The dispute practice at A&O Shearman is commended for its ‘outstanding global expertise‘, with impressive capabilities across litigation, arbitration, white-collar crime, and investigations work. Clients relying on the team include leading domestic and international companies and financial institutions, with individuals in the team boasting sector expertise in energy, insurance, life sciences, and private equity. Thales Martens leads the group, specialising in restructuring and insolvency-related work. Tom Schoors is an ‘excellent partner‘ and is key to the team, as are Thomas Declerck, Lauren Rasking, and Bart De Bock.

Clifford Chance’s dispute resolution practice represents multinational corporations, leading banks, and public authorities in complex disputes. The firm has expertise across corporate, real estate, and financial litigation, along with competition litigation and ESG disputes. Euroclear, BNP Paribas, Standard Chartered, and JP Morgan are all clients relying on the team. Dorothée Vermeiren ‘excels at turning complex legal issues into practical, straightforward advice’, and is a talented litigator and arbitrator. Nathan Tulkens is ‘highly motivated and client oriented’, and integral to the team, as is Ysaline Le Paige.

Lawyers within the practice at Loyens & Loeff are commended for being ‘technically excellent‘, and frequently work on complex multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration matters. The Brussels office coordinates closely with the Dutch, Luxembourg, and Swiss offices of the firm, adding to their cross-border capabilities. A wide range of notable clients seek the expertise of the team for representation, including Pfizer, Amazon, AstraZeneca, and Meta. Hakim Boularbah is an ‘outstanding professional with impressively effective legal skills’, and leads the team alongside Olivier van der Haegen. Maria-Clara Van den Bossche is a ‘standout lawyer‘ as well as a ‘great problem-solver and strategist‘.

The disputes practice at NautaDutilh is ‘knowledgeable and practical, with a breadth of competencies‘, and particular expertise handling complex disputes across an array sectors. Key areas of focus include insolvency litigation, foreign judgment and arbitral awards enforcement, cartel damages litigation, and complex commercial disputes. The team is recognised for its work in disputes involving sovereign states. Stan Brijs leads the team with Sophie Jacmain, whose ‘broad experience helps to solve any kind of problem’. Karel De Smet is highly commended, and is ‘not only a highly skilled lawyer but also remarkably mature and professional'.

Stibbe‘s dispute resolution practice has ‘solid business acumen which is practical and solutions-oriented’, with a full-service offering covering civil and criminal litigation, alternative dispute resolution, and investigations. The team acts across a litany of sectors, including insurance, energy, chemicals, finance, and non-profit, and notably has a specialised white-collar crime subgroup. Team head Hans Van Bavel boasts ‘a lot of experience and technical knowledge’. Also integral to the team are Nicolas Résimont, noted for his ‘expertise and customer focus’, Oliver Stevens, and Sophie Bourgois,’ recognised for her ‘great analytic mind‘. Pieter Wouters is also noted.

Crowell & Moring boasts an ‘excellent, well-resourced and high-calibre team in Belgium’, representing clients in complex disputes arising from the competition, employment, corporate, and public law spaces. Clients of the team include sovereign states and well-known leading Belgian corporates. Werner Eyskens is praised an ‘accomplished advocate’ and ‘a thoughtful strategist’. Eric Montens is key to the team, frequently acting in distribution matters and product liability issues. Evelien Van Espen and Giorgia Balboa are also notable members of the practice.

The dispute resolution team at Eubelius is well-regarded for its complex litigation work, with experience in liability cases surrounding large industrial projects and public authorities’ liability. The tax litigation capabilities of the practice are widespread, with particular expertise in tax class actions. Heads of the team include Patrick Hofströssler, who focuses on complex civil and real estate-related disputes, and Ignace Claeys, with expertise in commercial arbitration. White-collar crime expert Tom Bauwens and tax litigator Svjatoslav Gnedasj also lead the practice.

Janson 'is the go-to firm’ for dispute resolution matters, boasting ‘in-depth knowledge of several industries’. The sizeable practice represents a range of clients, including notable banks and funds in matters spanning sectors, often working on complex litigation. Leadership of the team is split between Dominique Blommaert, commended for his ‘outstanding presence in the courtroom’, Cédric Alter, ‘strong litigator’ Céline Masschelein, and Didier Bracke, who is ‘tenacious, proactive, inventive and very hard working’. The practice continues to grow, with the arrival of Arie Van Hoe in July 2024.

The ‘engaging, practical, and efficient’ dispute resolution team at Jones Day represents clients in civil and commercial matters with vast expertise in both cross-border litigation and arbitration. Working closely with the antitrust practice at the firm, competition and telecom-related disputes are both key strengths of the team, which also yields impressive banking and finance litigation capabilities. Sébastien Champagne heads the team, with a focus on disputes linked to trade practices, product liability, and private enforcement. Also of note is Michèle Grégoire, who has expertise in ESG-related disputes, and experience appearing before the Supreme Court. Vanessa Foncke is ‘strategic, commercially astute and has a huge legal brain’.

Liedekerke‘s dispute resolution practice ‘combines deep expertise, meticulous attention to detail, and a client-centered approach, consistently delivering outstanding results’, with experience spanning international litigation and arbitration, as well as financial litigation and insolvency. The team is particularly skilled in the arbitration space, having acted in arbitrations under the rules of leading arbitral institutions internationally. Team head Arnaud Nuyts has expertise in this area, and is a ‘powerful and passionate advocate who delivers submissions with gusto and fights hard for his client’s case’. Also leading the team are Olivier Vanden Berghe and Roel Fransis. Bruno Hardy is ‘a very talented bilingual advocate who presents with force and conviction’.

Linklaters boast a ‘highly motivated team that excels in knowledge, experience and availability’, with expertise across multiple areas, including financial markets, consumer protection, intellectual property, and regulatory frameworks. The practice is adept at handling fraud and white-collar crime cases, as well as ESG litigation. Leading the team are Stefaan Loosveld, Xavier Taton, and Florence Danis, who is ‘simply excellent and the one you want to defend your case’.

Combining ‘clear strategy with human touch and excellent communication’, the practice at Lydian has comprehensive expertise across all aspects of dispute resolution, spanning court proceedings, mediation, and arbitration. Distribution disputes, insurance litigation, and transport-related litigation are all strengths of the team. Leading the team from the Hasselt office are the ‘responsive and efficient’ Hugo Keulers and ‘very experienced’ Jo Willems. In Antwerp, Yves Lenders leads the team alongside Brussels-based Sandra Lodewijckx and Bastiaan Bruyndonckx.

‘Very solid litigation boutique’ Quinz represents companies from a variety of sectors; its client roster includes leading financial institutions, investment funds, and energy companies in complex, cross-border disputes. Benoît Allemeersch leads the team, specialising in commercial and financial disputes, and with expertise in arbitration matters. ‘Highly skilled litigator’ Stijn De Dier also acts as head of the practice, with a focus on corporate litigation and insolvency matters. Also of note is Valérie Beckers, with a focus on contractual and tort liability.

The team at Simont Braun ‘combines deep legal knowledge with personal concern for the client’, with expertise in representing clients before all Belgian courts, as well as the Court of Justice of the European. The practice is particularly skilled at handling arbitration and mediation matters, both in Belgium and internationally. Class actions are a strength of the practice, led by Paul Alain Foriers and Rafaël Jafferali. Foriers handles complex disputes in civil, commercial, and financial law, while Jafferali specialises in tort law and cross-border disputes. Fanny Laune is also noted.

Strelia boasts ‘one of the most experienced practices in Belgium’, with specific expertise in corporate litigation. The team is skilled at handling national and international arbitrations, as well as high-value mediations. Leading the team is Jean-Pierre Fierens, a founding partner of the firm who is particularly skilled in arbitration and complex litigation. Bart De Moor has knowledge of disputes linked to insolvency, and acts as an accredited mediator, while Sébastien Ryelandt is skilled at handling banking and finance litigation, as well as class actions and white-collar crime. Olivier Clevenbergh‘s practice focuses on M&A-related disputes.

The dispute resolution practice at Van Bael & Bellis is ‘made up of highly competent professionals who, thanks to a multidisciplinary approach, are able to offer their clients a 360° service’, with expertise across domestic and multinational litigation and arbitration. Public procurement disputes, damages litigation, and regulatory disputes are all within the strong remit of the team. Team head Catherine Longeval is ‘an authority in her field yet very approachable. Also of note are Peter L’Ecluse  and Koen T’Syen.

ALTIUS yields a team of ‘excellent litigators with local knowledge’, acting across a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, media, and consumer goods. The team is noted for its expertise in arbitration proceedings, with team head Alexander Hansebout skilled in this area. Hansebout leads the team alongside Christophe Ronse, with over 30 years of experience acting in high-profile litigation. Bart Heynickx is experienced in insolvency and restructuring proceedings.

Arcas Law’s practice consists of ‘excellent litigators with local knowledge’, benefitting from its nature as conflict free, and using this to represent SME’s, foreign states, and state entities. Complex litigation, arbitration, and mediation proceedings are all within the remit of the team’s work, with litigators boasting expertise across commercial, insurance, public procurement, and white-collar law. Karel Schulpen is a ‘very good litigator who always thinks two steps ahead’, and leads the team with Bart Volders and Joost Verlinden, who is commended for his ‘very good litigation strategies and exceptional eye for detail’.

The dispute resolution practice at Baker McKenzie CVBA/SCRL ‘stands out due to its combination of expertise and client-centric approach’, with expertise acting in international disputes for leading technology and banking clients. Alternative dispute resolution is a strength of the practice, which is also adept at handling all stages of litigation, and is experienced at handling litigation related to real estate, tax, commercial, and public law. Gregory Lebrun leads the ‘pragmatic and business oriented‘ team, with particular knowledge of construction litigation. Geert Bovy and Arnoud Willems are noted.

DLA Piper‘s dispute resolution team is ‘highly client-oriented and exceptionally commercial’, and represents SME’s, international corporations, and professional unions, with experience appearing before all Belgian Courts. Arbitrations under a range of rules are another strength of the team, and it frequently acts in arbitrations under the International Chambers of Commerce, Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation, and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Bob Martens is a ‘very experienced and hands on lawyer who thinks out of the box and will go the extra mile’, and leads the team which is lauded for its ‘unique combination of knowledge, ethics, original approaches and personal application’ alongside Ilse Van de Mierop. Laurent Geelhand is recognised for his ‘deep understanding of intricate legal frameworks across borders’.

Fieldfisher‘s dispute resolution practice is ‘practical and efficient’, advising on disputes across specific fields, including commercial, corporate, competition, energy, and employment law. Shareholder disputes and regulatory compliance matters are both strengths of the practice, along with arbitration and mediation services. The department works closely with other offices of the firm, allowing it to advise on matters spanning the EU. Team head Maxime Berlingin is a ‘very good litigation specialist‘ who is commended for being ‘very proactive and efficient as an arbitrator’

Intui is recognised for its ‘business-friendly approach with a personal touch’, and is highly skilled at handling shareholders disputes and director’s liability related cases. Robbie Tas is an ‘excellent lawyer with a very good academic reputation’ and heads up the team alongside Caroline Hotterbeekx, ‘a very efficient and thorough litigator’.

The dispute resolution practice at Osborne Clarke has vast experience advising technology sector clients and major retail companies on a litany of dispute resolution work, including corporate and commercial litigation, and disputes linked to regulatory matters and insolvency. The team has a growing focus on mediation and negotiating settlements, and works closely with international offices of the firm. Stefan Deswert leads the team, specialising in retail, infrastrucutre, and logistics. Deswert, along with Louis Hoffreumon, is recognised for being ‘diligent and hard working, while remaining punctual, respectful and friendly’. Marie Canivet is key member of the team, with a focus on retail-related disputes.

Philippe & Partners is recognised for ‘its focus on building long-term relationships, driven by a genuine understanding of client values’ with experience in civil and commercial litigation, insurance litigation, and competition actions. Clients of the firm include leading insurance companies, energy suppliers, and financial sector professionals. Founding partner Denis Philippe leads the team with extensive experience as an arbitrator, along with Marc Gouden, who is particularly knowledgeable in the insurance and energy sectors.

Schoups is recognised for having the ‘flexibility and responsiveness of a dynamic, mid-sized independent law firm‘, acting in a range of contentious mandates, including arbitration, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. The firm has dispute specialists across all practice areas, including private construction, public procurement and PPP, real estate, environmental, and corporate law. Team head Marco Schoups is recognised, along with Jens Rediers, for being ‘very efficient, having a clear approach, and being consistent‘. Also of note are Maarten Somers and Kris Lemmens, who are ‘very reachable and deliver hands-on advice and assistance‘. Key lawyers include Dave Mertens, Els Op de Beeck, Benjamin Marchandise, and Liesbeth Truyens.

Andersen’s dispute resolution practice acts on high-profile, complex cases for clients across a wide range of sectors, including real estate and technology. The team is ‘recognized for its multidisciplinary approach, combining deep legal expertise with practical business strategies’. Team head Koen De Puydt is a ‘highly respected expert in real estate and corporate disputes, admired for his strategic approach and ability to guide clients through the most complex legal challenges’. Roeland Moeyersons specialises in corporate litigation and also boasts expertise in arbitration.

The practice at ASTREA is experienced across a wide range of disputes, with particular knowledge in the transport and logistics sectors. Team head Marc Van Looveren is particularly skilled in this area, with experience in liability insurance and fire casualties work. Olivier Van Fraeyenhoven also leads the team, specialising in the automotive sector. Ruud De Houwer is key to the team, acting in a wide range of international transport and maritime law matters.

At CMS, the dispute resolution team is ‘very responsive and diligent’, representing clients across a range of sectors in complex, cross-border litigation matters. Shareholders’ rights issues, unfair trade practices, and litigation spanning insurance, IP, and competition are all strengths of the team. A number of clients active in the technology industry turn to the team for advice, with members of the group routinely handling novel and significant litigation. Renaud Dupont is head of the team, specialising in copyright, trademark, and patent work. Leading the team alongside Dupont is Tom Heremans, with similar IP experience, as well as media and technology expertise.

The practice at contrast is commended for its ‘excellent legal counsel and outstanding client service’. Sports law is a strength of the practice, representing leading football clubs in complex disputes. The team is led by a number of impressive individuals, including Filip Tuytschaever, Bart Bellen, Milena Varga, Sébastien Engelen, and Benjamin Magnus. Tuytschaever has competition expertise, while Bellen is skilled at handling complex M&A-related litigation.

Cresco Advocaten acts in complex domestic and international disputes, spanning shareholder’s disputes, management liability, privacy, and data protection, representing Belgian and international companies in matters surrounding the technology, life sciences, and finance sectors. Antwerp-based Steven Daems leads the team, with expertise across shareholder disputes, directors’ liability, corporate governance, and compliance. Emilie Praet and Elyse Vandevelde are also key to the team.

Deloitte Legal is ‘adept at navigating the complexities of international law’, with a strong disputes practice that handles the full range of litigation for private and corporate clients. Working closely with the international Deloitte network of the firm, the team has developed a strong domestic and international arbitration practice. Jurgen Egger leads the dispute resolution department, advising clients on both civil and criminal cases. Annick Visschers leads the tax dispute resolution practice, and is noted alongside Alain Laurent Verbeke.

Hanotiau & van den Berg is a ‘unique boutique law firm in international arbitration’, with vast experience appearing before international arbitration tribunals, as well as Belgian and Dutch state courts. Clients relying on the expertise of the practice include Belgian and international companies, spanning SMEs to multinationals, and the practice is adept at handling cases for these clients in English, French, Dutch, and German. The practice consists of a number of impressive individuals, including Bernard Hanotiau and Albert Jan Van Den Berg, who are ‘highly experienced arbitrators with deep expertise in handling complex and high-strakes arbitration cases’.

The ‘exceptionally trained and experienced lawyers’ act across a wide range of matters, with expertise in shareholder disputes, director’s liability, and post-acquisition conflicts. Banking and public procurement litigation are further strengths of the practice. Bert Luyten and Karen Vermaere lead the ‘very professional and dedicated team’, both with over twenty years of disputes-related experience. Philippe Loix and Eline Verelst are also noted.

The dispute resolution practice at Monard Law is ‘dedicated and comprises of top-tier individuals’, representing clients across the energy, pharmaceuticals, and banking sectors. The firm has notably developed a specific ESG-focused team, with Jeroen Raskin particularly active in this space. Kristof Zadora is ‘known for and unanimously praised for his limitless dedication and unique abilities’, while Stephanie Stappers ‘has a wealth of knowledge and is an example in terms of professionalism, without losing a personable approach’. 

Simmons & Simmons is recognised for its ‘good, clear and practical approach’, with a disputes practice that appears before commercial, civil, and administrative courts. The team is particularly knowledgeable in the life sciences and financial sector, and acts across a range of industries, including technology, fashion, and food and beverage. Olivier Mignolet and Annabelle Bruyndonckx lead the team, both with over two decades of experience, with the latter particularly skilled at disputes related to healthcare and life sciences.