How to Become a Lawyer in Malta — Step-by-Step

Overview of the Legal Profession in Malta

Becoming a lawyer in Malta means obtaining a warrant to practise as an Advocate (Avukat) — a member of the Chamber of Advocates (Kamra tal-Avukati) with the exclusive right of audience before Malta's superior courts. The path is well-defined and runs through the University of Malta, the only domestic law school, making it one of the most structured legal qualification routes in Europe.

Malta's legal profession also includes Legal Procurators (Prokuraturi Legali), who handle certain lower court appearances, procedural filings, and judicial acts, and Notaries Public (Nutara), who deal with authentic deeds, conveyancing, and succession matters. This guide focuses on the route to becoming a warranted Advocate, the most prestigious and comprehensive qualification.

Step 1: Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) — University of Malta

The first step is completing the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at the University of Malta, Faculty of Laws. This is a four-year full-time undergraduate degree and is the only domestic qualification route into the legal profession. The Faculty of Laws is based on the Valletta Campus and the Msida Campus.

The LL.B. programme covers:

• Maltese Civil Law: The Civil Code (Kodiċi Ċivili), including obligations, contracts, property, family law, and succession.
• Commercial Law: The Commercial Code and the Companies Act (Cap. 386).
• Public Law: Constitutional law, administrative law, and human rights law under the European Convention on Human Rights (Malta ratified the ECHR in 1967).
• Criminal Law: The Criminal Code (Kodiċi Kriminali) and criminal procedure.
• European Union Law: EU institutional law, the internal market, and the direct applicability of EU regulations and directives in Malta.
• International Law: Public international law, private international law, and Malta's treaty obligations.
• Jurisprudence and Legal History: Roman law foundations, the development of Maltese law, and comparative legal traditions.

Entry Requirements: Admission to the LL.B. is competitive. Applicants typically need strong results in the Matriculation Certificate (MATSEC) examinations, including passes in Maltese, English, and a humanities subject. The Faculty of Laws admits approximately 150–200 students per year.

Step 2: Master of Advocacy (M.Adv.)

After completing the LL.B., aspiring advocates must enrol in the Master of Advocacy (M.Adv.), a one-year postgraduate programme at the University of Malta. The M.Adv. is mandatory for anyone seeking a warrant to practise as an Advocate.

The M.Adv. programme includes:

• Civil Procedure: Detailed study of the Code of Organization and Civil Procedure (Kodiċi ta' Organizzazzjoni u Proċedura Ċivili), including court structures, filing procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Criminal Procedure: Prosecution and defence practice, bail applications, and trial advocacy before the Criminal Court and the Magistrates' Court.
• Professional Ethics: The Code of Ethics for Advocates, duties to the court, client confidentiality, conflict of interest rules, and professional conduct standards administered by the Chamber of Advocates.
• Drafting and Advocacy Skills: Practical exercises in drafting judicial acts, written submissions, and oral advocacy before simulated court proceedings.

Students are assessed through a combination of examinations and practical assessments throughout the year.

Step 3: Work Placement

As part of the M.Adv. programme, students must undertake a supervised work placement at a law firm, legal office, or chambers. During this period, trainees work under the supervision of a senior warranted advocate and gain practical experience in:

• Client interviews and case management
• Drafting judicial acts and court submissions
• Attending court hearings and observing proceedings
• Legal research and opinion writing
• Administrative and procedural filings

This placement is where aspiring advocates build their practical skills and professional network. Placements at leading firms such as Ganado Advocates, Fenech & Fenech, or Camilleri Preziosi are highly sought after and often lead to permanent positions upon qualification.

Step 4: Warrant Examination

Upon successful completion of the M.Adv. programme, candidates are eligible to sit for the Warrant Examination. This is a formal examination conducted before a board of judges (typically three members of the judiciary) and is the final academic and professional hurdle before qualification.

The Warrant Examination tests:

• Competence in substantive Maltese law (civil, criminal, commercial, and public law)
• Procedural knowledge and practical application
• Professional ethics and the duties of an advocate
• Oral advocacy skills through a viva voce examination

The examination has a significant oral component, reflecting the importance of advocacy skills in the Maltese legal tradition. Candidates who fail may re-sit the examination after further preparation.

Step 5: Presidential Warrant and Admission

Candidates who pass the Warrant Examination receive a warrant from the President of Malta, administered through the Ministry of Justice. The warrant confers the title of Advocate (Avukat) and grants the right to appear before all courts of Malta, including the superior courts (the Civil Court, the Criminal Court, and the Court of Appeal).

Upon receiving the warrant, the new advocate:

• Takes a solemn oath before the Court of Appeal
• Is registered with the Chamber of Advocates (Kamra tal-Avukati)
• Receives the right to use the professional title "Avukat" or "Advocate"
• Is entitled to appear before all courts of Malta, including the Constitutional Court and the Court of Appeal

The Legal Procurator Route

Those who complete the LL.B. but do not wish to pursue the M.Adv. and warrant can qualify as Legal Procurators (Prokuraturi Legali). Legal procurators can:

• Represent clients before the Magistrates' Court (inferior jurisdiction) and certain tribunals
• File judicial acts and procedural documents on behalf of advocates
• Handle certain non-contentious legal matters

Many law graduates work as legal procurators while preparing for or completing the M.Adv. programme, gaining valuable court experience in the process.

Timeline Summary

• Year 1–4: LL.B. at the University of Malta, Faculty of Laws
• Year 5: Master of Advocacy (M.Adv.) including work placement
• Year 5 (end): Warrant Examination before the judiciary
• Upon passing: Presidential Warrant, oath before the Court of Appeal, Chamber of Advocates registration

Total time from beginning the LL.B. to becoming a warranted advocate: approximately five years.

Continuing Professional Development

Once warranted, advocates in Malta are expected to maintain and develop their professional competence. While Malta does not currently have a mandatory CPD points system of the type found in some other jurisdictions, the Chamber of Advocates encourages ongoing education through seminars, conferences, and specialised training programmes. Given the rapid evolution of Malta's niche regulatory areas — iGaming, fintech, EU regulation — continued learning is essential for career success.

Start Your Legal Career in Malta

Malta offers a structured and achievable path to legal qualification, with the extraordinary advantage of immediate access to some of the most dynamic and internationally significant regulatory niches in Europe. Whether your interest lies in iGaming regulation, fintech, maritime law, or EU regulatory practice, the Maltese warrant opens doors to a rewarding career.

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