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Deloitte Legal is proud to announce its rankings in the Chambers Europe 2021 Guide

Deloitte Legal has again been recognised

23 March 2021

Banking & Finance Practice

The Banking & Finance practice received a Band 3 ranking with Werner Van Lembergen additionally receiving an individual Band 3 ranking. The team advises borrowers and financial institutions on a range of asset-backed finance transactions. They possess notable experience in handling project finance and acquisition mandates and provide additional assistance with development finance and debt restructuring mandates. The team is known to work "in close collaboration with clients and is dedicated to the clients."

Corporate & M&A Practice

The Corporate & M&A team advises clients on a broad range of corporate and M&A-related mandates, as well as various venture capital fundraising transactions. They are particularly adept at handling cross-border matters across European jurisdictions. They received a Band 5 ranking with the head of practice David Roelens achieving a Band 4 individual ranking. He is maybe best known for his work in advising domestic clients on corporate sales and assisting investors with capital increases.

Employment Practice

The Employment team were awarded a Band 5 ranking with Stijn Demeestere being recognised with a Band 4 ranking. The practice frequently advises on negotiating and drafting collective bargaining agreements and other employment contracts. They also assist with planning benefits schemes and act on employment matters relating to M&A activity. In addition, they handle litigation for employers in relation to individual terminations for misconduct and collective dismissals, as well as advising on new hirings. They have been described as "down to earth and able to get the message across." Practice head Stijn Demeestere advises on remuneration, contractual matters and flexible benefit plans as well as handling contentious matters, such as disputes over posted workers and social elections, and the dismissal of high-level employees following allegations of misconduct.

Real Estate Practice

The Real Estate team received a Band 4 ranking. The team acts for public sector clients and joint ventures on development projects and construction contractual matters. They advise on real estate transactions, including for mixed-use assets, retail properties and office buildings and also assist with lease agreement negotiations. They have a strong cooperation with the firm's tax department on real estate tax matters. Chambers highlights the team's "in-depth knowledge of the sector and pragmatic attitude," and describes the lawyers as "deal makers." Practice head Maximilien van de Werve is particularly popular with real estate companies with a focus on university accommodation. He received an individual Band 3 ranking.

Tax Practice

The Tax practice (Tax Advisory and Tax Dispute Resolution) achieved a Band 3 ranking for their work acting for clients on contentious mandates before both domestic and European courts, representing clients in allegations of VAT fraud, income tax disputes, BEPS litigation and customs duties cases. They also handle advisory matters, advising on the tax structuring of corporate reorganisations and M&A transactions, as well as assisting clients with re-domiciling. Chambers feedback includes praise for the team regarding their "out-of-box thinking, ability to take the client's perspective and hands-on" approach as well as for their ability to handle multi-jurisdictional matters, reporting: "The seamless cooperation among the Deloitte offices is working very well."

Deloitte Legal Managing Partner Danny Stas is in the VAT Spotlight Table which recognises the very best Belgian VAT lawyers (top 2%) and Tax litigator Luc De Broe, awarded Senior Statesperson status, is seen as "one of the top tax litigators in Belgium."