Gabriele Accardo

Partner

Milan | Brussels

+39 02 85423430 | +39 338 7305376

Gabriele.Accardo@ashurstperkins.com

Overview
Experience

Introduction

With over two decades of international experience, Gabriele handles the full spectrum of antitrust, competition, consumer protection and EU regulatory matters across multiple jurisdictions.

Gabriele Accardo brings more than 20 years of international experience in antitrust and EU law, including over 10 years in Brussels in competition and EU law, where he continues to share his time. An Italian qualified Avvocato admitted before the Higher Courts since 2016, Gabriele combines a deep understanding of the Italian regulatory landscape with a genuinely international perspective, advising clients on EU, Italian and cross-border matters.

His practice encompasses merger control and foreign direct investment clearances, cartel enforcement, vertical restraints, abuse of dominance proceedings, and consumer protection cases, as well as the related appeals and litigation. He also advises on the intersection of competition law with evolving EU regulatory frameworks, including the Digital Markets Act, the Digital Services Act and the Data Act.

As Research Fellow at the Transatlantic Technology Law Forum of Stanford Law School, he focused on online distribution issues under EU and US antitrust laws.

Gabriele is an Italian qualified Avvocato, admitted before the Higher Courts since 2016.

‘Gabriele Accardo is flexible, business-focused and available. He has created with our legal team a very trustable relationship.’ Legal 500 2024

Professional Experience

A travel technology company | Advising the client and its members (online travel agencies and metasearch engines) in the AGCM investigation into Ryanair's alleged abuse of dominance concerning the foreclosure of OTAs from the sale of flights and innovative complex touristic services.
A leading global food and beverage company | Advising in the AGCM market investigation into large-scale retail distribution and the agri-food supply chain, analyzing potential unfair trade practices, the role of buying groups, and the impact of pricing on consumers, following concerns about imbalanced bargaining power in the supply chain.
A major global payments company | Advising in AGCM proceedings on an alleged abuse of dominant position by another global payment company in the market for debit cards payments, consisting of the implementation of guidelines on the use of double-tap procedure for contactless payments with co-branded debit cards. Assistance in related appeals before the administrative courts, including on the intervention in the appeal brought by the Italian domestic payments scheme before the administrative courts against the AGCM's decision not to broaden the scope of the investigation in relation to mobile apps.
A leading independent provider of maintenance services on digital imaging devices | Advising in an AGCM investigation concerning an alleged abuse of dominant position by manufacturers of digital imaging equipment in the aftermarket for maintenance services. Assistance in related appeals before the administrative courts.
A leading technology provider of helicopter emergency services.| Advising a leading provider of helicopter emergency services in the AGCM investigation into alleged bid-rigging practices concerning helicopter firefighting and emergency services. Assistance in the related appeals before the administrative courts, leading to a significant reduction of the fine originally imposed.
A global car rental company | Advising in the AGCM investigations into Hertz alleged unfair contractual terms concerning the request of administrative fees in connection with fines imposed by road traffic authorities in Italy. Assistance in the subsequent appeals before the Italian administrative courts.
An electronic trading platform | Advising in an AGCM investigation into alleged unfair commercial practices in the first case on "zero commission" offers on investment services.
An international provider of vehicle history | Advising in relation to an AGCM investigation into alleged unfair commercial practices relating to the provision of allegedly misleading information in used vehicle reports.
A multinational corporation and technology company | Advising in an AGCM investigation into alleged unfair commercial practices relating to product characteristics and post-sale services.
Nutrition company | Advising in the first AGCM proceedings into alleged unfair practices relating to influencer marketing. Assistance in the appeal before the administrative courts.