 EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA          _g CAP. 253.         1
CHAPTER 253
EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA ACT 
To make provision concerning the Emblem and Public Seal of Malta.
(11th July, 1975) *
Enacted by ACT XXXIII of 1975 as amended by Acts: XIII of 1983 and
XXIX of 1988.
Short title. 
Amended by: 
XXIX. 1988.2.
1. This Act may be cited as the Emblem and Public Seal of
Malta Act.
The Emblem of 
Malta.  
Substituted by: 
XXIX. 1988.3.
2. (1) The Emblem of Malta shall consist of a shield showing
an heraldic representation of the National Flag of Malta; above the
shield a mural crown in gold with a sally port and eight turrets (five
only being visible) representing the fortifications of Malta and
denoting a City State; and around the shield a wreath of two
branches the dexter of Olive, the sinister a Palm, symbols of peace
and traditionally associated with Malta, all in their proper colours,
tied at base with a white ribbon, backed red and upon which are
written the words REPUBBLIKA TA’ MALTA in capital letters in
black; as shown depicted in the First Schedule to this Act.
(2) The Emblem of Malta shall replace the Emblem of Malta
adopted by this Act on the 11th July, 1975, as well as the armorial
ensigns assigned for Malta by warrant dated 2nd September, 1964
and published in the Gazette by Government Notice No. 550 on
l2th October, 1964.
Prohibition of use 
of Emblem of 
Malta, etc.  
Amended by: 
XIII. 1983.5. 
Substituted by: 
XXIX. 1988.4.
3. (1) It shall not be lawful for any person to use for any
purpose whatsoever, without the written authority of the Prime
Minister, or not in accordance with any condition contained in any
such written authority, the Emblem of Malta or any imitation
thereof, or the armorial ensigns or the emblem referred to in
subsection (2) of section 2 of this Act or any imitation thereof.
(2) It shall not be lawful for any person to incorporate within
any design, for any purpose whatsoever, without the written
authority of the Prime Minister, or not in accordance with any
condition contained in any such written authority, the National Flag
of Malta.
Public Seal.
Added by: 
XXIX. 1988.5.
4. The Public Seal of Malta shall be a seal of a design as
shown in the Second Schedule to this Act.
Custody of the 
Public Seal. 
Added by: 
XXIX. 1988.5.
5. (1) The President of Malta may designate a Minister or a
senior officer in the service of Malta to be the Custodian of the
Public Seal and may give directions as to the manner in which it
shall be kept and used.
(2) In default of any such designation, the President of Malta
shall be the Custodian of the Public Seal.
* See  Government Notice No.450 of the 11th of July,1975.
  2      CAP. 253. _h         EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA 
Vilification of the 
National Flag of 
Malta, etc.    
Added by:
XXIX. 1988.5. 
6. It shall not be lawful for any person to publicly vilify by
words, gestures, written matter, whether printed or not, or pictures
or by some other visible means, or in any manner to deface, the
National Flag of Malta or the Emblem of Malta.
Offences and 
penalties. 
Added by: 
XXIX. 1988.5.
7. (1) Any person who contravenes the provisions of sections
3 and 6 of this Act shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable
on conviction to a fine ( multa ) of not less than fifty liri and not
more than one thousand liri and in the case of a continuing offence
to an additional fine ( multa ) of not less than one lira for each day
during which the offence continues.
(2) No proceedings for an offence under this Act shall be
instituted except with the consent of the Attorney General.
 
 EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA          _g CAP. 253.         3
Substituted by: 
XXIX. 1988.6.
FIRST SCHEDULE  
_gSECTION 2_h
THE EMBLEM OF MALTA 
  4      CAP. 253. _h         EMBLEM AND PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA 
Added by:
XXIX.1988.6.
SECOND SCHEDULE  
_gSECTION 4_h
PUBLIC SEAL OF MALTA 
