Overview
Gert-Jan is a counsel in our Brussels Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations (LAI) practice.
He has extensive experience with collective redress matters, having represented clients in three out of 13 class actions brought in Belgium as well as various other collective redress matters. Gert-Jan has authored several articles on class actions, including an overview of the case law rendered by the Belgian courts since the entry into force of the Belgian class action regime. He is a regular speaker on the topic, and his expertise has led him to be part of the team that advised the Belgian administration on the transposition into Belgian law of the European Collective Redress Directive and related changes to Belgium's class action law. In addition, Gert-Jan undertook a secondment in the class action department of Allens, Linklaters' best friend firm, in Sydney, Australia. He has been lauded by clients in Legal500 as having “vast experience in class actions work”.
In addition, Gert-Jan has acted on some of the most important restructuring and insolvency matters in the Belgian market, both for financial institutions and creditors as well as for entities seeking to restructure their activities. He is a member of the Belgian Turnaround Association (BeTA).
In addition, Gert-Jan plays an active role at the Brussels bar, having served in various roles in the Young Lawyers Association (JABkes – Jonge Advocaten Brussel), including as vice-president, and in the Brussels professional association for lawyers (Vlaams Pleitgenootschap bij de Balie te Brussel), including as president and currently as honorary president. Gert-Jan is currently a member of the Board of the Brussels Bar Association.
Work Highlights
- defending a class action initiated against a global tech company for alleged fraudulent and misleading communication relating to devices and software and coordinating the defence of the company across several European jurisdictions.
- advising and energy provider in relation to a class action that was brought by an ombudsman against it and five other players in the market.
- defending ageas in numerous legal proceedings that have been launched following the rescue transactions that safeguarded the continuity of Fortis Bank in 2008, including claims for damages by former shareholders.
- acting for a European retail group headquartered in Belgium with subsidiaries in a number of European jurisdictions in restructuring and subsequently insolvency proceedings.
- acting for an international bank in cross-border disputes with various entities of a major international commodities trading group in relation to its outstanding credit facilities and derivative transactions, as well as subsequent proceedings for the enforcement of security, judicial restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings and director liability suits.
- representing a global industrial player in proceedings for interim relief relating to the exercise of an insolvency call option on the shares in a joint ventures controlling critical technology.
Country Of Admission