Among the novel contentious matters we have advised on are the first challenge before the EU courts of a European Commission dawn raid decision under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), Belgium’s first hybrid cartel case and Belgium’s first cartel settlement case.

Whether initiating or defending against actions or intervening as a third party, we design and implement strategies to help global clients achieve the best possible outcome in both public and private enforcement procedures.

Exploration of the potential use of leniency or settlement (in cartel cases) or of commitments (in non-cartel cases) is an essential component of our defence strategy advice.

Specialist areas include abuse of dominance, major cartel investigations (EU, multi-jurisdictional and Belgian), cooperation and distribution arrangements, merger control, FSR, cases involving intellectual property issues, and competition damages.

Our expertise covers investigations, appellate and other proceedings before EU and Belgian courts, as well as stand-alone and follow-on damages actions, including coordination of EU-wide actions flowing from an EC decision.

We have a coveted track record of obtaining in court the annulment of decisions and substantial fine reductions and out-of-court successful alternative forms of resolution (immunity/leniency, commitments and settlements in public enforcement cases and mediation and settlements in private enforcement cases).