The Legal 500

This section covers Belgian law only. Readers should refer to the EU regulatory section for firms with expertise in EU environmental law, including the WEEE and RoHS directives.

The ‘excellent’ and ‘strategic’ Gauthier van Thuyne heads Allen & Overy LLP’s Belgian environmental law practice, which has a strong reputation for contentious and non-contentious matters, and is noted for its REACH expertise. The team recently advised the European Parliament on planning and environmental issues pertaining to the D4 and D5 buildings in Brussels.

Baker & McKenzie delivers ‘an impeccable service’ through its ‘engaged, practical approach’. Recent work includes representing Biofer in an administrative procedure against the withdrawal of green certificates for a biomass plant, which will be the test case for the entire biomass sector in the Flemish Region. The ‘excellent’ Pascal Mallien is ‘knowledgeable, experienced’, and has an extensive network of contacts.

Bob Martens heads DLA Piper’s top-end practice. Dominique Devos is another key partner and is leading the team in drafting an executive order relating to the introduction of a permanent integrated physical environmental permit in the Flemish Region.

NautaDutilh ‘understands the client’s needs’, has ‘extensive knowledge of the environmental legal framework’, and provides ‘an excellent level of service’. Patrick Peeters mainly focuses on soil pollution, waste management, urban planning and energy law in Flanders, and co-heads the practice with François Tulkens, who handles environmental and urban planning matters in the Walloon and Brussels capital regions as well as administrative litigation.

Stibbe’s planning and environment practice has ‘in-depth knowledge’, and is closely integrated with the real estate and corporate teams. The team advised AG Real Estate on the Kanaalkom urban redevelopment in Hasselt, Flanders, including legal assistance relating to the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and Environmental Impact Assessment. Practice head Jan Bouckaert and Monique Kestemont are recommended.

Boutique firm LDR Milieuadvocaten focuses on environment and planning matters, and fields 22 lawyers with expertise spanning environmental, climate, energy and spatial planning law. Isabelle Larmuseau Peter De Smedt and Bert Roelandts are the name partners.

Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick’s environment practice has ‘excellent industry knowledge’ and provides ‘a very high level of service’. Department head Bernard Deltour is ‘one of Belgium’s best environmental lawyers’, and handles transactional, litigious and administrative matters, with particular expertise in waste and soil pollution.

Linklaters’ environment practice supporting the firm’s corporate and real estate departments and is increasingly picking up standalone instructions. Practice head Lieve Swartenbroux mainly focuses on regulatory and liability issues relating to permits, soil contamination, emissions trading, waste management, and land planning.

Lydian ‘combines outstanding legal skills with effective and timely communication’. The team works closely with the firm’s regulatory and energy practices and is assisting several cities and municipalities with contentious and non-contentious environmental matters, including issues relating to PPP projects. ‘Experienced’ team head Wouter Neven has ‘a thorough understanding of the Belgian market’.

Publius’ growing team provides ‘a very good level of service’ and specialises in public law including administrative, environmental, energy and climate change law. Günther L’heureux is recommended.

The environmental team at Altius (in co-operation with Tiberghien) includes the firm’s planning and zoning law experts as well as the energy practice, which has a particular focus on renewable energy. Clients include Delhaize, Van Neerbos, and Matexi. William Timmermans and Lieven Peeters are recommended.

Luc Depré heads CMS’ practice, which has ‘good knowledge’, particularly at the European level. Recent work includes advising EDF on environmental permitting and licensing relating to two new power plants in the Flemish Region.

Boutique firm Haumont Scholasse & Partners focuses on environment, property and planning law. Francis Haumont and Michel Scholasse are recommended.

Hunton & Williams LLP is advising the Electronic Industries Alliance (which includes members such as Sony, Bose, Apple Inc and Canon) on environmental legislation pertaining to electronic products in the EU. Lucas Bergkamp is the key contact.

Monard – D'Hulst handles both contentious and non-contentious regulatory and environmental issues for a range of clients including regional and local governments. The firm is advising the Belgian Institute of Real Estate Brokers (BIV) on soil pollution. Koen Geelen is the name to note.

Verhaegen Walravens’ Catherine Wijnants has broad experience in environmental and regulatory law and her practice covers all three Belgian regions. The firm assisted the Brussels Environmental Administration with the drafting of new soil pollution legislation.