The Legal 500

Hassans has an outstanding client list, and is recognised as taking the ‘lion’s share’ of corporate work in Gibraltar, with the capacity to work on ‘very complex and substantial commercial transactions’. The ‘outstanding’ Michael Castiel specialises in large corporate transactions and has advised major food, steel and pharmaceuticals companies on restructuring matters. Vikram Nagrani and Peter Montegriffo worked on the high-value merger of two large listed online gaming companies, and are both singled out as ‘solution providers’ with ‘excellent knowledge’. James Levy QC is ‘sharp’ and can ‘visualise transactions’. Ian Felice is also recommended.

Isolas ‘ client list includes international corporations, investment banks and private equity houses. It has worked on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and insolvency matters.

Triay & Triay’s Javier Triay is a ‘solid and efficient’ lawyer and gives ‘good practical advice’ across corporate and commercial matters. The firm has recently undertaken work for the Bank of Scotland and a Gibraltar company on the financing and purchase of bottled water company Highland Spring. It also acted for a foreign company on its acquisition of a bunkering company operating in the Port of Gibraltar, and advised various banks in relation to acquisitions of other banks.

Triay Stagnetto Neish has been active in transactional work, including cross-border M&A, acquisitions of insurance groups, and international restructuring projects for worldwide clients.

Attias & Levy is repeatedly highlighted for its involvement on smaller corporate transactions, and has experience in international restructuring projects, structured financing projects and joint ventures. Abraham Levy and Levi Attias are recommended.

Cruz & Co has the capacity to compete for high-quality work and is proving to be a ‘first-choice’ firm. Paul Borge provides ‘commercial, practical advice’, and has recently acted on two large takeovers. Nick Cruz is ‘efficient, effective and professional’, and has been acting for various NASDAQ companies on corporate structuring matters relating to an international M&A deal. The firm has also worked on the sale and acquisition of local and international FSA-regulated companies and insurance companies.

Charles A Gomez, Barrister-at-Law has a general retainer with Wm Morrisons plc and also Saccone & Speed (Gibraltar) Ltd. The firm handles all of the latter client’s contractual work, including exclusive purchasing and agency agreements.

Massias & Partners has been busy with M&A deals, and also on the restructuring of existing businesses. The team includes the ‘very dependable’ Isaac Massias and Penny Garcia.

Verralls Barristers and Solicitors’ Craig Fortunato is emerging as a strong commercial lawyer in the local legal market, and is praised for his level of knowledge and his ‘strong drive to deliver for the client’. John Verrall is also recommended. The firm advised on the establishment of insurance company insurethebox.

Stephen Bullock & Company provides general commercial advice.