Dr Silvana Zammit
Partner – Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates
T: +356 2205 6200
W: www.chetcuticauchi.com/home
What sort of clients do you advise?
Our clientele includes ship owners, financiers, ship yards, brokers, other firms and a large base of yacht owners. We assist clients with the whole range of maritime services including yacht and ship registration, registration of mortgages, finance, incorporation of companies, tax and VAT planning and all related legal and technical aspects.
How did you end up in superyacht law?
Whilst Malta has a long maritime tradition, specifically the yachting industry and particularly the super-yacht sector, has started to steadily grow in the last 10 years. My experience in maritime law coupled with the firm’s appetite to be innovative and penetrate relatively new or growing markets was the right recipe that attracted tens of super-yachts owners to our firm and made me become more and more a yachting enthusiast.
What makes a good superyacht lawyer?
A yachting lawyer needs at all times to keep in mind that yachting is mostly a passion not a business for clients, hence, whilst providing clients with legal smart solutions, making implementation processes smooth, swift and flexible.
What do you like most about your job?
Putting stunning sea craft creations into water and sharing client’s joy and enthusiasm on the conclusion of projects provide great satisfaction.
What one piece of advice would you give to potential yacht buyers?
Ownership of a yacht should be preceded by proper planning and choice of partners to ensure a prearranged, cost-effective transaction based on tailor-made solutions, therefore, avoiding pitfalls that would turn the pleasure of owning a superyacht into a uselessly costly burden.
