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Emblem and Public Seal of Malta Act (Cap. 253) Consolidated

CHAPTER 253

EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA ACT

To make provision concerning the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta.

(11th July, 1975)*

ACT XXXIII of 1975, as amended by Acts XIII of 1983 and XXIX of

1988; and Legal Notice 423 of 2007.

1. The short title of this Act is the Emblem and Public Seal of

Malta Act.

2. (1) The Emblem of Malta shall consist of a shield showing an heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta; above the shield a mural crown in gold with a sally port and eight turrets (five only b ei ng vi sib le) representi ng th e fort ification s of Malta and denoti ng a City St at e; and aroun d th e shield a wreat h of two branches the dexter of Olive, the sinister a Palm, symbols of peace and traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colours, tied at base with a white ribbon, backed red and upon which are written the words REPUBBLIKA TA’ MALTA in capital letters in black; as shown depicted in the First Schedule to this Act.

(2) The Emblem of Malta shall replace the Emblem of Malta adopted by this Act on the 11th July, 1975, as well as the armorial ensigns assigned for Malta by warrant dated 2nd September, 1964 and published in the Gazette by Government Notice No. 550 on l2th October, 1964.

Short title. Amended by: XXIX. 1988.2.

The Emblem of Malta. Substituted by: XXIX. 1988.3.

3. (1) It shall not be lawful for any person to use for any purpose whatsoever, without the written aut hority of the Prim e Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in any su ch wri tten au tho r it y, t h e Em bl em of Mal t a o r a ny im itat i on ther eof , or the a r m o ria l e n sig n s or the e m blem re fe rre d to in subarticle (2) of article 2 of this Act or any imitation thereof.

(2) It shall not be lawful for any person to incorporate within any design, for any purp o se wh atsoever, without the written author ity of the Prim e Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in any such written authority, the National Flag of Malta.

Prohibition of use of Emblem of Malta, etc. Amended by:

XIII. 1983.5. Substituted by:

XXIX. 1988.4.

4. The Public Seal of Malta shall be a seal of a design as shown in the Second Schedule to this Act.

5. (1) The President of Malta may designate a Minister or a senior officer in the service of Malta to be the Custodian of the Public Seal and may give directions as to the manner in which it shall be kept and used.

(2) In default of any such designation, the President of Malta shall be the Custodian of the Public Seal.

Public Seal. Added by: XXIX. 1988.5.

Custody of the Public Seal. Added by: XXIX. 1988.5.

*See Government Notice No.450 of the 11th of July,1975.

Vilification of the National Flag of Malta, etc.

Added by: XXIX. 1988.5.

Offences and penalties. Added by: XXIX. 1988.5. Amended by:

L.N. 423 of 2007.

6. It shall not be lawful for any person to publicly vilify by words, gestures, written matter, whether printed or not, or pictures or by some other visible means, or in any manner to deface, the National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.

7. (1) Any person who contravenes the provisions of articles

3 and 6 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine (multa) of not less than one hundred and sixteen euro and forty-seven cents (116.47) and not more than two thousand and three hundred and twenty-nine euro and thirty-seven
cents (2 ,3 29.37 ) an d in the case of a conti nuin g offence to an additional fine (multa) of not less than two euro and thirty-three cents (2.33) for each day during which the offence continues.
(2) No proceedings for an offence under this Act shall be instituted except with the consent of the Attorney General.

FIRST SCHEDULE

[ARTICLE 2]

THE EMBLEM OF MALTA

Substituted by: XXIX. 1988.6.

Added by: XXIX.1988.6.

SECOND SCHEDULE

[ARTICLE 4]

PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA