Experienced litigator Joost Everaert heads the white-collar crime and investigations team at Allen & Overy LLP, with experience acting for both defendants and claimants in a wide range of criminal proceedings. The team helps clients develop criminal defence strategies and compliance programmes and navigate negotiations and investigations, with additional competence in M&A due diligence. Senior associates Thomas Declerck and Camille Leroy are also highly regarded. Declerck has particular expertise in cybercrime and international sanctions and export controls, while Leroy represents clients in proceedings concerning corruption, money laundering, fraud, and corporate manslaughter.
Fraud and white-collar crime in Belgium
Allen & Overy LLP
Practice head(s):
Joost Everaert
Other key lawyers:
Camille Leroy; Thomas Declerck
Testimonials
‘Very driven, client-centred, pragmatic approach’
‘Thomas Declerck and Camille Leroy are very promising.’
‘Thomas Declerck is very analytical and strategic and will consider the matter from all possible angles.’
Key clients
KV Mechelen
Stibbe
The ‘experienced and professional‘ corporate fraud and criminal law team at Stibbe
has a strong reputation for its work in the range of white-collar crime matters, including corporate crime, insider trading, and corruption. The practice is headed by the ‘top-notch‘ Hans Van Bavel
, who is known for ‘clear analytical thinking‘ and ‘in depth technical knowledge‘. David Verwaerde was promoted to counsel in January 2022, and focuses on anti-money laundering. Senior associate Charlotte Conings extends the firm’s cybercrime offering, working closely with Van Bavel and drawing on multidisciplinary support from the firm’s TMT practice group.
Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
David Verwaerde; Charlotte Conings
Testimonials
‘Experienced and professional team. Multi-disciplinary and expert legal services. Internal follow-up is well organised.’
‘Hans Van Bavel is top-notch. Clear analytical thinking, in depth technical knowledge and an utmost pleasure to work with. In Belgium one of the rare lawyers in this market that has a full overview and can deliver on all aspects.’
‘To the point approach, managing expectations and giving clear and concise advice.’
‘Hans Van Bavel is one of the best in the field, combining a calm attitude with sharp knowledge.’
‘Deep knowledge of the Belgium market. Recognition and availability.’
Work highlights
- Assisting PostNL in a very high profile social-criminal case before the correctional court of Antwerp.
- Assisting the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), a government-managed sovereign wealth fund and holding company headquartered in Tripoli, Lybia, in a file related to money laundering.
- Assisting Crédit Suisse Group AG in a criminal inquiry conducted by the Federal Belgian Prosecutor. The inquiry concerns money laundering and acting as an illegal financial intermediary.
Arcas Law
Litigation boutique Arcas Law is frequently sought out by major multinationals in sectors from automotives to financial services for support in contentious white-collar criminal and civil matters. The ‘very proactive‘ team has expertise in proceedings relating to securities and tax fraud, insider trading, and corruption, and is led by Joost Verlinden and Dirk Libotte, who has experience representing clients before the Belgian Court of Cassation and the European Court of Human Rights. Also recommended is associate Niels Vos, whose practice focuses on criminal risk in the banking and finance sector.
Practice head(s):
Dirk Libotte; Joost Verlinden
Other key lawyers:
Niels Vos
Testimonials
‘Very proactive and structured team giving autonomy to young talents.’
Key clients
McCain
ABInbev
Deloitte
Brambles
SGS Statutory Services
Montea
Work highlights
- Assisting a number of American investors in European stocks in a multi-jurisdiction criminal investigation into so-called “cum ex trading” or “dividend arbitrage”.
- Assisting a major shareholder and director of an international flooring company in reaching an historic out of court settlement in a criminal investigation on charges of money laundering and forgery.
- Assisting the Belgian entity of an Australian-listed company specialised in pooling of pallets, crates and containers in proceedings against former employees and directors suspected of misappropriation of company assets.
DLA Piper
The fraud and white-collar crime practice at DLA Piper handles a range of matters at national and EU-level, with expertise in areas including anti-money laundering, gambling, and tax, financial, and environmental fraud. Joris De Vos leads the team, and has particular experience in insolvency and restructuring, where Ilse Van de Mierop is also well regarded. Bob Martens specialises in cases with complex regulatory elements, while counsel Lieven Annaert is recommended in litigation. Core growth areas include cross-border matters and cybercrime.
Practice head(s):
Joris De Vos
Other key lawyers:
Ilse Van de Mierop; Bob Martens; Lieven Annaert
Key clients
Sabena
NMBS/SNCB
OVS Home
Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT)
NV Belfius Bank
NV Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging Oostende
NV Arlimo
Argenta Spaarbank NV
NV Your Estate Solutions, in bankruptcy
Antargaz Belgium NV
Indufin
Lidl
Work highlights
- Continuing to represent Sabena in its EUR 2bn litigation (both civil and criminal proceedings), based on directors’ liability and alleged criminal infractions, in order to claim compensation for the creditors.
- Advising and representing Belfius in connection with the largest internal bank fraud committed in Belgium by a trader.
- Acting for football club NV Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging Oostende in relation to criminal and other proceedings relating to former agents and a former director.
Eubelius
Eubelius‘s criminal enforcement and compliance team handles cases relating to money laundering, financial fraud, and cybercrime and data breaches, acting for clients from first interrogation through to handling appeals before the Court of Cassation. Practice head Tom Bauwens is an ‘excellent lawyer‘, particularly experienced in criminal defence and senior associate Monica Rodriguez provides capable support across the range of litigation and compliance matters in sectors including construction and heavy industry, public services, and private security.
Practice head(s):
Tom Bauwens
Other key lawyers:
Monica Rodriguez; Camille Goldschmidt
Testimonials
‘Eubelius has a strong team, which sets the bar very high in all areas. The level of knowledge of each employee is top-notch, the communication is clear and proactive.’
‘The partner, Tom Bauwens, has a lot of experience, is there at the right time for the client, has a no-nonsense style of communication and has a clear vision. A true reference in the sector, and a true leader for his highly skilled team. Monica Rodriguez is his senior associate, she masters criminal law at a level that is unseen for someone of her age. She has the skill to handle a case at top level both procedurally and substantively. Very promising person in the area of criminal law, a top experience to work with.’
‘Great team, very easy to work with. Thorough understanding of Belgian corporate criminal crime. Hands on and very responsive. First choice in Belgium for white-collar crime.’
‘Tom Bauwens stands out, excellent lawyer.’
Key clients
Crossborder Fines
Havenbedrijf Antwerpen / Antwerp Port Authority
Matexi
Saffelberg Investment
VRT
VRT – Bart Aerts
VREG
Unilin – Mohawk International Services
De Meuter – Holding DM
NMBS
Work highlights
- Providing legal assistance to Crossborder Fines, a project of the Federal Public Service Justice, aimed at centralising and digitising the management and processing of traffic fines from end to end, in cooperation with the different stakeholders.
- Legal assistance to VRT in the context of a judicial investigation following an audit from Audit Vlaanderen.
- Legal assistance to Saffelberg Investments in the context of a judicial investigation in which the company is being accused of forgery, use of forged goods, abuse of corporate assets and abuse of trust.
Everest
Specialist business law firm Everest is home to an anti-fraud and corporate criminal law department with ‘deep strategic insight‘ into Belgian and international white-collar crime law. The firm provides full-service support to clients, from drafting and implementing fraud prevention policies to support through investigations and representation in civil and criminal litigation. The practice is led by Stijn De Meulenaer and includes senior associate Mathieu Baert, who has a niche focus on white-collar crime in the sports sector.
Practice head(s):
Stijn De Meulenaer
Other key lawyers:
Mathieu Baert
Testimonials
‘A small but effective team led by Stijn De Meulenaer.’
‘Stijn De Meulenaer is a passionate lawyer. He likes to fight in court and is not afraid of standing up against the big guys. He pleads his cases eloquently.’
‘Excellent knowledge and practical experience in the field of fraud, in particular matters that require forensic investigations. The team also stands out when it comes to legal audits.’
Key clients
Bank J.Van Breda & C°
Audit Vlaanderen
Vlaamse Interuniversitaire Raad
Province of Antwerp (Tourism)
Roj / Sterk Productions
Deminor
VDK (Belgian bank)
APK Infra
HLB
North Europe Life Belgium
Pro League
Work highlights
- Advised one of Belgium’s major banks and its fraud investigations team on the development and implementation of a new anti-fraud policy and acted for the bank as a civil party in several criminal proceedings.
- Assisting Deminor in a legal procedure for clients of Arco against the Belgian Government, Belfius, the Arco-companies and ex-director Francine Swiggers.
- Instructed by one of the world’s major sports federations’ as a civil party in an international match-fixing case involving several professional athletes.
Liedekerke
Liedekerke
‘s fraud and compliance team represents clients in internal and criminal investigations and civil and criminal court proceedings. Social security, employment, and environmental offences are a core specialism for the practice, which also provides compliance advice and assists with the filing of criminal complaints. Team lead Magda Vandebotermet has broad experience, including appearances before the criminal courts up to the Court of Cassation. Notable support comes from senior associate Margot Vandebeek.
Practice head(s):
Magda Vandebotermet
Other key lawyers:
Margot Vandebeek
Work highlights
- Assisting a client who is being prosecuted for several offences, including misuse of corporate assets and breach of trust.
- Assisting a federal Ministry in a criminal investigation concerning a procurement contract.
- Assisting a multinational involved as suspect in a criminal investigation concerning infringements to the waste legislation, helping them with preparing for all expected inquiries. |
Lydian
Lydian‘s fraud and white-collar crime practice is well regarded for its work in employee, insurance, and contractual fraud. Made up of lawyers experienced in employment, criminal, and insurance law, as well as dispute resolution, the team is co-led by Hugo Keulers, Yves Lenders, and Jan Hofkens. Keulers specialises in insurance and reinsurance, and Lenders focuses on directors’ liability and contractual fraud. Hofkens, meanwhile, is particularly recommended in employment fraud, whistleblowing, and dismissal for cause.
Practice head(s):
Hugo Keulers; Jan Hofkens; Yves Lenders
Monard Law
Experienced partner Christiaan Barbier heads the fraud and white-collar crime team at Monard Law, which combines transactional, advisory, and litigation expertise in issues including fraud, money laundering, and corruption. Barbier is competent in both litigation and negotiating settlements with tax and judicial authorities, and advises on compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. Tom Messiaen is recommended for his broad social criminal law practice, covering modern slavery, illegal contracting, and industrial accidents.
Practice head(s):
Christiaan Barbier
Other key lawyers:
Tom Messiaen; Pieter Helsen
Deloitte
Closely linked to the firm’s tax controversy offering, Deloitte Legal‘s business criminal law practice is especially strong in matters relating to tax fraud, including audits, compliance advice, and civil and criminal litigation. The team acts for victims recovering losses as well as those facing prosecution, and is led by Jürgen Egger, Annick Visschers, and Johan Speecke.
Practice head(s):
Jürgen Egger; Annick Visschers; Johan Speecke
Key clients
Gilbert Mittler (former CFO of Fortis Bank)
Hirsch & Vanhaelst
The criminal defence team at Hirsch & Vanhaelst act predominantly for executives and directors in a range of complex and multi-jurisdictional white-collar proceedings, including tax fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The team’s lawyers, led by Michèle Hirsch, are adept in litigation, with experience securing victory at the Supreme Court.
Practice head(s):
Michèle Hirsch
Other key lawyers:
Morgan Bonneure; Sophie Colmant
Strelia
Strelia
‘s fraud and white-collar crime team, led by experienced banking litigator Sébastien Ryelandt, represents victims and clients facing prosecution in matters including money laundering, market abuse and embezzlement. The team works closely with the firm’s insolvency and restructuring practice, and acts for individual directors as well as corporates and financial institutions.
Practice head(s):
Sébastien Ryelandt
Testimonials
‘Sébastien Ryelandt is an exceptional practitioner. His outstanding legal skills and experience make him truly unique.’
‘The team demonstrates expertise and initiative in fraud files.’
‘The expertise and experience developed are indispensable in complex cases that cannot be entrusted to general practitioners.’
‘We appreciate Sébastien Ryelandt’s cautious attitude, which encourages reason or amicable settlement when he considers the solution more realistic or reasonable.’
Verhaegen Walravens
Founding partner Philip Walravens heads up the fraud and white-collar crime team at Verhaegen Walravens. Regarded as ‘very experienced and knowledgeable‘, he has expertise across a broad range of contentious and non-contentious financial crime and white-collar matters for major corporate clients.
Practice head(s):
Philip Walravens
Other key lawyers:
Jacques Verhaegen
Testimonials
‘A small boutique firm with strong connection with its clients, short communication lines, and excellent partner involvement and commitment.’
‘Philip Walravens is a very experienced and knowledgeable litigator with a great reputation in white-collar work.’
Work highlights
- Representing a German company in proceedings before the Belgian Constitutional Court, in connection with the validity of Belgian criminal legislation in customs matters.
- Acted for the relative of a director of a listed company, in an investigation by the Belgian Financial Services Authority (FSMA) on allegations of insider dealing by the client.
- Acted for the relative of a director of a listed company, in an investigation by the Belgian Financial Services Authority (FSMA) on allegations of insider dealing by the client.