Machteld Robichon is partner at bureau Brandeis. She assists parties in disputes with regulators such as the Dutch Media Authority, the Dutch Gaming Authority, the  Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets and the Dutch Data Protection Authority. These often concern strategic cases that include public policy, such as the modernization of the Dutch Gaming Act and the admission of new operators.

In addition to her many years of experience in litigating in administrative law, Machteld provides practical advice on regulation in the media, telecom and gaming sectors.

Previously, Machteld worked with SOLV and Kennedy van der Laan.

Machteld Robichon’s recent work:

• Various (enforcement) proceedings for providers with the Dutch Media Authority, the Netherlands Gambling Authority and the Netherlands Authority for the Consumer & Market or relevant Ministers regarding compliance with legislation:
  • Proceedings on fines resulting in the prevention or reduction of fines.
  • Advising providers on information and regulatory demands from law enforcement or regulators.
  • Successful appeal against order under penalty of the Netherlands Consumer & Market Authority on compliance with the e-Commerce Directive. The court annulled the order and ruled that Netflix’s LiveChat is an effective means of contact and that Netflix is not required to publish an email address.
  • Successful ruling by the Council of State, which held that the promotion ban in the (former) Gaming Act did not apply to payment service providers.
• Various proceedings for Talpa Radio on allocation and renewal of frequency licenses.
• Advising on the content of collaborations between public media organizations within the Media Act and possible notification to the Media Authority.
• Successful assistance in obtaining licenses for online gambling with the Netherlands Gambling Authority.
• Successful appeal with the Amsterdam District Court against rejection of charity lottery application. This resulted in the opening of the lottery market to new entrants.
• Advice and proceedings concerning installation of fiber optic networks and issues under Chapter 5 Telecommunications Act, including preliminary reference: proceedings on fees for installation of networks. The CJEU ruled that fees must be assessed under the Authorization Directive.
• Requests and proceedings under the Open Government Act. Among other things, our team secured in court that a provider’s confidential business plans were not released to competitors.

Ranked Chambers

• “Machteld is responsive and capable of thinking outside of the box.”
• “Machteld has a keen eye and a sharp pen, and she does not give up easily.”
• “Machteld Robichon frequently assists clients from the media sector with advertising, broadcasting and media regulatory matters. Clients appreciate Robichon’s tenacity and think “she is very good in court”.”

Ranked in Legal 500

• “We regularly work with Machteld Robichon, who is a pleasant and very intelligent person, both socially and in terms of content. She has enormous knowledge of the subject, is fast and customer focused, being able to transfer her knowledge quickly and in a simple manner to the client. She has a strong sense for political sensitivities and is able to combine this with her legal knowledge in spot on strategic advice.”
• “Machteld Robichon has a unique knowledge of gaming and media law especially and law enforcement issues. She is straight forward, honest and has integrity.”
• “They are leading in the gambling law field and have successfully advised and supported new entrant firms in litigation against the state and during licensing processes. They are pro-active and business minded and do not think in limitations but in solutions.”
  “Machteld Robichon listens very well and is able to transform the story of the client into a viable legal strategy. She follows through and does not give up, even in dire situations.”
• “bureau Brandeis consists of highly qualified lawyers, who provide high-level services and advice. There is not a single person in the firm, whom we have worked with, who we would not want to work with again. They are intelligent, social, and very pleasant people to work with. They do not only have excellent legal knowledge, they also know how to combine this with up-to-date knowledge of developments, leading to to-the-point services and advice. They are also highly qualified when it comes to publications and educational services.”