Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution

Led by Marc Van Looveren and Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven, the Antwerp-based ASTREA CVBA is highly experienced in a range of domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes, most notably in the transport and logistics sectors.
DALDEWOLF is sought out by a diverse range of corporations, industry associations and non-governmental bodies for the depth of its capabilities in arbitration. Practice head Marc Dal is one of the key names to note.
Praised by clients for its ‘excellent expertise‘ in arbitration, as well as litigation, Tossens Goldman Gonne represents a range of energy providers, aeronautics companies, biotech companies, and financial services players in ICC and CEPANI-governed proceedings. The ‘dedicated and creative’ Jean-François Tossens and Sophie Goldman are the key names to note.

Dispute resolution in Belgium

Allen & Overy LLP

Variously praised by clients for their ‘next-level advice‘ and ‘out of the box thinking‘, the litigation and arbitration practice at Allen & Overy LLP is a premier choice for a diverse roster of entities from the worlds of projects, energy, life sciences, insurance, and financial services, among others. Practice head Thales Mertens, noted for his expertise in contentious insolvency and contract matters, steers the team on a range of big-ticket damages claims, fraud-related proceedings, and other commercial disputes taken before the various domestic courts. ‘BrilliantJoost Everaert is a veteran trial lawyer whose recent engagements include cross-jurisdictional third-party opposition proceedings, while Tom Schoors – who works between Antwerp and Brussels – is particularly noted for his expertise in the energy sector. Names to note at senior associate level include Lauren Rasking, equally capable in both arbitration and commercial litigation, including post-M&A and projects disputes, and Antwerp-based Bart De Bock who regularly handles insurance litigation. Private international law specialist Eline Ulrix is also recommended. Werner Eyskens left the practice in June 2022. All named lawyers are based in Brussels unless otherwise noted.

Practice head(s):

Thales Mertens


Other key lawyers:

Joost Everaert; Tom Schoors; Lauren Rasking; Bart De Bock; Eline Ulrix


Testimonials

‘The team really listens to the client’s needs and tries to be problem-solving. We get the impression that they truly care.’

‘Out of the box thinking.’

‘Next-level advice that brought stakeholders with their feet on the ground across jurisdictions (UK vs Belgium) and provided enormous insight across our audiences as to where to take the deal. Advice was hands-on, beautifully presented, and immediately understandable.’

Key clients

Cofinimmo


DEME


Engie


Scania


Waterland Private Equity


Loyens & Loeff

Drawing on its close working relationships with a wider Benelux network of offices, Loyens & Loeff”s ‘professional and reactive‘ team routinely helms multi-jurisdictional disputes and international arbitrations for some of the world’s leading multinational corporations. The team is jointly chaired by ‘outstanding‘ international arbitrator Olivier van der Haegen and Hakim Boularbah, an ‘exceptional’ cross-border litigator and collective redress specialist whose recent engagements include big-ticket contractual disputes in the pharmaceutical sector. Senior associate and class actions specialist Maria-Clara Van den Bossche works with a host of clients from the worlds of tech, telecoms, and automotive manufacturing, while fellow senior associate Sarah Benzidi – noted for her arbitration focus – maintains a comparably broad practice, representing a mix of real estate, aerospace, and social media companies, among others. All named lawyers are based in Brussels unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Hakim Boularbah; Olivier van der Haegen


Other key lawyers:

Maria-Clara Van den Bossche; Sarah Benzidi


Testimonials

‘We have been working together with the team in cross-border disputes. They are smart, quick and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Hakim Boularbah is exceptional. He offers smart and solution-oriented advice.’

‘Olivier van der Haegen is outstanding. His legal analysis digs down to the core of the matter and discloses smart opportunities for the client.’

‘We have had a very well established relationship with Loyens & Loeff for several years. They are a very professional and reactive team, with a wide range of backgrounds and significant resources, allowing for a thorough and reactive follow-up of files.’

‘Hakim Boularbah is impressive on international law issues and complex litigation cases. We have always experienced a very good client service.’

‘They stand out not only for the quality of the legal work, but also the consideration given to our final cost.’

‘Hakim Boularbah and Olivier Van der Haegen always give concise and well motivated opinions and suggestions.’

Key clients

Pfizer


The Dow Chemical Company


VIDRALA, S.A.


Klépierre


Huntsman


Chevron Corporation Inc. and Chevron USA Inc


AstraZeneca


Interpol


BNP Paribas


John Cockerill – Cockerill Maintenance & Ingénierie (CMI)


Porsche AG


Atenor


Yukos Oil – former majority shareholders


Eurelec


Meta


Amazon


Sonaca


Proximus


Ryanair


Dargaud-Lombard


Amundi


Credendo


Sowaer


Work highlights


  • Assisting and representing AstraZeneca before the Brussels courts in its dispute with the European Union and the 27 Member States regarding the performance of the COVID-19 vaccine advance purchase agreement and alleged delays in deliveries of the vaccine to the EU market.
  • Assisting and representing Porsche AG in a class action filed before the Brussels courts by the Diesel Emissions Justice Foundation (DEJF).

NautaDutilh

Regarded as ‘hard-working, diligent, and always very responsive‘, NautaDutilh‘s fully trilingual disputes practice represents a diverse roster of high-profile clients in a broad spectrum of matters, ranging from post-M&A and banking disputes to arbitral award and sovereign debt enforcement proceedings. The team is jointly spearheaded by Sophie Jacmain and Stan Brijs; a ‘superb‘ duo noted for the depth of their expertise in insolvency and in-court restructuring. Counsel Karel De Smet regularly acts for a range of major financial institutions and companies on high-value contractual disputes, while senior associate Karen Paridaen‘s wide-ranging experience encompasses both cross-border commercial disputes and arbitrations – most recently in the energy and natural resources sectors. Other key names within the team include fellow senior associate Gisèle Uwera, a specialist in real estate disputes, and associate Alexander Roels, who is noted for his emphasis on international arbitration work. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Sophie Jacmain; Stan Brijs


Other key lawyers:

Karel De Smet; Karen Paridaen; Gisèle Uwera; Alexander Roels; Bram Van Cauwenberge


Testimonials

‘They are a good team: hard-working, diligent, and always very responsive.’

‘Sophie Jacmain and Stan Brijs are absolutely superb. One of their great assets is the ability to roadmap and strategise the case from the very outset, as well as their ability to read what is going on in the courtroom and adjust the tactic accordingly.’

‘Very agile and responsive. Unlike many other law firms, they have always prioritised work above billing. I have appreciated their efforts very much for what started out as a dispute impossible to solve amicably. We did not go to court, and we were satisfied with the end result. I believe NautaDutilh’s approach to focus on people and their strong dialogue with the lawyers of the other party were very important for the case.’

‘I have been in close contact with Bram van Cauwenberge, and Stan Brijs. Bram did most of the documentation and gathered the file meticulously according to the information provided by me. Stan provided us with know-how in dispute resolution; his knowledge and professional experience was instrumental to the case.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO Bank


AOT Energy Belgium


Ascom – Stati


Connectis (part of Getronics)


Ghelamco Group


Hunter Engineering Company


KBC Group


Kuehne + Nagel


Lycops – De Beurme – Ommia


MD Verre


Republic of Albania


SCR – Sibelco


Textron


Work highlights


  • Acting for the sellers under an SPA in a case presenting: post-M&A claims by the purchaser; director liability proceedings; attachment dispute; and litigation introduced by the insured – customers.
  • Acting in a dispute involving more than twenty different proceedings in relation to a real estate project comprising around forty luxury apartments and a Danish design store in Avenue Louise, Brussels.
  • Representing the Republic of Albania in relation to creditor’s attempts to enforce, in Belgium, an ICSID Arbitral Award worth over €130m.

Stibbe

Lauded by some as ‘one of the best disputes firms in the Belgian market‘, Stibbe draws superlative praise from clients on account of its wide-ranging capabilities in market-leading proceedings, ranging from post-acquisition disputes and business interruption arbitrations to criminal fraud cases. The sizeable practice is headed up by Hans Van Bavel, a veteran trial lawyer with considerable experience in company-related criminal law proceedings taken before the various domestic and European courts. Other key figures at partner level include ‘outstanding‘ cross-border litigator Nicolas Résimont and Oliver Stevens; ‘a go-to lawyer in the Belgian market for all insurance-related disputes.‘ Also noted for their insurance litigation capabilities, counsel Sophie Bourgois is additionally well-versed in ICC, CEPANI, and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, while fellow counsel Pieter Wouters is noted for his niche expertise in product recall disputes. Counsel Elisabeth Baeyens has left the practice to become a judge at the Court of First Instance in the Province of East-Flanders. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Hans Van Bavel


Other key lawyers:

Oliver Stevens; Nicolas Résimont; Pieter Wouters; Sophie Bourgois; David Verwaerde


Testimonials

‘The Stibbe litigation team provided us with great strategic and very practical advice, allowing us to focus on the strategy without getting lost in irrelevant details.’

‘Oliver Stevens clearly has a lot of litigation experience and is able to navigate disputes in a very strategic and practical manner, advising very effective strategies so that the client does not get lost in irrelevant details. He was assisted by a very good junior associate, Thomas Verheyen, who mastered all factual details of the case and prepared the stepping stones for our litigation strategy.’

‘Experienced and stable team that perfectly understand and knows our operations.’

‘Stibbe is one of the best disputes firms in the Belgian market. They are not a satellite office of a large international firm but, instead, provide dedicated and excellent service within the Belgian (and Benelux) markets. I recommend the firm to anyone that needs local advice.’

‘Nicolas Resimont, Oliver Stevens, and Sophie Bourgois are all excellent. Nicolas is a fierce and passionate advocate who you want on your side in any arbitration. Sophie has an amazing intellect. She has an excellent knowledge of the law and is able to quickly assimilate large amounts of information in short order. Oliver is a go-to lawyer in the Belgian market for all insurance-related disputes. I highly recommend all three.’

‘The quality of the advice received is always excellent – well documented from a legal point of view, but with a pragmatic approach that fits the client’s needs.’

‘Nicolas Résimont is an outstanding lawyer, very smart, with excellent knowledge of the law, and who really quickly understands the client’s needs and provides excellent advice, with a pragmatic approach.’

Work highlights


  • Assisting Private Insurer in a business-critical dispute that has arisen shortly after its acquisition by its new shareholder, P&V Insurances.
  • Successfully represented Perrigo in a multi-billion-dollar post-acquisition dispute (arbitration) against the former owner of Omega Pharma Invest NV.
  • Assisting PostNL in a very high profile social-criminal case before the correctional court of Antwerp.

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance LLP‘s ‘dynamism and creativity‘ across litigation and arbitration make it a premier choice for all manner of blue-chip multinationals, sovereign states, and financial institutions, who turn to the team for its capabilities in high-profile matters – including major shareholder actions and foreign enforcement proceedings. Practice chair Dorothée Vermeiren is a widely regarded litigator and arbitrator, praised for her ‘professionalism, dedication, and efficiency’ in all manner of cases. Senior associate Nathan Tulkens works closely with Vermeiren, particularly on behalf of the firm’s international corporate and financial services clientele. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Dorothée Vermeiren


Other key lawyers:

Nathan Tulkens


Testimonials

‘Outstanding commitment to understand our situation and defend an honest and fair position. Total dedication.’

‘Very high level of expertise. Great level of empathy and listening skills. Creative and dedicated.’

‘The litigation and arbitration team of Clifford Chance, Brussels is a prominent actor in international and domestic litigation and arbitration areas, composed of a mix of young talents and well-established lawyers. Dynamism and creativity, allied to a solid capacity for legal analysis and judgment, give them a leading position in their field.’

‘I had opportunities to work with Dorothée Vermeiren and to meet them as adverse party as well. In all circumstances, they demonstrated exceptional professionalism, dedication and efficiency.’

Key clients

Amazon EU


The Belgian State


Citibank


KONE


LIBERTY Steel Group


Nouveaux Entrepôts et Garages (NEG)


Patrizia AG


Euroclear


Blockchain.com / Blockchain Luxembourg SA


Eckes-Granini


BNP Paribas Fortis


ISG Construction Services


Alphastone


Work highlights


  • Representing Amazon in court proceedings against the Union of French-speaking Booksellers of Belgium (Syndicat des Libraires Francophones de Belgique or “SLFB”) and Intell SA.
  • Representing The Belgian State against the collective claims brought against the Belgian State by more than 2,000 ARCO shareholders.
  • Continuing to represent Citibank in the ongoing court proceedings initiated against Parmalat.

Eubelius

Noted for the depth of its tax litigation capabilities, Eubelius' large disputes practice is also well-versed in domestic litigation and ICC arbitrations, representing a mix of manufacturers, real estate companies, and sovereign states, among others. The practice is jointly chaired by Patrick Hofströssler, a long-standing specialist in civil and private estate disputes; Ignace Claeys, who heads up the commercial litigation desk; and Svjatoslav Gnedasj, who anchors the group's contentious tax offering. Counsel Thijs Tanghe focuses principally on contract and tort liability, representing clients in ICC and SCC arbitrations, as well as court proceedings. Senior attorney Alexandre Rigolet is praised for his 'excellent knowledge of public contracts.' All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Patrick Hofströssler; Ignace Claeys; Svjatoslav Gnedasj


Other key lawyers:

Thijs Tanghe; Alexandre Rigolet


Testimonials

‘Very responsive and available team.’

‘Alexandre Rigolet has an excellent knowledge of public contracts. He puts theory into practice.’

‘Eubelius teams work on projects with an open mind in favour of the client’s interests. During their approach, they always take impacts on the company-group into consideration, and analyse items in a global context.’

‘Notwithstanding the fact that they are the best experts in their legal field, they treat the legal counsels of their clients, with respect and without arrogance.’

Work highlights


Janson

Praised by clients for their 'outside-the-box' approach, Janson is entrusted by a growing roster of clients for its capabilities in all manner of contentious proceedings before the various domestic courts. The practice is jointly led by several partners: the 'extremely skilled and experienced' Dominique Blommaert, a specialist in banking matters; Cedric Alter, noted for his contentious insolvency pedigree; Céline Masschelein, whose varied workload encompasses post-acquisition disputes, and Didier Bracke, who handles both banking and construction litigation. Alter and Bracke are based in Brussels, while Blommaert and Masschelein split their time between Ghent and the capital.


Practice head(s):

Dominique Blommaert; Cédric Alter; Didier Bracke; Céline Masschelein


Testimonials

‘The Janson Practice in Dispute Resolution is headed by Dominique Blommaert. Dominique is a strategic lawyer, thinking ahead and very tactically. The practice is large and has sufficient resources to work quickly. You also get a good level of senior attention on your case.’

‘I mainly worked with Dominique Blommaert, who is an assertive lawyer. However, he is very thoughtful and will not blindly take a risk. Also, he is very intelligent and capable of quickly assessing a situation. Great lawyer, can be assertive when needed, but also very diligent.’

‘Thinking outside-the-box, always searching for solutions in the best interest of their client.’

‘I have worked primarily with Dominique Blommaert. He is an extremely skilled and experienced litigator and is very much business oriented and solution driven. He has also an excellent reputation with the courts and is seen as very credible.’

Key clients

Geodis/LexSIS


Flyer


Belfius Bank


Secheron


ING Bank


Perrigo


FNG/Dieter Penninckx


Sibelco (on behalf of Mr Grosspeter)


Belfius Lease


Essege (Tolefi group)


Hamon Group


Work highlights


  • Acting as co-lead counsel to Belfius Bank in the collective action brought by the Arco-shareholders and obtained a major win before the commercial court against 2000 claimants in November 2021.
  • Assisting the former CEO of the Euronext-listed fashion group FNG in its dispute with the regulator FSMA, minority shareholders and bondholders.
  • Acted as counsel to the Belgian Perrigo companies, which were asked to disclose alleged evidence within the framework of post-M&A arbitration proceedings between the Perrigo group (buyer) and the former sellers of the Omega Pharma shares.

Jones Day

Underpinned by a substantial global network of offices, Jones Day is regularly engaged on a host of cross-border disputes and arbitral proceedings, representing both blue-chip multinationals and domestic entities operating in a range of sectors; from payment services and telecoms to energy and pharmaceuticals. Global disputes head Sébastien Champagne is a ‘standout litigator‘ whose wide-ranging workload encompasses product liability, trade practices, private enforcement disputes. Michèle Grégoire draws high-praise from a number of clients for her ‘impressive‘ contentious expertise and ‘outstanding industry knowledge‘, particularly in the banking and financial services arena, while the ‘excellentVanessa Foncke is proficient in both international commercial arbitration and disputes before the domestic courts. Other names to note for banking and finance disputes include newly promoted (January 2022) counsel Corentin De Jonghe, while associate Charlotte Van Themsche is recommended for her expertise in collective redress. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Sébastien Champagne


Other key lawyers:

Michèle Grégoire; Vanessa Foncke; Corentin De Jonghe; Charlotte Van Themsche


Testimonials

‘I have a longstanding and excellent working relationship with Jones Day, which has an outstanding grip on the market and has deep knowledge of European and Belgium litigation matters.’

‘Michèle Grégoire is an impressive expert in litigation.’

‘Michèle is a remarkable leader in litigation matters, including representing significant clients before the Supreme Court. Thanks to her truly outstanding industry knowledge and technical skills, she regularly serves as an arbitrator in national and international cases. Wide-ranging expertise and responsive work style.’

‘Vanessa Foncke is excellent.’

‘Working with Sébastian Champagne it has been an excellent experience. He is extremely knowledgeable in dispute resolution, but also very strong from a regulatory and competition standpoint. Strategic, insightful, flexible, responsive and certainly client-focused.’

‘Consistently excellent and well-thought advice, fantastic client service, commercial, and always available.’

‘Sébastien Champagne is a standout litigator; creative, commercial, and consistently excellent.’

‘Vanessa Foncke has a very professional approach. Very committed, and her legal reasoning is both outstanding and efficient.’

Key clients

American Industrial Partners


Belfius


Bpost


Crédit Mutuel


HeidelbergCement


Inmarsat


Sogepa


Mastercard International


Nethys


Work highlights


Liedekerke

Fielding a large team of ‘excellent experts with an international mindset‘, Liedekerke boasts a sizeable and sophisticated international arbitration offering, spearheaded by Arnaud Nuyts, a veteran advocate praised for his ‘superb advocacy skills‘ and ‘impressive command of the law‘. Nuyts co-chairs the disputes group alongside commercial contracts and litigation head Olivier Vanden Berghe and Roel Fransis, an expert in insolvency and finance litigation. Africa desk chief Aimery De Schoutheete is a seasoned litigator and arbitrator, as well as an expert in OHADA law, with considerable experience in francophone Africa and Great Lakes region proceedings. Bruno Hardy – who was promoted to counsel in July 2022 – routinely serves as counsel in international arbitrations across the engineering, energy, and construction sectors, among others. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Arnaud Nuyts; Olivier Vanden Berghe; Roel Fransis


Other key lawyers:

Aimery de Schoutheete; Bruno Hardy; Beatrice Van Tournout


Testimonials

‘Arnaud Nuyts is one of the best arbitration counsel on the market.’

‘In international arbitration, Arnaud Nuyts and his team, including Bruno Hardy, are world-class litigators, capable of handling large claims under many different laws.’

‘Arnaud Nuyts has a very impressive command of the law that allows him to discuss the most complex and subtle issues under Belgian, Qatari, English or other laws. And yet, he is pragmatic. He is held in very high regard by all arbitrators, who listen to him and trust him. These are rare qualities in international arbitration.’

‘Highest quality of legal and strategic services; excellent experts with an international mindset.’

‘Arnaud Nuyts is a star; superb advocacy skills, superb strategist and jurist. Beatrice Van Tournout is an excellent young practitioner.’

‘Extremely detail-oriented people, particularly in international arbitration.’

‘Bruno Hardy is an excellent lawyer. He takes the time to analyse the case, listen to all the feedback and come up with a strategy to counter the other party.’

‘They are dedicated, reliable, flexible and creative. They are very professional, exceptional in efficiency and delivering the legal product. They think strategically and act proactively. Their communication with the client is excellent. I find them all committed to their work, capable of working under time pressure until the last minute of the deadline. They smoothly dealt with cross border, international and foreign complex law issues as well as ISDS issues, which they have extensive experience in. We can always rely on their professional advice.’

Key clients

Gecamines


Republic of Poland


Republic of Kazakhstan


DP World


CCC


TotalEnergies


Decathlon


Brussels Airlines


INNO


McCain


GFG Alliance


VREG


Proximus


VSD Trading


Dehaen Paul


Work highlights


  • Acting as lead counsel in Belgium for the Republic of Kazakhstan (RoK) in a multi-jurisdictional dispute relating to the enforcement by the Stati Parties of a USD 530 million ECT Arbitral Award obtained in 2013 against the RoK, and successfully assisted the RoK in obtaining a denial of exequatur of the Award in Belgium and a lifting of all attachments there.
  • Representing McCain and Lutosa in a summary proceeding before the president of the Brussels court of Enterprises against natural gas supplier Antargaz in a dispute related to energy price increase.
  • Representing Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO and Chairman of GFG Alliance, in litigation against ICP Origination I LLC and American Industrial Partners, a PE firm based in NY who act as secured lender to ALVANCE Aluminium Duffel.

Linklaters

A stellar line-up of market-leading corporates turn to the Brussels-based team at Linklaters for its capabilities in big-ticket litigation and arbitration proceedings. Practice chair and office managing partner Stefaan Loosveld is a key port of call for many of the firm’s clients, particularly for his expertise in contentious regulatory and insolvency matters.  Praised for his ‘excellent strategic insights and negotiation skills‘, Xavier Taton specialises in energy litigation, while Florence Danis‘ capabilities are concentrated in injunction and collective redress, most recently in the tech and utilities sectors. Managing associate Gert-Jan Hendrix is similarly well-versed in class actions, while fellow managing associate Guillaume Croisant is experienced in construction sector disputes and arbitrations.



Practice head(s):

Stefaan Loosveld; Xavier Taton; Florence Danis


Other key lawyers:

Gert-Jan Hendrix; Guillaume Croisant


Testimonials

‘Strong commitment, strong knowledge of concerned legal matters, strong ability to understand specificities of our business model. Efficient in results, crystal clear in explanation.’

‘Their response times to any of the queries we constantly put to them are unbeatable. Moreover, we have found that the quality of their advice is marvellous and far superior to that of other firms whose work we often see, and we say this because of the degree of detail with which they study each question and the number of possible scenarios they present us with depending on the path we choose in each case.’

‘Guillaume Croisant’s service is unbeatable and his mastery of all the ins and outs of the project he advises us on (which has multiple ramifications) is impressive.’

‘Linklaters has an excellent standing for dispute resolution in Belgium. It is highly integrated with other practices and jurisdictions; a key asset for global companies wishing to ensure consistency across multiple jurisdictions. Excellent technical skills.’

‘Xavier Taton has excellent strategic insights and negotiation skills which have led to highly satisfactory results. Guillaume Croisant is a rising star at the bar, who combines technical excellency with pragmatic strategic advice.’

Key clients

The Bank of New York Mellon


Lhoist Group


ORES


Wilhelm & Co Group


Republic of Mauritius


BNYM


Work highlights


  • Appointed by BNYM in the context of a garnishment order by the Enforcement Judge at the Dutch-speaking Court of First Instance in Brussels.
  • Successfully represented the Republic of Mauritius in the annulment proceedings of an arbitral award having declined jurisdiction over a USD 1 billion claim of an investor against our client.
  • Advising a number of clients in different sectors in the context of several class actions, only a limited number of which have been filed to date in Belgium.

Lydian

Client-oriented and technically excellent’, Lydian works across its sites in Brussels, Antwerp, and Hasselt on an array of contentious engagements, acting for a host of domestic and international corporations. The team is chaired from Brussels by Hugo Keulers, an experienced insurance litigator who draws glowing praise from a number of clients. Yves Lenders‘ wide-ranging contentious practice encompasses insolvency litigation, rail transport disputes, and post-acquisition issues, while Jo Willems  – who was promoted to partner in January 2022 – is regarded for his ‘amazing level of expertise‘ in a range of commercial litigation work, including product liability and distribution disputes. Counsel Marijn De Ruysscher is also recommended for professional and general liability matters, particularly in the engineering and industrial sectors. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Hugo Keulers


Other key lawyers:

Yves Lenders; Jo Willems; Marijn De Ruysscher; Karen Janssens


Testimonials

‘Hugo Keulers is very experienced and an expert in his field. The same goes for Jo Willems, Pieter-Jan Van Mierlo and Marijn De Ruysscher.’

‘Available, responsive even on short notice, give clear answers, and excellent case handling.’

‘Hugo Keulers is a very experienced litigation lawyer and one of the best in his league in Belgium. Great business acumen, technically very strong, strategic and a tactical thinker.’

‘Karen Janssens is technically very strong and with a lot of potential.’

‘Very reactive, professional, client-oriented and technically excellent. It is always a great pleasure to work with them, especially Jo Willems.’

‘Jo Willems is both one of the best lawyers in Belgium. Always available and client focused, with an amazing level of expertise.’

‘Hugo Keulers is an excellent litigator with a good business mind.’

‘Hugo Keulers is an expert in insurance and litigation matters. He examines files quickly and thoroughly and has a very strong legal analysis; he is focused on reaching the best outcome, looking at the issue from all possible angles – strong strategy and tactics. Proactive. What more could you ask of an outside counsel?’

Key clients

5N Plus


AIG Europe Ltd, now AIG Europe SA


Alfasigma Belgium BV / Cophana NV


Allianz Global Corporate


AMC NV


Arte NV


AXA SA


AXA Seguros


AXA XL


Axima NV


Axis


BB Government Services GmbH


Belfius Bank


Brown Forman


Canopius


Carglass / Belron


CNA Insurance


CooperSurgical


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.


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


Immopro and Mathieu Gijbels


IPS Belgium NV


Keyence International (Belgium) NV/SA


Tremec


McDonald’s Belgium


Manchett Group Limited


Mediamarkt


Mitsubishi Motors Corporation


MS Amlin and AG Insurance


Nationale Nederlanden


Pizza Hut Europe


Salvator Welzijnscentrum


Suntrade / Bunge


RSA Nederland / Unica


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|SE, now: Financial Insurance|Company td. c/o AXA


Banijay Belgium (formerly known as Zodiak Belgium)


Zurich Insurance Plc


Work highlights


  • Acting for Oliefabriek Vandamme NV and its insurers HDI Global in a product recall and liability case against Barry Callebaut NV for the alleged delivery of a food ingredient contaminated with salmonella which stopped production in the largest chocolate factory in the world.
  • Assisting Manchett Group Limited, who provided facilities services to the Google datacenter in St. Ghislain (Belgium) to recover damages from Google due to a unilateral termination of the contract.
  • Assisting Belfius Bank in the recovery of losses paid to its clients/investors in tax shelter investment products in the Belgian theatre industry from the provider of the theatre performances on the one hand and the insurers/reinsurers insuring said losses (approximately €10m).

Quinz

Routinely sought out by a litany of public and private sector entities – both domestically and internationally – the sizeable disputes practice at Quinz is well-versed in all manner of cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings, including multi-billion-dollar class actions and contractual claims.  Regarded by some clients as ‘arguably the very best in his field of work within Belgium‘, Benoît Allemeersch is a seasoned litigator and negotiator whose recent engagements include multi-jurisdictional cases taken before the Commercial Court and the Court of Appeal. Géraldine Scraeyen is highly regarded for the breadth of her commercial disputes expertise, while the ‘dedicated and professionalStijn De Dier is recommended for his contentious restructuring and insolvency focus. Vincent Van Obberghen left the practice in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Benoît Allemeersch


Other key lawyers:

Géraldine Scraeyen; Stijn De Dier; Thijs Vancoppernolle


Testimonials

‘Benoît Allemeersch is an outstanding lawyer. Very smart, good risk assessment, an excellent diplomat and mediator, highly regarded by his peers, with a good network of contacts.’

‘The litigation department at Quinz has grown into one of the largest in Belgium for good reason. We work with them for all post-acquisition claims, and they have never failed to deliver excellent work at reasonable fees. Haven’t and wouldn’t consider switching firms.’

‘Benoît Allemeersch is arguably the very best in his field of work within Belgium. Special mention must go to Géraldine Scraeyen; you won’t find a more hard-working, dedicated, loyal, and competent litigation lawyer than her. Dream team.’

‘Quinz’s dispute resolution team knows how to build the case so that the client is in the best position to bring a swift and successful win, whether in settlement discussions or other legal proceedings, with their experienced grasp of the client’s business requirements and the local industry practices.’

‘Both Benoit Allemeersch and Thijs Vancoppernolle are business minded, efficient litigators who are both detail-oriented and see the big picture at all times.’

‘We have worked with Stijn De Dier for the past few years and have seen him develop into a senior leader within the Quinz team. Stijn is a very dedicated and professional lawyer.

Benoît Allemeersch is incredibly well regarded within the Belgian legal industry and has always ensured that our matters are very well covered by the Quinz team.’

‘One of the best law firms in Belgium for dispute resolution.’

Key clients

Quarzwerke/LL Holding


Consortium of contact tracing centres


Nyrstar


Belfius Bank (Arco)


Ghelamco


Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Bank of Kazakhstan


Holding Communal


Roche


Work highlights


  • Assisting Quarzwerke GmbH and LL Holding GmbH, long-term German shareholders in SCR-Sibelco NV, in 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.
  • Assisting a consortium of call centers commissioned by the Flemish government with the contact tracing of infected persons during the COVID-19 pandemic in their claims against Yource on the grounds of unjustified billing and possible fraud.

Simont Braun

Helmed by Supreme Court-admitted litigator Paul Alain Foriers and the ‘outstandingRafael Jafferali, Simont Braun is a strong choice for a mix of major public sector bodies and multinational corporations, who turn to the team for its capabilities in high-profile class actions, contentious bankruptcy proceedings, and multi-jurisdictional contractual claims. Béatrice Thieffry specialises in banking and real estate sector disputes – regularly appearing before the various Belgian courts – while Steven Callens‘ expertise is concentrated in post-acquisition, director’s liability, and shareholder disputes. Counsel Fanny Laune is a certified mediator who is also experienced in major class actions in the consumer protection and pharmaceutical sectors. Ann Frédérique Belle joined the team from DLA Piper in July 2022. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Paul Alain Foriers; Rafaël Jafferali


Other key lawyers:

Béatrice Thieffry; Steven Callens; Fanny Laune, Ann Frédérique Belle; Charles-Edouard Lambert


Testimonials

Rafaël Jafferali is an outstanding lawyer. His technical knowledge of the law is beyond any possible comparison. His advice is to the point and goes beyond legal technicalities. He is very responsive, his fees are very good value for money.’

Simont Braun has a very strong team that you can rely on in all disputes. They have deep knowledge, experience and market understanding. Steven Callens is sharp, balanced and strategic. He keeps an eye on the end result. Excellent knowledge of the law and local courts. Great capabilities in respect of matters before Belgian courts in relation to international arbitration. Fees are always more than reasonable.

Rafaël Jafferali is one of the outstanding dispute resolution practitioners in Belgium for disputes before Belgian courts. Great insight into how local courts work and will apprehend International disputes. Charles-Edouard Lambert is also excellent and up and coming on the market. Together they have achieved great results in a difficult case.’

Work highlights


  • Represented the European Commission and the 27 Member States in landmark proceedings against AstraZeneca, with the aim to accelerate the delivery of Covid-19 vaccines.
  • Representing Test Achats, a consumer organisation acting on behalf of more than 50,000 passengers, in a class action against Ryanair for the cancellation of about 200 flights in the summer 2018.
  • Representing DRS Belgium BV in group claim compensation proceedings before the Brussels Enterprise Court.

Strelia

Strelia‘s ‘reactivity, sharp analysis, and strategic advice‘ makes it a strong choice for an array of blue-chip corporates, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities in litigation and arbitration, including major class action proceedings. Practice head Jean-Pierre Fierens is regarded as an ‘outstanding‘ contract lawyer and corporate litigator, particularly in matters concerning directors’ liability. Olivier Clevenbergh‘s contentious expertise is concentrated in post-M&A and shareholder disputes, while Bart De Moor‘s recent engagements include multi-jurisdictional proceedings taken before the European Court of Justice. Other key names to note include Sébastien Ryelandt, a specialist in large-scale damages actions; experienced arbitrator Joanna Kolber; and the ‘stand out‘ insurance dispute specialist Gaetano Jannone, whose workload also comprises a number of construction and infrastructure proceedings. France Vlassembrouck joined the team from Monard law, joined by Buyle in September 2021.  All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Jean-Pierre Fierens


Other key lawyers:

Olivier Clevenbergh; Bart De Moor; Sébastien Ryelandt; Joanna Kolber; Gaetano Jannone; France Vlassembrouck


Testimonials

‘The Strelia team is one of the best I have ever met in this practice, and surely the best in Belgium. They have a deep knowledge of the practice and an unbelievable capacity to communicate, with clarity and simplicity, the complex aspects of the case.’

‘Gaetano Jannone is the individual who stands out in this practice: determined, purposeful, very quick and extremely clear in his advice. Highly appreciated by the clients.’

‘Reactivity, sharp analysis, and strategic advice.’

‘On top of his technical and legal expertise, Olivier Clevenbergh works with his heart, behaves with humanity and can be very pragmatic.’

‘Strong expertise and a commitment to involve more specialised outside experts when warranted, always resulting in high quality documents and legal advice.’

‘I work with JP Fierens who has extensive and long experience, which gives me great confidence. He is always available for questions and ensures that case analysis and court documents are of the highest quality.’

‘Jean-Pierre Fierens; very good client contact and responsiveness, his views on litigation strategy are unique, he looks beyond the law. Outstanding lawyer with great credibility.’

‘Joanna Kolber is a pleasure to work with, she goes the extra mile to defend the company’s interests. She has strong analytical and strategical skills and communicates very clearly in complex cases. Highly appreciated cooperation from both the legal department and business units.’

Key clients

ABN Amro


ACER


Ansul


Belgian State


Canon Belgium


Carrefour


City of Brussels


Credendo


Deutsche Messe


Eneco


Engie


Essity


Ethias


Flemingo International


French Republic (Ministry of Culture)


Gunvor


ING Bank


Kone


Liège Airport


Lineas


Lunch Garden


Media Markt


MSBH


Neo


Optima Bank – Members of the Board


PCS Innotec International


Photo Hall Multimedia


Rexel


(Former) Thomas Cook Belgium directors


TotalEnergies


Tractebel


Triumph Motorcycles


Veritas Group


Vesalius Biocapital


Wilson Imports


Work highlights


  • Representing the Belgian State in multi-jurisdictional litigation against sugar industry players, including proceedings before the European Court of Justice.
  • Assisting Lineas in a number of high-stakes cases with major international operators in rail transport sector.
  • Assisting Eneco in a dispute concerning mutual obligations in a futures energy contract.

Van Bael & Bellis

The Brussels-based team at Van Bael & Bellis is well-versed in all manner of court-based and arbitral dispute resolution, with distributorship disputes, damages litigation, and regulatory proceedings all forming a growing part of the group’s workload. Practice chair Catherine Longeval is praised by clients for her ‘exceptional‘ capabilities in litigious proceedings before the various domestic courts. Both Longeval and seasoned litigator Peter L’Ecluse are noted for their life sciences expertise, with L’Ecluse’s recent engagements seeing him representing major companies before the General Court of the European Union (CJEU). Counsel Koen T’Syen focuses on disputes heard before the civil and administrative courts, while senior associate Quentin Declève's recent workload concerns cross-border proceedings in the consumer goods and apparel sectors.

Practice head(s):

Catherine Longeval


Other key lawyers:

Peter L’Ecluse; Koen T’Syen; Quentin Declève


Testimonials

‘Practical lawyers with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the sensitive areas of a case.’

‘Exceptionally professional and very responsive.’

‘Catherine has been exceptional.’

‘The team is strong, sharp, responsive, and eager to provide full insight in the legal issues at hand.’

‘Excellent lawyers, hands-on, always available and well-informed’

‘Multidisciplinary practice that is able to draw on experiences from across a range of industries to quickly get to the core of the matter in a time-efficient manner. An underappreciated firm.’

‘The people are friendly and engaged and provide top-level expertise.’

Key clients

Advanced Instruments


Aktemon


Amphenol


AstraZeneca


Belgian State


Coca-Cola Euro-Pacific Partners


Duslo


Elicio


GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals


Horus Pharma


Mars


Prodimed


Schwabe Pharma


Voo (formerly Nethys)


Work highlights


  • Continuing to act on behalf of CDR-Consortium de Réalisation SA and CDR Créances SAS in an array of high-profile cases associated with the recovery of a debt exceeding Є400m, originating from a dispute in relation to the sale by Crédit Lyonnais of Mr. Tapie’s stake in Adidas.
  • Successfully represented Amphenol in legal proceedings against its former distributor Akron NV.
  • Represented Schwabe Pharma Belgium in cease-and-desist proceedings before the President of the Antwerp Enterprise Court against Depharm and Will-Pharma.

ALTIUS

Sought out by a diverse roster of blue-chip multinationals and domestic companies, ALTIUS regularly represents clients in cartel damages claims, international arbitral proceedings, and disputes concerning supply chain, distribution, and industrial liability matters. The practice is jointly chaired by Alexander Hansebout, who anchors the firm’s arbitration offering, and Christophe Ronse, a veteran commercial litigator who focuses principally on patent and pharmaceutical sector matters. Other key names to note include insolvency and administrative liability specialist Bart Heynickx, and experienced contract and sports lawyer Stijn Van Schel - both of whom were promoted to partner in September 2022. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Alexander Hansebout; Christophe Ronse


Other key lawyers:

Bart Heynickx; Stijn Van Schel


Testimonials

‘I have worked with the team on an immensely complex multi-jurisdictional dispute involving issues in insolvency, fraud and securities law. The team was always on top of things and managed it brilliantly.’

‘Alexander Hansebout stands out with his high analytical skills. Alexander always keeps calm even in the most stressful situations and provides really solid advice.’

‘Bart Heynickx is an excellent lawyer to have by your side, with his excellent command of the law.’

Key clients

Siemens Mobility


Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy


UEFA


MARS


Gilead


Merck Sharp & Dohme


Daikin


Work highlights


  • Advised FNG, a Euronext-listed fashion retail group that was facing financial difficulties.
  • Represented UEFA as a defendant in the litigation started by a Belgian agent joined by supporters of various football clubs against the ‘Financial Fair Play’ (FFP) rule imposed on clubs participating in UEFA competitions.
  • Assisting Pace Rights Management in abuse of dominant position proceedings between SABAM and approximately thirty festival and concert promoters, taken before the Court of Appeal of Brussels.

Arcas Law

Arcas Law's boutique dispute resolution practice is entrusted by an ever-broader client base comprising a number of public and private sector entities, who turn to the 'premier' team for its 'quality and track record' in cross-border litigation and ICC arbitral proceedings, with recent highlights including claimant-side class actions and insurance sector disputes. The practice is jointly led by corporate litigation specialist Karel Schulpen, the 'excellent' Brussels-based veteran trial lawyer Joost Verlinden, and the 'strategically astute' Bart Volders, whose expertise encompasses both international commercial and public law. All named lawyers are based in Antwerp unless noted otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Karel Schulpen; Joost Verlinden; Bart Volders


Testimonials

‘Bart Volders is very knowledgeable and an experienced litigator. He is particularly strong in procedural issues.’

‘Karel Schulpen is a very good and experienced lawyer; an expert in his field.’

‘Joost Verlinden is top-flight. With his analytical mind, he masters every subject.’

‘The firm is an independent litigation boutique with partners who have experience in major law firms. They still have the agility of a small firm, but are able to match the offering of large litigation firms in terms of quality, track record and responsiveness. They are an excellent value proposition.’

‘Bart Volders is an all-round experienced litigator, very clear in his analysis and a strategic thinker. He has a passion for the job, defends a matter vigorously, and is no doubt one of the best in his class.’

‘We call on boutique and niche firms only, and Arcas Law stands out as the premier litigation firm in my opinion in Belgium. They are focused and business oriented, and they provide practical solutions instead of theoretical risks and options.’

‘Bart Volders is very clever, strategically astute in his advice, and quick to respond. He has a very hand-on approach, and he managed to secure several very good outcomes over the last year. I noted that he is a lawyer who is able to engage with opponent counsel in parallel to the actual court litigation, so to find pragmatic solutions. This is what I believe the business wants.’

‘Joost Verlinden is an excellent litigator. He has a great calm resolve, combined with eye for detail and ability to communicate in a very clear way.’

Key clients

Suez


Eiffage Group


Orange


ING


Zurich Insurance


Volvo Cars


Engie Fabricom


Amlin


Deloitte


Heidelberg


AIG


UCB


McCain


EY (Ernst & Young)


AB Inbev


AXA XL Catlin


Atos Worldline


Athora


Goodlife Foods


Work highlights


  • Representing a major professional services firm 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 Test Aankoop / Test Achats in a multi-jurisdictional benchmark class action against Apple Inc. relating to planned obsolescence of iPhones.
  • Representing BAVP in a major litigation procedure involving, among others, various cable TV distributors regarding a claim for rights (compensation).

Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL

Chaired by real estate expert Gregory Lebrun, Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL is retained by a litany of blue-chip clients for its capabilities in a host of cross-border contentious proceedings, underpinned by the firm’s considerable global network of offices. Recent engagements have seen the team advising on high-profile cases taken before the various domestic courts and the European Court of Justice, representing entities from the worlds of automotive production and tech, among others. Antwerp-based counsel Michaël De Vroey is noted for his healthcare and consumer goods focus, while associate Nastassja Walschot is particularly well-versed in civil-commercial proceedings. All named lawyers are based in Brussels unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Lebrun


Other key lawyers:

Michaël De Vroey; Nastassja Walschot


Testimonials

‘The team is responsive, thoughtful, creative, and a pleasure to work with. One unique factor about Baker McKenzie is their international presence. We are able to get consistent good quality work in numerous countries.’

‘Michaël De Vroey is responsive and keeps our projects on track.’


Key clients

Google Inc.


Harley-Davidson Europe Limited


Axa XL Insurance


Orange Belgium SA


Apple Belgium SRL


Solar Turbines Europe SA


Procomcure Biotech GmbH


Menarini International Operations Luxembourg SA


Chanel SRL


VolkerWessels group


Becton Dickinson group


Van Ratingen


Hunter Douglas


Cegelec BV


Kadine (Essentiel)


Nidec Industrial Automation Belgium SA


Work highlights


  • Assisting the French head company of Orange Group in a litigation also involving Proximus SA, Orange Belgium and Irinest, against one of Orange’s former contractors, Fibreworx SPRL.
  • Representing Axa Corporate Solutions and 15 international co- and re-insurers with respect to a €30m international litigation before the Brussels Business Court.
  • Assisting and advising a leading high-tech retailer in a major construction litigation involving one of its landlords, as well as building contractors, architects, general contractors and promoter.

CMS

Leveraging its formidable global footprint, CMS‘ sizeable Brussels-based disputes group is regularly instructed by a number of blue-chip companies requiring representation in high-profile cases, including before the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Justice. Joint practice heads Renaud Dupont and Tom Heremans are both noted for the depth of their copyright, trademark, and patent expertise; Dupont’s client base is concentrated in the retail, media and chemicals sectors, while Heremans is a key port of call for major e-commerce companies and automotive companies seeking assistance in high-profile trademark proceedings. Other key names to note include Sophie Berg, whose contentious labour law expertise sees her advising on major cases for market-leading entities.

Practice head(s):

Renaud Dupont; Tom Heremans


Other key lawyers:

Sophie Berg


Testimonials

‘Excellent knowledge of the law. Always a pleasure to work with Renaud Dupont.’

‘The team is very collaborative and understands our needs for efficiency and pragmatic advice.’

‘What is important for us is the interaction and fluent communication between us. This secures a firm partnership.’

Key clients

Amazon


Airbnb


Deliveroo


Facebook


FIFA


NH Hotels


Delvaux


Mestdagh


Henkel


CHUBB


Brussels Region


A.C.P.


3M


BMT International


Hori


Goca


Tronox


Proximus


Work highlights


  • Representing two US entities of Amazon in trademark infringement proceedings against Christian Louboutin before the Brussels Court, as well as in the proceedings for preliminary ruling at the European Court of Justice.
  • Represented Airbnb in two cases for preliminary ruling before the European Court of Justice upon referral by the Belgian Constitutional Court and the Italian Council of State.
  • Succeeded on behalf of Deliveroo regarding the status’ riders who will remain independent contractors and not employees, as the Belgian labour prosecutor wished to do.

Crowell & Moring

Crowell & Moring's cross-disciplinary disputes practice is particularly noted for its expertise in IP, competition and employment litigation, acting for a broad array of well-known corporates in various high-value proceedings. The practice was recently bolstered by the arrival of new department head Werner Eyskens, a 'top-class' arbitrator and commercial litigator who joined the team from Allen & Overy LLP in June 2022. Co-managing partner Kristof Roox is a seasoned IP trial lawyer with experience before the various domestic courts, as well as the CJEU, while fellow co-managing partner Thomas De Meese is a key port of call for many of the firm's TMT clients. Other key names to note include Jan-Diederik Lindemans, an experienced commercial litigator whose recent engagements include damages claims and proceedings before the Council of State. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Werner Eyskens; Kristof Roox


Other key lawyers:

Thomas De Meese; Jan-Diederik Lindemans; Emmanuel Plasschaert


Testimonials

‘Werner Eyskens is a top-class arbitration lawyer. He is an accomplished advocate, with a charming and effective manner both in cross-examination and submissions. In addition, however, he is an effective case strategist and excellent with clients.’

‘Werner Eyskens is a standout partner. He is extremely sharp and tactical, very collegiate to work with and a fantastic addition to the team. Crowell are lucky to have him.’

‘Werner Eyskens leads his team in a particularly efficient manner, producing high-quality written submissions and first-class oral arguments and witness examinations. His defence was particularly brilliant thanks to his ability to present complex issues in a clear and concise manner.’

Key clients

DEME


Guylian


SAirGroup


Monument


DPG Media


Hexagon


Pharma Patent


Materialise


Sandoz


Telenet


Tereos Group


Vias Institute


Viatris (formerly Mylan)


Imperial Tobacco


Cofinimmo


Grafton


Uplift


Work highlights


  • Represent SAirGroup and SAirLines in proceedings concerning €2bn+ claims brought by the Belgian State and the bankruptcy trustee of SABENA.
  • Defending the overarching Belgian trade association for public event-related industries against the Belgian government and the Ministry of Public Health, in a matter relating to the regulations on ventilation- and air purification requirements of public venues.
  • Representing D’Ieteren in a bet-the-company matter concerning a recent and new class action claim brought before Court by insurance companies DAS and AG Insurance.

DLA Piper

Drawing on its significant global reach, DLA Piper‘s cross-disciplinary disputes offering handles a broad range of commercial litigation and arbitration mandates for a strong mix of market-leading corporate clients, ranging from multinational insurers to consumer goods conglomerates. The practice is jointly chaired by Bob Martens, who boasts nearly 30 years’ of experience before the Belgian and European courts, and the ‘energeticIlse Van de Mierop, a commercial litigation specialist whose broad practice focus encompasses post-acquisition disputes, contract cases, and contentious insolvency matters. Antwerp-based Pierre Berger is noted for his experience in financial services litigation and arbitration, while Joris De Vos is particularly experienced in construction, real estate, and restructuring proceedings. Counsel Charles Dumont De Chassart is also recommended. All named lawyers are based in Belgium unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Bob Martens; Ilse Van de Mierop


Other key lawyers:

Pierre Berger; Joris De Vos; Charles Dumont de Chassart


Testimonials

‘The team is willing to go the extra mile for the client, and bring a tenacious legal defence before the courts.’

‘Ilse Van De Mierop is an energetic and pleasant partner to work with. She is personally involved to steer important litigation cases in the right direction and pleads with conviction before the courts.’

‘Communicative, involved, investigative, to the point.’

Key clients

AG Insurance


Argenta Spaarbank (ASPA)


Arco Group


Aviapartner


bpost


Belfius Banque


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


Work highlights


  • Advising and successfully representing Belfius against several fraudsters in criminal and civil actions following the largest internal bank fraud committed in Belgium by a trader.
  • Representing skeyes (Belgocontrol) 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 the Belgian airspace to be closed on several occasions.
  • Advised Givaudan in litigation against ChemCom with respect to the outcome of the liquidation of a Belgian joint venture, TechnoScent.

Fieldfisher

Fieldfisher’s disputes group is praised by a number of clients for its capabilities in contentious proceedings across a diverse range of sectors. Practice chair Jean-François Germain is a highly experienced commercial litigator and arbitrator who specialises in contractual matters. Koen Van Den Broeck is a prolific advisor who brings over 30 years of experience to bear on cross-border disputes. Maxime Berlingin‘s ‘fantastic‘ knowledge of arbitration makes him a key contact for clients in CEPANI, ICC, and ad hoc proceedings, while Of Counsel Isabelle Moens de Hase‘s expertise is concentrated in contentious restructuring and insolvency, as well as commercial mediation. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Jean-François Germain


Other key lawyers:

Koen Van den Broeck; Maxime Berlingin; Isabelle Moens de Hase


Testimonials

‘We have worked with Jean-François Germain and Maxime Berlingin for several years, especially in contract law and dispute resolution. We have always experienced a very good client service ; Jean-François and Maxime are always quick to respond to all demands we may have, always providing business-oriented solutions.’

‘The Fieldfisher team has been able to assist us on different litigation cases. They are solution-oriented and provide clear advice. We were also impressed by their expertise and creativity to defend us on difficult cases. The team is also quite reachable and even proactive on some dispute cases that we have. The communication is excellent.’

‘Jean-François Germain is always able to come up with a solution. Clear and efficient.’

‘Maxime Berlingin has a fantastic knowledge of arbitration.’

‘I had several opportunities to work with Maxime Berlingin and Isabelle Moens de Hase, and to have them as opposing parties as well. They are extremely smart and brilliant lawyers, and they are hard workers. They really fight for their cases, although they always give priority to negotiation and mediation in view of an amicable settlement. It is very pleasant to work with them.’

Key clients

Pharmasimple


Casinos Austria Group


Hansard Europe Designated Activity Company


Beebonds Investors


Skeyes


AG Real Estate


Holdco


Work highlights


  • Successfully representing Pharmasimple in a dispute with Air Belgium related to the performance of Air waybills, according to which Air Belgium was in charge of the transport of surgical masks for Pharmasimple from China to Belgium.
  • Representing a group of investors who bought €2.6 million-worth of bonds for a Ghent hotel via the Belgian crowdfunding platform, BeeBonds.
  • Assisting Skeyes 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.

intui

Working across sites in Brussels and Leuven, intui‘s commercial litigation practice is regularly sought out by a mix of financial services players and corporate clients from the worlds of industrials, tech, and real estate, among others. The group is jointly chaired by Robbie Tas (who works between Brussels and Leuven), regarded by clients as ‘one of the best litigators in Belgium regarding shareholder conflicts‘, and Leuven-based Caroline Hotterbeekx, whose expertise is notably concentrated in shareholder disputes and director’s liability. Also based in Leuven, counsel Naomi Glibert  is recommended for her insurance law acumen.

Practice head(s):

Robbie Tas; Anneleen Steeno; Caroline Hotterbeekx


Other key lawyers:

Naomi Gilbert


Testimonials

‘Intui works in small, specialised teams, and the expertise, involvement and commitment of the team members is very high.’

‘Robbie is a one of the best litigators in Belgium regarding shareholder conflicts. He is very knowledgeable, and can be assertive but always respectful. The lawyer you would prefer to have at your side of the table. Balanced, thoughtful, and assertive.’

‘Caroline Hotterbeekx is very knowledgeable on the legal front and very practical on the deal side. She reads her clients and her adversary very well. Great lawyer, down to earth, very knowledgeable and fantastic to work with.’

‘For a firm of its size, the quality of expertise matches that of its bigger competitors. They are excellent in all corporate related matters.’

‘Robbie Tas is outstanding. He knows the law perfectly, but always tries to find negotiated solutions first.’

‘Robbie Tas is an experienced specialist with a great legal mind, while remaining highly approachable and down-to-earth. Composed and poised, a real trusted adviser.’

‘Caroline Hotterbeekx is a very thorough litigator with a broad experience in corporate and insolvency litigation.’

‘Robbie Tas is an absolute star in his field, in addition to being a very nice and approachable person. Great litigator who immediately sees all the strengths and weaknesses of a case. Caroline Hotterbeeckx is also an excellent lawyer, great eye for details, capable of managing very complex litigation cases.’

Key clients

Quarzwerke GmbH


Bangaram BV / Francis Ottevaere


KBC Bank


Puratos Group


Ghelamco


LRM


Easypay Group


Adecco Group


Materialise


Work highlights


  • Assisting Jan De Paepe – former director of Optima Bank – in various liability claims in connection with the bankruptcy of Optima Bank.
  • Assisting KBC Bank in a number of liability cases regarding phishing.
  • Assisting Quarzwerke GMBH and LL Holding GMBH in a liability claim against the directors of Sibelco NV, for an estimated amount of €2bn.

Osborne Clarke

Turned to for its capabilities in both commercial litigation and arbitration work, Osborne Clarke is a key port of call for clients operating in the TMT, life sciences, infrastructure, and retail sectors. Practice chair Stefan Deswert is noted for his capabilities in multi-jurisdictional commercial proceedings, with recent engagements seeing him represent manufacturers and tech companies before the various Belgian courts. Retail head Marie Canivet is a highly experienced CEPANI and ICC arbitrator, while senior associate Philippe Brabanders is noted for his experience in contract law and insolvency. Counsel Willem Henckens joined the team from Waeterinckx Advocaten in June 2022.

Practice head(s):

Stefan Deswert


Other key lawyers:

Marie Canivet; Philippe Brabanders


Key clients

Généthon


Rema Tip Top


Xerox


TCR


G2V


Coopervision


Smartbox


LB Retail


Brico


Allegis


Mamma Roma


Work highlights


  • Representing the Pioneer of the Tax Shelter in Belgium in a bet-the-company litigation against its insurers.
  • Initiated proceedings against the insurer pertaining to an environmental liability insurance concluded by our client TCR.
  • Representing Généthon in litigation concerning the performance of a patent License Agreement.

Philippe & Partners

Philippe & Partners‘ disputes practice advises on a broad spectrum of commercial litigation, arbitration, and mediation matters, focusing principally on clients operating in the insurance, banking and finance, energy, gaming, and tax sectors.  The practice is jointly led by market veteran Denis Philippe, and insurance and energy litigation specialist Marc Gouden – both of whom split their time between Brussels and Luxembourg. Pierre Moreau – who works across the firm’s offices in Brussels, Mons, and Luxembourg – is noted for his capabilities in insurance litigation, while Jean-François Libert is a key contact for disputes in the gaming and gambling sectors. Counsel Laure-Anne Nyssen is also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Denis Philippe; Marc Gouden


Other key lawyers:

Pierre Moreau; Jean-François Libert; Laure-Anne Nyssen


Work highlights


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

Schoups

Schoups' disputes practice draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the sizeable team for its capabilities across the construction, real estate, manufacturing, and finance sectors, among others. The practice is jointly led by a number of partners working across two sites; construction specialist Marco Schoups, 'exceptionally smart' arbitrator Geert De Buyzer, public procurement-focused Kris Lemmens, and construction litigator Maarten Somers operate out of the firm's Antwerp office, while the 'outstanding' Benjamin Marchandise - experienced in French and Dutch commercial disputes - is based in Brussels. Trilingual commercial litigator Liesbeth Truyens, who was promoted to partner in July 2022, is another key name to note in the Brussels office.

Practice head(s):

Marco Schoups; Geert De Buyzer; Benjamin Marchandise; Kris Lemmens; Maarten Somers


Other key lawyers:

Liesbeth Truyens


Testimonials

‘Great attention to the client’s needs and objectives. Pragmatic, and with the required practice for legal advice connected with business needs.’

‘Benjamin Marchandise has an outstanding customer focus in the approach and management of the teams.’

‘They offer flexible and solution-oriented legal services tailored to our company.’

‘Stand-out partners are Marco Schoups, Maarten Somers, and Kris Lemmens. They are all enthusiastic lawyers, each passionately interested in their specialised field, and they deliver professional, high-quality service.’

‘The dispute resolution practice offers services which are of a high added value to the customer. They quickly get acquainted with the company, the market, the products, etc. on a short term and deliver pragmatic advice and support to the client. Great value for money.’

‘Geert De Buyzer offers exceptional service to its clients and is highly customer-focused. He does not only have a broad experience, but he is also able to get familiar with the business of the client, the market, the products (even those who are technically complex) on a short term. He ensures a close follow-up of his files and offers a high availability to its clients. Furthermore, he makes sure that the fees are in line with the advice and expectations of the customer.’

‘Very strong legal knowledge, and unbeatable price and quality.’

‘Geert De Buyzer is an exceptionally smart lawyer with academic-level knowledge.’

Key clients

Carrefour


CFE Bouw Vlaanderen – MBG


CFE Infra / Aannemingsmaatschappij


Cordeel Zetel Hoeselt and Cordeel Zetel Temse


Fincimec


Work highlights


White & Case LLP

Working with a range of corporate clients, public bodies, and high-net-worth-individuals, White & Case LLP's commercial litigation department is noted for its capabilities across a range of sectors, including financial services, technology, and engineering. Practice chair Thierry Bosly - who divides his time between Brussels and Luxembourg - is regularly sought out by the firm's financial services clients for his expertise in contentious insolvencies and private equity-related matters. Olivier Vanhulst - a specialist in energy and infrastructure matters - is experienced in all manner of proceedings before the various domestic courts, while senior associate Alexandre Hublet (currently seconded to London) is noted for his CEPANI arbitration credentials. All named lawyers are based in Brussels unless stated otherwise.

Practice head(s):

Thierry Bosly; Olivier Vanhulst


Other key lawyers:

Alexandre Hublet


Key clients

Goldman Sachs


Meta


Twitter


KT-Kinetics Technology


The Confédération marocaine de l’agriculture et du développement rural


Cargotec


Hamon & Cie


Work highlights


  • Assisted Goldman Sachs with the recovery of outstanding debt from a defaulting debtor under various facility agreements.
  • Assisting Twitter Ireland and Twitter USA in court proceedings against Belgian public French-speaking broadcasting organisation and one of its journalists.
  • Represented Hamon & Cie (International) SA in a dispute brought by minority bondholders against the decision of Hamon’s general meeting of bondholders to extend the maturity of the bond loan and reduce the redemption amount and the annual coupon of the bonds.

contrast

contrast's conflict management department is regularly engaged by various blue-chip corporates and high-profile public sector bodies for its proficiency in commercial disputes and arbitral proceedings, including cross-jurisdictional damages and works contracts cases taken before the domestic courts. The practice is jointly chaired by Filip Tuytschaever, who focuses on EU, competition, and distribution law; Bart Bellen, noted for his expertise in corporate and commercial matters; and Luc Demeyere , a veteran litigator and arbitration under ICC and CEPANI rules, among others. At counsel level, competition specialist Sébastien Engelen and commercial team head Milena Varga are also recommended. Frank Wijckmans left the practice in September 2022.

Practice head(s):

Filip Tuytschaever; Bart Bellen; Luc Demeyere


Other key lawyers:

Sébastien Engelen; Milena Varga


Testimonials

‘Outstanding knowledge in competition law. Excellent understanding of our business. Precise follow up of topics and cases. Proactivity and availability and focus on conflict resolution.’

‘I value the dynamic of team collaboration. Multi-lingual and multi-disciplinary lawyers. Clear understanding of our very specific business.’

Key clients

Belgian Competition Authority


Belgian Ministry of Economy


European Commission


AB Volvo


Arvesta Group


Recytyre


Royal Excelsior Virton


Orange Belgium


Mirage Retail Group


Work highlights


  • Representing the Belgian Competition Authority in a cartel case where the BCA imposed fines over €36m on tobacco manufacturers Philip Morris Benelux, British American Tobacco Belgium, Japan Tobacco International Company Netherlands and Imperial Tobacco, for illegal information exchanges through their common wholesalers.
  • Acting as lead counsel to Orange Belgium in the interim measures case and ongoing 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.
  • Representing the Belgian Ministry of Economy in the appeal procedure filed by Proximus with the Brussels Market Court against the record fine of €66m imposed by the Belgian Competition Authority on Proximus for abuse of dominance.

Cresco Advocaten

Based in Antwerp, Cresco Advocaten's focus on commercial litigation spans a number of sectors, with recent engagements seeing the team act for key regional clients from the worlds of financial estate, real estate, media, tech, and retail, among others. Practice head Steven Daems, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, is experienced in all manner of corporate and commercial matters, including shareholder disputes and directors' liability issues. Daems works in conjunction with counsel Natalie Lemense, a seasoned litigator whose focus encompasses contract claims and IT sector proceedings. Senior associate Emilie Praet is recommended for her capabilities in IP and IT work.

Practice head(s):

Steven Daems


Other key lawyers:

Natalie Lemense; Emilie Praet; Amber Sampana


Testimonials

‘Value for money. solutions oriented.’

‘Amber Sampana; from a performance point of view and value add to the team it is definitely above what you would expect from somebody who graduated in 2020.’

‘Keen grasp of case , openness to client input on strategic approach, yet strong and unyielding on legal aspects, team players’

‘Strong and well balanced team, excellent in attitude and force in each role.’

Key clients

ROXELL


CHG-Meridian Belux


BNP Paribas Fortis


SPACEWELL – MCS


KEMIN EUROPA


Work highlights


  • Advised a Belgian payment facilities technology company and its board of directors on the winding down and subsequent bankruptcy of the company, taking into account various shareholders’ disputes.
  • Advised a Belgian serial entrepreneur on the initiation in Belgium of an international legal (multi-million euro) claim against his fellow shareholders and the previous managers of Dutch holding company.
  • Advising a payment services company on a claim relating to the termination of an agreement with a client relating to anti-money laundering.

Deloitte Legal

Sought out by a diverse range of public and private sector entities, Deloitte is well versed in both commercial litigation and mediation, with its position in the latter having been recently strengthened by the establishment of a dedicated M.C.C (Mediation, Communication, and Coaching) offering. The sizeable practice is chaired by commercial litigation lead Jurgen Egger, private client specialist Alain-Laurent Verbeke, financial services arbitrator Benoît Féron, and Glenn Hansen, a commercial litigator whose expertise include contentious insolvencies. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Jürgen Egger; Alain Laurent Verbeke; Benoît Feron; Glenn Hansen


Key clients

An organiser of dance music festivals


Willemen Groep


Lehman Brothers


Hansard Europe Designated Activity Company


The head of a Belgian public transportation company


The Belgian subsidiary of a global IT solutions provider


Sapec


Atelier Jean Regniers ASBL


Work highlights


  • Advising and representing the administrators of Lehman Brothers in Belgian court cases to recover as many assets as possible.
  • Advising 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

Laurius‘ ‘skilful and dedicated‘ disputes practice is a key port of call for a host of domestic and international clients from the worlds of financial services, private equity, transport, real estate, agriculture, and telecoms. Practice co-chair Bert Luyten is praised for his ‘impressive cross-border disputes practice‘ – notably in transatlantic matters – while fellow co-chair Karen Vermaere‘s ‘sharp-minded’ approach sees her handling a range of litigations and mediations, including a number of public procurement proceedings. Associate Zeno Vanregemorter is recommended for his experience in company law disputes. All named lawyers are based in Antwerp.

Practice head(s):

Bert Luyten; Karen Vermaere


Other key lawyers:

Zeno Vanregemorter


Testimonials

‘The lawyers we’ve worked with at Laurius are client-focused and collaborative. I admire their practical and commercial approach. We have worked with them repeatedly over the years, and I would not hesitate to call on them for any disputes involving Belgium.’

‘Bert Luyten has an impressive cross-border disputes practice, including substantial experience with US disputes.’

‘Zeno Vanregemorter is a very capable younger member of the team who handled many of the day-to-day aspects of the matter.’

‘Strong, skilled people who think two steps ahead.’

‘I have known the team now for over five years, referring various cases to them with great satisfaction for the clients. Their feedback is always positive. Laurius and in particular their DR practice for me therefore stands out for the total comfort you have in referring a case to them. They are knowledgeable, have the resources and have the profile in the market to handle similar complex cases as we handle ourselves in the Netherlands. They also know the Belgian market really well.’

‘Bert Luyten is experienced, with a very sharp sense for strategy.’

‘Karen Vermaere is  sharp-minded and great with clients.’

‘Karen Vermaere stands out for her involvement and dedication.’

Monard law, joined by Buyle

Praised by clients for its ‘highly complementary and conscientious team‘, Monard law, joined by Buyle‘s cross-disciplinary disputes offering is noted for its avowed “multi niche” approach, working with a diverse roster of renowned corporate clients operating across a number of sectors. Key names to note include the corporate and financial disputes-focused Jeroen Raskin, based between Antwerp and Hasselt; Brussels-based distribution and IP law specialist Daan De Jaeger; Ghent-based IP infringement and computer crime litigator Stephane Criel, and managing associate Tine Desie, an Antwerp-based associate with significant experience in shareholders’ disputes.

Practice head(s):

Jeroen Raskin; Daan De Jaeger; Stephane Criel


Other key lawyers:

Tine Desie


Testimonials

‘We regularly cooperate with our colleagues of Monard in cross-border cases. The hands-on approach, without any fuss and the reliable and highly practical advice, is well appreciated by us and our clients that we recommended them to.’

‘The team is very hands-on, with very high expertise and strategical insights – key for the success of many of the cases they handle since many years for us. The communication is straight forward, we never lose unnecessary time. They are very easy approachable and very reactive.’

‘We mainly work with Daan De Jaeger and his team. They are all very professional and with a high degree of expertise. They always reply very fast and their answers are very clear.’

‘Highly complementary and conscientious team with extensive knowledge.’

‘The Firm has a few very differentiating points compared to Magic Circle firms, the most noteworthy being: real and substantial involvement of the partner; very empathic and outstanding listening and probing for a thorough, deep understanding of the issues at stake; and a preference to do substantial work and problem solving without fuss. Very much value driven, honestly acting in the interests of all stakeholders in a true win-win spirit.’

‘We’ve been working with Monard for quite a few years now and have come to appreciate very highly the outstanding work they perform on a wide range of matters. What I value most is the pragmatic mindset.’

Key clients

ACA Holding NV


ACA IT-Solutions NV


Adria Benelux


BergHOFF Worldwide


Brand Jan


Continental Benelux


Copaco


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


Eurautomat


Fluvius System Operator


Group a (Belisol&Kwadro)


Hyundai Belux


Investor Protection


IVECO


Merit Capital


Napoleon Games


Primagaz Belgium (part of worldwide SHV concern)


Quanteus Group – minority shareholders of Nyrstar


Rolex


Rolex Benelux


s. Oliver


Suzuki Belgium


Terumo Europe


Van Cranenbroek


Work highlights


  • Assisting several minority shareholders of Nyrstar NV in relation to alleged fraud and mismanagement involving Nyrstar.
  • Assisting Fluvius in a series of cases relating to alleged fraud by a number of owners and installers of solar panel installations who attempted in various ways to obtain increased subsidies.
  • Assisting Rolex for anti-counterfeiting and overseeing Rolex’s (including Tudor’s) anti-counterfeiting practices in the Benelux.

Olislaegers & De Creus

Entrusted by a mix of funds, insurers, financial institutions, and other corporates, Olislaegers & De Creus represents clients in a mix of contentious matters, including cross-border contract disputes and bankruptcy proceedings. Practice co-chair Michael Olislaegers is a highly experienced corporate and financial services advisor, while fellow co-chair Kristof De Creus is noted for his 'outstanding quality' in all manner of commercial engagements, including litigation. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Michael Olislaegers; Kristof De Creus


Testimonials

‘Personal contact, high-quality, and transparent billing.’

‘We work with Kristof De Creus directly. He delivers outstanding quality in his work. His writing (in Dutch, French and English) is flawless. He keeps a neutral position and highlights all angles before taking action. He can bring every situation back to the basics, takes emotion out and keep it strictly a legal matter. He has knowledge of many legal specialties.’

‘Personal approach and professional follow-up.’

Key clients

Care Property Fund NV


Atcomex BV


Work highlights


  • Continuing to represent Atcomex in various business disputes involving the Belgian and Polish activities of Atcomex.

Seeds of Law

Steered by joint practice heads Koen De Puydt and Alain De Jonge, Seeds of Law‘s disputes practice handles both litigation and arbitration proceedings for a growing roster of SME clients, including entities from the worlds of pharmaceuticals, energy, and munitions, to name a few. Market veteran Leo Peeters is highly experienced in commercial and contract law, while the ‘excellent’ Steve Griess is noted for his capabilities in arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, particularly in franchise and distribution law matters. Ulrike Beuselinck is recommended for the breadth of her real estate expertise. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Koen De Puydt; Alain De Jonge


Other key lawyers:

Steve Griess; Leo Peeters; Ulrike Beuselinck


Testimonials

‘Steve Griess is excellent and reactive.’

Key clients

Everzinc Belgium SA


Conseils Vins SA


Willemen NV


Belleheide Center NV


Mr Willy Pauwels


Holiday Home Experts


Europêche ADF


Moneygram Payment System INC


Mr Eric Albert (Erico BV)


Paul Dehaen – Dehaen Immo


Get Air Belgium


Ring Pharma


Profile Belux


Menouquin


Destination Rally


X-RIS SRL


All-WAYS SA


Gaming 1 SRL


Intrasoft International SA


Immopass SRL


NV FEDERALE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT


SA Electro Depot Belgium


Multipharma SC


Work highlights


  • Succesfully assisted Immo De Haen in an international, multi-million post-closing dispute before a Belgian arbitration court regarding the payment of a current account and the release of a mortgage.
  • Succesfully assisted Menouquin in a dispute about the use of trade names; negotiated a settlement under the auspicies of a mediator following a court order.
  • Assisted Get Air Belgium in a dispute with the landlord about rent payments during the covid pandemic.

Verhaegen Walravens

Regarded by clients as a 'very skilled, experienced, and hands-on team', Verhaegen Walravens maintains a broad disputes practice, advising a mix of corporates from the worlds of tech, marketing, entertainment, construction, and financial services to name a few. 'Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced' practice chair Philip Walravens is a seasoned commercial litigator and CEPANI arbitrator whose recent engagements include high-value shareholder disputes taken before the Court of Appeal. Portuguese and Brazilian desk head Paula Martins Costa advises on bankruptcy proceedings and shareholder actions, while counsels Caroline Lebon and Julie Borgerhoff are noted for their respective expertise in contractual disputes and commercial law. All named lawyers are based in Brussels.

Practice head(s):

Philip Walravens


Other key lawyers:

Paula Martins Costa; Caroline Lebon; Julie Borgerhoff


Testimonials

‘Very skilled, experienced, and hands-on team. Business oriented.’

‘Philip Walravens is a very practical and experienced litigator.’

‘Philip is an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced Belgian litigator. He knows exactly how to frame an argument to best put forward a client’s position before the court. He is practical, pragmatic, thinks on his feet and never loses sight of the objective and bigger picture. He works tirelessly to achieve the absolute best possible result for the client.’

Key clients

Columbus Holdco


IBO


Procter & Gamble


Altrad


Eastman


Kamera Express


Tesa


Ferranti


Orange


Van Reeth


AIM Recycling Belgium


Monus


Atmosphere Architects


Fusiref


PHOENIXGEBERIT


AIM RecyclingEG RETAIL Belgium


Wecandance


Work highlights


  • Acting for AIM RECYCLING Belgium in a dispute which 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) who have challenged tariffs levied by SABAM.
  • Acting for FERRANTI in relation to a dispute arising from the roll-out of software package provided to ORES, an electricity grid operator.