Department profile
contrast

Corporate/M&A

Europe Guide 2026 : Belgium

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About

Provided by contrast

contrast has a team of experienced corporate, business and M&A lawyers, advising and representing domestic and international companies, private and publicly-held, in all aspects of their business dealings. 

The corporate and M&A practice includes (www.contrast.law/practice/corporate): 

Corporate law

  • acquisition structures
  • negotiating and drafting shareholders' agreements
  • management buy-outs
  • joint ventures
  • direct investment
  • corporate restructurings
  • corporate governance
  • unincorporated and uncommon company types
  • director/auditor liability
  • private equity
  • venture capital
  • certain aspects of accounting law
  • board room counsel, advising boards, chairmen or executive management

Mergers & Acquisitions

  • international and national M&A, including complex transactions with significant regulatory hurdles
  • providing assistance in all phases of an M&A process, including:
  • transaction structuring
  • due diligence
  • data room management
  • drafting and negotiating of transaction documents
  • closing and implementation of carve-outs
  • post-merger integration

Corporate litigation & arbitration

Closely linked to the corporate and M&A practice, contrast offers business law support to its clients (www.contrast.law/practice/commercial). 

Recent publications of corporate team include (www.contrast.law/knowledge)

  • 'Share Purchase Agreements - Belgian Law and Practice' (Intersentia),
  • 'Belgian M&A Survey' (TRV/RPS)
  • 'Belgian M&A Chronicle' (TRV/RPS)
  • 'Codex Belgian contract law' (contrast)

Industries (21)

  • Automobiles & Parts
  • Charities / Not for Profit
  • Chemicals
  • Commercial & Professional Services
  • Construction & Materials
  • Consumer Product Manufacturing
  • Education
  • Energy
  • Food & Drink Producers
  • Health Care
  • Media
  • Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  • Private Clients / Individuals
  • Real Estate
  • Retail
  • Software & Computer Services
  • Sports
  • Technology, Hardware & Electronics
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation
  • Travel & Leisure

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Belgium

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

contrast, a strong domestic law firm, advises both domestic and multinational clients on M&A transactions and corporate governance matters. The team offers additional expertise assisting clients with restructuring and commercial matters. Clients of the law firm include companies from the retail, chemical and financial services sectors. Lawyers at the firm offer further experience in competitive auction processes.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • We greatly value the relationship we have built with contrast. Its deep understanding of our business and its ability to offer practical, well-calibrated advice have been instrumental to us.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

  • I found them to be very versatile, dynamic and creative in bringing the legal and practical solutions that our complex situation required.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

  • contrast is able to navigate through complex and ambiguous environments while still making the deal happen. The team does this with great patience, professionalism and a human touch.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

  • contrast is always available and responds with great timeliness. The team always handles matters with great clarity.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

  • The team at contrast demonstrates impressive depth, both in terms of legal knowledge and responsiveness. There is always someone with the right expertise available.

    Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Bart Bellen
    Bart Bellen

    Bart Bellen

    Bart Bellen advises on a wide range of matters, with particular experience in regulatory and corporate governance questions, as well as assisting with transactional matters.

    • Bart Bellen is a thoughtful, responsive and solution-oriented lawyer, consistently adding value beyond the purely legal.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

    • Bart Bellen blends vast experience with clear, structured advice, consistently providing guidance that is both insightful and highly practical.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

    • Bart Bellen provides excellent and pragmatic advice, especially in complex matters.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

    • Bart Bellen stands out not only for his legal expertise, but also for his ability to grasp the broader strategic context in which we operate.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope

    • I like Bart Bellen's no-nonsense approach. He is always to the point and extremely clever in negotiations.

      Corporate/M&A respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at contrast (1)

Belgium

Members

Provided by contrast

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