Dr. Emmanuel Mallia pursued his law studies at the University of Malta, where he achieved multiple legal qualifications: Legal Procurator in 1973, Notary Public in 1978, and Doctor of Laws in 1979. Early in his career, he worked at Guido de Marco & Associates (Advocates).  In 1980, Dr. Mallia founded his own law firm, Emmanuel Mallia & Associates. Renowned as a Criminal Law expert, he defended numerous high-profile jury trials in Malta and participated in international criminal defense teams. He also lectured on Criminal Law and Procedure at the University of Malta and the Police Academy. Dr. Mallia is a member of the International Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Dr. Mallia entered Maltese politics by successfully contesting the general elections in 2013 and 2017, securing seats from two constituencies simultaneously in 2013. He was appointed Minister for Home Affairs and National Security in 2013 and later served as Minister for Competitiveness and Digital, Maritime, and Services Economy from 2016. During Malta’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2017, he played a pivotal role in the adoption of the “Roam Like at Home” digital strategy as a legal act by the Council.

In the House of Representatives, Dr. Mallia was appointed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee and later the Foreign and European Affairs Committee. He led the Maltese delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and served as a member of the Maltese Delegation at the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Additionally, he was involved in the Legal and Human Rights Committee and the Committee on the Election of Judges to the European Court of Human Rights at the Council of Europe.

Dr. Mallia also contributed as a member of the Maltese Delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM) and the Committee of Experts on Terrorism within the Council of Europe. As Chairman of the Commonwealth ICT Ministers Forum in 2016, he endorsed a new strategic plan for the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation.

On 23 November 2021, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Mallia arrived in the United Kingdom to assume his duties as High Commissioner of Malta to the Court of St James’s. He presented the working copies of his Credentials to the Vice-Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps and Director of Protocol at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office on 27 January 2022. Subsequently, on 29 April 2022, he had the honour of presenting his Credentials to Her Majesty The Queen.

On 20 December 2024, His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Mallia formally presented his Letters of Credence as Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to the Kingdom of Spain to Mr. Adrián Martín Couce, Director-General of Protocol, Chancellery, and Orders at the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation. On 8 January 2025, His Excellency had the privilege of presenting his Letters of Credence to His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain.

Dr. Mallia has been actively involved in various non-profit organizations in Malta. He served as an executive member of the Malta Football Association, Vice-President of the Malta Red Cross, Chairman of the Motor Racing Association, President of the Pembroke Basketball Club, and President of the Casino Maltese (1852) Social Club.

He is married to Elena Codruta née Cristian and has two sons, Nicola and Emmanuel.