Ashurst LLP > Brussels, Belgium > Firm Profile

Ashurst LLP Offices

Ashurst LLP
AVENUE LOUISE 489
1050 BRUXELLES
Belgium
Visit website 32 2 626 1900 32 2 626 1901

Ashurst LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Belgium > EU regulatory: Financial services Tier 2

Ashurst LLP‘s finance team has a growing regulatory practice, with market-leading expertise in structured product offerings and derivatives transactions. The team acts for a wide-ranging client base, acting for Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Barclays, and Lloyds Banking Group on complex cross-border transactions. The practice is led by Arnaud Wtterwulghe, who acts on corporate lending, real estate finance, acquisition finance, and securities and derivatives work. Bram Delmotte is key to the team.

Practice head(s):

Arnaud Wtterwulghe

Other key lawyers:

Bram Delmotte

Key clients

Goldman Sachs

Citibank

Barclays

Dexia

Tritax EuroBox plc

Natixis

Société Générale SA

Lloyds Banking Group plc

NatWest

Work highlights

  • Advised on Euroclear security agreements for a number of large banks and financial institutions.
  • Advised a number of large banks to ensure consistency of the terms of their issuance programmes with the Belgian Code of Economic Law and, in particular, the provisions in respect of unfair terms and greenwashing.
  • Advised a number of financial institutions on various Belgian regulatory issues, in particular the Belgian outsourcing notification requirements and the requirements for cross-border licences.

Belgium > Competition: Belgian law Tier 3

Belgium > Competition: EU and global Tier 3

Belgium > EU regulatory: Chemicals Tier 3

Ashurst LLP is recognised for the ‘quality and speed of work‘ offered to clients, with expertise spanning EU environmental and product regulations, and representing clients in high-profile litigation. The team, led by Denis Waelbroeck, works closely with the competition law practice of the firm. Irene Antypas is key to the team, with extensive experience advising on regulatory and compliance issues.

Practice head(s):

Denis Waelbroeck

Other key lawyers:

Irene Antypas

Testimonials

‘Good knowledge of our sector. ’

‘Irene Antypas has worked well with US lawyers and complex multinational issues involving chemical regulations. She makes EU law understandable and has demonstrated integrity.’

‘What stands out is the quality and speed of work.’

‘I have worked with Irene Antypas, and she always impresses me with her efficiency, speed and attention to detail. I highly appreciate the detail she gives in her answers, explaining her reasoning and giving alternative wordings.’

 

Key clients

FMC Corporation

ISK Biosciences

Association Internationale de la Savonnerie, de la Détergence et des Produits d’entretien (AISE)

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE)

AnimalhealthEurope

Croplife Europe

CropLife International

CropLife America

European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)

European Petrochemical Association (EPCA)

Work highlights

  • Representing Maud Tea, a major exporter of tea, in a landmark EU court case challenging EU restrictions on the use of two neonicotinoid pesticides on teas destined for EU import.
  • Representing CropLife Europe as an intervener in EU litigation brought by environmental NGOs challenging the extension of approvals of plant protection substances.
  • Advised a client from the animal health industry on a range of EU regulations affecting their supply chain, including new rules on packaging and labelling of veterinary medicines.

Belgium > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 4

The finance, funds and restructuring team at Ashurst LLP is noted for its acquisition finance practice, and boasts a client base of large international banks, corporates, and funds. Its growing expertise in innovative financial products, including cryptocurrencies, is a particular strength, as is its growing financial regulatory practice. Practice head Arnaud Wtterwulghe has longstanding experience of the market, amongst other areas handling corporate lending, real estate finance, debt restructuring, securities, and derivatives.

Practice head(s):

Arnaud Wtterwulghe

Other key lawyers:

Bram Delmotte

Key clients

Banco Santander, S.A.

Fair Market Value Capital Partners (UK) Limited

Dexia

Barclays

ANZ

BNP Paribas

Goldman Sachs

Citi

SMBC

Société Générale

Bank of America

GarantiBank International N.V.

Credit Suisse

eToro

Vauban Technologies Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised Banco Santander and BNP Paribas on providing new facilities to SigmaRoc plc to part fund their acquisition of CRH plc’s European limestone quarry businesses in Belgium, Germany, Poland, Czechia, England, and Ireland.
  • Advised Fair Market Value Capital Partners (UK) Limited on behalf of the FMV Industrial Infrastructure Fund I SCSp and TD Asset Management Inc. on behalf of the TD Greystone Infrastructure Fund SCSp on the €100m financing to support the acquisition of a 28% stake in PSA Italy and in PSA Genoa Investments NV from PSA International.
  • Assisting Goldman Sachs, Citibank, and Barclays with their notes, warrants, and certificates issuance programmes to ensure consistency of the terms hereof with the Belgian Code of Economic Law and, in particular, the provisions in respect of unfair terms.

Spain > EU and competition

Ashurst LLP‘s team frequently advises on complex and high-profile transactions, securing merger clearance from competition authorities in Spain and globally. The team excels in obtaining first and second-phase clearances, approvals subject to commitments, and handling referrals involving the EC. Litigation work continues to grow, particularly in damages claims, where the team represents both claimants and defendants. Team head Rafael Baena’s practice encompasses merger control, abuse of dominance, and cartel investigations. Javier Torrecilla and Peter Turner-Kerr are integral to the team’s success.

Practice head(s):

Rafael Baena

Other key lawyers:

Javier Torrecilla; Peter Turner-Kerr; Teresa Prado; Patricia Valenzuela

Testimonials

‘Understanding the market in which one operates is essential to ensure that assessments and approaches correspond to existing needs. Also, the teaching capacity, which allows an approach to information and teams always generating value and mutual benefit.’ 

‘Rafael Baena and Javier Torrecilla can apply pragmatic approaches that help the client make decisions. Their involvement ensures that the teams understand and internalise the proposals.’ 

‘First and foremost, what makes this firm strong is the team’s great expertise and knowledge of the subject matter. Their strengths are the number of times they have been involved in other similar cases and the experience they have gained from doing so.’ 

‘Rafael Baena is everything an in-house lawyer looks for in an external collaborator: deep and reliable knowledge of the subject, good references, respect among his colleagues, accessibility, availability and direct and easy dealings.’ 

Key clients

Union of European Football Associations

Swiss Life Holding AG

Albia Gestión de Servicios

Fédération internationale de football association

Altadis

Vontobel Holding AG

Cerberus Capital Management

Deutsche Bank

Hewlett-Packard

Elsamex

Work highlights

  • Representing UEFA in connection with all the litigation around the Superleague project.
  • Assisted Vontobel Holding AG in the regulatory clearances in Spain of the acquisition of control of Ancala Partners LLP.
  • Advised Albia in its successful abuse of dominance complaint before the regional competition authority of the Basque Country.

Ashurst LLP > Firm Profile

Ashurst is a leading global law firm with over 500 partners and a further 2,000 lawyers working across 11 different time zones. The firm’s in-depth understanding of its clients and commitment to providing exceptional standards of service has seen it become a trusted adviser to local and global corporates, financial institutions and governments on all areas of commercial law.

Ashurst has 31 offices in 18 countries and offers the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. As a global team, Ashurst has a reputation for successfully managing large and complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, disputes and projects and delivering integrated solutions that provide strategic value for clients.

The firm’s people are its greatest asset and bring together global teams of experts across legal, risk consulting and NewLaw to deliver end-to-end solutions and provide the incisive advice clients need. Our focus is on getting to the heart of clients’ commercial goals and on striving to go beyond matters of the law to deliver practical, holistic solutions.

Ashurst Risk Advisory is law firm Ashurst’s consultancy business. Launched in Australia in 2020 and expanded into the UK in 2022, the 100 strong team of highly experienced, specialist risk consultants, provide integrated and holistic solutions to clients navigating the complexities of conducting businesses globally.

With offerings aligned to financial services regulation, workplace health and safety, ESG and sustainability, data and analytics and cyber and strategic risk, the global team help to guide clients through their most important opportunities and challenges.