Chetcuti Cauchi Recognised in Chambers High Net Worth 2026 for Malta Private Wealth Law

The Chambers High Net Worth Guide is widely regarded as one of the leading international directories for legal advisers serving private wealth clients. Its independent research assesses firms and practitioners based on extensive client interviews, peer feedback and market analysis.

For the 2026 edition, Chetcuti Cauchi has again been recognised in the Private Wealth Law category for Malta.

The Guide also recognises three members of the firm's Private Wealth team individually:

• Jean-Philippe Chetcuti – retained individual recognition
• Antoine Saliba-Haig – retained individual recognition
• Magdalena Velkovska – recognised for the first time

This combination of established rankings and new recognition reflects both the firm's continuity and the continued development of its next generation of private wealth advisers.

Private wealth planning has become increasingly international.

Families frequently own businesses, investments and real estate across multiple jurisdictions. Family members may hold different citizenships, live in different countries and have tax, succession and regulatory obligations that span continents.

Effective private wealth advice therefore requires considerably more than knowledge of one legal system.

Chetcuti Cauchi advises internationally mobile individuals and families on the legal, tax and governance issues that arise throughout the lifecycle of wealth, helping clients structure their affairs in a manner that is legally robust, commercially practical and aligned with their long-term objectives.

The firm's multidisciplinary Private Wealth practice brings together lawyers, tax advisers, fiduciary specialists and immigration professionals to provide integrated advice across connected areas of law and regulation.

Our work commonly involves:

• international estate and succession planning;
• family office advisory;
• trusts and foundations;
• wealth preservation and asset protection;
• international tax planning;
• residence and citizenship strategy;
• governance of family businesses;
• cross-border ownership structures;
• philanthropy and charitable structures; and
• relocation planning for internationally mobile families.

Every family's circumstances are different. Some clients are entrepreneurs preparing for an international exit. Others are business owners transferring wealth to the next generation. Many are relocating internationally or establishing a family office to coordinate investments, governance and succession.

Rather than viewing these matters in isolation, Chetcuti Cauchi adopts a holistic approach that considers legal, tax, regulatory and personal considerations together. This integrated perspective enables clients to make informed decisions that remain effective over time, even as family circumstances, businesses and jurisdictions evolve.

One of the defining characteristics of Chetcuti Cauchi's Private Wealth practice is the close collaboration between professionals from multiple disciplines.

International private wealth planning rarely falls neatly within one area of law.

A succession exercise may involve tax planning, trusts, corporate restructuring, property ownership, immigration, family governance and regulatory considerations simultaneously.

Our lawyers work closely with colleagues across the firm's legal, tax, corporate and fiduciary teams to develop coordinated solutions that reflect the wider context of each client's affairs.

Where matters extend beyond Malta, we also collaborate with trusted advisers across numerous jurisdictions to ensure clients receive consistent, well-coordinated advice internationally.

Professional recognition is important not only because it acknowledges individual achievement, but because it reflects the strength of the wider team behind every client engagement.

The continued recognition of Jean-Philippe Chetcuti and Antoine Saliba-Haig demonstrates the consistency of their work advising private clients over many years.

The recognition of Magdalena Velkovska marks an important milestone both personally and for the continued development of the firm's Private Wealth practice.

Together, these recognitions demonstrate the firm's ability to combine experienced leadership with emerging talent, ensuring continuity for clients whose planning often spans generations.

Although headquartered in Malta, Chetcuti Cauchi's Private Wealth practice has long advised clients whose lives and assets extend well beyond a single jurisdiction.

Many engagements require comparative analysis rather than promotion of one particular country.

Clients frequently seek advice on where to establish residence, how best to structure family wealth, which jurisdiction offers the most appropriate succession framework, or how different legal systems interact from a tax and regulatory perspective.

The firm's advice is therefore guided by each client's objectives rather than by any single jurisdiction.

This comparative approach has made Chetcuti Cauchi a trusted adviser to internationally mobile entrepreneurs, investors, family offices and private clients from around the world.

Private wealth planning is rarely about a single transaction.

It is about building resilient legal and governance structures capable of supporting families, businesses and investments across generations.

Whether advising entrepreneurs before a business exit, assisting internationally mobile families with relocation, establishing family governance frameworks or coordinating succession across multiple jurisdictions, Chetcuti Cauchi seeks to become a long-term adviser rather than a transaction-based legal service provider.

The firm's recognition in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide reflects that enduring commitment to technical excellence, collaborative advice and lasting client relationships.

"Chetcuti Cauchi has demonstrated professionalism, efficiency and a client-focused approach. Their expertise and attention to detail have made every step of the process smooth and reassuring."

"Chetcuti Cauchi has a multidisciplinary team and expertise in residence and citizenship matters, as well as trust, foundations and other corporate vehicles based on the client's objectives."

"They serve clients from A to Z. From the submission of applications to follow-ups on the status of the applications, receipt of approval and booking biometrical appointments, it is an extremely smooth experience."

Whether establishing a family office, preparing an international succession strategy, relocating a family business, protecting wealth across generations or coordinating advisers in multiple jurisdictions, our multidisciplinary Private Wealth team works with clients to develop practical, long-term legal and tax solutions tailored to their objectives.

[question]What does a private wealth lawyer do?[/question]

[answer]A private wealth lawyer advises high net worth individuals, families, entrepreneurs and family offices on the legal structuring, protection, management and transfer of wealth. This may include succession planning, trusts and foundations, family governance, international tax coordination, asset protection, residence planning and cross-border ownership structures.[/answer]

[question]Who should seek private client legal advice?[/question]

[answer]Private client legal advice is particularly relevant to individuals and families with complex personal, business or international interests. This includes entrepreneurs, investors, family business owners, internationally mobile families, beneficiaries, trustees and family offices managing assets or relationships across more than one jurisdiction.[/answer]

[question]Why is multidisciplinary advice important for high net worth families?[/question]

[answer]Private wealth matters often involve legal, tax, fiduciary, corporate, succession and mobility considerations at the same time. A multidisciplinary approach helps ensure that decisions made in one area do not create unintended consequences in another, while providing clients with a more coordinated and practical strategy.[/answer]

[question]Does Chetcuti Cauchi advise only on Maltese private wealth matters?[/question]

[answer]No. The firm advises on Maltese law where relevant while regularly coordinating cross-border matters involving assets, family members, businesses and advisers in multiple jurisdictions. Its approach is comparative and client-led, rather than limited to promoting a single jurisdiction or structure.[/answer]

[question]What private wealth services does Chetcuti Cauchi provide?[/question]

[answer]The firm advises on international estate and succession planning, family office structures, trusts and foundations, wealth preservation, family governance, international tax planning, residence and citizenship strategy, philanthropy, business succession and cross-border ownership arrangements.[/answer]

[question]How can private wealth planning support business succession?[/question]

[answer]Private wealth planning can help business-owning families prepare for leadership transition, ownership transfer, inheritance, governance and liquidity events. Early planning can reduce uncertainty, support continuity and align the interests of family members, shareholders and future generations.[/answer]

[question]When should a family consider establishing a family office?[/question]

[answer]A family may consider establishing a family office when its wealth, investments, businesses, governance needs or reporting obligations become too complex to manage through separate advisers. The appropriate structure depends on the size and nature of the family’s assets, its objectives and the jurisdictions involved.[/answer]

[question]How does Chetcuti Cauchi work with overseas advisers?[/question]

[answer]The firm regularly collaborates with foreign lawyers, tax advisers, accountants, trustees, private banks and other professional advisers. This enables legal and tax advice to be coordinated across jurisdictions while preserving continuity and a clear understanding of the family’s wider objectives.[/answer]