Amended on 14.12.2016
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF LAWS
TERM PAPER ON A LEGAL SUBJECT
GUIDELINES
2016
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A.
FUNCTIONS OF FACULTY BOARD
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
4
4
4
5
5
7.
8.
9.
Approval of Titles and Term Paper Proposals
Nature of Term Paper
Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright Release
Library Guide for Digitized Dissertations
Submission of Term Paper
Uploading of Term Paper on the Virtual Environment Learning –
VLE (Moodle)
Board of Examiners
The Examination Process
Approval of Title
B.
REGULATIONS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF TERM PAPERS 7
1.
Paper Quality and Typographical Detail
1.1
Methods of Production
1.2
Layout
Pagination
2.1
Page numbering
2.2
Position of Page Numbers
Word Limit
Time Extensions
Preliminaries
5.1
Title page
5.2
Abstract
5.3
Table of Contents
5.4
Tables of Statutes, Cases and International Instruments
5.5
Acknowledgements
5.6
Abbreviations
Text
6.1
Introduction
6.2
Sections
6.3
Conclusion
6.4
Headings
6.5
Note Numbering
End Matter
7.1
Appendices
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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C.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS TO STUDENTS FOR
THE TERM PAPER
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Oscola Referencing System
Maltese Legislation
Maltese Judgments
Hints to Writing Good Term Papers
Translation of Quotations
Inter-disciplinary Content
Methodology
Ethical Implications
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APPENDIX A – FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF TERM PAPER
TITLE AND TERM PAPER PROPOSAL
13
APPENDIX B – DECLARATION BY ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF
ON THE PROPOSED TERM PAPER TITLE AND
PROPOSAL
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A.
FUNCTIONS OF FACULTY BOARD
1. Approval of Titles and Term Paper Proposals
When considering a title and Term Paper proposal for approval, the Faculty Board
determines whether that particular area to be researched has already been allocated to
the subject of a thesis, dissertation or term paper. This function is delegated to the
Head of Department within whose area the research falls. For this purpose, the
Faculty Office circulates to Heads of Department a full list of all the proposed titles
together with relevant proposals. Proposals are to be original and are to be submitted
on a standard form, a copy of which is attached to these guidelines as APPENDIX A.
Where the area to be researched substantially overlaps with the subject of a written
work which has already been approved or which is to be submitted by some other
student, this should normally hinder the approval of the title – unless the student
makes a case and satisfies the Faculty Board that the approach to be adopted varies
significantly from that adopted in the previously approved title.
No Term Paper title is accepted which is identical in substance to a written work
already submitted for a degree in this or any other University or to any other
published material. Students are not, however, precluded from incorporating such
previous work as may be necessary to the presentation and further understanding of
their exposition, provided that the nature and extent of such incorporation are clearly
indicated in the Term Paper itself.
The Title and Proposal form (APPENDIX A) should be accompanied by a
Declaration of a member of the Academic Staff (APPENDIX B) that s/he has been
consulted by the candidate and that s/he sees room for the writing of such a Term
Paper.
In formulating a Term Paper title students should try to have the title as short as
possible and the proposal should be very focused and narrowed down to a specific
subject.
The proposal form and title are to be submitted by the students in the LL.B. Honours
3rd Year as instructed by the Faculty Office.
2. Nature of Term Paper
As the nature of the term paper is that of an assignment, not a dissertation or a thesis,
no supervisor is assigned.
3. Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright Release
Each student must fill in and sign a Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright
Release whereby s/he declares that s/he has read the University of Malta’s Guidelines
on Plagiarism and that the Term Paper is his/her original work. The form of the
Declaration of Authenticity and Copyright Release is found on
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www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/254319/authenticityformug.pdf and the
Guidelines
on
Plagiarism
and
Collusion
are
available
at
www.um.edu.mt/registrar/regulations/general .The declaration must be submitted both
with the proposal and with the term paper itself.
The University of Malta has its own intellectual policy on this matter and reference is
being
made
to
this
policy
which
is
available
at
http://www.um.edu.mt/knowledgetransfer/quicklinks/ippolicy.
4. Library Guide for Digitized Dissertations
All Term Papers should be in the format set out in the Library Guide for Digitized
Dissertations.
The
text
of
this
guide
is
available
at
http://www.um.edu.mt/library/dissertations
5. Submission of Term Paper
Students submitting a Term Paper for examination are to ensure that their work:
a) is of an advanced or original nature in the area of study;
b) satisfies the requirements of presentation;
c) fulfills the requirements of relevant regulations as regards format and length;
and
d) complies with these Guidelines.
When presenting the Term Paper for examination, students must also hand in the
submission
note
as
detailed
on
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/121105/submissiondissertationorthesis.p
df
By end of April students are to submit the following:

3 softbound copies printed back to back (spiral bound) of their term
paper, including Declaration of Authenticity which is to form part of the term
paper immediately after the title page.

1 softcopy of the term paper, either on a CD or on a Pen Drive. The
document should be in PDF format which should NOT be password protected.
The document will be immediately copied by Faculty Office and the pen drive
is returned to the student.

A copy of the Term Paper should be uploaded on VLE. Students should
include Annex D the declaration of Authenticity; available on
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/254319/authenticityformug.pdf
with their term paper on VLE and on the CD (this is to be included after the
title page)
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
1 original copy of Annex C, the submission note; available on
http://www.um.edu.mt/laws/downloads. These will be retained by the Faculty
for record purposes.

A declaration containing the exact number of words (excluding Abstract,
Tables and Appendices)
6. Uploading of Term Paper on the Virtual Environment Learning – VLE
(Moodle)
Plagiarism, at any stage of the preparation and finalisation of a Term Paper is
prohibited. For this purpose, the Term Paper is passed through plagiarism software.
After a Term Paper is submitted for examination, the student must upload his/her
Term Paper on the Virtual Environment Learning – VLE (Moodle). The purpose of
this procedure is to generate a report by the plagiarism software. Please follow the
link
hereunder
for information
regarding
Turnitin:
http://www.um.edu.mt/vle/pds/students.
There is also a quick guide specifically on uploading a Term Paper on the same lines
of
an
assignment
/
on
Turnitin
available
here:
http://www.um.edu.mt/vle/pds/students/pdstraining.
7. Board of Examiners
(a) The Faculty Board shall appoint a Board of Examiners for each Term Paper
submitted.
(b)
The Board of Examiners shall be composed as detailed on the
Assessment
Regulations,
2009
available
at
www.um.edu.mt/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/24868/Assessment_Regu
lations.pdf
8. The Examination Process
When a student fails in the Term Paper, s/he shall resubmit his/her Term Paper by the
end of August/beginning of September, or as detailed by the Faculty Office.
9. Approval of Title
The Faculty Board is the governing body that approves titles.
Notification of the approval of the title, is communicated forthwith to students in
writing.
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B.
REGULATIONS FOR THE PRESENTATION OF TERM PAPERS
1. Paper Quality and Typographical Detail
1.1 Methods of Production
Term Papers shall be presented in a typewritten form. Characters shall be not less
than 12pt. Typing should be of even quality, with clear black characters.
1.2 Layout
Margins on the right and left hand side shall be 3cm and the top and bottom margins
shall be 2.5cm. Double or one-and-a-half spacing shall be used in typescript.
2. Pagination
2.1 Page Numbering
All pages must be numbered in one continuous sequence, from the title page to the
last page of the type, in Arabic numerals from 1 onwards. This sequence must
include appendices and bibliography.
2.2 Position of Page Numbers
Page numbers shall be located centrally at the bottom of the page.
3. Word Limit
The Term Paper shall not be less than 10,000 words and not more than 12,000 words.
No extension on the word limit may be granted.
The prescribed length refers to the whole Term Paper including the main text,
quotations, footnotes, but excluding preliminaries and other functional parts, such as
bibliography, tables, abstract and index. Annexes and appendices do not form part of
the word limit.
4. Time Extensions
No time extensions will be allowed. Where a Term Paper is submitted after the due
date, a mark 0 (Grade F) will be awarded. A student shall however be entitled to re-sit
the Term Paper under re-sit conditions.
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5. Preliminaries
5.1 Title page
The title page shall give the following information in the order listed:
i. The full title of the Term Paper and the sub-title if any;
ii. The full name of the author, followed, if desired, by any qualifications and
distinctions;
iii. An indication that the Term Paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of the
degree of LL.B. Honours;
iv. The designation “Faculty of Laws, University of Malta”;
v. The month and year of submission.
5.2 Abstract
The title page should be followed by an abstract consisting of no more than 300
words. The abstract should be a concise summary of the work, containing the
fundamental concepts and conclusions. Students must also include five keywords
together with their abstract. Students are to note that the abstract should not be written
in the first person and should not contain footnotes.
5.3 Table of Contents
The table of contents shall immediately follow the Abstract. It shall list in sequence,
with page numbers, all relevant sections of the Term Paper, including the titles of
sections and subsections, as appropriate; the table of cases: the table of statutes; the
table of international instruments; the list of abbreviations, the bibliography and other
functional parts of the whole Term Paper; and any appendices.
5.4 Tables of Statutes, Cases and International Instruments
The tables of statutes, cases, and international instruments shall follow the table of
contents.
5.5 Acknowledgements
Any acknowledgements shall be on the page following the tables of statutes cases and
international instruments.
5.6 Abbreviations
Abbreviations are to be, as far as possible, avoided and used only exceptionally as
they do not contribute to the free flow of the writing and detract the reader from
following better your work. Where however abbreviations are used a table shall be
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provided. For an abbreviation not in common use, the term shall be given in full at the
first instance followed by the abbreviation in brackets.
6. Text
6.1 Introduction
The introduction shall be followed by the first section of the Term Paper. The
Introduction should be used to set out the Term Paper question and Term Paper subquestions as discussed in subsequent sections.
6.2 Sections
Term Papers shall be divided into an Introduction, a number of sections and a
Conclusion. The system of headings shall be consistent and should provide a clear
indication of changes in content, emphasis and other features which occur at each
stage of the work. One of the sections shall deal with literature reviews whilst another
on methodology.
6.3 Conclusion
This should bring together all the issues of the research and link back to the aim and
objectives which were outlined in the Introduction. Any recommendations should
always be based on evidence.
The Conclusion should be original. It may be used to identify areas for future research
related to the topic of the Term Paper, propose changes to the law, contain a list of the
main conclusions of the Term Paper and answer the Term Paper question and subquestions. The Conclusion is the most important part of the Term Paper.
6.4 Headings
The headings recommended are:
(1) Main headings, which should be used for sections and should be in full capitals;
(2) Subsections consisting of associated paragraphs should be above the line of the
text and should use initial capitals.
6.5 Note Numbering
Footnotes should be used and should be restricted to serving the following functions:
(a) to state a source
(b) to acknowledge a borrowing
(c) to refer the reader to another part of the Term Paper
(d) To develop an idea or expand a quotation where to do so in the text would
disturb the flow or the balance of the writing.
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Footnotes should always be used with restraint. If none of the above criteria are met,
then an appendix is probably more suitable.
7. End Matter
7.1 Appendices
Appendices shall follow the main text. Appendices may consist of supporting
material of considerable length or of lists, documents, commentaries, or other
evidence, which, if included in the main text, would interrupt its flow. The style of
appendices shall be consistent with the style of the main text.
C.
IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS TO STUDENTS FOR THE
TERM PAPER
1. Oscola Referencing System
The latest version of the Oscola Referencing system should be used where applicable.
The text of Oscola is available at: http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/publications/oscola.php.
2. Maltese Legislation
Maltese Legislation should be cited by reference to the Laws of Malta. Primary Laws
are arranged by chapter numbers. These should be cited as follows: “Criminal Code,
Chapter 9 of the Laws of Malta”. Subsidiary Legislation should be cited as follows:
“Pornography and Obscenity Regulations, S.L. 9.04”.
3. Maltese Judgments
Where available, reference should be made to the “Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet talQrati Superjuri ta’ Malta”. The citation should be as follows: Generoso sive Jimmy
Sammut vs. Onor. Prim Ministru et, Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet tal-Qrati Superjuri
ta’ Malta, Volum LXXX (1996) Pt.I, p.1. Where the judgement is not available in the
Kollezzjoni, nor in any published source, or in the internet, it should be cited as
follows:


Joseph Borg vs. Josephine Borg, Court of Appeal, 24 June 1995, p. 6.
Joseph Borg vs. Josephine Borg, Civil Court, First Hall, per Mr. Justice V.
Borg Costanzi, 24 June 1990, p. 10.
When the judgment is available on www.justiceservices.gov.mt, you should add the
link as well. You may also state that it is available on this (or other) website if it is not
possible to add the link. This is done by right hand click and send to yourself.
When compiling the Table of Cases, case law should be sub-divided as follows:
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-
Cases in the Kollezzjoni ta’ Decizjonijiet tal-Qrati Superjuri ta’ Malta
Cases available on the Ministry of Justice website
Cases available at the Archives of the Courts of Justice
Other Sources for Case Law (e.g. Judge William Harding’s book; Judge
Joseph Filletti’s book; Judge Oliver Gulia’s book; Ghaqda Studenti talLigi two volume book on Constitutional Law, Prof. Kevin Aquilina’s book
on Development Planning Legislation, etc.).
4. Hints to Writing Good Term Papers




Avoid quoting one and the same source repeatedly throughout the Term Paper.
Avoid paragraphs made up of one sentence or a few sentences.
Source the information you provide through a footnote especially where you
are referring to factual data such as statistics and figures
Ensure that adequate and proper use of footnotes is made throughout the
whole Term Paper.
5. Translation of Quotations
All quotations in Maltese should be translated in a footnote in the English language.
The quote in the Maltese language should go in the text whist the English translation
in a footnote.
6. Inter-disciplinary Content
In so far as content of a Term Paper is concerned, it might benefit the study to refer to
non-legal materials and to write a Term Paper from an inter-disciplinary perspective.
When a student intends to study a particular subject from both a legal and non-legal
perspective, the following considerations have to be taken on board:
(a) the student must declare in his or her Term Paper proposal that s/he will be
studying a particular subject from an interdisciplinary point of view
identifying clearly the non-legal disciplines; and
(b) although a Term Paper might be written from an interdisciplinary point of
view, the predominant focus of the Term Paper should be legal with the nonlegal disciplines assisting in understanding better the legal implications of the
subject under consideration. At no point should the non-legal discipline
predominate over the legal subject of the Term Paper.
7. Methodology
It is recommended to students writing a Term Paper to write a section on literature
review and use various qualitative and quantitative skills used in the social sciences
such as questionnaires, focus groups, statistics, face-to-face interviews, etc. Although
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this is not a compulsory requirement, it will benefit the student’s work to adopt a
rigorous scientific approach to the study of the law.
8. Ethical Implications
Where it is appropriate, students should consult with the Faculty Ethics Committee in
so far as their research might raise certain ethical issues. Students should also consult
the University of Malta webpage of the University Ethics Committee from where they
may download further information. For further guidance see:
http://www.um.edu.mt/urec/gpropform
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APPENDIX A – FORM FOR SUBMISSION OF TERM PAPER TITLE AND PROPOSAL
(TO BE FILLED IN BY STUDENTS)
SURNAME AND NAME: ________________________________________________________
COURSE: ____________________________________________________________________
I.
PROPOSED TERM PAPER TITLE:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
II.
TENTATIVE TERM PAPER OUTLINE (Not to exceed 500 words)
(STUDENT SHOULD INCLUDE THE RESEARCH QUESTION IN THEIR PROPOSAL)
III.
MATERIAL CONSULTED IN PREPARATION OF THE TERM PAPER INCLUDING
BIBLIOGRPAHY (To be given on a separate sheet)
IV.
LIST OF THESES/DISSERTATIONS/RESEARCH PROJECT/TERM PAPERS ON THE SAME
OR SIMILAR SUBJECT MATTER OF YOUR PROPOSAL, IF ANY:
(To be given on a separate sheet – Student must indicate Name and Surname of
Author, Title, Year of Award and Title of Degree Awarded)
V.
LIST NAME AND SURNAME OF MEMBER/S OF THE ACADEMIC STAFF OF THE
FACULTY WITH WHOM YOU HAVE CONSULTED:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
VI.
LIST ANY RELEVANT STUDY-UNIT/S WHICH YOU HAVE FOLLOWED RELATED TO
YOUR PROPOSED AREA OF RESEARCH:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
______________
SIGNATURE
________________
DATE
NOTE:
Students are reminded that when dealing with human subjects they are to refer to the UREC guidelines
available on http://www.um.edu.mt/urec/gpropform
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APPENDIX B – DECLARATION BY ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF ON THE PROPOSED TERM
PAPER TITLE AND PROPOSAL
NAME OF STUDENT: __________________________________________________________
COURSE: ___________________________________________________________________
PROPOSED TERM PAPER TITLE:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
NAME OF ACADEMIC MEMBER: _________________________________________________
COMMENTS FROM ACADEMIC MEMBER OF STAFF REGARDING PROPOSED TITLE,
PROPOSAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHY AS TO WHETHER THERE IS SCOPE FOR THE WRITING OF A
TERM PAPER ON THE ABOVE PROPOSED TITLE:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
DEPARTMENT OR AREA UNDER WHICH TITLE FALLS:
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________
SIGNATURE OF ACADEMIC MEMBER
______________________
DATE
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