Case study 2 - family law - custody of the children - Malta

In this case study on family law – custody of the children, Member States were asked to advise the suing party on litigation costs on litigation costs in order to consider the following situations:

Case A – National situation: Two persons have lived together unmarried for a number of years. They have a three year old child when they separate. A court decision grants custody of the child to the mother and a right of access to the father. The mother sues to limit the father’s right of access.

Case B – Transnational situation where you are a lawyer in Member State A: Two persons have lived together unmarried in a Member State (Member State B) for a number of years. They have a child together but separate immediately after the child’s birth. A court decision in Member State B gives the child’s custody to the mother with a right of access to the father. The mother and the child move to live in another Member State (Member State A) as authorised to do so by the Court decision and the father remains in Member State B. A few years later, the mother sues in Member State A to change the father’s right of access.


Costs in Malta

Costs for Court, Appeals and Alternative Dispute Resolution


Case Study

Court

Appeals

ADR

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Is this option open for this type of case?

Costs

Case A

€181.68

N/A

N/A

€98.99

N/A

€116.47

Yes

Case B

€181.68

N/A

N/A

€98.99

€116.47

No



Costs for lawyer, bailiff and expert


Case Study

Lawyer

Bailiff

Expert

Is representation compulsory?

Average costs

Is representation compulsory?

Pre-judgement costs

Post-judgement costs

Is use compulsory?

Cost

Case A

Yes

From a minimum of €81.53 to €174.70

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

No

N/A

Case B

Yes

From a minimum of €81.53 to €174.70

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

No

N/A



Costs for witness compensation, pledge or security and other relevant fees


Case

Study

Witness compensation

Pledge or security

Other fees

Are witnesses compensated?

Cost

Does this exist and when and how is it used?

Cost

Description

Cost

Case A

No

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the amount demanded

€23.28

N/A

N/A

Case B

No

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the amount demanded

€23.28

N/A

N/A



Costs for legal aid and other reimbursement



Case

study

Legal Aid

When and under which conditions is it applicable?

When is support total?

Conditions?

Case A

Legal Aid is applicable if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage and if he/she does not possess more than one property

N/A

N/A

Case B

Legal Aid is applicable if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage and if he/she does not possess more than one property.

N/A

N/A




Case

study

Reimbursement

Can the winning party obtain reimbursement of litigation costs?

If reimbursement is not total what is percentage in general?

What costs are never reimbursed?

Are there instances when legal aid should be reimbursed to the legal aid organisation?

Case A

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgment

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A

Case B

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgment

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A



Costs for translation and interpretation


Case

study

Translation

Interpretation

Other costs specific to cross-border disputes?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

Description

Approximate cost?

Case A

A translation is made upon the request of either one of the parties involved.  Translation is done from Maltese to English or vice versa only. Translations into other languages are to be provided by parties at their own expense.

€17.47 (the flat rate paid as registry fee for each translation)

Applicable only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23/hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other Member States

Case B

A translation is made upon the request of either one of the parties involved.  Translation is done from Maltese to English or vice versa only. Translations into other languages are to be provided by parties at their own expense.

€17.47 (the flat rate paid as registry fee for each translation)

Applicable only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23/hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other Member States


Last update: 08/11/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Case study 3 - family law - alimony - Malta

In this case study on family law – alimony, Member States were asked to advise the suing party on litigation costs on litigation costs in order to consider the following situations:

Case A – National situation: Two persons have lived together unmarried for a number of years. They have a three year old child when they separate. A court decision grants custody of the child to the mother. The only outstanding dispute relates to the amount of the alimony owed to the mother by the father for the support and education of the child. The mother sues on this.

Case B – Transnational situation where you are a lawyer in Member State A: Two persons have lived together unmarried in a Member State (State B). They have a three year old child. They separate. A court decision in Member State B gives the child’s custody to the mother. With the agreement of the father, the mother and the child move to live in another Member State (Member State A) where they establish their residence.

An outstanding dispute remains. This relates to the amount of the alimony owed to the mother by the father for the support and education of the child. The mother sues on this in Member State A.


Costs in Malta

Costs for Court, Appeals and Alternative Dispute Resolution


Case Study

Court

Appeals

ADR

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Is this option open for this type of case?

Costs

Case A

€181.68

N/A

N/A

€98.99

N/A

€116.47

Yes

Case B

€181.68

N/A

N/A

98.99

€116.47

No


Costs for lawyer, bailiff and expert


Case Study

Lawyer

Bailiff

Expert

Is representation compulsory?

Average costs

Is representation compulsory?

Pre-judgement costs

Post-judgement costs

Is use compulsory?

Cost

Case A

Yes

0.5% of alimony payable for a period of 10 years which fees may be raised to 1% by mutual agreement between client and lawyer, provided that any fee in excess of the established 0.5% is not recoverable from the other party.

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

No

N/A

Case B

Yes

Depends on amount claimed

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

No

N/A



Costs for witness compensation, pledge or security and other relevant fees


Case

Study

Witness compensation

Pledge or security

Other fees

Are witnesses compensated?

Cost

Does this exist and when and how is it used?

Cost

Description

Cost

Case A

No

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the amount demanded

€23.28

N/A

N/A

Case B

No

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the amount demanded

€23.28

N/A

N/A



Costs for legal aid and other reimbursement



Case

study

Legal Aid

When and under what conditions is it applicable?

When is support total?

Conditions?

Case A

Legal Aid applies if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage, and if he/she does not possess more than one property.

N/A

N/A

Case B

Legal Aid is applicable if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage, and if he/she does not possess more than one property.

N/A

N/A




Case

study

Reimbursement

Can the winning party obtain reimbursement of litigation costs?

If reimbursement is not total, what is percent-age in general?

What costs are never reimbursed?

Are there instances when legal aid should be reimbursed to the legal aid organisation?

Case A

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgement

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A

Case B

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgement

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A



Costs for translation and interpretation


Case

study

Translation

Interpretation

Other costs specific to cross-border disputes?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

Description

Approximate cost?

Case A

A translation is only made upon the request of either one of the parties involved.  Translation is done from Maltese to English or vice versa only. Translations into other languages are to be provided by parties at their own expense.

€17.47 (the flat rate paid as registry fee for each translation)

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23/hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states

Case B

A translation is only made upon the request of either one of the parties involved.  Translation is done from Maltese to English or vice versa only. Translations into other languages are to be provided by parties at their own expense.

€17.47 (the flat rate paid as registry fee for each translation)

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23/hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states


Last update: 08/11/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Case study 4 - commercial law - contract - Malta

In this case study on commercial law – contract, Member States were asked to advise the seller on litigation costs in order to consider the following situations:

Case A – National situation: A company delivered goods worth 20.000 euros. The seller has not been paid because the buyer considers that the goods do not conform to what was agreed.

The seller decides to sue to obtain the full payment of the price.

Case B – Transnational situation: A company whose head office is located in Member State B delivers goods worth 20.000 euros to buyer in Member State A. The contract is subject to Member State B’s law and written in Member State B’s language. This seller has not been paid because the buyer located in Member State A considers that the goods do not conform to what was agreed. The seller decides to sue in Member State A to obtain full payment of the price as provided under the contract with the buyer.


Costs in Malta

Costs for Court, Appeals and Alternative Dispute Resolution


Case Study

Court

Appeals

ADR

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Is this option open for this type of case?

Costs

Case A

€ 680.16

N/A

€ 195.65

N/A

N/A

N/A

Case B

€ 680.16

N/A

€ 195.65

N/A

N/A

N/A



Costs for lawyer, bailiff and expert


Case Study

Lawyer

Bailiff

Expert

Is representation compulsory?

Average costs

Is representation compulsory?

Pre-judgement costs

Post-judgement costs

Is use compulsory?

Cost

Case A

YES

Lawyer: €681.53

Legal procurator: €227.18

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

NO

N.A

Case B

YES

Lawyer: €681.53

Legal Procurator: €227.18

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

No

N/A



Costs for witness compensation, pledge or security and other relevant fees


Case

Study

Witness compensation

Pledge or security

Other fees

Are witnesses compensated?

Cost

Does this exist and when and how is it used?

Cost

Description

Cost

Case A

NO

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the debt indicated

€ 46.59

N/A

N/A

Case B

NO

N/A

Precautionary warrant against the debt indicated

€ 46.59

N/A

N/A



Costs for legal aid and other reimbursement



Case

study

Legal Aid

Reimbursement

When and under what conditions is it applicable?

When is support total?

Conditions?

Can the winning party obtain reimbursement of litigation costs?

If reimbursement is not total, what is percent-age in general?

What costs are never reimbursed?

Are there instances when legal aid should be reimbursed to the legal aid organisation?

Case A

NO

N/A

N/A

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgement

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A

Case B

NO

N/A

N/A

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judgement

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A



Costs for translation and interpretation


Case

study

Translation

Interpretation

Other costs specific to cross-border disputes?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

When and under which conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

Description

Approximate cost?

Case A

When only one of the parties is English speaking

€ 34.94

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23 / hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states.

Case B

When only one of the parties is English speaking

€ 34.94

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23 / hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states.


Last update: 08/11/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.

Case study 5 - commercial law - responsibility - Malta

In this case study on commercial law – responsibility, Member States were asked to advise the customer on litigation costs in order to consider the following situations:

Case A – National situation: A heating equipment manufacturer delivers a heater to an installer. The installer on-sells (and installs) the heater to a customer to equip his/her house. The house catches fire shortly thereafter. Every participant (heating equipment manufacturer, installer, end-customer) is insured. The origin of the fire is contested. Nobody wants to compensate the customer.

The customer decides to sue for full compensation the heating equipment manufacturer, the heating equipment installer and the insurance companies.

Case B – Transnational situation: A heating equipment manufacturer in a Member State B delivers heater to an installer in a Member State C. The installer on-sells the heater (and installs) the heater to a customer in Member State A to equip his/her house. The house catches fire shortly thereafter. Each participant (heating equipment manufacturer, installer, end-customer) is insured by an insurance company in its own Member State. The origin of the fire is contested. Nobody wants to compensate the customer.

The customer decides to sue in Member State A for full compensation the heating equipment manufacturer, the heating equipment installer and the insurance companies in Member State A.


Costs in Malta

Costs for Court, Appeals and Alternative Dispute Resolution


Case Study

Court

Appeals

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Initial court fees

Transcription fees

Other fees

Case A

Minimum of €712.77 (depends also on the value claimed)

N/A

€ 195.65

N/A

Case B

Minimum of €712.77 (depends also on the value claimed)

N/A

€ 195.65

N/A



Costs for lawyer, bailiff and expert


Case Study

Lawyer

Bailiff

Expert

Is representation compulsory?

Average costs

Is representation compulsory?

Pre-judgement costs

Post-judgement costs

Is use compulsory?

Cost

Case A

YES

Depends on value claimed

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

Not compulsory, but in this case highly probable

De-pends on value claimed

Case B

YES

Depends on value claimed

Not compulsory

N/A

N/A

Not compulsory but in this case highly probable

De-pends on value claimed



Costs for witness compensation, pledge or security and other relevant fees


Case

Study

Witness compensation

Pledge or security

Other fees

Are witnesses compensated?

Cost

Does this exist and when and how is it used?

Cost

Description

Cost

Case A

NO

N/A

Not applicable because the value to be claimed is not quantified

N/A

N/A

N/A

Case B

NO

N/A

Not applicable because the value to be claimed is not quantified

N/A

N/A

N/A



Costs for legal aid and other reimbursement



Case

study

Legal Aid

When and under what conditions is it applicable?

When is support total?

Conditions?

Case A

Legal aid is applies if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage, and if he/she does not possess more than one property.

N/A

N/A

Case B

Legal aid applies if the person lives on social benefits or minimum wage, and if he/she does not possess more than one property.

N/A

N/A




Case

study

Reimbursement

Can the winning party obtain reimbursement of litigation costs?

If reimbursement is not total what is percent-age in general?

What costs are never reimbursed?

Are there instances when legal aid should be reimbursed to the legal aid organisation?

Case A

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judge-ment

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A

Case B

YES

Depends on the outcome of the judge-ment

Private consultation with the lawyers (extra-judiciary costs)

N/A



Costs for translation and interpretation


Case

study

Translation

Interpretation

Other costs specific to cross-border disputes?

When and under what conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

When and under which conditions is it necessary?

Approximate cost?

Description

Approximate cost?

Case A

When only one of the parties is English speaking

€ 34.94

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and

€ 58.23 / hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states.

Case B

When only one of the parties is English speaking

€ 34.94

Applies only when a witness is neither Maltese nor English speaking

Between €11.65 and €58.23 / hour

Costs incurred notifying the party residing abroad

Depends on the fees charged by other member states.


Last update: 08/11/2019

The national language version of this page is maintained by the respective Member State. The translations have been done by the European Commission service. Possible changes introduced in the original by the competent national authority may not be yet reflected in the translations. The European Commission accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever with regard to any information or data contained or referred to in this document. Please refer to the legal notice to see copyright rules for the Member State responsible for this page.