A Place in the Sun

Qormi murder compilation of evidence behind closed doors This story published in The Times of Malta today has seriously aroused my curiosity. For a trial to be fair, it should be a public hearing, which is one of democracy's ways of ensuring that justice is not only done, but that it is also seen to be done. However, sometimes there is a greater need for the protection of a citizen, so great that it overrides the requirement of publicity (e.g. the need to protect the privacy of minors i.e. those under 18 years of age), in which case the court may order that certain parts of the trial - or all of it - remain private except to the involved parties. In this case it is only the gathering of evidence that is taking place behind closed doors - though I am very curious as to know why. Another interesting issue about this case is this. A man had entered or trespassed on the property of another, and got killed in the process. The person who killed him was naturally acting in self defe...

This week I was involved in a court case which allowed me to witness a serious problem that led to justice not being served. I don't frequently practise before the criminal courts, but this was a case where I was appearing for the victim. The Maltese law now allows the criminal court to award damages to the victim, based on the actual damage suffered. In this case, I was dealing with a police inspector and we were working on the gathering of the evidence in order to charge the attacker in a street fight with grievous bodily harm. The parties had been involved in a scuffle after a near-miss vehicle incident, and the other party hit the victim who now stands to lose her front teeth. Last week the case was due to be heard, and we discovered that another police inspector had already filed the case, got a quick hearing, and the defendant was granted an acquittal based on the lack of evidence in the case. The charge in the other case was for a less serious offence. However since he had ...

It's been extremely windy over the last week and according to Windfinder it does not seem to be about to change until next Thursday. I found an interesting web page, for those who want to windsurf in Malta, complete with wind forecast and, if you're a foreigner, what to expect - click here . The sea was already very rough last Sunday - you could see the white horses from San Gwann, with no need of binoculars (and i'm myopic!!), let alone after a week of blowing!

The wind has hit the islands quite badly this week, ever since last weekend. It does not seem to be giving up - I read on windfinder that it's due to remain this way at least until Saturday. It's also getting colder, of course - which is to be expected. Considering all, the start into the winter has been pretty slow. So now is the time to cuddle up in front of TV with a few good DVD's, or a good book. I'm currently reading Hannibal, after having read The Silence of the Lambs. I quite like Thomas Harris' way of writing. I've also discovered the joys of reading Stephen King, having started with Dreamcatcher. With much of these scary books, I don't think I can handle the film - I'm quite squeamish when it comes to bloodshed, so I often opt out. The start of winter, distressing as it is because I miss the summer sun, will mean the beginning of the party season, so watch this space for more photos.

A fault in a submarine cable between Malta and Italy has meant that users all over Malta have been unable to access the web, or have experienced heavy slowdowns in access to the Internet. The Malta Communications Authority (MCA) is working to ensure that a backup is available until the fault is remedied and is liaising with the Italian communications authority, AGCOM, to ensure reinstatement of communications. GO has said that it has available backup satellite and microwave links. The MCA is monitoring the situation.

Boy, 3, dies in road accident A very tragic accident took place yesterday. Besides my condolences to the immediate family, one should also take a moment to think of the uncle and grandfather, who were with him in the truck. They will bear guilt forever - whether it was deserved or not.

For several years there have been plans for Bisazza Street to be changed to a pedestrian area. Various unfruitful talks and discussions have taken place, including business concerns and other interested parties. It appears that now this project is about to take a step forward. GRTU has held various meetings with the Minister concerned, the business community and other affected parties during which the following issues were discussed; - clear plan of the proposed project - alternative parking - distribution of goods - traffic management - clear date for commencement of works GRTU reports that the business community is still in the dark as to how this project is to be implemented. The Minister, Hon George Pullicino, informed that this issue is being taken seriously and a study is underway so that a solution will be found for the benefit of all in the shortest possible time. He also informed that if the study would be a suc...

I was delighted to read recently that the European Commission has decided to push towards lower sms rates within the EU, so as to avoid the large differences in SMS charges between SMS's sent within the same Member States, and SMS's sent while 'roaming'. It appears also that the Commission will be striving to push down rates of bills that consumers receive for browsing internet on their mobiles. If technology becomes less costly, I think that mobility should be far better improved.

I read with some relief that the maritime rules concerning in particular navigation in local waters will be more heavily enforced this summer. Last Sunday, we visited Mellieha Bay with our boat, and we were shocked to see the number of jet skis and small dinghies being driven at very high speeds, not five metres away from anchored boats, where children and other persons were swimming. This was not even fifty metres distance from the coast, let alone the required two hundred! Such speeds are a hazard to life and limb, and have in the past resulted in various tragedies. We do not want a repeat. We hope that this will be a successful venture. To red the article, visit http://www.independent.com.mt /news.asp?newsitemid=71279

Malta to recognise EU judgments of trials in absentia Maltese courts will start recognising court judgments in trials held in absentia in other EU countries following an agreement reached by EU Justice Ministers. Malta took a favourable position on the proposal "after ensuring that certain safeguards were provided for in the final Framework Decision," a spokesman for the government told The Times. "Although Maltese criminal law does not provide for the notion of in absentia - since in terms of the law the presence of the accused must be assured throughout the proceedings - in absentia trials and judgements in foreign jurisdictions are recognised, subject to limitations, by Maltese courts," the spokesman said. According to the government, the limitations included in the text of the new rules ensure that the accused or convicted person must be summoned in person to appear for the trial and that a retrial or review is available to persons who have been judged in abse...

Officials clamp down on tables blocking pavements

We have finally launched our boat, christened Miss Fits, last Saturday afternoon. She is currently resting on a pontoon, until her mooring becomes available. Of course we have our good friends to thank, for assisting us with putting her into the water, and thus saving us plenty of extra work and expense. The boat builders are Cantieri Navali Solcio, and Italian maker that nowadays has subcontracted or assigned its construction of boats to third parties. She is 21 feet long, and has 2 x Volvo Penta engines and a small day cabin. Of course some works remain necessary, but we look forward to using her next weekend. Roll on summer !

BirdLife reports attack on birdwatcher's car

Some time last week I was asked to join on a trip to Sicily in order to acquire a boat. This is a pretty 21-foot Solcio, a boat that is now a classic as it is no longer being manufactured, and is extremely ideal for Maltese waters because of her shape. She is still in very good nick, and we're looking forward to having her registered. Sicily was as lovely as ever, th0ugh it rained quite a lot. We also had some extremely windy spells while we were there. We stayed in San Nicola L'Arena, having driven up from Pozzallo. We rented a small house complete with a locked drive-in and back garden. Very pretty, and very Mediterranean. This served as a much-needed break for us, especially because, being unexpected, we did not have to plan beforehand. Watch this space for pictures later ...

I like to use internet banking to transfer funds between different bank accounts - in different banks too. I recently was disappointed to discover that certain local banks have introduced quite a hefty charge for transfers to other local banks. What a whole load of baloney! This will of course reduce the use of internet banking in favour of cheques - thereby increase use of ATM's, lengthen queues, etc. Moreover it is unfair on the consumer. A person receiving salaries by direct credit has to open a bank account in the same bank as the payor - i.e. his employer - or pay the banking charges himself / herself! People transferring money on a personal basis will also have to follow this procedure. What a way to stifle innovation in Malta !

Today I reminisced about my maritime law course, completed almost one year ago at the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI), in Malta. This Institute is the brainchild of the International Maritime Organisation , an internationl organisation that brings states and other entities together in the interests of Safer Shipping on Cleaner Oceans. The motto of IMLI is 'Serving the Rule of International Maritime Law', which IMLI graduates vow to observe upon successfully recieving their LL.M. after one competitive year spent studying some of the major conventions and traditions in maritime law. Maritime Law has roots in ancient history, and has developed over time to become the very large and interesting subject it is today. The year spent at IMLI taught me cultural tolerance and has given me friends from all over the world. the Tuition is also vast and I think I've never enjoyed studying anything as much as this. We were also given the opportunity to network with people of ...

Recently I was browsing through some photos and came across pics of the Easter Camp spent in Oliveri, Northern Sicily - not far from Messina - by 'we' I mean St Michael School Scouts Group. The scenery is simply stunning and much can be found to explore on this lovely island full of historic places, a combination of hills and beaches. Oliveri is a camping / touristic zone not far from Messina. During the summer it tends to be busy, but during Easter - which is when we went - it is rather quiet, which I tend to prefer. Not far from Oliveri is the ancient village of Tindari, which lies on a hill top. Legend has it that a ship was wrecked close to this high village, and the Madonna aboard the vessel was a black Madonna (no political incorrectness intended). Until then there had been disputes as to the Madonna's skin colour, and the Madonna in this church is supposed to be the same one that was found on the wrecked ship. To explain, this hilltop village is no more than half an ...

I hear lots of complaints about public transport in Malta, but really it's not that bad any more. The only problem is the lack of direct services, but then again, when they are implemented, it takes a while for them to become commonly used. For example, Bus Route 65 which commutes between Sliema and Mdina via Naxxar and San Gwann is nowadays well used, but I do remember when it was first put in place - people took time to become aware of the service. Another problematic factor is the close proximity with humanity. One does not always feel inclined to sit next to another person that might randomly begin to chat - about the weather, politics or even their personal life. Yet again, others really have no option but to use this means of transport. While the Park & Ride Scheme is quite useful, and the new Controlled Vehicle Access means that one often finds parking, I still find that public transport beats them all. Park & Ride is very convenient - but only for those entering Val...

One month ago, I visited a client who was nursing her friend at home and was therefore unable to move from her house. The lady's friend was apparently seriously ill and awaiting an operation. As it was, this second lady was busy making some hand-crocheted items for a friend and I could not help but notice the precision and the patience she had in making these items. Today I visited the house again and was rather distressed to find the ill lady bedridden. Her condition seems to have worsened from the last time I saw her - or at least this appeared to be the case. I was very moved, however, to find that she had crocheted a number of items for me, simply because I commented on the beauty of her work. What was even more moving was that she did not make one item an entire set. This gesture is one of the few things that will always stay with me. This woman touched my heart with her generosity. If all people were like her, the world would be a much better place. I sincerely hope she gets ...

My little nephew Jacob is currently battling with a very bad virus, giving him extremely high temperatures and gastro-enteritis. My mum and sister were with him in hospital last night, and he was constantly being sick... The viruses going around appear to be quite serious ones. The poor child was apparently very pale with red circles under his eyes.... hope he gets well soon. Attaching a pic of him and me last October.

I guess we all have narrow brushes with something which could hurt us or take our life away. Mine are many in number, and this Valentine's day I experienced another. On Valentine's day four years ago, I had a very bad accident from which I escaped without so much as a scratch. This year I had the scary experience of narrowly being missed by my own car, which was being towed and escaped from the tow-truck. It slammed into a garage a few feet away, just as I was going to approach it to see if the guy needed anything (such as checking if the car was going to hit a wall). Obviously I got a considerable fright, and the garage door in question was badly damaged. Fortunately none of us were hurt, and the matter can easily be consigned to my past...

As of the beginning of this year, plastic bottles have been introduced for soft drinks in Malta. Until recently, only glass bottles were being used, so that there was a system of bottle returns, that obviously saved much on waste being produced. The introduction of plastic bottles has created some dilemma in my mind. While of course some still threw away the glass bottles, their disposal was not half as harmful as plastic bottles. One can argue that, with all this waste separation, we can recycle those bottles into other plastic items, but how much? It will definitely increase the necessity for plastic-skips, which are already often full to capacity as things stood until now. This may of course sound very conventional, and as though the author is not willing to change. However, having studied various aspects of environmental law, including aspects of anti-dumping legislation (though this in the maritime context), one tends to continue to be sensitive to such issues. Let us hope that N...

Yesterday I had the pleasure of working from home. Sometimes I choose to do it when my resources happen to be at home, rather than at the office. Because my office is really, mine (as opposed to being an employer's), it feels hardly any different from home. Indeed, being a freelancer has that benefit of allowing you feel that your office is an extension from home. I have set up office in Qormi last June, and am still in the process of decorating it. I recently hung up a few lovely paintings to try to liven it up. The place is rather old and so I'd like to give it a modern touch while keeping its quaint look. I started to work from an office because the pressure of having people turn up on my mother's or my boyfriend's doorstep was a bit too much to handle. I must say that I am strongly in favour of having a home office, but not at the expense of having an external office, where to keep client information and where to meet clients. www.geraldinespiteri.com

Today I was quite shocked when, passing through our capital, I happened to pass near some toilets and went in to wash my hands. There was one woman trying to force-feed her four-year old child one of these babyfood jars. The public toilet was not, in my view, the best place to force feed this little girl, who was crying and threatening to throw up. The grandmother was telling all who would listen that this child never eats. No wonder, when she is fed in places such as the public toilet in Valletta!! It may not seem much to most. However, in a place where many worry about obesity, I find it hard to accept force-feeding, especially since a child will eat when he or she is hungry. How very strange!!!

When I first started writing on blogspot, I had only one nephew. some eighteen months ago, or perhaps a little more, we had another addition to the family. Julian (Juju) has not yet featured on blogspot, so here is a picture of him for those who are or have been following. I am now the proud aunt of two nephews who are growing fast. Jacob is three and a half years old, and forms sentences relatively well. Julian is eighteen months old, and a crafty little bugger at that!!

I am back again ! I had lost the details of this account and had forgotten even my user name, so I had to reactivate an old email address before re-using, and here I am again Much water has passed under the bridge. The house I used to live in has been demolished and we have nearly completed the three maisonnettes we have built instead. I am looking forward to seeing my place finished, even if I am not sure whether I will be living in it at all. I will soon be telling you of all I have done or been through over the last two years. Watch this space :)