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Alison Vassallo | Partner at Fenech & Fenech Advocates

  • Feb 19
  • 3 min read

As Partner and Head of Yachting at Fenech and Fenech Advocates in Malta, Alison Vassallo has spent more than twenty years shaping the legal and regulatory framework of the superyacht industry—advising high-profile owners, shipyards and financiers while also playing a direct role in national policy and European-level proceedings that have influenced the sector’s future.


Alison leads one of the most established yachting legal practices in Malta, widely regarded as the EU’s leading yacht flag jurisdiction. Together with her team, she assists clients in making the legalities surrounding the sale and purchase of yachts as smooth and seamless as possible. Her work spans sale and acquisition, registration of private and commercial yachts, financing structures, leasing arrangements, importation procedures, chartering, crewing matters, and the complex fiscal considerations that accompany high-value assets.


What sets her practice apart is its integrated approach. The yachting department works in close coordination with specialists in ship registration, finance, employment, tax and corporate law to provide a fully tailored, 360-degree service. The firm regularly receives referrals from leading European law firms, brokers, project managers and yacht builders, reflecting the trust placed in Alison and her team at the highest levels of the industry.


Her path into yachting was shaped by both academic focus and destiny. After graduating as a lawyer from the University of Malta, Alison pursued a Master’s degree with distinction in Shipping Law at the International Maritime Law Institute (IMLI). Growing up surrounded by the sea, maritime subjects were a natural draw. With strong foundations in law and international maritime regulation, she entered legal practice equipped for shipping work—though she could not have predicted that yachting would become such a defining part of her professional life.


Over the years, Alison’s influence has extended well beyond private client work. She has advised the Maltese Government on representations made to the European Commission concerning yacht leasing guidelines, contributing to the successful conclusion of proceedings in 2020. She was also closely involved in the process leading to the publication and launch of revised pleasure yacht hiring guidelines. Her policy work continued when she was elected to the Steering Committee responsible for drafting Malta’s National Policy for Superyachts, launched following the first Malta Superyacht Symposium in 2022, which she co-organised.


Between 2015 and 2025, she chaired the Yachting Business Section within the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and served on its Council and Executive Board. In 2021, she was appointed Malta Legal Representative to MYBA – The Worldwide Yachting Association. She is also a member of the Malta Maritime Law yachting sub-committee and YachtFemme, reflecting her active role in shaping both industry standards and community.


Fluent in English and Italian, and deeply rooted in Malta’s maritime heritage, Alison continues to focus on strengthening and growing her team to deliver the highest level of personalised service to clients navigating increasingly sophisticated transactions. One lesson she shares openly: in yachting, it truly is a small world. It is a close-knit, passion-driven community where reputations are built on trust, precision and long-term relationships.




Short Bio

Alison Vassallo is Partner and Head of Yachting at Fenech and Fenech Advocates in Malta. With over 20 years’ experience in superyacht law, she advises owners, financiers and shipyards on sale, registration, finance and regulatory matters, and has contributed to Malta’s national superyacht policy and EU-level proceedings.



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