The Family Section separated a couple for the husband's violence and cruelty, but stripped the wife of later acquests over unfounded abuse allegations made after they split. It also rebuilt the community from his income. It matters in contested separations with children.
The First Hall of the Civil Court held that heirs who rely on a will's statement that a son already took more than his share must prove the benefit, and ordered them to pay him his reserved portion. It matters to anyone drafting or contesting such a clause.
The Court of Appeal held that defendants who let a damages case run for 12 years waived an arbitration clause, and that a spouse outside the business answers only with her community share. It matters to litigants relying on arbitration and to spouses of traders.
The Constitutional Court held on 25 May 2026 that an owner who received a flat by donation, and later became universal heir of the donor who had kept the usufruct, may claim the rent-law compensation due for the donor's years. It awarded €31,477.
The Court of Criminal Appeal acquitted a son of making his parents suffer under article 257C, holding that the offence targets those with a duty of care, and cut his prison term to 18 months while other domestic violence findings stood.
The Family Section granted a wife separation for irretrievable breakdown but threw out her divorce claim, filed in the same sworn application. It also held that a husband's default is not an admission of fault. It matters to every lawyer drafting a marriage claim.
The Court of Appeal dismissed a neighbour's appeal over a dividing wall, pipes and a pavement. It held that only a co-owner may raise a common wall, and that the presumption of a common wall gives way to proof.
The First Hall of the Civil Court dismissed a landlord's rent-law claim on 18 May 2026 because an unsigned rent book, an undated electoral extract and an affidavit did not prove a lease protected by Chapter 69. It matters to anyone suing the State over an old lease.
The Court of Criminal Appeal treated four animal welfare charges as a single offence, held that a dog's new keeper does not owe the transfer notice, and struck out a dog ban the law did not allow when the offence was committed.
The Court of Appeal declared null an appeal against Transport Malta, holding that the date discrimination came to light is a finding of fact beyond an appeal limited to points of law. It matters to anyone bringing an article 26 claim.
The Family Section separated a couple for the wife's cruelty and adultery and found she never paid the €43,000 a deed said she paid for half the home. It matters to anyone relying on a receipt clause between partners.
The First Hall of the Civil Court held that co-heirs cannot sue one other heir for the value of their share in a single asset of an undivided estate, here a family petrol station business.