
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.

Public Institutions and Services
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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.
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Challenging aspects of the implementation of the EU’s “Third Energy Package” into Belgian law.
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Assisting in a variety of litigious as well as non contentious public procurement and PPP issues.
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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
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Assisting a leading global environmental utility to dispose of most of its Belgian waste management activities.
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Assisting a BRIC-investor to develop a new petrochemical operation in Belgium’s Flemish Region.
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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.
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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.
- Filip DE PRETER, Counsel
- Dominique DEVOS, Partner
- Ruben DEWULF, Associate
- Sven FRANKARD, Associate
- Louise JANSSENS , Associate
- Frank JUDO, Partner
- Atdhe KRASNIQI, Associate
- Lola MALLUQUIN, Associate
- Vincent OST, Partner
- Laure PROOST, Associate
- Jonathan RENAUX, Associate
- François TULKENS, Partner
- Marie UMBACH, Associate
- Bert VAN CAUTER , Associate
- Bert VAN HERREWEGHE, Senior Associate
- Jonas VAN ORSHOVEN, Associate
- Kwinten VANDEKERCKHOVE, Associate
- Damien VERHOEVEN, Partner
- Les prix anormalement bas au regard des aides d’Etat : un nouvel angle d’attaque ?
- Environmental Law Belgium – Trends & Developments
- Il sera plus aisé de privilégier les investissements durables
- Lex Mundi Global Climate Change Guide, 2020
- Environmental Law Belgium – Law & Practice
- La reconnaissance mutuelle dans le fédéralisme belge : consécration d’un principe-clef de l’Union économique et monétaire
- Part II. Form of Government, Chapter 1. General and Chapter 2. Head of State
- Het optreden van en voor minderjarigen in onderwijsbetwistingen voor de Raad van State
- Grondwettelijk Hof verbetert rechtsbescherming bij procedure Raad van State
- Structurele onbestuurbaarheid: niet onbekend, wel onbemind (noot onder RvS 4 juli 2017, nr. 238.770; RvS 4 juli 2017, nr. 238.771; RvS 10 juli 2018, nr. 242.087: RvS 10 juli 2018, nr. 242.088)
- Deontologie voor mandatarissen in het Gemeentedecreet
- De staatsrechtelijke positie van en de controle op het Comité P
- Raad voor betwistingen inzake Studievoortgangsbeslissingen verklaart zich bevoegd voor beslissingen tot toelating tot de masteropleiding in de specialistische geneeskunde: de moeilijke en gedurfde weg naar een bredere, grondwetsconforme invulling van het begrip ‘studievoortgangsbeslissing’?
- De vergeten groenten van het publiek procesrecht. Procedures inzake verzet, derdenverzet, herziening, verbetering en uitlegging
- Hof van Cassatie verklaart opvragen persoonsgegevens door politie onwettig
- Legal aspects of EU energy regulation, 2d ed. (Chapter Belgium)
- L’autorisation d’allégations de santé
- Wijzigingen aan het Bodemdecreet - de voor de notariële praktijk belangrijkste wijzingen toegelicht
- La mention obligatoire des allergènes présents dans les denrées alimentaires préemballées et son extension aux denrées alimentaires non préemballées à partir du 13 décembre 2014
- De UDN-procedure voor de RvVb: 50 shades of hoogdringendheid
- RUP mag (sport)velden openlaten
- Vleermuizenissen
- De impact van een strafrechtelijke veroordeling van een inschrijver in de selectiefase
- Europese validering van de ‘territorialiteit’ van groenestroomcertificaten: een vermeden ramp, enkele zware gevolgen en een gemiste kans
- The Government Procurement Review, Edition 2 – Belgium
- Bijzondere wetgever verduidelijkt de regeling van artikel 26, §4 van de bijzondere wet op het Grondwettelijk Hof inzake samenloop van grondrechten
- Les prix de détail de l’électricité et du gaz: incursions étatiques - trop poussées ? - dans un territoire soumis au marché
- The Government Procurement Review, Edition 1 – Belgium
- Propriété et domanialité publiques en Belgique
- Régulation des tarifs de transport et de distribution d’électricité et de gaz naturel
- Recente Ontwikkelingen in het Federaal Energierecht
- De positie van de transmissienetbeheerders in de derde Elektriciteits- en Gasrichtlijn
- Ruimtelijke ordening en stedenbouw in het Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest
- Het eerste Brusselse Gewestelijke Bestemmingsplan
- Recente ontwikkelingen inzake de Vlaamse afvalstoffen- en bodemsaneringswetgeving
- De bevoegdheid van de Vlaamse gemeentebesturen met betrekking tot huishoudelijk afval: algemeen juridische en fiscaal juridische topics
- Brownfieldontwikkeling in Vlaanderen
- De bestuurlijke lus: een catch 22?
- Grondwettelijk Hof lust de lus niet
- Trouwboekje gedeputeerde telt mee
- De (on)zin van de injunctie
- Het RSV: belofte maakt geen schuld
- Ziekenhuizen, ziekenhuisartsen en overheidsopdrachten: enkele beschouwingen
- Windturbines en clichering: Don Quichote verliest het pleit?
- Strijdpunten binnen de mede-eigendom na de wet van 2 juni 2010: de syndicus, de mede-eigenaar en het e-mailadres
- Quelques décisions jurisprudentielles relatives à l'exercice de la fonction de police
- Artikel 1 tot en met 18 van de Bijzondere Wet van 6 januari 1989 op het Grondwettelijk Hof
- Nog even wachten op de CROO. Bedenkingen over de “toezichthoudende autoriteiten of structuren
- De Franse Question Prioritaire de Constitutionnalité in zijn internrechtelijke en supranationale context
Seminars
- Belgian Real Estate: 2021 significant developments & 2022 outlook
- Regulatory seminar: Project development - tips & tricks to avoid common pitfalls
- La nouvelle réglementation sur les marchés publics - Cinq erreurs qu'il ne vaut mieux pas commettre
- Regulatory Seminar "De hervorming van den Europese richtlijnen" - "La réforme des directives européennes"
- IBJ-IJE Seminar "Les marchés publics après les nouvelles directives - vers plus de pragmatisme ?"
- IBJ-IJE Seminar "Overheidsopdrachten na de nieuwe richtlijnen – onderweg naar meer pragmatisme?"
- IBJ-IJE Seminar "Overheidsopdrachten na de nieuwe richtlijnen" - "Les marchés publics après les nouvelles directives"
- Real Estate and Retail Seminar "Centres commerciaux et retails parks" - "Winkelcentra en retail parks"
News
- 7th Annual Real Estate Breakfast Seminar - Thank you
- Liedekerke strengthens its leading position in the Chambers Europe 2022 rankings
- Liedekerke's expertise recognised by Chambers Global 2022
- Liedekerke assists the DRC in drafting agreements, allowing the construction of a deep-water port in Banana
- Liedekerke's Expertise Recognised by Leaders League 2022 rankings
- 2021 Lex Mundi Attorney-Client Privilege Guide
- Liedekerke contributes to the Public Procurement and Law guide
- Liedekerke recognised by Best Lawyers 2021 edition
- Liedekerke contributes to the Lex Mundi Global Climate Change Guide
- Liedekerke recognized by The Legal 500 EMEA in the 2021 Rankings
- Liedekerke strengthens its leading position in the Chambers Europe 2021 rankings
- Damien Verhoeven will speak at the main Belgian #energy law conference “Jaarboek Energierecht” this 17/9 in Leuven and via webinar
- New opportunity: Energy Associate
- Liedekerke contributed to the 8th edition of the Government Procurement Review
- Liedekerke contributed to the latest edition of the Jaarboek Overheidsopdrachten/Chronique des marchés publics (2019-2020)
- COVID-19, Frequently Asked Questions Update (14 May) : Employment, Consumer Law and Trade Practices, Regulatory - Environment
- Liedekerke achieves top rankings in Legal 500 EMEA 2020
- Liedekerke successfully assisted the National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) in the divestment of its two office buildings, totalling 30.500 m², and the acquisition of 50% of the Galilee building
- Liedekerke COVID-19 Resource Center
- Liedekerke recognized by Chambers Europe in the 2020 Rankings
- COVID-19 lockdown: regulatory framework in Belgium
- Liedekerke a assisté avec succès Aspria dans son projet de nouveau club sportif à Bruxelles
- Grondwettelijk hof maakt komaf met de versoepelde verkavelingsplicht en legt daarmee een bom onder reeds verleende vergunningen en afgesloten overeenkomsten
- Vereiste van het actueel belang bij een beroep tot nietigverklaring voor de Raad van State wankelt
- 6th Energy Law Group Event
- Onteigening – 1 jaar Vlaams Onteigeningsdecreet
- Who's Who Legal recognizes Liedekerke as leading law firm in Energy
- Frank Judo & Maxime Vanderstraeten speakers at Utilities Tender Day
- Registered designations in the food sector: an overview
- 9 partners at Liedekerke recommended in Best Lawyers in Belgium 10th edition
- Comment le nouveau décret sol va se répercuter sur l'immobilier wallon?
- European Economic and Social Committee aims for paradigm shift in EU food production and consumption
- Gestion des sites et sols pollués en Wallonie – nouvelle réglementation : approche technico-juridique
- Contamination des sols: nouvelle législation, nouvelles techniques de recherche et de remédiation
- Het Grondwettelijk Hof is onverbiddelijk: verkaveling met één bebouwbaar lot opnieuw vergunningsplichtig
- Strategic concerns for a Novel Food application
- Recent developments in Federal Energy Law
- Zelfrealisatie in het Vlaams onteigeningsrecht: wat we zelf doen, doen we beter?
- Liedekerke achieves excellent rankings in the Legal 500 2019
- Que faire en cas de cession d’un terrain renseigné comme (potentiellement) pollué dans la BDES ?
- Tien zaken om te onthouden uit het voorstel van decreet houdende de gemeentewegen.
- Liedekerke recognized by Chambers Europe in the 2019 Rankings
- Belgian Nutri-Score legislation (draft) focuses on voluntary character
- The Road to Zero. Het emissiehandelssysteem vandaag en tijdens het volgende decennium
- EU institutions reach agreement on unfair trading in the food supply chain
- Romain Vanderbeck obtient le Prix des bâtonniers Braun et Jakhian
- Grondwettelijk Hof verbetert rechtsbescherming bij procedure Raad van State
- Superior Health Council issues report on arsenic in food for infants and young children
- Arnaud Nuyts and Maxime Vanderstraeten contribute to the "Journal de droit européen"
- The EU Claims Regulation: easier said than done?
- Lola Malluquin et Noémie Moortgat mises à l'honneur pendant la cérémonie et proclamation des masters en droit de l’ULB
- Aurélien Vandeburie et Maxime Vanderstraeten orateurs pendant la "Grande journée d'étude marchés publics", organisée par Escala
- International Competition and Procurement Group discuss interface between competition law and public procurement law
- Aurélien Vandeburie présidera un séminaire sur les opérations immobilières, infrastructures publiques et PPP le 17 octobre 2018
- Charles Poncelet analyse le nouveau décret wallon relatif à la gestion et l’assainissement des sols dans Square Info
- Aurélien Vandeburie et Maxime Vanderstraeten participent à la conférence UB³ sur les marchés publics
- Liedekerke participe au Cercle des Investisseurs flamands d’AWEX
- Belgium Chapter in The Public-Private Partnership Law Review - Edition 4
- Prejudiciële vragen: enkele praktische topics!
- De krachtlijnen van de nieuwe regeling inzake de ontwikkeling van woonreservegebieden
- De krachtlijnen van de nieuwe bosregeling
- Belgium Chapter in The Government Procurement Review - Edition 6
- Aurélien Vandeburie orateur à une Conférence UIA à Kinshasa
- Last minute efforts count in food safety
- Jaarboek Overheidsopdrachten/Chronique des marchés publics (2017-2018)
- Damien Verhoeven spreker op de voorstelling van « Jaarboek Energierecht »
- Federale Staatsstructuur. Duiding 2018
- Grondwettelijk Hof vernietigt terugwerkende kracht vervalregeling Handelsvestigingsdecreet
- Headlines: Marchés publics - Jurisprudence de la Cour de Justice (janvier-mars 2018)
- Nouveau décret wallon relatif à la gestion et à l’assainissement des sols
- François Tulkens et Charles Poncelet orateurs lors d'un séminaire chez Comeos intitulé « Quelles nouveautés en matière d’implantation commerciale en Wallonie ? »
- Wijziging van het Onroerenderfgoeddecreet naar aanleiding van de ex post evaluatie
- Regulatory Seminar - Project development: Tips & tricks to avoid common pitfalls
- Dominique Devos gaf een voordracht binnen de reeks OtR
- Voorverpakte levensmiddelen: soms weinig verpakking en levensmiddel, maar veel tekst
- Damien Verhoeven chaired a very interesting discussion panel on the EU Clean Energy Package at the Energy Law Group 5th Energy Event in Warsaw
- Liedekerke to participate in Immorun 2017
- Stijn Maeyaert spreker op het seminarie ‘De nieuwe uitvoeringsregels voor overheidsopdrachten’
- Wet inzake vraagflexibiliteit en elektriciteitsopslag gepubliceerd
- Jaarboek Overheidsopdrachten/Chronique des marchés publics 2016-2017
- Liedekerke assisted EDF Luminus in a major claim on taxation of energy products
- Liedekerke contributes to the latest edition of the CROW-series 'Centrum voor Recht, Onteigening en Waardering'
- 5 takeaways from last week’s Public Procurement seminar
- De nieuwe publiciteitsverordening: openbaar onderzoek vanaf 30 mei 2017
- La nouvelle réglementation sur les marchés publics Cinq erreurs qu'il ne vaut mieux pas commettre
- Capita Selecta Energierecht 2016
- De Codextrein eindelijk naar het Vlaams Parlement: welke wijzigingen zijn er op til?
- Instruments de politique foncière : quelles nouveautés apporte le Livre VI du CoDT bis ?
- Vlaamse Regering keurt kaart van de ruimtelijk bedreigde bossen goed
- Prijsbepaling van afval toegelaten op basis van raming geproduceerd volume afvalstoffen
- Het Vlaamse Omgevingsvergunningsdecreet van toepassing: wat nu?
- The future of PPPs in Belgium
- Top Public Law Partners Join Liedekerke
- Liedekerke contributed to the World Bank Group’s Benchmarking Public Procurement 2017
- Overheidsopdrachten en Concessieovereenkomsten
- Nieuwe regelgeving voor de overheidsopdrachten
- Frank Judo spreker op Healthcare Tender Day
- Damien Verhoeven publishes on EU Energy Regulation for Oxford University Press
- Aurélien Vandeburie participera comme orateur à la 9ème édition du National Tender Day ce jeudi 27 octobre
- Frank Judo spreekt op Euronaval 2016
- Travaux publics, acquisitions et locations immobilières par l’Administration. Héberger les services publics au XXIème siècle
- Goede vrienden hebben geen geheimen – Vertrouwelijkheid en transparantie tijdens de uitvoeringsfase
- La nouvelle loi sur les marchés publics : adoptée mais pas encore en vigueur
- Studienamiddag: Nieuwe wetgeving overheidsopdrachten en concessies
- Le Document unique de marché européen est d’application !
- Uniform Europees Aanbestedingsdocument meteen bruikbaar !
- Aurélien Vandeburie orateur au séminaire « Loi sur les contrats de concession » organisé par l’IFE
- Aurélien Vandeburie anime un séminaire IFE « Les marchés publics d'architecture, d'ingénierie, d'études et de conseils »
- Collective actions in the energy sector
- Aurélien Vandeburie orateur au National Tender Day
- Damien Verhoeven orateur à la session d’information « réseaux fermés professionnels » coorganisée par Febeliec et l’Union Wallonne des Entreprises.
- Liedekerke is very pleased to welcome a new Environmental law partner in its Real Estate and Regulatory practice group
- Aurélien Vandeburie et Nicolas Vandamme orateurs à l’Université d’été du Notariat à Spa
- Aurélien Vandeburie orateur à l'Université Saint-Louis Bruxelles et à l'UCL Mons
- The Government Procurement Review, Edition 1 – Belgium
- Propriété et domanialité publiques en Belgique
- Liedekerke elects two new partners in Real Estate and in Energy
'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