CONTACT US
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Central Plaza
Rue de Loxum 25
1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 511 7450
Fax: +32 2 511 7772
Europe Brussels
Our office in the heart of Brussels has a reputation for delivering results in the most challenging cases. We provide quality advice to clients throughout the world as a seamless integrated competition, regulation and trade service, supported by our colleagues in London, Paris, Madrid and across the network.
Described by Chambers Global as a firm offering ‘a premium service, delivered by brilliant practitioners’, clients agree that we offer no-nonsense legal advice with an unrivalled level of understanding of their business.
Our Brussels team works on European Union, trade and competition law. Its proximity to the European Commission means that the team has on-the-ground knowledge and understanding of the Commission's activities.
Overview
Our Brussels office is located in the central part of the city. It is close to the Gare Centrale and the historic Grand Place. The Brussels team is small and friendly. It works closely with the rest of our international network, especially London and Paris, and collaborates increasingly with our Asian offices.
Practice Areas
Our office provides cutting-edge advice across three areas:
COMPETITION
- Abuse of dominance
- Cartels
- Competition litigation
- Merger control clearances
WTO AND WORLD TRADE LAW
- Dispute settlement
- Market access issues
- General advisory
GENERAL EU LAW
- Procurement law
- State aid
- Internal Market
- EU litigation
Working in Brussels
Brussels is a truly international city at the heart of Europe. It is nevertheless relatively small and easily accessible.
In the area around our office there are excellent restaurants of every type, as well as many bars, shops, markets and a high-quality subsidised gym. It is only a short walk to the charming Sablon area (where you can find one of the best chocolate shops in Belgium). The old town quarter is also well worth exploring.
Because of Brussels’ role in European politics, the city has a multicultural and dynamic population. Throughout the year, there are a wide variety of cultural events – ranging from jazz festivals to special art exhibitions at the many museums and galleries – and many sporting and other group activities open to everyone. Naturally, there are also lots of lectures and talks by leading EU academics, practitioners and EC Commission staff.
You can find quality accommodation in the centre of the city, with many amenities within walking distance. Should you choose to commute, you will find that the bus, train and metro systems are very reliable.
With its good rail, air and road connections, Brussels is an excellent base from which to travel to other European cities. Within Belgium, such historic towns such Ghent and Bruges, the university town of Leuven and the fashion centre of Antwerp are all easily accessed by train.
Global Mobility and Client Secondments
As a global organisation we support opportunities for our lawyers to spend time in other offices within our network. Fostering our 'one firm' culture, international secondments are a key way in which we share our expertise, enrich experiences and broaden horizons.
Opportunities to spend time at a client working within their in-house legal team are also common.
