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Competition: EU

About

Provided by contrast

contrast is the first independent boutique law firm in Brussels for specialised competition, corporate and commercial law advice, and for related dispute resolution.

 

Our team is the largest and most experienced independent competition & EU law team in Brussels. 

 

Our practice encompasses all aspects of competition law, from horizontal cooperation agreements and distribution agreements, over cartel investigations and compliance trainings, to merger control, foreign direct investment and state aid and foreign subsidies. Our team has a lot of experience in competition law litigation, including representation of private clients and trade federations, the Belgian Competition Authority, and the EU Commission (www.contrast.law/practice/competition).


contrast is the driving force behind the Distribution Law Center (www.distributionlawcenter.com), the go-to platform for EU and national distribution law.

 

Our publications include the standard work 'Vertical Agreements in EU Competition Law' at Oxford University Press (3rd ed) (www.contrast.law/knowledge). 




Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition: EU - Belgium

5
Band 5

What the Team is Known For

contrast has a superb reputation for its handling of top-end domestic Belgian competition law matters. It acts for complainants, defendants and third-party interveners on BCA behavioural investigations and assists with appeals against BCA decisions. The team frequently advises clients on merger clearance proceedings before the BCA and the EC. The firm also handles mandates that raise complex issues regarding vertical agreements between manufacturers and distributors and defends civil claims filed in Belgium that raise competition law arguments in relation to the termination of distribution agreements. The law firm also offers experience in behavioural investigations before the EC. It is a popular choice with clients in the automotive sector.

Work Highlights

Provided by contrast

  • contrast defended PPP in a cartel investigation before the BCA concerning allegations of collusion in the newspaper distribution industry.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

The team at contrast is very flexible, and has a pragmatic and to-the-point approach.

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

The contrast team is really fantastic.

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

The lawyers combine their experience with analytical skills.

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

The lawyers at contrast are practical, sharp, and close to the business.

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

It is an absolute pleasure to work with the contrast team. The lawyers are very service-minded, knowledgeable and responsive.

Competition: EU respondent
Europe

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Filip Tuytschaever
1
Filip Tuytschaever
1
Band 1
Filip Tuytschaever regularly represents high-profile clients before the BCA, including in merger clearance proceedings and antitrust investigations. He also advises on competition compliance, distribution networks, vertical agreements and appeals against fines for the exchange of information. Filip Tuytschaever has additional expertise in EU competition law, including particular know-how in automotive sector cases.

Filip Tuytschaever is experienced, specialised and very pragmatic. He is able to translate the needs of our company into understandable concepts.

He is one of the most appreciated lawyers we as a client have worked with.

Filip Tuytschaever is a fantastic lawyer. He knows and understands our business very well and is a nice person to work with.

He has great analytic skills and is able to explain issues and resolutions.

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Herlinde Burez
4
Herlinde Burez
4
Band 4
Herlinde Burez advises on merger filings with the BCA in relation to corporate acquisitions or joint venture agreements. She also handles compliance advisory topics, including in relation to circumstances that could give rise to issues regarding information exchange. She has additional experience in disputes connected to vertical agreements and matters related to the automotive sector.

Herlinde Burez provides highly pragmatic advice.

Herlinde Burez is very detail-oriented and pragmatic at the same time.

Herlinde remains our go-to for competition law matters. She invests a lot of time to get to know the business.

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Sébastien Engelen
U
Sébastien Engelen
U
Up and Coming

Sébastien Engelen makes his debut in the rankings following overwhelming market support and involvement in high-profile competition cases heard before the Belgium Competition Authority and Brussels Market Court. He offers specialist insight into competition matters in the sports sector.

Sébastien Engelen is a good and experienced lawyer.

A human relationship - sympathy and competence are the order of the day when you work with Sébastien.

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Ranked Lawyers at
contrast

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Belgium

Competition: Domestic
Filip Tuytschaever
1
Filip Tuytschaever
1
Band 1
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Herlinde Burez
4
Herlinde Burez
4
Band 4
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Sébastien Engelen
U
Sébastien Engelen
U
Up and Coming
View Profile
Competition: EU
Filip Tuytschaever
6
Filip Tuytschaever
6
Band 6
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Members

Provided by contrast

Filip Tuytschaever

Filip Tuytschaever

Head of Department

Herlinde Burez

Herlinde Burez

Head of Department

Sébastien Engelen

Head of Department

Industries

Provided by contrast

Automobiles & Parts

Chemicals

Commercial & Professional Services

Construction & Materials

Consumer Product Manufacturing

Food & Drink Producers

Government

Health Care

Industrial Engineering

Media

Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences

Private Clients / Individuals

Retail

Software & Computer Services

Sports

Technology, Hardware & Electronics

Telecommunications

Travel & Leisure