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our expertise in maritime

Malta is historically tied to the maritime industry, most notably due to its unique location within the Mediterranean. The island is well recognised as a worldwide acknowledged centre that offers yacht owners and managers a comprehensive range of support services. At Vaia our team is highly specialised in the yachting sector and offers its clients a tailor-made solution for their yachts.

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Vaia Legal is highly specialised in structuring sale and purchase transactions of yachts in line with internationally recognised standards. We pride ourselves on having a high closing rate and the team is dedicated to successfully closing such transactions within the clients’ agreed time frames. Following the successful purchase of a Yacht, Vaia Legal can also offer post-closing support in terms of structuring the ideal ownership structure and registration formalities.

At Vaia Legal our lawyers offer representation for all types of, lenders, borrowers, investors, and sellers, in the financing, leasing, and trading of vessels. The team is remarkably experienced in the industry and has advised on, as well as structured numerous transactions pertaining to vessels.

Vaia Legal currently supports a wide range of operators that have established themselves in Malta. The process of obtaining an Air Operator’s Certificate and an AOL in Malta is a process that Vaia Legal is highly specialised in. We pride ourselves on assisting our clients with the whole process from start to finish, ensuring a successful and commercially viable result for our clients. In addition to adhering to specific time-frames, Vaia Legal further assists their AOC applicant clients with establishing their operations in Malta.

Authority Guidelines stipulate a general 6-month time period for obtaining AOC, however, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis as necessary.

As stipulated in the European Customs Code adopted by the European Union, a yacht needs to be in free circulation within the community and therefore needs to retain a positive customs status.

There are various ways a yacht owner can achieve this, Malta provides for:

  • Temporary importation procedures.
  • Fully importation for VAT paid vessels – predominantly used for VAT paid yachts.
  • Exempt importation – typically used for commercial vessels.


 

The importation procedures in Malta stipulate that the yacht must be physically present in Malta and the procedures are carried out together with the Maltese Customs and VAT department and have been tried and tested for many years. The streamlined procedures enable us to work at a fast rate and avoid any unnecessary downtime for the yacht.

For further queries please contact the team at Vaia Legal, and we will provide you with the right information for your brief.

The team Vaia Legal together with their tax advisors, are positioned to assist with providing a tailor-made solution for those yachts which are to be operated in a pleasure capacity in European waters and wish to pay VAT on the value of the hull of the yacht or enter into a leasing structure.

For further information, please contact the team at Vaia Legal, and we will provide you with the right information for your operations.

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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.