We believe that disputes are best prevented or avoided. We help our clients to prevent them or advise them on how to put themselves in the best possible situation should a dispute ever arise. If a dispute is inevitable, we consider the possibility of resolving it amicably, including through mediation.

If legal actions are appropriate, we represent our clients before the national courts and in national and international arbitration proceedings. We take a strategic approach, combined with our technical insight, to each dispute.

Our accredited mediators fully respond to the new Belgian Act of 18 June 2018 allowing the courts to impose mediation on parties during court proceedings.

Our Dispute Resolution practice focuses on:

CORPORATE DISPUTES
We have a considerable amount of experience in handling litigation relating to M&A transactions. Our M&A specialists advise our clients on actions on the grounds of representation and warranties, on price adjustment mechanisms, alleged fraud on the part of the seller, non-competition clauses and more.

We regularly assist clients in disputes between shareholders, including disputes relating to exclusion and withdrawal from the company and the valuation of shares. We are also accredited mediators and can resolve such matters.

We assist companies, directors and claimants regarding directors’ liability and governance issues.

COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS AND DISTRIBUTION
Some of our lawyers have specific expertise in contract litigation in general and in disputes relating to distribution contracts, especially franchise agreements. We advise many clients on the termination of exclusive distribution agreements.

ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION
Strelia’s Arbitration Practice Group is a key division in its business. It is made up of renowned arbitrators who adjudicate in national and international arbitration procedures. Members of this practice group are counsel to clients in all types of arbitration proceedings, including applications seeking the enforcement of awards in Belgium and abroad.

Some of our lawyers are accredited mediators in civil and commercial matters.

INSOLVENCY-RELATED LITIGATION
Our lawyers advise clients on the various disputes that can arise from insolvency, such as directors’ or creditors’ liability, creditors’ rights and the creditors’ ranking in the distribution of asset sale proceeds.

BANKING, FINANCE AND INSURANCE
We primarily advise financial institutions on their dispute resolution needs, concerning matters such as asset management claims, termination of credit facilities, fraud, bank guarantee claims, insurance and reinsurance, AML and MiFiD compliance, etc. We also assist financial institutions and individuals facing criminal investigation or prosecution in relation to white-collar crime (money laundering, market abuse, insider trading, etc.).

INDUSTRIAL RISK
Our team defends clients in industrial risk actions, including construction disputes.

INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES
We assist clients in multinational disputes. We accompany them when litigating abroad, where they are assisted by local counsel selected from our vast network. We advise them on the enforcement of local and foreign judgments; judicial awards and orders; the attachment of assets or garnishment orders; and on the defence against such actions and orders.

Our clients are active in all types of industries, such as retail, ICT, banking and finance, insurance, energy, food and life sciences.

In addition, our specialist teams assist our clients in employment law and tax disputes.