The Junior Chamber of Advocates (JCA), is an organisation established under the auspices of the Chamber of Advocates. It was officially launched on the 1stOctober 2013, publicly acknowledged by the President of the Chamber of Advocates, and endorsed by the Chief Justice on the inauguration of that Forensic year. The JCA seeks to ‘bridge the gap’ between the academic development of law students and the practicality of the legal profession, thus creating a closer link between students and lawyers.
Although the Junior Chamber of Advocates is a separate entity from the University of Malta, a Memorandum of Understanding was entered into in 2013 with the Faculty of Laws , University of Malta. This entails involvement and assistance on many current and significant matters, including the organisation of Moot Courts and client interviews, which are main components of the ‘Advocacy Skills’ examination of the new Masters in Advocacy course. Although separate from the University of Malta, the JCA still strives to represent the best interests of all law students, academically as well as professionally.
The Annual JCA Moot Court held at the Law Courts of Malta, and presided by Members of the Judiciary, provides the perfect set-up for law students to start practicing their Advocacy Skills in a realistic scenario. Participants are given the opportunity to prepare written submissions, examine and cross-examine witnesses and also make their oral submissions before the Court, which ultimately delivers its judgments. In 2017, the JCA organised a Moot Court on the basis of a Trial by Jury, for the very first time in Malta, in which students were also given the opportunity to act as jurors and deliver their judgments following deliberations between them.
Another project, which the JCA Executive Members take pride in, is the development of the ‘Prattika-Link’ which serves to facilitate the placement of students to find the most suitable internship for their ‘prattika’ requirements; hopefully resulting in employment upon completion of the law course. The JCA is also at the forefront in representing students on current issues regarding changes in warrant related requirements, which shall be brought about through the enactment of the ‘Lawyers Act’. Ultimately, one of the JCA’s primary activity is that of organising seminars, chaired by different lawyers, treating various academic topics from a practical point of view.
In 2015 the JCA reached its first international milestone and established future collaboration with I Rappresentanti Delgli Studenti di Giurisprudenza-La Sapienza in Rome, which will enable JCA members to help in developing a Junior Bar association. In 2016 the JCA met up with the United Kingdom Law Students Association (UKLSA). JCA Executive members were invited to attend the UKLSA’s 5th Annual Equalities Conference, which promoted equal access to the legal profession and justice.
The JCA has also collaborated with the Malta Model United Nations Society (MMUN) in organising an annual international conference in which students may act as delegates in a simulation of various United Nations Committees. This gives students the perfect opportunity to step out of their comfort zone so as to improve their public speaking skills whilst debating current affairs – a necessary skill for all law students.
Junior Chamber of Advocates Committee 2017
Benefits of becoming a member of the Junior Chamber of Advocates:
- Free registration for JCA seminars, held by legal practitioners
- Free registration for the annual Moot Court, held at the Law Courts of Malta and presided by Honorary Judges
- Enlistment for facilities offered by our Prattika-Link program
- International Opportunities through La Sapienza and UKLSA
- Invitation to our annual social and other collaborative events
- Free participation to all JCA organised activities
- Free subscription to the Chamber of Advocates publication – Law and Practice
- Participation in seminars and workshops organised by the Chamber of Advocates
- Eligibility to attend our AGM and vote in the election of the JCA Executive Committee
Kindly click Junior Chamber Membership Application . to download
