About

Provided by Van Bael & Bellis

Please visit Van Bael & Bellis’ website for more information on our extensive work in this field: http://www.vbb.com/competition

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Competition: Domestic - Belgium
2
Band 2
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 third-party interveners or addressees of EC decisions operating in the IT, aviation and sports sectors. It assists an impressive list of life sciences or consumer goods companies with questions surrounding pricing of goods or the management of compliance programmes. Van Bael & Bellis has also secured roles acting on phase II EC merger investigations and is active in cartel cases and subsequent damages claims.

Work Highlights

Provided by Van Bael & Bellis
  • Van Bael & Bellis advised Japan Airlines on its appeals of the EC's decision in the Airfreight cartel case, as well as on damages actions before EU courts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
Jean-François Bellis
S
Jean-François Bellis
S
Senior Statespeople

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 either intervening third parties or the addressees of EC decisions. In addition to handling mandates in the technology arena, he is an experienced representative of clients in the sports industry.

"Jean-François Bellis remains one of the most outstanding lawyers in the field."

"He is an extremely impressive person."

"He is one of the most eminent competition lawyers in Europe."

Peter L'Ecluse
3
Peter L'Ecluse
3
Band 3

Peter L'Ecluse defends insurance or life sciences clients in BCA behavioural investigations. He also advises third-party interveners on objections to proposed mergers. He has further experience in Belgian follow-on damages cases.

"Peter L'Ecluse is a brilliant guy. He is a good litigator and very tough to fight against."

"He is a very kind and nice person."

Andrzej Kmiecik
4
Andrzej Kmiecik
4
Band 4

Andrzej Kmiecik leads merger control mandates, with proven experience acting for interested parties on transactions that are subject to phase II review. Andrzej Kmiecik also acts on behavioural investigations and damages claims following EC cartel decisions.

"Andrzej Kmiecik's expertise and customer-oriented approach are outstanding."

"He is the first person to call if I want a quick, intuitive answer or if we have a highly strategic, high-stakes issue. He delivers."

Kris Van Hove
4
Kris Van Hove
4
Band 4

Kris Van Hove's practice includes appealing EC decisions before the CJEU and EGC related to Article 102 investigations and cartels, as well as acting on subsequent follow-on damages actions.

"He gives me a good impression immediately, is very solid and goes deep into the details. At the same time, he is someone with whom it is easy to communicate and he has an open mind to consider aspects of the case that we have not seen."

"If I want to speak to Kris Van Hove, he is always available."

"Due to his excellent legal skills and his clear understanding of what is legally required, what is objectively feasible and what is economically desirable for the client, he ensures that clients always get the best possible results."

"Even in the most complex situations, he remains on top of things and achieves optimal solutions."

Porter Elliott
4
Porter Elliott
4
Band 4

Porter Elliott plays a leading role in several of the firm's most important EU merger control mandates, frequently assisting third-party interveners with major merger investigations, or with merger notifications as part of remedies packages.

"Porter Elliott is a complete package of knowledge, skill, practicality and strategic thinking."

"It is great to work with Porter Elliott. He has deep knowledge but also a very client-friendly attitude."

Markus Wellinger
6
Markus Wellinger
6
Band 6

Markus Wellinger acts for third-party interveners on EU merger filings, as well as appeals against abuse of dominance investigations.

"He is very talented and clever."

"He understands business alongside his excellent knowledge."

"Markus Wellinger is absolutely fantastic with the lawyer-client relationship. He is extremely responsive and makes me feel like my questions are top priority. He is really great, responsive, reactive and proactive."

Ranked Lawyers at
Van Bael & Bellis

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Belgium

Competition: Domestic

Peter L'Ecluse
3
Peter L'Ecluse
3
Band 3
Competition: EU

Jean-François Bellis
S
Jean-François Bellis
S
Senior Statespeople
Andrzej Kmiecik
4
Andrzej Kmiecik
4
Band 4
Kris Van Hove
4
Kris Van Hove
4
Band 4
Porter Elliott
4
Porter Elliott
4
Band 4
Markus Wellinger
6
Markus Wellinger
6
Band 6

Members

Provided by Van Bael & Bellis

Andreas Reindl

Charlotte Nassogne

Martin Favart

Michael Clancy

Richard Burton

Stephanie Reinart

Tim Kasten