The Courts of Justice in Valletta will be opening their doors to the general public this Sunday to mark the European Day of Civil Justice for the first time. On the 25th of October of every year, in order to bring civil justice to the attention of the European public.

The day is an opportunity for the public to familiarise with the civil justice system, thus making it more accessible. In establishing a Civil Justice Day, the aim of the European Commission and the Council of Europe was to create awareness that justice is first and foremost a service to citizens which enables them to settle their private disputes and assert their rights.

Civil law is part of daily life for European citizens – at work, getting married, having children or buying goods and services within the single market. However, members of the public are very often unaware of their rights, still less of how civil justice works.

The European Day was established in order to highlight the issue of civil justice and to foster the organisation of information and awareness campaigns thus enabling citizens to gain a better understanding of how judicial systems work. It is to be hoped that the Day will also help to raise awareness among Europeans of the emerging area of justice which they share.

In order to mark this event, the Courts of Justice Division in collaboration with the Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs is organising an Open Day at the Courts of Justice next Sunday, the 26th of October 2008, between 9.30am and 12.30pm. The event will start with the celebration of mass at 9.30am at the Courts’ foyer, entrance through Republic Street Valletta.

Later there will be guided tours in a number of Halls in which Court sittings take place including the Court of Appeal, the Constitutional Court and the Criminal Court. A presentation highlighting the functions and procedures of the various Courts and Tribunals will also be delivered to the public in Hall 22 at 10.30am and 11.30am. The general public is invited to attend.