Malta > Legal market overview
An efficient and advantageous tax regime, combined with the country’s location, well-developed manufacturing industry, extensive network of double tax treaties and a fairly sophisticated business environment, makes Malta an attractive destination for international investors and businesses. This generates a wealth of corporate and financial services work for the legal sector. Furthermore, Malta’s strategic position in the centre of the Mediterranean ensures its standing as a popular destination for maritime business and international shipowners, resulting in plenty of maritime work for law firms.
There are a number of high-quality boutique firms in Malta, specialising in one or two practice areas, but the larger firms – Camilleri Preziosi Advocates; Fenech & Fenech Advocates; GVTH Advocates; Mamo TCV Advocates and Ganado & Associates – dominate the market. The country’s law firms are typically family businesses.
Fenech Farrugia Fiott Legal is a relatively new firm, founded in 2009. With the combined expertise of the founding partners, the firm is strong across banking and corporate work and is expected to do well.
In 2010, the parliament enacted the Aircraft Registration Act, which regulates the registration of aircraft and aircraft mortgages in an effort to promote the industry and enhance Malta’s reputation as an aviation centre. Aequitas Legal has already established a strong aviation practice, as have several of the larger firms, in order to capitalise on this developing area.
The future may also see a rise in IP work for firms, as the government looks to develop the creative industries in Malta.