Vaia Legal

Cookie Policy

A cookie refers to a small data file placed by most website operators on the browser or hard drive of the user’s device. Cookies may collect information pertaining to the usage of the website, and thus may enable the site to recognize the user’s device and preferences pertaining to past actions. It is therefore vital that the use and collection of cookies is in compliance with the GDPR and DPA of 2018. As per the PECR, consent is required for operators to use such cookies. Should you wish to amend your cookie preferences, you may click on the banner at the bottom of this page.

The following lists the cookies used by us;

  • Strictly necessary cookies – cookies necessary for the operation of our website
  • Performance cookies – allow us to recognize users and monitor the number of visitors our site has and the usage of such site, thus enabling us to improve our site where necessary.
  • Functionality cookies – used to recognize frequent users.

We assure you that, unless you have consented, such passive information shall not be combined with personally identifiable information collected elsewhere by our website or respective sites operated by our related entities or subsidiaries

Your legal rights

There are several legal rights available to you with regards to your personal information The right to be informed about how your personal information is being used.

The right to access personal information we have stored about you – enables you to access the data stored and assess whether it is lawfully being used.

The right to request the correction of inaccurate personal information pertaining to yourself – this allows you to have any data stored about you corrected, however such data may need to be verified by us.

The right to request that certain data is deleted, no longer processed, or collected – this may not always be possible in the case of specific legal reasons, which will be notified to you if it is the case.

The right to object to certain processing based on legitimate interest – However, there may be certain instances where we might have overriding legitimate grounds to process such data.

The right to request human intervention if automated processing without human intervention is used to make decisions having legal or similar effects on you.

The right to withdraw consent for other consent-based processing at any time.

The right to request that we transfer or port elements of your data either to you or another service provider.

The right to complain to your data protection regulator.

Security of personal data

This is essential. Whilst we do our utmost to safeguard your data and make use of HTTPS to aid in the safeguarding of your data, one must keep in mind that no data transmission over the internet can be guaranteed to be secure. However, the following security measures have been placed to keep such information as safe as possible: 


  • Use of secure servers.
  • Use of firewalls.
  • Use of encryption.
  • Physical access controls at data centres.
  • Information access controls.
  • Use of back-up systems.

Children Under 16

If you are under the age of 16, please obtain your parent/permission guardian’s before providing us with any personal information.

In such a situation, we will need to handle personal data pertaining to parents or guardians – and we may also need to obtain verification evidence to establish that permission is granted or authorized by the holder of parental responsibility.

Links to Other Websites

Our privacy notice does not apply to links on this site that go to websites that are not under our control. We are not liable for the collection or use of your personal information by third-party websites. As a result, we recommend that you read the privacy policies of any other websites you visit.

How to contact us

We are always delighted to hear from you, whether to make a recommendation or if you believe we can do better. If you have any concerns about our Privacy Policy or wish to lodge a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected]

Privacy Policy Updates

At Vaia Legal, we are committed to protecting your personal data and ensuring transparency about how we process it. In compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other applicable data protection laws, we regularly review and update our Privacy Policy to reflect any changes in our data processing practices or legal obligations.
 
As a result, we advise you to review our privacy policies on a regular basis

Yanika Ciantar-Barbara

Lawyer

Dr. Ciantar-Barbara is an experienced lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial law. She graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2012 and went on to obtain a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014.

With over a decade of experience at a leading Big Four firm, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has advised a wide range of local and international clients on complex company law matters. Her practice covers all stages of a company’s lifecycle, including formation, continuation, restructuring, cross-border mergers and divisions, acquisitions, and liquidations. She also assists clients with their day-to-day corporate governance and compliance obligations, including beneficial ownership requirements and statutory reporting.

In addition to her core focus on corporate law, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has handled various employment law matters, offering guidance on issues such as employment contracts and
workplace policies.

Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners.

Yanika Ciantar-Barbara

Legal Consultant

Dr. Ciantar-Barbara is an experienced lawyer specialising in corporate and commercial law. She graduated with a Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Malta in 2012 and went on to obtain a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Corporate and Commercial Law from Queen Mary, University of London in 2014.

With over a decade of experience at a leading Big Four firm, Dr. Ciantar-Barbara has advised a wide range of local and international clients on complex company law matters. Her practice covers all stages of a company’s lifecycle, including formation, continuation, restructuring, cross-border mergers and divisions, acquisitions, and liquidations. She also assists clients with their day-to-day corporate governance and compliance obligations, including beneficial ownership requirements and statutory reporting.

In addition to her core focus on corporate law, Dr Ciantar-Barbara has handled various employment law matters, offering guidance on issues such as employment contracts and workplace policies.

Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates and the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners.

Valeriia Simutina

Valeriia Simutina

Office Administrator

As the Office Administrator at Vaia Legal, Valeriia ensures that the firm’s operations run smoothly and efficiently. She specializes in administrative coordination, office management, and business support, allowing the legal team to focus on delivering top-tier services to clients.

Holding a degree in Marketing from Kyiv University, she brings strong organizational and communication skills to her role. Since moving to Malta in 2022, she has been actively involved in office administration, supporting the firm with structured processes and strategic planning. Her ability to anticipate operational needs and implement effective solutions makes her an invaluable part of the Vaia Legal team.

Giovana Cauchioli

Legal Administrator

Giovana Cauchioli joined Vaia Legal as a Legal Administrator, bringing a strong background in legal operations and compliance. She graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in 2019 and was admitted to the Brazilian bar in the same year. With several years of experience in litigation and general contracts, Giovana has developed a solid understanding of legal frameworks and regulatory processes.

Her professional experience covers various legal sectors, allowing her to provide valuable support in legal administration, contract management, and compliance-related matters. Throughout her career, she has refined her ability to assist in structuring efficient legal processes and ensuring that regulatory requirements are met.

At Vaia Legal, Giovana plays a key role in facilitating legal operations, ensuring that the firm’s work is carried out smoothly and efficiently. Her analytical approach, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence contribute to the firm’s ability to deliver high-quality legal services to its clients.

Dr. Katrina Abela

Founder

Seasoned Lawyer, specializing in Maritime and Aviation Law, having graduated from the University of Malta in 2013. Experienced in yacht and aircraft sale and purchase transactions as well as ownership structures, customs importations, and registration. Successfully assisted several companies in acquiring a Maltese Air Operator’s Certificate, as the key link between the applicant and local authorities, while also consulting on regulatory matters.


Specialties: Commercial Agreements, Sale and Purchase Transactions for Vessels and Aircrafts, Regulation of Aircraft Customs and VAT Status, Importation and Registration matters, AOC applications, Ownership structures and others



Proud member of the Chamber of Advocates, Malta Business Aviation Association, Malta Maritime Law Association and the Advocacy Committee of the European Business Aviation Association.