Department profile
CMS

Competition: Domestic

Europe Guide 2026 : Belgium

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CMS

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: Domestic - Belgium

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

CMS has a prestigious domestic competition law practice in Belgium, with proven experience acting on the complainant and defendant sides of behavioural investigations carried out by the BCA. It is known for its work on behalf of major Belgian telecommunications clients, winning roles on BCA merger filings, damages actions and appeals against BCA decisions. Key lawyers offer considerable experience in matters relating to state aid, often acting for aviation sector clients or for public sector entities.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • CMS advised FIFA in the Diarra litigation in the Belgian courts on the compatibility of several principles of the FIFA player's transfer rules with competition law.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team at CMS is always very responsive and able to respond to complex matters in a well-balanced approach.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • CMS stands out for the quality of its advice, both on a legal and relational level. Its approach is marked by great rigour, excellent analytical skills and a detailed understanding of sectoral issues.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • CMS' team is responsive, proactive at listening, has knowledge of the client's DNA and offers its client the benefit of experience.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • CMS has perfect knowledge and mastery of the regulations, the issues and the interlocutors.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

  • The team's ability to combine cutting-edge technical expertise with a pragmatic approach adapted to our operational constraints is a real asset.

    Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Dirk Van Liedekerke
    Dirk Van Liedekerke

    Dirk Van Liedekerke

    Dirk Van Liedekerke attracts particular attention for his work on behalf of Belgium's most important telecoms operators. He handles merger control mandates and sensitive BCA behavioural investigations and antitrust litigation in other sectors, including sports and pharmaceuticals.

    • He has encyclopedic knowledge and deep connections.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • He combines top level expertise with a rare understanding of the business. He also has an incredible emotional intelligence to deal with top management, in-house legal team and shareholders.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • Dirk Van Liedekerke is very good, diligent, serious and experienced.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • He is our go-to for any questions.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • Dirk Van Liedekerke is very skilled and nice to work with.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope
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  • Annabelle Lepièce
    Annabelle Lepièce

    Annabelle Lepièce

    In addition to her state aid advice to aviation sector clients, Annabelle Lepièce is known for her work on behalf of predominantly francophone public bodies seeking to notify or respond to challenges to state aid measures. She also has a broader domestic competition law practice that includes advising clients on merger control and FDI filings.

    • Annabelle Lepièce demonstrates great legal rigour, combined with an excellent understanding of strategic and institutional issues.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • She is easily accessible and puts her experience to good use for the client. She knows how to react with discernment and communicate with clarity and sincerity.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • Annabelle Lepièce asks the right questions in order to be able to analyse the subject. Also, she has excellent knowledge of the rule of law.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • She was a driving force in meeting the deadlines for each of the stages of the procedures that concerned us.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope

    • Her ability to quickly analyse complex situations, structure solid reasoning and propose concrete solutions is particularly valuable.

      Competition: Domestic respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at CMS (3)

Belgium

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