Competition: Domestic
Europe Guide 2024 : Belgium
Band 2
Contact number
+32 2 743 69 00Chambers Review
CMS has a well-regarded 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 and waste management clients or for public sector entities.
Work Highlights
- CMS acted for Rexel on obtaining unconditional merger clearance for its acquisition of Trilec before the BCA.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"CMS has demonstrated great professionalism and quality analysis for complex cases, with solutions and enlightening options."
"The CMS team is built on technical abilities and field experience to encompass all dimensions of the issue."
"It provided the right balance between rigorous and technical analysis and a hands-on approach driven towards results."
"The CMS team's responses are excellent, swift and to the point. It offers practical advice."
"CMS is very aware of the commercial environment in which its clients exist and tailors its advice to the needs of the client."
"CMS has demonstrated great professionalism and quality analysis for complex cases, with solutions and enlightening options."
"The CMS team is built on technical abilities and field experience to encompass all dimensions of the issue."
"It provided the right balance between rigorous and technical analysis and a hands-on approach driven towards results."
"The CMS team's responses are excellent, swift and to the point. It offers practical advice."
"CMS is very aware of the commercial environment in which its clients exist and tailors its advice to the needs of the client."
Notable Practitioners
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 contentious behavioural matters.
"She has perfect and precise knowledge of this matter, is up to date and gave us really good advice."
"Annabelle Lepièce is very available and responsive, and provides very developed and clear opinions."
"She is very clear and can act very quickly with a clear position and appropriate advice, even during emergency times."
"Annabelle Lepièce delivers a pragmatic and hands-on approach and is driven towards solving issues with the right balance between hard and soft skills."
"She is an excellent lawyer with excellent research and analytical skills."
Dirk Van Liedekerke attracts particular attention for his work on behalf of Belgium's most important telecoms operators. He also handles merger control mandates and sensitive BCA cartel and behavioural investigations into other sectors, including sports and pharmaceuticals.
"Dirk Van Liedekerke is a pragmatic competition lawyer with tons of experience."
"He is very good technically."
"He did a really good job in drawing attention to certain points."
Ranked Lawyers at
CMS
Belgium