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Commercial and Contracts

AMBOS’s commercial law and contract law practice has built up an outstanding reputation over the past decade. Our approach is proactive and practical, and our work is efficient, focused and cost-effective.

Contracts are the core of every commercial activity. AMBOS ensures that their contracts are always tailor-made, clear, practical in their application, and compliant with national and international legislation at all times.

We take the time to sit down with our clients to understand the organisation and structure of their company, and we advise in every step of their business operations: from production unit to end consumer, from idea to commercialisation of services and products. We assist our clients in matters such as sale, delivery, agency, distribution, franchising, licenses, leasing, loans and security, construction, and the acquisition or renting of real estate. Most of our partners have in-house experience, which ensures that we have a better understanding of our clients’ needs and of their day-to-day business activities. 

AMBOS supports clients during the negotiations, the conclusion and the execution of the contracts, as well as in the case of litigation. Disputes can be resolved by negotiation, mediation, alternative dispute settlement or via classic legal proceedings.

Our client portfolio is very broad and ranges from large listed companies or multinationals to private family businesses, SMEs and individuals in Belgium and abroad. We work for a wide variety of businesses in almost all sectors. Over the years we have acquired special expertise in the retail sector (food and pharma), catering sector and hi-tech start-ups.

Distribution, concession, agency, franchising

Clients use a wide range of processes to ensure that their products or services reach their customers. This often includes mechanisms such as agency, selective or exclusive distribution, concession or franchising. AMBOS offers their clients a wealth of experience in all of these fields.

Supply and production agreements

We negotiate and draft supply agreements on an extensive array of products. These are frequently used in multiple jurisdictions, even covering different continents. In order to meet our clients’ needs, we always acquire a thorough understanding of our clients’ production and manufacturing procedures.

Since the products involved are often shipped over considerable distances, we often seek the expertise of our colleagues in the shipping and transport department.

Trade practices and consumer law

AMBOS has ample experience in all aspects of unfair trade practices and consumer protection in both the Belgian and the European law, and handles contentious as well as non-contentious affairs.

We provide advice and support in, among others:

  • advertising, sales promotions, sales methods and commercial practices
  • online sales, setting-up and functioning of a webshop
  • labelling of consumer products
  • unfair terms in consumer contracts
  • product legislation
  • recall actions of defective products

 

AMBOS has particular expertise in advertising, the sale of food, pharmaceutical and para-pharmaceutical products, biotech, financial services, household products, detergents, alcohol and tobacco.

We bring procedures before the commercial courts, as well as before administrative authorities and professional organisations.

International commercial law and commercial disputes

AMBOS’s lawyers act in disputes before courts and arbitration boards. They treat the entire range of commercial litigations, with special attention to:

  • disputes in corporate structures
  • distribution and agency agreements, in particular the early termination of these agreements
  • international trade contracts: purchase agreements including indemnity for (hidden) defects and product liability, leasing, renting, financing and security mechanisms.
  • transport and harbour operations

AMBOS has vast experience in multi-jurisdictional litigation. Also – and this is quite unique for a fully independent Belgian law firm – one of our partners, US-born and educated lawyer Kathleen Paisley, has very specific expertise in international arbitration and mediation matters.