Malta MALTA RULES FOR HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

[Antonio Prieto]

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 251.01

RULES FOR HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

10th July, 1990

LEGAL NOTICE 105 of 1990, as amended by Legal Notices 178 of 1994, 162 of 1995 and 222 of 2009.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1. The title of these rules is Rules for Honours, Awards and Title. Decorations.

2. In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires -Interpretation.

"the Act" means the Gie] ir-Repubblika Act; Cap. 251.

"the Chancellor" means the Chancellor of the Xirka and of the Order established by the Act;

"the Registrar" means the Registrar of the Xirka and of the Order established by these Rules;

and expressions occurring also in the Act have the same meaning as they have in the Act.

3. The Chancellor shall -Chancellor.

(a)

record all important proceedings relating to the Xirka and the Order and shall enter such proceedings in books kept for the purpose;

(b)

cause every appointment to the Xirka and the Order and any termination of any such appointment to be published in the Gazette;

©

on the directions of the Head of the Xirka and of the Order, organise the investitures and other functions of the Xirka and the Order.

4. In terms of article 19(3) of the Act, there shall be a Registrar. Registrar of the Xirka and of the Order who shall, subject to the powers conferred on the Chancellor by article 21 of the Act -

(a)

be responsible for conducting all correspondence connected with the Xirka, and the Order, other than correspondence exchanged directly between the Prime Minister or Ministers and the President, and for making such record of it as may be necessary;

(b)

ensure the safe custody of all documents relating to the Xirka and the Order;

©

maintain the records of all Medals of the Republic awarded in terms of the Act; and

(d)

maintain records of all authorisations given in terms of article 29 of the Act.

[s.L.251.01 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Secretary to the 5. The Secretary to the Cabinet shall -Cabinet.

(a)

cause every award of a Medal of the Republic and any revocation of any such award to be published in the Gazette; and

(b)

cause all authorisations given in terms of article 29 of the Act to be published in the Gazette.

INSIGNIA, MEDALS AND RIBBONS

Insignia. 6. The Insignia of the Xirka shall consist of -

(a)

A Breast Star in the form of a multirayed sun measuring 89mm in diameter and having fifty six points. In the centre and in relief there is a representation of a Maltese watch tower (gardjola) on a background of sky-blue enamel, and the whole is contained within an oval white enamelled border with the motto and the name of the Xirka, "G]all-[id tal-Maltin" and "Gie]ir-Repubblika" inscribed in gold. The complete oval centre is partly contained within a border of green enamel olive leaves and is surmounted by a falcon with outstretched wings and holding a scroll in its claws reading "1975";

(b)

A Sash Badge which is an enlarged version of the centre piece contained on the Breast Star and measuring overall 102mm by 70mm approximately;

©

A Sash, 102mm wide, incorporating a wide band of red, 90mm in width, between narrow white stripes measuring 6mm, the whole having a moire effect. When the Insignia are worn by a lady the sash measures 63.5mm in width.

Insignia.7. The Insignia of the Order shall consist of -

Amended by:

L.N. 178 of 1994; (1) For Companions of Honour

L.N. 162 of 1995.

(a)

A silver rayed Breast Star, 80mm in diameter, with a superimposed silver gilt and enamelled Maltese Cross, 70mm in diameter, upon which is superimposed an enamelled shield showing an heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta, surmounted by a silver gilt mural crown with five turrets, surrounded by a green enamelled wreath of olive and palm tied in base with an enamelled white ribbon backed with red; and

(b)

A Sash Badge of similar design but without the rayed backing, 70mm in diameter, suspended from a sash 102mm wide consisting of a red central stripe between two blue stripes all in equal proportions and having a moire effect. When the Insignia are worn by a lady the sash measures 63.5mm in width:

Provided that honorary members in this grade who are Heads of State of their respective countries at the time of their appointment shall also be entitled to wear the Sash Badge suspended from a Collar 1000mm in length and 24.5mm in width, consisting of two silver gilt chains 4.5mm in width held together by five white and red enamelled discs 25mm in diameter, alternating with five white enamelled Maltese Crosses 26.5mm in diameter and five black enamelled discs 25mm in diameter incorporating 24mm wide silver gilt crowns with five turrets; green enamelled branches of olive and palm, one placed on either side of the white and red enamelled discs and silver gilt circles.

(2) For Companions

(a)

A Breast Star, 70mm in diameter, similar to that of the Companion of Honour, but without the rayed backing; and

(b)

A Neck Badge, similar in design to the Breast Star but 57mm in diameter, suspended from a neck riband similar to the Sash of Companions of Honour but 18mm in width. When worn by a lady a riband of 32mm is fashioned into a bow with tails:

Provided that the insignia for honorary members in this grade shall consist only of the Neck Badge unless the Breast Star together with the Neck Badge is conferred as a further mark of distinction.

(3)

For Officers

A Breast Badge similar to the Neck Badge of Companions but 45mm in diameter, suspended from a riband similar to the Sash of Companions of Honour but 38mm wide. When worn by a lady the riband is fashioned into a bow with tails.

(4)

For Members

A Breast Badge similar to that of Officers but

with the Maltese Cross in silver instead of

enamel.

8.

The Midalja g]all-Qlubija takes the form of a silver medal 40mm in diameter. The obverse depicts in relief the Emblem of Malta superimposed on a representation of the rays of the sun. The reverse contains in relief, and surrounded by a wreath, a geographical representation of the Maltese Islands below which is the inscription "G]all-Qlubija", all superimposed on a representation of the rays of the sun. The whole is suspended from a scroll-like bar carrying in relief the year of institution "1975". The medal is suspended from a riband 32mm in width being half red and half white, having a moire effect. When worn by a lady the riband is fashioned into a bow with tails.

9.

The Midalja g]all-Qadi tar-Repubblika takes the form of a five-pointed white enamel star 41mm in diameter, with fluted or bevelled rays within the five angles and with the uppermost point

Midalja g]all-Qlubija.

Midalja g]all-Qadi tar-Repubblika.

Amended by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

[s.L.251.01 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

of the star containing the date 1975 in gold. The obverse contains the Emblem of Malta in relief. The reverse of the medal contains, surrounded by a wreath, a geographical representation of the Maltese Islands and the inscription "G]all-Qadi tar-Repubblika" in relief. The medal is suspended from a riband 32mm in width being half white and half red, having a moire effect. When worn by a lady the riband is fashioned into a bow with tails:

Provided that when the award is given to a group or organization:

(a)

the Committee shall indicate who the recipient of the award on behalf of the group or organisation shall be, provided that such individual shall not be entitled to have the letters M.Q.R. placed after his name nor will such person be entitled to wear the medal as a decoration. However, the group or organisation may use the letters M.Q.R. (Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika) in all its official correspondence;

(b)

the Medal shall be kept in a prominent place at the group’s or organisation’s headquarters, or, where no such building exists, the Chancellor shall, on the request of the organisation, indicate in which premises the Medal is to be kept; and

©

when the recipient is no longer part of the group or organisation, in the first instance it shall be the responsibility of such recipient or, as the case may be, the recipient’s heirs to inform the Chancellor of such fact, but without prejudice to the fact that the Secretary to the group or organisation is likewise obliged to inform the Chancellor of such fact so that the Chancellor can issue such directives as he may deem fit.

Specific rules. 10. Rules concerning the design and the awarding of National Commemorative Medals shall be made for each occasion that an event is to be commemorated.

Long and Efficient 11. The Long and Efficient Service Medal shall be circular, in

Service Medal. cupro-nickel, and 36mm in diameter, bearing on the obverse the Emblem of Malta in relief and on the reverse in relief the Maltese Cross within a wreath of laurel encircled by the words "G]al Servizz Twil u Effi`jenti"; the whole is suspended from a bar. The medal is suspended from a riband 32mm in width as follows:

(1)

For the Armed Forces of Malta five equal parts, the first red and the second blue, the third subdivided into red, blue and red, the fourth blue and the fifth red;

(2)

For the Malta Police Force five equal parts, the first white and the second blue, the third subdivided into white, blue and white, the fourth blue and the fifth white;

(3)

For the Malta Prison Service five equal parts, the first grey and the second blue, the third subdivided into grey, blue and grey, the fourth blue and the fifth grey;

(4) Clasps, where awarded, shall be attached to the riband, and shall be in the form of a plain cupro-nickel bar 5mm in height with a mural crown in the centre.

11A. The Distinguished Service Medal shall be circular, in cupro-nickel, and 36mm in diameter, bearing on the obverse the Emblem of Malta in relief and on the reverse in relief a mural crown with five turrets with a semi-circular inscription beneath bearing the words "GHAL SERVIZZ DISTINT" all surrounded by a wreath of laurels suspended at the top; the whole is suspended from a bar. The Medal is suspended from a riband of 32mm in width as follows:

(a)

for the Armed Forces of Malta five equal parts, the first blue, the second red, the third subdivided into blue, white, blue, the fourth red and the fifth blue;

(b)

for the Malta Police Force five equal parts, the first blue, the second white, the third subdivided into blue, white, blue, the fourth white and the fifth blue;

©

for the Malta Correctional Services five equal parts, the first blue, the second grey, the third subdivided into blue, grey, blue, the fourth grey and the fifth blue.

QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDALS AND LONG AND EFFICIENT SERVICE MEDALS

12. (1) Long and Efficient Service Medals shall be awarded to all serving members of the Armed Forces of Malta, the Malta Police Force and the Malta Prison Service completing an aggregate of 18 years efficient service with irreproachable character and conduct throughout.

(2)

Clasps are to be awarded following an additional aggregate of another 7 years and then another 5 years efficient service with irreproachable character and conduct throughout.

(3)

The officers commanding the disciplined forces shall recommend only those who have proved themselves in every way worthy of this distinction during the whole of their service.

12A. (1) Distinguished Service Medals shall be awarded in those cases the Minister responsible for the particular disciplined force, on the recommendation of the officer commanding the force, so decides.

(2) The recommendation mentioned in sub-rule (1) shall be made in writing and the officer commanding the force shall set out the detailed reasons for the recommendation, provided that such recommendation shall only be made when the officer has:

(a)

in the opinion of the officer commanding the force, shown exceptional motivation and resolve; and

(b)

has not received a warning or charge during the period of two years prior to the recommendation.

DistinguishedService Medal.

Added by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

Substituted by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

Qualifying service for long and efficient service medals.

Amended by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

Qualifying service for distinguished service medals.

Added by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

[s.L.251.01 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Method of wearing Insignia.

Amended by:

L.N. 162 of 1995.

Sequence for wearing Insigna and medals.

Substituted by:

L.N.

178 of 1994. Amended by:

L.N.

222 of 2009.

WEARING OF INSIGNIA, MEDALS AND RIBBONS

13. (1) Breast Stars of the Insignia of the Xirka and of the Order shall be worn pinned on the left side of the coat or outer garment. The Sash shall be worn over the right shoulder resting on the left hip; and the Badge is worn suspended from the Sash.

(2)

The Neck Badge of the Order shall be worn suspended from a riband around the neck.

(3)

Medals shall be worn on the left breast.

(4)

Ribbons may be worn without the Insignia or Medals on appropriate occasions. These shall be the same as the ribands prescribed for the Insignia or Medals, but shall be approximately 10mm in depth.

(5)

On appropriate occasions

(a)

Miniatures of the Insignia or Medals may be worn and these shall measure approximately 18mm in diameter, with the ribbon 16mm in width;

(b)

Lapel badges denoting the Insignia may be worn as follows:

(i)

Members of the Xirka: a silver Maltese watch tower (gardjola) on a rosette, 10mm in diameter, made of red fabric with two thin white lines cutting across the red;

(ii)

Companions of Honour, Companions and Officers of the Order: an enamelled white Maltese Cross upon silver gilt edging on a rosette, 10mm in diameter, made of blue fabric with two thin red lines cutting across the blue;

(iii) Members of the Order: a rosette, 10mm in diameter, made of blue fabric with two thin red lines cutting across the blue.

©

A lapel clip denoting the Midalja g]all-Qadi tar-Repubblika may be worn and this shall measure approximately 15mm in length and 2mm in width, made in fabric in two equal, white and red, horizontal stripes, the white above the red.

14. (1) Insignia of the Xirka and of the Order and wearing medals shall be worn in following order

(a)

Insignia of a Companion of Honour of the Order

(b)

Insignia of the Xirka

©

Insignia of a Companion of the Order

(d)

Insignia of an Officer of the Order

(e)

Insignia of a Member of the Order

(f)

Midalja g]all-Qlubija

(g)

Midalja g]all-Qadi tar-Repubblika

(h)

National Commemorative Medals

(i)

Distinguished Service Medals

(j) Long and Efficient Service Medals.

(2) A Maltese citizen shall not, in Malta, wear the insignia of any order or any decoration of a country other than Malta, even though such insignia are or decoration is recognised in terms of article 29 of the Act, unless he wears such insignia or decoration after the insignia or after the medals awarded under the Act:

Provided that a Maltese citizen attending an official function of the Head of a foreign State or Sovereign Order, or of the Head of Government of a foreign State or of a Sovereign Order, or of the representative of a foreign State or Sovereign Order accredited to Malta, at which the wearing of the insignia of orders and decorations is customary may, as an act of courtesy to his host, give precedence to the insignia of orders or decorations of that State or Sovereign Order.

INVESTITURES AND PRESENTATIONS

15. (1) Appointments to the Xirka and appointments to or Investiture. promotions within the Order, as well as awards of Medals, with the exception of Long and Efficient Service Medals, shall normally be made by the President at a formal ceremony of investiture.

(2)

The President may, however, on the advice of the Prime Minister, delegate a Minister or the principal diplomatic representative of Malta in a foreign country to make the appointment, promotion or award in his name.

(3)

When presenting the Insignia or Medal to the recipient, the President shall address him as follows:

"On behalf of the Government and people, I confer on you

either the Insignia of the Xirka ta' Gie] ir-Repubblika.

or the Insignia of a ............... (name appropriate grade) of the National Order of Merit.

or the Midalja g]all-.............. (whichever is appropriate)

or the National Commemorative Medal to mark ........... ", according to the appropriate form.

(4) When the Insignia or Medal is being awarded in the name of the President the recipient should be addressed as follows:

"In the name of the President of Malta, and on behalf of the Government and people of Malta, I confer on you

either the Insignia of the Xirka ta' Gie] ir-Repubblika.

or the Insignia of a .................. (name appropriate grade) of the National Order of Merit.

or the Midalja g]all-............... (whichever is appropriate)

or the National Commemorative Medal to mark ......................", according to the appropriate form.

(5) Together with the Insignia the recipient shall be presented

[s.L.251.01 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

DistinguishedService medalsand Long and Efficient Service medals.

Amended by:

L.N. 222 of 2009.

Motion for termination of membership.

S.L.Const.02

Cap.113.

with the instrument of appointment or promotion, signed, countersigned and sealed as provided for in article 25 of the Act.

(6)

Whenever the advice to the President for the appointment of a person as a member of the Xirka or of the Order contains, or is accompanied by, a citation concerning the recipient, such citation shall be read out by the Chancellor (or by such other person as may be appropriate in the circumstances) immediately before the conferment of the Insignia. The citation shall also be recorded in the appropriate register.

(7)

Together with the Midalja ghall-Qlubija there shall be presented to the recipient the citation of the act of bravery. Such citation shall be read out immediately before the presentation of the Medal. In the case of other Medals an appropriate certificate shall be presented.

16. (1) Distinguished Service Medals and Long and Efficient Service Medals shall normally be presented by the Minister responsible for a specific disciplined force.

(2) The officer commanding the force may, however, be delegated by the Minister to represent him.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND REVOCATION OF AWARDS

17. (1) A motion for a Resolution of the House of Representatives for the termination of membership or revocation of the award of a medal in terms of article 23(1)© of the Act shall state the grounds on which the motion is based.

(2)

Whenever notice is given under the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives of a motion as is referred to in sub-rule (1), the Clerk of the House shall, without delay, send a copy of the motion to the Members of the House, and cause another copy to be served on the person named in the motion.

(3)

Where the person named in the motion resides in Malta, the service of a copy of the motion shall be effected as provided in article 5(3) of the House of Representatives (Privileges and Powers) Ordinance; and where the person named in the motion resides abroad, the service shall be effected by letter sent by registered mail to his last known private or official address and the copy shall be deemed to have been duly served on the day immediately succeeding the day on which the letter would be received in the ordinary course by post; and in proving such service it shall be sufficient to prove that the letter containing a copy of the motion was properly addressed and posted.

(4)

The Resolution shall not be moved in the House before sufficient time has been allowed to the person named in the motion to prepare his defence and to appear before the House; but in the case of a person residing in Malta a period of seven days shall be deemed to be sufficient for the purposes aforesaid.

(5)

The person named in the motion shall be given an opportunity to appear before the House and to defend himself; he may also be assisted by an advocate or by a friend.

(6)

If the Resolution is passed the Clerk shall forward a copy thereof to the President who shall thereupon terminate the appointment, or revoke the award, as the case may require, by means of an instrument sealed with the seal of the Xirka or of the Order as appropriate, and shall cause notice thereof to be given to the person named therein.

(7)

Upon the termination of an appointment or the revocation of an award as aforesaid, the Chancellor or Secretary to the Cabinet, as the case may be, shall cause the appropriate entries to be made in the registers and shall publish the notification of such termination or revocation in the Gazette.

FOREIGN HONOURS AND DECORATIONS

18.

A request for the written authority of the President required by article 29 of the Act shall be made in writing and shall be referred to the Chancellor. It shall contain all the relevant particulars of the honour, award, decoration, membership or office intended to be bestowed and of the intended recipient, and shall be signed by the principal diplomatic representative of the State or Sovereign Order requesting the authority of the President or by such other officer of such State or order as may be specially authorised for the purpose.

SEALS OF THE XIRKA AND OF THE ORDER

19.

(1) The Seal of the Xirka shall be a circular seal consisting of a representation of a Maltese watch tower (gardjola) within a border containing the words "{IE}IR-REPUBBLIKA - MALTA".

(2) The Seal of the Order shall consist of a circular seal consisting of a representation of the Sash Badge of a Companion of the Order as described in Rule 7(1)(b), within a border containing the words "VIRTUE ET CONSTANTIA - MALTA".

20. (1) The Head of the Order shall be entitled to wear the Sash Badge of a Companion of Honour suspended from a Collar as described in rule 7(1)(b).

(2)

The Chancellor of the Order shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the Neck Badge of a Companion of the Order.

(3)

The Registrar of the Order shall be entitled to wear as a decoration the Breast Badge of an Officer of the Order.

(4)

The Chancellor and Registrar of the Order shall be entitled to wear the Lapel badge denoting the Insignia of an Officer of the Order.

Request for authority.

Seals.

Special entitlements.

Added by:

L.N. 178 of 1994.

[922F]

Thank you for securing and posting this useful information.