Questions for lawyers Found 300

I keep seeing Malta property listings described in different ways, sometimes suggesting full outright ownership and other times describing something that sounds more like a lease arrangement. I want to understand the actual practical difference between these different types of property holding in Malta.

My spouse and I in Malta are legally separated, though not yet divorced, and given how our relationship has broken down, I’d like to know whether I can exclude them from inheriting from my estate through my will, or whether their spousal inheritance rights continue regardless of our separation.

I currently hold a residence permit in Malta tied to my specific job and employer, but I’ve just been made redundant. I’m worried about what this means for my ability to stay in Malta and whether I have any grace period to find new employment before my legal status is affected.

I’ve been using various images I found online labelled as ‘royalty-free’ or ‘free to use’ for marketing materials for my business in Malta, without paying anything or tracking exactly where each image came from. I’m now wondering whether I’ve actually been doing this properly, or whether I could be at risk of a copyright claim.

I hold an insurance policy with a company licensed in Malta, and I’ve recently seen some concerning news suggesting the company might be facing serious financial difficulties. I’m worried about what would actually happen to my coverage, and any potential claim, if my insurer became insolvent.

I own a larger property in Malta with more land than I actually need, and I’m considering subdividing it to sell off a portion separately. What’s actually involved in doing this legally, and are there restrictions on whether this is even possible for my specific property?

I’m buying a car in Malta and I want to understand what level of insurance coverage is actually legally required, as opposed to what’s simply recommended or optional. Is basic third-party coverage genuinely mandatory, or can I legally drive with less than that?

I’m launching a new startup in Malta and I approached an insurer for business liability coverage, but I was declined without much explanation, and I suspect it’s simply because the business is new with no trading history yet. Is it actually legal for an insurer to refuse coverage purely on this basis?

I reached a settlement agreement directly with the other party in a business dispute in Malta, without going through formal court or arbitration proceedings, just through direct negotiation between our lawyers. Is this kind of privately negotiated settlement actually enforceable if the other side later doesn’t comply with it?

I rented an apartment in Sliema for two years and moved out leaving it in reasonable condition, but the landlord is refusing to return my deposit, listing normal scuff marks and a slightly faded curtain as ‘damage’. Is this something the Consumer Claims Tribunal can even help with, or is this a different process entirely?