Tax: Belgium

THE FIRM This outstanding tax department boasts over 25 lawyers handling the full spectrum of tax work, including advisory, litigation, real estate and VAT. The firm frequently acts for major Belgian clients and also attracts leading multinational figures, who appreciate its London office. Successful mandates of late include assisting a financial institution with a litigation around a stock exchange transaction, and acting for a retail multinational group on its European restructuring. 

Sources say: "A top-flight team, really knowledgeable and hard-working."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Corporate reorganisations and tax litigation expert Daniel Garabedian receives praise from all corners. As one source comments, "he is a tax genius with a brilliant logical mind." Jacques Malherbe is a noted tax litigator, and also wins praise for his corporate expertise. Malherbe combines his outstanding legal expertise with a notable academic career. "Top tax litigator" John Kirkpatrick is a founding partner of the firm. This seasoned expert is highly appreciated for his excellent tax advice.

THE FIRM This prestigious tax practice collaborates closely with the firm's M&A and real estate departments to offer full-rounded transactional advice. The team often participates in large cross-border restructuring transactions, and also comes recommended for tax issues relating to M&A. Tax litigation, VAT and tax planning are other key areas of strength for the group. Clients include BNP Paribas, Coca-Cola Enterprises, ING and Tupperware.  

Sources say: "No question of this firm's Band 1 standing – it's a very successful team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Seasoned expert Ivo Onkelinx is an important asset of the team. He advised a leading global brewer and a consumer products group on a large cross-border tax-driven restructuring operation. Sources regard department head Henk Vanhulle as "the backbone of the practice." He recently advised GDF SUEZ on the tax issues relating to its merger with International Power. VAT specialist Guido De Wit impresses sources with his meticulous approach. "He is extremely technical and produces highly detailed advice." 

THE FIRM This well-renowned practice is a prominent figure in the Benelux market, attracting clients from throughout the region as well as across Europe. The large department is made up of three different tax practices, which cover tax litigation, transfer pricing, VAT and corporate tax. A recent highlight saw the team advise a French multinational group on the tax treatment of major cross-border transactions between group subsidiaries, by co-ordinating the cash-pooling in Belgium.

Sources say: "This practice offers technically sound and creative advice." "Extremely close to perfection."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Christian Chéruy remains a highly active corporate tax adviser. He wins substantial praise from peers, who say: "He is very intelligent, accomplished and great to work with." Sources are unanimous in their regard for Xavier Clarebout, who enters the rankings for the first time this year. Noted for his expertise in corporate finance and restructuring issues, he is described as "an extremely talented and highly skilled expert."

THE FIRM This international player focuses on litigation, debt restructuring and big-ticket M&A tax matters. The team comes particularly recommended for finance-related mandates, building on the firm's reputation in this area. Recent highlights include advising De Vijver, Sanoma Magazines and Corelio on tax issues of the ground-breaking acquisition of two media companies.

Sources say: "The team provides a consistently high-level service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "brilliant" Patrick Smet stands out for his expertise in corporate and finance matters.

THE FIRM The tax practice of this international firm collaborates closely with the M&A department, providing an integrated service that covers all areas of tax. Notable highlights include advising Nyrstar on its EUR490 million rights offering and assisting AG Insurance with obtaining a tax ruling.  

Sources say: "The team is really responsive and comes up with innovative ideas. It is particularly excellent on pan-European matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Competitors praise Alain Huyghe's experience in the insurance sector, describing him as "one of the best in this area." He recently assisted a Dutch multinational with a tax litigation case in Belgium. Interviewees are full of praise for Philippe Lion, saying: "He is a great lawyer with in-depth knowledge. He is very responsive and follows a detailed approach."

THE FIRM Commentators agree that this firm is an expert in real estate tax work. It also offers a leading M&A and finance service, working closely with the firm's corporate and finance departments. Recent mandates include advising Allianz on its EUR70 million acquisition of the South City Office Broodthaers building in Brussels.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Considered to be "the king" in real estate tax work, Thierry Blockerye wins praise for his "proactive and commercial" service. Alongside the team in Frankfurt, he recently advised HIH on a deal that involved setting up a totally new tax free structure between Belgium and Germany.

THE FIRM This compact team benefits from the firm's international resources and is often involved in cross-border mandates. It attracts a wide range of clients, from local government authorities to international investment banks such as Barclays, Citi and Mitsui. A recent highlight saw the team advise a national railways company on the restructuring of high-speed lines in Germany, Holland, France and Belgium.

Sources say: "The team gives detailed advice and always produces results."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Accomplished tax lawyer and professor Axel Haelterman is considered an "icon" in the tax world. Clients appreciate his hard-working, dedicated service, saying: "He doesn't need the client to guide him – he clearly knows the practice area and is able to get results in a short amount of time."

THE FIRM This large tax boutique assists local and international clients with indirect taxation, tax planning and VAT. The team is also active in tax litigation matters, although the litigation department acts independently. The firm recently opened an office in Luxembourg, thus strengthening its resources throughout the Benelux region. The team is currently involved in one of the largest VAT operations in Belgium.

Sources say: "One of the best for local matters."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources laud Bernard Peeters, describing him as "a very accomplished expert who has a wealth of knowledge and offers practical business solutions."

THE FIRM This renowned tax litigation boutique continues to have a strong reputation in the French-speaking Belgian market. The team provides tax advice on all areas, including tax planning and corporate support, and is best known for its tax litigation practice. It represents local and international clients in direct and indirect tax matters, as well as white-collar crime and private client taxation.

Sources say: "A very effective litigation team."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "intelligent and commercially minded" Thierry Afschrift receives resounding market praise, with interviewees regarding him as "one of the most effective tax litigators in the country."

THE FIRM This compact team has a broad tax practice covering tax litigation, corporate tax, VAT and white-collar crime. Recent mandates include advising AXA Real Estate Investment on a EUR1.5 billion refinancing operation, and assisting WDP with the Belgian tax aspects of creating a REIT.

Sources say: "Very popular in the market."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources hail Philippe Hinnekens as "great to work with – he possesses a deep understanding of a client's business needs." He is a respected corporate tax and insolvency practitioner. Kristof Spagnoli stands out for his tax litigation work. In a recent mandate he advised Aswebo on its shareholder restructuring.

THE FIRM This firm assists pan-European and US-based clients with cross-border tax and corporate structuring matters. The team has also seen an increase in tax litigation work of late. Recent highlights include advising Macquarie Bank on the acquisition of the Belgian and French subsidiaries of Masterlease by a German independent fleet management company.

Sources say: "Technically brilliant and very business-minded."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "brilliant" Howard Liebman draws praise for his international tax capacity, particularly for transactions with a US focus. Clients laud him as "an eloquent speaker and very up to date with developments in the market." Werner Heyvaert impresses clients with his robust negotiation skills. As one source affirms, "he is knowledgeable, authoritative and technical. He quickly understands the issues at hand."

THE FIRM This firm focuses largely on the Benelux and is growing its presence in Belgium thanks to the hire of Pascal Faes from Van Bael & Bellis. A large part of its work involves direct taxation matters and it has been advising ING on these issues for a number of years. Other clients include Caviar Films, Hugo Boss and Multipharma. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Benoît Malvaux's broad-ranging practice covers corporate, banking and tax work, and he comes highly recommended for real estate, finance and film-related tax matters.

THE FIRM This team offers a highly integrated service thanks to its close collaboration with the firm's real estate and corporate/M&A departments. The practice focuses on corporate restructurings and transactional advice, and is a popular choice for both domestic and international clients. Mandates of late include assisting a major energy player with the implementation of an internal financing structure.

Sources say: "A very impressive team. Always accurate in its guidance and great value for money."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients admire Thierry Denayer's highly detailed approach, saying: "He is very precise and knows the complex legal framework inside out. He explains legal issues in language we can understand." Wim Panis enjoys growing recognition for his VAT expertise. As one client observes, "he offers outstanding advice at short notice." 

THE FIRM Impressive work highlights and superb client feedback propel this firm into the rankings this year. The team collaborates closely with the corporate, finance, real estate and public law departments to offer clients a multidisciplinary service, and it also utilises the global CMS network for cross-border work. Recent highlights include advising Lombard on the tax and legal implications of the EU Savings Directive amendments to life insurance policies.

Sources say: "A methodical team, with sound knowledge, who can provide fast and accurate advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Didier Grégoire is the main contact here.

THE FIRM This tax team handles a broad range of tax issues and works closely with DLA Piper's worldwide offices on international mandates. The group has been notably active in tax structuring, M&A and VAT tax matters in recent months, and is also expanding its presence in the French-speaking market.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Well-known name Marc de Munter comes recommended for domestic and international tax law, VAT and finance-related mandates. He also publishes extensively on these topics.

THE FIRM This independent boutique enjoys a strong reputation in the local market, particularly for tax litigation and VAT. The firm has approximately 20 lawyers handling a wide array of tax issues, and clients include Belgian and international companies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding partner Johan Dumon is the first point of contact here.