Areas of Expertise
PUBLIC &
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
For nearly 30 years, ATHOS has been providing a full and integrated range of services across the various fields of public and administrative law.
ATHOS offers comprehensive services in Dutch, French and English. We assist clients in all aspects of their files, ranging from procedural representation to the drafting of legal opinions, contracts, as well as regulatory or legislative texts.
Since its establishment, public procurement and public contracts have been one of ATHOS’ principal areas of expertise.
ATHOS assists clients both during the award phase and the performance phase of public procurement procedures. During the award phase, we advise public authorities on the choice of the most appropriate procurement procedure, as well as on the drafting and review of procurement documents, selection reports and award decisions. In addition, we support companies in the preparation and submission of their tenders, with a view to maximizing their chances of success.
ATHOS also provides targeted assistance during the performance phase, including in relation to performance issues, the drafting of default notices, amendments to the contract and negotiations.
Our expertise also covers concessions, public contracts in the broad sense, as well as public-private or public-public partnerships (PPP).
ATHOS has extensive expertise in public service law and in the legal status of personnel within public authorities, both statutory and contractual, with a particular focus on disciplinary law.
Our services also include legal support in personnel management in the broad sense. We advise and assist clients in the drafting, performance and termination of employment contracts and act as mediators in the event of social conflicts.
ATHOS is a reliable partner for the drafting of employment contracts and work regulations, as well as for providing legal advice and conducting proceedings before the civil and labour courts.
We also support clients in the development of internal policies, including in relation to workplace privacy, the use of internet and social media during working time, and the right to be forgotten. We further assist in drafting agreements with commercial representatives and agents, as well as cooperation and service agreements.
In disciplinary matters, ATHOS regularly defends the interests of public officials subject to disciplinary proceedings and advises public authorities on the application of the relevant regulations.
Within a context of regionalized and often complex regulations, ATHOS assists clients in matters of urban planning law, environmental law and spatial planning, three closely interconnected fields that are central to development and sustainability issues.
We assist private individuals, companies, real estate developers and public authorities at every stage of their projects, from preparation to implementation and legal structuring.
Our assistance notably includes guidance in urban planning and environmental permit applications, procedures relating to spatial planning and zoning, as well as disputes concerning land use and environmental protection.
ATHOS regularly assists educational institutions and students in their mutual legal relationships and in the application of the relevant regulations.
Our practice covers the full spectrum of relationships between educational institutions, teachers, students, parents and competent authorities.
We advise and represent both public and private educational institutions, members of the teaching staff and students in a variety of matters, including applicable regulations, disciplinary measures, as well as disputes relating to study programmes and examination results.
Thanks to our many years of experience, we provide tailored assistance, with particular attention to the procedural and regional specificities of education law.
ATHOS advises clients on various aspects of economic public law, including State aid, the granting of subsidies, gambling regulation, as well as administrative regulation within regulated sectors such as network industries, the financial sector and insurance.
ATHOS also has many years of in-depth expertise in the management and recovery of public claims, combining administrative, civil and judicial law in an integrated manner.
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ATHOS represents clients in matters relating to the respect of constitutional principles and fundamental rights, such as equality and non-discrimination, freedom of expression, religion and association, as well as the protection of private and family life.
We also provide legal opinions and analyses regarding the organization of the State, the division of competences, federalism and electoral law.
ATHOS has furthermore developed particular expertise in the field of transparency of public administration, a constitutionally enshrined principle guaranteeing governmental transparency and the right of access to administrative documents.
ATHOS has extensive and in-depth experience in the field of municipal administrative sanctions (MAS), the instrument through which local authorities may sanction administrative infringements and nuisance behavior.
We advise and assist cities and municipalities in the implementation and application of this sanctions regime, with particular attention to legal certainty and the proper compliance with the applicable regulations.
We also assist private individuals confronted with MAS proceedings, ensuring respect for the rights of defense and the legality of the decisions taken.
ATHOS has moreover represented cities and municipalities for many years in proceedings before the courts.
ATHOS advises and assists local authorities in the preparation, reasoning and implementation of regulations and administrative policing decisions, with particular attention to their legality and proportionality.
We support cities and municipalities in developing measures within the framework of administrative policing, notably in matters relating to public order, safety and quality of life.
ATHOS assists federal, regional and local authorities in the drafting and formulation of legislative and regulatory texts. We advise clients on legislative technique, drafting methodology and legally correct language usage.
Our assistance includes the application of the general principles of legislative drafting, such as the choice of the type of norm, the appropriate level of detail and the structuring of provisions (autonomous, amending, repealing or withdrawing provisions).
We also assist clients in structuring legislative and regulatory acts, including their various constitutive components such as the title, preamble, operative part and annexes, as well as the related preparatory documents (explanatory memorandum, report to the King, etc.).
ATHOS further supports clients in complying with applicable procedures, including consultation of the Legislation Section of the Council of State, and has experience in the transposition of European directives.
CIVIL LAW &
CONTRACT LAW
ATHOS provides assistance in civil law and contract law, including the drafting and (re)negotiation of agreements, the handling of contractual disputes and the law of obligations in general.
We advise and represent clients in liability matters, both contractual and non-contractual, including the civil liability of public authorities. Our practice also covers disputes relating to neighborhood disturbances and other civil law conflicts.
ATHOS also has in-depth expertise in debt recovery, both for public authorities and for companies. We provide an efficient and structured approach, supported by a sustainable network of bailiffs.
CORPORATE &
COMMERCIAL LAW
ATHOS assists companies, associations and foundations at all stages of their development, from incorporation to further structuring and operation. We advise, among other things, on the choice of the appropriate legal form, the drafting of articles of association and the fulfilment of incorporation formalities.
We also assist clients in governance matters, the organization of general meetings, and the rights and obligations of partners and shareholders.
In the context of commercial activities, ATHOS provides legal advice and assistance in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements, as well as in matters relating to competition law, unfair market practices and liability, both contractual and non-contractual.
SOCIAL LAW &
EMPLOYMENT LAW
ATHOS has extensive expertise in employment law and social security law, assisting employers, employees and organizations in advisory matters, negotiations and disputes.
We support clients throughout all stages of the employment relationship, from recruitment to termination, and handle workplace conflicts with the necessary discretion and effectiveness.
We also advise on the application of social security regulations, including contributions, insurance and the status of self-employed personnel, as well as in the context of inspections and disputes.
REAL ESTATE LAW
ATHOS has extensive expertise in real estate law, both in contractual matters and disputes.
We assist clients in all aspects of lease law in the Brussels-Capital Region, Flanders and Wallonia, and handle cases relating to ownership and co-ownership.
ATHOS also acts in construction law, including in relation to construction contracts, liability and construction defects. We further advise and represent clients in matters concerning easements and expropriations, both for private individuals and public authorities.
ENERGY LAW &
NUCLEAR LAW
Over the years, ATHOS has developed particular and in-depth expertise in energy law, with a specific focus on nuclear law and the management of radioactive waste.
This technically complex and socially sensitive sector is subject to continuous developments and regularly attracts public attention.
We assist stakeholders in the energy sector in a wide range of matters relating to the regulatory framework of the civil nuclear sector. Our assistance notably includes nuclear safety and security, the management and storage of radioactive waste, the decommissioning of installations, licensing procedures (including environmental permits), as well as regimes relating to civil liability, taxation and financing.
We also advise on the transposition and application of European and international standards.
HEALTH LAW &
PHARMACEUTICAL LAW
ATHOS has extensive experience in assisting healthcare providers, both public and private, as well as pharmaceutical companies.
For several years, we have assisted multinational companies in the pharmaceutical sector in their daily activities and strategic issues. Our assistance includes marketing authorization procedures for medicinal products, compliance with applicable regulations, advertising and information, distribution and product liability, as well as participation in public procurement procedures within the sector.
Thanks to our in-depth knowledge of national and European regulatory frameworks, combined with extensive practical experience, ATHOS provides tailored legal assistance, both in advisory matters and dispute resolution. We support clients in safely developing their activities within the applicable legal framework.
DATA PROTECTION
ATHOS advises and assists clients in all matters relating to the protection of personal data and privacy. Our assistance includes compliance with applicable regulations, data processing and retention, information security, international data transfers, contacts with supervisory authorities and proceedings before the Data Protection Authority.
Our expertise extends across various sectors, including the public sector, public procurement, the pharmaceutical industry, life sciences, healthcare, mobility and transport.
Our services include:
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regulatory compliance and legal conformity
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information security
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processing and retention of personal data
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contacts with supervisory authorities
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proceedings before the Data Protection Authority