Dispute Resolution

Overview

Our priority is to help our clients solve matters quickly and amicably so that business relations can be maintained. However, there are occasions when litigation becomes unavoidable, and our Brussels team includes experienced litigators across multiple disciplines. We offer pragmatic, commercial advice and support to our clients based on a thorough understanding of their businesses.

We represent clients in commercial disputes before all the civil and criminal Belgian courts and before the Court of Justice of the European Union. We are particularly strong in resolving multi-jurisdictional cross-border disputes both within Europe and involving the U.S. We also act before all the relevant administrative bodies and are well known for our arbitration experience.

Distribution Disputes

Our team regularly litigates in distribution-related disputes before national courts and national and international arbitration panels. We assist clients in claims related to termination indemnities; the parallel trade or transit of luxury goods and spirits; the validity or invalidity of non-competition clauses; product defects and liability; and price fixing and maintenance claims.

In collaboration with our competition law colleagues, we also support our clients when issues arise in relation to selective or exclusive distribution networks, pricing policies (also in a dominance context), and vertical and/or horizontal cooperation agreements.

Product Compliance and Liability

We help our clients to comply with the numerous rules and regulations that affect their businesses, and we counsel and represent them when questions of damage and liability arise.

The firm has one of the largest Dispute Resolution teams in any international law firm in the country. This makes them well versed to handle all major disputes. Experienced local lawyers are providing excellent advice to international clients. The value for money is unprecedented.

— Legal 500 EMEA, Dispute Resolution

Contacts

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Werner Eyskens
Partner
- Brussels
  - D | +32.2.214.2870
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Kristof Roox
Partner
- Brussels
  - D | +32.2.282.1843
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Thomas De Meese
Partner
- Brussels
  - D | +32.2.282.1842
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Insights

Firm News | 2 min read | 03.14.24

Chambers Ranks Crowell Lawyers and Practices in 2024 Europe Guide

Chambers and Partners has ranked five Crowell & Moring practice groups and seven individual lawyers in the Chambers Europe 2024 guide.

Firm News | 3 min read | 02.15.24
Chambers Ranks Crowell Practices and Lawyers in 2024 Global Guide
Speaking Engagement | 11.17.23
"Colloquium on ESG and International Commercial Arbitration Beyond the Acronyms," CEPANI conference, Brussels
Speaking Engagement | 09.13.23
"Post M&A Disputes and Arbitration," 2023 NAI Annual General Meeting, Netherlands Arbitration Institute, The Hague

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Representative Matters

Assisted an industrial manufacturer in a claim for compensation for approximately 5.5 million euro in damages brought by the adverse party on the basis of an alleged hidden defect in industrial machinery sold by our client.
Represented the Belgian government in a high-profile case concerning short-stay visas and the correct application of Belgian immigration law.
Represented a major telecommunications services provider in arbitration concerning termination of a software development contract; brought nullity proceedings against the arbitral award.
Represented a major player in the automotive sector in cases linked to claims related to fraudulent emissions software.
Represented a laminate flooring producer in arbitration concerning breach of license agreement for alleged patent infringement; brought nullity proceedings against the arbitral award.
Challenged the European Commission before the CJEU on its classification of “reverse payment” patent settlement agreements as cartel-like per se.
On behalf of a U.S. client, obtained the disclosure of its adversary’s banking documents in judicial proceedings involving a €3 million claim.
Brought infringement, invalidity, and related proceedings on behalf of major pharmaceutical companies concerning vaccines and generic medicinal products.
Since 2013, Crowell & Moring lawyers have been involved in more than 40 cases before the CJEU.