Flexible Fee Arrangements
Long Term Client Relationships
Honest, transparent & no hidden costs
Acumum is an award winning boutique set of legal, tax, fiduciary and accounting firms, located in the tax and fiscal efficient European jurisdiction of Malta. Believing in long-term relationships, we provide holistic, sustainable and practical solutions to clients, whilst being committed to a superb level of client service and flexible legal fees.
We are lean. Like any other successful business, especially in these lean times, we have ‘cut out the fat’ by utilising technology and modern business practices, for instance, we do not pass on our own training costs of junior members, or expensive offices. As a lean service and advisory group, Acumum provides cost-efficient, flexible fee arrangements to our clients.
A senior member of staff will always be appointed as the manager of your matter. For cost control, we use junior members of staff – and always monitored by the senior member – for any work on your matter which we believe is junior or administrative in nature.
Acumum Legal Fees
Honest, transparent and no hidden costs
Legal fees, as well as fiduciary and accountancy costs will depend on the jurisdiction you are in, type, nature and work undertaken on your behalf.
- Fixed hourly fees– depending on the nature of the project
- Reduced fees with discretionary or success bonus – usually for long projects of unknown duration
- Declining hourly rate – again, usually for long projects of unknown duration
- Contingent fee – popularly known as ‘no win no fee’
- Shared savings from litigation management
- Equity – Start –Ups – we might agree to provide legal services, up to a certain amount, in exchange for equity in your company, or convert our deferred fees into equity, so long as the value of the equity is determined in an independent manner
Engagement Letters, Statements and Retainers
Honest, transparent & no hidden costs
Engagement letter
Once we both agree that we will work together, we shall send to you an engagement letter, setting out the work we will undertake on your behalf and the fees that we have agreed upon.
Statements
Acumum prides itself in having transparent relationships with our clients. We issue monthly statements detailing the fees and expenses that have incurred upon your account.
Retainers
We may, in certain cases, require a retainer before commencing work. The retainer is an ‘up front’ payment which is applied as against any fees or costs we may incur upon your behalf. We don’t like costly surprises – neither should you.
Additional Fees – AKA – ‘Disbursements’
The additional costs we shall incur on your behalf are:
- Statutory or application costs, such as Government or legitimate, authorised organisational charges – for instance trademark applications
- Extra, requested or necessary charges – such as courier services.
Memberships & Awards
Geraldine Noel
Director, Barrister
Qualifications
BA (Hons) (Oxford) Law
MA (Hons) (Oxford) Law
LLM (Hons) (Fordham) US law
Post Graduate Diploma, Legal Practice Course and Inns of Court School of Law, City University, London.
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Memberships
General Council of the Bar of England & Wales
Chamber of Advocates; Malta
International Bar Association (IBA)
Lincolns Inn
Malta Institute of Management
Malta Institute of Taxation
Institute of Financial Services Practitioners (IFSP)
Chartered Institute of Taxation
Awards
IFLR ‘Notable Law Firm’; 2013, 2014
Malta Best in Business ‘Best Law Firm’, 2015
Powerwealth Awards, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016
As founder and managing partner, Geraldine devotes focused time, passion and extensive expertise towards overseeing and directly managing operations of the Acumum group of companies.
Alongside management responsibilities, her role also encompasses a diverse range of client work, including advisory services and agreement drafting.
Geraldine’s legal career spans more than 30 years, with positions held in the UK, Switzerland, the US, Malta and the Cayman Islands, and experience including legal, tax and corporate services. Widely recognised and acknowledged for her professional achievements, which include winning Citywealth Power Women Award for three consecutive years, Geraldine is a registered barrister in England & Wales and Republic of Ireland.
Away from work, Geraldine relishes spending quality time with her dogs and enjoys the pleasure of good food.
Michael Satariano
Director of Compliance and MLRO
Holding a key position, Michael’s important focus is on establishing and maintaining a rigorous and robust approach to governance for the Acumum group of companies.
Within his compliance remit, Michael works with the group’s licenced entities, ensuring adherence to the conditions of their respective functions and meeting regulatory requirements. His role provides solid oversight of all internal due diligence and anti-money laundering (AML) systems, including relevant policies, procedures and professional relationships.
Possessing over seven years’ experience within the compliance / anti-money laundering function, Michael’s career before joining Acumum saw him working for the Personal Tax Division of KPMG and within the Corporate Services and Trustee Divisions of several leading Maltese law firms such as Fenech & Fenech and Camilleri Preziosi.
Michael’s wide range of interests includes architecture, history and antiques. Outside of the office, he enjoys turning his hand to cooking and his attention to books.
Dr John A. Navarro
Associate Advocate
A registered Maltese barrister, John’s role within the Acumum group of companies encompasses a wide range of functions, services and specialisms.
Among areas covered are corporate law, trusts & foundations, immigration law and intellectual property. John also supports the ongoing commitment to compliance and prevention of money laundering activities and counter terrorism financing. He further specialises in the law of voluntary organisations and legal persons.
John holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Malta and Masters of Advocacy from the same widely recognised institution. He has a Foundation Certificate in Trusts Law & Management and was admitted to the Maltese Bar in 2019.
A passion for art and antiques absorbs some of his personal time, along with enjoyment of cooking and the pleasure of reading.
Michelle Cauchi
Office Manager
Ensuring the smooth day-to-day office and administration function of the Acumum group of companies rests in Michelle’s trusted hands, along with numerous other roles and responsibilities.
Among these are assisting the managing partner, database management, supplier relationships, client invoicing and monitoring of disbursements. Michelle also supports the group’s international clients, arranging transport and accommodation as needed and assisting them with any requirements. Her remit also includes responsibility for the immigration programme.
The experience and competence required for such a diverse range of roles and responsibilities come from over 15 years’ working within the legal profession.
Michelle’s personal interests include a passion for travel, the thrill of snowboarding and the peaceful pleasure of reading.
Hannah Goodlad
Legal and Compliance Administrator
Qualifications
Law (LLB), University of Warwick (2020) specialising in International and Immigration Law.
Immigration Paralegal, Central England Law Centre (2019-2020)
FIAU’s Implementing Procedures Applicable to Company Service Providers Seminar (2021)
STEP EU: US Trust Law (2021)
Institute of Legal Studies Malta: Company Law Course (2021)
Jurisdictions
Malta
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Hannah encompasses a diverse range of client work, including corporate law, compliance, prevention of money laundering, counter-terrorism financing and immigration law. Hannah also maintains company files and carrys out client due diligence.
Away from work, Hannah enjoys swimming and reading.