Stibbe

Stibbe assisted Schoolkracht, a private consortium consisting of AG Real Estate, EPICO², Rebel and Ethias, with the realisation of a DBFM programme for the first cluster of 27 ‘Scholen van Vlaanderen’ (Schools of Flanders). These new schools will accommodate a total of 20,000 students. The ‘Scholen van Vlaanderen’ school construction programme, valued at 1 billion euros, aims to provide 450,000 square meters of additional school space and create places for 85,000 students. The investment will be distributed over three programmes/clusters of similar size. Our legal assistance included advising on public procurement, project agreements, tax, corporate and finance aspects. Stibbe team: Rony Vermeersch (lead partner), Wouter Ghijsels, Wim Panis, Jan Bogaert, Nathanaelle Kiekens, Pieter Nobels, Quentin Declève, Ian Arnouts, Giovanni Smet, Roxane Lauwereins, Elmo Goossens, Dries Leirs, Marie De Roeck, Katrien Vansina, Julie Smets, Gregory Van Ostade, Robbe Goemaere, Valérie J., Cedric Meulewaeter, Sarah Gallo https://stibbe.law/4eVzcvA

Stibbe assisted the Belgian insurance company Contassur in all aspects of the sale of a closed traditional group life insurance portfolio of branch 21 to the Belgian subsidiary of Monument RE, Monument Assurance Belgium. Stibbe team: Marc Fyon, Jérôme Dubois, Sophie Brenard, Quentin Declève, Giovanni Smet https://stibbe.law/3WhdCcz

Stibbe advised Reno.energy, a company specialising in energy-efficient renovation projects, on its acquisition of photovoltaic panel installer Sungevity Belgium, a 100% subsidiary of Engie. The integration of Sungevity Belgium into the Reno.energy group marks a strategic step for the group’s development and the consolidation of its position as a major player in the energy transition sector. Click the link for more information: https://stibbe.law/3VUbgzU Stibbe team: Julien Bogaerts, Jérôme Dubois, Matthieu Allard, Giovanni Smet

Stibbe Brussels proudly announces the promotions of Anneleen Quirynen (Real Estate, Construction & Projects) and Lothar Van Driessche (Energy, Industry & Utilities) to partner. Anneleen’s promotion takes effect on 1 July 2024 and we welcome Lothar as a partner to our firm on 1 August 2024. Anneleen Quirynen specialises in large-scale PPPs, DBFM(O) contracts, public real estate projects, construction projects, and property law structures. She provides comprehensive advice throughout the project lifecycle and has extensive experience in contract drafting, negotiation, mediation, and legal proceedings. Lothar Van Driessche has profound transactional expertise and significant experience in energy and infrastructure projects, with a deep understanding of energy law, power and gas markets, and regulated infrastructure. He excels in risk analysis, negotiating and drafting commercial energy contracts, and advising on transactions in the energy sector overall. Lothar will lead the Energy, Industry, and Utilities practice in Brussels, working closely together with specialists from our other practices. Wouter Ghijsels, Managing Partner of Stibbe Brussels: “We congratulate Anneleen and Lothar on this significant milestone in their careers and warmly welcome Lothar as our new colleague. By appointing next-generation talent Anneleen, Stibbe is investing in the further growth of its Construction & Projects practice. Anneleen Quirynen and Rony Vermeersch are eager to continue shaping the Belgian infrastructure landscape and securing Stibbe’s leading market position in PPPs and DBFMO contracts. The appointment of Lothar Van Driessche as a partner in our Energy, Industry & Utilities practice is a logical step in the continued development of our full-service model, enabling Stibbe to assist clients with all aspects of their transition to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. I am convinced that with these new partner appointments, Stibbe will maintain its leading market position in these practice areas for years to come.” Click the link to read our full press release: https://stibbe.law/3zytUpn

Stibbe advised ING Belgium on the €80 million placement of 6.5% of all shares of Xior Student Housing. The new shares have been fully placed with Car Logistics Brussels NV, a subsidiary of Katoen Natie Group SA, which will become an additional reference shareholder. Congratulations to all parties in achieving another milestone! The Stibbe team was led by Pascal Vanden Borre and included Willem Witters, Juliette Lansen and Margo Simoens. Read more on our website: https://lnkd.in/gEC963Gz

De Raad voor de leefomgeving en infrastructuur (Rli) heeft een nieuw advies uitgebracht waar Stibbe advocaat Tijn Kortmann aan heeft bijgedragen. Hierin wordt onderzocht hoe de rol van de rechter in milieubeleid en leefomgevingskwesties steeds prominenter is geworden. In "Met Recht Balanceren" pleit de Rli voor een betere balans tussen wetgevende, uitvoerende en rechtsprekende macht. Het advies stelt voor om een Adviseur-Generaal aan te stellen bij de Afdeling advisering van de Raad van State en roept op tot versterking van juridische functies binnen ministeries. Lees meer op onze website: https://stibbe.law/4czPQ1I

ESMA issued a statement on the practice of organising pre-close calls, where issuers share information with analysts immediately before the closed period preceding the publication of a financial report. The European regulator reiterates the legislative framework regarding this practice, and identifies certain best practices for the organisation of pre-close calls. Emilie Renardel de Lavalette discusses ESMA's statement in our latest article: https://stibbe.law/3VuQy9F

🚨 Exciting Tax Updates from Luxembourg 🚨 On 23 May 2024, the Luxembourg Minister of Finance presented a new draft law to Parliament, packed with notable tax provisions, among which: • Simplified minimum net wealth tax rules: a streamlined regime based solely on the taxpayer’s balance sheet. • Clearer tax treatment for classes of shares: enhanced clarity as to the conditions required to benefit of the partial liquidation regime. • Dividend tax exemption opt-out regime: more flexibility with a new opt-out mechanism for partial or total dividend tax exemptions. These changes, which still must go through the legislative approval process, would provide for a more predictable and simplified tax landscape in Luxembourg. Click the link below to find out more. #TaxUpdate #LuxembourgFinance #TaxLaw #NetWealthTax #DividendExemption #CorporateTax #FinanceNews Johan Leonard Christophe Martin-Raynaud

Meet Stibbe at #GlobalABS in Barcelona from 4-6 June 2024, one of the most significant gatherings in the structured finance and securitisation industry. Pieter Nobels from our Brussels office and Jean-Marc Delcour from our Luxembourg office will attend the event. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them if you would like to catch up.

We are grateful to our clients and attendees for making last nights' inauguration of our new Luxembourg office, The Emerald, an unforgettable experience. Your presence was invaluable and we thank you for your continued trust and support!