International arbitration and Dispute Resolution

With 15 lawyers fully dedicated to international arbitration, Liedekerke’s practice is the largest team in Belgium acting as counsel in arbitration proceedings and arbitration-related court proceedings. With a truly global expertise extending in particular to francophone Africa and to the Middle East, the practice is also at the forefront of arbitration-related court proceedings (enforcement and setting-aside) in Belgium.

Liedekerke’s International Arbitration Practice focuses on high-stakes international arbitration proceedings in commercial and investment disputes world-wide assisting clients in ad hoc proceedings or under the rules of all major institutions (including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, ICSID, OHADA, SCAI, and CEPANI rules).

The practice also assists clients in the organisation and coordination of multi-jurisdiction claims and defense strategies.

Our team is particularly active in international disputes related to distribution, mining, engineering and construction, energy, corporate/M&A, and banking. We represent national, foreign and multinational companies or State-owned entities active in these sectors, especially in Europe, the Middle East and francophone Africa, in international arbitration proceedings governed by a wide range of applicable laws – from both the civil and the common law traditions – and before State courts. The team also represents States or investors in international investment arbitrations and before State courts.

The breadth of our experience in international arbitration and arbitration-related court proceedings, is unparalleled in Belgium. Liedekerke is one of the only two Belgian law firms featured in the GAR100, the Global Arbitration Review’s ranking of law firms specialised in international arbitration.

The practice is also a leader on the Belgian market for setting-aside proceedings and enforcement proceedings of arbitral awards (for both investment and commercial arbitrations). Liedekerke has been involved in most of the largest multi-jurisdictional enforcement proceedings in Belgium and in Europe over the past few years.

Our Services

We represent clients before all major arbitral institutions in commercial and investment arbitrations (ICC, LCIA, SIAC, ICSID, etc.) and in Ad Hoc proceedings, and subject both the laws of both the Civil Law and Common Law traditions
We are leaders in the market for setting-aside and enforcement proceedings of arbitral awards and foreign judgements before Belgian and European courts.
We also defend the interests of our clients before Belgian courts, EU courts, and other courts in the European Union.
Our practice covers a wide variety of businesses, in particular commercial contracts, corporate disputes, mining, engineering and construction, and private and public international law.
Several of our team members are regularly appointed as co-arbitrators, sole arbitrators or chair of arbitral tribunals.
Our lawyers advise clients at every step of the way: from contract-formation and pre-contentious stages through to proceedings and enforcement, if necessary.
We assist the other Practices of the firm with dispute prevention and resolution and with the international dimensions of their work.

Our Team

We are specialist practitioners in international arbitration with strong experience of large, high-stakes disputes, a solid expertise in sector-specific areas, and an in-depth knowledge of procedural laws and international arbitration practice.

Our arbitration team is the largest and most diversified in Belgium for counsel work and is recognised as a leading practice in the GAR100. Several of our team members also serve regularly as arbitrators in major international disputes.

Our team members have a sharp understanding of international arbitration, and private and public international law, with strong academic involvement in these fields.

All our partners enjoy a strong reputation and are active in national and international circles.

Our Clients

Multinational, foreign, and Belgian companies, active in various sectors including mining, engineering and construction, distribution and logistics, oil and gas, manufacturing, food, banking, energy, automotive and the media industry.
Foreign States and State-owned enterprises.
Major international and foreign law firms.

Our Relevant Experience

Arbitration-related court proceedings

Acting as lead counsel in Belgium for the Republic of Kazakhstan in the prominent multi-jurisdictional dispute relating to the enforcement by the Stati Parties of an Energy Charter Treaty Arbitral Award worth USD 530m obtained in 2013 against Kazakhstan. Liedekerke successfully assisted Kazakhstan in obtaining a denial of exequatur of the award in Belgium and the lifting of all attachments there.
Representing an international construction company in a Geneva-seated ICC arbitration in an engineering dispute about a major oil & gas project in Qatar.
Representing Mr Mohamed Bahgat in the enforcement of a PCA Arbitral Award obtained against the Republic of Egypt, against assets located in Belgium.
Representing the Republic of Poland in setting aside proceedings against an investment treaty award before the Brussels courts.

International Arbitration proceedings

Representing a United Arab Emirates (“UAE”)-based pharmaceutical distribution company in a London-seated ICC arbitration against a Russian manufacturer of pharmaceutical products, subject to English law.
Representing a major Democratic Republic of Congo (“DRC”) mining company in multiple Paris-seated ICC high-stakes international arbitration proceedings, in relation to its position as a minority shareholder in several mining joint venture companies, subject to DRC law.
Representing a DRC company in ad hoc arbitration proceedings against an International Organization regarding a contract in the DRC.
Representing the shareholders of Consolidated Contractors Company (Holding) in an inheritance dispute involving allegations of conspiracy before an ad hoc international arbitration tribunal.
Acting as co-counsels representing DP World in an ICSID Arbitration against the Kingdom of Belgium for the expropriation of DP World’s investment in the Port of Antwerp.
Representing a prominent construction company in ICC arbitration proceedings over the construction and revamping of an oil refinery in Kuwait.
Representing a consultant in a Singapore-seated SIAC arbitration subject to English law in relation to Solar EPC contracts.
Representing the subsidiary of a UAE-based group in an ICC arbitration subject to Belgian law in a distribution dispute.
Representing a group of companies in a large banking dispute in a UAE-seated LCIA arbitration subject to UAE law.
Representing the UK branch of a multinational company specialising in aerospace, defence and security, in ad hoc arbitral proceedings on the performance of an agreement with an institutional client regarding the building of top-grade technical installations and supply of high-end equipment.
Defending the DRC in a Zürich-seated arbitration against the Congolese subsidiary of a US company, active in the grain trade.
Defending the DRC in a Paris-seated ICC arbitration against a claim brought by a US investor.

Awards & Recognition

‘Very good in international arbitration.’

‘The arbitration team is exceptional, particularly for complex international arbitration. Arnaud Nuyts and his team combine strong advocacy with a deep understanding of complex legal issues and business practices, as well as excellent strategy. Above all, Prof Nuyts is respected by arbitrators who listen to him and trust his interpretation of the law.'

‘I have been working closely with Liedekerke for a few years now. The areas covered are broad: civil procedure, cross border procedure, arbitration related court proceedings, criminal law and the law of cassation. For each area the services offered were of outstanding quality.’

Legal 500, Dispute Resolution, Tier 2, 2022

Aimery de Schoutheete, “a sharp lawyer and an aggressive opponent with whom it is challenging and interesting to argue against”, is named to Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for Dispute Resolution.

‘In international arbitration, Arnaud Nuyts and his team impress both as real fighters and as highly knowledgeable, competent international lawyers. Clearly, judges and arbitrators listen to Nuyts with respect.'

‘The team is efficient, dedicated and always gives prompt, proactive, accurate, comprehensive and to the point advice.'

Legal 500, Dispute Resolution, Tier 2, 2021

Aimery de Schoutheete is recommended in the area of Dispute Resolution and recognized both for his work in Belgium as for his expertise in the DRC: "a very seasoned and sharp lawyer who combines thorough legal knowledge and skills with a very practical approach."

Chambers Global, 2020

‘While Brussels is “not necessarily the first place you would think of to find international arbitration practitioners,” client says her group has found a “gem” and the firm has “nothing to envy” about practices in more established arbitral hubs.’