Strelia boasts ‘one of the most experienced practices in Belgium’, with specific expertise in corporate litigation. The team is skilled at handling national and international arbitrations, as well as high-value mediations. Leading the team is Jean-Pierre Fierens, a founding partner of the firm who is particularly skilled in arbitration and complex litigation. Bart De Moor has knowledge of disputes linked to insolvency, and acts as an accredited mediator, while Sébastien Ryelandt is skilled at handling banking and finance litigation, as well as class actions and white-collar crime. Olivier Clevenbergh’s practice focuses on M&A-related disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘One of the most experienced practices in Belgium. Their quality of work and responsiveness are outstanding.’

  • ‘They are very strong in focusing on litigation strategies that matter. They blend well a deep expertise in Belgian and International law and efficiency on case management.’

  • ‘Jean-Pierre Fierens - always great to get his strategic insights on a specific case.'

  • 'Joanna Kolber - top legal thinking combined with great efficiency and client response.’

  • 'Strelia offers a large scope of litigation lawyers focusing on commercial litigation, restructuring, labor and tax.'

  • 'The group is headed by Jean-Pierre Fierens, who used to be the head of the Brussels bar and enjoy a formidable reputation.'

  • 'Jean-Pierre Fierens is an experienced, reliable, conscientious litigator handling large litigation cases with multiple aspects.'

Key clients

  • ABN Amro
  • ACER
  • Al Kharafi & Sons
  • Ansul
  • Becchetti
  • State of Belgium
  • Canon Belgium
  • Carrefour
  • City of Brussels
  • Eneco
  • Engie
  • Ethias
  • FSMA
  • ING Bank
  • KGHM
  • Kone
  • Lineas
  • Lunch Garden
  • Neo
  • NSD
  • Ordina
  • Optima Bank – Members of the Board
  • PCS Innotec International
  • Republic of Poland
  • Rexel
  • Rhenus Holding
  • State of Romania
  • Shell
  • TotalEnergies
  • Tractebel
  • Vesalius Biocapital
  • Euroquartz
  • Linde Kryotechnik
  • Shell Recharge Solutions

Work highlights

  • Assisting the Republic of Poland and the State of Romania with disputes against Pfizer and BioNTech in relation to Covid-19 vaccines purchase agreements, the disputes value at stake amounting to respectively approximately EUR1.3bn and EUR500m.
  • Assisting ING bank with a number of disputes in connection with various sanctions-related proceedings, including OFAC-sanctions.
  • Assisting Eneco with a series of disputes in the aftermath of the energy crisis.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jean-Pierre Fierens

Other key lawyers

Bart De Moor, Sébastien Ryelandt, Olivier Clevenbergh, Joanna Kolber