Belgium

AKD Belgium is a full-service law firm with repute in cross-border counsel buoyed by a worldwide Friends Network. As exponents of Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg law, the practice is mandated to advise international M&As, litigation, energy transition and data privacy. Head of department is partner Werner Heyvaert.    

Recent activity involved cross-border real estate reorganisation with family planning dimensions in a lucrative deal. Litigation for two Belgian entities of a global automotive group pursuant to tax return filing featured in conjunction. 

Arteo Law is a Brussels-based independent boutique law firm founded in 2020. They focus on three delineated practice areas pertaining to tax litigation, wealth and estate planning and Supreme Court procedures. Transactional M&A is a recurrent mandate for cross-border cases. As a member of Taxand, the firm has coverage spanning 50 jurisdictions. The tax practice features seven partners and fourteen fee earners. Key contacts are partners Daniel Garabedian, Steven Peeters and Stéphane Wilmet.

The firm recently represented a client in a Supreme Court Appeal on a pivotal transfer pricing assessment within the context of intragroup debt restructuring. A carved-out business transaction was completed for third-party investment.

Partner Xavier Pace joined the practice in April 2021 from the public prosecutor’s office. Outbound partner Pierre Desenfans departed to Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick in November 2020.

Delanote Law is a newly established highly specialised law firm. The firm was founded by Mark Delanote. Practice focus is subdivided into three distinct specialisms: criminal tax litigation before the CJEU, multinational tax strategy and estate planning for HNWIs.

Recent activity involved general corporate tax advice pertaining to demergers, share deals, asset deals and permanent establishments for an aerospace client. Counsel was provided in a criminal procedure on VAT and excise duties claims.

Eubelius is renowned for a blended advisory suite which combines M&A and real estate with landmark criminal enforcement controversy. Although clients are traditionally derived from Belgian midmarket companies, most custom stems from real estate developers. Key contacts are partners Wouter Claes, Svjatoslav Gnedasj and counsel Korneel Decroix.   

The firm recently served as counsel in the establishment of a pan-European payments process and post-acquisition structuring for assorted Belgian real estate investment trusts. Bpost received litigation advice on advertising materials before the Council of State.

Liedekerke’s tax department offers the full spectrum of tax services across transactional tax matters together with dispute resolution and litigation. The firms multidisciplinary approach combines three partners with five associates before the Supreme Court with regular mandates from international multinationals and HNMWs. Corporate restructuring and executive incentive plans are notable strengths. Key individuals are partners Lievin De Wulf and Pierre Desenfans.

The team recently advised transactional structuring for TTR Energy in the acquisition of a renewable wind farm portfolio. Wealth management funding for HNWIs was advised in an internationally renowned bank transaction.

Partner Lievin De Wulf arrived from Simont Braun in February 2020 with Pierre Desenfans from Arteo in November 2020.

Loyens & Loeff offers transfer pricing services across the Benelux region, with closely linked teams in all regions. The Belgium team is led by Natalie Reypens, who is a recognised expert in corporate and international tax law. Five other professionals assist her in the team.

The tax team advised on a Brexit related restructuring cooperation which converted a UK LLP into a Dutch Coop model, obtaining tax rulings on sensitive cross-border dimensions. A US multinational received a transfer pricing audit with Belgian withholding tax exemptions.   

Partner Xavier Clarebout retired from the taxation practice in December 2020.

Stibbe is an integrated taxation practice with a full-service suite across the Benelux region with a special focus on transactional tax, real estate tax, financial services tax, and litigation. Head of department Wim Panis is a leading VAT specialist supported by ten additional fee earners.

The team concluded a series of landmark transactions to successfully completion. Avista Capital Partners were counselled in the acquisition of a 50% stake in Vision Healthcare. On equity finance they assisted BNP in one of Belgium’s first car leasing securitisation deals.

White & Casehas industry distinction for transactional work with capacity for advisory work interspersed with contentious mandates. Domestic and cross-border activity is burnished by dual-qualified practitioners in Belgian and Luxembourg law which is a market differentiator. Private equity and HNWI estate planning remain key operational pillars. Local partner Christophe Goossens is the main contact.

The tax team represented global sponsor IK Investment Partners on its bid for the acquisition of Innovad, a Belgian company producing animal food additives. It advised on the cross-border financing and tax aspects of the transaction. The firm also represented equity fund Oaktree Capital Management in a €115.2 million transaction of extraordinary size in the French hotel market.