Ganado Advocates‘ team ‘provides a wealth of in-depth knowledge and hands-on practical experience‘ in the investment funds industry. The practice regularly advises fund managers, investment firms, and fund custodians and start-ups on all aspects of Maltese and EU law and regulation pertaining to investment funds work. Andre Zerafa co-heads the group alongside in-house financial regulatory expert James Farrugia and is well-versed in advising on the structuring of alternative investment funds, UCITS funds and other retail funds. Marina Grech and David Borg-Carbott are active in a range of transactional and regulatory matters.
Investment funds in Malta
Ganado Advocates
Practice head(s):
Andre Zerafa; James Farrugia
Other key lawyers:
Marina Grech; David Borg-Carbott
Testimonials
‘Ganado Advocates cut through the small talk and really focus on what matters. This means a good level of service delivery whilst being mindful of costs. ’
‘Ganado Advocates provides a wealth of in-depth knowledge and hands-on practical experience to its clients, across a number of areas, including investment services and fund management business. The diverse team of professionals addressing client needs make Ganado Advocates a stellar service provider in the local industry. ’
‘Andre Zerafa has deep knowledge and experience of the industry. Good support from their associates.’
Key clients
Augmenta SICAV plc
Diaman Partners Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted Augmenta SICAV plc with the launch of a new sub-fund within a UCITS umbrella scheme.
- Advised Diaman Partners Limited on obtaining regulatory approval from the MFSA for the acquisition of a 20% stake by the Azimut Group in the client.
Camilleri Preziosi
Camilleri Preziosi garners praise as 'a very proactive firm' with a team of 'responsive and high calibre solicitors'. The group stands out as 'very knowledgeable in the investment funds area'. The investment funds practice is led by Louis de Gabriele
, who brings over 25 years of experience in advising on the establishment of funds and asset management matters, to name a couple of areas. Andrew Caruana Scicluna is 'extremely knowledgeable on the financial sector'.
Practice head(s):
Louis de Gabriele; Andrew Caruana Scicluna
Testimonials
‘Andrew Caruana Scicluna is great lawyer. Always very helpful, trying to understand the issue of a client. His communication and advice is very efficient, easy to understand and precise.’
‘Andrew and his team exhibit all I look for in a legal firm.’
‘I deal mainly with Andrew Caruana Scicluna who is extremely knowledgeable on the financial sector, not just from a legal perspective but also on the actual intricacies of managing a fund or an asset manager.’
‘Very proactive firm, responsive and high calibre solicitors.’
‘Andrew is always very punctual with delivery times and super efficient. ’
‘They are very knowledgeable in the Investment Funds area and I have my mind at rest that whenever I have a legal issue/query, through their knowledge they can offer an appropriate solution. The most knowledgeable person of the team in my opinion is Dr Andrew Caruana Scicluna.’
‘Camilleri Preziosi are one of Malta’s top law firms, mainly within their financial services practice. We have found them to offer top notch legal advice, and they have always acted highly professionally and are responsive.’
Mamo TCV Advocates
Katya Tua heads up the practice at Mamo TCV Advocates, which has a solid track record in advising on the structuring and licensing of alternative investment funds, professional investor funds and open-end and closed-end funds. The team is also adept at handling EU regulatory issues and passporting UCITS funds in or out of Malta.
Practice head(s):
Katya Tua
Key clients
Pamplona PE Investment Malta Limited (Investment Manager Licensed by the MFSA as AIFM)
Woodman Funds SICAV plc
Lombard Capital Asset Management Ltd
ACL Fund SICAV plc
Work highlights
- Advised an Alternative Investment Fund Manager licensed in Malta on regulatory matters.
- Assisted a fund with changing a licence from an Alternative Investment Fund to a Maltese Professional Investor Fund, as well as advising on the NPIF regime.
- Assisted a MifID entity with updating its MiFID licence for the purpose of trading derivatives.
Deguara Farrugia Advocates
Deguara Farrugia Advocates is best known for assisting with the setting up of funds, investment services companies, and fintech entities seeking authorisation for operating within the virtual financial assets space. The practice is jointly led by Jean Farrugia and Johan Farrugia; the duo are ably supported by senior associate Alejandro Borg.
Practice head(s):
Jean Farrugia; Johan Farrugia
Other key lawyers:
Alejandro Borg
Testimonials
‘DFA is characterized by professionalism and know-how. In addition to the comprehensive specialist knowledge and good networking in the market, the employees know how to establish practical relevance and thus achieve quick and good results.’
‘Jean Farrugia who, as an expert and practitioner, always has a good solution ready. In him you have a partner and friend.’
‘As a young lawyer, Alejandro Borg quickly recognized the needs of an investment company and is increasingly able to implement the theory and regulatory requirements as part of the team.’
GVZH Advocates
GVZH Advocates' practice assists a client roster of start-ups, funds, financial institutions and fintech companies with licensing, regulatory and operational matters pertaining to investment funds. Andrew Zammit and Kurt Hyzler jointly head up the department, which is also noted for its strength in transactional matters.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Zammit; Kurt Hyzler
Key clients
Capaneo Investments Sicav plc
Jacaranda Special Situations Sicav plc
Vista Fund Sicav plc
Work highlights
- Advising Capaneo Investments Sicav plc on ongoing regulatory requirements.
- Advised Jacaranda Special Situations Sicav plc on regulatory matters, including the acquisition of target entities.
- Acting as counsel to Vista Fund Sicav plc relating to ongoing regulatory matters.