Europe - Belgium
3

Industry focus: Transport

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Bournonville Grigorieff

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Bournonville Grigorieff acts for a number of logistics companies and insurers across shipping, road transport, and cargo handling. The practice is adept at handling transport work across aviation, land, and wet transport work, working with offices in the UK and US to offer advice on multijurisdictional matters. Dimitri de Bournonville leads the practice, and is a ‘leading expert in the transport sector’, with extensive experience in aircraft purchase and finance mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘This is strong legal practice based in Brussels, which offers extensive expertise in all areas of the transport sector. The team is highly regarded for its comprehensive legal services across the entire transport sector, including shipping, road, rail and air transport. The firm’s lawyers are adept at handling a wide range of legal issues, from regulatory compliance, logistics, and supply chain management, to complex litigation and arbitration involving transport disputes. Given Antwerp's proximity and prominence in international trade, the firm is particularly strong in shipping and marine law, advising clients on matters such as charter parties, bills of lading, cargo claims, and maritime insurance.’

  • ‘Dimitri de Bournonville stands out as a leading expert in the transport sector. He has close to thirty years of professional experience in the field and his known for his in-depth knowledge of both Belgian and European Union transport regulations, ensuring clients remain compliant in a highly regulated environment. He is skilled in handling complex cross-border disputes, leveraging their local knowledge and international connections to achieve favorable outcomes for his clients.’

  • ‘The team has carved out a distinguished reputation for its comprehensive legal services across all areas of transport, including road, rail, air, and maritime law. The team's expertise and visibility allow it to directly compete with traditional shipping practices based in Antwerp. The team has developed a deep understanding of the complexities of shipping law, including charter parties, bills of lading, marine insurance, and the intricacies of cargo claims. The firm is very good at handling high-stakes litigation and arbitration related to transport disputes, leveraging its in-depth knowledge of both Belgian and international maritime law to secure favorable outcomes for its clients. Its ability to navigate the complex regulatory environment, both within Belgium and across the European Union, further solidifies its status as one of the leaders in the transport sector.’

  • ‘Dimitri de Bournonville is a well known figure in the transport legal sector since close to 30 years. His expertise originates from the aviation sector, but has expanded over the years to now include transport, marine and shipping. He has an excellent commercial approach of the sector, for having been the legal and insurance director of a major integrator for many years.’

  • ‘Excellent knowledge of the sector, efficient, large network providing worldwide assistance.’

  • ‘Dimitri de Bournonville is one of the best transport lawyer in Belgium.’

Key clients

  • AIG
  • Air Belgium
  • Air Transport Services Group
  • ASL Airlines Belgium
  • ASL Aviation Group
  • Atkins
  • Aviabel
  • Aviapartner
  • AXA
  • Canopius
  • CAL Cargo Airlines
  • Challenge Airlines Group
  • Charles Taylor Adjusting
  • CNA Hardy
  • Dantec
  • Delvag
  • DHL
  • Emirates
  • Etihad Airways
  • Fedex / TNT Express
  • Finnair
  • Generali
  • Girteka
  • Global Aerospace
  • HungaroControl
  • JP Ryan
  • LOT Polish Airlines
  • Luxair
  • Macquarie Air Finance
  • Marsh
  • Norddeutsche Landesbank
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • RV Transport
  • Ryanair
  • Silversea
  • SI INSURANCE (Europe)
  • Swiss International Airlines
  • Swissport Cargo Services
  • Thai Airways
  • Trafalgar Marine Trades
  • Travelers
  • Vueling

Work highlights

  • Appointed by the Belgian Government to assist the cabinet of the Minister of Transport and the Federal Administration of Mobility in relation to the renegotiation of the management contract between the Belgian State and Skeyes (formerly known as Belgocontrol), which is the organisation in charge of air traffic control in Belgium.
  • Assisted an engineering company in relation to works performed to the engine of a marine vessel in the Netherlands, which allegedly caused further damage to the vessel in question.
  • Assisting Generali in relation to a claim against its insured in a major product liability claim in the car manufacturing sector. The claim relates to a fire that took place in the port of Antwerp, allegedly caused by a battery fire, impacting more than 50 cars.

Lawyers

Leading partners
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Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Dimitri de Bournonville