In reference to the comments made by Marie Wagner (June 7) I think her three-year estimate with regard to the average completion of matters in this country is totally off the mark. Research will reveal that 10 years is more accurate.

Secondly, the complaint seems to be confined to litigious work before the courts and tribunals.

As a legal practitioner in Australia, visiting and engaging with legal matters in this country, I would suggest that an even greater cause of concern is the archaic and plainly insidious systems and practices pertaining to conveyancing, both inter-vivos and testamentary.

This area affects and influences a far more significant part of a society’s legal demands than litigation.

What I find intriguing is the fact that Malta is ripe for serious and intelligent reform in all areas of transfer and other dealings in land and the administration of deceased estates. This due to, firstly, its relatively compact size, and secondly, its affinity with the English legal system and practice. Yet there is palpable inertia in this regard from all sectors.

Of course, the systems evolved and developed in Australia are acknowledged as the ultimate in terms of efficiency and costs. A sale of land transaction can be completed in 48 hours and cost less than €500. An estate can be administered and finalised within a few months for less than €2,000.

There is no visible reason why Malta could not jump ahead of all other European countries, which seem to suffer from a similar systemic disease, and reap huge economic as well as social benefits in advance. Such a task will be easier than many vested interests will lead you to believe.