Van Bael & Bellis

It’s beginning to look a lot like... 🎄🎄 🎄 A VBB favourite has made its return to the Brussels HQ cafeteria – our Christmas tree is up! As the year winds down, and we grab a coffee together or take a moment to reflect on the year's shared achievements, it’s these little symbols that remind us of the importance of connection and celebration and the enduring role collaboration plays in our success. Wishing everyone a cheerful festive period as we close out 2024 on a high note! #TeamSpirit #HolidaySeason #OfficeLife #FestiveVibes #CelebrateCollaboration

The parallel European Commission and UK Competition and Markets Authority investigations into concerns that Vifor may have abused its dominant position through disparagement of a rival product underscore the need for pharmaceutical companies to avoid potentially misleading claims about competitors in their marketing campaigns and medical communications. Both agencies have now given further indications of when disparagement may raise competition concerns – the Commission in the non-confidential version of its decision accepting commitments offered by Vifor to resolve allegations of disparagement and the CMA in its recent notice provisionally accepting broadly similar commitments proposed by Vifor, open for consultation until 17 January 2025. Our life sciences team looks at key aspects of the analysis applied in both cases. Read its commentary here: https://lnkd.in/dtFd9Sa2 Michael Clancy | Peter L'Ecluse | Catherine Longeval | Giovanni Pregno | Koen T'Syen #lifesciences #competitionlaw #abuseofdominance #disparagement

VBB on the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (#FSR) 🔍 Our managing partner Andreas Reindl and counsel Catherine Gordley shared insights on the potential impact of the FSR in the latest issue of 20Minds on “Global Trade and Investment.” 💡 Andreas identified the key questions businesses should consider when developing their strategic approach to the FSR. Catherine warned companies against taking a wait and “hope for the best” approach, emphasizing the importance of advance preparation to avoid delaying transactions. Other issues discussed include how to balance FSR disclosure requirements with confidentiality obligations and the importance of not overlooking the Regulation’s application to public tenders. Access their full analysis and see how the FSR could impact your business here (subscription required) 👇 https://lnkd.in/dUAMtBMk #EURegulation #FSR #ForeignSubsidies #Mergers #PublicProcurement #VBBInsights #GlobalTrade #LegalExpertise

🌍 Counsel Joanna Redelbach at BIICL: Trade & Carbon Pricing 🌱 Joanna Redelbach recently spoke at the BIICL (British Institute of International and Comparative Law) conference on "Developing the UK-EU Relationship: TCA Review and Beyond." As part of the Trade Policy Issues panel, she explored the future of UK-EU cooperation on carbon pricing, highlighting the need for aligned policies to support both trade resilience and climate goals. Learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/d9XsS8M2 #CarbonPricing #ClimateAction #SustainableTrade #BIICL #UK #EU #GlobalCooperation #TCAreview

🎅🍫 St. Nicholas visits the office 🍫🎅 This morning, we were delighted to find that St. Nicholas had stopped by, leaving behind a little something for each of us 🛍️✨ A big thank you to his kind spirit for spreading cheer across the office! VBB wishes everyone a December filled with joy, kindness, and (of course) chocolate 🎁 #StNicholasDay #TeamCelebration #DecemberInTheOffice

📢 Joanna Redelbach on EU Trade Defence 📢 Tomorrow, VBB counsel Joanna Redelbach will be participating in a webinar organised by Paged Plywood on “Market Protection Strategies in the Face of Global Events: Anti-dumping, Protectionism, and Competitiveness in the EU”. She will be speaking alongside Krzysztof Adam Kowalczyk, Prof. Witold Orłowski Damian Olko and Jarosław Michniuk. Joanna will explore the vital role of EU trade defence policy and practice, focusing on how anti-dumping measures can help safeguard European businesses from unfair competition from imports from third countries. To hear her views on protecting the competitiveness of EU industries, sign up 👇 https://lnkd.in/ezXwiJzd (participation is free of charge; webinar will be in Polish). #TradeDefence #AntiDumping #EUCompetitiveness #Poland

📢 Michelle Linderman at Lloyd’s List Outlook Forum 2025 📢   VBB Partner Michelle Linderman, who also heads the International Trade team in our London office, is looking forward to speaking at the Lloyd's List Outlook Forum 2025 this Thursday 5 December.   Michelle will join a distinguished panel of experts for the Risk and Compliance Round Table to discuss how security risks and sanctions are reshaping global shipping. With tensions like the Russia-Ukraine war and geopolitical shifts impacting trade routes, the panel will explore critical issues such as: 🗨️ The evolving landscape of maritime sanctions 🗨️How ownership and affiliations affect trade and investment 🗨️The long-term risks posed by the rise of parallel fleets This interactive session offers attendees the opportunity to engage directly with leading analysts and sanctions experts.    Speaking alongside Michelle will be Daniel Martin (HFW) Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Mikolaj Stoma (both Lloyd's List Intelligence) and Bridget Diakun (Lloyd’s List).     #LloydsList #OutlookForum2025 #InternationalTrade #Sanctions #Compliance #RiskManagement #GlobalTrade #MaritimeLaw  

Managing partner Andreas Reindl spoke with Law.com about his outlook for the coming year. While acknowledging the potential impact of geopolitical shifts, a new US administration, and changing U.S.-EU relationships on VBB’s clients, Andreas explained that he anticipates these developments to drive increased demand for our services in VBB’s core practice areas – competition, trade, regulatory, and M&A –, with continued growth in revenue and profitability. The article is available here (requires subscription): https://lnkd.in/dytgrqHK #benelux #competitionlaw #tradelaw #trumpadministration

Yesterday, the European Commission published a study analysing whether R&D collaborations, licensing agreements or M&A transactions in the #PharmaceuticalSector may have resulted in the discontinuation of overlapping R&D programs for the development of new medicines. Read more from our #LifeSciences experts below: https://lnkd.in/db5W3bdG Michael Clancy | Peter L'Ecluse | Catherine Longeval | Koen T'Syen

🌟 Wrapping up an inspiring Job Days Tour 🌟 This month VBB associates have visited several top Belgian universities for #JobDays. From discussions about the future of law to connecting with passionate students eager to make their mark, it was truly an enriching experience! A big thank you to all the universities and students we met along the way – your enthusiasm and curiosity remind us why investing in future talent is so important to us as a firm 💫 To all future legal professionals: Stay curious, stay ambitious, and know that the legal world is waiting for your unique contributions. Until next time 👋 *Pictured below Sarah Muzembo and Juliette Detrixhe at Université catholique de Louvain on the final leg of our visits* #LawCareers #JobFairs #FutureTalent #LegalProfession #VBBJourney