News and developments

Mergers & Acquisitions

Introduction to Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers & Acquisitions - Malta Law In the last few decades, the importance of mergers and acquisitions as a tool for business has arisen drastically. In a fluctuating, competitive corporate world, it is vital for businesses and corporate structures to remain dynamic while always looking towards strategically employing corporate law tools to expand, improve and maximise corporate structures.  This is also a fact within the Malta law and business sphere. 
20 July 2021
Immigration

Malta Launches the Nomad Residence Permit

The Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship and Communities has announced the launch of a new residence programme for non-EU nationals. The programme which will be administered by Residency Malta Agency will be known as the Nomad Residence Permit (NRP). The Malta NRP is aimed at individuals who want to move to Malta whilst working remotely.  Announcing the NRP, the Parliamentary Secretary for Citizenship, Alex Muscat held that this could be a profitable economic niche for Malta. This programme enables beneficiaries the right to retain their current employment based in another country whilst legally residing in Malta. The permit is thus open to individuals who can work remotely using telecommunication technologies. 
20 July 2021
Corporate and Commercial

Malta Company Service Providers Regulations

By virtue of Legal Notice 96 of 2021, the Malta Company Service Providers (Amendment) Act 2020 (“the Act” or “the Amendments”) came into force on 16 March 2021. This Act also brought with it an overhauled Corporate Services Provider (“CSP”) Rulebook (“Rulebook”). Previously exempt, Malta CSPs must apply for their licences under the impending deadline of 16 May 2021. CSPs who were already listed with the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA” or “the Authority”) prior to this reform need also ensure full compliance with the new amended rules with a deadline expiring on 16 September 2021. Both groups of CSPs must look intensively at their new obligations under the new Rulebook. 
20 July 2021
Corporate and Commercial

New Malta Company Service Providers Regime 2021

The Malta Company Service Providers (Amendment) Act 2020 (“the Act” or “the Amendments”) came into force on 16 March 2021 through Legal Notice 96 of 2021. This reformed Act also brought with it an overhauled Corporate Services Provider (“CSP”) Rulebook (“Rulebook”). Previously exempt, Malta CSPs must apply for their licences under the impending deadline of 16 May 2021. CSPs who were already listed with the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA” or “the Authority”) prior to this reform need also ensure full compliance with the new amended rules with a deadline expiring on 16 September 2021. Both groups of CSPs must look intensively at their new obligations under the new Rulebook. 
20 July 2021
Corporate and Commercial

Brexit's Impact Upon Shipping Disputes and Enforcement

The end of 2020 saw the end of the Brexit transition period wherein the ties connecting the UK and the Lugano Convention 2007, which deals with jurisdiction issues and judgements’ enforceability between its signatories, were cut. On the 8th of April 2020, an attempt on the part of the UK was made to re-join such convention as an impartial contracting state; however, clarity as to whether the EU has approved has yet to be established. 
20 July 2021
Corporate and Commercial

Proposal for a Specialised Court for Maritime Cases

Recently, a proposal was made by the Malta Maritime Forum (MMF), following Justice Joseph Zammit McKeon’s suggestion, for the Law Courts’ commercial section to be expanded in order to cater for maritime court cases specifically. He stated that this should be done by allotting more judges and by having a specialised court to deal solely with such cases, an example of which is the transportation of goods. 
20 July 2021
Intellectual Property

Trademark Registration in Malta and the EU

With the ever-growing influence that technology has on our lives, and the radical increase in screen time, the use of brand identifiers and marks has become more vital than ever. The growing competition between established enterprises and start-ups alike for a couple of minutes of consumer attention has continued to grow. The number of EUIPO trademarks continues to rise, with over 11 million registered trademarks to date. It is, therefore, now more important than ever, for individuals and entities to register their marks. 
20 July 2021
Finance

The Cryptocurrency Race Is On! Comparing Leaders In DLT Regulation

It seems like cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology are all anyone can talk about. Regulators have realised that disruptive technologies hold vast potential, but few have taken up the initiative to create a regulatory framework within which FinTech businesses can operate. Countries are classifying cryptocurrencies as assets, commodities and even as currencies – there is no one view that prevails. This article will explore how jurisdictions at the forefront of DLT regulation are moving forward in this race among regulators.
28 October 2019
Real Estate & Property

Investing in Malta- A Property Almanac

Malta has long gained a reputation for a high standard of living with a Mediterranean flair. With the introduction of various programmes related to the attainment of citizenship or residency, many foreign investors have eyed the island as an ideal European solution for immigration purposes with vast potential for stable investment in real estate. In this article Dr Maria Chetcuti Cauchi presents an analysis of the real estate market and laws through 2015 and 2016, with a view of giving an exposition of the process for property acquisition and resale.
28 October 2019
Transport

EU VAT on Yacht solutions

The yachting industry sails across a dynamic regulatory environment, increasingly leading to more paperwork, administration, checks and procedures.  In this context, and considering that yachts are generally a leisure escape, yacht owners are constantly looking for straight forward solutions that allow them to sail their yachts worry-free.  Malta has been at the forefront in providing such solutions and finding a balance between what are usually deemed two opposing needs: those of proper regulation and application of procedures on the one hand, and enjoyment of the yacht without unnecessary and unwarranted restrictions, on the other.   
28 October 2019
Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates