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Crownstone Advocates is an internationally accredited law firm with offices in Malta and the UAE, advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals on cross-border matters for nearly two decades.

Copyright © Crownstone Advocates. All rights reserved.
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FREE CONSULTATION +356 8006 2306

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We practice across 15 core areas including corporate and commercial law, real estate, tax, family law, immigration, employment, intellectual property, and dispute resolution, with a particular focus on matters that cross Malta and the UAE.

Our head office is in Valletta, Malta, and our second office is in Downtown Dubai, UAE. Both offices work as one coordinated team rather than two separate practices.

No. Many of our clients are based elsewhere entirely and come to us specifically because their business, family, or assets touch Malta or the UAE in some way.

The firm was founded in 2007 in Valletta, Malta, and has been advising clients across both jurisdictions for 19 years.

The firm was co-founded by senior partners Jonathan Wayne and Alexander Brown, who both chair our UAE office. Our Malta office is chaired by partner Kalila Taroob Assaf.

Our lawyers work across several languages including English, Arabic, and others reflecting the international client base we serve. English is our primary working language for documentation.

Yes. The firm is ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management and holds membership in both the International Bar Association and the Union Internationale des Avocats.

This is precisely what the firm was built for. Our cross-border practice exists specifically to handle matters that touch both jurisdictions at once, coordinated through a single team rather than two separate advisers.

Yes. We advise multinational corporations and financial institutions alongside individuals, families, and family offices on personal and private wealth matters.

A single-jurisdiction firm can only see half of a cross-border matter. Our Malta and UAE teams work from the same file, which avoids the gaps that appear when two separate, unconnected advisers each handle their own half independently.

Yes, and we're happy to discuss which of our attorneys' backgrounds best match your specific matter during an initial consultation.

Our core strength is the Malta-UAE corridor specifically. Where a matter extends further, we often act as the Malta-UAE component of a larger transaction alongside counsel in other relevant jurisdictions.

Depending on the matter, we work on hourly rates, fixed fees, or a combination of both. We agree the fee structure with you before work begins.

Yes, for well-defined matters such as company formation or a standard property acquisition, a fixed fee is often the most transparent option, and we offer this where the scope allows it.

Initial enquiries submitted through our contact form are reviewed at no cost, and we'll confirm any consultation fee, if applicable, before scheduling a meeting.

We accept bank transfer as our primary payment method, with other arrangements available on request depending on the client and matter.

Yes. We provide a fee estimate or engagement letter setting out the expected cost and scope before starting substantive work on your matter.

Some matters involve third-party costs such as government filing fees, notary fees, or translation costs. We flag these separately from our own fees so there are no surprises.

For many matters, yes, particularly larger or ongoing engagements. The specific arrangement is set out in your engagement letter.

This depends on the matter type. Fixed-fee matters are typically billed at agreed milestones, while hourly matters are usually billed monthly.

Yes, fee structures can vary depending on the jurisdiction, complexity, and regulatory requirements of a specific matter. We confirm this upfront for any cross-border engagement.

We'll discuss any change in scope with you before additional fees are incurred, rather than surprising you with it on a final invoice.

For substantial engagements, staged payment arrangements tied to matter milestones can often be arranged, we're happy to discuss this during scoping.

Yes, our invoices set out the work performed so you can see exactly what you're being billed for.

Yes. Client confidentiality is a core professional obligation for every lawyer at the firm, and we maintain strict confidentiality across every matter we handle.

This depends entirely on the matter type. We'll send you a specific checklist once we understand what you need, rather than asking for documents you don't actually need to provide.

Yes, secure electronic submission is our standard practice for most document types.

As a Malta-based firm, we comply fully with GDPR for personal data processed in connection with EU-related matters, including how we store, use, and eventually delete client data.

Where a matter involves UAE-based data or entities, we apply the UAE's own data protection framework alongside GDPR where both are relevant, ensuring your information is handled correctly under whichever regime applies.

We retain client files for a period required by our professional and regulatory obligations, after which they are securely disposed of.

Yes, we assist with apostille and legalisation requirements for documents that need to be recognised across Malta, the UAE, or other jurisdictions.

We can arrange certified translation where required, particularly for documents that need to be filed with a Maltese or UAE authority.

Client data is stored using secure systems with access controls limiting who within the firm can view a given file.

Access is limited to the lawyers and support staff actually working on your matter, not the wider firm generally.

Yes, company formation in Malta is one of our most common corporate engagements, and we handle the full process from incorporation through initial compliance setup.

Yes, including the Malta Permanent Residence Programme and related immigration routes.

It's a route to permanent residence in Malta for qualifying applicants who meet specific investment, property, and financial requirements, giving access to the Schengen area.

Generally yes, though most non-residents need an Acquisition of Immovable Property permit outside Special Designated Areas, where this restriction doesn't apply. We advise on this as part of any Malta property purchase.

Yes, gaming and iGaming licensing is one of our core regulatory practice areas.

Yes, our tax team advises on structuring to properly access Malta's refund system, provided the underlying structure has genuine substance to support it.

Yes, including citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services, a more rigorous route reserved for applicants meeting specific criteria.

Yes, Malta operates one of the world's largest ship registries and our maritime team handles registration, financing, and related matters.

Yes, our litigation team represents clients in commercial and civil disputes before the Maltese courts.

Yes, Malta trusts and private foundations are a core part of our private wealth and succession planning practice.

For many clients, yes. As an EU member state, a Malta entity gives access to EU passporting rights and market recognition that a non-EU vehicle cannot replicate.

Yes, including contract drafting, termination disputes, and compliance with Malta's EU-based employment framework.

Yes, we handle both mainland and free zone company formation, including in the DIFC and ADGM.

A mainland company can trade freely across the UAE domestic market; a free zone company benefits from its own regulatory regime and often faster setup but generally needs a local presence to trade directly outside its zone.

Yes, including assessing which qualifying category, investment, business ownership, or professional qualification, best fits your circumstances.

Yes, these common law free zones are a significant part of our UAE corporate practice.

Yes, including freehold acquisitions, off-plan purchases, and related developer due diligence.

The UAE introduced a federal corporate tax applying to profits above a set threshold. Whether and how it affects your business depends on your specific structure, including whether free zone qualifying income applies.

Yes, including litigation and DIFC-LCIA arbitration matters.

Yes, including contracts reflecting the UAE's end-of-service gratuity system and other local requirements.

Yes, alongside civil succession election options now available to non-Muslim expatriates in several emirates.

Yes, UAE trademark registration is separate from any EU registration you may hold, and we handle both.

Yes, aviation and maritime registration in the UAE is part of our transportation-focused practice.

Yes, our regulatory and criminal defence team represents clients through UAE regulatory investigations and related proceedings.

Submit the contact form on our website or email us directly, and a member of our team will respond to arrange a consultation.

A brief summary of your situation and any relevant existing documents. We'll let you know if anything specific is needed once we understand your matter.

This depends on current workload and matter complexity, but we aim to respond to new enquiries within one business day.

Yes, video consultations are available and are common given our international client base.

For urgent matters, please indicate this clearly in your message and we'll prioritise our response accordingly.

Your enquiry is reviewed by our team and you'll receive a response confirming next steps, typically within one business day.

Initial enquiries are reviewed at no cost. We'll confirm any fees before a formal consultation or engagement begins.

Yes, we regularly take on matters from clients transitioning from another firm, and can advise on the practical steps involved.

You don't need to know this in advance. Describe your situation in the contact form and we'll direct it to the right team internally.

We aim to respond to all new enquiries within one business day.

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