WILLKOMMEN

Astrea Corporate & Technology Partner Steven De Schrijver has contributed the Belgian chapter to the Global Legal Insights publication “AI, Machine Learning & Big Data” (Second Edition).

The Global Legal Insights (GLI) series, which is published by Global Legal Group, provides essential insights into current legal issues, providing readers with expert analysis of legal, economic and policy developments through the eyes of the world’s leading lawyers.

The GLI to “AI, Machine Learning & Big Data” covers a number of subjects including: trends, ownership/protection, antitrust/competition laws, board of directors/governance and regulations/government intervention in 29 jurisdictions.

Read here the full text of the Belgian Chapter contributed by Steven De Schrijver: Belgian chapter to “AI, Machine Learning & Big Data”.

The outbreak of COVID-19 and the measures taken by many governments have a significant impact on society as well as on the ability of contracting parties to perform their obligations under their commercial contracts, including IT related contracts. There are not only many uncertainties and questions about the fulfilment of running IT contracts but it is also important to consider some additional factors while drafting new IT contracts.

In our memo “Impact of COVID-19 on IT contracts”, we outline the impact of COVID-19 on current IT contracts and provide some suggestions on additional wording for new IT contracts.

Please find the PDF version of this memo here: Impact of Covid-19 on IT Contracts.

Astrea Banking & Finance Partner Dieter Veestraeten has contributed the Belgian Chapter to The Legal 500: Lending & Secured Finance Country Comparative Guide (2nd Edition).

The Legal 500’s Country Comparative Guides give a practical overview of the laws and regulations across a variety of jurisdictions, for specific practice areas.

The Lending & Secured Finance Country Comparative Guide provides information about foreign lenders, interest, security registration requirements, guarantees and tax incentives.

Each country chapter is written by leading lending and secured finance lawyers and industry specialists in an easy to use Q&A format. 

Use the following link to read the complete chapter written by Dieter Veestraeten online: https://www.legal500.com/guides/chapter/belgium-lending-secured-finance/ or download a PDF version of the chapter here: Lending & Secured Finance Country Comparative Guide - Belgian chapter.

Astrea Corporate and M&A partner Steven De Schrijver has contributed the article “Private acquisitions in Belgium: market analysis overview” to the 2020 edition of the Private Mergers and Acquisitions Global Guide, published on the website of the online legal know-how service Practical Law.

The Practical Law Global Guides, which are published by Thomson Reuters, provide practical information on topical issues and country-specific Q&A overviews on different areas of law and are written by leading local law firms.

In this Q&A article, Steven gives a high level overview of key issues in Belgium, including current major trends, private M&A activity, structuring and documentation in transactions, governing law and arbitration, and reform and future market trends.

Please find the complete article contributed by Steven De Schrijver here: Private acquisitions in Belgium: market analysis overview.

Steven De Schrijver and Jan Van Loon of Astrea have contributed an article entitled “M&A and GDPR: Two sides of one coin” to the Expert Guide: Mergers & Acquisitions 2020, published by Corporate LiveWire.

Since the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on 25 May 2018, data-related questions have become more important than ever in M&A transactions, primarily due to the economic losses that may be caused due to non-compliance with the GDPR. This article outlines the wider ramifications of GDPR in the context of M&A and identifies best practice for the due diligence and acquisition process in this new climate.

Corporate LiveWire’s Expert Guides feature contributions from industry experts from around the globe covering topics such as regulatory changes and compliance issues, interesting trends and opportunities, regional or national market composition, and recent or landmark case studies. The Expert Guide: Mergers & Acquisitions provides business owners and investors with an insight on recent developments within the area and offers extensive analysis across various industries whilst also being used as a resource for reference both now, and in the future.

Read here Steven’s full article on “M&A and GDPR: Two sides of one coin”.

Parties which are currently negotiating M&A transactions or envisage to enter into negotiations about such transactions in Belgium must assess the impact of COVID-19 on their deals.

Astrea discusses in its memo “Covid-19 and its impact on M&A in Belgium” the most important aspects of M&A in COVID-19 times in Belgium such as the increased focus on certain matters during due diligence process, potential material adverse changes (MAC/MAE) that may block the deal, interim operating covenants or acquisition finance.

COVID-19 challenges directors of Belgian companies to take all necessary decisions to safeguard their companies.

Astrea has prepared a memo “Covid-19 and its impact on Corporate Governance in Belgium” to inform directors about the measures taken by the Belgian government with respect to shareholder meetings that must be held in the coming weeks and which discusses the most relevant fiduciary duties that directors must fulfill to guide their company through this crisis. 

Astrea Banking & Finance Partner Dieter Veestraeten has contributed the Belgian Chapter 30 of the International Comparative Legal Guide (ICLG) to Lending & Secured Finance 2020 (8th edition).

The ICLG to Lending & Secured Finance covers common issues in lending and secured finance laws and regulations – including guarantees, collateral security, financial assistance, syndicated lending/ agency/trustee/transfers. The Country Question and Answer Chapters give a broad overview of common issues in the laws and regulations of this practice area in 40 jurisdictions.

All chapters are written by leading lending and secured finance lawyers and industry specialists. 

Use the following link to read the complete chapter written by Dieter Veestraeten online: https://iclg.com/practice-areas/lending-and-secured-finance-laws-and-regulations/belgium or download a PDF version of the chapter here: ICLG to Lending & Secured Finance 2020.