Representative Actions Directive Transposed Into Maltese Law

On 25 June 2023, the Maltese law transposing the Representative Actions Directive came into force.

The Representative Actions Directive required Member States to implement a harmonised procedural framework to permit consumer class actions where a party is in breach of laws on, amongst others:

• consumer protection
• data protection
• utilities
• financial services
• product and medicine safety
• environment

Malta enacted the transposing Maltese law on 5 June 2023 by way of an Act of Parliament. This is Act No. XVII of 2023, entitled 'An Act to provide for representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers, and to carry out other consequential amendments' (the Representative Actions Act). The Representative Actions Act was preceded by a public consultation issued by the Maltese Government.