothing short of bold legal criticism.

o Victorian prisons were harsh and punitive

o Debtors’ prisons were legal (a prison for people who are unable to pay debt)

o Children were criminally liable at shockingly young ages

• Effectively, it is widely accepted that Dickens’ Christmas message helped spark:

o Prison reform

o Improved labour laws

o Influenced a shift toward rehabilitative justice

• Finally, it is noteworthy to mention that Charles Dickens personally campaigned for legal reform and frequently attended court proceedings himself to study injustice.
..and now you know ☺️

23/12/2025

Court hears he suffers uncontrollable rage

22/12/2025

🤔🤔🤔

Did you know?

Which Are The Main Legal Reasons Why Bail May Not Be Granted?

In Malta, the Court MAY refuse bail where, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, there is danger of:

* Risk of Non-Appearance at Trial

If the Court is not satisfied there is no danger that the accused will fail to appear when required.

* Risk of Absconding / Leaving Malta

If there is a real danger the accused will abscond or clandestinely leave the jurisdiction.

* Risk of Non-Compliance With Bail Conditions

If the Court believes the accused will fail to observe conditions imposed by the Bail Decree.

* Risk of Interfering With Witnesses or Evidence Related to the Case

If the accused might tamper with evidence, intimidate or communicate with witnesses, or otherwise obstruct justice.

* Risk the Accused Will Commit Another Offence While on Bail

If there is significant risk of the accused re-offending.

The relevant legislation is Article 575 of the Criminal Code (Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta).
..and now you know 👊🏻