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Regulatory

Liedekerke boasts an elite regulatory practice providing the highest level of advisory and litigation services to private and public sector clients. It covers all of Belgium’s federal and regional entities thanks to its truly culturally diverse, multilingual teams.

Our regulatory practitioners are experts in public institutions and services as well as in the various areas of economic regulation, assisting both private and public sector entities. We are particularly recognised for our skills in environmental, zoning and planning, energy and public procurement regulations.

Apart from our team’s autonomous expertise, our regulatory practitioners seamlessly join forces with the firm’s other practices especially on M&A and real estate transactions. 

Frank JUDO
Partner, Head of Practice
f.judo@liedekerke.com
T : +32 2 551 15 47



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Public Institutions and Services

  • Acting on a variety of disputes pending with the new Flemish regional administrative jurisdiction (“Raad voor Vergunningsbetwistingen”) on issues implying restrictions of the powers of the federal Council of State.
  • Challenging aspects of the implementation of the EU’s “Third Energy Package” into Belgian law.
  • Assisting in a variety of litigious as well as non contentious public procurement and PPP issues.
  • Maintaining a presence in the practice areas which are at the crossroads of constitutional (i.a. institutional), sector-specific regulatory and general practices (e.g. commercial and criminal law).

 

Economic Regulation

  • Assisting a leading global environmental utility to dispose of most of its Belgian waste management activities.
  • Assisting a BRIC-investor to develop a new petrochemical operation in Belgium’s Flemish Region.
  • Assisting a number of utilities across a variety of industry sectors to secure their “licences to operate” either through legal lobbying support work or by representing them in administrative and contentious procedures.
  • Acting on a series of litigious cases regarding energy, planning and zoning and environmental matters, pending with Belgium’s various constitutional, administrative, civil and criminal jurisdictions.

Seminars

News

What others say about us

'Efficient and reliable advice in the right timeframes.’

‘Good understanding of our needs and requests. Well-developed explanations and advice.’

‘Damien Verhoeven is one of the top energy lawyers in Belgium; not only does he know everything, he also has a clear view on everything. He has been focusing on this area since the liberalisation of the energy market started. Having regard to the ever-growing complexity of European, federal and regional regulation, such a background is key to understanding it and still making it work. We also appreciate his team of highly skilled lawyers, which he promotes a lot.’

-- Legal 500, Energy 2021

'top of the market'.

'very pragmatic and considered'.

'very thorough understanding of the public laws, regulations and jurisprudence'.

'Dominique Devos advises public sector clients and private companies on waste management and contamination matters, as well as zoning and environmental permitting. He represents clients in high profile disputes concerning climate change regulations. A client comments that Devos "delivers good quality legal assistance. He is also just very pleasant to work with, very proactive, transparent and easily accessible."'.

'Filip De Preter acts for clients on contentious and non-contentious zoning and environmental permitting matters, with one interviewee enthusing that he is "very good in litigation."'.

'François Tulkens represents clients in high-profile regulatory disputes and pollution litigation. He acts for clients from the TMT sector on public procurement matters. He also has notable experience in environmental and urban planning matters.'.

'Frank Judo moves up in the rankings on the back of positive feedback, with a client enthusing that he "always puts the broader business strategy and objectives in front." He represents clients in disputes concerning public procurement, as well as the regulation of the transport and pharmaceutical sectors. He acts for both corporate clients and public bodies. A client attests that Judo is "extremely competent and is one of the best in terms of knowledge," adding that he is "very agreeable to work with and very practical."'.

'Vincent Ost enters the rankings this year on the back of positive client feedback, with one reporting that he has "the gift of being able to explain a complex matter fairly simply." He represents public sector clients in PPP and procurement disputes. Ost also has experience in non-contentious matters.'.

-- Chambers Europe Planning and environment public law 2021

pragmatism, good understanding of Belgian as well as EU energy regulations, and good insight from both the local and European perspective.'.

'Damien Verhoeven is a pre-eminent expert in the energy sector. His work encompasses matters crucial to the future of energy, including renewables, nuclear phase-outs, capacity remuneration mechanisms, carbon capture and hydropower projects. His clients include large utilities companies, as well as public sector clients. Clients report that "he is highly efficient and understands the needs of energy companies."'.

-- Chambers Europe Energy 2021

‘Damien Verhoeven and his team are swift, comprehensible, creative, and have an in-depth knowledge that is incomparable to anyone else.‘

-- Legal 500 Energy 2020

‘This law firm is known to be one of the best independent law firms in Brussels. Although environmental law is complex, and the issues can be very broad, the team has the knowledge and the experience to understand the different issues. The partner we work with is Dominique Devos. He has broad environmental law experience and he also understands the practical issues very well. He asks the necessary questions in order to gather all the relevant information and understand the scope of the problem. The advice that is given is very well drafted, clear and comprehensive‘

-- Legal 500 Environment 2020

Clients praise the firm for being "creative in developing arguments," adding that the lawyers "really look after their clients."

Another client praises the firm as "excellent," highlighting its "great reach, even beyond Belgium."

Clients "can think of no better expert in Belgium" than Damien Verhoeven , stressing that "he is so knowledgeable and client-friendly." He has a broad range of experience advising clients on PPAs, regulatory compliance and major renewable power projects.

-- Chambers Europe Energy 2020

One client enthuses that "the main strengths of the team are excellent knowledge, fast reactivity and a highly customer-oriented approach."

Others stress that "the lawyers are reliable, pragmatic, efficient, fast and always available and ready to react."

Dominique Devos acts for both domestic and international clients on a broad range of environmental matters, including litigation on noise pollution. Clients praise him for being "very hands-on," adding that "he is very informal and very knowledgeable, giving everyone straightforward advice."

Filip De Preter is praised by one client for his "very strong knowledge of the Flemish permit procedures." He is well known for acting for investors and developers on the environmental aspects of PPP projects.

François Tulkens "maintains very high standards in public law," according to one satisfied client. He assists public bodies with files relating to complex regulatory questions, including pollution, licence applications and constitutional matters. Tulkens also advises clients on urban planning and environmental permitting procedures.

-- Chambers Europe Environment 2020

One client enthuses that "the main strengths of the team are excellent knowledge, fast reactivity and a highly customer-oriented approach."

Others stress that "the lawyers are reliable, pragmatic, efficient, fast and always available and ready to react."

François Tulkens "maintains very high standards in public law," according to one satisfied client. He assists public bodies with files relating to complex regulatory questions, including pollution, licence applications and constitutional matters. Tulkens also advises clients on urban planning and environmental permitting procedures.

Frank Judo "is a really good lawyer," according to interviewees. He represents a range of public clients in procurement and PPP projects, as well as public law disputes.

-- Chambers Europe Public Law 2020


Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick
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
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