Van Bael & Bellis

On 16 January 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) announced that it would investigate the commercial conditions which AB InBev applies for the supply of beer to both wholesalers and “horeca” (on-trade) operators in Belgium. The BCA suspects infringements of Article 101, TFEU (which prohibits agreements in restraint of trade) and Article 102, TFEU (which prohibits an abuse of dominant position). Read more from our experts below: https://lnkd.in/dHmjP-5e Jean-Francois Bellis | Peter L'Ecluse | Valérie Lefever | Koen T'Syen | Kris Van Hove

🎉 VBB Milestones 🥂 This week, our Brussels chapter came together for the first happy hour of the year to celebrate some incredible milestones. We honoured Gwenda De Pril, Janati Fatima and Kelly Buysse, three of our amazing Managing Assistants, for their work anniversaries. It was an evening of camaraderie and gratitude. Our managing partner gave a heartfelt speech, recognising their invaluable contributions to our firm’s success and the energy they bring to our workplace day after day. Here’s to a fantastic start to 2025, and to building on the strong foundation created by each member of our team. Cheers to the shared journey ahead! #Teamwork #Workanniversary #Milestones 

The Romanian Competition Authority has announced that it imposed a fine of EUR 25.81 million on Boehringer-Ingelheim (BI) on account of product hopping on the Romanian market for the medicinal treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (known as COPD). Read more from our #LifeSciences team: https://lnkd.in/ghkcB4Qg Michael Clancy | Peter L'Ecluse | Catherine Longeval | Koen T'Syen #abuseofdominance #romaniancompetitionauthority #romania

📢 Webinar Alert 📢   On 29 January, Michelle Linderman, VBB partner and head of International Trade in our London office, will host an Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS) webinar on EU Subsidiaries & the Best Efforts Rule.   This insightful session will explore how businesses can ensure compliance with this critical regulation. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable guidance and connect with professionals in the field 💡   🎟️ Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dM_uc32d #Compliance #EUsubsidiaries #ACSS  

Join VBB in Amsterdam 📢 VBB partner Michael Clancy, will be speaking at the Pharma and Biotech Patent Litigation forum, taking place on 21-22 January 2025 in Amsterdam. This event brings together 450+ industry experts. Michael will be chairing a panel addressing the European Commission’s recent Teva decision on divisional patents and other recent competition law cases on IP activities in the pharmaceutical sector. Michael will be joined by Gianluca Vassallo from the European Commission, Amalia Athanasiadou from CSL Vifor, Beatriz Díaz de Escauriaza from Insud Pharma and Enzo Marasà from Portolano Cavallo. Sign up now to hear from Michael and other leading voices in the industry: https://lnkd.in/eTBWsZzD #Competition #PatentLitigation #LifeSciencesIP #PharmaInnovation

👑 Epiphany at VBB 🎂 Monday 6 January was made a little sweeter with this delicious Galette des Rois in celebration of Epiphany. A delicious tradition that brings us together—and, of course, crowns one lucky king or queen for the day! 👑 #January #Epiphany #Galettedesrois

On 1 January 2025, the highly anticipated UK Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers (DMCC) Act came into force. This landmark legislation significantly reforms the Competition and Market Authority (CMA)’s competition and consumer law toolkit while introducing powerful new regulations for digital markets—broadly aligned with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). ➡️ Swipe ➡️ through for a concise overview of the key changes to the CMA merger review thresholds. Alex Stratakis | Marc Freedman | Reign Lee #cma #ukmergerreviewthresholds #dmcc

­Congratulations to Trane Technologies (NYSE: TT)—a global leader in innovative climate technology—in its strategic acquisition of Société Anonyme De Vente Des Equipements Trane SA, a company specializing in refrigeration, air conditioning, and ventilation 🍃 It was a real pleasure for VBB to assist Trane Technologies in this successful transaction 👏 Our M&A team consisted of partner Caroline DAOUT, counsel Virginie Lescot and associate Seppe Jansegers. #acquisition #tranetechnologies #climatetech #mergersandacquistions #corporatelaw

The European Commission has suffered a new defeat in its protracted effort to obtain damages for the harm which it and other European institutions supposedly suffered as customers of products and services in relation to elevators and escalators installed on their premises. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dBdS_JQ3 Jean-Francois Bellis | Peter L'Ecluse | Valérie Lefever | Koen T'Syen | Xing Gao （高興）| Kris Van Hove #belgianantitrust #europeancommission #CAjudgment

Congratulations to FrieslandCampina and Milcobel on successfully concluding a framework agreement for their proposed merger, aimed at creating a leading international dairy cooperative and dairy company. It was a true pleasure for VBB to assist FrieslandCampina in reaching this first key milestone. We look forward to continuing our collaboration as this exciting project moves to the next phase. Our M&A team consisted of partner Michel Bonne, counsel Hannelore Matthys and associate Seppe Jansegers. https://lnkd.in/e-jA7snv #M&A #cross-bordermergers #dairy