By Désirée Attard, published on January 27, 2026
Act XL of 2025,1 while not yet in force, is sure to shake things up in the Small Claims Tribunal this year. The amendments approved by Parliament considerably widen the Tribunal’s remit, and attempt to transform it into a more modern and efficient legal forum.
What is the Small Claims Tribunal?
This Tribunal hears and determines local and European money claims (presently) below the value of €5,000. Procedures are generally swift and accessible – claims may be filed online or via a legal representative, and Court fees are minimal. Cases are heard within the main Court building in Valletta.2
The Small Claims Tribunal (Amendment) Act, 2025 – the main changes
Threshold: Currently, claims exceeding the €5,000 value are inadmissible before the Tribunal. The amendments double this threshold to €10,000.
Procedure: The current text of the Small Claims Tribunal Act assumes that at least one physical sitting is always held. The amendments imply that this may not necessarily be the case, with cases being decided upon the merit of the written filings alone.
This is further confirmed by the new sub-article (4) to article 9 which calls on the adjudicator (the person presiding over the Tribunal) to, as much as possible, receive all evidence, proof, and submissions in written form “so as to avoid the holding of sittings”.
Where this is not possible due to the nature of the case, the amendments first direct the adjudicator to hold online sittings, rather than in-person ones.
Transitory Provisions: These amendments shall only apply to cases filed before the Tribunal after their coming into force. Cases which, at the time, are being heard by the Court of Magistrates, even though they would fall within the Tribunal’s new remit, shall remain within that Court’s competence.
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