The
judiciary of Malta is a branch of the
Government of Malta that interprets and applies the
laws of Malta, to ensure
equal justice under law, and to provide a mechanism for
dispute resolution. The legal system of is based partially on
English law and partly on
Continental law, whilst also being subject to
European Union law. The judiciary is defined by the
Constitution of Malta as a hierarchical system of courts, with a Constitutional Court, separate Civil and Criminal Courts of Appeal and various inferior courts. Inferior courts are presided over by Magistrates with original jurisdiction in criminal and civil actions. In the criminal courts, the presiding judge sits with a jury of nine. The Court of Appeal and the Court of Criminal Appeal hear appeals from decisions of the civil and criminal courts respectively.