The Legal 500

Within Banking and finance, Hassans is a first tier firm,

Hassans ‘provides an exceptional service and is always prepared to go the extra mile’, and its main expertise covers banking, derivatives, securitisation, e-money, insurance, and investment services. Practice head Tony Provasoli specialises in financial services, and has particular experience in representing telecoms clients including Gibtelecom and the International Telecommunication Union (UN). Well-regarded lawyer Valerie Holliday is active in Gibraltar’s growing e-money market and previously helped implement the EU directive on banking and financial services in Gibraltar law. Both Provasoli and Holliday are well known for their cross-border transactional work. James Lasry leads the firm’s highly developed funds practice, and Yvonne Chu-Feetham is also recommended for her work in this field. Nigel Feetham is the main contact in insurance, and has expertise in insurance passporting and the structuring of insurance companies.

Within Corporate and M&A, Hassans is a first tier firm,

With comprehensive corporate and commercial expertise, Hassans is ‘in a league of its own’, showing ‘commitment to clients’ and ‘in-depth knowledge of international and domestic markets’. The firm’s specialist funds team, headed by senior partner James Levy QC, has helped to pioneer this developing sector and Yvonne Chu-Feetham is particularly recommended for her work in this field. Javier Chincotta, who provides ‘top service’, acted on the IPO of Gibraltar’s first company to be listed on the London Stock Exchange. Gaming industry expert Peter Montegriffo provides high-level subsidiary corporate services to clients. Michael Castiel specialises in assisting Fortune 250 companies with setting up offshore structures and dealing with high-value transactions channelled through the jurisdiction. The ‘extremely knowledgeable and experienced’ Richard Buttigieg and Ian Felice ‘make situations win-win all-round’, and Vikram Nagrani is also recommended. The firm acts for several publicly listed oil companies, including Subsea 7, and also recently advised Apax Partners on its $1bn acquisition of Paradigm.

Within Dispute resolution, Hassans is a first tier firm,

‘By far the best in Gibraltar’, Hassans has broad-based expertise, with particular strengths in commercial, shipping, constitutional, and cross-border disputes. The firm has also represented asylum-seekers in immigration cases. The ‘outstanding’ John Restano continues to act for Crédit Agricole in Michailidis v Calyon. Practice head Lewis Baglietto is ‘every bit as good as his counterparts in London’. Former Minister for Justice Daniel Feetham returned to the firm; he is a ‘tenacious and determined’ litigator with ‘the strength to want to take things on’. Feetham inherited a contentious trusts caseload from former Hassans lawyer Gilbert Licudi, who is now Minister for Justice. David Dumas is ‘distinguished for his ability to remain calm and confident in high-pressure negotiations’, and Julian Santos ‘finds solutions and thinks one step ahead’. Nicholas Howard is also ‘a lawyer of high quality’.

Within Private client, Hassans is a first tier firm,

‘Competent, efficient and timely’, Hassans ‘provides clients with superb service’, and is ‘clearly the market leader’. Javier Chincotta is well known for his work in relocating high-net-worth individuals to Gibraltar, particularly those with ‘Category 2’ status, and for tax and estate planning. ‘Leading figure’ Peter Montegriffo helped to draft changes to Gibraltar’s trusts legislation. Registered trust and estates practitioner Nyreen Llamas is expert in pensions law.

Within Real estate and construction, Hassans is a first tier firm,

‘Highly appreciated, upstanding and reliable’, Hassans provides ‘quick, well thought out answers’ on residential and commercial real estate matters, including financing, through an integrated team of finance, tax and property specialists. ‘Knowledgeable’ practice head Dick Azopardi advises many of Gibraltar’s property developers and lending institutions on real estate development. The firm also advises on construction law, as well as leasing and landlord and tenant issues. Colleene Wink is experienced in advising government bodies. The practice is supported on larger transactions by its specialist investment company, Hassans Property Services Limited.

Within Shipping, Hassans is a third tier firm,

Hassans continues to act on high-profile ship arrests. Associate Anne Rose is the main contact in the department, and is assisted by John Restano and Lewis Baglietto, who are both experienced in complex shipping and maritime litigation. Yvonne Chu-Feetham deals with marine finance.

Within TMT, Hassans is a first tier firm,

Hassans’ TMT practice continues to lead in the gaming industry, and recently advised US internet poker operators on obtaining licences in Gibraltar and complying with EU regulatory requirements. ‘Leading gaming expert’ Peter Montegriffo has established a strong reputation across Europe, and acted on the IPOs of several of Gibraltar’s listed companies in the sector. Nyreen Llamas advises major domestic gambling operators on regulatory compliance. Gibtelecom is a longstanding client, and the firm has also worked closely with the government to develop policy for gaming and the broader telecoms sector. Other areas of expertise include intellectual property, including data protection, trade marks and patents.

Within Tax, Hassans is a first tier firm,

Hassans’ ‘excellent’ practice has ‘in-depth knowledge of all legal requirements both in the international and domestic market’. Practice head Chris White, formerly of the Inland Revenue, has strong technical expertise, and advised the government on major legislative reform. Michael Castiel specialises in tax structuring advice to multinational companies establishing branches in Gibraltar. Former chartered accountant Albert Mena is regarded as ‘a uniquelawyer’, and James Lasry, Moses Anahory and Moses Benady are also recommended.