Thanks to its strategic take on dispute resolution, Gide always strives to steer disputes towards its clients’ best interests, be they short-, medium- or long-term.

Our specialists also possess recognised expertise in alternative dispute resolution and transactional solutions.

Additionally, in light of the high media coverage given to certain proceedings, we assist companies in their relationships with the media (e.g. drafting press releases, contact with communication agencies, etc.).

Competition disputes

Gide’s lawyers draw on their recognised skill in competition litigation (anti-trust, mergers) either to represent plaintiffs in direct referrals to the competition authorities, or to assist defendants before the same authorities. We are on-hand throughout all stages of a dispute, from dawn raids through to actions before the competition authorities and European and national courts

Gide is also a recognised player in the control ofinternational subsidies (State aid), assisting private and public companies, financial institutions and governments on disputes before government authorities and the WTO.

Distribution disputes

Gide acts very regularly before civil, commercial and criminal courts on disputes arising from the commercial relationships of their clients.

Such disputes concern in particular issues deriving from:

• The implementation and operational monitoring of distribution networks
• Unfair competition (disparagement, disruption of business, free-riding…)
• Restrictive trade practices and sales (discriminatory practices, non-compliant billing, commercial cooperation, etc.)
• Termination of established commercial relations

Consumer disputes

Very early on, Gide developed recognised skill in consumer and advertising dispute resolution and assists clients from the initiation of administrative enquiries through to proceedings before the various courts. Our teams thus regularly act before civil, commercial and criminal courts, on disputes relating to:

• Misleading commercial practices / fraudulent misrepresentation
• Comparative advertising
• Unfair contractual provisions
• Promotional operations
• Sale of products or provision of services not abiding by the rules of the Consumer Code in force, including in particular misleading practices.

Additionally, our team assists company directors, in particular when their criminal liability is brought into question. Finally, we are particularly involved in the future scheme applicable to class actions.

Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I. acts for blue-chip French and international clients operating in the technology, media, and transport sectors in complex litigation and investigations involving follow-on damages claims, and on high-profile merger control cases, particularly those involving cross-border issues involving many African countries. The Paris team is supported by the firm's Brussels office. Antoine Choffel advises on distribution and is highly experienced in French and EU competition law. Emmanuel Reille is an expert in complex merger control cases, while Dimitri Dimitrov and Franck Audran both advise on multi-jurisdictional merger control cases and litigation. Additionally, Hélene Vey-Morit was promoted to counsel in January 2020.

Legal 500 EMEA 2021

Advises transport, telecommunications, and oil and gas sector clients on merger control issues arising from planned corporate transactions. Assists third parties with interventions in EU merger investigations. Represents complainants and defendants in abuse of dominance investigations and in CJEU appeals of subsequent infringement decisions. Also acts on state aid cases for clients in the energy and gaming industries. Particularly active for French and Polish clients before both national and EU authorities.

Chambers Europe 2021