Company & Commercial Law · Gibraltar
Company formation in Gibraltar with a lawyer who works in the jurisdiction
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory with its own Parliament, its own courts and its own legal profession — not part of the United Kingdom. Whether you are incorporating, restructuring or facing a dispute, you need advice built on Gibraltar law rather than guidance written for England and Wales. We match you with a specialist at no cost.
- Practitioners admitted in Gibraltar, not elsewhere
- Fees agreed between you and the lawyer
- First response typically within 24–48 hours
Free, no obligation. We introduce; you decide.
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Tell us about your situation and receive a free, confidential case review.
Why the jurisdiction matters
A separate legal system, with its own rules for companies
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory rather than part of the United Kingdom, and it has its own Constitution, its own directly elected Parliament and its own courts. Its law rests on English common law, the rules of equity and statutes of general application, adapted by local legislation, and the final court of appeal is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. For anyone setting up a company here, that means the practical questions — how the entity is formed, who may advise you, what the filings cost and how disputes are handled — sit within a distinct legal system. Our free matching service introduces you to a Gibraltar practitioner who regularly handles company matters, so you can put those questions directly and decide with clear information in front of you.
Gibraltar in practice
What company work in Gibraltar actually involves
Gibraltar is a small jurisdiction with a complete legal infrastructure: legislation enacted locally, a Supreme Court, a Court of Appeal and a final appeal to London. The points below set out how the system is organised and what that means when you instruct a practitioner for a company matter.
A separate jurisdiction, not part of the UK
Gibraltar is not part of the United Kingdom. It has its own Constitution, a directly elected Parliament that enacts its primary legislation, and its own courts and legal profession. English common law, the rules of equity and statutes of general application apply so far as they are consistent with local legislation, and the final court of appeal is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Who may advise you: barristers and solicitors
Gibraltar has both barristers and solicitors, but section 29(2) of the Supreme Court Act provides that a person admitted and enrolled as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar may also act as a barrister. Many practitioners therefore hold a dual capacity, which differs from the stricter separation of the two branches in England and Wales. The Legal Services Regulatory Authority maintains the register of authorised persons.
Professional fees are agreed, not tariffed
Fees charged by barristers and solicitors in private practice in Gibraltar are not fixed by statute or by any public tariff; they are agreed between lawyer and client. Court fees are separate and payable in addition, set out in Schedule 6 to the Supreme Court Rules 2000 as amended in 2025. A clear fee basis agreed at the outset is therefore normal practice.
The working language and the published law
Gibraltar’s courts sit in English and judgments are published, with the Gibraltar Law Reports covering decisions from 1812 onwards. Consolidated legislation is available on gibraltarlaws.gov.gi. If your company documents, contracts or correspondence are in another language, they will normally need translation before a local practitioner can advise on them with confidence.
If a company dispute reaches court
The Supreme Court of Gibraltar is a superior court of record with civil jurisdiction equivalent to that of the English High Court. Appeals from it go to the Court of Appeal for Gibraltar and then to the Privy Council. A civil appeal to the Court of Appeal must be brought within 14 days of the decision complained of, so early advice matters.
Legal aid and means testing
Legal aid in Gibraltar is governed by the Legal Aid and Assistance Act. Part II provides civil legal assistance in connection with proceedings before courts and tribunals, but it is means-tested: assistance is available where income does not exceed £5,000 a year, and an applicant with capital above £350 must generally be refused unless they cannot afford to proceed. A merits test also applies.
Key time limit — Commercial & Corporate Law
Contractual claims — 6 years from the date the cause of action accrued. The general limitation period for actions founded on contract in Gibraltar.
All country facts on this page are drawn from official Gibraltar sources — the Government of Gibraltar, gibraltarlaws.gov.gi and the published court fees schedule — reviewed in 2025.
- Government of Gibraltar — Structure of the justice system
- Legal Services Act 2017 (Gibraltar)
- Supreme Court Act (Gibraltar)
- Limitation Act (Gibraltar)
- Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act (Gibraltar)
- Employment Act (Gibraltar)
- Court of Appeal Rules 2004 (Gibraltar)
- Matrimonial Causes Act (Gibraltar)
- Government of Gibraltar — Court fees schedule (2025)
Common problems
Where company matters in Gibraltar tend to go wrong
These are the situations clients describe most often before they are matched with a local practitioner.
A separate jurisdiction with its own rules
Gibraltar is not part of the United Kingdom. Its companies, courts and profession follow local legislation built on English common law, so guidance written for England and Wales may simply not answer your question.
Fees that are not published anywhere
Professional fees in Gibraltar are not fixed by statute or by any public tariff; they are agreed between lawyer and client. Without a local adviser it is hard to judge what a matter should reasonably cost.
Deadlines that run from the cause of action
Contract and tort claims in Gibraltar generally have to be brought within six years, and a civil appeal within 14 days. Missing a limitation date can end a matter before it is ever heard.
How we help
Matched with a practitioner who works in the jurisdiction
Tell us about the matter once. We identify a Gibraltar practitioner who handles it and introduce you directly.
Practitioners admitted in Gibraltar
We introduce you to barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar who handle company and commercial work, including practitioners who hold a dual capacity and can both advise and conduct advocacy.
Clarity on fees before you commit
You discuss structure, filings and fees directly with the practitioner. Professional fees are agreed between you and the lawyer, so the basis of the engagement is clear before any work starts.
Free matching, no obligation
Describing your matter costs nothing and commits you to nothing. We match you with a lawyer who handles company formation in Gibraltar, and you decide whether to take it further.
Support beyond incorporation
The same jurisdiction governs shareholder disputes, contractual claims and enforcement once the company is running. We can match you again whenever a new question arises.
Other jurisdictions
Looking beyond Gibraltar?
We also match clients with practitioners in other European jurisdictions, including those closest to Gibraltar and the main business centres.
Frequently asked
Questions about company formation in Gibraltar
Is company formation in Gibraltar governed by UK law?
No. Gibraltar is not part of the United Kingdom: it has its own Constitution, a directly elected Parliament that enacts its primary legislation, and its own courts and legal profession. Its law is based on English common law, the rules of equity and statutes of general application as modified locally, and the final court of appeal is the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
Who may advise me on setting up a company in Gibraltar?
Advice and representation come from barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar, whose registration, practising certificates and conduct are regulated by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority. Section 29(2) of the Supreme Court Act also allows a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar to act as a barrister, so many practitioners hold a dual capacity.
How are legal fees for company work set in Gibraltar?
Fees charged by barristers and solicitors in private practice in Gibraltar are not fixed by statute or by any public tariff. They are agreed between lawyer and client. Court fees are separate and payable in addition, and are set out in Schedule 6 to the Supreme Court Rules 2000 as amended in 2025.
How long do I have to bring a contractual claim in Gibraltar?
Under the Limitation Act, the general limitation period for contractual claims is six years from the date the cause of action accrued, and the same six-year period applies to tort claims. Personal injury claims have a three-year period, subject to the court’s discretion to extend it. Time limits are strict, so early advice is worthwhile.
In which language are Gibraltar company matters handled?
Gibraltar’s courts sit in English and judgments are published, with the Gibraltar Law Reports covering decisions from 1812 onwards. Consolidated legislation is published on gibraltarlaws.gov.gi. If your corporate documents or correspondence are in another language, a local practitioner will usually need them in English before advising.
What does the free matching service involve?
You describe your matter once, without charge or obligation. We identify a Gibraltar practitioner who handles company formation work and put you in direct contact. The average first response is within 24 to 48 hours, and there is no cost to be matched — you decide whether to instruct anyone.
Next step
Tell us what you need in Gibraltar
Describe your company matter in a few lines. We will match you with a Gibraltar practitioner who handles it, at no cost and with no obligation to proceed.