Commissioner for Education participates in training sessions for lawyers from the Office of the State Advocate
Published August 01, 2025
Commissioner for Education participates in training sessions for lawyers from the Office of the State Advocate
Published August 01, 2025
The Commissioner for Education, Chief Justice Emeritus Vincent De Gaetano, delivered two presentations as part of a specialised training programme aimed at enhancing the trial advocacy and litigation skills of lawyers within the Office of the State Advocate (OSA).
The training, held on the 28th and 29th July 2025 and organised with the support of experts from the Council of Europe, focused on strengthening the professional capacity of OSA lawyers, following a training needs assessment that identified advocacy skills as a key priority. The programme included talks by Chief Justice Emeritus Vincent De Gaetano and a senior judge from the United Kingdom. The sessions covered the hallmarks of good advocacy, the preparation and delivery of opening statements, effective cross-examination of witnesses, and the presentation of final oral submissions.
Participants also took part in two role-playing exercises, which provided the opportunity to put theory into practice under the guidance of the trainers. The interactive nature of the training allowed for direct feedback and valuable skill-building in a practical context.
This initiative forms part of the EU–Council of Europe Joint Project “Attorney General and State Advocate in Malta – Implementation of Action Plan of Offices Re-organisation”, co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission.
The project aims to contribute to Malta’s justice reform efforts by supporting the operational independence of the Offices of the Attorney General and the State Advocate, strengthening their capacity and effectiveness, and enhancing transparency and accountability. It also seeks to improve public trust through the establishment of sound operational processes, continuous training, ICT integration, and effective communication strategies.
