Dr. Maria Chetcuti Cauchi

Dr Maria Chetcuti Cauchi is co-Managing Partner and Senior Partner co-heading the International Property practice at CCLEX Global, advising international private clients, investors, developers and corporates on high-value residential, commercial and mixed-use transactions around the world, notably Europe and the UK. Her practice focuses on transaction execution with disciplined risk control – including title due diligence, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, financing, and the management of multi-party projects from acquisition through to completion.

Real Estate Transactions & Structuring

Maria's experience includes:

• Leads real estate advisory on acquisitions, disposals, leasing and financing for high-value property assets.
• Advises on buy-to-let projects, development initiatives, and investment projects for international clients (including private rental and student accommodation, as well as boutique hospitality projects).
• Founder of the firm’s Project Advisory Services (PAS) capability, coordinating cross-functional and external project teams (legal, notarial, design, architecture, agency and financing stakeholders) to provide “voice on the ground” execution for investors.

Maria’s approach is grounded in precise legal analysis, a rigorous risk‑control methodology, and an investor‑focused understanding of multi‑stakeholder developments. She is frequently appointed as the coordinating legal adviser for projects requiring integrated oversight of notarial, architectural, regulatory, and financing workstreams.

Maria has also advised on structuring real estate investments through special purpose vehicles, trusts, and corporate entities, aligning legal frameworks with tax efficiency and long-term asset protection. Maria's legal acumen extends to title due diligence, development agreements, and buy-to-let schemes.

Maria’s assists in structuring real estate holdings through special purpose vehicles, trusts, corporate entities and private equity or real estate fund structures, aligning the holding architecture with governance, long-term protection objectives and investor intent. She is recognised for strategic foresight, transactional precision, and clear communication in high-stakes matters.

Clients and peers recognise her for her precise legal insight, strategic foresight, and client-focused delivery, particularly in high-stakes property transactions.

Thought Leadership & Publications

Maria is a recognised commentator on Malta’s property market and the legal frameworks shaping real estate investment in the region. Her work spans real estate, intellectual property (IP), and technology law – often intersecting in branding, asset protection, and development‑related IP rights.

She has contributed significantly to policy reform and thought leadership, particularly in Malta, by advising on the structuring of real estate investments through private equity, real estate corporate structures, special purpose vehicles, and trusts. Her work emphasizes sustainable development and compliance with regulatory frameworks, enhancing Malta's appeal to high-net-worth individuals and international investors.

A respected commentator on Malta's real estate market, Maria has published widely, including:

• Investing in Malta: A Property Almanac, providing an in-depth analysis of Malta's real estate market and legal landscape, guiding readers through property acquisition and resale processes
• Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Jurisdictions: Asset Classes & Activity Comparisons, a paper centring around the intention to launch a Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) regulatory frame working Malta. Malta is one of the few developed countries not yet having established such a regime. Therefore, the current initiative to tackle this matter, has been more than welcome by the industry and investors at large
• Malta Property Prices Reflect a Steady Growth, where she highlighted how Malta's property prices continued to rise at a stable pace, even as other European markets experienced downturns. She attributed this stability to factors such as the Individual Investor Programme (IIP), stamp duty exemptions for first-time buyers, a low interest rate environment, growth in disposable income, and an increased number of foreign workers in Malta
• Protect Your Brand: Make Your Mark,  emphasizing the importance of intellectual property protection in the context of real estate and business.

Industry Engagement

Maria is actively involved in industry and policy development. She contributes to national discussions on real estate legislation, planning regulation, sustainable development, and investment policy. She also engages with stakeholder groups on modernising regulatory frameworks affecting the property and development ecosystem.

Recognition

• Recommended Lawyer – Legal 500 EMEA (Real Estate)
• Recognised for leadership in high‑value residential and commercial development transactions.
• Praised by clients for clarity, responsiveness, and high‑stakes execution under tight timelines.
• Noted contributor to Malta’s evolving planning and regulatory frameworks.

Professional Involvements

• Chamber of Advocates (Malta)
• Superior Courts of Malta
• Malta Developers Association (MDA)
• Malta Remote Gaming Council
• Registered European Trademark Attorney
• European Patent Organisation (EPO)
• European Communities Trademark Association (ECTA)
• International Trademark Association (INTA)
• Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP)
• Collaborating Firm–Andersen Global

• Institute of Financial Services Practitioners
• International Tax Planning Association
• Malta Remote Gaming Council
• European Patent Organisation
• International Trademark Association (INTA)
• Finance Malta
• STEP Malta Branch
• Chamber of Advocates

IFSP
Foundation Certificate in Trust Law and Administration
2006

University of Warwick
LL.M. (Int. Econ. Law)
2002

University of Malta
LL.D.
2001

University of Malta
Dip. Not. Pub.
2000

University of Malta
B.A. (Law & English)
1998