The Junior Chamber of Advocates (JCA), is an organisation established under the auspices of the Chamber of Advocates. It 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 that 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, the JCA organised a 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. 2017 was also the first year of the JCA Family Law Moot Court, that offered students the opportunity to take part in a case dealing with family law matters, providing students the chance to undergo procedures adopted in actual family law cases.
Another project, which the JCA Executive Members take pride in, is the development of the ‘Prattika-Link’ which serves to facilitate the placement of students to find the most suitable internship for their ‘prattika’ requirements; hopefully resulting in employment upon completion of the law course. The JCA is also at the forefront in representing students on current issues regarding 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.
The JCA has collaborated with the Malta Model United Nations Society (MMUN) 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 as to improve their public speaking skills whilst debating current affairs – a necessary skill for all law students.
In 2018, the JCA obtained recognition by the University of Malta Degree Plus system. Through this initiative, members of the JCA were able to receive extra credits for taking part in events organized by the organization. This meant that students were finally recognized academically for going the extra mile to attend JCA events.
During 2019, the JCA was recognised as a student organisation by the Senate of the University of Malta. This was yet another milestone for JCA as it has consolidated its position at a University level in order to reach its desired aims.
For more information, please visit the JCA’s Facebook page, or their website https://juniorchamber.net/. They may also be contacted by email on exec@juniorchamber.net.
Students wishing to join up to the Junior Chamber of Advocates may complete the application form here: JCA Membership Application Form
Junior Chamber of Advocates Executive Committee 2022/2023
President: Cherise Sultana
Vice President: Chantelle Busuttil Stevens
Secretary General: Larkin Magro
Financial Officer: Matthea Wadge
Academic Officer: Christine Galea
Academic Coordinator: Martha Aquilina
Projects Officer: Nicole Carabott
Projects Coordinator: Tyler Vella
Public Relations Officer: Sarah Pisani
Media Coordinator: Alizée Micallef
Social Policy Officer: Michaela Ellul
Introductory Officer: Ethan Pawley Neame
Benefits of becoming a member of the Junior Chamber of Advocates:
- Free registration for JCA seminars, held by legal practitioners
- Free registration for Moot Courts, held at the Law Courts of Malta and presided by Honorary Judges
- Enlistment for facilities offered by our Prattika-Link program
- Degree Plus recognition at the University of Malta
- 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
To join the Junior Chamber of Advocates, you may click here
For more information, please visit our Facebook page or contact us on exec@juniorchamber.net.
Cherise Sultana
President
Cherise Sultana is a third year law student and the current President of the Junior Chamber of Advocates. Cherise has previously served in the executive as the Introductory Officer, her role was to help students bridge the gap between post-secondary to tertiary level. This year, Cherise is committed to helping the executive foster an environment that facilitates the transition of legal students into the profession. Under Cherise, JCA will strive to help students in bridging the gap between the law course and the legal profession, by holding seminars, moot courts and social events to ensure that law students have the ultimate educational experience at the UoM.
Chantelle Busuttil Stevens
Vice-President
Chantelle Busuttil Stevens is the current Vice-President of the Junior Chamber of Advocates. Through the Prattika Link Programme, Chantelle looks forward to helping students bridge the gap between the law course and the legal profession. Having served as Assistant Academic Officer in the previous term, Chantelle is a highly organised and motivated individual who has understood the importance of proper planning and effective communication. She intends to implement these values throughout her role as Vice-President and looks forward to working closely with the President and the rest of the executive so as to ensure the fulfilment of JCA’s objectives.
Larkin Magro
Secretary General
Larkin Magro is a Master of Advocacy student and the current Secretary General of the Junior Chamber of Advocates. His past role as Assistant Projects Manager has taught him what a law student really needs to stimulate their studies further, along with how to go about creating such content with the best quality to ensure the best experience. He has also learned what needs to be done to make sure that the tasks at hand will be executed well and be accomplished to their highest potential. For this term his main goal is to build upon the skills already present, ensure the constant growth of the team, along with furthering their reach and providing the student body with the necessary tools to transition to a professional career.
Matthea Wadge
Financial Officer
Matthea Wadge is a second-year law student and the Junior Chamber of Advocates' Public Relations Officer. She is an embodiment of positivity, as evidenced by the creativity and determination evident in her work. As a result, this can be seen in her ability to promote events and inspire a large number of people to join JCA and have a strong relationship with the organization. Matthea additionally ensures that her social media efforts express the organization's ethos and embody the concept of 'bridging the gap' between law students and legal practitioners. Finally, her goal is to increase engagement between JCA and its followers and members, particularly through a variety of public relations initiatives.
Christine Galea
Academic Officer
Christine Galea is a third-year law student and the current Academic Officer within the Junior Chamber of Advocates. She believes that being a member of JCA and participating in the previous term's moot courts helped her obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to organise activities aimed at assisting law students in their journey into the legal profession. Her primary responsibility as Academic Officer will be to set up and organise moot courts alongside the Academic Coordinator, with the aim of helping students gain experience in the legal field in order for them to be able to put the theoretical knowledge learnt at University into practice, thereby gaining essential legal skills. Christine looks forward to equipping students with legal capacities which will eventually benefit them in the future when becoming practitioners, as well as to serve as an intermediary between the students and the legal profession. She is eager to contribute to the Junior Chamber of Advocates and help the organisation attain its full potential.
Martha Aquilina
Academic Coordinator
Martha Aquilina is a third year law student and the current Assistant Academic Officer for the Junior Chamber of Advocates. She shall be assisting primarily in the organisation of moot courts and social events organised by JCA. Martha looks forward to working alongside the Academic Officer to help students bridge the gap between the law course and the legal profession. Moreover, she aspires to use her enthusiasm and ambition to help JCA in reaching their goals.
Nicole Carabott
Projects Officer
Nicole Carabott is a third year law student and the current Projects Officer for the Junior Chamber of Advocates. Her intention in this executive role is to keep elevating this office in a way that ensures that students get the full benefit of attending a JCA academic seminar and event. She is extremely grateful and looking forward to being able to expose students to opportunities to learn and grow in their legal and professional development. She has always been passionate about student activism and the important role that student organisations play in a student’s university life span. Consequently, Nicole is honoured to be working with like-minded individuals who are equally as enthusiastic and determined at seeing the goals for the Junior Chamber of Advocates come to fruition.
Tyler Vella
Projects Coordinator
Tyler Vella is the current Projects Coordinator and a third-year law student. In his role, he intends to work with the Projects Officer to create initiatives that are both relevant to students' legal studies and also explore parts of the law that are less usually discussed and seen, hence, broadening the students' perspectives and opportunities. Tyler is a firm believer in teamwork and unity, and he is honoured to be a part of such a talented group of young people. He feels that his organisational expertise, together with his hard work, passionate and persistent attitude, will provide the JCA with a unique skill set that will aid the organisation in achieving its goals.
Sarah Pisani
Public Relations Officer
Sarah Pisani is a third year student reading for a Bachelor of Laws Degree and is the current Media Coordinator for the Junior Chamber of Advocates. She describes herself as an individual who prioritises organisation as well as communication with the other organisation members. Through her role, Sarah is looking forward to help promote JCA’s events and undertakings along with the PRO, and through their collective creativity and efficiency bring the organisation’s expectations to reality. Lastly, another aspiration which Sarah has is to ‘bridge the gap’ between the law students and the law profession through the various initiatives and creative ideas which will be implemented throughout the period she will be serving as JCA’s Media Coordinator.
Alizée Micallef
Media Coordinator
Alizee Micallef is a third-year university student reading for a Bachelor of Laws Degree and she is the current Media Coordinator for the Junior Chamber of Advocates. She describes herself as a hard-working individual who aims at always abiding by her deadlines and making sure that any work presented by her, is accurate, concise and valuable. Moreover, through her role, Alizee is determined to work hand in hand with the Public Relations Officer and applying her knowledge in Marketing, when taking care of marketing strategies and posters in order to promote any events which are being held by the Junior Chamber of Advocates, and the organization itself. Alizee will also strive to ‘bridge the gap’ between the theoretical life law students experience while studying at university, and the practical life they will face in the law profession throughout her period serving as JCA’s Media Coordinator.
Michaela Ellul
Social Policy Officer
Michaela Ellul is a third year law student and the current Social Policy Officer of the Junior Chamber of Advocates. Michaela is committed to adopting this new role and representing her peers to the best of her ability, bridging the gap between law students and the legal profession. She is confident in her ability to influence change and aspires to grow the Social Policy Office through collaboration with other student organisations and successful debate in order to make students’ lives easier on campus and during their studies. Furthermore, by involvement in numerous fora and the publication of social policy papers, she hopes to convey the Junior Chamber of Advocates’ perspective on current, legal concerns affecting our society.
Ethan Pawley Neame
Introductory Officer
Ethan Pawley Neame is a second-year law student and holds the current position of JCA’s Introductory Officer. His role in the organisation is to provide aspiring law students as well as first-year law students with the tools and information to embark on their new journey at the University of Malta. Moreover, it is a great pleasure and honour of his to be welcoming students to their second home; specifically through JCA’s annual induction meetings and other fun events. He will also be working hand-in-hand with the rest of the executive team to help bring JCA’s vision to life.
