I am not in the least bashful to admit that I am addicted to Dr Anna Mallia’s contributions on Sundays. Anybody who, like Anna Mallia, militates against social injustices will have no difficulty to become one of my admirers.
Her valid comments about the supposedly equality between the sexes (15 July) provoked a bit of a stir amongst my circle of friends.
I had my share of the debate and I am in disagreement with a close friend about the matter of buying and selling movable property. Although this matter was not raised by Dr Mallia it is relevant.
I contend that in Malta to effect a fiscal activity on cash basis to purchase movable property including motor vehicles and other expensive items, one member of the married couple may transact without the formal consent (signature) of the other member. It therefore follows that any member, and not necessarily the initial purchaser, may dispose of the movable property likewise. When the activity is transacted on hire purchase and the value is substantial (not like groceries or petty items) then the formal consent is a legal must. However the sale of immovable property requires the formal consent of both parties. I am not so sure about buying.
If my contention is correct I feel that this may give rise to mala fede transactions in the case of movable property more so by the dominant party.
It is true however that, irrespective of the above, many sales outlets and vendors will ask for the two signatures even when the purchase is made on cash bases. This is either through ignorance of the law or to play it 100% safe to exclude themselves from legal consequences.
It would be interesting to find out how Dr Anna Mallia feels about this, if my contention is correct.