Ganado Sammut
The firm’s roots go back to 1856 and it is now in its fifth generation of lawyers. A traditionally civil law firm, Ganado Sammut has, over the last 25 years, been transformed into a commercial law-orientated set-up with an international base, offering a range of services through a structure that involves ten professionals. It is particularly well known for its EU and Competition Law practice.Led by Dr Austin Sammut as managing partner, the firm provides a service designed to meet its clients changing legal requirements. Dr. Simon Busuttil and Dr. Peter Fenech are the other two partners, whereas Dr. Simon Galea Testaferrata, Dr. Sarah Galea, Dr. Jeannine Giglio, Dr. Celia Mifsud and Dr. Rita Mifsud are associates. Dr. Albert Ganado continues to advise as a senior consultant. The firm is also assisted by Nicholette Aquilina Di Noto, Legal Procurator and by Dr. Rita Sammut Ganado, Notary Public.Legal ServicesMore often than not legal assistance should be sought as a preventive measure rather than as a cure. It is for this reason that we promote early advice and develop an inter-personal relationship with our clients. As a firm we also promote alternative dispute resolution. We have a joint venture dispute management company with another leading law firm, Fenech & Fenech, Malta Dispute Management (MDM) Limited. However, should disputes persist we are well equipped to represent clients in legal conflict-resolution procedures.The firm is positioned to offer expertise in a series of specific areas. But it is particularly strong in European Union law and in intellectual property law, including the enforcement of IP rights. It also provides research and consultancy services in a wide range of areas, having prepared reports for large corporations in European comparative law. It has a joint venture consultancy with a leading economic and management consultancy firm, EMCS Limited, Europa Research and Consultancy Services JV.EU Law- European law- Competition and anti-trust, including mergers and acquisitions- EU internal market law- International trade law- Consumer protection law- Social policy legislation- EU customs law and proceduresCorporate and Financial Services Law- Corporate law and services- Financial services and tax planning- VAT and income tax law- Investment services law, banking and financeInternational Business- Foreign direct investment in Malta- Investment in the Mediterranean- Investment opportunities in Libya (doc)Intellectual Property Law- Anti-Counterfeiting- Trade mark registrationLitigation- Civil litigation- Commerical litigation- Debt collectingAlternative Dispute Resolution- Mediation and arbitrationOther areas:- Real Estate and Property Financing- Development planning, project consultancy and joint ventures- Entertainment and media- Maritime law and ship registration- Insurance- Telecommunications- Partition of inheritance- Privatisation- Mergers and Acquisitions- E-GamingRelated ServicesThe firm is not only about legal services. It also offers a wide range of extra-legal services, including seminars, presentations and reports. It also provides operative facilities for companies, particularly Malta-registered foreign-owned companies, ranging from the provision of a registered office to secretarial services.Corporate services:The firm's knowledge of company law in Malta, coupled with its expertise in European affairs, enables it to provide both advice on local and European corporate and competition law as well as the more practical day-to-day corporate services. The onerous responsibilities imposed on directors together with the obligation on companies to appoint a company secretary have given us the opportunity to carry these responsibilities for clients. We look after company records, the recording of minutes and filing of annual returns. NetworkingThe firm has built on its long legal tradition, experience and contacts and regularly provides services to clients abroad and to foreign clients in Malta. The firm's contracts include several leading cities in the Mediterranean region but also London, New York, Milan, Toronto, Moscow and Hong Kong. The firm is also a member of the Alliance of Business Lawyers and the International Legal Group.European AffairsThe firm is particularly strong for its expertise in European Union law. With Malta's membership to the Union in 2004, this area of specialisation has become increasingly important. Malta is gearing up to exploit new opportunities in the Mediterranean basin through its EU membership.The firm is the only one in Malta to have a fully-fledged EU law department composed of four fully qualified advocates, including the leading name of Dr. Simon Busuttil, a Member of the European Parliament. Until recently, Dr Busuttil was part of Malta's EU negotiating team and head of the Maltese Government's EU communications strategy during the accession process.Through its subsidiary company, Europa Research & Consultancy Services (ERCS) Limited, the firm also provides EU-related services including assistance on EU funding opportunities, EU seminars and in-house training, research and report-writing, as well as EU information initiatives.Financial ServicesFollowing the overhaul of Malta's financial services legislative framework, the urgency for legal expertise in tax planning opportunities became even more compelling. The firm duly gave this area the importance it deserves and is now in a position to offer a complete financial services expertise, with particular emphasis on the following areas:- Trusts- Corporate law and services- Investment services law, banking and finance- Company tax planning and networking- VAT and Income tax law- Individual tax planning- International trading companies- Insurance- E-GamingIntellectual PropartyGanado Sammut is very active in the field of intellectual property rights protection. It offers services ranging from trademark registration to anti-counterfeiting action. The firm is a member of MARQUES, the association of european trademark owners.MARQUESIPR Enforcement and Anti-CounterfeitingThe firm initiates and follows up on IPR enforcement procedures at all levels, be it at an administrative level or at a judicial level, whether civil or criminal. On enforcement, the firm is one of the leading legal firms in Malta. The firm has since 2004 been in close collaboration with SNB-React, a non-profit coalition with the objective to actively fight counterfeit trade.Cross-border enforcement of IP rights is particularly important due to Malta's strategic position in the Mediterranean, its Freeport which offers transhipment services and its status as a border country of the European Union. The firm has distinguished itself in bringing to successful conclusions major seizures and destruction of counterfeit goods under the Maltese cross-border legislation as well as the EU Directive 1383/2003.The firm is involved in the organisation, in conjunction with the World Customs Organisation, of training sessions for Customs and Police officers in order to enable them to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in the recognition and detention of counterfeit goods.The firm's expertise in IP on a local and European level also enables it to assist clients in tailoring their IP protection strategy.Link - Anti-Counterfeiting Report: Malta's position on IPR LegislationIP RegistrationThrough its subsidiary company, GS Services Limited, the firm has, for several years, offered registration of trademarks, patents and designs in Malta. In addition, from May 2004, it will also offer EU trade mark registration at the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) in Alicante, Spain. The advantages of applying for and obtaining a Community trade mark are numerous:- Uniform protection throughout the EU territory,- Simplified administration,- Reduced costs,- The possibility to claim priority and seniority,- The possibility to convert the application into a national one,- The simple use requirement.

practice areas

General Practice

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