Our Areas of Expertise

Admiralty & Shipping

Any vessel registered in Gibraltar is a British vessel entitling it to all of the protections
afforded to British vessels. Gibraltar registered vessels fly the Reg Ensign with the Gibraltar
Castle and Key.

Our firm acts and advises on ship registrations (large or small).

The geographical location of Gibraltar at the gate to the Mediterranean Sea means that
substantial maritime traffic goes into or past Gibraltar. Charter parties in many cases carry
the standard clause of ETA/ ETD Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is, as a result, one of the mostly
frequently used jurisdictions for ship arrest. One of the attractions of starting proceedings in
Gibraltar is that freight and cargo can in certain cases be arrested in addition to, or as an
alternative to the vessel itself.

Our firm has advised and acted in a number of vessel arrests, or in defence of owners or
crew.

The Supreme Court of Gibraltar’s Admiralty jurisdiction is based on the Admiralty Law and
Practice of the High Court of England and Wales.

We are also able to assist in the formation of ship-owning companies, and also advise on the
advantages of such structures.   

Banking & Finance

We have good relationships with Banks and Insurance Companies, regularly giving them advice on many matters.

We also have a recognised expertise for advising overseas international Banks and Institutions when lending to Gibraltar Companies and dealing with all their legal and security requirements.

We have also acted in setting up banks and other entities in Gibraltar.

We regularly advise on acquisitions, mergers and take-overs and specialise in securitisation transactions.      

Company & Commercial

We have an all round experience in commercial transactions. We regularly advise a range of clients whether multi-national or smaller entities.  We pride ourselves on giving equal importance to our clients and their needs, whether it is a large restructuring and refinancing transaction or a smaller contract.

We assist our clients as they operate, regulate and grow their businesses.  We help them to maintain their existing commercial relationships through sound advice as they form alliances and expand. 

We aim to advise and find practical solutions to our clients problems, including:-

- Company formation & structuring
- Reconstructions and financing
- Intellectual property
- Contracts
- Partnerships & Joint Ventures
- Insolvency
- Franchising
- Trade Marks
- Agency, distribution & Licensing

Our firm has advised and acted in a number of vessel arrests and continue to do so.  

Company Formation

M & M Management Services Limited specialises in the formation of Companies and Trusts and their management.

M & M Management is one of the leading Company Formation and Management Firms in Gibraltar, which works closely with our firm in ensuring a workable and properly structured tax efficient vehicle is set up to suit our client’s needs.

For details of all of the services provided by M & M Management Services Limited please visit its website.

M & M Management Services Limited

E-Business & Gaming

E-Business and Gaming has been a growth area in Gibraltar for a number of years, with well-known betting/gaming companies relocating or setting up business in Gibraltar.

Whether a new set-up, compliance or regulation, tax, employment, commercial contracts or intellectual property protection we provide practical, no-nonsense advice.

Employment

There is an increased awareness of the need to keep up to date with employment law.  We recognise and adjust to our client’s needs for swift and pragmatic advice.

We regularly advise employers and employees and provide straightforward advice.

We try to be there with our clients from the very beginning to the end, advising on new contracts and their termination.   

Family

Our Lawyers are sensitive, caring and understanding in approach.  We appreciate the sensitivities of family law and the need to provide strong representation.

We offer a complete service in this area of law including separation, divorce and matters involving children.
We try to make the process as simple, swift and amicable as possible.

Funds

Gibraltar‘s advantage as a member of the European Union, together with the great benefit of the exemption in relation to the payment of Value Added Tax, makes it a most attractive location for the Funds Industry.

Close or Private Funds, Experienced Investor Funds (“EIF”) and UCITS Funds are the types of Funds which have led to a substantial growth in this sector of the economy.

Please contact us for more information.         

High Net Worth Status / Residence

Gibraltar is a premier tax efficient jurisdiction for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), offering a specialised Category 2 (Cat 2) residency status that caps annual income tax.  With no wealth, inheritance or capital gains tax. It provides a highly attractive, secure and sunny Mediterranean lifestyle for wealth management.

We advise on how to maximise the many advantages that Gibraltar residence brings, from residence, High Net Worth (Category 2) Status applications, to advising on the purchase or rental of a suitable property and connected Conveyance (See Property & Conveyancing).          

Category 2 Status enables formal tax residence status in Gibraltar on the satisfaction of certain conditions. This status offers:-

- Tax efficiency

- Minimum Tax

 -No Capital Gains/Wealth Tax

- Family Inclusion

 - Lifestyle

We can guide you through the whole process, so that you can enjoy the Gibraltar Experience (and the weather).    

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property rights are vital assets and Gibraltar offers trade mark or patent protection where an application has already been registered in the United Kingdom Patent Office or at the European Central Registry.

We offer the essential aspects of managing intellectual property, namely registration, maintenance, transfer, licensing and litigation.

We pride ourselves on not being a legal factory offering a mass-produced product, but instead offer personal case-handling with the necessary experience, knowledge and clarity to produce sound results.    

Litigation

Our clients benefit from the insight and creativity we bring to every matter. Our aim is to give clear, result based advice so that our clients can concentrate on their business whilst we represent their interests.

Gibraltar’s financial centre status means that most of our work involves working with international law firms and clients, sometimes in multi-jurisdictional advice and actions.

Our lawyers appear regularly in all of Gibraltar Courts and Tribunals.      

Property & Conveyancing

Gibraltar’s property boom has seen a continuous growth and numerous property developments. The lack of any Capital Gains and Inheritance Taxes makes Gibraltar very attractive to property investors and families alike.

Our experience in property matters makes us a leading firm in Gibraltar, attracting clients with our practical no-nonsense approach. We recognise that clients want straightforward advice and we provide this.

As an additional service, we have for many years also assisted clients with their property purchases and sales in Spain and Portugal. 
Our close association with a number of selected Portuguese and Spanish Law Firms enables us to provide an all round service to clients.        

Spanish & Portuguese Law

The Firm has over the years been a pioneer in assisting Clients and navigating them through the Spanish and Portuguese Legal systems with the assurance of knowledge and experience.

We provide full support to our Clients regardless of whether they are first time property purchasers or experienced buyers or sellers, or multinational property developers or financial institutions.

We can act for you in all Real Estate Sale or Purchase transactions, Taxation advice, Private Clients, Company and Commercial, Banking and Finance, Estate and Wills.

If you already own a Property in Spain and /or Portugal do you have a Will?

Contact us and we will help you.       

Trusts & Private Client

Our firm is recognised as a leading bespoke firm for these particular professional services with years of experience and an international reputation.

The use of English Common Law in Gibraltar and its unique fiscal environment has led to a considerable expansion in Private Clients relocating to Gibraltar and its surrounding area. Family offices (Private Trusts) and tax efficient structures take full advantage of Gibraltar being in the European Union and yet being outside of some its tax barriers.

Gibraltar benefits from an exemption from the payment of Value Added Tax to the European Union and is outside the Common Agricultural Policy.

Our Firm, through its associate entity M & M Management Services Limited, can provide our Clients with a wealth of experience and knowledge. We are still of a size to maintain a personal relationship with our Clients. M & M Management Services Limited is fully licensed by the Financial Services Commission to provide a fully regulated and professional service as Trustees.

Our regulated entities are:-
M & M Management Services Limited (Licence No FSC00192B)
M & M Investments Limited (Licence No FSC00193B)
M & M Nominees Limited (Licence No FSC00194B)          
M & M Secretaries Limited (Licence No FSC00683B) 

The Key to taking advantage of Gibraltar, is to make full use of the Gibraltar trust as a tax free and efficient platform. This can be achieved by individuals with Gibraltar High Net Worth Status or by non-residents of Gibraltar.

M & M Management Services Limited

Wills & Probate

Our clients are based in both Gibraltar and overseas and we also advise a number of professional trustees and companies such as trust companies and banks.

Work is always undertaken at an appropriate level to keep costs reasonable.

Our expertise encompasses advising on and drafting wills to suit the needs and circumstances of the client.

We like to think that our advice is sensitive to the often distressing situations in which clients find themselves, yet always thoroughly practical and aimed at a speedy resolution.

Our expertise encompasses:-      
    
- Wills
- Trusts
- Probate Contentious Trust and Probate Issues
- Succession Planning

Yacht & Ship Registration

The Red Ensign flag flies on ships and yachts registered at the Gibraltar Shipping Registry.

Gibraltar registered vessels are thus part of the British Registry of Ships.

The Registration of a vessel in Gibraltar, whether a Yacht or a Ship, when properly structured, can result in numerous advantages to the owner.

We act for P & I Clubs, Insurers (Hull and Cargo), Charterers, Shipbuilders, Shipowners and Financial Institutions.

Read our Article on Ship Registration in Gibraltar.