LAWYER PROFILE

Dirk Arts

Global 2026

A&O Shearman

Ranked in 1 practice area

Competition: EU

Belgium

7 years ranked

About

Provided by A&O Shearman

Global

Practice Areas

Dirk specialises in Belgian and EU competition law as well as general EU law. He advises and assists clients in administrative and judicial procedures, both before national and European authorities and courts. Dirk has particular experience within the energy, media, chemical, retail and automobile sectors. He represents clients in cartel investigations conducted by both the Commission as well as the Belgian competition authority, and advises on merger control cases.

Dirk is a member of the editorial board of Competitio and a founding member of the Belgian Association of Competition Lawyers.

Dirk has worked as a research assistant at the Institute for European Law of the KULeuven before serving as a Référendaire (legal secretary) in the General Court. He teaches Judicial Protection in the EU at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Dirk has been identified by Global Competition Review’s independent research with clients and peers as being among the world’s leading competition lawyers.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Competition: EU - Belgium

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Dirk Arts leads the firm's key domestic competition law work and has a strong reputation for handling merger filings and antitrust investigations before the BCA. He also attracts attention for assisting clients with merger matters and allegations of anti-competitive behaviour that are investigated by the EC, while his broader behavioural practice includes advice on appeals against cartel decisions and subsequent follow-on damages actions.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

It is a true pleasure to work with Dirk Arts. He has very strong expertise, is able to keep a view on the bigger picture, and is very client-oriented.
Competition: EUChambers Global Guide