Abuse of Legal Persons - Challenges in the Digital Age

Name: Abuse of Legal Persons - Challenges in the Digital Age
Location: Malta Business Registry, The Link, Level 0, Triq il-Labour, Zejtun.

by Malta Business Registry

Where

Malta Business Registry, The Link, Level 0, Triq il-Labour, Zejtun. View map

This workshop will provide a comprehensive view of the landscape surrounding the misuse of legal persons for illicit activities and the tools used to combat such abuse. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the legal, technological, and investigative strategies being used to improve transparency and accountability in the corporate world.

Refundable Booking Available

Select Refundable Booking at checkout to get a full refund in case you are unable to attend this event (sickness included). T&Cs apply.

Tickets

When

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 at 08:30 to 14:30

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Description

Session 1: Abuse of Legal Persons – The Global and Local Landscape

Speakers: Yehuda Schaffer, Dr. Pauline Saliba
Overview:
This session explores the ways in which legal persons (corporations, trusts, foundations, etc.) are misused for illicit activities such as money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, and organized crime. It will cover both global trends and local contexts, with a particular focus on Malta's legal framework.

With regards to global landscape this session with aid attendees to understand how legal entities are used across borders for illicit activities. Reference to Malta’s context, Dr. Pauline Saliba will provide insights into the Maltese regulatory environment, outlining how Malta addresses misuse through legislation, enforcement, and international cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

Recognition of patterns in how legal persons are used for criminal activities.
Insight into Malta’s approach to corporate governance and regulatory challenges.

Session 2: The Role of the Beneficial Ownership Register

Speaker: Markus Forsman, EU Commission
Overview:
This session focuses on the EU’s approach to beneficial ownership transparency, aiming to ensure that individuals who ultimately control or benefit from companies are identifiable. It will address:

Legal framework: The EU regulations and directives that mandate the establishment of beneficial ownership registers across member states.

Access issues: Challenges related to public access to ownership data, especially in the context of recent CJEU judgments on privacy and data protection.

Compliance and enforcement: How EU member states ensure companies adhere to these requirements and the penalties for non-compliance.

Session 3 : The Importance of Dissuasive and Proportionate Penalties

Speaker: Andrew Strijker

Overview:
This session will explore the crucial role of penalties in deterring corporate misconduct and ensuring compliance with laws related to the abuse of legal persons. Andrew Strijker will discuss why dissuasive and proportionate penalties are essential to maintaining a fair and effective regulatory environment, particularly in the context of financial crimes, tax evasion, money laundering, and corruption.

Panel Discussion: Regulatory and Compliance Insights

Panelists: Dr. Geraldine Spiteri Lucas (MBR), Dr. Jonathan Phyall (FIAU), Dr. Stephen Attard (IFSP), Malta Bankers’ Association
Overview:
This interactive panel discussion brings together key regulatory and compliance experts to discuss their perspectives on regulations, enforcement, and compliance in the context of legal persons and corporate abuse. Topics may include:

The effectiveness of current regulatory frameworks.
Challenges in enforcement, particularly regarding beneficial ownership and money laundering.
Best practices for improving compliance and transparency across various sectors.

Session 4: The Role of Investigative Journalism in Uncovering Corporate Abuse

Speaker: Graham Barrow
Overview:
Investigative journalism is crucial in uncovering corporate and financial misconduct, especially when it involves legal entities used for illicit activities. This session will delve into:

Investigative techniques: How journalists track down ownership structures, uncover hidden connections, and expose abuses related to legal persons.
Barriers faced by journalists: Access to information, legal challenges, and the risks of retaliation.
Case studies: High-profile investigative stories that have revealed corruption, money laundering, or financial crimes involving legal persons.

Session 5: Artificial Intelligence in Corporate Oversight

Speaker: Dr. Dylan Seychell, University of Malta
Overview:
This session will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and corporate governance, focusing on how AI can assist in monitoring, detecting anomalies, and preventing corporate abuses. Key points include:

AI-driven detection: Using AI to analyze large datasets and identify red flags, such as unusual patterns in financial transactions or suspicious ownership structures.
AI and beneficial ownership: How AI can help identify shell companies or hidden beneficial owners.
Ethical concerns: The potential for AI-generated abuse, such as the creation of fake entities or documents, and the balance between automation and human oversight.

This event has been accredited with 3.5 hours of structured CPE qualifying under Core competency as per the Accountancy Board Accreditation Rules.”

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