In Malta, a team of only four magistrates is responsible for handling preliminary inquiries in court cases.

Omissions

• The report specifies that the four magistrates deal with preliminary inquiries into complex criminal investigations, and frames the figure within a broader set of concerns (backlog of pending cases, judges' workload, length of proceedings); the claim correctly reproduces the Commission's own wording.
• The figure refers only to magistrates conducting preliminary/magisterial inquiries, not to the total number of magistrates or judges in Malta.
• The 2026 Rule of Law Report was published in July 2026, i.e. before the session date of 21 October 2026, so the MEP could have known it directly.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission – 2026 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter Malta (CELEX 52026SC0918)2026 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Malta ... four magistrates handling preliminary inquiries.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission – 2026 Rule of Law Report, Recommendations (SWD)the high backlog of pending court cases, judges' workload and the limited team of four magistrates handling preliminary inquiries.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission – Country Chapter Malta (2026 Rule of Law Report, full chapter PDF)Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Malta ... prosecutions, and the Courts delivered 2 judgments, while four magistrates conduct [preliminary inquiries].
• SecondaryThe Independent (Malta) – "Malta's justice reforms recognised in the annual report on the Rule of Law"... judges and the fact that only four magistrates currently deal with preliminary inquiries into complex criminal investigations.
• SecondaryJudiciary Hub – Malta country page (citing European Commission Rule of Law Report 2026)... backlog of pending court cases, judges' workload and the limited team of four magistrates handling preliminary inquiries. Therefore, it is recommended to Malta ...