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Small Claims Tribunal

Recover money owed to you — Malta's fast-track court for disputes up to €5,000

If a contractor left a job unfinished, a seller refused a refund, or someone simply owes you money — the Small Claims Tribunal (Tribunal għal Talbiet Żgħar

1. Check that your dispute falls within the tribunal's scope

   The tribunal handles money claims up to €5,000 where the amount is certain and calculable. Common uses: unpaid invoices, defective goods or services, rental deposit disputes, minor property damage, loans not repaid. It does NOT cover: personal injury (use the Civil Court), employment dismissal (use the Industrial Tribunal), family disputes, or any claim exceeding €5,000. If your actual loss is above €5,000, you must file in the Court of Magistrates (Civil Jurisdiction) instead — do not artificially reduce your claim to fit the tribunal's limit.

2. Send a formal written demand before filing

   Before going to the tribunal, send the other party a clear final demand in writing — by email with a read receipt, or by registered post. State exactly what you are owed, why, and give them 7 working days to pay. Keep a copy and proof of delivery. This step costs nothing, often resolves the dispute without a tribunal, and demonstrates to the adjudicator that you acted reasonably before escalating.

3. File your claim — online is fastest

   Go to ecourts.gov.mt → Applikazzjonijiet Onlajn → Tribunal għal Talbiet Żgħar — Avviż tat-Talba. You can also file in person at the Courts of Justice, Republic Street, Valletta. The fee is €25. Write your claim clearly: who owes you what, when it arose, and what you tried to recover it. Attach every document you have. You will receive a case number. Bring 3 copies of all your documents to the hearing: one for you, one for the tribunal and one for the other side.

4. The other party is served and given 30 days to respond

   The court registry formally notifies the defendant. They have 30 days to file a written response (Risposta) at ecourts.gov.mt. If they have a cross-claim against you, they file a Risposta għall-kontrotalba. If they do not respond at all within 30 days, you may apply for a default judgment — the tribunal can decide in your favour without a hearing.

5. Prepare for the hearing — this is your moment

   Hearings are informal but they matter. Organise your documents in date order. Know your key facts: when the agreement was made, what went wrong, what you lost, what you tried to do about it. Speak directly to the adjudicator, not to the other party. If you have a witness, bring them. If the other party does not show up without good reason, the adjudicator can proceed in their absence and decide in your favour. Dress respectably — this is still a court.

6. The decision — what it means and how to enforce it

   The adjudicator issues a written decision that carries the same legal force as a court judgment. If you win, the other party must pay you the amount awarded plus your €25 filing fee. If they still refuse, you can enforce through the court: garnish their bank account, attach their wages, or seize movable assets. Either party may appeal to the Court of Appeal within 20 days of the decision, but only on a point of law — appeals are expensive relative to the amounts involved and rarely succeed.

7. Suing a company — verify the name and representation

   If your claim is against a business, search mbr.mt for the exact registered company name and address before filing — serving the wrong entity invalidates the proceedings. A company does not need a lawyer at the tribunal; it may appear through a director or any duly authorised employee. If you are a business making a claim, the same €5,000 limit applies and the process is identical. For larger commercial debts, use the Commercial Court.