Freedom of Information
The Freedom of Information Act (ACT XVI of 2008) aims to establish a right to information held by public authorities in order to promote added transparency and accountability in government.
2. Functions and Responsibilities:
The Lands Authority is responsible for the management of Government’s immovable estate. The mission of the Lands Authority is to promote and maintain the highest and best use of Government’s immovable estate and to ensure an equitable process for the acquisition of property that may be required for public purpose.
3. General Description of the Categories of Documents available at the Lands Authority published by virtue of Article 17 of the Freedom of Information Act (Cap 496)
- Paper/Electronic correspondence relating to government property.
- Administrative and Official files
- Legislation concerning the Lands Authority.
- Parliamentary Questions and pertinent replies concerning the Lands Authority.
- Parliamentary Resolutions
- Eviction Order Notices
- Legal Notices
- Property drawings of government owned tenements.
- Lease Agreements and Contracts drawn up on government tenements
- Compensation Contracts drawn on Expropriated Property
- Personal files of employees and attendance sheets
- Annual Reports
- Minutes of Meetings – Tender Committee
- Control Committee
N.B. Some of the information listed above is exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (Cap. 496)
4. Description of Manuals, docs which contain policies, principles, rules or guidelines.
A list of the Authority’s policies can be found on this page.
5. Freedom of Information Request Application/Complaint Forms
Application forms (and Complaints Forms) may be obtained from the Customer Care Office of the Lands Authority or may be downloaded from here.
6. Submission of Applications
If you would like to submit an FOI Request or an FOI Complaint (on a previous request), kindly download the relevant form and print it, fill in all details, sign and return to the FOI Officer of the Public Authority to whom you are making the request/complaint. You can submit these forms by email or by post. Alternatively, applicants can apply online through the online form https://www.servizz.gov.mt/en/Pages/Other/Government-Information-Services/Freedom-of-Information/WEB2169/default.aspx
Kindly mark your submissions with “FOI Request – Attn. FOI Officer” or “FOI Complaint – Attn. FOI Officer”(as applicable), in order to make sure that the request/complaint is properly channelled.
Requests/ Complaints received over the weekend or on public holidays will be addressed on the next working day. All references to “working days” in relation to the FOI Act should be understood as “Monday to Friday”.
The postal address and email address of the FOI Officer is:
FOI Officer
Lands Authority
Auberge de Bavière
Valletta VLT 2000
OR
Email: [email protected]
7. Internal Complaints Procedures
An applicant whose request for information is refused, or who is not satisfied with the information provided, its format or the extension of the deadline for the submission of the requested information, may address a complaint to Authority’s FOI officer. The complaint, on the relative form, will be received by Authority’s FOI officer. The latter will forward complaint to the Chief Executive Officer and reply will be forwarded within 10 working days from the receipt of the complaint, also informing applicant that he or she may appeal or address complaint to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner. Applicant will also be informed of decision taken regarding his or her complaint and reasons thereof.
8. Payments
Cheque payments payable to the Lands Authority will be accepted by the FOI Officer, or if sent by post, should be addressed to the FOI Officer, Lands Authority, Auberge de Bavière, Valletta VLT 2000. Cheque payments should be accompanied by the relative Notification Letter.
9. Opening Hours
Winter (1st October – 15th June)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
8.30am to 12:00pm
Wednesdays
8.30am to 12:00pm and 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Summer (16th June – 30th September)
Daily: 8.00am to 12:00pm
Telephone (00356) 2295 3238/39/40/42