Stibbe is the ‘go-to firm for international arbitration in Brussels’, acting on the full range of disputes in civil and criminal courts. The full-service expertise of the department, along with its collaboration with the IP, TMT, finance, and competition practices at the firm, allows it to represent a number of high-profile clients in complex cases. The white-collar crime practice is also a key element of the team, with money laundering, fraud, sanctions, and extradition all areas of expertise. Hans Van Bavel sits at the helm of the practice, specialising in company-related criminal law. Also of note are ‘very tough litigator’ Oliver Stevens, Nicolas Résimont, whose advocacy is ‘both persuasive and instils confidence in clients and tribunals alike’, and Sophie Bourgois, who is ’meticulous‘ with expertise across international disputes, insurance claims, and private and public international law.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Oliver Stevens is a very tough litigator, goes the extra mile for his clients, is very proactive.’
‘Stibbe's arbitration team is simply the best in Brussels. They have an impressive ability to understand large volumes of complex factual and legal information and to synthesise it in a way that can be understood by any tribunal.’
‘The stand out individuals in the team are Nicolas ésimont and Sophie Bourgois. Nicolas argues cases with a passion that is rare amongst his peers. Nicolas' style of advocacy is both persuasive and instils confidence in clients and tribunals alike. Sophie is meticulous. Sophie can take the most complex facts and legal arguments and argue them passionately and persuasively before any tribunal.'
'Stibbe are the go-to firm for international arbitration in Brussels.’

Work highlights

Representing Brussels Airport Company in a large trail in which ten men stand accused of involvement in the March 2016 suicide bombings at the Brussels airport and the metro station – attacks authorities blame on the Islamic State militant group.
Representing a private insurer in a critical dispute that has arisen shortly after its acquisition by its new shareholder, P&V Insurances. The client holds its former directors, managers and auditor responsible for a multi-million loss caused by a special fraud mechanism set up by the former shareholders and management of the client.
Representing a group of cable companies against a claim brought by the historic telecom-provider Proximus in relation to the sale of its analogue and digital television distribution activities to Telenet.