Companies Act – Register of Beneficial Owners

  On the 1st January 2018, new regulations came into force, applicable to companies except where:   They are listed on a regulated market and disclosure is already required under the appropriate regulations; or Companies where shareholders are all natural persons disclosed to the companies registrar.   The First Schedule sets out a form which is to be delivered together with the M&As whenever a new company is being set up. Declarations must be submitted for each beneficial owner and … Continued

Disclosure of Information on Beneficial Ownership – Trusts and Trustees

On the 1st January 2018, new regulations came into force concerning the operation of a Central Register of UBOs for trusts and trustees and for companies, for associations and for foundations.   Regarding trusts and trustees, the rules only apply to express trusts generating tax consequences.  Within 14 days from being appointed as a trustee of an express trust, authorused trustees must submit a declaration of ownership to MFSA where such trust has tax consequences.  The regulations list the information … Continued

Anti-Money Laundering – New Rules in Force

The 4th Anti Money Laundering Directive (AMLD 4) is aimed at preventing the use of the financial system for money laundering or financing of terrorism, based on the principle that illicit money being channeled through the financial system cause damage to the stability, integrity and reputation of the financial sector – not only of the Member State where this occurs but also that of the entire Union.     The crimes in question have developed with time, so that it … Continued

Google – EU competition law breach accusations

The European Commission sent a statement of objections to the tech firm, alleging that it has breached EU competition law. Google is accused of placing onerous requirements on firms using Android and stifling competition. Google has 12 weeks within which to reply and, if found to be abusing its dominant position, could face large fines and have to change its practices with respect to companies opting to obtain a licence to use its apps on their products (smartphones). Read the … Continued

EU Single Market Forum to be modernised over 2016

The Government has issued a press release on the new EU Single Market Forum, one of the Commission’s agenda items for 2016. One of the aims of the European Commission for 2016 is to modernize the current Single Market Strategy. The Ministry for the Economy, Investment and Small Business, in collaboration with GRTU and the Malta Employer’s Association, held a seminar entitled “Single Market Forum – Tackling internal barriers to movement of goods and labour,” seeking to better gauge the  … Continued