Louis De Gabriele heads Camilleri Preziosi‘s strong corporate department, which continues to lead the market in M&A transactions, often involving overseas clients with interests in local companies, predominantly in the manufacturing, banking, insurance, transport and hotel sectors. Corporate restructuring and governance are other core areas of activity. The group retains a niche specialty in iGaming and gambling law. Tax partner Donald Vella and corporate specialist Malcolm Falzon complete the group.
Commercial, corporate and M&A in Malta
Camilleri Preziosi
Practice head(s):
Louis de Gabriele
Other key lawyers:
Donald Vella; Malcolm Falzon
Key clients
Kindred Group plc
VBL plc
Zampa Debattista
Ferratum Bank plc
Work highlights
- Advised on the acquisition by Kindred Group plc of circa 30% of the issued share capital of Relax Holding Limited, a Maltese company with a number of licensed Maltese and foreign subsidiaries operating in the gaming industry.
- Assisted with the acquisition by Zampa Debattista, an accounting, advisory and assurance firm, of Mint Finance, an accounting, audit and business advisory firm.
- Advised on the due diligence process for three Maltese companies forming part of the EMMAC group for the purpose of the acquisition of shares in their parent company, EMMAC Life Sciences Limited.
Fenech & Fenech Advocates
Fenech & Fenech Advocates is a ‘full-service law firm with real experts in each field’. The corporate department is led by Nicolai Vella Falzon, who is lauded by clients for his ‘wealth of knowledge‘ in corporate transactions, privatisations and takeovers, and expertise in the online gaming sector. Antonio Ghio leads on M&A transactions involving technology and intellectual property, and Rosanne Bonnici has complementary expertise in tax-efficient corporate structures.
Practice head(s):
Nicolai Vella Falzon; Rosanne Bonnici; Antonio Ghio
Testimonials
‘Having such a diverse team who are each specialists in their remit means that using Fenech & Fenech’s services provides the one-stop shop feel.’
‘Full-service law firm with real experts in each field. Each field has a specialised partner and a team of associates supporting the partner in that specific field.’
‘Nicolai Vella Falzon stands out for his wealth of knowledge. Excellent communicator, excellent negotiator. Profound civil and commercial law knowledge.’
‘Strong M&A and international tax capabilities.’
‘Rosanne Bonnici is personable, fluent in English and pleasant to work with.’
‘Fenech has a multidisciplinary team which provides you with specialised proposals and solutions for any project. They cover a great variety of areas which is necessary to succeed in the project. You can trust any of the persons appointed to manage the work.’
‘Rosanne Bonnici is a very professional partner. She has a deep knowledge of the law and is very keen on details. She always provides a clean and clear picture of the project and what I appreciate most is her flexibility in order to adjust to any change on the project with new solutions.’
Ganado Advocates
Ganado Advocates‘ ‘competent team’ has an extensive background in corporate and commercial transactions, handling big-ticket, cross-border M&A, the negotiation of joint ventures, company formations and reorganisations. The firm is often involved in Malta’s largest privatisations and maintains a busy venture capital practice. Stephen Attard; consultant Adrian Gabarretta, Nikolai Muscat Farrugia and Simon Schembri are the key practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Gabarretta; Stephen Attard; Nikolai Muscat Farrugia; Simon Schembri
Testimonials
‘Overall, a very welcoming, competent team. Very pleasant to deal with. Very professional.’
‘Stephen Attard is always available and proactive.’
‘The team is deeply knowledgeable about legal topics in this specific area, especially in a Maltese legal context. The quality of work is very high, matching international standards. The team are very proactive and flexible – not only do they brilliantly solve current problems, but they also avoid new ones and find solutions for any issues that arise.’
‘The individuals I work with stand out for their deep knowledge of complex legal matters and their very quick responses and assistance, to very high international standards. In particular, Nikolai Muscat Farrugia is outstanding.’
‘Careful, considered and knowledgeable opinions coupled with a personal approach. They know the law and they know Malta and the influential people there. They have always gone the extra mile to listen to our issues, offer advice and actually step in to help if they can.’
‘The team is always available when needed, and is knowledgeable and always ready to assist and offer quick turnaround.’
‘The team is very responsive.’
GTG Advocates
Best known for its capabilities in handling technology-related corporate mandates, GTG Advocates often assists with due diligence exercises relating to commercial transactions, M&A activities, licensing and domiciliation, and share option agreements. The TMT, gaming and betting sectors are its standout areas of expertise. Managing partner Ian Gauci is supported by senior associate and ‘rising star‘ Terrence Cassar, who acts on behalf of blue-chip B2C and B2B gaming and technology companies.
Practice head(s):
Ian Gauci; Terence Cassar
Testimonials
‘In my view, GTG have a very strong commercial, corporate and M&A practice, and are locally known as thought leaders for technology businesses and commercial transactions and disputes.
‘GTG is unique in that its commercial practice is capable of understanding the practical realities of technology companies, providing us with superior input aligned with our commercial approach. This is particularly relevant for publicly listed operators.’
‘Ian Gauci has a thorough understanding of all commercial, corporate and M&A matters, especially relating to technology, and is considered a sort of guru on technology law matters.’
‘Terence Cassar is our go-to guy for daily business and commercial matters. His ability to simplify problems and translate legal issues into business ones is strongly appreciated since it ensures we address the right concerns, quickly.’
‘Terrence Cassar is a state-of-the-art lawyer who is quick.’
‘What makes it unique is that GTG Advocates’ commercial, corporate and M&A practice is without any doubt the best practice for gaming and technology matters in Malta, and undoubtedly one of the very best internationally in this sector.’
‘In my view, Terence Cassar is the standout individual at GTG. His expertise in gaming, commercial, M&A, IP and data protection matters is unparalleled. He is in our view a world-class lawyer, unmatched by any local peers, and our trusted lawyer to head any of our local or international legal matters. His negotiations and regulatory skills are nothing short of extraordinary – he is always a step ahead and undoubtedly GTG’s next partner and rising star.’
‘Terence Cassar is always on top of matters, giving you the peace of mind that you are in expert hands. He is one to watch and my go-to counsel on any data protection, IP or gaming-related commercial matter.’
Key clients
The Blackstone Group
Golden Race Group
Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)
Kunsill Nutarili ta’ Malta (Malta’s Notarial Council)
Finance Malta
BMIT p.l.c
RS2 p.l.c
Ethernity Cloud Ltd
ComeOn Gaming
Tech.MT
Montaldo Insurance Agency Limited
Hacksaw Gaming
Apollo Games
Playson
Qufan Internet Technologies
ForumPay (System 73 Ltd)
AMGO iGaming
Quinel Ltd
Spinmatic
University of Malta Academic Staff Association (UMASA)
Tech.MT
Mompalao Trading Ltd
Green Brick Labs
Ethernity Cloud
FMPay
Zamco Caterware Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised the Hacksaw Gaming Group on a major cross-border games distribution deal with Scientific Games.
- Advising Golden Race Group on IP and image rights issues in a licensing deal with the rights-holder of one of the biggest professional sports leagues.
- Advised BMIT Plc on various major transactions for the provision of hosting and co-location services for key gaming equipment/servers as well as for other key IT managed services.
Mamo TCV Advocates
Described as ‘a leader in his field in Malta’, Andrew Muscat is the senior partner at Mamo TCV Advocates‘ corporate practice. His experience ranges from mid to high-end M&A transactions and corporate restructurings, to privatisations and joint ventures, often with an international element. Other key figures of note include office managing partner Michael Psaila, insurance expert Joseph Borg Bartolo and Edmond Zammit Laferla.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Muscat; Michael Psaila
Other key lawyers:
Joseph Borg Bartolo; Edmond Zammit Laferla
Testimonials
‘The law firm provides practical legal advice in areas of commercial and corporate law while highlighting the latest judgements which can impact internal business decisions.’
‘Quick response times, covering all areas of the law at reasonable rates.’
‘We built a great relationship with Michael Psaila, who is not only a great lawyer but also a great guy to get along with and has good availability.’
‘Knowledgeable and experienced partners and associates, working very efficiently and effectively.’
‘The key characteristics of this firm are the quality of their partners, the range of skills they offer and their efficient responses.’
‘Andrew Muscat is a leader in his field in Malta.’
‘Andrew Muscat is noted for his exceptional knowledge of the law and practicality.’
‘The partners are all commercially aware and well plugged in to commercial life on the island of Malta.’
Key clients
Steward Health Care
EVOS B.V.
Doordash Inc.
GO p.l.c.
AX Real Estate p.l.c.
BCRS Malta Ltd.
Work highlights
- Advised EVOS B.V. in connection with the acquisition of Oiltanking Malta Limited, which owns and operates a liquid storage facility in Malta.
- Advised Doordash Inc in connection with the acquisition of Wolt OY, a Finnish food delivery company which has a Maltese subsidiary with operations in Malta.
- Advised GO p.l.c. in connection with the acquisition of a majority interest in SENS Innovation Group Limited, an energy management company that leverages proprietary IOT-based technology to reduce energy consumption and associated costs for commercial buildings.
GVZH Advocates
Andrew Zammit is GVZH Advocates’ managing partner and head of the corporate and M&A practice, where he is particularly well-known for advising clients in the TMT space on their day-to-day corporate activities in Malta. Fintech, data protection, restructuring and low to mid-market M&A are the core areas of instruction.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Zammit
Testimonials
‘They were highly organized, responded promptly and met the deadline that we set. They also had extensive knowledge of and wide experience in data protection laws. They also provided services at a reasonable fee.’
‘We worked with Andrew J. Zammit, managing partner of GVZH Advocates, on data protection matters. He was responsive, fluent in English, and had extensive knowledge of and wide expertise in data protection laws.’
Key clients
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Playmobile Malta Limited
Lansdowne Partners Austria GmbH
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc
Light & Wonder Inc (formerly Scientific Games)
G3 Finance p.l.c.
CC Finance Group plc
Crane Currency Malta Limited
EPAM
Zedra Malta Limited
Sens Innovation Group Limited & Electronic Systems Design Limited
Novalpina Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Instructed by Mishcon de Reya LLP to provide a legal opinion regarding regulatory matters surrounding the acquisition of a Malta-licensed iGaming entity and additional assistance in relation to the attempted acquisition of Playtech PLC by Aristocrat (UK) Holdings Limited.
- Supporting Playmobil Malta Limited and other entities within the group in relation to various data protection matters which arise on a day-to-day basis.
- Advised Lansdowne Partners Austria GmbH in the acquisition of a 60% equity interest in By Cocoon Group Limited, a private limited liability company registered and incorporated under the laws of Malta.
WH Partners
James Scicluna ,of WH Partners ‘stands out in anything commercial or M&A related’. His co-managing partner, Olga Finkel , is similarly well-known for her corporate advisory and regulatory work in the technology, financial services, gaming and gambling sectors. She is also experienced in restructuring and complex liquidations. Founder Robert Zammit and senior associates Rachel Vella Baldacchini and Christina Borg Debono are also of note.
Practice head(s):
James Scicluna; Olga Finkel
Other key lawyers:
Robert Zammit; Rachel Vella Baldacchino
Testimonials
‘Robert Zammit’s professionality and his availabilities makes the work with him easy and efficient’
‘Very committed and skilled lawyers, that work for you as a team’
‘Unique at WH Partners for me as their client is the variety of different business and legal capabilities that the whole teams has and can offer in a professional quality.’
‘Impress with their knowledge about the clients’ business, keen to build a long term partnership and their specialised and dedicated lawyers. ’
‘Responsible, collaborative, fast, high quality. Great people.’
‘WH Partners has experience in several areas all headed up by subject matter veterans. I’ve found it to be a veritable one stop shop. The lawyers I deal with are very commercial and have extensive knowledge in a diverse range of industries and relevant commercial issues just as well if not better than their clients.’
‘They are exceptional to work with. James Scicluna stands out in anything commercial or M&A related. He’s someone I’d always want on my side as his international experience puts him head and shoulders above others in these areas in Malta. Senior associate Christina Borg Debono is very resourceful and indefatigable.’
Key clients
Costa Coffee Malta
dLocal
FalconX
Thynk Software
Interwetten
Betsson
William Hill
IBID Group
Flutter Entertainment
Everest
Omniscope
Metaverse Architects
Work highlights
- Advising FalconX, the most technologically advanced digital asset trading platform in the world, valued at $8 billion, on the structure of three venture capital financing rounds worth an aggregate investment of $261m, involving investors such as B Capital, Tiger Global, Sapphire, and Altimeter.
- Advising Interwetten on its three-year regional sponsorship deal with Liverpool Football Club.
- Acting for dLocal, a leading start-up cross-border payment platform provider and Latin America’s first Unicorn on its re-structuring ahead of its Nasdaq IPO.
Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates
Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates largely assists with low to mid-market M& transactions, ad hoc commercial agreement preparation and Memorandum and Articles of Association services. In 2022, it entered into a collaboration agreement with Andersen Global, becoming its exclusive Maltese partner on corporate and tax matters. Priscilla Mifsud Parker is the lead corporate lawyer.
Practice head(s):
Priscilla Mifsud Parker
Testimonials
‘Professional, knowledgeable and thorough’
‘Always quick to respond; have been very supportive throughout our engagement’