About
Managing Partner: Andre Zerafa
Number of partners: 22
Number of fee-earners: 90+ (incl. partners)
Total number of staff: 170+
Firm Overview:
Ganado Advocates is a leading commercial law firm with a particular focus on the corporate, financial services and 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, and 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
Ganado Advocates consistently provides its clients, coming from various industry sectors, with specialist advice and practice. The firm’s practice areas dealing with High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) are highlighted below.
Trusts & Foundations:
The trusts and foundations practice regularly assists with the setting up of various types of trusts and foundations governed by Maltese law, including employee benefit trusts, purpose foundations in the context of securitisation transactions, employee share option schemes, and various private trusts and foundations for estate planning and other private purposes. The team assists the majority of international players in the fiduciary sector with obtaining authorisations from the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) — the local regulator — for the provision of fiduciary services in Malta. The team has also successfully assisted HNWIs in setting up the first Private Trust Companies (PTCs) in Malta and has, since then, been assisting other clients with setting up family-office style PTCs. More recently, the firm's team has also been assisting clients with the use of foundations in the innovative blockchain field.
Key Contact: Anthony Cremona
Email: [email protected]
Private Client:
The private client practice provides legal advice and ongoing assistance to HNWIs and their families, foundations, trustees, family offices and other wealth management service providers in connection with the planning and structuring of their own or their clients’ private wealth and assets and the regulatory aspects of their fiduciary activities. Transactions in this space range from the creation of structures for both domestic as well as international HNWIs and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), consisting both of trusts and foundations, as well as assistance with contentious matters in this sector. This includes, where required, the acquisition of Maltese citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment, as a second citizenship. The practice also advises on the regulatory aspects of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML-CFT) legislation and regulations, having assisted various regulated entities with respect to their regulatory and other AML-CFT responsibilities in terms of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive as well as in respect of relevant Maltese laws, regulations, procedures and guidelines.
Key Contact: Anthony Cremona
Email: [email protected]
Yachting:
Ganado Advocates has a long-standing practice advising clients on the most tax efficient structures for the ownership and leasing of their yachts as well as the registration of the yachts under the Malta flag. The firm also advises and assists yacht financiers on the Maltese security aspects. The firm has been strongly involved in the drafting of much of the relevant shipping legislation over the years, and the Malta regulatory and tax authorities have regularly sought advice from the firm in respect of technical aspects of Malta’s legislation relating to yachts. The yachting practice is renowned for its level of expertise and detail when assisting yacht owners who lease their yachts through Maltese companies, import yachts into the EU through Malta, and acquire or transfer yachts owned by Maltese companies and/or Malta-flagged vessels.
Key Contacts: Christine Cassar Naudi, Stephen Attard
Emails: [email protected], [email protected]
Private Aviation:
The aviation practice at Ganado Advocates is well renowned for its expertise and experience. The team works regularly in sale and purchase transactions, setting up ownership structures, aviation finance transactions, leasing structures and in providing assistance to HNW aircraft owners with various legal aspects related to aircraft registration, management and leasing. The firm is also considered as a market leader in all matters relating to security interests over aircraft registered in Malta as well as in structuring air-finance deals through various methods, including syndicated loans and securitisation.
Key Contact: Daniel Aquilina
Email: [email protected]
For a full list of the firm’s sectors and practices please visit: ganado.com/expertise
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)
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![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)
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All contributions provided by Ganado Advocates
Ganado Advocates rankings
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![Anthony Cremona](https://assets-cdn.chambers.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,fit=scale-down/https://media.chambers.com/individuals/3105513/9d40dff0-e0f4-4d89-a928-75415463f56e/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.