Commercial, corporate and M&A in Malta

Camilleri Preziosi

Camilleri Preziosi‘s team of specialist lawyers is fully equipped to handle M&A transactions, the establishment of Maltese holding structures, online gambling matters and corporate governance issues. The group is noted for advising both domestic and international clients in complex cross-border mandates. The practice is jointly led by Louis de Gabriele, whose expertise spans tax, banking, corporate and insurance matters, corporate restructuring and trusts expert Donald Vella and Malcolm Falzon, who focuses on M&A deals, capital markets, asset finance and gaming law. Tax and M&A expert Kristen Debono Huskinson was promoted to partner in January 2022.

Practice head(s):

Louis de Gabriele; Donald Vella; Malcolm Falzon

Other key lawyers:

Kirsten Debono Huskinson

Testimonials

‘They are top quality and fully reliable.’

Fenech & Fenech Advocates

Fenech & Fenech Advocates  is noted for its expertise in M&A transactions as well as corporate and commercial work. Working in close collaboration with the firm’s employment and TMT and IP departments, the team provides clients with a full service offering. The practice is jointly led by Nicolai Vella Falzon, Rosanne Bonnici, Joseph Ghio, Antonio Ghio, Paul Gonzi, Josianne Brimmer and Monica Galea John.

Practice head(s):

Nicolai Vella Falzon; Rosanne Bonnici; Joseph Ghio; Antonio Ghio; Paul Gonzi; Josianne Brimmer; Monica Galea John

Other key lawyers:

Thomas Bugeja; Rosanne Bonnici

Testimonials

‘Exceptionally experienced, cordial, up to scratch, always available even at out of office hours for urgent matters. The above also applies to the terrible times we have passed through.’

‘The Commercial, corporate and M&A team at the firm is extremely experienced in the area and provide excellent, practical and prompt advise. From experience, both Dr Nicolai Vella Falzon and Dr Antonio Ghio are extremely competent in their own respective areas and it was easy to place our trust in them during the transaction.’

‘Dr Nicolai Vella Falzon is one of the best professionals we have ever dealt with in Malta. Very competent, very committed and extremely focussed on the task at hand. Dr Thomas Bugeja is very diligent and provides prompt and excellent advice. He is young but extremely competent in his areas of expertise. Dr Antonio Ghio is the leading expert in the areas of gaming, technology and privacy. He is excellent, extremely committed and reliable’

‘The professionals at this firm are all rounders. Both partners and associates provide excellent service and detailed advice that leaves no stone unturned. One is in safe hands with the Fenech & Fenech team!’

‘The lawyers we worked with are very knowledgeable in their areas of practice. We really appreciate their swift and detailed responses. They surely understand that our business moves fast and support it accordingly. Special mentions go to Rosanne Bonnici and senior associate Thomas Bugeja, who are reliable and dedicated in their work.’

Key clients

International Business Machines Corporation (IMB)

Lufthansa Malta Aircraft-Leasing Ltd

Group of Lenders based in the US

Win Systems Group

Argus Group

SPI Energy Co Ltd

Cormark Securities Ltd

Work highlights

  • Assisted IBM with the acquisition of a multimillion technology company focusing on AI and machining learning.

Ganado Advocates

Ganado Advocates handles the whole range of corporate and commercial work such as M&A transactions, corporate restructuring, joint ventures, cross-border mergers and company formation and liquidation. The group is noted for its strong expertise in the telecoms space and its client list which includes banks and large international companies. Adrian Gabarretta, who regularly assists clients with cross-border matters, heads the firm’s M&A team. Stephen Attard leads the corporate finance and tax group, Nikolai Muscat Farrugia focuses on formation and support of companies and Christine Cassar Naudi leads the tax practice for yachts. Simon Schembri is well versed in restructuring and M&A transactions, while Annalise Papa focuses on mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures.

Other key lawyers:

Saman Bugeja (Associate)

Testimonials

‘We have been working with Ganado’s team for more than 10 years and the level of their legal services is constantly kept at very high standard. They comprehensively understand the business rationale and our needs and are able to seamlessly transcript these to the legal terms and documentation. They are very flexible and responsive, receiving even complex advice takes much less time than at other firms.’

‘Stephen Attard is an excellent listener capable of transforming the business needs into legal form with surgical precision. Rosette Acquilina is extremely efficient and a smart lawyer. It is a pleasure to work with both of them.’

‘The very high professional standards exhibited within the firm and the transparency around pricing. The various lawyers I have come across in the firm possess deep knowledge within their respective field. They are experts and I feel comfortable to rely on their advice.’

‘I would like to mention Saman Bugeja and Nikolai Muscat Farrugia. I highly value their responsiveness, availability and attention to detail. They are solution oriented and can produce high quality work in a short time when urgent matters arise.’

‘In my view, Ganado Advocates is the leading law firm in Malta. The partners and associates are experts and as a team they cover all aspects of commercial law and able to provide comprehensive support services to business entities from formation to secretarial duties. Their billing rates are well in the range to those charged and comparable to those of other law firms, but to a higher degree of efficiency of service.’

‘The team is composed of experienced and various experts in their relative field. They are very responsive and take initiative to update us with latest legislation.’

‘Perfect in M&A due diligence. Experienced and professional.’

‘Very responsive, it provides practice-oriented advice on short notice.’

Mamo TCV Advocates

Mamo TCV Advocates is a popular choice for private and public companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, investment funds and public authorities. The group frequently acts on privatisations, M&A transactions, cross-border structured financings, syndicated loans and restructurings. The practice’s leadership is split between project and M&A financing expert Andrew Muscat and Michael Psaila, whose expertise spans capital markets products, insolvency law and M&A deals.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Muscat; Michael Psaila

Key clients

Steward Healthcare

Jatco Insurance Brokers PCC Limited

Malta Chamber of Commerce

Alter Domus Group

Mocoh Shipping & Trading Limited

Cablenet Communications Systems Plc

Ricston Limited

Brait SE

Various listed companies in Malta

Wild Foods Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Cablenet Communications Systems Ltd on the issuance of €40m debt securities.
  • Assisted Jatco Insurance Brokers PCC Limited with the winding up and closure of a cell.
  • Advised VACI Group on the amalgamation between VACI Holding Limited and Orpheus Limited.

GTG Advocates

GTG Advocates’ broad expertise spans corporate, commercial, regulatory and compliance matters, share option agreements and share incentive schemes as well as corporate restructuring. The group is noted for its work in the technology, fintech and gaming spaces. Managing partner Ian Gauci co-heads the the corporate and commercial practice alongside senior associate Terence Cassar, who is especially sought after to advise on M&A transactions, acquisitions of gaming companies and games distribution projects, and senior associate Cherise Abela Grech, who regularly acts for investment funds and financial institutions.

Practice head(s):

Ian Gauci; Terence Cassar (Senior Associate); Cherise Abela Grech (Senior Associate)

Other key lawyers:

Reuben Portanier (Director)

Testimonials

‘GTG is made up of a close-knit team of highly qualified and experienced lawyers. One of the best qualities of the firm is their practical approach on how to handle situations.’

‘They explain the matter at hand in a way that everyone can understand.’

‘Being a B2B online gaming operator, our interactions mostly relate to gaming law, gaming compliance and gaming licensing which are splendidly handled by GTG’s managing partner Ian Gauci, together with regulatory expert, and a former gaming regulator, Reuben Portanier. Corporate affairs, commercial agreements and IP matters are provided by senior associate Terence Cassar who is always there to help us with very swift response times, and is extremely knowledgeable in these fields. This mighty trio in our view distinguishes GTG from their competitors.’

‘Individuals I worked with are knowledgeable of the subject and provide detailed and clear replies to our queries and advice.’

‘GTG’s team are probably the best in Malta in serving the technology and gaming sector, where their commercial and corporate services are specifically fit for the technology sector. The team place special attention on us and are very responsive and proactive. Attention to detail is a key characteristic of the firm, which is very reassuring for a client. A characteristic which we value is that GTG is not only a team of lawyers, but also comprises a multidisciplinary team of regulatory experts, most notably in gaming, Fintech and AML. The team also supported us in numerous transactions also involving restructuring and share transfers.’

‘GTG Advocates is professional and they are always at your service. With an innovative mind to be the first, they always provide top class service. We have been working with them for 6 years and this is the reason why we will continue.’

‘Terence Cassar is a top-class lawyer with a commercial sense of business and brilliant negotiation skills. HE sees the commercial implications on all things and always find a solution to a challenge.’

‘Very knowledgeable individuals with a practical approach.’

Key clients

Blackstone Group Inc

RS2 Software Plc

Anker Technologies (UK) Ltd

Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)

Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA)

Notarial Council of Malta

Malta Gaming Authority

Finance Malta

Tech.mt

Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA)

Golden Race Group

BMIT Plc

Hacksaw Gaming

Pinewood Holdings Limited (BitBay)

Mompalao Trading

Playson

Qufan Internet Technologies Ltd

FMPay

Peperosso Group

Lopoca Gaming

Spinmatic Ltd

Entain (previously GVC)

Kyber Network Group

Green Brick Labs

NovusBet Ltd

ComeOn!

Montaldo Insurance Agency Ltd

Work highlights

  • Advised the Blackstone group on local FDI screening clearances necessary for Blackstone’s $4.7bn acquisition of Ancestry.com.
  • Assisted Golden Race Group as lead counsel with a major games distribution deal in Italy with GameNet SPA and its subsidiaries (including GoldBet SPA), for both online and land-based gaming, including exclusivity rights for land-based operations.
  • Advised RS2 Plc on an initial public share offering as a new public issue for shares in the amount of nearly €50m.

GVZH Advocates

GVZH Advocates is active in abroad range of sectors spanning technology, pharmaceuticals, online gaming and financial services. The group frequently assists clients with acquisitions in Malta, including the acquisition of listed companies and the de-listing of companies. The practice is jointly headed by Andrew Zammit, whose expertise spans asset financing transactions, licensing of financial services businesses and corporate finance, Kurt Hyzler, who is experienced in investment funds, financial services regulation and banking transactions, and capital markets expert Luca Vella.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Zammit; Kurt Hyzler; Luca Vella

Testimonials

‘GVZH has acted as our corresponding law firm in Malta in connection with a successful M&A transaction. We have appreciated the devotion of the team to the success of the deal and their good and efficient corporate advice.’

‘The team has demonstrated a very good knowledge of the sector involved in this M&A transaction as well as an excellent ability to work closely with us.’

Key clients

Azure Services Limited

IHI Plc

Corinthia Group of Companies

Equinox Ventures Limited

Residentials Limited

Smart City

Hudson Holdings Limited

International Hotel Investments plc

AIG Europe SA

Lawson Lundell LLP

Zenabis Global

Epic Communications (formerly Vodafone Malta)

Novalpina Capital Partners

Graystone Holdings Limited

Zedra Malta Limited

Privajet Limited

Mastercard International Inc

Work highlights

  • Advised Azure Services Limited on the implementation of collective redundancies following decision to liquidate company.
  • Advised IHI Plc on the internal restructuring which inter alia included the transferring of shares and merging companies in order to streamline the catering section of the Corinthia Group of Companies.
  • Assisted Equinox Ventures Limited with real estate matters in connection with a multi-use development.

WH Partners

WH Partners handles all aspects of M&A transactions and corporate matters, including private and public acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures, exit structures, corporate restructuring and corporate governance. Benefiting from the firm’s foreign desks, the team is equipped to assist client with cross-border mandates. Sectors of particular strength for the practice include digital financial services, fintech, digital entertainment and gambling. Practice head James Scicluna has extensive experience advising clients in regulated industries such as gambling and fintech.

Practice head(s):

James Scicluna

Key clients

Stars Group Inc

SpinMaster

dLocal

FalconX Limited

The Coffee Company Limited

Interwetten Limited

Betsson

Betclic Group

Quantum Properties Limited

Cherry Group

Evolution Gaming

IBID Group

Work highlights

  • Advised Spin Masters Corp as Maltese counsel on the acquisition of Rubik’s Brand Ltd.
  • Assisted dLocal, a startup cross-border payment platform connecting global merchants to emerging markets, with two investments rounds amounting to $350m.
  • Advised FalconX on multiple venture capital seed financing rounds involving well-known institutional investors and funds, including Avon Ventures, Accel, Coinbase Ventures, Lightspeed, Flybridge, among others.

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates‘ specialised teams are typically engaged in matters involving tax, asset structuring and protection, mergers and acquisitions and foreign investment. The practice’s leadership is split between Priscilla Mifsud Parker, who focuses on trusts, estate planning, and wealth and business structuring, and Charlene Mifsud, who is typically involved in corporate restructuring and planning.

Practice head(s):

Priscilla Mifsud Parker; Charlene Mifsud

Key clients

56Bit Ltd

Gestair SA

GRS Group

Arcus Management Ltd

General Supreme Ltd

Dr Arif Rochman

Bigpoint International Services Limited

Spadegaming Malta Ltd

OnlineChampion Ltd

Work highlights

  • Represented the beneficial owners of a company in a buyout process, making sure that their interested were duly protected during the process.
  • Advised the client on two mergers as the client decided to merge its companies to proceed with a more efficient and aligned business model.
  • Assisted Miramar Holdings Ltd with the protection of its interests following concerns about architectural defects within its properties due to neighbouring construction.