The Commissioners for Justice Act (Cap. 291 of the Laws of Malta) was enacted to provide for the establishment of a system for the depenalisation and trial of petty cases.

Commissioners for Justice preside the Regional Tribunals and have the functions and powers assigned to them by Cap. 291, or under the Local Government Act, or under any other Act including the following functions and powers:

• to consider any charge brought before them by the Executive Police in accordance with article 5 of Cap. 291 or by local councils under the Local Government Act or by any other authority under any other Act;
• to hear witnesses on oath or affirmation and to examine such evidence as may be produced before them;
• to determine whether, on the evidence so produced, the scheduled offence specified in the charge has or has not been proved to have been committed by the person charged;
• to impose such penalty in accordance with the provisions of article 10(2), and Cap. 9. Generally, for the purpose of exercising their functions and powers, the Commissioners shall have, mutatis mutandis, all such powers as are, by the provisions of Book Second of the Criminal Code, vested in the Court of Magistrates.