Deguara Farrugia Advocates > Sliema, Malta > Firm Profile
Deguara Farrugia Advocates Offices
IL PIAZZETTA, A SUITE 41
TOWER ROAD
SLIEMA 1607
Malta
Deguara Farrugia Advocates > The Legal 500 Rankings
Malta > Aviation Tier 3
Deguara Farrugia Advocates has ‘great expertise in aviation‘, with a strong track record of supporting aviation companies in relation to the relocation and investment of their businesses in Malta. Corporate partner Maria Paloma Deguara advises on restructurings, M&A transactions, licensing and regulatory matters in the aviation sector. Senior associate Filippo Arcaleni stands out for his ‘specific aviation knowledge and very balanced approach‘.Practice head(s):
Maria Paloma Deguara; Filippo Arcaleni
Testimonials
‘Really focused on the goal, proactive and always available. After a few minutes, you always get an answer back, even if it’s just a preliminary one.’
‘Great expertise in aviation. Good connection with the authorities.’
‘A diverse team that works hard for its clients.’
‘Individuals are responsive and are detail orientated, taking care to consider all special circumstances. They are always looking forward to propose new options.’
‘I think that the most appealing feature of this firm and its aviation department is the great blend of knowledge of legal practice in aviation matters, the professionalism of the lawyers, and their dynamic approach towards their cases. They are always available for a phone call or a meeting. We have been very happy with their services.’
‘Filippo Arcaleni has always been helpful and extremely prepared in aviation-related matters.’
‘Filippo Arcaleni is a young lawyer with specific aviation knowledge and a very balanced approach.’
‘Filippo Arcaleni has a unique approach and knowledge of aviation law.’
Malta > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Deguara Farrugia Advocates is particularly recommended for advising start-ups due to its experience of assisting with the set up of financial service companies and e-money and payment institutions, fintech licensing and regulatory matters, as well as advising companies seeking listings on regulated markets and MTFs. Jean Farrugia and Johan Farrugia are the lead transactional and regulatory lawyers.Practice head(s):
Jean Farrugia; Johan Farrugia
Testimonials
‘Deguara Farrugia Advocates invests time in understanding the client’s business requirements and providing the right guidance and solutions. They have a diverse team which enables them to provide support in a number of areas.’
‘We normally work with Jean Farrugia and Johan Farrugia. Jean is an expert in his field and provides hands-on support on all matters. Johan is the subject matter expert when it comes to bonds listing. Their expertise ensures that the client remains compliant with the applicable listing regulation.’
‘The team leaders make themselves available at all hours of the day. Teams are split depending on the area of specialisation, thus providing more in-depth knowledge.’
‘Knowledgeable, concise, pleasant, understanding, available.’
Key clients
VistaJet Malta Finance p.l.c.
Andaria Financial Services Limited
Quasar System SA
Koala Group
Agribank plc
APS Bank plc
Work highlights
- Acting as legal adviser in relation to the co-issuance of $1bn senior notes by VistaJet Malta Finance plc and XO Management Holdings Inc.
- Acted as the main legal adviser to Andaria Financial Services Limited, which is authorised by the Malta Financial Services Authority as an EMI, on a wide range of legal and regulatory matters.
- Assisting in the launch of a fintech platform operated by the first-ever licensed VFA service provider in Malta.
Malta > Dispute resolution Tier 3
Specialising in commercial and civil disputes, Deguara Farrugia Advocates has a strong reputation for representing clients in cases before the Superior and Inferior Courts, Tribunals and Boards of Malta. The firm is sought after for contractual disputes relating to property assets and construction projects. Jonathan Thompson is the lead figure in the team.Practice head(s):
Jonathan Thompson
Testimonials
‘Immediate and very effective specialised responses to any legal problem that arises.’
Work highlights
- Representing a doctor before the Constitutional Court in connection with discriminatory and inhuman and degrading treatment he suffered at his place of work.
- Represented clients owning a mortgage on bulk-carrier vessel Trading Fabrizia in seeking enforceability of the mortgage and ship arrest following a judicial sale and subsequent registrations in other jurisdictions.
Malta > Investment funds Tier 3
Deguara Farrugia Advocates primarily assists with the setting up of investment services companies, funds, banks, and e-money and fintech companies seeking authorisation to operate in the virtual financial assets space. Jean Farrugia and Johan Farrugia have a long track record of working with banks, and insurance and investment advisers on licensing, regulatory compliance, transactional and operational matters.Practice head(s):
Jean Farrugia; Johan Farrugia
Key clients
Audentia Capital Management Limited
Altacom Group
Fair Finance Asset Management Limited
BIOCAPX Investment Fund SICAV plc
Fair Fund Series SICAV plc
Work highlights
- Advising Altacom Group on the setting up of collective investment schemes, including notified alternative investment funds in Malta and reserved alternative investment funds in Luxembourg.
- Assisting a bank with the setting up of a new investment vehicle to be licensed under Maltese law.
- Advised Audentia Capital Management Limited Investment Services, an AIFM based in Malta, on coordinating the regulatory process to upgrade the client’s AIFM licence and expand its services to provide discretionary portfolio management services.
Malta > Shipping Tier 3
At Deguara Farrugia Advocates, Kenneth Deguara‘s expertise spans from advising on vessel registration, sale and purchase to financing and securities, chartering and the enforcement of claims.Practice head(s):
Kenneth Deguara
Deguara Farrugia Advocates > Firm Profile
The firm: Deguara Farrugia Advocates is a Malta-based law firm advising clients on general and complex business transactions and assisting in disputes across a range of industries and sectors.
The practice has established itself as a prominent commercial law firm covering various practice areas, including funds and investment services; banking law; capital markets; corporate and commercial law; gaming and betting law; litigation and arbitration; public procurement and privatisation; trust and fiduciary services; real estate, aircraft registration and finance; shipping and Admiralty law; and taxation law, notably international tax planning.
Deguara Farrugia Advocates acts for and advises international organisations, private and listed companies, funds and investment service providers, financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals from around the globe. Throughout the years the firm has assisted clients on a multitude of deals and local and cross-border transactions, including the provision of legal assistance and advice on the setting up of businesses and joint ventures; licensing and regulatory matters; mergers and acquisitions; listings; setting up of international corporate structures; and group reorganisations. The firm assists bidders in acquiring and taking control of state-owned entities in the course of privatisation and tender processes, and acts as legal advisor for the privatisation unit of the Government of Malta in connection with public concessions and tenders.
Areas of practice: The financial services department at Deguara Farrugia Advocates has grown from strength to strength. The firm has advised both financial services providers, including investment funds, investment management companies, funds administrators, and credit and financial institutions, as well as investors, on a plethora of legal, regulatory, compliance and commercial issues.
Deguara Farrugia Advocates is also active in the corporate, trust and fiduciary services field. DF Corporate Services Limited, a sister entity within DF Group, is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) to provide fiduciary and trustee services.
The corporate law department is central to Deguara Farrugia Advocates. The general corporate advice given by the firm includes advice on local company legislation in connection with the incorporation of private and public limited liability companies; shareholder rights; directors’ duties; mergers and acquisitions, liquidations and company recovery. Members of the corporate law department are also frequently involved in security issues, listings and IPOs.
The specialised lawyers composing the transport law team are highly knowledgeable in aspects related to the shipping and aviation industry, particularly registration; sales and purchase contracts; finance and mortgages; crewing; importation and fiscal matters; chartering; management and insurance. Admiralty law and wet and dry claims also fall within the competence of the transport law team.
To co-ordinate clients’ projects and transactions across various jurisdictions, Deguara Farrugia Advocates has established close relationships with leading law firms around the world. Through memberships and contacts in leading international legal services and law firm networks, the firm provides clients with quality resources and the expert local knowledge of fellow colleagues in Europe, the US, North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Banking | Dr Jean C Farrugia | ||
| Funds and investment services | Dr Jean C Farrugia | ||
| Corporate and commercial | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| Mergers and acquisitions | Dr Jean C Farrugia | ||
| Mergers and acquisitions | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| International tax planning | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| Trusts | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| iGaming and betting | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| Aircraft registration and finance | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| Ship registration, ship arrest and admiralty | Dr Jonathan Thompson | ||
| Education | Dr Maria P Deguara | ||
| Private clients | Dr Kevin Deguara | ||
| Dispute resolution | Dr Jonathan Thompson | ||
| Capital markets | Dr Jean C Farrugia | ||
| Public procurement and privatisation | Dr Jean C Farrugia |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Dr Filippo Maria Arcaleni | Associate and Head of Business Development | View Profile |
 | Dr Marlon Borg | Marlon is a qualified lawyer and partner with DF Advocates | View Profile |
 | Dr Maria P Deguara | Her principal areas of practice comprise of corporate law, general commercial law,… | View Profile |
 | Dr Kevin Deguara | Dr Kevin Deguara is a qualified lawyer and the managing partner of… | View Profile |
 | Dr Johan Farrugia | Partner | View Profile |
 | Dr Celia Mifsud | Partner | View Profile |
 | Dr Jonathan Thompson | Jonathan is a qualified lawyer and partner with DF Advocates. He heads… | View Profile |