Naomi Kelly Mercieca

My work focuses on the legal implementation and development of national recovery and resolution frameworks, with a particular specialisation in the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD) and its transposition into Maltese law. In my role as a Legal Officer within the Resolution Function’s Policy & Legal Team, I provide legal and technical input across a range of resolution-related workstreams, including: • Taking an active role in the legal analysis, transposition, and ongoing implementation of the IRRD at national level, including alignment with EU technical standards and guidance. • Providing legal input into the preparation, review, and refinement of resolution planning frameworks for both credit institutions and insurance undertakings. • Interpreting and applying EU recovery and resolution legislation, including the BRRD and IRRD, to support policy development, internal decision-making and supervisory processes. • Drafting and supporting legislative and regulatory amendments, including the preparation of technical legal documentation accompanying changes to national resolution legislation. • Assessing recovery, resolution and contingency arrangements from a legal and regulatory perspective, ensuring consistency with EU law and national policy objectives. • Contributing to internal policy positions and participating in technical discussions at both national and EU level, including engagement with the Single Resolution Board and other European counterparts. This role has allowed me to develop a technical legal specialisation in insurance recovery and resolution, while broadening my experience in EU financial regulation, legislative drafting, and crisis-management frameworks.

I form part of the Policy & Legal Team of the Resolution Function at the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), where I contribute to the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks governing bank resolution and financial stability. My role primarily involves: • Contributing to the drafting, review, and enhancement of resolution plans for both Significant and Less Significant Institutions in Malta. • Undertaking in-depth legal research into EU financial regulatory frameworks, with a particular focus on the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive (BRRD) and related EU legislation. • Preparing the relevant documentation to carry out the necessary legal amendments to legislation. •Supporting the transposition of EU directives into Maltese law, with emphasis on resolution and recovery mechanisms in the banking and insurance sectors, particularly the Insurance Recovery and Resolution Directive (IRRD). •Engaging in the assessment of recovery and contingency plans submitted by financial institutions, ensuring they meet regulatory and supervisory expectations. •Participating in internal policy development and collaborating on technical amendments to national legislation aligned with EU standards. •Attending workshops and technical discussions with European partners, including the Single Resolution Board (SRB), to stay updated on best practices and evolving regulatory expectations. This role has allowed me to gain strong insight into financial regulation, EU law, and crisis management frameworks, while also enhancing my experience in legislative drafting, compliance analysis, and policy advisory work.

During my three-year legal traineeship, I was actively involved in supporting a broad spectrum of cases, with a particular focus on criminal law, civil law and family law, including separation proceedings, mediation, custody matters, and adoption cases. I regularly assisted with Small Claims Tribunal cases. Key responsibilities included: • Preparing legal documents such as rikorsi, replies, and assisting in the drafting of affidavits and court submissions. • Attending court hearings and assisting legal counsel with case presentation and procedural matters. • Participating in client meetings, helping gather information and contributing to case preparation. •Conducting legal research and supporting case strategy across various areas of Maltese law. •Managing case files, monitoring deadlines, and supporting the day-to-day operations of the legal office. This experience gave me a strong foundation in legal practice, improved my legal drafting and procedural skills, and allowed me to work directly with both clients and legal professionals in a court and office setting.