International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
The International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Practice is dedicated to the prevention and resolution of complex and/or international disputes, representing clients or assisting the firm’s other practices in their litigation or arbitration work.
We represent Belgian and foreign clients both in litigation or arbitration in Belgium and abroad. We help our clients organise multi-jurisdictional claims and defence strategies.
Our team enjoys a strong reputation for complex litigation, including urgent and ex parte proceedings, mass claims, attachments and enforcement disputes.
Liedekerke also has also the privilege of counting one lawyer admitted to the Bar of Cassation among its partners.
Our team has extensive experience of handling disputes for clients in the following sectors: automotive, aeronautical (manufacturing and airlines), commodities, consumer goods and food, banking and finance, mining, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, construction, cinema. We have an excellent track record of dealing with highly complex, high-stake international disputes in the context of financial and share deals.
We have recently been involved in:
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Assisting a US hedge fund in an unprecedented garnishment order against a sovereign state in the hands of 145 financial institutions.
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Assisting one of the Middle East’s largest constructing and oil companies in handling a high profile oil dispute involving enforcement and other proceedings in more than 10 countries.
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Assisting the seller in post-acquisition arbitration regarding representations and warranties in relation to the sale of five manufacturing sites of a large US industrial group to its Japanese competitor.
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Acting as lead counsel for the largest state mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a case against a State creditor seeking to enforce its debts against the company’s assets. In a landmark decision, the Privy Council has ruled in favour of Liedekerke’s client.
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Representing an African State in ICSID (International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, World Bank Group) arbitration proceedings relating to the alleged violation of international treaty standards of investment protection.
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Representing one of the world largest contractors in an ICC arbitration in relation to a USD 1.6 billion infrastructure-project in Qatar.
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Assisting an Asian hedge fund to enforce, in less than five weeks, an ICC arbitral award by (i) obtaining an ex parte Order appointing a custodian to manage the award debtor’s assets and (ii) forcing the award debtor to repatriate its foreign funds to Belgium for collection under the award.
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Assisting one of the world’s leading concession and construction groups with the successful enforcement of an ICC Arbitral Award against a sovereign state by means of an unprecedented garnishment order served on the Central Bank of that sovereign state.
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Assisting US plaintiffs in obtaining evidence in Europe ("US style" witness depositions).
Our team boasts a unique inter-disciplinary composition. Our six partners, supported by highly qualified associates, offer an exceptional depth of experience and knowledge of domestic and international procedure, private international law and international public business law together with excellent knowledge of foreign markets and cultures, especially in the English-speaking world.
Our team also includes two of just twenty Belgian lawyers admitted to the Bar of Cassation.
- Charlotte BASTIN, Associate
- Aimery DE SCHOUTHEETE, Partner
- Julien DEGROOFF, Associate
- Roel FRANSIS, Partner
- Bruno HARDY, Senior Associate
- Louis HOLLANDERS, Associate
- Estelle IRAMBONA, Associate
- Esther LANOTTE, Associate
- Martin MEEÙS, Associate
- Arnaud NUYTS, Partner
- Stefaan RAES, Partner
- Glenn SMET, Associate
- Lucy STEWARDSON, Associate
- Luc VAN DEN BON, Senior Associate
- Beatrice VAN TORNOUT, Associate
- Magda VANDEBOTERMET, Partner
- Jurisprudence belge relative au droit international public (2012-2017)
- Arrêt "Achmea" : une décision de principe ?
- Liedekerke contributed to the Belgium chapter of the 2017 edition of “GAR’s Enforcement Know-How”
- Les responsabilités en matière de transport sous température dirigée
- Questions stratégiques liées aux clauses prévoyant une procédure préalable à l'arbitrage
- Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution
- Congo - D.R. - International Arbitration 2nd Edition
- Liedekerke contributes to the 2nd edition of ‘Global Legal Insight – International Arbitration’ - Belgium chapter
- Liedekerke contributes to the 2nd edition of ‘Global Legal Insight – International Arbitration’ - RDC chapter
- L'article 1412quinquies du Code Judiciaire: les immunités internationales codifiées ou malmenées par le législateur?
- Back to the CJEU’s Gazprom judgment : anti-suit injunctions, arbitration and Brussels I
- Des discriminations en matière de point de départ du délai de prescription des actions en responsabilité contractuelle et extracontractuelle(*)
- Litigation partner Hakim Boularbah contributes to Thomson Reuters’ Class Actions Global Guide
- Getting the Deal Through – Dispute Resolution 2014
- Cross-Border Class Actions : The European Way
- Commentaire de la décision du Tribunal Pénal International pour le Rwanda The Prosecutor v. Jean Mpambara
- Headline Litigation, Corporate & Finance: Proposed rules on collective actions under Belgian law
- Dispute Resolution 2013 - Belgium
- Sections belges relatives au droit commercial et au droit du travail
- Fair and Equitable Treatment, Max Planck Encyclopedia of Public International Law
- Le caractère autolimité de la loi du 13 avril 1995 relative au contrat d’agence commerciale
- Pourvoi en cassation en matière civile
- Les procédures de recours collectif existant à l’étranger
- Droit international des affaires
- Dispute Resolution 2012 - Belgium
- R.P.D.B., Complément, Tome XI, v° Pourvoi en cassation en matière civile
- Le Code judiciaire est-il adapté ( en l'état actuel) aux actions tendant à la réparation d'un préjudice de masse?
- Chapitre belge sur le droit social dans l’édition 2011 de Business Operations in Belgium.
- Requête unilatérale et inversion du contentieux
- International Franchise Sales Law (Belgium chapter)
- Chronique de jurisprudence du Tribunal Pénal International pour le Rwanda
- International Litigation in Intellectual Property and Information Technology
- The Enforcement of Jurisdiction Agreements
- Le règlement communautaire sur l'obtention des preuves
- The immunity of International Organizations Confronted with Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights
- Obtaining Evidence in Belgium
- Taking of Evidence in the European Union under EC Regulation 1206/2001
- The Doctrine of Forum Non Conveniens
- La nationalité des personnes morales en droit international public
- “Arbitration and Brussels I Regulation: Before and After West Tankers”
- “Les procédures spécifiques en droit de l’énergie. Questions choisies”,
- “Le droit européen des recours contre les autorités nationales de régulation: vers une restriction de l’autonomie procédurale des Etats membres”
- “European Public Policy in Commercial Arbitration: Bridge over Troubled Water?”
Seminars
- IBJ-IJE Seminar "Internationale contracten en conflicten"
- IBJ-IJE Seminar "Contrats et litiges internationaux" - "Internationale contracten en conflicten"
News
- Liedekerke recognized by The Legal 500 EMEA in the 2021 Rankings
- Liedekerke strengthens its leading position in the Chambers Europe 2021 rankings
- Liedekerke recognized in the 2021 Chambers Global Rankings
- Lucy Stewardson speaker at 28th World Forum of Mediation Centres
- Lucy Stewardson speaker at 28th World Forum of Mediation Centres
- Liedekerke is delighted to announce the promotion of Bruno Hardy and Davy Vandenbussche to Senior Attorney
- Liedekerke recognized in the 13th edition of GAR 100
- Liedekerke achieves top rankings in Legal 500 EMEA 2020
- Liedekerke assisting with ground-breaking Virtual Court Trial
- Liedekerke COVID-19 Resource Center
- Liedekerke recognized by Chambers Europe in the 2020 Rankings
- Liedekerke authors the Chapter on Construction Arbitration in Europe in the GAR European Arbitration Review 2020
- Liedekerke successfully assists Reynders Etiketten N.V on an application by Reckitt Benckiser (India) for appointment of an arbitrator on behalf of Reynders Etiketten
- 9 partners at Liedekerke recommended in Best Lawyers in Belgium 10th edition
- Liedekerke achieves excellent rankings in the Legal 500 2019
- Liedekerke recognized in the 12th edition of GAR 100
- Liedekerke recognized by Chambers Europe in the 2019 Rankings
- Arnaud Nuyts speaks at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL)
- Liedekerke’s Competition law practice recommended in the 19 Edition of Global Competition Review’s GCR 100
- Aimery de Schoutheete and Chloé Stassart contribute to the Chambers Employment 2019 Global Practice Guide
- Liedekerke prendra la parole au colloque de l'Université Catholique de Louvain: "Le nouveau Codes des sociétés et des associations commenté"
- International Competition and Procurement Group discuss interface between competition law and public procurement law
- Enforcement actions of collateral by creditors under bankruptcy and judicial reorganisation proceedings
- Liedekerke proud sponsor of the Young ICCA-CEPANI40 Skills Training Workshop
- Liedekerke to attend the IBA Annual Conference in Rome
- Hakim Boularbah speaker at the Second Annual Enforcement of Arbitration Awards in Amsterdam on 21 September 2018.
- Liedekerke contributed to the 2018 edition of “Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution”
- Liedekerke included in the GAR100
- Hakim Boularbah participera à la table ronde organisée par la Cour internationale d'arbitrage de la chambre de commerce internationale - CCI et La Française International Claims Collection
- Arnaud Nuyts speaker at the Jura Falconis Conference 2018
- Les Codes Thématiques
- Update: draft bill on the extension of the access to collective claims to SMEs
- Stefaan Raes Chair of Panel on EU Damages Directive at CDR Winter Competition Litigation Symposium on 22 February in London
- Liedekerke’s International Arbitration team has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal – Arbitration 2018
- Litigation and Arbitration Client Alert: Preliminary draft bill on the extension of the access to collective claims to SMEs
- Getting The Deal Through - Dispute Resolution 2017
- The Class Actions Law Review 2017
- Global Legal Insights – International Arbitration
- Roel Fransis speaker on the enforcement and realisation of a pledge under the new Act on Security Rights on Movable Assets
- Au secours, un Etat dans mon arbitrage!
- Procédure Civile Européenne 2017
- Recognition of Liedekerke’s international expertise in Chambers Global 2017
- CETA approved by Trade Committee MEPs
- Class/collective actions in Belgium
- Doing Business 2017 : Equal Opportunity for All
- La stratégie dans l'arbitrage international
- Commentaar Gerechtelijk Recht
- Regards croisés sur le principe du contradictoire
- Liedekerke contributed to the “Global Arbitration Review – Enforcement 2016.”
- Liedekerke to attend the IBA 2016 Annual Conference
- Getting the Deal Through: Dispute Resolution
- Hakim Boularbah invité de l'émission radio Le Forum de Midi Première
- États généraux du droit médical et du dommage corporel
- Hakim Boularbah orateur au colloque "Etats généraux du droit médical et du dommage corporel"
- Hakim Boularbah parmi les lauréats des Diwan Awards 2015
- Hakim Boularbah interviendra lors du lunch-causerie de la Revue DAOR du 15 octobre prochain sur le thème de l'entreprise face au(x) consommateur(s) et l'impact du Code de droit économique sur les litiges de consommation.
- Hakim Boularbah orateur au colloque de l'AEDBF le 8 octobre
- Hakim Boularbah orateur à l'après-midi d’étude "Le mandat dans la pratique notariale et la procédure civile" organisée à l'Ulg
- Arnaud Nuyts, Speaker at ICC Conference in Paris on 23 May 2014
- Liedekerke voted best Litigation and Arbitration Law Firm of the Year
- Liedekerke promotes its talents
- Dispute Resolution 2013 – Belgium
- Liedekerke honoured "Litigation and Arbitration Law Firm of the Year" at the Belgian Legal Awards
- Hakim Boularbah, Head of the Liedekerke Litigation and Arbitration Department, appointed Professor of Civil Procedure at the University of Liège
- Corporate Intl Magazine 2011 Global Awards: Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year in Belgium
- Hakim Boularbah receives the Lucien Campion prize
'"open-minded and able to comprehend complicated legal structures of a foreign legal system. They are always available, immediately answer our questions and are always open to discussing new issues emerging in the course of the proceedings.'.
'Aimery de Schoutheete represents commodity traders and engineering companies in international arbitration proceedings. He frequently advises clients on disputes involving Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A market source notes that de Schoutheete is "very courteous and handles the matter very well."'.
'Arnaud Nuyts is an experienced counsel who represents clients from both the public and private sector in international arbitrations, including regarding the enforcement of arbitral awards, contractual disputes and investment disputes. One client appreciates that Nuyts is "capable of planning ahead and thinking in a strategic way." Another source emphasises that Nuyts is "absolutely brilliant" in arbitration.'.
-- Chambers Europe & Chambers Global Dispute Resolution / Arbitration 2021
‘Arnaud Nuyts is a formidable advocate and excellent strategist. He enjoys enormous respect from very senior judges and arbitrators and is trusted and listened to when he discusses difficult points of law‘. ‘Bruno Hardy is extremely competent, thorough, well organized and a quick-thinker‘. ‘Bruno Hardy is a very promising up and coming lawyer, able to master highly complex disputes‘.
-- Legal 500 Dispute Resolution 2020
Clients commend the "excellent" team for its "great mix between thorough legal knowledge and skills, and practical mindset and commercial awareness."
Sources admire the "well-informed and very strong lawyers" for "providing prompt and succinct advice."
Aimery de Schoutheete represents multinational corporations and state-owned entities in commercial disputes and international arbitrations. He has particular expertise assisting clients with Congolese law matters. He is hailed by one client as "a very seasoned and sharp lawyer who combines thorough legal knowledge and skills with a very practical approach.“
Arnaud Nuyts specialises in international arbitration concerning contractual breaches and administrative law issues. Nuyts handles cross-border disputes in relation to the enforcement of arbitral awards. A client adds: "His legal reasoning was superb, the argument itself was superb," and also highlights his diplomatic approach.
-- Chambers Europe & Chambers Global Dispute Resolution / Arbitration 2020
Aimery de Schoutheete is described by one client as "very proactive and able to provide very accurate advice."
-- Chambers Global 2018
Senior figures include Arnaud Nuyts, who has "a great eye for detail", and Aimery de Schoutheete.
Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick is "the best in Belgium" and provides "unmatched responsiveness and quality of service"
-- Legal 500 - 2018
"Well-regarded practice with a strong reputation for international public law disputes and arbitrations and a particular focus internationally on matters involving Africa."
Clients appreciate the firm's advice, saying that it "answers very quickly. The quality of the opinion they give is excellent. They give you real guidance with a very clear analysis of the case law and the circumstances you are in as a client."
Aimery de Schoutheete is described by clients as an "expert in commercial law and litigation cases" and a "highly experienced professional"
-- Chambers Europe - 2017
“Obvious market leader”
-- Legal 500 Dispute Resolution 2016
boulevard de l'Empereur 3 Keizerslaan - 1000 Brussels - Belgium
T: +32 2 551 15 15 - F: +32 2 551 14 14
VAT - BE 0478 065 191
