Insights

COVID19 Measures

COVID-19 Temporary Work Benefits Issued by the Ministry for Family, Children’s Rights and Social Solidarity to Stop

In a Press Release issued on 4th June 2020, the Ministry for Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity stated that the temporary benefit granted to parents who stopped working to stay home and take care of their children, together with the additional temporary benefit granted to those persons who lost their employment due to COVID 19 will stop on Friday 3rd July 2020. Additionally, the temporary benefit granted to those individuals with disabilities and medical conditions who had to stay at home due to their vulnerability and could not work from home will stop with effect from 5th June 2020. The Ministry…

MamoTCV Advocates8th June 2020

COVID19 Measures

Health Authorities Issue Guidance Document for Offices and Workspaces

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Ministry for Health have issued a guidance document for offices and workspaces. The document contains measures which should be followed by employers in order to keep employees safe at the workplace and limit the spread of COVID-19. These guidelines have been issued following the Government's announcement that most workplaces are to be re-opened and that individuals should return to work, including vulnerable persons. In fact, by means of Legal Notice 232 of 2020 published on the 3rd June 2020, the Protection of Vulnerable Persons Order (together with a number of other Orders) has…

MamoTCV Advocates4th June 2020

Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Have These Drastic Times Called for Drastic Anti-trust Measures?

This article was written by Dr Annalies Muscat and Dr Laura SpiteriAs a result of the unprecedented circumstances we are currently facing, exceptional measures are being taken in a number of countries, namely due to the challenges various businesses are facing. On the 23 March 2020, the European Commission, the EFTA Surveillance Authority, and the National Competition Authorities issued a joint statement acknowledging that the current situation may require undertakings to cooperate with one another to ultimately benefit consumers. The Office for Competition, Malta's national competition authority, issued a statement confirming the contents of the joint statement on 24 March…

Annalies Muscat29th May 2020

Corporate and M&A

Bill proposing amendments to the Companies Act.

This article was written by Dr Michael Psaila and Dr Joshua Chircop.OverviewOn 13th May 2020, the Minister for the Economy, Investment and Small Businesses tabled the Companies Act (Amendment) Bill (the "Bill") which proposes certain amendments to the Companies Act, Chapter 386 of the Laws of Malta (the "Act").The Bill proposes: 1.new grounds for ineligibility and disqualification from holding certain offices under the Act; 2.new powers to the Minister to make regulations on winding up applications (including the suspension of the right to make winding up applications), regulations on wrongful trading (including the retrospective suspension of the wrongful trading provisions)…

Michael Psaila21st May 2020

Immigration Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Dispute Panel for Landlords and Tenants and an Update from Identity Malta Agency

With the new Private Residential Leases Act in full force, a large number of new lease agreements have been signed over the past few months, all of which have to abide by the new laws set out by the previously mentioned Act. In fact, a survey has shown that over 10,000 new rental contracts have been entered into.Naturally, a number of disputes arise between landlords and tenants, resulting in numerous fees and time-consuming court proceedings. However, a new panel has been set up to help cater for certain disputes.The new adjudicating panel, made up of professionals in the sector, will…

Julian Fenech Adami19th May 2020

COVID19 Measures Legal Updates

Commission approves Malta’s state aid scheme to support investments in the production of coronavirus-relevant products

On 12 May 2020, the European Commission approved an €11.5 million state aid scheme to support investments in the production of coronavirus-related products such as vaccines, personal protective equipment, and ventilators. Undertakings operating in sectors related to the production or the diversifying of products related to the coronavirus outbreak may benefit from this scheme through direct grants, repayable advances, and tax advantages. However, beneficiaries must complete investments projects in this regard within six months after receiving the aid.The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework that was put into effect on 19 March 2020. Disclaimer This document does…

MamoTCV Advocates19th May 2020