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What the team is known for Esteemed Belgian firm with a varied practice across merger control, BCA behavioural investigations and state aid matters. Acts on appeals against BCA findings of cartels or abuse of dominance. Assists with third-party interventions in key domestic media sector transactions and with compliance topics relating to planned financial services joint ventures. Represents domestic clients in state aid matters relating to the Belgian excess profit ruling. Also acts for a number of public sector companies on their interactions with competition and sector regulators.
Strengths"The lawyers are very responsive and pragmatic," states one client, going on to say: "They really invest in understanding our business."
Work highlights Advised TUI Group on its challenge to the BCA's finding of a cartel among travel agencies.
Notable practitioners
Market commentators praise
Hans Gilliams for his handling of state aid cases on behalf of beneficiary companies. "He structures his arguments well and has a sharp analytical sense," states one source, adding: "He knows how the court might reason, which is helpful when you are thinking about strategy." Gilliams also advises on BCA appeals and merger clearance filings. "He makes sound, granular and strategic risk assessments in a way that is accessible to senior executives," reports another impressed interviewee.
Jan Bocken is well known among market commentators as a key figure in the firm's domestic competition practice and a "safe pair of hands for clients." He often advises on merger control issues arising from corporate transactions.