Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Employment - Belgium
What the Team is Known For
Claeys & Engels is a market-leading employment law boutique boasting a highly regarded team spread over six offices across Belgium. The law firm has particular experience handling all aspects of large collective dismissals and restructuring processes, including representing companies in consultations with trade unions, the transfer of employees to other countries and the negotiation of social plans, voluntary separation plans and collective bargaining agreements. Team members also have notable experience handling high profile discrimination disputes. Claeys & Engels additionally advises clients on compliance with Belgian legislation regarding working conditions and remuneration.
Strengths
The lawyers at Claeys & Engels are experts in Belgian labour law. They have a lot of experience in handling complex matters, and they know and understand our business and challenges.
The team delivers a very high level of availability and flexibility.
Claeys & Engels is best in class! The team delivers practical assessments and recommendations, and is always to the point while providing all the necessary and relevant details to better understand the context.
The Claeys & Engels team is pragmatic, practical, fast and precise.
Claeys & Engels has the ability to translate complex legal terms into easy-to-understand advice.
Notable practitioners
Regarded as one of the leading employment law specialists in Belgium, Chris Engels has notable experience advising employers on collective dismissals and the transfer of employees to offices in other jurisdictions. He also represents clients in global restructurings, the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements and voluntary separation plans.
Chris Engels is totally dedicated to his work and takes care of his clients. His opinions are clear and detailed, as well as pragmatic and to the point. It is a pleasure to work with him.
Sophie Maes advises clients on compliance with Belgian legislation regarding working conditions and remuneration. She also assists employers with transfers of employees and with collective dismissals, including representing the client in discussions with the works council.
Bart Vanschoebeke is an expert. He understands the challenges of our company and the business context.
Inger Verhelst is well known for advising clients on dismissals, reorganisations, regulatory compliance, union issues and strategic HR and GDPR matters.
Managing partner Olivier Wouters is a well-known employment lawyer who offers particular expertise in collective dismissals and corporate restructurings.
Olivier Wouters is a thorough expert and a pleasure to work with.
Olivier Wouters is a solid rock we can rely on. He is very fast and professional.
Ward Bouciqué is well placed to advise on employment-related matters, including regulatory compliance issues, works council elections, workforce restructurings and redundancies. His expertise also encompasses TUPE issues and the post-merger harmonisation of employment conditions.
Ward Bouciqué is a pragmatic lawyer who has added the most value to my business. He is the only lawyer I would consider more as a contributor to revenue than a cost.