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European Parliament, Strasbourg
Sanctions 5: SMB Issues Guidance in Light of Recent Developments in the Middle East Corporate and M&A

Sanctions 5: SMB Issues Guidance in Light of Recent Developments in the Middle East

Following recent developments in the Middle East, the Sanctions Monitoring Board (the “SMB”) has issued a guidance note on the targeted counter-terrorism sanctions which are applicable to Malta in terms of Article 7(5)(b) of the National Interest (Enabling Powers) Act (Chapter 365 of the laws of Malta). This guidance note follows the conflict which arose in the Gaza Strip on the 7th October 2023. This guidance note highlights the sanctions imposed by the European Union to counter terrorism and reduce the financing of terrorist groups through specific restrictive measures. These measures are being directed at specific persons and entities in…
Edmond Zammit Laferla and Zachary Galea
19th January 2024
Mamo TCV Advocates is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Joe Borg Bartolo as the Managing Partner of the firm with effect from 1st January 2024
Joe Borg Bartolo Appointed Managing Partner at Mamo TCV Advocates News

Joe Borg Bartolo Appointed Managing Partner at Mamo TCV Advocates

Mamo TCV Advocates is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Joe Borg Bartolo as the Managing Partner of the firm with effect from 1st January 2024. Joe takes over the role from Dr Michael Psaila, who led the firm for a period of just over six years and will now be resuming his full-time position in the firm’s corporate and M&A and banking & finance teams. Joe became an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute in 1992 and graduated with an LL.D from the University of Malta in 1993. He joined the firm John Mamo & Associates immediately upon…
Mamo TCV Advocates
15th January 2024
Google Shopping: The Saga Continues Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Google Shopping: The Saga Continues

Following an antitrust investigation, in 2017 the European Commission had fined Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. a record €2.4 billion for abuse of Google’s dominant position. In brief, it found that Google was self-preferencing, by presenting results from its own Google Shopping first upon a so called “Google search”. On appeal to the General Court, the fine was confirmed in 2021. The General Court only accepted part of Google and Alphabet’s argument, namely that there was no negative anti-competitive effect on the market for general search services. Google and Alphabet further appealed the General Court’s judgment to the Court of…
Annalies Muscat
12th January 2024
ESMA TRV Report on Real Estate Investment Funds Investment Services & Funds

ESMA TRV Report on Real Estate Investment Funds

The current exposure in the EU investment fund sector to the risks in real estate markets has been the subject of a recent publication, dated 10th January 2024, which was issued by the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”) as part of its ongoing Trends, Risks and Vulnerabilities (“TRV”) risk analysis. The publication, entitled ‘ESMA TRV Report in real estate markets – Risk exposures in EU securities markets and investment funds’ (“TRV report”), provides data which shows that securities linked to real estate are increasingly utilised as collateral. Moreover, ESMA outlines in page three of the TRV report that there…
Mario Mizzi
10th January 2024
Identità Malta Introduces Specialist Employee Initiative and Updates to the Key Employee Initiative Employment and Industrial RelationsImmigration

Identità Malta Introduces Specialist Employee Initiative and Updates to the Key Employee Initiative

Identità Malta, formerly known as Identity Malta, has introduced a new initiative, the Specialist Employee Initiative, aimed at expediting the application process for skilled foreign workers. The initiative promises to process applications within fifteen (15) working days and is an extension of the existing Key Employee Initiative, which fast-tracks applications for highly skilled employees in a managerial or highly technical role within five (5) working days. To qualify for the Specialist Employee Initiative, the following criteria must be met: Minimum gross basic salary of €25,000; The position being offered in Malta is of a professional or technical level; and The…
Julian Fenech Adami
8th January 2024