About
Managing Partner: Andre Zerafa
Number of partners: 22
Number of fee-earners: 100+ (incl. partners)
Total number of staff: 190+
Firm overview:
Ganado Advocates is a leading commercial law firm with a particular focus on the corporate, financial services & maritime /aviation sectors, predominantly servicing international clients doing business through Malta. The firm also promotes other areas such as tax, pensions, intellectual property, employment and litigation. The firm traces its roots back to the early 1900s & is today one of Malta’s foremost law practices, consistently ranking as a leading firm in all its core sectors. Ganado Advocates has over the past decades contributed directly towards creating and enhancing Malta’s hard-won reputation as a reliable and effective international centre for financial and maritime services. Today, the firm continues to provide high standards of legal advisory services to support and enhance Malta’s offering.
Main areas of practice:
■ Financial services
■ Corporate, M&A & capital markets
■ Shipping, yachting & aviation
■ Litigation & dispute resolution
■ Corporate finance & tax
■ Private client, trusts & foundations
■ Labour & employment
■ Environment, energy & renewable energy
■ Intellectual property, media, entertainment & technology
■ Competition/European
■ Construction
Financial services:
The firm’s financial services and regulatory practices are internationally renowned as country leaders. This practice grouping encompasses the firm’s industry-focused teams servicing asset managers and their funds, banks, insurers and reinsurers, pension schemes and funds, investment firms, payment service providers, e-money institutions, fintech operators, blockchain and cryptocurrency service providers, trade finance institutions and other operators in the financial services sphere. The practice covers all corporate, regulatory and transactional work and, in conjunction with lawyers from other practice areas, litigation, dispute resolution, tax and regulatory.
Key Contacts: Matthew Bianchi, Andre Zerafa, Conrad Portanier, James Farrugia, Matthew Brincat, Leonard Bonello, Marina Grech
Corporate, M&A & capital markets:
The firm regularly advises on major corporate and capital markets transactions in Malta, for the benefit of international corporate groups and private equity firms. This practice provides the full range of transactional corporate legal services, having long standing experience in assisting foreign clients in establishing local presence across all commercial sectors. The firm also operates a corporate services and governance team focused in particular on supporting the boards of both regulated and non-regulated businesses.
Key Contacts: Stephen Attard, Nikolai Muscut Farrugia, Simon Schembri, Nicholas Curmi, Annalise Papa
Shipping, yachting & aviation:
Ship registration, ship finance and admiralty law are at the heart of the firm’s maritime law practice. The firm was a pioneer in this field and its specialist maritime lawyers hold leading industry expertise and provide dependable support and advice, making the firm amongst the most established in this area. While very active in the yacht and superyacht space, the firm was also a prime mover in the development of local aviation law; today it regularly advises aircraft financiers, owners, lessors and operators.
Key Contacts: Karl Grech Orr, Jotham Scerri-Diacono, Daniel Aquilina, Christine Cassar Naudi, Matthew Attard, Matthew Xerri
Litigation & dispute resolution:
Traditionally prominent in commercial and civil litigation, the firm has represented clients in some of the largest and most complex commercial and maritime litigation in Malta. This includes arrests and judicial sales of vessels, salvage and other maritime disputes, corporate and financial services, and insurance claims. Today, the firm also offers highly specialised litigation in the fields of corporate disputes, insolvency, intellectual property, public procurement, competition law, funds, press law and international arbitration.
Key Contact: Antoine G Cremona
Corporate finance & tax:
Ganado Advocates has one of the largest and longest-established tax practices amongst Maltese law firms. The firm’s multidisciplinary team of legal and tax specialists regularly advises corporate and individual high net worth clients, both international and local, on all aspects of Maltese tax legislation and their impact, whether at structuring stage, transactional or on an ongoing basis.
Key Contacts: Stephen Attard, Christine Cassar Naudi
Private client, trusts & foundations:
Regularly involved in structuring and providing general legal advice on trusts and foundations, the firm actively provides ongoing assistance to various Maltese based (local and international) trustees, administrators of foundations and other fiduciaries on regulatory aspects of their fiduciary activities. It regularly assists private clients with their various legal needs, ranging from estate planning to setting up the appropriate trustees for them (which includes private trust companies). This includes, where required, the acquisition of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, as a second citizenship.
Key Contact: Anthony Cremona
Labour & employment:
This practice encompasses the full range of employment services, including advice on litigious and non-litigious employment law matters, industrial relations, employment benefits and pensions. While having a practice in its own right, the employment team also provides invaluable support to the other teams within the firm on transactions which span a broad range of areas, such as M&A transactions.
Key Contact: Matthew Brincat
Environment, energy & renewable energy:
Ganado Advocates has been at the forefront of the significant developments in this dynamic and ever changing sector in Malta and advises a wide variety of clients on both regulatory and commercial issues, including drafting and negotiating power purchase agreements, assisting with public procurement, implementing EU Directives into local law and advising on ship-sourced pollution issues. The firm has also experienced increasing interest from industry stakeholders acting as intermediaries in the recycling of hazardous waste on account of Malta’s central Mediterranean location, its ratification of the most important environmental Conventions and an efficient and proactive regulator.
Key Contacts: Jotham Scerri-Diacono, Antoine G Cremona
Intellectual property, media, entertainment & technology:
The firm advises clients on the full range of contentious and non-contentious issues in the technology, media and entertainment space. Services include the registration of trademarks, advice on and drafting of IP agreements, and representing clients in IP infringement lawsuits. The firm leads a project for the Government of Malta bringing together the various Malta-based legal and advisory service providers with a view to overhauling the current IP legal framework and providing solid and innovative legislative solutions to the IP industries, not least involving blockchain and digital currencies. The team also leads the firm’s privacy law practice, assisting all clients on their ongoing GDPR requirements, including data subject requests and investigations by the Information and Data Protection Commissioner. In the media space, the team regularly advises and assists, including through the legal representation in Court, key local players on legal matters relating to journalistic freedoms, freedom of information and defamation.
Key Contact: Paul Micallef Grimaud
Competition/European:
The firm’s competition and EU law practitioners have gained substantial recognition in this field, advising clients and public authorities in all industry sectors serviced by the firm and frequently also engaging in privatisations and public procurement processes. Besides regularly providing advice on antitrust issues affecting agreements between undertakings and abuse of dominance, merger control and State aid law, the firm often represents undertakings in competition investigations and litigation as well as merger notifications.
Key Contacts: Antoine G Cremona, Sylvann Aquilina Zahra
Construction:
The firm has one of the leading international construction law practices in Malta with specialist focus on FIDIC contracts and construction arbitration. Lawyers practising in this area have specific academic qualifications in international construction contracts and construction dispute resolution. The firm has assisted developers, financiers, contractors and engineers in a significant number and across a wide range of large scale construction projects in Malta, from major infrastructural works, to waste management and recycling plants, hospitality, residential and marina developments. The firm also regularly assists in all matters relating to real estate and in the design and execution of procurement models for major construction works.
Key Contact: Antoine G Cremona
Ranked Offices
Provided by Ganado Advocates
- Valletta171 Old Bakery Street, Valletta, Malta, Malta, VLT 1455
- Web: www.ganado.com
- Tel: (+356) 21 23 54 06
- View ranked office
Contributions
Latest contributions provided by Ganado Advocates
![Matthias Grech](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/429/62855.png)
![Paul Micallef Grimaud](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/429/62854.png)
![Nikolai Muscat Farrugia](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/61031.jpg)
![Simon Schembri](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/61029.jpg)
![Saman Bugeja](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/61028.jpg)
![Annalise Papa](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/61030.jpg)
![Anselmo Mifsud-Bonnici](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/60958.jpg)
![Luke Hili](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/60959.jpg)
![Nicholas Curmi](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/60957.jpg)
![Annalise Papa](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://chambersandpartners.azureedge.net/practiceguides/Pictures/422/60956.jpg)
All contributions provided by Ganado Advocates
Ganado Advocates rankings
![Max Ganado](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241264/688b5021-6ec8-4942-a170-3cc614d1fefb/profile.png)
![Stephen Attard](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241266/7943d756-518a-4aa5-bc80-83e2e7f85ccc/profile.png)
![Nikolai Muscat Farrugia](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241303/cef16a8f-7c07-4680-a21c-1b209018501c/profile.png)
![Simon Schembri](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241326/f7be9183-f12f-4efe-a3c3-49d7f089f8cb/profile.png)
![Matthew Brincat](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241304/19fb5e15-7c31-4d78-998b-bc550889d426/profile.png)
![Antoine G Cremona](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241300/e1730026-f533-44e3-a2f4-4dbc8da2d08e/profile.png)
![Louis Cassar Pullicino](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3237125/d2bb047b-1ef3-4325-b6e1-14a92fe8dae9/profile.png)
![Max Ganado](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241264/688b5021-6ec8-4942-a170-3cc614d1fefb/profile.png)
![Andre Zerafa](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241276/0eff1111-f52a-44fc-b721-a5d1755b37a4/profile.png)
![Conrad Portanier](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241269/f3b546e5-c813-4e2f-b3ec-ddbe2a970914/profile.png)
![Matthew Bianchi](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241277/3cbe4c52-c00f-4d36-a136-10710d54b33f/profile.png)
![Nicholas Curmi](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241315/667a49bc-b926-454a-9dc6-ba85be959b56/profile.png)
![Leonard Bonello](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241306/f6c08b0f-ffe0-4cc7-9797-15365a356be3/profile.png)
![General Business Law](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/organisations/402906/7b2e0e37-2e9d-4773-962b-b6593b28ed94/profile.png)
![Paul Micallef Grimaud](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241312/33c1f948-e2bb-40f4-bc16-676eb52ae942/profile.png)
![Philip Formosa](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3241321/0392bec4-e96a-48df-a47d-1e3e59d6592b/profile.png)
![Shipping](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/organisations/402906/7b2e0e37-2e9d-4773-962b-b6593b28ed94/profile.png)
![Louis Cassar Pullicino](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3237125/d2bb047b-1ef3-4325-b6e1-14a92fe8dae9/profile.png)
![Daniel Aquilina](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3237280/9294df9b-377e-4e0a-adda-f31f455a440a/profile.png)
![Jotham Scerri-Diacono](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3237353/e7dbba45-d525-49ba-9174-15b2843f37f0/profile.png)
Articles, highlights and press releases
324 items provided by Ganado Advocates
Exemptions from survey and certification requirements for unmanned non-self-propelled barges
Last week, The Merchant Shipping Directorate has published a new technical notice concerning exemptions from survey and certification requirements which may be applied for unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) Barges.
In detail: Enforcing the EU Ship Recycling Regulation
Last month, The Merchant Shipping Directorate published a notice concerning the enforcement of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation No. 1257/2013[1], relating to the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
GRC in Malta: Board Committees – Driving effective governance and maximising director potential
The role of Board committees has significantly evolved during past years as a direct consequence of ever-increasing regulation, lessons learned, and the wide array of complex risks faced by the financial services industry.
Publication of the EU AML/CFT Legislative Package in the EU’s Official Journal
On 19th June 2024, the EU has published the AML/CFT legislative package in its Official Journal, comprising of the following legislative texts...
The Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024 proving popular
The sCYC 2024 updates and replaces the applicable requirements for Commercial Yachts smaller than 24m contained within the current CYC 2020.
‘Tour De France’ and ‘Tour De X’… Confusing? The General Court of the EU thinks otherwise.
In a judgment delivered by the GCEU on the 12 June 2024 in the case of Societe du Tour de France, vs EUIPO and FitX Beteiligungs GmbH (“FitX”), the Plaintiff sought the annulment of a decision by the board of appeal of the EUIPO concerning the registration of an EU trademark.
Brussels 1 Recast - Interpreting the Grounds for the Refusal of Recognition of Judgements
On the 21st of March 2024 the CJEU delivered a preliminary ruling clarifying the scope of the grounds for the refusal to recognise judgements of EU Member States in terms of Regulation No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters.
ESMA's Statement on Best Practices for Information Sharing in Pre-Close Calls in terms of MAR
On 29th May 2024, the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) issued a statement relating to the applicable requirements and corresponding good practices for issuers to consider when engaging in pre-close calls sessions with financial analysts in light of the Market Abuse Regulation.
Conflicts of Interest for CASPs under MiCA
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently published its Final Report covering conflicts of interest for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).
The special privilege granted under Maltese Law for the payment of outstanding crew wages
In a decision delivered by the First Hall of the Civil Court on the 21st of March 2024 in the names of Paul Falzon vs. Il-Bastiment ‘Sky’, which was not appealed to by the defendant due to the fact that the owner(s) of the vessel m.v. ‘Sky’ were never present throughout the entirety of these proceed
GRC in Malta: The Compliance Officer as a strategic partner - Beyond regulatory oversight
Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring that their organisation complies with applicable laws and regulations, and in a regulated sector like financial services, they must also adhere to the conditions attached to the license issued by the regulatory authority.
Virtual IBANs: the EBA’s report on their issuance and regulation
Virtual IBANs (“vIBANs”) are increasingly being used as payment account identifiers across the EU to redirect payments, yet the definition and the appropriate regulatory treatment thereof remains ambiguous.
Revising Chapter 3 of the Financial Institutions Rulebook – MFSA issues new Consultation Document
The MFSA has, on 21 May 2024, issued a consultation on the revised Chapter 3 of the Financial Institutions Rulebook (‘FIR/03’) which will be applicable to both payment institutions and electronic money institutions once finalised.
‘Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value’ the importance of comparing like with like
In a decision handed down by the Industrial Tribunal on 5th October 2022 in the names James D’Anastas vs Wembley Stores Company Limited, the Tribunal was tasked with assessing whether there had been a violation of the principle of ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ due to the employee receiving...
Navigating Malta’s financial landscape: Ganado Advocates hosts Milan event
On May 16th, Ganado Advocates and the Maltese Embassy in Italy collaborated to host an event in Milan focusing on regulatory developments in the Maltese financial services industry.
If the shoe fits, register the design in time
In ‘Puma v European Union Intellectual Property Office’ (Case T-647/22), decided on 6 March 2024, the GCEU delivered a decision concerning a declaration of invalidity of a Registered Community Design for sports shoes (the “Contested Design”).
Ganado Advocates at the IFSP Annual Conference 2024
The Institute of Financial Services Practitioners hosted its annual conference on 22 May, 2024, at the Hilton Malta.
Harmonising ESG and sustainable fund names across the EU – New ESMA Guidelines
Further to the public statement issued on 14 December 2023, ESMA has issued a final report outlining the guidelines in relation to fund names which utilise ESG or sustainability-related terms (the “Guidelines”).
GRC in Malta: The role of succession planning in corporate governance
This article outlines the importance of succession planning as a basic tenet of good corporate governance.
The GCEU comments on the Enduring Nature of a Trademark’s Reputation
On the 24th of April 2024, the General Court of the European Union, ruled in the case of Kneipp GmbH vs European Union Intellectual Property Office, upholding the decision of EUIPO’s Second Board of Appeal to reject the application of Kneipp GmbH for the registration of the word mark 'Joyful by...
Ganado Advocates has contributed the Malta chapter in the 2024 edition of the Chambers Corporate M&A Global Practice Guide.
Financial Services Compliance in Malta
Ganado Advocates has contributed the Malta chapter in the 2024 edition of Lexology Panoramic: Financial Services Compliance.
Court Auction of Sea Vessels: Notice to Creditors
The Court of Appeal, in its Superior Jurisdiction, composed of Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, Mr Justice Christian Falzon Scerri and Madam Justice Josette Demicoli, in the case Mediterranean Trading Shipping Co Limited vs the Vessel M/T Turu and others, dated 29th February 2024, decided, among other..
Unlocking value: ESG due diligence as a catalyst for growth
Luke Hili has contributed an article, that featured on the IFLR1000 portal, titled 'Unlocking value: ESG due diligence as a catalyst for growth'.
Keeping up with EU ETS and MRV obligations
As of 1st January 2024, the European Union (“EU”), welcomed the updated EU ETS rules which were duly extended to cater for the maritime sector by means of Directive 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10th May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for...
The Donations to Voluntary Organisations Rules, 2024
Recently, the Donations to Voluntary Organisations Rules, 2024 (the “Rules”) were published by means of Legal Notice 86 of 2024.
Judicial Cooperation and Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments
In a dispute concerning a conflict of international jurisdiction, the Court of Justice (First Chamber) ruled on the applicability of the Brussels Ia Regulation[1] to agreements conferring jurisdiction from the perspective of the existence of an international element.
GRC in Malta: The Pillars of Sound Financial Crime Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide
As the various practices employed by criminals to disguise economic benefits from illicit activities continuously evolve, organisations should be well-equipped to manage risks arising from such trends.
CJEU decides in favour of the European Super League and declares FIFA & UEFA rules as contrary to EU
On 21 December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a preliminary ruling whereby it concluded that the Fédération internationale de football association Statues infringed EU Competition law, specifically Article 101 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the Europe
DORA voluntary dry run exercise to ensure preparedness ahead of it becoming applicable
In its latest circular, the MFSA highlights the launch of a dry run ad hoc exercise by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and participating competent authorities such as the MFSA itself.
Exemptions from survey and certification requirements for unmanned non-self-propelled barges
Last week, The Merchant Shipping Directorate has published a new technical notice concerning exemptions from survey and certification requirements which may be applied for unmanned non-self-propelled (UNSP) Barges.
In detail: Enforcing the EU Ship Recycling Regulation
Last month, The Merchant Shipping Directorate published a notice concerning the enforcement of the EU Ship Recycling Regulation No. 1257/2013[1], relating to the Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM).
GRC in Malta: Board Committees – Driving effective governance and maximising director potential
The role of Board committees has significantly evolved during past years as a direct consequence of ever-increasing regulation, lessons learned, and the wide array of complex risks faced by the financial services industry.
Publication of the EU AML/CFT Legislative Package in the EU’s Official Journal
On 19th June 2024, the EU has published the AML/CFT legislative package in its Official Journal, comprising of the following legislative texts...
The Small Commercial Yacht Code (sCYC) 2024 proving popular
The sCYC 2024 updates and replaces the applicable requirements for Commercial Yachts smaller than 24m contained within the current CYC 2020.
‘Tour De France’ and ‘Tour De X’… Confusing? The General Court of the EU thinks otherwise.
In a judgment delivered by the GCEU on the 12 June 2024 in the case of Societe du Tour de France, vs EUIPO and FitX Beteiligungs GmbH (“FitX”), the Plaintiff sought the annulment of a decision by the board of appeal of the EUIPO concerning the registration of an EU trademark.
Brussels 1 Recast - Interpreting the Grounds for the Refusal of Recognition of Judgements
On the 21st of March 2024 the CJEU delivered a preliminary ruling clarifying the scope of the grounds for the refusal to recognise judgements of EU Member States in terms of Regulation No 1215/2012 on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgements in civil and commercial matters.
ESMA's Statement on Best Practices for Information Sharing in Pre-Close Calls in terms of MAR
On 29th May 2024, the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) issued a statement relating to the applicable requirements and corresponding good practices for issuers to consider when engaging in pre-close calls sessions with financial analysts in light of the Market Abuse Regulation.
Conflicts of Interest for CASPs under MiCA
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) recently published its Final Report covering conflicts of interest for crypto-asset service providers (CASPs).
The special privilege granted under Maltese Law for the payment of outstanding crew wages
In a decision delivered by the First Hall of the Civil Court on the 21st of March 2024 in the names of Paul Falzon vs. Il-Bastiment ‘Sky’, which was not appealed to by the defendant due to the fact that the owner(s) of the vessel m.v. ‘Sky’ were never present throughout the entirety of these proceed
GRC in Malta: The Compliance Officer as a strategic partner - Beyond regulatory oversight
Compliance officers are responsible for ensuring that their organisation complies with applicable laws and regulations, and in a regulated sector like financial services, they must also adhere to the conditions attached to the license issued by the regulatory authority.
Virtual IBANs: the EBA’s report on their issuance and regulation
Virtual IBANs (“vIBANs”) are increasingly being used as payment account identifiers across the EU to redirect payments, yet the definition and the appropriate regulatory treatment thereof remains ambiguous.
Revising Chapter 3 of the Financial Institutions Rulebook – MFSA issues new Consultation Document
The MFSA has, on 21 May 2024, issued a consultation on the revised Chapter 3 of the Financial Institutions Rulebook (‘FIR/03’) which will be applicable to both payment institutions and electronic money institutions once finalised.
‘Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value’ the importance of comparing like with like
In a decision handed down by the Industrial Tribunal on 5th October 2022 in the names James D’Anastas vs Wembley Stores Company Limited, the Tribunal was tasked with assessing whether there had been a violation of the principle of ‘equal pay for work of equal value’ due to the employee receiving...
Navigating Malta’s financial landscape: Ganado Advocates hosts Milan event
On May 16th, Ganado Advocates and the Maltese Embassy in Italy collaborated to host an event in Milan focusing on regulatory developments in the Maltese financial services industry.
If the shoe fits, register the design in time
In ‘Puma v European Union Intellectual Property Office’ (Case T-647/22), decided on 6 March 2024, the GCEU delivered a decision concerning a declaration of invalidity of a Registered Community Design for sports shoes (the “Contested Design”).
Ganado Advocates at the IFSP Annual Conference 2024
The Institute of Financial Services Practitioners hosted its annual conference on 22 May, 2024, at the Hilton Malta.
Harmonising ESG and sustainable fund names across the EU – New ESMA Guidelines
Further to the public statement issued on 14 December 2023, ESMA has issued a final report outlining the guidelines in relation to fund names which utilise ESG or sustainability-related terms (the “Guidelines”).
GRC in Malta: The role of succession planning in corporate governance
This article outlines the importance of succession planning as a basic tenet of good corporate governance.
The GCEU comments on the Enduring Nature of a Trademark’s Reputation
On the 24th of April 2024, the General Court of the European Union, ruled in the case of Kneipp GmbH vs European Union Intellectual Property Office, upholding the decision of EUIPO’s Second Board of Appeal to reject the application of Kneipp GmbH for the registration of the word mark 'Joyful by...
Ganado Advocates has contributed the Malta chapter in the 2024 edition of the Chambers Corporate M&A Global Practice Guide.
Financial Services Compliance in Malta
Ganado Advocates has contributed the Malta chapter in the 2024 edition of Lexology Panoramic: Financial Services Compliance.
Court Auction of Sea Vessels: Notice to Creditors
The Court of Appeal, in its Superior Jurisdiction, composed of Chief Justice Mark Chetcuti, Mr Justice Christian Falzon Scerri and Madam Justice Josette Demicoli, in the case Mediterranean Trading Shipping Co Limited vs the Vessel M/T Turu and others, dated 29th February 2024, decided, among other..
Unlocking value: ESG due diligence as a catalyst for growth
Luke Hili has contributed an article, that featured on the IFLR1000 portal, titled 'Unlocking value: ESG due diligence as a catalyst for growth'.
Keeping up with EU ETS and MRV obligations
As of 1st January 2024, the European Union (“EU”), welcomed the updated EU ETS rules which were duly extended to cater for the maritime sector by means of Directive 2023/959 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10th May 2023 amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for...
The Donations to Voluntary Organisations Rules, 2024
Recently, the Donations to Voluntary Organisations Rules, 2024 (the “Rules”) were published by means of Legal Notice 86 of 2024.
Judicial Cooperation and Enforcement of Civil and Commercial Judgments
In a dispute concerning a conflict of international jurisdiction, the Court of Justice (First Chamber) ruled on the applicability of the Brussels Ia Regulation[1] to agreements conferring jurisdiction from the perspective of the existence of an international element.
GRC in Malta: The Pillars of Sound Financial Crime Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide
As the various practices employed by criminals to disguise economic benefits from illicit activities continuously evolve, organisations should be well-equipped to manage risks arising from such trends.
CJEU decides in favour of the European Super League and declares FIFA & UEFA rules as contrary to EU
On 21 December 2023, the Court of Justice of the European Union delivered a preliminary ruling whereby it concluded that the Fédération internationale de football association Statues infringed EU Competition law, specifically Article 101 and Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the Europe
DORA voluntary dry run exercise to ensure preparedness ahead of it becoming applicable
In its latest circular, the MFSA highlights the launch of a dry run ad hoc exercise by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) and participating competent authorities such as the MFSA itself.