A Place in the Sun

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