Speech by Minister for Justice at the Inaugural Law Council Dinner - 214/2026

Nigel Feetham KC MP

25^th March 2026

Chief Minister, my friend and colleague Minister Arias-Vasquez, Members of Parliament, members of the legal profession and distinguished guests.

I stand before you this evening not only as Minister for Justice, but as someone who has spent his professional life within the law - as a practitioner, a former Visiting Law Professor, an author of legal texts and a King's Counsel.

This event takes place at an important moment for Gibraltar, with the Treaty understandably at the forefront of public and professional attention. It is right that we pay tribute to the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, the Attorney General and the rest of the Government of Gibraltar negotiating team, for the immense effort that has brought this Treaty to this point. This is a significant achievement for Gibraltar, particularly when we consider what the alternative was.

Since I joined Government at the last general election, I have seen first-hand the intensity and the toll this process has taken on the Chief Minister. He deserves our sincere thanks.

In parallel, we continue to engage constructively with our international partners and institutions. In that context, I will shortly travel to Strasbourg to meet with the MONEYVAL Secretariat to discuss the forthcoming evaluation, including how the review can appropriately reflect the implementation of the Treaty and its anticipated impact on Gibraltar's legal and regulatory framework.

The Government also continues to work closely with the United Kingdom, supporting our colleagues in meeting the high standards expected of Overseas Territories in matters of transparency. But we do not simply follow, we lead by example. This is demonstrated, among other things, by our commitment to provide free and unhindered access to Gibraltar's register of beneficial ownership.

So too, in the area of sanctions, forthcoming legislation scheduled for publication in the next parliamentary session, will introduce a system of civil penalties, strengthening enforcement mechanisms.

I recognise that there are, from time to time, differing views, both locally and within the industry, on the pace and direction of reform. Some question whether Gibraltar should now allow other jurisdictions to catch up, rather than consistently leading the way.

But the reality is clear: Gibraltar must continue to strengthen its legal framework where necessary. This will always serve us well, particularly when detractors outside Gibraltar criticise us unfairly for obvious self-serving reasons.

At the same time, while we expect the United Kingdom to take into account our vital economic interests when making fiscal or regulatory decisions, we must accept that this is not always the case. As such, we must continue to broaden our economic reach and reduce reliance on UK-facing markets, something that I have repeated in the past.

Against that backdrop, it is entirely fitting that we focus this evening on Gibraltar's legal sector.

I say this not simply because I am a lawyer myself, but because ours is a profession that has consistently punched above its weight. In a small jurisdiction, we have developed a remarkable level of expertise that underpins our economy, across financial services, insurance, gaming, corporate and commercial work, and emerging sectors such as fintech.

From time to time, we hear the suggestion that there are too many lawyers in Gibraltar or indeed, too many lawyers in Government or in politics. But the reality is that without the legal profession, our economy would not be as strong as it is. And I dare say without lawyers in Government, our respective Ministries would be less equipped to deliver on some policy objectives.

Indeed, for example, the sterling and hugely important work that Gemma has done and continues to do in all her Ministries.

Nor is it a coincidence that, over the past three decades, Gibraltar's Chief Ministers have been lawyers - my sincere apologies to Sir Joe Bossano who I know does NOT like lawyers. The same is true of Ministers for Justice, Financial Services, Gaming, and Taxation as well as the Leaders of the Opposition over the past 15 years. That includes my own brother Danny Feetham KC (himself also a former Minister for Justice and Leader of the Opposition), with whom, I am pleased to say, I am still on speaking terms - as long as we avoid politics.

I, for one, do not believe I could properly fulfil my current Ministerial role without the benefit of over 30 years in legal practice.

So when the question is asked: why are lawyers so involved in politics? The answer, I think, is simple: not because they like arguing, but because they bring skills and experience that are important to our economy and our public life.

We should be proud of that contribution, which stretches back to the very foundations of our community - to our founding father Sir Joshua Hassan, himself a lawyer and then Queen's Counsel.

I would also like to commend the Chairperson, Emma Lejeune, for her close collaboration with me across a number of important areas, not only those directly concerning the legal profession, but also in her capacity as Chairperson of the Finance Centre Council and as a member of the GFSC Board.

The establishment of the Law Council is both timely and significant. It is not merely a forum for discussion, but a body with the potential to reinforce professional standards, support the development of future practitioners, and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.

This must include a strong commitment to education and mentorship, both of which are very close to my heart.

Let this evening serve not only as a celebration of what has been achieved, but also as a recognition of the challenges ahead. As a profession, you - we - have faced many challenges over the years - from MONEYVAL to OECD reviews, State Aid issues, and beyond.

It has been your resilience and expertise that have shaped the past and it is those same qualities that must guide us into the future.

In closing this address, I do, however, have one very small bone to pick (in jest, of course) with our colleagues in the tax legal profession.

As Minister for Taxation, my duty is to strengthen the public finances of Gibraltar so we can fund the things our families all rely on: healthcare, public pensions, education, and more.

Over the past two years, targeted legislation has increased tax revenues from big businesses to levels few in this room thought possible when we devised and announced our National Tax Strategy. This has occasionally put me at odds with some, none of whom, I am pleased to say, are here tonight.

All jokes aside, I fully respect the work you do for your clients. I simply ask that you remember mine: representing the people of Gibraltar and ensuring everyone contributes a little more to the common good.

Thank you.