Banking & finance
Banking and financial services lawyer in Luxembourg
The firm assists players in the Luxembourg financial sector: obtaining and maintaining PSF status, payment or electronic money institution licences, fund distribution, MiFID compliance, outsourcing agreements and relations with the CSSF.
In short
A financial player in Luxembourg (PFS, payment or electronic money institution, fund distributor) must secure its status, governance and documentation under CSSF supervision. The firm analyses the required status and prepares the authorisation application; the authorisation itself is granted by the CSSF.
Responsible for legal content: Maître Cora Maglo, Avocate à la Cour, Liste I du Barreau de Luxembourg depuis 2009. · Applicable law: Luxembourg
Banking and financial services lawyer in Luxembourg: key points at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Fees | Stated fees. Consultation from EUR 175 excl. VAT; regulatory framing and documentation on a tailored quote depending on the targeted status and complexity. Everything is quoted before any engagement. |
| Indicative timing | The framing of the status and the first documentation are delivered within a few working days; the licensing timeline depends on the CSSF and on the complexity of the matter. |
| Documents required |
|
| Deliverables |
|
Luxembourg is a leading financial centre, closely supervised by the CSSF. Any operator providing financial services, whether a professional of the financial sector (PSF), a payment institution, an electronic money institution or a fund distributor, must secure its status, its governance and its contractual documentation.
Cerno Law Firm advises these operators on access to the activity, compliance and contracting, working alongside their compliance teams and, where relevant, their prudential advisers. The firm is the lawyer of the operators; it is neither the CSSF nor an outsourced compliance provider.
Banking and financial services lawyer in Luxembourg: when should you call on the firm?
You are launching or expanding a financial activity in Luxembourg (PSF, payment, electronic money, fund distribution) and must secure your status, your governance and your contracts.
Without rigorous regulatory and contractual framing, access to the activity, the licence and your relations with clients and providers become a source of risk.
What happens if you do nothing?
An unsuitable status or one carried out without a licence, incomplete MiFID documentation, outsourcing agreements that do not comply with CSSF circulars, insufficient governance and substance.
A poorly framed financial activity exposes you to prudential sanctions, loss of the licence and disputes with clients and counterparties.
How does the firm step in?
Analysis of the required status and support with the licence application, drafting of contractual documentation (general terms and conditions, service agreements, MiFID, outsourcing), governance and compliance advice, monitoring of relations with the CSSF.
Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar; its digital tools only simplify information gathering, qualification of the matter and tracking of requests, never replacing the lawyer's advice, who validates every regulatory structure.
Practice areas
When to call on the firm
- Obtain or upgrade a PSF status with the CSSF.
- Structure a payment or electronic money institution.
- Secure fund distribution and MiFID documentation.
- Bring your outsourcing agreements into compliance (CSSF circulars).
Start online
Start your case in under 5 minutes
A simple, transparent process supervised by a lawyer admitted to the Luxembourg Bar.
Today, most cases can be initiated entirely online. Our digital tools streamline administrative steps so the lawyer can focus on the legal analysis of your situation.
Step 1 of 5 · 3 to 5 minutes
Describe your need
Select your issue, answer a few simple questions and share your documents if needed.
What you get
- Initial qualification of the case
- List of useful documents
- Secure transmission
What reassures our clients
Confidentiality
Lawyer’s professional secrecy.
Speed
Start your case online 24/7.
Transparency
Fees communicated before engagement.
Expertise
Review by a lawyer of the Luxembourg Bar.
Simplicity
Under 5 minutes to open your case.
Stated fees
Consultation from EUR 175 excl. VAT; regulatory framing and documentation on a tailored quote depending on the targeted status and complexity. Everything is quoted before any engagement.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a PSF in Luxembourg?
A professional of the financial sector is an operator licensed and supervised by the CSSF to provide certain financial services. The firm analyses the required status and supports the licence application.
Does the firm obtain the CSSF licence on my behalf?
No. The licence is granted by the CSSF. The firm structures the file, drafts the documentation and supports the exchanges, but does not act in place of either the regulator or the applicant.
Do you handle MiFID compliance?
Yes, on the legal and contractual side (client classification, information, documentation). The firm works in coordination with your compliance teams.
Is Cerno a compliance provider?
No. Cerno is a law firm admitted to the Luxembourg Bar. It advises financial operators on legal matters; the digital tools only serve to organise information and tracking.
Handled with our network of partners. On regulated matters (funds, AIFM, depositary, CSSF authorisation), Cerno Law Firm provides legal advice and coordination, working where appropriate with lawyers and partners holding the required expertise (management, depositary, CSSF compliance). You keep a single point of contact.
Member of
Affiliations & professional networks
Free guide · PDF
The practical guide to secure your next step
Checklists, key steps and points to watch, prepared by the firm. Get it instantly, no strings attached.
- The key steps, explained simply
- The documents to prepare
- The common mistakes to avoid
Free diagnostic
Not sure where you stand? Get an answer in 2 minutes.
A few questions are enough to identify your need and the right legal answer, with no sign-up and no commitment.
Founded in 2013; Maître Cora Maglo has been admitted to the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
- 2013
- independent firm
- 2009
- at the Bar since 2009
- 4,7/5
- 81 Google reviewsRead reviews
Expertise & authority
Ongoing review and analysis of Luxembourg and European case law
Avocate à la Cour, List I of the Luxembourg Bar since 2009
Trained at the London School of Economics, formerly at Clifford Chance and Bonn Steichen & Partners
Member of international networks: EILN, AEA, Cross Border Advisory Solutions
Every matter handled and approved by a lawyer admitted to the Bar
Support in French and English
Testimonials
What our clients say
Selected excerpts from public reviews. Consult the Google listing for all ratings and comments; a testimonial does not guarantee a legal outcome.
Had a consultation with Me Cora Maglo about my Luxembourg Blue Card application. She explained everything clearly: the process, timeline and documents I need, and helped me with my wife’s family reunification too. Honest and practical advice. I felt confident after talking to her.F. P.J’ai beaucoup apprécié le service de Maître Maglo : son sérieux, sa sympathie, son professionnalisme et sa disponibilité. Toujours répondu rapidement et clairement, avec des conseils pragmatiques, sans pousser à des procédures longues et coûteuses lorsqu’elles ne sont pas justifiées.N. W.Super assistance and great support! Highly recommend. All my questions were answered, Cora and her team kept me updated all the time. I will definitely reach out to them next time for my residency.T.They talk about us
The firm referenced and cited
Professional directories, business press and legal publications where Cerno Law Firm and Maître Cora Maglo are referenced.
Let’s talk about your matter
Describe your situation: you receive an initial analysis and a transparent quote, with no obligation. One dedicated lawyer, from start to finish.
Why contact us?
- Response within 48 working hours
- Professional secrecy guaranteed
- Fees announced in advance
- A single dedicated lawyer
- Companies, investors and individuals
It only takes a few minutes to submit your matter.