Representative matters

1. Representing a global pharmaceutical company in the context of “extreme urgency” suspension proceedings before the Council of State, aimed at the suspension and annulment of a tender decision of the Office de la Naissance et de l’Enfance (ONE) granted in favour of a competitor of our client.
2. Representing a global logistics company in proceedings initiated by an international organisation and the Belgian State following our client’s attachment of assets in a case which raises complex issues under international and procedural law.
3. Representing the Consortium de Réalisation (CDR) in multiple lawsuits against two Belgian companies of Bernard Tapie (GBT Holding and AMS), aimed at having these companies declared co-debtors towards CDR and attaching their assets so as to obtain reimbursement for a large sum owed to CDR by Bernard Tapie in the wake of the annulment by the Paris Court of Appeals of an arbitral award in his favour.
4. Representing a major truck manufacturer in administrative suspension and annulment proceedings before the Council of State initiated by a competitor of the client against the Belgian Ministry of Defense following the awarding of a large contract to the client.
5. Representing an IT services provider in several CEPANI arbitration procedures initiated by the vendor of a company acquired by the client for alleged breach of reps and warranties under the SPA and the alleged breach of a Management Services Agreement.
6. Representing a German meat importer in legal proceedings against the Belgian Federal Agency for Food Safety for breach of the latter’s statutory inspection duties which had resulted in illegal meat being sold from Belgium to the client.

Pro bono

Successfully representing a young patient with a rare disease in legal proceedings against the manufacturer of the only available medicine that can slow down the progress of the disease. As a result of the litigation, the patient is receiving the medicine free of charge.

Professional

1. Admitted to Brussels Bar, 1989

Academic

1. MA in European Law, Université Libre de Bruxelles 1989, high honours
2. Master of Laws, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), 1987, honours

1. International Bar Association
2. Life Sciences Practice Group (LSPG)
3. CEPANI (Belgian Arbitration Institute)
4. Brussels Pharma Law Group

1. Hall of Fame, Legal 500 EMEA – Belgium, Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences, 2025
2. Leading Partner, Legal 500 EMEA  2025 – Belgium, Dispute resolution
3. Band 2, Chambers Europe, Life Sciences: Domestic – Belgium, 2025
4. Band 4, Chambers Global 2026,  Litigation – Belgium
5. Legal Influencer Q1  & Q4 2025, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Lexology
6. Thought Leader – Healthcare & Life Sciences, Lexology 2025
7. “Catherine Longeval has a wealth of experience advising clients on complex disputes before Belgian courts relating to reimbursement and product liability. She frequently assists clients with regulatory compliance mandates and distribution issues.” Chambers Europe 2025, Life Sciences: Domestic – Belgium
8. “…an authority in her field yet very approachable.”  “Catherine Longeval is a cut above the rest, very quick, knowledgeable, asking the right questions and giving the appropriate answers. Very hands ” Clients, Legal 500 2025, Europe – Belgium, Dispute resolution
9. “…highly regarded for her extensive regulatory expertise, with a core focus on matters concerning medical devices, food and supplements, and biotech products.”  Legal 500 2025, Europe – Belgium, Industry focus: Healthcare and life sciences
10. “She is very strong at putting the matter into a context that is important for the company.”  Client, Chambers Europe 2025, Life Sciences: Domestic – Belgium
11. “…works with great expertise and full dedication.”  Client, Chambers Europe 2025, Life Sciences: Domestic – Belgium
12. “…an experienced litigator who truly shines in pleadings before the court.”  Client, Chambers Europe 2025, Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Belgium

1. Belgium chapter of Lexology In-Depth: Class Actions (May 2025): co-author with Thibaut D’hulst and Malik Aouadi
2. EU chapter of Chambers Life Sciences Practice Guide (2019): author
3. EU chapter of Chambers Life Sciences Practice Guide (2018): author
4. Life Sciences Handbook, PLC: co-author
5. Belgium chapter, Chambers’ Pharmaceutical Advertising Guide (2017): author
6. Belgium chapter, Chambers’ Litigation guide (2017): author
7. Business Law Guide to Belgium, Van Bael & Bellis, Kluwer Law International/Bruylant, (2003): contributor

1. Developments Across Europe, Global Class Actions Symposium 2025, Global Legal Group, London, 19 November 2025 (panellist discussing Belgian developments)
2. ESG compliance in action in the life sciences industry, IBA World Life Sciences Conference 2024
3. Continuing Rise of the Use of Unapproved Products: Latest Developments and a Look Ahead, EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum, Informa Connect, Brussels, May 2024 (speaker)
4. Expanding Possibilities for Off-Label Use of Medicines Before and After Marketing Authorisation, EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum, Informa Connect, Brussels, May 2022 (speaker)
5. Regulatory aspects of Car-T therapies, IBA webinar, February 2022 (moderator)
6. Legal Considerations Regarding the Use of Unapproved Products, EU Pharmaceutical Law Forum, Informa Connect, Brussels, May 2022 (speaker)
7. Off-label use: impact of the CJEU decision in Novartis Farma v. AIFA, Roche Italia and others (Avastin / Lucentis – C-29/17), ERA Annual Conference on EU Law in the Pharmaceutical Sector, Brussels, February 2019 (speaker)