
Compliance & Regulatory
Compliance is currently undergoing a significant development within financial institutions and its role is becoming more important due to the growing number of obligations that are imposed on such institutions. Anti-money-laundering and the related KYC obligations are probably those which constitute the more serious concern of financial clients. Another topic that triggers compliance questions is the prevention of bribery and corruption, notably in public procurements and in the construction sector.
The type of work that we regularly offer to our clients covers the following:
- conducting compliance risk assessment
- advising on compliance issues such as anti-trust laws and regulations and anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws and regulations, amongst others the FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act), the UK Bribery Act 2010 and the WWFT (Prevention of Money laundering and the Financing of Terrorism), trade restrictions, tax compliance and environmental legislation
- reviewing compliance programs
- drafting compliance policies (AML, ABC policies, etc.)
- implementation of whistle-blower policies
- privacy issues
- training of directors and supervisory directors regarding compliance issues
Corporate Investigations
The investigation phase lays the foundation of the criminal trial. As such, it must be handled in a strategic way, that ensures that the client’s rights are always preserved. In case of a (cross-border) corporate investigation, we help clients with sound advice on issues relating to fraud, bribery and corruption, regulation, export controls and sanctions, tax issues, anti-trust violations, employment issues, privacy issues, cybersecurity and due diligence.
We offer the following assistance in this context:
- preparing and assisting clients interviewed by investigative authorities
- assisting clients subject to dawn raids by criminal or administrative authorities (e.g. on-site presence, assistance to representatives of the company who must be heard, recording of the evidence collected)
- organising depositions / interrogations in collaboration with foreign attorneys and/or authorities
Criminal proceedings
We assist and defend our clients also once a case is referred to criminal courts or before adjudicating bodies of regulating authorities (eg. the Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA), the National Bank of Belgium or the Raad voor de Mededinging/Conseil de la Concurrence).
We offer:
- analysis of the criminal file an assessment of the risks linked to the criminal case regarding suspicion of tax fraud, violations of financial supervision laws and regulations, investment fraud, bankruptcy fraud, bribery of officials, corruption, environmental crimes and others
- preparation of clients to hearings
- defence of the case before courts of all levels
- potential negotiation of criminal settlements / guilty plea when appropriate

Loyens & Loeff Belgium strengthens the practice Corporate Investigations, Compliance & Business Crime Defence
Hakim Boularbah
Attorney at Law PartnerHakim Boularbah, attorney at law, heads the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. He focuses on cross-border litigation and international arbitration. He is also a member of the France Region Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 50 E: hakim.boularbah@loyensloeff.comBert Gevers
Partner Attorney at LawBert Gevers is a local partner in our Brussels office. He heads of the Loyens & Loeff Indirect Tax Practice Group in Belgium, is a core member of the Corporate Investigations Team and co-heads the Food and Beverages Team.
T: +32 2 743 43 18 E: bert.gevers@loyensloeff.comOlivier van der Haegen
Partner Attorney at LawOlivier van de Haegen, attorney at law, is Partner and member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. He is experienced in dispute resolution, and focuses on international commercial arbitration. He is also a member of the firmwide Restructuring & Insolvency Team and of the France Region Teams.
T: +32 2 773 23 52 E: olivier.van.der.haegen@loyensloeff.comClémence Van Muylder
Senior associate Attorney at LawClémence Van Muylder, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She focuses on white-collar crime, investigations and compliance. Clémence is also a member of the Corporate Investigations, Compliance & Business Crime Defence team.
T: +32 2 773 23 13 M: +32 479 51 87 19 E: clemence.van.muylder@loyensloeff.comStéphanie De Smedt
Counsel Attorney at LawStéphanie De Smedt, attorney-at-law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She is head for Belgium of the IP/IT Team, the Data Protection Team and the Life Sciences Team.
T: +32 2 773 23 77 E: stephanie.de.smedt@loyensloeff.comCharlotte Jacques
Associate Attorney at lawCharlotte Jacques, attorney at law, is a member of the Litigation & Risk Management practice group in our Brussels office. She specialises in Commercial Law IP, IT and Data Protection & Privacy. Charlotte is also a member of the Data Protection & Privacy Team and Corporate Investigations, Compliance & Defence Team.
T: +32 2 700 10 26 E: charlotte.jacques@loyensloeff.com