Law Booth - Fenech & Fenech Advocates Podcast

In this episode of Law Booth, Maria DeBono, Senior Associate, and Jake Desira, Associate, from the Firm’s Corporate & Commercial Department, together with Rebecca Diacono, Partner within the Tax & Immigration Law Department, take a deep dive into Malta’s Family Business Act.

They unpack what it truly means to register as a family business, outline the eligibility and ongoing compliance requirements, and discuss the practical realities faced by family‑owned enterprises. Against the backdrop of the Great Wealth Transfer - the largest intergenerational shift of assets in modern history - the episode explores how proper structuring, governance, and registration can play a critical role in ensuring smooth succession and long‑term continuity.

The discussion also highlights the incentives and benefits available to registered family businesses, offering valuable insight for those considering registration or seeking to strengthen their succession strategy ahead of the expected transfer of wealth.

In this episode of Law Booth, Luca Amato, Senior Associate within the Firm’s Corporate and Commercial Department, is joined by Bethany Magro, Chief Operations Officer at the National FDI Screening Office.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening has become a cornerstone of regulatory oversight at both EU and national level. This episode delves into Malta’s FDI framework, exploring the evolving role of the NFDISO and outlining what constitutes a notifiable foreign direct investment.

The discussion covers how transactions are assessed, the key factors considered when determining potential risks to security or public order in Malta, and the possible outcomes of the screening process. It also explores the EU cooperation mechanism, shedding light on how information is exchanged between Member States and how the NFDISO handles notifications and queries from other EU authorities. The conversation concludes with practical guidance for companies and professionals on navigating FDI notifications and screening more efficiently.

In this episode of Law Booth, Maria Camilleri, Senior Associate within the Firm’s Local Litigation Department, is once again joined by Tania Farrugia, a Senior Clinical Psychologist, for Part 2 of their discussion on ‘The Psychological Impact of Family Law Proceedings’.

This continuation focuses on common mental health challenges experienced in the family law context, such as grief, trauma, anxiety, depression and the structures in place to support individuals' wellbeing. Drawing on Tania’s psychological expertise, the episode explores practical tools and coping strategies that can assist those navigating separation, care and custody proceedings. Together, they offer a deeper look into how legal and psychological professionals can collaborate to help clients through emotionally complex legal journeys.

In this episode of Law Booth, Maria Camilleri Senior Associate within the Firm’s Local Litigation Department, is joined by Tania Farrugia, a Senior Clinical Psychologist to discuss ‘The Psychological Impact of Family law Proceedings’. Together, they explore the vital roles that both psychologists and lawyers play in separation and care & custody cases.

From navigating the complexities of the court process to addressing the emotional toll on families, this episode offers a balanced conversation highlighting the challenges faced by professionals and clients alike in the family court system.

In this episode of Law Booth, Dr. Krista Pisani Bencini and Dr. Sarah Fenech, Senior Associates within the Firm’s Corporate Commercial and Finance Departments, are joined once again by Mr. Mark Schembri and Dr. Damian Paul Cassar, two local experts from the Malta Business Registry. They continue their discussion on the 2023 Cross-Border Mergers of Limited Liability Companies Regulations, addressing additional practical questions on the applicable new cross-border regime.

In this episode of Law Booth, Dr. Krista Pisani Bencini and Dr. Sarah Fenech, Senior Associates within the Firm’s Corporate Commercial and Finance Departments, sit down with two local experts from the Malta Business Registry - Mr. Mark Schembri, Senior Manager responsible for the BOs, Public Companies & Mergers Team, and Dr. Damian Paul Cassar, Senior Manager within the Legal & Enforcement Unit. Together, they delve into the Cross Border Mergers of Limited Liability Companies Regulations issued in 2023, with a particular slant on practical implications arising.

In this episode of Law Booth, Dr. Chantal Bezzina and Dr. Alexandra Gaglione, Associates within the Local Litigation Department, discuss the notion of moral damages in the realm of personal injury claims, how, when and if these can be claimed. 

In this episode of Law Booth, Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) CEO Charles Mizzi, alongside Fenech & Fenech Advocates' Partners Antonio Ghio and Thomas Bugeja, explore Malta’s iGaming landscape. They discuss regulatory pillars, government policy and the Maltese legal framework, while addressing challenges and future trends in this evolving sector.

In this episode of Law Booth, Thomas Bugeja, Partner, and Maria DeBono, Associate, from the Firm’s Competition Law Practice, sit down with Dr. Aloysius Bianchi, Director of the Inspectorate and Cartel Investigations Directorate within the Maltese Office for Competition (OfC), to discuss the practical realities of Maltese competition law and its enforcement in Malta.

In this Law Booth episode, Dr. Jake Desira, Associate within the International Practice Department, sits down with GħSL President, Mr. Andrew Drago. On this episode of Law Booth, Fenech & Fenech have chosen to discuss the draft bill entitled the ‘Judicial Review Act,’ with GħSL who originally proposed such bill. Together, they discuss the current flaws and pitfalls of judicial review of administrative action and explore the way forward as proposed by GħSL in its draft bill which is aimed at reforming the institute.