With reference to the publication of L.N. 305 of 2026 on 1st November 2026, and the Kamra’s directive DIR 08/2026 published on 2nd November 2026, the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti would like to bring to your attention that it has completed its comprehensive analysis of the new regulations, in consultation with its legal team.
The comprehensive analysis report is linked below.
The Council shall be referring this report to the BCA for its review and requesting that a meeting be held to begin discussions on the necessary amendments to the new regulations so as to be able to lift the directive and resume normal operations.
The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti has been informed by several Periti this morning that a new legal notice, LN 305 of 2026, amending S.L.623.06 (Avoidance of Damage to Third Parties Regulations) was brought into force today.
The Council has noted some deeply problematic aspects of the new provisions which it is currently reviewing internally with the assistance of its legal advisers.
Given the potentially serious liability implications for Periti, the Council is hereby directing Periti to suspend the filing of all requests for clearances from BCA until further notice.
Provided that the provisions of this Directive shall not apply to Dangerous Structures. In such cases, Periti, shall proceed in accordance with the procedures established by Building and Construction Authority Circular BCA CIR 4/25.
A more comprehensive analysis will be published in due course.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/KTP-Logo-Featured-Image-2.jpg10141800Fabio Sciclunahttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngFabio Scicluna2026-11-02 14:33:352026-11-11 13:00:00DIR 08/26 | Suspension of Professional Services following publication of L.N. 305 of 2026
With reference to the press release issued on 18th March 2025, the Council of the Kamra tal-Periti hereby gives notice that it has concluded its investigation into whether the partial wall collapse that occurred last year in the Bulebel Industrial estate was the result of professional negligence.
On conclusion of its investigation, the Council determined that the collapse was the result of incorrect sequencing of works by the contractor, including the failure to infill and seal the perimeter walls, which were designed to support a slab before being cast.
The Council also noted that the project was characterised by poor workmanship in other areas, most notably mismatched wall joints near one of the corners of the site, due to the failure to build level masonry courses.
From the evidence gathered, it is amply clear that the collapse did not occur as a result of negligent designs or instructions, or more generally due to any professional negligence on the perit’s part.
Indeed, the Council observed that the correct execution of works falls under the exclusive responsibility of the contractor and/or licensed mason, and that it is not the perit’s remit to perform quality control of works on construction sites, as this would constitute a conflict of responsibilities that would transfer the liabilities of the contractor onto the perit, and violate basic principles of impartiality and independence.
In view of the above, the Council unanimously resolved to close this investigation.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/Bulebel_.png8641536Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2026-03-26 08:25:112026-06-11 16:33:21PR 03/26 | KTP Council completes investigation into the partial wall collapse in Bulebel Industrial Estate
The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti would like to bring to your attention the following updates.
1. Commencement of Works
Following a successful testing period, the BCA has fully transitioned to the digital site management responsibility form, which is accessible through its dedicated portal. We are informed that the initial issue of partnerships not appearing in the drop-down lists has now been conclusively resolved.
A number of partnerships have, however, requested that a dedicated login and delegation system be created for them, similar to what is available on the PA’s planning portal. At present, partners within a partnership are required to create delegations through their personal logins. While this has no bearing on liability – since liability is derived from the form itself, which is published on eApps – the Kamra has opened discussions to explore the possibility of introducing partnership logins as well.
2. Reference Letters for Contractors
The Council has been informed that certain officials were rejecting reference declarations submitted by periti in support of contractors’ licence applications, on the grounds that some periti had crossed out skills they had not directly witnessed the contractor executing.
These rejections are contrary to the agreement reached with BCA senior management and the Licensing Committee last year. The matter was immediately raised with the BCA CEO, and we understand that it has now been resolved.
Periti are reminded to continue following the guidance set out in Circular CIR 07/24, and to report any instances of coercion or procedural irregularities in the processing of reference letters to the Council.
3. Design of Lift Shafts
The MCCAA, as Malta’s competent authority on lifts, has issued a circular addressed to periti in view of a recurring pattern of poor lift shaft design, which appears to have led to an over-reliance on requests for derogations. The MCCAA reminds periti that derogations are intended only for strictly exceptional circumstances where it is genuinely impossible to meet the standard refuge space requirements.
The Council strongly advises periti to incorporate lift design standards – including lift pits, headroom, noise and vibration insulation, and structural considerations – at the earliest design stages, preferably prior to the submission of a planning application.
The full MCCAA circular addressed to periti can be found below.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/DSC07339-1024x684-1.jpg6841024Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2025-08-25 08:00:352025-08-25 19:13:44CIR 04/25 | Commencement of Works, References for Contractors, and Design of Lift Shafts
The Council has noted various public statements made to the press, particularly in the past 48 hours, by periti directly or indirectly associated with the collapse of an apartment block on Triq Paceville, Paceville, on the night of 11th June 2025.
While the Council appreciates the high stakes surrounding this case for all periti involved, the ongoing public disputes in the media are undermining the Council’s investigation into the incident.
The Council urges restraint and caution from periti, their representatives, and/or anyone acting on their behalf when making public statements regarding this incident. Further escalation may constitute conduct discreditable to the profession under Article 15(1) of the Periti Act (Cap. 390) and could result in disciplinary action.
The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti wishes to inform the public that two days ago it opened investigations into the widely-reported incidents that occurred in Sliema and Bulebel constructions sites. This is standard procedure for the Council, which has decided to disclose the opening of these investigations due to the public interest that has arisen around these particular cases.
The purpose of the investigations is to establish whether there were any professional short-comings by warrant holders involved in the projects.
It is pertinent to underscore that the opening of an investigation should not be construed to constitute findings of malpractice.
Earlier today Minister Jonathan Attard formally appointed the Kamra tal-Periti as its lead consultant in the drafting of the National Building and Construction Codes of Malta.
This is a historic milestone for the Kamra, after having campaigning incessantly for the implementation of its A Modern Building and Construction Regulation Framework for Maltafirst published in draft form in 2019, during the rapid succession of building collapses in various towns of Malta.
Through today’s agreement, the public sector and the industry stakeholders will be brought together to work towards a shared objective – that of implementing the recommendations regarding the building and construction codes outlined in the Sofia public inquiry report and adopting European standards and best practices over a period of three years.
The formation of the National Building Council, which brought together the two principal industry stakeholders, KTP and MDA, brought with it a spirit of ambition and determination to turn a page as quickly as possible on the negative perception the industry carries and shoulder responsibility for driving the necessary change forward.
The Kamra is honoured to have earned the trust of the Government and the industry stakeholders in taking the lead on such an important and delicate task. It is committed to living up to the expectations that are being placed on it.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/CLF_3949-copy.jpg14222048Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2025-02-28 17:18:372025-02-28 19:51:09PR 02/25 | A historic achievement for the Kamra and the profession
Many Periti will have been approached by contractors asking them to sign a declaration confirming their competences in support of their application to receive a licence to operate as contractors.
Schedule I of S.L.623.09 (Construction Industry Licensing Regulations) stipulates that all workers engaged in demolition, excavation or construction should possess specific qualifications in the respective activity “or hold any other qualifications or experience which the Committee considers to be equivalent or a suitable alternative to this qualification”.
While courses in demolition and construction do exist – leading to the masons’ licence – there is no formal qualification for excavation operatives as yet.
Thus, the BCA and Contractors Licensing Committee have approached the Kamra to discuss whether, as an interim measure, we would agree to introducing a system wherein periti would provide a reference confirming the skills of contractors.
It was clear to the Council that without our agreement to such a proposal, the entire industry would seize as very few contractors, if any, would be eligible for a licence without the alternative system being proposed.
The Kamra thus agreed to the concept in principle and proceeded to draft the wording for the eventual declarations published by the BCA.
The wording was crafted to ensure the following:
The declaration made by periti are limited ONLY to the works execution they have direct experience on.
Periti employed by or otherwise directly connected to contractors would not be coerced into signing declarations they do not feel comfortable with or which compromise their independence and integrity, and to ensure that they are not placed in a position of conflict of interest.
The statutory requirement is that contractors demonstrate the skills listed in Schedule I (and the forms) in at least three projects over a period of two years.
The Kamra was assured that this is an interim measure and will be replaced with formal training of workers as soon as practicably possible. We are also working on this through the National Building Council, which is a joint-venture between KTP and MDA.
The Council recommends that periti exercise their professional judgement in signing these forms, crossing out any parts they feel are not applicable to their direct experience be upheld. It goes without saying that you should refrain from signing such declarations if your personal experience of the contractor’s work is inadequate.
You are entitled to charge fees for the signing of such declarations.
In case of difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact the Council through our usual channels.
https://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/construction.jpg640960Kamra tal-Peritihttps://kamratalperiti.org/wp-content/uploads/logo-3-300x159.pngKamra tal-Periti2024-09-27 14:21:112024-09-27 15:53:07CIR 07/24 | Periti declarations in support of contractors' licence applications
In the past few months, there were a number of very serious partial or near collapses that never became public. Periti had reported the situations to us in confidence to seek our assistance and advice, as well as moral support for the personal predicament they were facing through no fault of their own.
The failings were manifestly bureaucratic ones, with both the Planning Authority and the Building and Construction Authority unable to react and accommodate the urgency and speed that was required. Thankfully, the responsible ministers and the CEOs of both entities were receptive to our insistence that the discretionary powers granted to them in the law should be exercised and that the power vested in the responsible periti through the Code of Police Laws to direct the works unfettered by the said authorities should be upheld.
Thankfully, in all these cases, the speed and decisiveness shown by all involved ensured that the cases remained unreported by the press, as loss of life was prevented, and further structural failures were averted.
These experiences served also to sensitise those in authority to the need to eliminate unnecessary processes that prevent periti from upholding their main responsibility of safeguarding public safety.
Discussions were held with both the Planning Authority and the Building and Construction Authority in recent months to curtail the unnecessary paperwork and retain only what is strictly necessary to safeguard the public interest.
Planning Authority process
As a result of these discussions, in July the Planning Authority agreed to recognise that as per S.L.552.05, dangerous structure authorisations are NOT development permits and that therefore, they:
Do not have an expiry date;
Do not require a commencement notice to be filed.
A PA circular confirming the above is expected imminently.
Building and Construction Authority process
Similarly, the BCA has agreed, pursuant to S.L.623.06 regulation 25, to waive certain documentation from being filed by Periti on behalf of their clients. This was confirmed in a press release published by the BCA yesterday.
Through this streamlined procedure, periti are being empowered to recognise the urgency of repair works and to merely notify the BCA via a dedicated email address through which only the responsibility forms and insurance policy need to be filed. An automatic authorisation will be transmitted immediately to the perit, allowing works to commence immediately.
It is recommended that in such emergencies, only contractors in possession of annual CAR are engaged for emergency works, since the local insurance companies are still insisting on method statements to be filed for smaller or less experienced contractors.
Over the subsequent twelve hours, the perit should upload the authorisation, the responsibility form, and the insurance on eApps. While some may find this frustrating, unfortunately the IT system does not allow BCA’s mail servers to communicate directly with PA’s eApps. Nevertheless, such uploads should cause negligible inconvenience, particularly considering the significant efficiency improvements the current system is bringing about.
This is of course only a small step forward in the greater scheme of things. However, we have witnessed a marked change in the PA and BCA’s approach towards periti which augurs well for future reforms that are in the pipeline.
