On 1 June, immigration practitioners from five EU states gathered in Malta to share perspectives and hold discussions on post-Brexit residency and citizenship rights.
Hosted by Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates at its headquarters in Valletta and moderated by its managing partner Dr Jean-Philippe Chetcuti, the conference brought together lawyers, academics and policymakers to reflect on the consequences of Brexit for EU citizens in the UK and British nationals in the EU.
The event was opened by a keynote speech from Dr Ivan Sammut, head and senior lecturer of European & Comparative Law at the Faculty of Law at the University of Malta. Shortly after, Dr Antoine Saliba Haig, legal associate at Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates, shared Malta's post-Brexit perspective, while Spain's stance was delivered by Andreas de Ceballos, partner at Ceballos Abogados.
Other speakers at the event included the British High Commissioner to Malta, Stuart Gill, who gave an overview of the current stand of the UK on the status of EU nationals living in or coming to the EU after the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Viewpoints from this perspective were also offered by Elspeth Guild, Jean Monnet Professor ad personam at Queen Mary University of London.
Marley Morris, lead researcher on Brexit at the Institute for Public Policy Review, a progressive think-tank based in London, discussed the free movement of workers and the continued ability of EU nationals to enter, reside and work in the EU after Brexit and any transitional period. Nick Rollason, partner at Kingsley Napley LLP, continued the discussion by delivering options that are currently under consideration, for example, whether EU students wishing to study in the UK will be subject to UK visa rules and higher tuition fees.
The event was held as part of the 17th annual meeting of the EILN, a network of European immigration law firms, established back in 2000 as a platform for exchanging information and sharing best practices on citizenship and residency law. Apart from the discussion itself, international guests were also guided around the architectural and historical gems of Valletta, the European Capital of Culture 2018.
Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates is a European law and professional services firm, with offices in Malta, Cyprus, London, Zurich and Hong Kong, advising high net worth international families and their businesses on residency and citizenship, wealth management, acquisition of property, fintech and more.