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Jean-Pierre Fierens is of counsel in our Dispute Resolution practice.

He specialises in corporate and contract law and is one of Belgium’s most renowned litigators, especially in arbitration.

Jean-Pierre acts on a range of domestic and international cases, covering both litigious and arbitral proceedings for clients in sectors including banking, food and insurance. He also represents state entities.

He is well-known for his roles in complex and highly mediatised disputes involving directors’ liability.

Over the last 10 years, Jean-Pierre has been appointed numerous times as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator or chairman of an arbitral tribunal.

He also acts as counsel in arbitration matters. Jean-Pierre is an accredited mediator (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution, London). He has acted as a mediator in a wide range of corporate and contract law-related disputes.

Education

He obtained a Master of Laws from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) in 1972, a Special Licence in Economic Law from Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) in 1973 and pursued the special studies in Tax Law at ICHEC Brussels Management School in 1977. He also holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.) from Columbia University (1980).

Admission

Jean-Pierre was admitted to the Brussels Bar in 1973.

Affiliations and others

Jean-Pierre was President of the Dutch-speaking Bar of Brussels from 1998 until 2000.

He was President of the Belgian section of the League of Competition Law from 2000 to 2002. 

He was Chairman of the Board of the law firm Stibbe and was Head of Litigation at Stibbe’s Brussels office.

Areas of expertise
Office

Brussels

Languages

Dutch, French and English.

recommendations

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

"I left everything in your care and almost a year later my case was finished. People were courteous. Recently I insisted another friend use you."

James Watson, Lynx

Recognitions

Legal 500 2023 - Dispute Resolution

‘I work with JP Fierens who has extensive and long experience, which gives me great confidence. He is always available for questions and ensures that case analysis and court documents are of the highest quality.’


‘Jean-Pierre Fierens; very good client contact and responsiveness, his views on litigation strategy are unique, he looks beyond the law. Outstanding lawyer with great credibility.’

Legal 500 2023 - Industry Focus : Retail

‘Mr. Fierens is a very experienced attorney, who is an absolute authority in his field, both as a litigator and an arbitrator. On top of that, he has a broad knowledge of Belgian corporate, commercial and contract law.’

Chambers Europe 2023 - Dispute Resolution: Arbitration

"Jean-Pierre Fierens is a very experienced lawyer who makes sure all angles are covered."


Who's Who Legal

Recommended in Who's Who Legal Arbitration 2023

Who's Who Legal 2022

Global Leader Commercial Mediation 

Chambers Europe 2022 - Dispute Resolution

Jean-Pierre Fierens assists both public and private clients with contractual litigation and bankruptcy disputes. He also acts as arbitrator on ICC and CEPANI arbitrations, including those relating to construction and investment issues. He is admired by clients because "he is very experienced, he sets the right strategic priorities and has a clear vision."

Chambers Europe 2021

Jean-Pierre Fierens (Band 1 in Dispute Resolution & Band 2 in Arbitration) has a wealth of experience handling litigation and arbitrations, representing both public and private clients in complex liability cases, contract terminations and insurance disputes. Fierens frequently acts as chairman and co-arbitrator on CEPANI and ICC arbitration proceedings. One client comments that Fierens is "very enjoyable to work with and very experienced." Another source notes thatFierens is a "top lawyer for litigation and arbitration."

Legal 500 2019

Industry focus: Retail – Tier 1

Strelia has significant experience assisting retail sector clients with setting up and developing operations in Belgium. It acts for Carrefour on its Belgian franchise activities and advises the same client on various commercial contracts. The group is also assisting with Burger King's expansion in Belgium. Olivier Clevenbergh and Jean-Pierre Fierens are key names to note. Veritas and Point Carré are also clients.

Chambers Europe 2020

Dispute Resolution Band 1  & Arbitration Band 2  


Jean-Pierre Fierens is vastly experienced acting for defendants on bankruptcy cases, as well as advising on franchise disputes. He is also routinely appointed as an arbitrator in CEPANI arbitration proceedings. He maintains a stellar reputation in the market, with one client adding: "Fierens is the absolute authority in Belgium for dispute resolution."

Hall of Fame & Leading Individual: Jean-Pierre Fierens

Chambers Europe 2019

Jean-Pierre Fierens 's practice focuses on corporate and contract law. He acts on a range of domestic and international cases, covering both litigious and arbitral proceedings for clients in sectors including banking, food and insurance, as well as state entities. One source lauds him as "an excellent lawyer," and another interviewee notes that he has "a good grasp of cases."

Legal 500 2019

Dispute Resolution – Belgium – Tier 3

'Very pragmatic' firm Strelia is well known for handling corporate litigation and insolvency disputes; for example, department head Jean-Pierre Fierens is representing directors of Optima Bank in claims for damages following the bank's bankruptcy. Olivier Clevenbergh, who 'understands very complex situations quickly', and Bart De Moor are also names to note.


Chambers Europe 2017

Jean-Pierre Fierens specialises in corporate and contract litigation and arbitration and is also a mediator. Clients say he "not only has great knowledge of legal practices but is also remarkably open-minded and comes up with brilliant solutions."


Legal 500 2019 – Dispute Resolution – Leading individual

Legal 500 2018 – Dispute Resolution – Leading individual

Strelia’s group head Jean-Pierre Fierens has “great commercial insight.”

Chambers Global 2018

Sources single out Jean-Pierre Fierens as "an excellent lawyer". Clients also recognise his practice as arbitrator and party representative, saying: "He has a good grasp of cases."


Jean-Pierre Fierens's practice focuses on corporate and contract law. He acts on a range of domestic and international cases, covering both litigious and arbitral proceedings for clients in sectors including banking, food and insurance, as well as state entities. One source lauds him as "an excellent lawyer," and another interviewee notes that he has "a good grasp of cases."


Jean-Pierre Fierens focuses on corporate and contract law and is particularly noted for his mediation and arbitration abilities. Clients value his "hands-on approach, experience and knowledge" and describe him as both "customer-oriented and solution-driven."

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