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JCA


The Junior Chamber of Advocates


The Junior Chamber of Advocates (JCA), an organisation established under the auspices of the Chamber of Advocates, was officially launched on the 1st October 2013, publicly acknowledged by the President of the Chamber of Advocates and endorsed by the Chief Justice on the inauguration of the 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.

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, JCA organised this 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 ‘Prattika-Link’. This conception serves to facilitate the placement of students for ‘Prattika’ to find the most suitable internship, which will hopefully result in employment upon completion of the law course. JCA is also at the forefront with regard to representing students on current matters to 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.

Although the Junior Chamber of Advocates is a separate entity from the University of Malta, a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Malta, particularly the Faculty of Laws, was entered into. This entails involvement and assistance on many current and significant matters, including the organisation of Moot Courts and client interviews, these being main components of the ‘Advocacy Skills’ examination, forming part of the new Masters in Advocacy course. Although separate from the University of Malta, JCA still strives to represent the best interests of all law students, academically as well as professionally.

In 2015 JCA reached their first international milestone and established future collaborations with I Rappresentanti Delgli Studenti di Giurisprudenza-La Sapienza in Rome, which will allow JCA members to aid in developing a Junior Bar association. In 2016 JCA moved one step further and met up with the United Kingdom Law Students Association (UKLSA). JCA Exec members were invited to attend the UKLSA’s 5th Annual Equalities Conference, which promoted equal access to the legal profession and justice.

JCA has also collaborated with the Malta Model United Nations Society 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 to improve their public speaking skills whilst debating current affairs – a necessary skill for all law students.

The Junior Chamber of Advocates will continue to aid students by ‘Bridging the Gap’ during their transition from student to professional, thereby allowing these legal minds to access their faculties at a stage prior to their leap into the working world.

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 here  to download the Junior Membership Application Form.