Gift voucher expired before I could use it and shop won’t honour it

Very short expiry periods on gift vouchers, especially ones that are not clearly and prominently disclosed at the point of purchase, can be challenged as unfair contract terms under the framework linked to the Consumer Affairs Act, Chapter 378 of the Laws of Malta, since they can unreasonably deprive the consumer of the value already paid for. Ask the restaurant, or whoever originally purchased the voucher, for a copy of the terms that were provided at the time of purchase to see whether the expiry condition was clearly stated. If the expiry term was not clearly disclosed, or you consider six months unreasonably short for a prepaid gift voucher, raise this in writing with the business and, if unresolved, with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA). For a formal remedy, especially if the amount is meaningful, the Consumer Claims Tribunal can assess whether the expiry clause is enforceable against you as a consumer.