Legal developments to improve the enforcement of Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) rules in the agri-food sector

A new Regulation has been adopted to improve the enforcement of cross-border unfair trading practices. The Council and the European Parliament have also reached a provisional agreement to establish rules on the protection of ‘meat’ terms and the use of marketing claims such as ‘fair’ and ‘equitable’.

For an overview of the developments, take a look at the slides here.

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Feel free to contact our commercial partner Milena Varga and counsel Laurence Vanhyfte.

#eulaw #unfairtradingpractices #agrifood #foodsupplychain #consumerprotection #utp #contrastupdate

Happy International Women's Day!

Yesterday marked International Women’s Day, and we would like to take a moment to celebrate the many inspiring women we work with every day. From colleagues and clients to peers and students, their drive, dedication and expertise are an essential part of what makes our firm such a rewarding place to work.

Each year, we mark International Women’s Day by supporting a charity that makes a meaningful difference for women and their families. This year, we are proud to support KickCancer, an organisation dedicated to curing every child with cancer. KickCancer does this by funding vital cancer research, empowering young patients through advocacy and emotional support, and driving innovation to improve treatments.

As part of this commitment, we donated all registration fees from our Knipperlichten seminar to KickCancer. Today, we are also taking part in É𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲, enjoying some pastries in support of their good cause. A special thank you to brood- en banketbakkerij k. burez for baking the delicious KickCancer éclairs.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐊𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥? You can donate via www.kickcancer.org/donate, buy a KickCancer éclair at a participating bakery in your neighbourhood or learn more by watching this video. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVAxpi8K

#internationalwomensday #IWD2026 #womeninlaw #kickcancer #lawfirm #charity #sustainability #contrastcares

Knipperlichten Seminarie 2026

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 organiseerde afgelopen donderdag zijn 15e Knipperlichten seminarie, en het was weer een inspirerende editie! Bekijk onderstaande video voor enkele sfeerbeelden!

Graag bedanken we onze gastsprekers en contrasters voor hun heldere inzichten:

Prof Dr. Bernard Tilleman van KU Leuven | Voorzitter Axel Desmedt van de Belgische Mededingingsautoriteit | Filip Tuytschaever | Bart Bellen | Herlinde Burez | Milena Varga | Kristof De Wael | Mathieu Vancaillie | Laurence Vanhyfte | Camille Verstraete | Karlien De Ryck | Emiel Weyers

Dank ook aan alle deelnemers. We hopen jullie spoedig opnieuw te mogen ontvangen op één van onze 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 events. Interesse om op de hoogte te blijven van alle evenementen van 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬? Laat je gegevens hier achter: https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1lwPv6v0RTqGCjZzVgVWT9A2b7grx

#corporatelaw #commerciallaw #competitionlaw #contractlaw #BCA #contrastconnects

Mastering the art of litigation: a practical workshop for law students

In collaboration with ELSA Leuven, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 organises an interactive litigation workshop for law students. From building a strong case file to pleading in court, this hands-on session will give you practical insights into dispute resolution and advocacy skills.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧?
📅 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 18 March from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: KU Leuven

𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩:
• How a real court case unfolds;
• How to build a case file;
• Use of AI in legal proceedings;
• Arbitration vs. litigation;
• The art of pleading.

The workshop will conclude with a Q&A session, followed by a networking drink.

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝? Register here.

#litigation #disputeresolution #lawstudents #workshop #ELSALeuven #meetcontrast #contraststudentcorner

Welcome aboard, Marie!

We’re happy to welcome Marie Giot-Bogaerts as the newest member of our competition & EU team, joining us as paralegal alongside Evi Noël and Jules Guns.

We wish Marie a fantastic start at 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭.

#lawfirm #lawjobs #lawcareers #paralegal #contrastcareers #contrasttalent

We got great news to share!

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Sente to counsel and Cathy Van den Branden to senior paralegal. 👏

Laura joined 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 in 2017. Over the years, she has developed strong expertise in EU and Belgian merger control as part of our competition & EU team. Known for her sharp analytical skills, calm presence and ability to build trusted client relationships, Laura is a highly valued colleague and adviser.

Cathy joined 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 in 2020. She has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill in navigating legal complexities with precision, reliability and a hands on approach. As the driving force behind our Vibes team, Cathy plays a pivotal role in organising meaningful initiatives that strengthen our team spirit and foster a positive working environment.

We are grateful that Laura and Cathy take this next step in their careers. A well deserved recognition of their expertise and continued commitment to 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭 !

Please join us in congratulating them! 👏

#promotion #lawfirm #competitionlaw #commerciallaw #contrasttalent

Knipperlichten 2026 - gastspreker Axel Desmedt

𝐊𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝟓 𝐦𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔💡

We zijn bijzonder verheugd dat Axel Desmedt, voorzitter van de Belgische Mededingingsautoriteit, de keynote zal verzorgen. Hij geeft zijn inzichten mee over de werking van de BMA en de rol van de Voorzitter. Daarnaast beantwoordt hij graag vragen van het publiek.

👇 Ontdek in de visual meer over Axel Desmedt en het volledige programma.

𝐌𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐳𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐭!
Schrijf u vandaag nog in via volgend formulier.

𝐖𝐚𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧?
· U blijft mee met de juridische en economische tendensen die uw praktijk in 2026 en daarna zullen bepalen.
· Deelname levert 𝟓 𝐎𝐕𝐁/𝐈𝐁𝐉 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧 op (aangevraagd).
· Uw inschrijvingsgeld gaat 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐚𝐚𝐫 KickCancer.

#legalseminars #competitionlaw #contrastconnects #20yearscontrast

Fire aid and safety

Recently, our colleague Winny refreshed our fire safety know‑how: what to do in case of fire, how to evacuate safely, and when to use CO₂ or foam extinguishers.

Our first aid team members, Cathy and Michèle, shared practical tips on how to provide the right first‑aid response in case of a fire-related emergency.

Knowing what to do in an urgent situation can make all the difference, which is why continuous training remains essential.

#firesafety #firstaid #safetyatwork #ESG #contrasttraining #contrastcares

Omnibus I package - update

𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: Omnibus I has been published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force 20 days from now. The transposition deadlines have also been fixed, to 19 March 2027 for CSRD amendments and 26 July 2028 for CSDDD amendments. You can find the publication here.

#EU #CSDDD #CSRD #Omnibus #corporate #duediligence #ESG #sustainability #corporatesustainability

Omnibus I package - Council gives final approval to CSRD & CSDDD amendments

Almost a year to the day after the European Commission published its initial proposal on 26 February 2025, the European Council today formally approved the final text of Omnibus I. Following the earlier, final approval by the European Parliament on 16 December 2025, this wraps up the legislative process of the amendments to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

The text will now be finalised to be published in the Official Journal in the coming days. Entry into force will be 20 days following this publication, with a transposition deadline within 12 months for CSRD-related amendments and by 26 July 2028 for CSDDD-related ones.

📌 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 (e.g. see our latest updates here). Also keep an eye on our page, as we have a more in-depth update coming soon!

📌 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞.

💬 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Feel free to reach out to our corporate team or your usual contact person at 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭!

#EU #CSDDD #CSRD #Omnibus #corporate #duediligence #ESG #sustainability #corporatesustainability