Home/People /Partners/Antonio Ghio

Dr. Antonio Ghio is a partner at Fenech & Fenech Advocates and heads its TMT & IP Law Departments. He destroyed his first computer at the tender age of seven and never looked back. For the past seventeen years his work has solely revolved around ICT law issues, trying to find solutions to the constant struggle existing between law and technology, both inside and outside of the courtrooms.

 

Ghio also lectures ICT law and Cyber Crime at the University of Malta and held the position of Chairman of the Malta Communications Authority after having served as a member of the Board of Directors for five years.

 

He has an LL.D from the University of Malta where he specialised on legal aspects of Internet security and online privacy as well as an LL.M from Strathclyde University where he specialised in offshore electronic commerce.

 

Ghio is a founding member and current President of the Malta Information Technology Law Association – MITLA.

 

He is a regular speaker on ICT law issues in conferences both locally and abroad and has a regular column on ICT law issues on the Sunday Times of Malta as well as a personal blog on ICT Law issues at ictlawmalta.blogspot.com.

 

Antonio’s specialities include legal issues relating to information technology, e-commerce, internet security, electronic signatures, electronic identity, outsourcing, telecommunications, data protection, software, intellectual property, gaming law, cybercrime.

 

Ghio is regularly recommended by clients and peers with respect to various professional directories, including Chambers Global/Europe and Legal 500.

Education

1999-2001
LL.M in Information Technology and Communications Law, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Awarded 1st Class with Distinction and presented dissertation on ‘Offshore E-Commerce’.

1998 – 2001
LL.D. Faculty of Laws, University of Malta – Doctorate in Laws with a doctoral thesis on ‘Legal Aspects of Internet Security and Online Privacy’.

1998 – 1999
Faculty of Laws, University of Malta – Diploma as Notary Public.

1995 – 1998
Faculty of Laws, University if Malta – Bachelorship of Arts in Legal and Humanistic Studies (International Relations stream).

Involvements and Memberships

Founding Member and President of the Malta Information Technology Law Association.
Admitted to the Bar in November 2001 and holds Warrant to practice as Advocate in Malta.
Member of the Camera degli Avvocati, Malta.
Member of the International Bar Association.
Member of ITECHLAW, formerly the Computer Law Association.
Former Member of the Board of Directors of the Malta Communications Authority.
Former Chairman of the Malta Communications Authority.
Visiting Lecturer at University of Malta teaching ICT Law and Cybercrime.
Member of the Board of the Malta Law Academy.

Recommendations

Chambers Global 2021:

 

Antonio Ghio is commended by interviewees for his expertise in IT matters, with one client describing him as “a specialist when it comes to software IPR matters.” He acts for TMT sector clients on regulatory and transactional matters, as well as assisting with intellectual property mandates.

 

Legal 500 EMEA 2020:

 

‘Antonio Ghio for his expertise in IT legal and contractual matters.’

 

Chambers Europe 2020:

 

Clients particularly highlight his ability to “provide valuable and constructive advice within IT law.”

 

Chambers Global 2020:

 

Antonio Ghio is particularly active on matters involving telecommunications and technology. He also advises on acquisitions and restructuring mandates in the gaming sector. Clients particularly highlight his ability to “provide valuable and constructive advice within IT law.”

 

Chambers FinTech 2020:

 

ICT lawyer Antonio Ghio is well regarded for his capabilities in the technology sector, with particular expertise in data protection and cybercrime matters. He displays additional strengths in the financial services sphere, with sources highlighting that “Antonio is a very good, very reputable lawyer who is strong in financial services.”

 

Chambers Europe 2019:

 

Clients appreciate Antonio Ghio for being “very experienced” in devising corporate strategy. He advises on M&A transactions, restructurings and market exits. Ghio is also experienced in gaming and IT matters.

 

Legal 500 2019:

 

Antonio Ghio leads on the full range of IP matters for Fenech & Fenech Advocates with ‘a knowledgeable, clear and concise approach’.

 

Chambers Europe 2018:

 

Antonio Ghio focuses on TMT, IP and gaming matters. One client says: “He has always given us the advice which we needed, in a format we could easily understand and in a timely manner,” explaining that “he manages to explain complicated legal concepts in layman’s terms – something which is quite hard to do but which he manages perfectly.”

 

Legal 500 2018:

 

With ‘the best informed team in the region’, Fenech & Fenech Advocates handles contentious and non-contentious matters across copyright, design rights, patents and trade mark law.  Antonio Ghio is head of the practice.

 

Chambers Europe 2017:

 

Antonio Ghio remains an active player in the corporate and commercial sphere, with a focus on TMT and IP law.

 

Legal 500 2017:

 

Fenech & Fenech Advocates’ IP team is known for its ‘excellent level of service all around’. Antonio Ghio is head of the practice.

 

Chambers Europe 2016:

 

Antonio Ghio focuses on corporate, IT and IP matters. Sources describe him as an “accessible lawyer with very sound knowledge of the market.”

 

Legal 500 2016:

 

Antonio Ghio displaying impressive credentials in commercial IP and gaming work.

 

Fenech & Fenech Advocates is a ‘go-to’ firm for Maltese IP issues, providing ‘meticulously researched and intelligently argued advice’. Team head is Antonio Ghio.

 

Chambers Europe 2015:

 

Clients are impressed with Antonio Ghio’s work, which they describe as “timely and diligent.” He is an expert in IT, gaming and e-commerce.

 

Chambers Europe 2014:

 

Antonio Ghio heads the firm’s ICT law department and is sources say he is a well-regarded practitioner and is highlighted for his expertise in e-commerce and broader TMT and IP issues.

 

Legal 500 2014:

 

Fenech & Fenech Advocates supplements its strength in traditional IP matters such as trade mark and patent registration and enforcement by also advising on software licensing agreements such as drafting EU licensing agreements for apps. Antonio Ghio is head of practice.

 

Chambers Europe 2013:

 

The up-and-coming Antonio Ghio is building a strong reputation in the market, particularly in IT law, e-commerce, gaming and cyber-crime.

 

Legal 500 2013:

 

Fenech & Fenech Advocates provides ‘immediate responses and turnaround of documentation and investigation work’. Antonio Ghio heads the team.

 

Chambers Europe 2012:

 

Clients are quick to praise Antonio Ghio, who specialises in e-commerce, IT and gaming law.

 

Chambers Europe 2011:

 

“Very bright and active” ICT and telecoms specialist Antonio Ghio was recently made partner, and wins praise for his swift response time and good client relations.