 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS ġ S.L.251.01 1
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
and 162 of 1995.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Title.
Decorations.
Interpretation.
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.
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;
( c ) 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.
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;
( c ) 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.
2 ġ S.L.251.01  HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Secretary to the 
Cabinet.
5. The Secretary to the Cabinet shall -
( 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 ħall- ġid
tal-Maltin" and "Gie ħ 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;
( c ) 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.
Amended by:
L.N. 178 of 1994;
L.N. 162 of 1995.
7. The Insignia of the Order shall consist of -
(1) For Companions of Honour
( 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
 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS ġ S.L.251.01 3
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.
Midalja 
g ħall-Qlubija.
8. The Midalja g ħall-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 ħall-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.
Midalja g ħall-Qadi 
tar-Repubblika.
9. The Midalja g ħall-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
4 ġ 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 ħall-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.
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 
Service Medal.
11. The Long and Efficient 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 the Maltese
Cross within a wreath of laurel encircled by the words "G ħal
Servizz Twil u Effi ċjenti"; 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.
QUALIFYING SERVICE FOR LONG AND EFFICIENT 
SERVICE MEDALS
Qualifying service. 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) Service in any of the above disciplined forces, including
the former Malta Territorial Force, as well as the former Admiralty
Constabulary, the Civil Defence Corps and any other disciplined
force absorbed by any of the forces listed in article 16(4) of the Act
shall be considered as qualifying service.
(4) 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.
WEARING OF INSIGNIA, MEDALS AND RIBBONS
 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS ġ S.L.251.01 5
Method of wearing 
Insignia.
Amended by:
L.N. 162 of 1995.
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.
( c ) A lapel clip denoting the Midalja g ħall-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.
Sequence for 
wearing Insigna 
and medals.
Substituted by:
L.N. 178 of 1994.
14. (1) Insignia of the Xirka and of the Order and for wearing
medals shall be worn in following order -
( a ) Insignia of a Companion of Honour of the Order
( b ) Insignia of the Xirka
( c ) 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 ħall-Qlubija
( g ) Midalja g ħall-Qadi tar-Repubblika
( h ) National Commemorative Medals
( i ) Long and Efficient Service Medals.
(2) A Maltese citizen shall not, in Malta, wear the insignia of
6 ġ S.L.251.01  HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
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
Investiture. 15. (1) Appointments to the Xirka and appointments to or
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 ħ ir-Repubblika.
or  the Insignia of a ............... ( name appropriate
grade ) of the National Order of Merit.
or  the Midalja g ħall- .............. ( 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 ħ ir-Repubblika.
or  the Insignia of a .................. ( name appropriate
grade ) of the National Order of Merit.
or  the Midalja g ħall- ............... ( 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
with the instrument of appointment or promotion, signed,
countersigned and sealed as provided for in article 25 of the Act.
 HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS ġ S.L.251.01 7
(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.
Service medals.
presented by the Minister responsible for the particular 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
Motion for 
termination of 
membership.
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)( c ) of the Act shall
state the grounds on which the motion is based.
S.L.Const.02
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.
Cap.113.
(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
8 ġ S.L.251.01  HONOURS, AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
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
Request for 
authority.
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
Seals. 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 " ĠIE Ħ 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".
Special 
entitlements.
Added by:
L.N. 178 of 1994.
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.
