NautaDutilh is capable of handling the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency proceedings, with a large team of litigators and arbitrators that stands out for its ability to represent both debtors and creditors in contentious matters. The team regularly acts for clients in court proceedings to obtain consent for the transfer of distressed businesses, represents banks in asset recovery and insolvency litigation, and handles complex judicial reorganisations. Out-of-court restructurings are a further area of focus for the team and are chiefly handled by Sophie Jacmain, a commercial disputes expert who co-leads the practice with reputed insolvency specialist Stan Brijs. Corporate and insolvency litigator Karel De Smet is also recommended, as is Charlotte Van Themsche, who joined from Jones Day in February 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘NautaDutilh has a strong insolvency and restructuring practice which has become a key player in the Belgian market. They are involved in almost all the major French and Dutch insolvency or restructuring cases, which demonstrates their reputation. They have become a force to be reckoned with on the Belgian market, with one of the biggest and best teams.’

  • ‘Experts in their domain, broad knowledge of Belgium legal environment, very good and clear advice flexibility and easy to connect with at any time, easy access to other subject matter experts if required.’

  • ‘I worked mainly with Sophie Jacmain & Frederik De Leo, who are experts in their domain, well-organized, and nice personalities to work with.’

Key clients

  • ABN AMRO
  • Connectis
  • Liberty Liège-Dudelange
  • Western Union Retail Services Belgium
  • Fremaux-Delorme Group

Work highlights

  • Assisted Liberty Liège-Dudelange, a part of the LIBERTY Steel Group, in connection with the annulment of the dissolution of LLD ordered by Court, the restart of LLD’s activities, and its restructuring through judicial reorganisation by transfer of business.
  • Assisted the Getronics Group with several legal proceedings initiated in the aftermath of the transfer of business of certain activities from Getronics Belgium (currently Scinorteg) within the framework of its judicial reorganisation proceedings.
  • Assisted the Fremaux-Delorme group with the possible acquisition of movable assets of seven Belgian entities active in the development and production of high-quality sleep systems, each of which was in a separate Belgian judicial reorganisation procedure by transfer under judicial authority.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sophie Jacmain, Stan Brijs

Other key lawyers

Karel De Smet, Gisèle Uwera, Charlotte Van Themsche, Frederik De Leo