Switzerland, a strategic location for businesses as it benefits from the proximity to economically strong countries making it a great starting point to get into the European market. With its strict legal structure and special tax regimes, all cantons in Switzerland provides a business-friendly environment.  In essence, the country is known for its neutrality in political relationships which helps maintains its financial stability – hence making Switzerland a good environment for investments.

The lecocqassociate Group was established in the canton of Geneva in 2007 by the firm’s founder and Managing Partner, Dominique Lecocq. His international legal experience in financial regulation and structuring led him to found the Geneva office as a boutique law firm, specializing in the niche areas of regulatory banking and corporate finance.

Malta’s relaxed way of life, affordable cost of living, as well as the country’s strategic position in the heart of the Mediterranean are just a few of the reasons for its popularity. The jurisdiction of Malta offers a myriad of opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and investors seeking an attractive, yet safe business environment due to its flexible and fair regulation, competitive fiscal regime, over 70 double taxation agreements, and all the financial services support available at a world-class level.

lecocqassociate Malta was established in 2010 as a regulatory advisory practice. Judy Adbilla Inguanez was appointed as Partner in 2019 where she leads a team of legal associates well versed in regulations issued by the Malta Financial Services Authority, Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF), and the regulation of digital asset platforms.

Established in 2004, the Dubai International Financial Centre ("DIFC") is a unique financial free-zone known as the financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) markets.  Unlike many other economic free zones in Dubai, the DIFC not only allows enterprises to completely own the business without the need for a local partner, but it also has its own independent regulator and judicial system, has a common law framework, global financial exchange, and a large business community mainly comprising of financial institutions.  Its tax-friendly regime attracts many international corporations to set up their head office there due to the 50-year guarantee of zero taxes on corporate income and profits.

In 2017, lecocqassociate moved from the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and established a structuring and compliance advisory practice in the DIFC having Ms. Hooriya Qazal Rajput appointed as Managing Partner.

In 2015, the UAE Federal Decree established the Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), an international financial centre located in the capital of the UAE.  This financial free zone is regulated by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) and the ADGM Courts handle the free zones judicial system and common law framework the Registration Authority (RA).  In pursuant to Abu Dhabi Law No.4 of 2013, as a financial free zone, the ADGM has its own civil and commercial laws, striving to be one of the leading international financial centres in the world to boost Abu Dhabi’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The ADGM’s fund framework allows financial institutions and individuals an efficient, zero-tax business environment, and low minimum capital requirements – making this Freezone a highly attractive place to set up investment funds.  lecocqassociate established a legal consultancy to help clients on all legal aspects within the regulatory finance and banking sector, as well as enterprise set-up.