Dr. Jean-Philippe Chetcuti

Jean-Philippe is a co-founder and managing partner at CCLEX and a co-founding partner of the international law firm Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates. 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 22 years, JP has headed CCLEX's renowned residency and citizenship practice in Malta, and he provides invaluable advice to lawyers within the firm as well as our clients.  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, Chambers and Partners Private Wealth Lawyer in Malta and as a notable tax practitioner by International Tax Review ITR World Tax.

In view of his role as a key advisor to business families in Malta and internationally, he was a prominent driver behind the enactment of the Family Business Act in Maltese law, a world-first legal initiative recognising family businesses as an economic unit for statistical purposes but also as a basis for government support and favourable legal and tax treatment.

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;
• The proponent of the Doctrine of Contributive Belonging in international and European citizenship law.
• Accredited in 1999 to handle Permanent Residence applications in Malta.
• First Maltese lawyer to be accredited as a Malta Citizenship Agent in January 2014 (licence IIP 001) to handle citizenship by investment applications under the Individual Investor Programme.
• First to be promoted from 'Accredited Person' to an 'Approved Agent', in recognition of the firm's track record of quality and success in handling Malta citizenship applications.
• Accredited with the first round of licencing of Cypriot Investment Programme Service Provider Licence 046.
• 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.

• Malta Association of Family Businesses
• ‍Finance Malta Foundation
• International Fiscal Association
• Malta Institute of Taxation
• International Tax Planning Association
• Chamber of Advocates
• Society for Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) Malta Branch (ex-Chairman)
• Global Migration Section, American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Investment Migration Council
• European Immigration Lawyers Network (EILN)
• International Bar Association (IBA)
• American Bar Association

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

Visiting Lecturer
International Tax Programme
Maastricht University
The Netherlands.