Leading Belgian Firm to Launch in UK, Cites Post-Brexit Opportunities
Van Bael & Bellis will set up a three-partner office with one a hire from Baker McKenzie.
June 29, 2020 at 04:30 AM
3 minute read
Philippe de Baere, Van Bael & Bellis
Leading Belgian law firm Van Bael & Bellis is set to launch a three-partner office in London citing post-Brexit legal opportunities in the market.
The firm, which currently has bases in Brussels and Geneva, is set to start operations in September subject to official approval by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The office will consist of three partners including the firm's managing partner Philippe de Baere and competition partner David Hull who will share their time between London and Europe.
A third partner, Alexandros Stratakis, joins from Baker McKenzie where he is currently an of counsel.
The new office will be based on Chancery Lane, with a focus on international trade and customs law, UK and EU competition law, and public international law, according to the firm.
In a statement, managing partner De Baere commented: "Companies will increasingly need advice on the implications of the UK exiting the EU and how to mitigate any negative effects on their supply chains.
"With regards to international trade, the UK will require representation as it becomes directly involved as a party in WTO dispute settlement proceedings. Our substantial and unparalleled experience in the field of trade and customs law means we will be ideally placed to provide advice on such matters."
David Hull added: "For competition work, companies will be required to manage both EU and UK regulatory requirements and this will be particularly important for mergers.
"Consequently, transferable expertise will be essential and, as one of Brussels' largest competition teams, we are well positioned to advise international companies on the EU and UK interplay and offer them a one-stop shop."
Founded in 1986, Van Bael & Bellis is one of Belgium's best-known domestic law firms and has built a strong reputation in EU law.
According to the firm's website, it has over 70 lawyers including 23 partners, as well as 12 counsels and nearly 40 associates.
Last year, the firm revamped its management team, appointing its co-founder and managing partner Jean-François Bellis as chairman of the firm.
Van Bael & Bellis' launch comes just days after Spanish firm Zurbaran Abogados announced that it was opening an office in London, nearly 18 months after the firm launched via a three-way merger.
The firm was created in January 2019 when a trio of Spanish firms, Zamora de Claver, Cuellar Abogados and RZS Abogados y Economistas, merged.
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