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Situated in the heart of Brussels, capital of the European Union and home to numerous international organisations, our office is committed to providing our clients with a cross-cutting legal approach that incorporates elements of international and European law in legal analysis. This also enables us to support our clients in their dealings with European bodies and to ensure that their rights are protected, particularly before the European Commission or the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
European and international civil service
We have developed an extensive and recognised experience in supporting and assisting agents of the Union and other international organisations in all issues they may encounter in the course of their work (appointment, entitlements, career, social security cover, pension and invalidity, dignity at work, end of service, disciplinary regime, administrative investigations, etc.). We act on behalf of our clients – agents, officials and staff representatives – in all interactions with the employing institution/organisation and by assisting them and their representatives in litigation and pre-litigation procedures (before the EU Court of Justice (Luxembourg), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Administrative Tribunal (Geneva), the NATO Administrative Tribunal (Brussels), and other international jurisdictions).
Internal market
The matters covered relate to the implementation, in particular, of the rules concerning the free movement of workers and citizens of the EU (including the mechanism for coordinating social security systems), the free provision of services and the freedom of establishment (including the Directive Services scheme), the free movement of goods and capital, and the harmonisation of national laws (such as those relating to consumer protection) and technical standardisation (including the CEN/CENELEC/ETSI standards).
Competition
The EUR department develops its competences in the application of articles 101 (agreements) and 102 (abuse of a dominant position) of the Treaty on the functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in the control of State aids (article 107 TFEU) by supporting its clients in their relationships with the Commission or the National Competition Authorities (complaint management, assistance under investigation, etc.) and before national and EU courts in the litigation stage.
European public contracts
We support the tendering parties in the call for tenders procedures of EU institutions, subsidies and other EU budget management procedures, and in the execution of contracts concluded by taking any necessary legal action before the competent arbitration and judicial bodies.
Citizenship and fundamental rights
The principle of the rule of law and fundamental rights are a major concern in our different fields of expertise, and more generally in EU law. Even more so since the adoption in 2009 of the Treaty of Lisbon and the binding value of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union that must be observed by the EU institutions and Member States in the implementation of EU law. The Charter has become a key point of reference for the Court of Justice and we make sure that the principles it enshrines are actively implemented in all cases we handle for our clients, whether they are natural persons or economic operators.
Protection of personal data
Our expertise in this field concerns, among other things, compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union and all related issues (impact analysis, processing registers, the duties of the Data Protection Officer, complaints to the National Control Authority, claims for damages, etc.).
European litigation
We assist and represent our clients in all matters covered by EU law using our expertise before the competent court and, in particular, the EU Court of Justice, in relation to which we have acquired comprehensive and recognised expertise. We also appear before the European Court of Human Rights, the Administrative Tribunal of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), other international administrative bodies and the Belgian courts. We are also committed to defending the interests of our clients in administrative procedures implemented by the EU institutions (DG Competition, the Anti-Fraud Office, the Investigation and Disciplinary Office, etc.) and by other EU bodies (European Data Protection Supervisor, European Ombudsman, etc.), as well as before national authorities (e.g. the Belgian and French competition authorities).
Public international law
We support all types of clients (State, international organisation, operator, individual) faced with the implementation of international public law, in interaction with EU law where appropriate. There are a number of issues (recognition of the status of a subject of international law, scope of agreements concluded, responsibility, privileges and immunities, etc.). They can lead to litigation.