Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Competition: EU - Belgium
What the Team is Known For
Van Bael & Bellis has a strong EU and domestic Belgian competition law offering, with a deep bench of partners based in Brussels. It handles behavioural and merger control matters that necessitate interaction with the EC or the BCA. The law firm has notable experience in the appeal of EC decisions, having acted on significant cases for addressees of EC decisions operating in the IT sector. It assists an impressive list of life sciences and consumer goods companies with questions surrounding pricing of goods or the management of compliance programmes. Van Bael & Bellis has also secured roles acting on high-profile damages claims.
Strengths
The competition law team at Van Bael & Bellis consistently delivers sophisticated, business-focused advice on a variety of complex legal questions.
Van Bael & Bellis has seasoned lawyers both in life sciences law and in competition law, so they are very good advisers on legal matters.
Van Bael & Bellis is very up to date with case law and policy developments.
The team at Van Bael & Bellis is very responsive, and provides clear and pragmatic advice.
The team at Van Bael & Bellis comes up with practical alternative solutions when the client does not have sufficient information and resources.
Work Highlights
Van Bael & Bellis advised a leading Japanese vehicle manufacturer in the EU Commission cartel investigation in relation to end-of-life vehicles.
Notable practitioners
Jean-François Bellis is considered one of the top competition lawyers in Brussels. He has a superb reputation for his handling of CJEU and EGC litigation on behalf of the addressees of EC decisions. He is an experienced representative of clients in the technology industry.
Andrzej Kmiecik leads on behavioural investigations, including EC cartel investigations. He has further experience in competition law compliance mandates.
He exemplifies a rare blend of technical excellence and commercial insight, always delivered with interpersonal grace.
His steadfast commitment to our interests and composed demeanor - even in the most challenging circumstances - make him an invaluable and trusted adviser.
Kris Van Hove offers notable strength in assisting clients with appeals to EC decisions before the CJEU and EGC related to Article 102 investigations and cartels. His practice extends to acting on subsequent follow-on damages actions and assisting clients with compliance with the FSR.
I feel confident seeking advice from him, even on sensitive matters.
Kris Van Hove will not miss any detail. He always has his ducks in a row on strategy.
Porter Elliott plays a leading role in several of the firm's most high-value EU merger control mandates. He is also adept at advising clients on the FDI filings.