The Legal 500

The ‘excellent’ Camilleri Preziosi Advocates maintains its position as a leading firm in Malta. The firm provides comprehensive services across the banking and finance sector, and clients include one of the two largest banking groups in Malta. Laragh Cassar is recommended.

Ganado & Associates enjoys a very strong reputation in the market as a full-service firm representing predominantly international clients, and handles banking work as part of its broader financial services practice. Max Ganado is ‘absolutely brilliant’.

One of the largest firms on the island, Mamo TCV Advocates provides high-quality legal advice across a wide range of practice areas. The firm is highly regarded for its financial services work and the team also handles a flow of advisory work regarding European legislation. Joseph Saliba is ‘a very dedicated lawyer’.

David Griscti & Associates is a boutique law firm focusing entirely on financial services for international clients. The firm has particular expertise in investment services, securities and corporate law.

Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal is a young firm built upon the combined expertise of the founding partners. Tonio Fenech, formerly of Fenech & Fenech Advocates, and Christian Farrugia, formerly of Farrugia Schembri Orland – Law Firm, have significant contacts in the financial sector, and Antoine Fiott is highly regarded for his tax expertise.

Primarily recognised as the ‘standout firm for ship finance’ in Malta, Fenech & Fenech Advocates’ financial services practice was strengthened when Joseph Ghio joined the firm in 2010. The team represents international and domestic clients, including a number of banks. Rosanne Bonnici is also recommended.

GVTH Advocates is credited for the ‘extremely professional’ service it provides to clients. It is active in banking and finance, and represented a large international company on a public procurement tender and all related financial matters in Malta.

At Galea Salomone & Associates, name partner Arthur Galea Salomone has a strong reputation in the financial field, and has advised on regulation for the financial services sector. The firm represents predominantly international clients, and has witnessed a growth in funds and international banking work.

The ‘professional and well-respected’ Simon Tortell & Associates ‘really stands out’ within the financial services sector. Founded in 2009 by a former GVTH Advocates partner, the firm represents international and domestic clients, including large investment banks. The ‘stalwart’ Simon Tortell and ‘responsive, knowledgeable and professional’ Katya Tua are recommended.

Aequitas Legal is praised for its ‘excellent response times’ and ‘strong business acumen’. The firm has expertise in investment funds and regulatory work. Georg Sapiano is recommended as ‘extremely business-minded and internationally savvy’.

CDF Advocates specialises in funds and fund management work. The firm is praised for its ‘industry knowledge and value for money’, and provides a ‘personalised and quick service’, in large part credited to the ‘well-connected and knowledgeable’ Frank Chetcuti Dimech, who heads the team.

Financial services is a core area for Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates; the firm has expertise in funds and investment work, and represents mainly international clients. Team head Charles Cassar is based in London.

Working across a range of practice areas, EMD Advocates provides clients with a ‘first-rate service’ which is ‘cost-effective and timely’. Recent work includes advising on the establishment of investment funds and trusts. Pierre Mifsud is recommended.

Litigation remains at the heart of Refalo & Zammit Pace Advocates’ practice, but the addition of Roderick Zammit Pace, through the firm’s 2009 merger, strengthened the firm on the corporate finance and banking and financial services side.

Financial services is a core area of focus for Zammit & Associates – Advocates. Described as ‘one to watch’, the relatively young firm advised on amendments to the Financial Institutions Act regarding electronic money institutions in Malta. The ‘pragmatic’ Andrew Zammit has ‘good technical knowledge’, and Robert Taylor-East is also recommended.

AVMT Advocates focuses on corporate work, with expertise in the establishment of efficient international tax structures. The firm’s clients are predominantly international, and include financial institutions and banks.

Guido de Marco & Associates has a well-established client base, and acts for a number of regulated companies and fund managers.

Muscat Azzopardi & Associates is growing in line with the development of Malta’s financial services sector. The firm has expertise in regulatory as well as licensing, insurance and investment matters.