Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution

DALDEWOLF acts for a varied range of corporations, industry associations and non-governmental bodies and is particularly well regard for is expertise in arbitration proceedings. Practice head Marc Dal is the primary contact.
Pieter Paepe and Christoph De Preter lead the disputes practice at Edson, which has represented a wide range of high-profile clients since its inception in 2021. The firm focuses on data, market, technology, and innovation work, and relies on the expertise of individuals skilled in technology and economics.

Dispute resolution in Belgium

A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman‘s disputes practice is ‘clear, efficient and to the point’ in its advice, covering all aspects of dispute resolution in Belgium, acting for major domestic and international companies in high-value disputes. The team has a dedicated arbitration practice, with knowledge of arbitrations under all main Belgian and international rules. The ‘great to work with, smart, accessible, and pragmatic‘ team is led by Thales Mertens, who has a practice covering corporate litigation, restructuring, and insolvency disputes. Managing partner Tom Schoors is ‘extremely knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and has extremely good industry knowledge’, and has vast expertise in energy disputes. Recently promoted partner Thomas Declerck leads the white-collar crime and investigations practice, with expertise in fraud, bribery, money laundering, and breach of financial regulations. Lauren Rasking is the key name at senior associate level and focuses on arbitration proceedings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Thales Mertens


Autres avocats clés:

Tom Schoors; Thomas Declerk; Lauren Rasking; Astrid Lecomte; Bart De Bock; Eline Ulrix


Les références

‘Very positive experience: in-depth knowledge combined with pragmatic approach – highly reactive – clear, efficient and to the point.’

‘A&O lawyers are integrated team members, that engage with their legal expertise but even beyond with business and project expertise. They get familiar with company specifics quickly and understand business needs. The advice is clear, they drive the topics, raise the right questions to align on strategies. Young lawyers are well trained and promoted by partners with trust and reliability.’

‘Great to work with, smart, accessible, and pragmatic.’

Principaux clients

Cofinimmo


DEME


Scania


Waterland Private Equity


Loyens & Loeff

The practice at Loyens & Loeff is ‘available and collaborative’, and known for its complex cross-border litigation and international arbitration expertise. A wide range of mandates are expertly covered by the practice, including healthcare and life sciences work, insolvency and restructuring issues, data protection and privacy claims, and corporate investigations. Hakim Boularbah leads the ‘excellent and very reputed‘ team alongside Olivier van der Haegen, who ‘does an outstanding job‘ for his clients; the pair have expertise in collective redress and international arbitration respectively. Senior associate Maria-Clara Van den Bossche is ‘very knowledgeable, proactive, and quickly unravels the sensitivities in the case‘, and has a practice focusing on class actions, asset recovery work, and the enforcement of arbitral awards.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hakim Boularbah; Olivier van der Haegen


Autres avocats clés:

Clémence Van Muylde; Maria-Clara Van den Bossche


Les références

‘The team is young and diverse. They are available and collaborative.’

‘We had very good contact with Olivier van der Haegen and Clémence Van Muylder who have always been available, collaborative, serious and engaged in our files.’

‘The international arbitration department is excellent and very reputed.’

Principaux clients

Blink Holding


Pfizer


Banque Degroof


Vidrala


Dishman Carbogen Amcis


AstraZeneca


BNP Paribas


John Cockerill – Cockerill Maintenance & Ingénierie (CMI)


Interpol


Porsche AG


Eurelec


Atenor


Meta Platforms


Yukos Oil


Sonaca


Klépierre


Chevron Corporation Inc. and Chevron USA Inc.


Dargaud-Lombard


Ryanair


Amazon


Amundi


Credendo


Yara Belgium


NautaDutilh

The ‘high-quality‘ disputes practice at NautaDutilh is commended for its ‘excellent strength in depth’ covering the whole array of commercial disputes spanning shareholder disputes, banking litigation, insurance claims and tort work, alongside insolvency-related litigation, and complex arbitrations. Sophie Jacmain leads the team with Stan Brijs, with the pair commended for being ‘tactical thinkers with excellent technical skills‘. Jacmain possesses knowledge across a range of litigation and arbitration work, with particular expertise in restructuring and insolvency proceedings. Karel De Smet is also noted, with a wide-reaching practice covering complex contractual disputes, contentious M&A issues, competition litigation, and enforcement disputes. Karen Paridaen and Gisèle Uwera are also key to the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sophie Jacmain; Stan Brijs


Autres avocats clés:

Karel De Smet; Karen Paridean; Gisèle Uwera; Nicolas Vande Velde


Les références

‘High quality team. Excellent strength in depth. Tactical thinkers with excellent technical skills.’

‘We have instructed a team led by partners Stan Brijs and Sophie Jacmain. Tactical thinkers with excellent technical skills. Associate Nicolas Vande Velde is talented junior with excellent case management skills.’

‘The service levels are very high and, as a client, we are extremely satisfied by the firm’s quick and timely responses to issues. The team are always responsive and pay attention to the client’s needs. The team has extensive experience and willingness to provide concrete solutions and dedicated efforts to our case.’

Principaux clients

ABN Amro Bank


Aoteb


Republic of Albania


Ascom


Connectis (part of Getronics)


Ghelamco


Port of Brussels


Kuehne Nagel


Liberty Liège-Dudelange (BE)


Lycops – De Beurme – Omnia


Sistem Teknik Industrial


Textron


Belfius Bank


Engie


Sibelco


Triodos Bank


KBC


AHDS


Principaux dossiers


  • Defending Sibelco in the context of a multi billion euro dispute and proceedings introduced by its most important minority shareholder (Quarzwerke).
  • Represented the Republic of Albania in relation to the enforcement in Belgium of an ICSID arbitral award worth over €130m.
  • Represented Anatolie and Gabriel Stati, Ascom, Terra Raf Trans Trading Ltd in relation to the enforcement proceedings against the Republic of Kazakhstan of an arbitral award worth over$500m.

Stibbe

Stibbe is the ‘go-to firm for international arbitration in Brussels‘, acting on the full range of disputes in civil and criminal courts. The full-service expertise of the department, along with its collaboration with the IP, TMT, finance, and competition practices at the firm, allows it to represent a number of high-profile clients in complex cases. The white-collar crime practice is also a key element of the team, with money laundering, fraud, sanctions, and extradition all areas of expertise. Hans Van Bavel sits at the helm of the practice, specialising in company-related criminal law. Also of note are ‘very tough litigatorOliver Stevens, Nicolas Résimont, whose advocacy is ‘both persuasive and instils confidence in clients and tribunals alike’, and Sophie Bourgois, who is ‘meticulous‘ with expertise across international disputes, insurance claims, and private and public international law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hans Van Bavel


Autres avocats clés:

Nicolas Résimont; Oliver Stevens; Sophie Bourgois


Les références

‘Oliver Stevens is a very tough litigator, goes the extra mile for his clients, is very proactive.’

‘Stibbe’s arbitration team is simply the best in Brussels. They have an impressive ability to understand large volumes of complex factual and legal information and to synthesise it in a way that can be understood by any tribunal.’

‘The stand out individuals in the team are Nicolas ésimont and Sophie Bourgois. Nicolas argues cases with a passion that is rare amongst his peers. Nicolas’ style of advocacy is both persuasive and instils confidence in clients and tribunals alike. Sophie is meticulous. Sophie can take the most complex facts and legal arguments and argue them passionately and persuasively before any tribunal.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Representing Brussels Airport Company in a large trail in which ten men stand accused of involvement in the March 2016 suicide bombings at the Brussels airport and the metro station – attacks authorities blame on the Islamic State militant group.
  • Representing a private insurer in a critical dispute that has arisen shortly after its acquisition by its new shareholder, P&V Insurances. The client holds its former directors, managers and auditor responsible for a multi-million loss caused by a special fraud mechanism set up by the former shareholders and management of the client.
  • Representing a group of cable companies against a claim brought by the historic telecom-provider Proximus in relation to the sale of its analogue and digital television distribution activities to Telenet.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance is widely reputed for its ‘proactive approach and in-depth knowledge‘, representing major Belgian corporations, banks, public authorities, and international companies in a range of multifaceted litigation. Financial litigation, competition claims, and compliance disputes are all key strengths of the team that works closely with the global network of the firm, allowing it to provide multijurisdictional advice. Dorothée Vermeiren leads the team, and ‘brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table’, with extensive experience in litigation and arbitration proceedings. The ‘friendly and responsive team‘ also notably includes senior associates Nathan Tulkens and Ysaline Le Paige.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dorothée Vermeiren


Autres avocats clés:

Nathan Tulkens; Ysaline Le Paige


Les références

‘Friendly and responsive team.’

‘Dorothée Vermeiren is adept at making the client feel supported whilst being realistic about strengths and weaknesses of a case.’

‘The team is responsive, straight to the point, and provides an excellent summary and advice for non-lawyers.’

Principaux clients

The Belgian State


Citibank


KONE


Liberty Steel Group


BNP Paribas Fortis


ING Belgium


KBC Bank


Patrizia AG


Eckes-Granini


Blockchain.com / Blockchain Luxembourg SA


Sibelgas


Monsotel


Atream


Aimco


Euroclear


Monsotel


Teneo Advisory Services


International Construction Group


Temasek


Unified Post


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Euroclear on the implementation of Russian sanctions and defending it in various proceedings launched by and against it in Belgium and abroad in connection therewith.
  • Representing Sanjeev Gupta’s LIBERTY Steel Group in connection with various insolvency proceedings launched by and against the Belgian subsidiary of the group, Liberty Liège-Dudelange.
  • Representing KONE in various proceedings brought against it by the EU and by the Belgian railway authorities to seek damages for the alleged overcharge it would have paid as a result of a competition law infringement committed by KONE and three other major lifts manufacturers (Schindler, Otis and Thyssenkrupp).

Crowell & Moring

The dispute resolution practice at Crowell & Moring represents leading clients in high-profile cases, frequently acting in market-leading litigation linked to IP, data, competition, and corporate work. The team is led by Werner Eyskens, who is ‘bright, easy to deal with and an accomplished advocate to boot‘, and represents Belgian-based multinational companies and leading international companies in complex litigation and international arbitrations. Kristof Roox also leads the team, with particular expertise in intellectual property litigation, while Thomas De Meese‘s practice focuses on competition litigation, with expertise in the TMT sector.

Responsables de la pratique:

Werner Eyskens; Kristof Roox


Autres avocats clés:

Thomas De Meese; Matteo Mariano; Jan-Diederik Lindemans


Les références

‘Broad experience, professional, fast service.’

‘I appreciate that this is a large team with expertise in different legal areas. This leads to quick answers/solutions.’

‘Kristof Roox is great to work with!’

Principaux clients

Honeywell


SAirGroup (Swissair)


Imperial Tobacco


Telenet


DEME


Sandoz


D’Ieteren


Alychlo


Monument Insurance


Chevron Phillips Chemical Company


Port Autonome de Cotonou


Grafton Group


Eurobend


Golazo Sports


Live Nation Festivals


Uplift


Moore Corporate Finance


Belgian Eco Energy


Viabuild


The State of Hungary


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for the State of Hungary in Brussels courts proceedings, where Hungary is sued by Pfizer for payment of substantial amounts under the €32bln Covid-19 vaccine program Purchase Agreement which was negotiated between the EU Commission and Pfizer.
  • Acted for DEME in several arbitration matters in relation to ship building contracts and sub-contracting arrangements for land reclamation projects.
  • Acted for D’Ieteren, the listed Belgian Volkswagen importer, in the ongoing Dieselgate proceedings.

Eubelius

The practice at Eubeliuscombines excellent technical knowledge with a very personalised approach to the client’ and has notable expertise in bank liability, telecoms, class action, energy, real estate, and personal wealth litigation. The tax litigation team is widely renowned, and is commended for its high-profile work, along with its criminal and regulatory compliance prowess. Patrick Hofströssler, Ignace Claeys, Svjatoslav Gnedasj and ‘excellent lawyerTom Bauwens jointly head up the practice. At associate level, Monica Rodriguez is ‘one of the rising stars in white-collar crime litigation’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Patrick Hofströssler; Ignace Claeys; Tom Bauwens; Svjatoslav Gnedasj


Autres avocats clés:

Monica Rodriguez


Les références

‘The team is are well organised, very customer-oriented, and a real pleasure to work with!’

‘Tom Bauwens is an authority in Belgium, an excellent lawyer. He succeeded in building a high quality team!’

‘Monica Rodriguez really stands out, she is exceptional in many ways. She has a deep knowledge of criminal law, ensures that she always has perfect case knowledge and presents everything in a very clear and intelligent way. Very exceptional! A real pleasure to work with her! Someone you can 100% rely on and goes the extra mile for her clients!’

Principaux clients

VRT


The city of Antwerp


De Meuter – Holding DM


Belgian State – Minister for Energy


Principaux dossiers


  • Provided assistance and legal representation of the Belgian state (Minister for Energy) in several summary and then on the merits proceedings filed by two groups of pro-nuclear energy activists.
  • Represented a numismatic expert accused of money laundering and leading a criminal organisation, where the integrity of the criminal proceedings against the individual were declared void by the court of appeal because of a violation of the right to a fair trial.

Janson

Janson‘s dispute resolution practice is commended for its ‘multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures’. White-collar crime work is a cornerstone of the team; Céline Masschelein has vast expertise across fraud, forgery, money laundering, and bankruptcy issues. Masschelein is part of the team's leadership, which consists of ‘fierce courtroom fighterDominique Blommaert, Cédric Alter, and Didier Bracke. Also of note is Lydie Van Muylem, who has extensive knowledge of banking and finance law; she is commended alongside associate Jens Benoot for being ‘client-driven and good practitioners‘.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dominique Blommaert; Cédric Alter; Didier Bracke; Céline Masschelein


Autres avocats clés:

Lydie Van Muylem; Jens Benoot; Ruth Declerck


Les références

‘Janson has the multidisciplinary and multilingual approach that is necessary in Belgium and at the border of different cultures.’

‘Long-lasting collaboration with the same people builds confidence and improves the quality of the advice they give.’

‘One of the largest litigation teams in the Belgian market, and a reference in corporate disputes. Built around Dominique Blommaert, who is the absolute rainmaker of Janson.’

Principaux clients

Belfius Bank


KBC Bank


AIG


Banque Degroof Petercam


ING Bank & Record Credits (subsidiary of ING Bank)


Sambrinvest


Banque de Luxembourg


Belfius Lease


Yoshi


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting as co-lead counsel to Belfius Bank in the collective action brought by the Arco-shareholders.
  • Acting for the former CEO of the Euronext-listed retail fashion group FNG in a dispute with the regulator FSMA, minority shareholders and bondholders.

Jones Day

The ‘very strong practice‘ at Jones Day provides ‘excellent client service and high-quality strategic and commercial advice’ for its clients, and is highly capable of acting in cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. The team notably recently represented Mastercard in a landmark antitrust enforcement case, and has vast banking litigation and regulatory experience. ‘Excellent litigatorSébastien Champagne is the head of the team, with a practice focusing on commercial issues, trade practices, regulatory work, competition claims, and private enforcement disputes. Michèle Grégoire has expertise in financial institution and investment fund-related litigation, and is key to the team along with Vanessa Foncke.

Responsables de la pratique:

Sébastien Champagne


Autres avocats clés:

Michèle Grégoire; Vanessa Foncke


Les références

‘Very strong practice. Excellent client service and high-quality strategic and commercial advice.’

‘Sébastien Champagne – excellent litigator. Dedicated, very thoughtful and thorough advice. Comfortable leading large and complex litigation without needing direction.’

‘The team is dedicated and has a deep understanding of our needs.’

Principaux clients

American Industrial Partners


Belfius


BioMarin


Bpost


Crédit Mutuel


HeidelbergCement


Telenet


Sogepa


MasterCard International


Nethys


Groupe Mestdagh


Liedekerke

Liedekerke has a ‘great quality commercial and civil litigation team‘ with expertise across international arbitration, high-value commercial litigation, financial litigation and insolvency, and fraud and white-collar crime claims. Lawyers within the team are adept at acting for high-profile clients, particularly in the foreign mining, automotive, energy, and construction sectors, in proceedings spanning multiple jurisdictions. ‘Absolutely exceptional arbitration lawyerArnaud Nuyts leads the team along with ‘highly respected leader’ Olivier Vanden Berghe and Roel Fransis, who has a practice focusing on finance litigation and insolvency proceedings. Other noted practitioners within the team include Aimery De Schoutheete and Bruno Hardy, who was promoted to partner in January 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Arnaud Nuyts; Olivier Vanden Berghe; Roel Fransis


Autres avocats clés:

Aimery De Schoutheete; Bruno Hardy; Jonas Vansevenant


Les références

‘Excellent lawyers, who will go to the very end to defend their client’s interests.’

‘Always available. Excellent lawyers, working as a team.’

‘Olivier Vanden Berghe is the highly respected leader of the team. Jonas Vansevenant is also a good litigator.’

Principaux clients

Gécamines


Republic of Poland


Republic of Kazakhstan


DP World


CCC


TotalEnergies


Intermarché Belgium


Decathlon


Brussels Airlines


INNO


MCCAIN


Intersport


GFG Alliance


Value8


PROXIMUS


Basra Oil Company


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the Republic of Poland before the Belgian Courts in proceedings for the setting aside (annulment) of an UNCITRAL arbitral award, in proceedings administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in favor of Manchester Securities Corporation, a subsidiary of Elliott Associates L.P. and Elliott International, L.P. Group, on the basis an alleged violation of the US – Poland Bilateral Investment Treaty.
  • Advising Intersport Belgium BV in relation to the recovery of its €400,000 claim in the bankruptcy proceedings of its former Ghent-based member Axi-Sport (Intersport Ghent) and against the former director of Axi-Sport who provided a personal guarantee for the debts of the company towards Intersport.
  • Representing the CEO and Chairman of GFG Alliance in litigation against ICP Origination I LLC and American Industrial Partners, a PE firm based in NY which act as secured lender to ALVANCE Aluminium Duffel.

Linklaters

Linklaters‘ litigation, arbitration, and investigations practice has cross-border capabilities, covering disputes spanning banking, capital markets, consumer protection, data privacy, competition and antitrust issues. Complex M&A disputes and insolvency-related litigation are key strengths of the practice, alongside professional negligence, commercial distribution, and product liability cases. Team head Stefaan Loosveld specialises in contentious regulatory and restructuring work, and is highly active in the firm’s sanctions work. Loosveld leads the group alongside Xavier Taton and Florence Danis, who is ‘simply the one you want defending your case in court’. Associate Gert-Jan Hendrix has vast experience in class actions work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stefaan Loosveld; Xavier Taton; Florence Danis


Autres avocats clés:

Gert-Jan Hendrix; Guillaume Croisant


Les références

‘All the people involved, especially Xavier Taton and Guillaume Croisant, operate like clockwork together. They have always supported us from a multidisciplinary perspective, without the person who started working with us at the beginning (Guillaume) ever losing sight of the whole.’

‘Their response times are unbeatable, the quality of all documents delivered and the quality of their interventions are something I have never seen before working with other firms. It is as if they were all one and we never have the feeling that there was a question left unanswered. On the contrary: they go above and beyond and always manage to surprise us with their ability to anticipate potential problems.’

‘Guillaume Croisant has been working on this issue with us since the beginning and it is amazing how easily he is able to recall and pick up on issues that have been in the works for years.’

Principaux clients

The Bank of New York Mellon


Lhoist


ORES


Wilhelm & Co Group


Republic of Mauritius


ITM Alimentaire Belgium SA


Novartis Pharma SA and Novartis AG


Ageas


Principaux dossiers


  • Appointed by Bank of New York Mellon in the context of a garnishment order by the Enforcement Judge at the Dutch speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels.
  • Successfully representing ITM in an appeal brought by Carrefour Belgium before the Brussels Court of Appeal, challenging the Belgian Competition Authority’s decision to approve ITM’s acquisition of Mestdagh.
  • Representing CAF in a successful long-lasting mediation process having led to the conclusion of new agreements between the public authority and the private parties regarding the €600m PPP tramway project of the City of Liège.

Lydian

Lydian‘s litigation practice is well-versed in complex litigation, with expertise spanning the whole gamut of commercial and banking litigation work. The team is commended for its ‘regional focus which allows it to know the courts very well and consequently act efficiently’; it acts in leading cases across all industries, with particular knowledge of product and professional liability, unfair competition, and intellectual property work. The ‘very experiencedHugo Keulers leads the team, with particular experience in reinsurance and insurance litigation. Yves Lenders is also key to the practice, with a focus on insolvency cases, and Jo Willems is praised by clients as ‘experienced and always on point‘.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hugo Keulers


Autres avocats clés:

Yves Lenders; Jo Willems; Marijn De Ruysscher; Tim van Landeghem


Les références

‘Lydian has one of the largest litigation teams in the Belgian market which allows them to deal with all sort of litigation matters. It is very convenient to have a direct entry point for all litigation matters. Moreover Lydian has a regional focus which allows them to know the courts very well and consequently act efficiently.’

‘Hugo Keulers is very experienced, always seeing the greater picture, innovative, and has your interests at heart.’

‘Jo Willems is experienced, acts in your interests and is always on point.’

Principaux clients

5N Plus


AIG Europe SA


Alfasigma Belgium BV / Cophana NV


Allianz Global Corporate


AMC NV


Arte NV


AXA SA / AXA XL / AXA SEGUROS


Axima NV


Axis


BB Government Services GmbH


Belfius Bank


Brown Forman


Canopius


Carglass / Belron


CNA Insurance


CooperSurgical


Colruyt/Colim


Datwyler Pharma Packaging Belgium NV


Energyst B.V.


Epam


Ethias SA


Ethos Energy


Exyte AG


Fagerhult BV


Gcube


Gilles Hennessy / Sinels


Gunvor Petroleum Antwerp


GVFI Europe B.V.


Hasselt University


HDI Global SE / HDI GLOBAL SPECIALTY SE


Henkel Global Supply Chain BV / Henkel Belgium


Hilton Food Group


Hiscox Europe Underwriting Limited


House of HR NV


Honeywell NV


HTI Toys UK Limited


HRG Hotels Group


Immopro and Mathieu Gijbels


IPS Belgium NV


KBC Bank NV


Keyence International (Belgium) NV/SA


Tremec


McDonald’s Belgium


Manchett Group Limited


Mediamarkt


Mitsubishi Motors Corporation


MS Amlin


Nationale Nederlanden


Nemeco


Pizza Hut Europe


Salvator Welzijnscentrum


Suntrade / Bunge


RSA Nederland / Unica


Rutronik Bauelemente GmbH


Smits and Luckey Establishment


STIB-MIVB


Sweco Belgium NV


Transmisiones y Equipos (Tremec)


Tractebel Engineering


TÜV Rheiland AG


XL Catlin / XL Catlin Insurance Company SE / XL Catlin Services


Banijay Belgium (formerly known as Zodiak Belgium)


Zurich Insurance Plc


Witteveen+Bos Raadgevend Ingenieurs BV


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for KBC Bank in legal proceedings against the bankrupt Carrefour franchisee Nomac BV regarding credit loans.
  • Represented Schneider Electric in a dispute against Allnex concerning the execution of an energy management service agreement for the purchase of energy on the German market.
  • Acting for a French company active in the canned beverage industry, Nemeco, in a dispute against the Belgian company Konings regarding a payment and product liability issue.

Quinz

Litigation boutique Quinz has vast expertise across dispute resolution, representing a wide array of prestigious clients in corporate litigation, white-collar crime mandates, banking and insolvency litigation, and arbitration proceedings. The team is adept at regulatory litigation and compliance work, with expertise in financial and healthcare law. ‘Great litigatorBenoît Allemeersch is the head of the team, specialising in commercial, financial, and corporate disputes. Stijn De Dier and Valérie Beckers are also key to the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Benoît Allemeersch


Autres avocats clés:

Stijn De Dier; Valérie Beckers; Anne-Sophie Houtmeyers


Les références

‘The Quinz dispute resolution team is able to attract blue-chip clients, and that is because they are really excellent in their work. They are able to explain complicated issues in a very simple manner, not only to their clients but also to courts and arbitral tribunals. And they win the cases that should be won, but also cases with smaller chances, just because they present it in an excellent way.’

‘Stijn De Dier is a very down-to-earth partner at Quinz with whom you can have open and honest discussions.’ 

‘Benoît Allemeersch is truly outstanding; a very analytical legal mind and great litigator.’

Principaux clients

Famatown Finance


Becchetti, Francesco


State of the Netherlands


Euroclear


McDonald’s Belgium


Quarzwerke & LL Holding


Ghelamco Invest


BNP Paribas Fortis


KBC Bank


ING Belgium


Nyrstar


Belfius Bank


Gemeentelijke Holding/Holding Communal


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Quarzwerke GmbH and LL Holding GmbH, long-term German shareholders in SCR-Sibelco NV, with safeguarding their minority rights following the merger of Sibelco subsidiary Unimin with Fairmount Santrol, resulting in the creation of Covia Holdings Corporation.
  • Representing Euronext-listed Nyrstar in the litigation fall-out from its 2019 restructuring.
  • Representing Famatown Finance and other companies linked to an individual in arbitration proceedings in relation to the failed combination between NYSE and NASDAQ listed oil tanker company Frontline and its Euronext Brussels and NYSE listed competitor Euronav.

Simont Braun

Simont Braun fields a team of experts across litigation, international and domestic arbitration, and mediation, working closely with the IP, corporate, banking and finance, and real estate departments of the firm. The practice regularly acts in high-profile cases, notably representing the European Commission in a high-profile case against AstraZeneca concerning the Covid-19 vaccine. Paul Alain Foriers and Rafaël Jafferali, lauded for his ‘ great legal analysis, knowledge and court presence’, lead the team. Ann Frédérique Belle is also a key name, with extensive experience in civil and commercial proceedings, while Béatrice Thieffry acts for leading banking and real estate companies. Fanny Laune is the key name at counsel level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Alain Foriers; Rafaël Jafferali


Autres avocats clés:

Ann Frédérique Belle; Béatrice Thieffry; Fanny Laune


Les références

‘Rafaël Jafferali is excellent. Great legal analysis, knowledge and court presence.’

‘Excellent at arbitration matters before Belgian courts.’

Principaux clients

Test-Achats


Belgian State (FPS Finance)


NewB


Ebury


European Commission


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the European Commission and the 27 Member States of the European Union against AstraZeneca for the late delivery of vaccines against Covid-19.
  • Represented Test Achats on behalf of more than 40,000 passengers in a class action against Ryanair for late or cancelled flights.
  • Represented the cooperative bank NewB in extreme emergency proceedings against an ex-parte suspending a general meeting and the powers of board of directors of the bank.

Strelia

The practice at Strelia is commended for its ‘very broad experience and excellent legal knowledge‘ with expertise across complex commercial litigation, along with knowledge of competition and regulatory, public procurement, and construction work. Post-M&A litigation and shareholder disputes are key focuses of the team, which also has a prominent arbitration practice. Jean-Pierre Fierens leads the team of ‘experienced and competent lawyers’, with specific expertise in disputes involving directors’ liability. Also of note are the ‘very reliableGaetano Jannone, and the ‘extraordinary and extremely intelligentJoanna Kolber.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jean-Pierre Fierens


Autres avocats clés:

Gaetano Jannone; Joanna Kolber; Sofie Onderbeke


Les références

‘On top of extensive legal expertise, Gaetano Jannone is very reliable, always available, and has a great insight of his clients’ needs. It is a pleasure to work with him.’

‘As a company working in a very specific field, we appreciate that Strelia invested the time in getting to know our products in order to advise us accordingly. Strelia has always been a highly professional law firm on which we can count whenever we have a specific question. We appreciate their responsiveness and pragmatic hands-on approach.

‘Joanna Kolber is an extraordinary and extremely intelligent partner of Strelia, thinking out of the box, constantly seeking the right arguments and position in court cases. She sees connections where others don’t see them, her communication is highly transparent and clear and she strives for perfection. She has a high IQ and EQ and is extremely engaged in going the extra mile for her clients.’

Principaux clients

ABN Amro


ACER


Ansul


Becchetti


Belgian State


Canon Belgium


Carrefour


City of Brussels


Credendo


Eneco


Engie


Ethias


French Republic (Ministry of Culture)


Gunvor


ING Bank


Kone


Lineas


Lunch Garden


Neo


NSD


Optima Bank


PCS Innotec International


Rexel


TotalEnergies


Tractebel


Triumph Motorcycles


Vesalius Biocapital


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted in landmark litigation concerning withdrawal by NSD on behalf of its clients of €22.5bn worth of securities from Euroclear in the aftermath of the European sanctions on Russia and of the Russian countermeasures.
  • Acted as co-counsel in a dispute concerning the enforcement of a multimillion ICSID award against Albania against Albanian assets held with an international organisation with a seat in Belgium.
  • Acted in litigation concerning the termination of surface right agreements on which a new landmark national football stadium was planned for the European soccer championships in 2020.

Van Bael & Bellis

The ‘extremely knowledgeable and helpful‘ practice at Van Bael & Bellis has experience in domestic and international litigation, particularly across life sciences, competition, IP, and employment law. Public procurement issues, damages litigation, and regulatory disputes are key areas of focus for the team. ‘Quick thinker and amiable lawyerCatherine Longeval leads the team with expertise across life sciences law, unfair market practices, product liability claims, and general commercial law. Koen T’Syen is recommended for his ‘considerable expertise in distribution agreements and related disputes‘ and for being a ‘very reliable partner‘.

Responsables de la pratique:

Catherine Longeval


Autres avocats clés:

Koen T’Syen; Vincent Reijns


Les références

‘The team is relatively small but very stable and of excellent quality. Both Catherine Longeval and Vincent Reijns are smart, flexible and fun to work with. I’m impressed by their work ethics and dedication.’

‘They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Clear in quotes and prompt in updates.’

‘I worked with Koen T’Syen. He has demonstrated considerable expertise in distribution agreements and related disputes. Koen is extremely clear when it comes to looking at all possible scenarios and coming up with effective solutions. He is a very reliable partner. ’

Principaux clients

ABO Infinium Americas Opco


Allianz


Amphenol


AstraZeneca


Bidfood


Cavagna Group


Coca-Cola Euro-Pacific Partners


Elicio


GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals


Malysse


Mars


Scholt Energy


Schwabe Pharma


Voo (formerly Nethys)


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a Dutch water management authority within the context of complex and high-stakes legal proceedings valued at approx. €70m.
  • Acting for two private equity funds in several legal proceedings initiated against a Belgian life sciences company by minority shareholders in relation to a disputed reverse stock split, judicial restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Acting for a major insurance company in complex litigation initiated by a software developer against several insurance companies in relation to alleged exclusionary market practices.

ALTIUS

ALTIUS fields a ‘solid dispute resolution practice with experience in the Belgian market‘ with cross-jurisdictional expertise across cartel damages claims, arbitrations, enforcement proceedings, and supply chain disputes. The practice is also adept at handling intricate insolvency and insurance related matters. Alexander Hansebout, who is a ‘calm, reassuring voice in the midst of the sound and fury of litigation‘, acts as the head of the team alongside Christophe Ronse.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alexander Hansebout; Christophe Ronse


Les références

‘Partners and in general lawyers collaborate very well with peers of other disciplines or sub-specialisations. Partners in charge are fully aware of what is going on in other areas of their firm.’

‘Alexander Hansebout is an outstanding lawyer and is very responsive.’

‘Solid dispute resolution practice with experience in the Belgian market.’

Principaux clients

Siemens Mobility


UEFA


MARS


Gilead


Merck Sharp & Dohme


Daikin


ELIA Group


Novartis


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisting Gebr. Geens, the Belgian developer and producer of the Knikmops multifunctional loader, in multiple sets of court proceedings in Belgium and the Netherlands regarding the termination of the relationship with its Dutch distributor.
  • Acting for several creditors against sovereigns and sovereign entities from the Republic of Congo, Greece, Iraq, Lesotho and Mali.
  • Representing Siemens in follow-on damages claim proceedings initiated by Infrabel (the Belgian railway infrastructure manager).

Arcas Law

Independent dispute resolution firm Arcas Law covers all types of disputes from complex litigation and arbitration to mediation proceedings for clients ranging from SMEs and international corporations to foreign states and state entities. The firm is well-versed in multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution and represents clients before all courts, including the highest appellate court in Belgium, as well as handling ICC arbitral proceedings. It continues to be engaged in various high-profile class actions. Karel Schulpen specialises in corporate litigation and liability issues; Bart Volders has expertise in cross-border commercial and public law disputes; and Joost Verlinden rounds off the leadership trio with his over 30 years of experience as litigator across a broad range of areas.

Responsables de la pratique:

Karel Schulpen; Bart Volders; Joost Verlinden


Principaux clients

AB Inbev


AGCO


Atos


AXA XL


Barry Callebaut


Brambles Ltd. (including CHEP)


Deloitte


Equans (part of Engie, today part of Bouygues Group)


EY (Ernst & Young)


Heidelberger Druckmaschinen


ING


Johnson & Johnson


Kuwait Petroleum


McCain


Montea


Orange


SGS


The Cronos Group


UCB


UPS (United Parcel Services) No


Veolia


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the interests of one of the Big Four in the case against the Nyrstar minority shareholders following the restructuring of Nyrstar’s worldwide mining and metal business for which the client acted as auditor.
  • Representing the Belgian consumer organisation (Test Aankoop / Test Achats) in a multi-jurisdictional benchmark class action against Apple Inc. relating to planned obsolescence of iPhones.
  • Representing BAVP a major litigation procedure involving, among others, various cable TV distributors regarding a claim for rights (compensation).

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL has ‘unique expertise in dispute resolution and a deep knowledge of the complex political landscape‘, with experience acting in complex proceedings for leading clients; the team notably represents Google, Harley-Davidson, and Apple Belgium. Gregory Lebrun and Koen De Winter lead the team, with a focus on the construction, technology, and pharmaceutical sectors. Also of note is Elisabeth Dehareng who is ‘dedicated, available and provides swift legal analysis’, and Nastassja Walschot, who is active in the disputes practice and complements it with international trade experience.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gregory Lebrun; Koen De Winter


Autres avocats clés:

Elisabeth Dehareng; Nastassja Walschot


Les références

‘Quick reaction times, and expertise in litigation in front of Belgian courts.’

‘The team has proved to have unique expertise in dispute resolution and a deep knowledge of the complex political landscape in which our organisation is evolving.’

‘Elisabeth Dehareng: Dedicated, available and  provides swift legal analysis.’

Principaux clients

Google Inc. (an Alphabet affiliate)


Harley-Davidson Europe Limited


Axa XL Insurance


Orange Belgium SA


Apple Belgium SRL


Solar Turbines Europe SA (Caterpillar Group)


Procomcure Biotech GmbH


Menarini International Operations Luxembourg SA


Chanel SRL


Inetum Real Dolmen


Potiez-Deman


Eurocontrol


VF Europe


M&G Real Estate


Nidec Industrial Automation Belgium SA


Veolia


Axa Belgium


Al Zayani Investments


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Harley-Davidson in a high-value litigation related to retaliatory tariffs applicable within the European Union, involving proceedings before the General Court of the European Union and before the Brussels Court of First Instance.
  • Representing Google in high-value international arbitration and litigation against Mace International Construction, in relation to the construction of one of its Data Centres in Belgium.
  • Acted for Orange Belgium in a very complex and high-profile public procurement dispute against Proximus SA before the Belgian Council of State, in relation to the award of the ‘Irisnet 3’ multi-year contract to Orange Belgium.

CMS

CMS acts for clients in complex and cross-border litigation spanning shareholder rights issues, unfair trade practices, banking disputes, and insolvency and restructuring work. The firm is adept at handling cases concerning technology elements, acting for clients including Amazon, Deliveroo and Meta, and has a capable cross-firm arbitration practice. Renaud Dupont and Tom Heremans lead the team that consists of ‘stellar EU law and litigation counselDirk Van Liedekerke and Matthieu Van Lierde and Alexis Laes, who are commended for being ‘strong lawyers with great client management skills’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Renaud Dupont; Tom Heremans


Autres avocats clés:

Dirk Van Liedekerke; Matthieu Van Lierde; Alexis Laes


Les références

‘Dirk Van Liedekerke is a stellar EU law and litigation counsel. He works with two excellent associates: Matthieu Van Lierde and Alexis Laes, who are both strong lawyers with great client management skills.’

‘I work with this team for its focus on EU law litigation. Its breadth of knowledge on the topic is impressive and its ability to adapt to different local proceedings enables it to use their EU prism in a variety of local matters.’

‘Dirk Van Liedekerke is simply impressive. He is the best EU advocate I have worked with, on litigation and regulatory matters. What distinguishes him from his peers is the combination of second to none knowledge of EU law, strategic thinking and sound judgement as well as his ability to communicate with his clients in light of their needs and priorities. Besides this, he is the most reactive partner I work with.’

Principaux clients

Amazon


Deliveroo


Meta


FIFA


Airbnb


Proximus


Horeca Totaal


Barry-Callebaut


Hori


Volvo Cars (BMT International)


Deliveroo


Delvaux


Mestdagh


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing two US entities of Amazon in trade mark infringement proceedings against Christian Louboutin before the Brussels Court and in the proceedings for preliminary ruling at the European Court of Justice.
  • Acted in a historical case for Deliveroo regarding the status of riders who will remain independent contractors and not employees.
  • Representing Meta in a case regarding the use of cookies and pixels.

DLA Piper

The practice at DLA Piper represents a wide range of clients in high-profile matters, with expertise in energy, insolvency, white-collar crime, and regulatory mandates. The team is frequently involved in high-value arbitration proceedings, and often appears in the ECJ in cross-jurisdictional cases. Leading the department are Ilse Van de Mierop and Bob Martens, who have experience in commercial litigation and insolvency law, and administrative law respectively. Antwerp-based Pierre Berger is a key name, acting in complex regulatory issues and fund structuring matters. Also of note is Laurent Geelhand, who brings competition litigation knowledge to the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ilse Van de Mierop; Bob Martens


Autres avocats clés:

Pierre Berger; Laurent Geelhand


Les références

‘Dedicated, focused and available team with great experience in dispute resolution.’

Principaux clients

Achema


AG Insurance


Argenta Spaarbank (ASPA)


Arco Group


Atos


NV Belfius Bank


bpost


Brunswick


City of Antwerp


Flemish Public Broadcasting Company (VRT)


Fresenius Kabi


ING België


Katoen Natie


Sabena


skeyes (formerly Belgocontrol)


SodaStream International


Wise Europe


TUC Rail


Groupe Forrest International


Cegeka


Accenture


Worldline


Legio Group


CBRE


UGI


SA Standard de Liège


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully represented Belfius Bank, one of the largest Belgian banks, against several fraudsters in criminal and civil actions following the largest internal bank fraud committed in Belgium by a trader.
  • Representing skeyes (formerly Belgocontrol), the Belgian air navigation and air traffic service provider, in various proceedings by airlines, airports and other companies in the aviation industry following strikes and absence for medical reasons by air traffic controllers, causing Belgian airspace to be closed on several occasions.
  • Representing Givaudan in litigation against ChemCom with respect to the outcome of the liquidation of a Belgian joint venture, TechnoScent, which was active in the development of specific molecules in the olfactive domain.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher has a ‘fast growing team and practice that is extremely committed and dynamic‘, representing clients in high-profile court proceedings, arbitrations, and mediations. Shareholder disputes, regulatory compliance issues, and asset management work are all strengths of the team, which has capabilities across the full gamut of dispute resolution services. Maxime Berlingin leads the team, and is commended alongside Jean-François Germain for having ‘very sharp legal knowledge and analysis, and excellent judgment and outstanding negotiation skills’. The ‘extremely committed and dynamic‘ practice also notably includes Koen Van Den Broeck and Isabelle Moens de Hase.

Responsables de la pratique:

Maxime Berlingin


Autres avocats clés:

Jean-François Germain; Koen Van Den Broeck; Isabelle Moens de Hase; Esther Lanotte


Les références

‘This was our first dispute in the EU/Belgium. Fieldfisher was critical in helping us navigate the dispute. The dispute required cooperation between the commercial and disputes teams, and Fieldfisher handled this cooperation flawlessly.’

‘Maxime Berlingin and Esther Lanotte make a formidable, commercial, efficient and effective team. They collaborate across the expertise within the firm to help drive dispute outcomes that are favourable to the client and they take a proactive role in driving matters forward and looking for opportunities to resolve issues. Patient and thorough, they take the time required to understand the business drivers and ensure weaknesses and vulnerabilities are understood and taken into consideration as things progress.’

‘Maxime Berlingin and Esther Lanotte were indispensable in helping us prepare for and complete the mediation process. Esther’s discovery process was thorough, and Maxime’s counsel helped us resolve the dispute through mediation. From strategy to execution, Maxime and Esther served as exceptional partners, and their counsel was perfect.’

Principaux clients

Skeyes


Beebonds Investors


Colnago


Swissair


Casinos Austria Group


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing several groups of investors who invested in bonds for several projects via the European crowdfunding platform, BeeBonds.
  • Representing Skeyes (former Belgocontrol, the Belgian air navigation and traffic service provider) in its proceedings against BAM group (main contractor) and some subcontractors in relation to the liability for the electric power breakdown in May 2015, which caused an entire lockdown of air traffic.
  • Representing Swissair in liquidation against Sabena Bankruptcy.

intui

The ‘excellent, knowledgeable, shrewd and responsive team’ at intui handles a wide range of litigation, acting in shareholder disputes, directors liability cliams, and post-acquisition litigation. The team is adept at acting across sectors, representing market-leading clients in the finance, real estate, leisure, and construction industries. Based in Leuven, Caroline Hotterbeekx leads the practice, alongside Anneleen Steeno and Robbie Tas, who split their time between Leuven and Brussels. Naomi Glibert is commended for her ‘fantastic work ethic‘ and has expertise in banking, financial, and corporate law.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robbie Tas; Anneleen Steeno; Caroline Hotterbeekx


Autres avocats clés:

Naomi Glibert; Pieter Van Braband


Les références

‘Robbie Tas is the best in Belgium in dispute resolution. He is very tactical, very intelligent and pragmatic. He can be patient to estimate what the adverse party will do, can be assertive when needed and is very good at finding solutions. The results he obtained so far are fantastic. Caroline Hotterbeeckx is very knowledgeable, has a fantastic style of communication and is very efficient.’

‘Excellent knowledgeable, shrewd and responsive team. Have great insight in the legal matters at hand and apply a very sensible strategy to obtain the best possible outcome for the client.’

‘Naomi Glibert: fantastic work ethic, very responsive, incredibly detail-oriented. Goes the extra mile and doesn’t hesitate to take any action to get/keep things moving. Robbie Tas: vast experience in dispute resolution, especially in corporate law. Aggressive when appropriate, but also balanced and cautious when needed. Has surrounded himself with a very capable team with the right mix of skills, who he empowers to work independently and take initiative, which is a sign of great leadership.’

Principaux clients

Quarzwerke GmbH


Bangaram BV


KBC Bank


Puratos Group


Ghelamco


LRM


Easypay Group


Adecco Group


Werpax


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Quarzwerke GmbH and LL Holding GmbH (a German mineral producer) in a liability procedure against the directors of SCR-Sibelco NV/SA following the merger of Sibelco’s subsidiary Unimin with Fairmount Santrol and its subsequent bankruptcy.
  • Representing the former legal counsel of Optima Bank, a Belgian bank which was declared bankrupt in 2016, in connection with several director’s liability claims.
  • Acting for KBC Bank nv in all its procedures related to fraud and phishing in any form.

Osborne Clarke

The disputes practice at Osborne Clarke is ‘responsive, agile and proactive‘, and covers high-value matters across corporate and commercial litigation. Shareholder, post M&A, distribution, and product liability disputes are all mainstays of the work of the team, and the group notably acts for leading tech clients and major retail companies. Mediation and arbitration proceedings are also key strengths of the practice, with Marie Canivet regularly sitting as an arbitrator. Stefan Deswert leads the team, which is ‘knowledgeable and flexible in its approach‘.

Responsables de la pratique:

Stefan Deswert


Autres avocats clés:

Marie Canivet; Philippe Brabanders


Les références

‘The team is responsive, agile and proactive. They are knowledgeable and flexible in their approach.’

‘Stefan Deswert is always there to help at a very short notice. We value his calm, measured advice.’

‘Responsive, down-to-earth team, strong presence across jurisdictions offering equivalent level of services.’

Principaux clients

Généthon


Rema Tip Top


Xerox


G2V


Coopervision


TCR


Bose


Curzon


American Express


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Bose on dealing with the commercial relationship with its EU resellers, in particular with the termination of certain resellers and the related disputes.
  • Assisting American Express with Belux Debt Services.

Philippe & Partners

Philippe & Partners‘ disputes practice is commended for its’ ‘industry knowledge, client-centric approach, responsiveness, and dedication to client satisfaction’, with vast experience across civil and commercial litigation. Insurance litigation, class actions, and commercial arbitration are all key strengths of the team, which represents leading insurance companies, energy suppliers, and financial institutions. Founding partner Denis Philippe leads the practice with Marc Gouden, who has particular expertise in insurance and energy work. Also of note are Pierre Moreau and Dirk Clarysse, who is noted for his ‘exceptional accessibility and responsiveness’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Denis Philippe; Marc Gouden


Autres avocats clés:

Pierre Moureau; Dirk Clarysse; Charlotte Romaen


Les références

‘The understanding of Philippe & Partners of both the industry and the specific needs and values of their clients sets them apart in the legal field.’

‘One of the standout qualities of Phillipe & Partners is their ability to align their approach with the values and style of their clients. They take the time to understand the client’s objectives, ensuring that the legal strategy is not only legally sound but also harmonises with the client’s values and goals. This level of service shows their commitment to their client’s satisfaction.’

‘What truly sets Philippe & Partners apart is their responsiveness and hands-on mentality. They are always readily available to address concerns, answer questions, and provide guidance. Moreover, Philippe & Partners’ dedication to their clients extends beyond the resolution of a dispute. Their excellent follow-up ensures that the client’s interests remain protected even after the case has concluded. This long-term commitment is truly commendable.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for the European Union in anti-trust damages actions against the elevator cartel.
  • Successfully acted for major energy supplier Electrabel in a claim against a distribution system operator which failed to fulfil its legal obligations due to a problem that occurred during the migration of an IT system.
  • Acted as legal counsel on behalf of Electrabel in a criminal investigation regarding the sabotage of a nuclear power plant.

Schoups

Schoups has a ‘proactive, diligent and creative team’, which acts in disputes across private construction, public procurement, real estate, and environmental law. Multijurisdictional disputes are also a strength of the practice, frequently representing high-profile clients across sectors. The leadership of the team includes Marco Schoups, Geert De Buyzer, Benjamin Marchandise and Kris Lemmens, among others.

Responsables de la pratique:

Marco Schoups; Geert De Buyzer; Benjamin Marchandise; Kris Lemmens; Maarten Somers; Els Op de Beeck; Liesbeth Truyens


Les références

‘Proactive, diligent and creative team. Very knowledgeable and experienced.’

‘Marco Schoups is a very competent lawyer with a lot of expertise in real estate and construction. Respected in the market by all actors which helps in negotiations, charming person and good negotiator.’

‘Schoups brings forward thinking experience and professionalism to the table and applies a collaborative approach in its case-handling. The team is accessible and capable of handling complex legal problems.’

Principaux clients

Carrefour


CFE Bouw Vlaanderen – MBG


CFE Infra / Aannemingsmaatschappij


Cordeel


Fincimec


White & Case LLP

The ‘very diverse and bright team‘ at White & Case LLP acts in high-profile corporate disputes, particularly across the financial services, private equity, and technology sectors. The practice is adept at multijurisdictional matters, working for leading Belgian and international companies. Alexandre Hublet and Thierry Bosly lead the team, which notably includes Irina Trichkovska, who is ‘always extremely tenacious, efficient and committed to the client’s cause’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alexandre Hublet; Thierry Bosly


Autres avocats clés:

Irina Trichkovska


Les références

‘Irina Trichkovska is always extremely tenacious, efficient and committed to the client’s cause.’

‘Very diverse and bright team, which deploys great legal strategies. We really enjoyed working with Irina Trichkovska on a number of dispute resolution cases, which had great court outcomes.’

‘Irina Trichkovska is an incredibly smart and dedicated lawyer, and also great with strategizing and achieving the best outcome for her cases. It is a great pleasure working with her.’

Principaux clients

British American Tobacco


Confédération marocaine de l’agriculture et du développement rural


Cargotec


KT-Kinetics Technology


Lenovo


Meta


Twitter


WhatsApp Ireland


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the Moroccan agricultural interests before the European Court of Justice in cases relating to international treaties between the EU and the Kingdom of Morocco in relation to Western Sahara.
  • Representing the Micula parties, which succeeded in obtaining an award of damages of approx. €200m against Romania from an ICSID Arbitral Tribunal based on the Romania-Sweden bilateral investment treaty.
  • Representing Meta (including Facebook and WhatsApp) in relation to disputes and defence strategies in Belgium, as well as in several EU regulatory compliance matters and related liability risks.

Andersen

The disputes practice at Andersen acts for leading national and international companies in disputes across a broad spectrum of sectors, with expertise in the tech, IT, real estate, and healthcare industries; the team also has knowledge of public sector and real estate issues. Praised as ‘strategically very strong‘, Koen De Puydt leads the team alongside Roeland Moeyersons, who has expertise in commercial, economic, and construction law. Other noted practitioners include Aline Heyrman, along with the ‘reliable, proactive and highly competentSteve Griess, and Thibault Caeymaex.

Responsables de la pratique:

Koen De Puydt; Roeland Moeyersons


Autres avocats clés:

Aline Heyrman; Steve Griess; Thibault Caeymaex; Ulrike Beuselinck


Les références

‘Koen De Puydt and Aline Heyrman are trilingual and active in the 3 parts of the country (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels), allowing them to combine all the new trends and case law. This gives them an important added value.’

‘The dispute resolution team of Seeds of Law is a pleasure to work with. They are open minded, always questioning every step to assess what is in the best interest of the client, with a clear goal in mind. They work, think along and interact with the client and share all information, which helps the client to make the right decisions.’

‘Koen de Puydt is strategically very strong and will not easily give up. He goes for it and will fight in the interest of the client. Ulrike Beuselinck is able to convince the judges and courts, and drives them into the right direction. She is straightforward and can give clear messages to the clients, an approach they appreciate. She is energetic and enthusiastic.’

Principaux clients

Conseils Vins SA


Willemen NV


Belleheide Center NV


Holiday Home Experts


Moneygram Payment System INC


Get Air Belgium


Ring Pharma


Profile Belux


Menouquin


Destination Rally


X-RIS SRL


All-WAYS SA


Gaming 1 SRL


Intrasoft International SA


Immopass SRL


Federale Real Estate Investment Management NV


SA Electro Depot Belgium


Multipharma SC


Sucaba nv


ATF nv


Erasmus Hogeschool


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for Get Air Belgium in its dispute with CBRE regarding the payment of lease during the pandemic and following forced closures.
  • Acting for Destination Rally in a dispute about the scope of the legislation on package holidays, as a matter of principles.

ASTREA

The disputes practice at ASTREA is ‘extremely available and reliable, with the ability to come up with creative solutions‘. The team acts across a wide range of industries, with experience representing high-profile clients in commercial disputes, insolvency claims, and bankruptcy litigation. A particular areas of expertise for the department lies in transport and logistics work, with team head Marc Van Looveren possessing vast knowledge in this area, including in complex international disputes. Van Looveren is joined at leadership level by distribution law expert Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven.

 

Responsables de la pratique:

Marc Van Looveren; Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven


Autres avocats clés:

Ruud de Houwer; Barbara Terriere


Les références

‘Strong and professional team. Taking the time to analyse the customers needs. Lots of experience.’

‘Always happy to help, available and very professional.’

‘The team is extremely available and reliable with the ability to come up with creative solutions.’

Principaux clients

Alfa Bank


Arcadia Commodities Trading – Seatankers


BHP Billiton Marketing AG


Liebherr GmbH


Music Hall Group


KMDA


Coface


Belgian Federal Government


Lukoil Benelux BV


Spliethof, Transfennica


Skuld P&I


AG-TEC


Hilaire Van Der Haeghe NV


Mast Diagnostics Gmbh


Byd


Creaton Benelux NV


Jaguar Land Rover Belux


Mazda Motor Belux


Hyundaï Construction Equipment


Osudio Belgium


Ford Motor Company (Belgium)


Nissan Belux


Toyota Belgium NV


Argenta NV


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Arcadia Commodities Trading, the commodities trading branch of the Seatankers group, in seeking appeal against an arbitration award of December 2021.
  • Acting for HCEE, a manufacturer of heavy truck, in litigation against a French distributor which was terminated and is claiming different indemnities.
  • Acting for Trau Bros in respect of a dispute about a commercial transaction, in which bills of exchange were issued by the now bankrupt diamond trader Exelco.

contrast

contrast is praised for its ‘strong, solid legal know-how combined with active business and solution-oriented thinking‘; the group has experience representing Belgian and international companies, trade authorities, and public authorities in M&A-related disputes and directors’ liability matters. Unfair trade practices, IP issues, and distribution law are additional strengths of the the team, which works closely with the competition practice of the firm. Filip Tuytschaever, Bart Bellen, Milena Varga and Sébastien Engelen jointly lead the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Filip Tuytschaever; Bart Bellen; Milena Varga; Sébastien Engelen


Autres avocats clés:

Kristof De Wael


Les références

‘Very pleasant to work with.’

‘Bart Bellen and his team are very responsive and were invaluable in every project we engaged them in.’

‘Their strong solid legal know-how combined with active business and solution oriented thinking. They listen well and think actively with the customers to find solutions.’

Principaux clients

Belgian Competition Authority


The Football Forum


Belgian Ministry of Economy


European Union, represented by the European Commission


Royal Excelsior Virton


Recytyre


K+S


Orange Belgium


Royal Belgian Billiard Federation


Energetica Natura


Principaux dossiers


  • Successfully acted as external legal counsel to the Belgian Competition Authority in the appeal introduced before the Brussels Market Court by four tobacco manufacturers (Philip Morris Benelux, British American Tobacco Belgium, Japan Tobacco International Company Netherlands, and Imperial Tobacco) against a decision imposing fines of more than €36m.
  • Successfully acted for Orange Belgium in the interim measures case and investigation on the merits by the Belgian Competition Authority (as well as the Belgian Institute for Post and Telecommunications) into the strategic joint venture between Orange Belgium and Proximus for the roll-out of 5G in Belgium following a complaint by Telenet.
  • Represented the Belgian Ministry of Economy in the appeal procedure filed by Proximus with the Brussels Market Court against the fine of €66m imposed by the Belgian Competition Authority on Proximus for abuse of dominance.

Cresco Advocaten

Cresco Advocaten acts in intricate domestic and international disputes, with expertise in litigation regarding sale and purchase agreements, tech contracts, shareholder issues, and the dissolution of companies. The firm also has a focus on matters linked to the tech, real estate, hospitality, non-profit, and banking sectors. Antwerp-based Steven Daems leads the practice, bringing vast experience in insolvency and restructuring mandates to the team, while Natalie Lemense focuses on contentious commercial contract and private shareholder work.

Responsables de la pratique:

Steven Daems


Autres avocats clés:

Natalie Lemense; Amber Sampana


Les références

‘Steven Daems: good collaboration, result driven. Amber Sampana: punctual, result driven, capacity to keep overview of complex realities.’

‘Steven Daems: I really appreciate the highly professional approach.’

‘I really like the Cresco approach with a real ‘can do’ mindset. The expertise and the way the team makes you feel comfortable was very relieving.’

Principaux clients

ROXELL


CHG-Meridian Belux


BNP Paribas Fortis


SPACEWELL – MCS


KEMIN EUROPA


Eurobrillance


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for a major Belgian company in post-acquisition and commercial dispute matters against a global company.
  • Assisting a director with disputing their liability in major Belgian bankruptcy proceedings.
  • Successfully acted for the shareholders of a major Belgian company in a shareholder dispute.

Deloitte Legal

Deloitte Legal fields a ‘approachable team with expertise and drive‘ that offers a range of services for its clients across litigation and arbitration proceedings. Jürgen Egger leads the team, with experience representing leading Belgian and international companies in civil and criminal disputes, with a focus on distribution law, insolvency issues, tort law, and white-collar crime matters. Other key practice heads include ‘superb leader’ Annick Visschers, who has expertise in tax litigation; Mathieu Ex, who leads the private client team; and Glenn Hansen, who focuses on commercial litigation. Egger and Hansen are also key names in the firm’s arbitration practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jürgen Egger; Annick Visschers; Mathieu Ex; Glenn Hansen


Autres avocats clés:

Stefanie Denorme


Les références

‘Deloitte has a broad team with diverse knowledge. They also easily collaborate with other teams for cross border related things.’

‘Excellent Litigation Team with superb leader, Annick Visschers!’

‘Very personalized approach and swift follow-up.’

Principaux clients

Willemen Groep


Lehman Brothers


Hansard Europe Designated Activity Company


Principaux dossiers


  • Representing the administrators of Lehman Brothers in Belgian court cases to recover as many assets as possible.
  • Acting for a Belgian organiser of dance festivals in the framework of the international roll-out of its festival concept and the impact of Covid-19 on the organisation of festivals.

Laurius

The ‘reactive and knowledgeable team‘ at Laurius handles litigation for domestic and international clients across a wide range of industry sectors, with a particular focus on shareholders’ disputes, director’s liability claims, and post-acquisition disputes; banking litigation is another key strength of the team. Bert Luyten, a co-founding partner of the firm, leads the team with extensive knowledge of financial liability and fraud claims. Fellow co-head Karen Vermaere is skilled across commercial litigation, mediation, and arbitration proceedings.

Responsables de la pratique:

Bert Luyten; Karen Vermaere


Autres avocats clés:

Stephanie Joris


Les références

‘Laurius’ dispute resolution practice fields a reactive and knowledgeable team led by Bert Luyten. They are capable of analysing a situation with a holistic approach and therefore suggest technical and adequate means to solve existing and potential problems that clients are facing.’

‘Solutions offered and suggested to clients are tailor-made by a team who knows how to listen to clients.’

‘Excellent knowledge, a business mindset, and fast responses.’

Monard law, joined by Buyle

Monard law, joined by Buyle is, according to clients, a ‘beacon of pragmatism and efficiency‘, with a range of experienced practitioners that have expertise across the spectrum of disputes. The firm notably has a focus on ESG litigation, with Jeroen Raskin active in this space, alongside M&A litigation and directors liability matters. In Brussels, Daan De Jaeger is a key name, acting for domestic and international clients in complex commercial and intellectual property disputes. Other noted practitioners within the Brussels team in addition to De Jaeger include Sebastien Verva, who leads the French practice of the firm. In Hasselt, a range of accomplished litigators form the team's leadership, including Erik Monard, Natalie Ulburghs, Nicole Segers, Kristof Zadora, Geert Hayen, and Kris van der Beek.  In Ghent, Stephane Criel and Charles Claeys are noted.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jeroen Raskin; Erik Monard; Natalie Ulburghs; Nicole Segers; Daan De Jaeger; Kristof Zadora; Stephane Criel; Geert Hayen; Kris van der Beek; Sebastien Verva; Charles Claeys


Autres avocats clés:

Willem De Vos


Les références

‘Monard Law’s advice is “on the spot” and always highly appreciated by clients.’

‘Efficient, high expertise, to the point.’

‘Daan De Jaeger and Willem De Vos: efficient, high expertise, to the point, takes responsibilities, open to feedback and ready to excel.’

Principaux clients

ACA Holding NV


ACA IT-Solutions NV


Adria Benelux


BergHOFF Worldwide


Bosal


Brand Jan


Continental Benelux


Copaco


D’Ieteren & D’Ieteren Sport (Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Yamaha)


Eurautomat


Fluvius System Operator


Group a (Belisol&Kwadro)


Hyundai Belux


Hedin Automotive


Investor Protection


IVECO


Napoleon Games


Primagaz Belgium


Quanteus Group


Rolex


Rolex Benelux


s. Oliver


Suzuki Belgium


Tomorrowland


Van Cranenbroek


Trixxo


Leuven Air Bearings


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for several minority shareholders of Nyrstar NV in relation to alleged fraud and mismanagement involving Nyrstar and claims damages.
  • Represented the Nicklaus Companies against Jack Nicklaus with respect to an infringement of IP rights as Jack Nicklaus entered into an agreement with Golazo Sports to support its European Tour Golf tournament.
  • Acting for Rolex in anti-counterfeiting issues and oversees Rolex’s (including Tudor) anti-counterfeiting practises in the Benelux.

Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons‘ disputes practice acts in high-profile litigation and arbitration, with particular expertise in the life sciences and financial sectors; the chemicals, fashion, and hospitality industries are also key areas of strength for the team. Olivier Mignolet and Annabelle Bruyndonckx lead the team, and are praised for being ‘very competent lawyers with a high attention to detail‘. Also of note is Jérémie Doornaert, who brings ‘strong knowledge of the pharma sector‘ to the practice.

Responsables de la pratique:

Olivier Mignolet; Annabelle Bruyndonckx


Autres avocats clés:

Jérémie Doornaert


Les références

‘The team is always available and able to provide high level legal assistance.’

‘Olivier Mignolet and Annabelle Bruyndonckx are very competent lawyers with a high attention to detail and the ability to provide business-oriented legal advice.’

‘Jérémie Doornaert: available, strong knowledge of Pharma sector.’

Principaux clients

Align Technology


Banque Centrale de Guinée


Depharm


GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA


Grant Thornton / ARF


Ordre des pharmaciens


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Ecnavla 8 UK Limited as well as its sole asset, Alvance Aluminium Belgium, in a number of proceedings concerning the control on Alvance Aluminium Belgium and Alvance Aluminium Duffel.
  • Representing Ordre des Pharmaciens in litigation against the Belgian Data Protection Authority before the Markets Court.

Verhaegen Walravens

Verhaegen Walravens acts in disputes across a wide range of industries, with expertise across the entertainment, tech, construction, and mining sectors. ‘Very experienced lawyer’ Philip Walravens leads the team, and focuses his practice on white-collar crime and restructuring mandates. Paula Martins Costa and Julie Borgerhoff are further key names in the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Philip Walravens


Autres avocats clés:

Paula Martins Costa; Julie Borgerhoff


Les références

‘Philip Walravens is an expert in his field. He also has an excellent team. He’s committed to his clients.’

‘The firm delivers steady quality in business law, and is very dedicated to its clients.’

‘Philip Walravens is a very experienced lawyer with good common sense and understanding of non-legal factors that are important to solve a case.’

Principaux clients

Columbus Holdco


IBO


Procter & Gamble


Altrad


Eastman


Kamera Express


Tesa


Ferranti


Orange


Van Reeth


AIM Recycling Belgium


Monus


Atmosphere Architects


Fusiref


EG RETAIL Belgium


Wecandance


Maisons Compère


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for AIM RECYCLING Belgium, a joint venture company, in a major dispute that arose between its shareholders (a Canadian parent and Belgian minority shareholder).
  • Representing a number of music festival organisers (all subsidiaries of the Atmosphere Architects group) which have challenged tariffs levied by SABAM (the Belgian association of authors, composers and publishers).
  • Acting for technology company FERRANTI in relation to a dispute arising from the roll-out of a software package provided to ORES, an electricity grid operator.