Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti – Managing Partner

Dip.Tax, Dip.ITM, B.A., LL.M.(Warwick), LL.D., TEP 
Tax & Immigration

Jean-Philippe is a senior partner at the firm.  JP is a private client lawyer specialising in Global Citizenship and Residency Programmes, International Tax, wealth and business structuring and has advised the world’s ultra-HNWIs and their family offices, lawyers, private banks, and financial advisors.

For over 25 years, JP has headed the firm’s acclaimed residency and citizenship practice in Malta.  Dr. Chetcuti is the international associate representing Malta at the American Immigration Lawyers Association AILA and is recognised by Who’s Who Legal for Malta and Chambers and Partners Private Wealth Lawyer in Malta.  Chetcuti is a Uglobal-verified immigration lawyer and a regular contributor to Investment Migration Insider on citizenship and investment migration matters.

In view of his role as key advisor to business families, he was a prominent driver behind the enactment of the Family Business Act in Maltese law.

His thought leadership is recognised in the area of investment migration law, and he has represented a number of professional associations on policy reform issues concerning Malta, Cyprus, Montenegro, and other small states’ attractiveness for HNWIs, investors, foreign retirees, and expatriates.  JP has been instrumental in the introduction and development of residency and citizenship by investment programmes in small states, including Malta, Cyprus, and Montenegro.

  • Over 25 years of specialised experience handling over 2,000 citizenship and residency applications with an outstanding success rate;
  • Accredited in 1999 to handle Permanent Residence Programme applications in Malta.
  • First accredited Malta Citizenship Agent in January 2014 (licence IIP 001) to handle citizenship by investment applications under the 2014 Malta Individual Investor Programme.
  • Represented the first Malta citizenship approvals under the Individual Investor Programme.
  • Accredited with the first round of licencing of Cypriot Investment Programme Service Provider Licence 046.
  • First to be promoted from ‘Accredited Person’ to an ‘Approved Agent’ of Malta’s citizenship programme, in recognition of the firm’s track record of quality and success in handling Malta citizenship applications.
  • International Marketing Agent for the St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme.
  • Authorised Representative for the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme.

Central to his role as managing partner of the firm, Jean-Philippe feels that continuous client contact and thought leadership remain central to keeping the firm focused on the opportunities and challenges faced by clients in the real world. In addition to this, Jean-Philippe maintains regular speaking roles at various international forums and academic institutions on international taxation, investment migration, and trust law. Jean-Philippe is a global citizen raised and educated in Malta and the UK, but spends his time between Malta and Cyprus and has lived in the UK, where he pursued further Masters degrees in international tax and economic law. He is married and has two children.

Memberships

Malta Association of Family Enterprise (Co-Founder and Secretary)
Finance Malta Foundation
International Fiscal Association
Malta Institute of Taxation
International Tax Planning Association – Malta Member
Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (Past-Executive Council Member)
Society for Trusts & Estate Practitioners (STEP) Malta Branch (Past-Chairman)
Chamber of Advocates

Professional & Civic Activities

Malta Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Secretary
Claris Trustees, Director
Claris Foundation, Trustee
University of Maastricht, International Tax Programme, Visiting Lecturer

Academic Record

Central Law Training
Dip.International Trust Management
2008
Malta Institute of Taxation
Dip. Taxation
2006
University of Warwick
Master of Laws (Tax & Economic Law)
2002
University of Malta
Doctor of Laws (European Tax Law)
2001
University of Malta
Notary Public
1999
University of Malta
B.A. Law & English
1998

Languages

Maltese, English, Italian