Insights

Extension of State Aid to Small and Start-up Companies has been Proposed

This article was written by Dr Michael Psaila and Dr Laura SpiteriOn the 12 June 2020, the European Commission sent a draft proposal to Member States, purporting to further extend the scope of the State Aid Temporary Framework (the 'Framework') that was initially put into effect on the 19 March 2020, for feedback. The European Commission had issued the Framework with the aim of supporting the economy in these unprecedented times. This latest proposed amendment to the Framework has the aim of supporting micro and small enterprises, including start-ups, and providing incentives for private investors to participate in recapitalisation measures…

Michael Psaila17th June 2020

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

It’s not always the driver’s fault!

In a judgment delivered on Friday 12th June 2020, the Civil Court, First Hall (the 'Court') found that a pedestrian was solely responsible for a traffic accident, as a result of which the same pedestrian had died. A third party witness had given evidence in the criminal proceedings instituted against the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident, stating that he had seen the pedestrian crossing 4 to 5 feet away from the pedestrian crossings and whilst the traffic lights were red for pedestrians. The victim had also managed to pass through barriers in the road to cross the…

Christine Calleja15th June 2020

Antitrust, Competition and Trade

Concentration Notification First – Office for Competition Issues Phase II Decision

This article was written by Dr Annalies Muscat and Dr Laura SpiteriIn what is a first for the Office for Competition (the 'Office'), the national competent authority to receive inter alia concentration notifications, a joint venture has been approved following a Phase II investigation. On the 5 June 2020, the Office published its decision on the full-function joint venture between Retail Marketing Limited and Co-op Trading Company Limited, Polrem Limited, S. Borg & Sons Limited, Tower Supermarkets Complex Limited, Valyou Pendergardens Operations Ltd., Belleview Supermarkets Co. Ltd. and Valyou Supermarket Limited. The proposed joint venture was first notified to the…

Annalies Muscat12th June 2020

Immigration

Malta’s Individual Investor Programme Update

Malta Individual Investor Programme is reaching its cap.The Malta Individual Investor Programme Agency (MIIPA) will continue accepting applications for citizenship under the current Malta Individual Investor Programme Regulations until the 30th of September, 2020. Complete applications for residence will continue to be accepted up until the 31st of July, 2020.Those individuals who shall or may obtain, or have already obtained, a Maltese residence card, but do not manage to submit a citizenship application by the 30th of September, 2020, shall have their application considered under the new regulations, which the Maltese Government is still in the process of considering, and…

MamoTCV8th June 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