To seize commercial opportunities in Africa, local know-how and reliable partners on the ground are essential. Liedekerke s newly established office in Kinshasa, DRC, helps clients to navigate and overcome the challenges and seize opportunities of this rapidly developing market. Get in touch and see how we can help with your project.
Inspiring Trust A unique understanding of Africa, and our commitment to it We have developed strong relationships with major African market players, both private and public, based on a thorough understanding of their needs and on our commitment to the rule of law. We have developed unique local capabilities and practical know-how, including knowledge of the Lingala language, and can help our clients resolve their complex legal issues and offer them administrative support and operational assistance from legal perspectives. Our knowledge of the African market and the sensitivities of its stakeholders results also from our strong commitment to the corporate social responsibility programs of our clients and our own efforts to contribute to the development of the region. The firm is very much committed to Africa s future and participates regularly in projects financed by international institutions, such as the World Bank, to reinforce the rule of law and improve the business climate. Local strength, global reach Our understanding of local legal systems and cultures enables us to cultivate relationships with skilled law firms in jurisdictions across Africa and to select the right local counsel for every assignment. Liedekerke is Lex Mundi and Energy Law Group s exclusive member firm for Belgium. Lex Mundi is the world s leading network of independent law firms, and the Energy Law Group is a leading network of independent law firms with extensive expertise in energy and natural resources law. Our membership in these two networks allows our firm to tap into vast experience and expertise of lawyers in 100+ countries worldwide, including 17 of them being in Africa. For further information about these networks, please visit www.lexmundi.com and www.energylawgroup.eu.
General commercial and business law We have longstanding knowledge of OHADA law. The uniform acts of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa cover a range of issues including general commercial law, commercial companies, securities, recovery proceedings, and arbitration, which uniformly apply in 17 African countries. Liedekerke has also assisted leading African players from the fields of private sector development and state debt management. We have provided legal training to lawyers and civil servants in several A f r i c a n countries (DRC, Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Benin) and have set up an exchange program with Congolese law students. Mining and natural resources We have vast experience in advising on legal aspects of the African mining industry, specifically mining and corporate laws. Our practice covers the whole mining process, from prospection and extraction to transformation and distribution. Our expertise includes, in particular, assisting our clients in obtaining research and exploitation permits, acquiring shares or assets of mining companies, and drafting and negotiating joint ventures and tolling agreements. Through close contacts with clients and regulators, we have developed a thorough understanding of the legal, industrial, and financial aspects of the whole value chain of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals and minerals industries. International dispute resolution We have acted as counsel in a large number of high-profile ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitral and judicial proceedings regarding African businesses. Transport and aviation Over the years, we ve worked with local African airlines. Through this, we have developed in-depth experience in handling regulatory, commercial, and contractual issues, and claims concerning the African market, including the DRC, Rwanda, Cameroon, Liberia, and Ivory Coast.
Recent experience includes RECOGNITION Liedekerke was shortlisted for the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team of the Year at the African Legal Awards 2013. «Liedekerke has become our number-one firm for DRC Matters». Chambers and s Global 2017 Aimery de Schoutheete is well versed in Congolese law and regularly acts on disputes concerning that jurisdiction. Sources admire his client care skills. Damien Conem has extensive experience of cross-border M&A and investment involving the Democratic Republic of Congo. Clients enthuse that "he is tireless, responsive and has very good client focus". Assisting an African mining company in the drafting and negotiation of joint venture agreements, advising it on Congolese company law, mining law, and employment law Assisting an Australian mining company in the acquisition of a group of Belgian companies active in the mining explosive sector Acting as counsel to African States in several ICSID investments arbitration proceedings Advising a major DRC sugar factory on setting up a non-profit association to carve out and outsource its labour law obligations and to streamline its business activities Advising a diamond mining corporation, in arbitral proceedings, on the termination of a partnership agreement Advising a Dutch company on the acquisition of controlling interests in DRC stateowned mining companies Advising foreign owners of agricultural land in the DRC on the DRC Agriculture Act of 24 December 2011 Assisting a foreign mining company in the drafting of copper cathode sales contracts Assisting a Belgium-based, multi-sector holding company in the first OHADA law-governed de-merger of a DRC real estate company in the framework of a restructuring of its real estate portfolio Assisting a UK company in the acquisition of 100% of the shares of a mining company in Niger Advising a Stockholm stock exchange-listed telecom company on a sale and leaseback of telecommunication towers in several African countries, including the DRC Representing a DRC mining company in arbitration proceedings against jointventure partners and traders Advising a mining company on the provision of a 2013 draft bill amending the DRC Mining Act of 2002 Advising an Australian mining company on regulatory issues regarding the import and export of mining explosives in the DRC Assisting Rwandan companies in the setting up of a joint-venture to acquire a majority holding in tea plantations throughout Africa and to acquire a hydro-electric plant in Rwanda Assisting a Luxembourg investment company in having Belgian court orders enforced in the DRC, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, and other African jurisdictions Acting as sole arbitrator in an ICC arbitration involving a dispute between foreign shareholders of an African mining company Chambers and s Global 2016
The team Founded in 1965, Liedekerke is a Belgian law firm specializing in business law. It is based in Brussels, London, and Kinshasa. For half a century our lawyers are committed to legal excellence, and Liedekerke is recognized for its leadership and expertise. Liedekerke s clients include international and domestic businesses, from start-ups and private companies to major listed companies and multinational corporations, as well as financial institutions, governmental bodies, and intergovernmental institutions. Backed by a team of 140 lawyers, Liedekerke is a full-service firm, providing contentious and non-contentious advice in more than 20 business practice areas. Across the firm, we have also dedicated sector teams that comprise lawyers from a range of our main practice areas. Our lawyers are recognized authors; they teach in Belgium and abroad, serve as arbitrators, and are regularly called upon to participate in the drafting of legislation and regulations. Speed: In addition to the diversity of our skills, our size is an asset. It allows us to meet the demands of our clients in time and to rapidly deploy teams of specialists in all required disciplines. Innovation: The size and reputation of our firm attract the best talents, to which we offer training and personal development supported by advanced IT and management tools. We ve always strived to be a true reference to decision-makers in search of innovative legal solutions and we give reliable advice tailored to their needs. Custom: Whatever the complexity of the matter, Liedekerke offers clients sensible, practical, and concrete solutions that are tailored to their specific situation. Excellence: Our firm distinguishes itself by its constant strive for excellence. Our lawyers offer a full range of legal services to meet the needs of today s companies and government organizations. Our African Desk at our Brussels and London offices has developed longstanding relationships with companies and other stakeholders active across Francophone Africa, especially the DRC, over the last 30 years. In 2014 Liedekerke incorporated its subsidiary Liedekerke Africa in the DRC. In January 2015 Liedekerke Africa opened an office in Kinshasa to provide local administrative support and operational assistance to clients. This Kinshasa office also serves as an entry point for clients wishing to do business in all OHADA countries on the continent. Our team collaborates closely with Maître Lisette Bewa (Bewa & Associates), a renowned Congolese business lawyer, and is supported by a permanent lawyer on the ground in Lubumbashi, DRC s second largest city and mining hub.
OUR KEY TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDE: Aimery de SCHOUTHEETE Commercial and Litigation T : +32 2 551 14 57 F : +32 2 551 14 53 E: a.deschoutheete@liedekerke.com Nicolas ANGELET Public International Law T : +32 2 551 14 72 F : +32 2 551 14 54 E: n.angelet@liedekerke.com Damien CONEM Corporate and M&A T : +32 2 551 14 85 F : +32 2 551 15 42 E: d.conem@liedekerke.com Thibaut HOLLANDERS Corporate and M&A T : +234 854 854 854 / +243 848 439 330 M : +243 848 439 330 E: t.hollanders@liedekerke.com Edwine ENDUNDO Associate Corporate and Commercial contracts T : +243 811 562 877 E: e.endundo@liedekerke.com Kristien CARBONEZ Head of London office T : +44 207 1510 360 F : +44 207 1510 370 E: k.carbonez@liedekerke.com
LIEDEKERKE BRUSSELS Boulevard de l Empereur 3 Keizerslaan 1000 Brussels - Belgium T: +32 2 55 15 15 LONDON 33 Sun Street London EC2M 2PY - United Kingdom T: +44 207 151 03 60 LIEDEKERKE AFRICA KINSHASA Immeuble TILAPIA, 3ème étage Avenue Batetela n 70 Commune de la Gombe - Kinshasa Democratic Republic of the Congo T: + 243 854 854 854 +243 848 439 330 www.liedekerke.com