Belgium

Part of the “Magic Circle”, Clifford Chance is among the largest and most well-recognised law firms around the world. The firm’s track record in Belgium goes back to 1968, and today the firm fields a large team in its full-service office in Brussels, 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a prominent position across a multitude of financial and corporate areas in Belgium. 

In banking, the team has one of the top financing practices in Belgium, which is frequently seen on high-value projects and infrastructure financings, leveraged and acquisition financings, corporate loans, derivatives transactions, financial collateral arrangements and complex restructuring mandates. 

The capital markets team is also among the best in the country. It advises issuers and lead managers on a wide range of high-profile transactions including bonds issuances, EMTN programmes, equity offerings and IPOs. 

In M&A, the firm advises both buyers and sellers on large, most often cross-border, matters spanning key sectors of the Belgian economy. 

In the projects space, the firm advises on some of the most impactful and complex infrastructure project developments both in Belgium and abroad in various sectors, from energy to telecoms infrastructure. The team’s infrastructure team has recently been exporting its expertise on a global scale, supporting landmark work all over the world. 

Key clients 

Key clients for the firm include Eneco, Azelis, Choice, Société Générale, Kingspan, Antin Infrastructure, Eurofiber, EQT Infrastructure, AVAIO Capital, Macquarie, Thyssenkrupp, Elia Group, ING Belgium, BNP Paribas Fortis, Belfius, AB InBev, European Investment Bank, the Belgian state, Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, Bank of America, JP Morgan and MUFG. 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

M&A 

“The lawyers of Clifford Chance were very professional and quick to respond, this made the process much easier.” 

Project development: Energy 

“The law firm provides comfort and confidence to the customer, they allocate sufficient time to understand the project and the needs of the customer, they become an active part of the team in complex projects like ours and are going beyond their duty in providing legal advice. They always respond quickly to the calls and requests even if they have to do it during a short break while in another meeting. Clearly, they have a lot of experience in interconnectors, and they are able to provide pragmatic solutions for complex problems. Their business mindset and attitude to be balanced in negotiations help us succeed our goals.”