Belgian construction: €48B annual turnover · Major projects: Oosterweel, Metro Brussels, offshore energy hubs.

Construction contracts

Drafting and negotiating standard forms (FIDIC, VOB, NBN) and bespoke agreements. Risk allocation, variations, and delay clauses.

  • FIDIC Red/Yellow/Silver
  • Design & build contracts
  • Subcontractor agreements

Construction disputes

Litigation, arbitration (CEPANI, ICC), and adjudication. Delay claims, defects, and termination disputes.

  • Extension of time claims
  • Defects & latent damage
  • Payment disputes

Planning & permitting

Environmental permits, zoning appeals, and regulatory compliance. Assistance with Flemish/Brussels/Walloon planning authorities.

  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Building permit appeals
  • Heritage & urbanism

Public procurement

Advising public bodies and bidders on concession contracts, PPPs, and tender procedures under Belgian and EU law.

  • Tender documentation
  • Exclusion & appeal
  • Competitive dialogue

Project lifecycle support

Feasibility & structuring JV agreements, consortiums, SPV setup
Procurement & contracts Tender advice, contract negotiation
Execution & variation Change orders, delay management
Completion & handover Taking-over certificates, defects liability

Construction & infrastructure team

Elena Ceulemans – Partner, head of construction (public procurement, permitting)
Matthias Vandenbroeck – Construction disputes, equity recovery in construction
Karim Alami – Litigation, FIDIC claims, arbitration
+ 4 specialised associates

FIDIC

Red, Yellow, Silver, Gold Book – expert guidance

PPP / DBFM

Public-private partnerships & concession contracts

Maintenance & operation

Long-term service and facility agreements

“Pauwels Law Group guided us through a complex FIDIC arbitration against a main contractor. We recovered €3.2M and preserved our reputation.”

— CEO, Belgian civil works company

Construction insights

New FIDIC 2024 updates: key changes for contractors
Brussels' new urban planning ordinance explained
Delay claims: proving critical path in Belgian courts
Public procurement: recent CJEU caselaw digest