Corporate Governance

Liedekerke’s Corporate Governance practice is one of the largest corporate law teams on the market. With five partners and over 25 associates, we possess the manpower and human capital to address the most complex processes involved in directing and managing companies today.

Our team of experts provides tactical and tailored solutions to all matters relating to corporate law, non-profit associations, and foundations. In addition to M&A and corporate restructuring, our work includes corporate governance issues, corporate counseling, and litigation.

Corporate governance is an evolving concern for many companies due to changing regulations and wide-ranging repercussions for lack of compliance. Companies want to adhere to best governance practice, but corporate guidelines can be both ambiguous and esoteric.

In Belgium, the principles to which most companies are responsible for adhering are set forth in the new Belgian Code of Companies and Associations (“BCCA”), and for listed companies, the Belgian Corporate Governance Code (“BCGC”). Compliance with these codes is compulsory (without a formal request for exemption). For unlisted companies, the Code Buysse III also sets forth a set of non-mandatory corporate governance principles, in addition to recommendations applicable to non-profit organizations.

Our experts remove the guesswork from corporate governance, providing clients with clear and actionable advice that takes into account all features of the relevant entity and its environment.

Our Services

• General advice to businesses and non-profit organizations: Assistance in all general corporate matters. We advise in particular on the creation of legal entities, conflict of interest rules in management structures, say on pay issues, personal liability of board members, etc.

• Corporate governance: Assistance to companies and non-profit organizations in setting up, reviewing, and restructuring their governance structure, from planning a new structure to its implementation.

• Company reorganizations: Assistance in corporate restructurings according to the needs of our clients, taking all legal constraints (corporate law, tax, employment, regulatory issues, etc.) into account.

• Litigation: Assistance regarding corporate disputes (such as shareholder disputes, enforcement of joint venture agreements, compulsory purchase of shares, etc.) and representation before the courts.

Our Relevant Experience

• Acting as trusted advisor to a leading listed Real Estate Investment Trust for many years, advising them on strategic files

• Advising a listed company with setting up an option plan for top managers

• Advising a Belgian company in the context of a merger and a take-over bid in all aspects of corporate governance

• Advising a leading coworking company on various corporate governance matters

• Advising a luxury fashion company for more than ten years on their corporate law issues, including corporate governance matters

• Assisting with the incorporation of a non-profit association