Léonard Maistriaux

Léonard advises on a broad range of civil, commercial and regulatory disputes, with a particular focus on cross-border matters. He represents clients before Belgian courts and acts as counsel in arbitration proceedings. Léonard has special experience in product liability, competition and financial litigation, in the enforcement of judgments and arbitral awards, as well as in restructuring and insolvency. He also has a keen interest in tech-related matters such as cryptoassets.

Léonard taught private international law at UCLouvain for several years. He has given seminars and authored several publications in this field.

Work highlights

Léonard has assisted many clients in resolving disputes. These include advising and representing (*):

• Various financial institutions in both domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency proceedings, including related litigation

• A global pharmaceutical company in relation to an investigation and enforcement proceedings led by the Belgian Competition Authority, securing an unprecedented 95% reduction of the fine sought by the Belgian Competition Authority’s investigative arm
• Eastern European investors in enforcement proceedings regarding an arbitral award rendered against a Central Asian State under the Energy Charter Treaty, involving a record US$22 billion asset freeze
• Global pharmaceutical companies against product liability claims concerning both well-established and ground-breaking new pharmaceutical products
• A pension fund in a c. €50 million post-M&A arbitration 

(*) including at a previous law firm

Léonard was admitted to the Brussels Bar in 2018. He joined Linklaters in 2021 having worked for three and a half years in the Litigation & Arbitration department of another Brussels-based international law firm. 

In addition, he is a trustee and the treasurer of the Royal Belgian Benevolent Society, the oldest foreign charity operating in the UK, which supports young Belgians financially in achieving their academic or artistic goals in the UK. He is also involved with TADA (a network that involves citizens, civil society and businesses in the integration and empowerment of Brussels’ socially most vulnerable teenagers) and Be.Face (a business network that promotes inclusiveness in the world of work by creating opportunities for students and job seekers). 

Léonard studied law at the University of Namur (Bachelor of Law), the University of Antwerp (exchange programme), the UCLouvain (Master of Law) and the University of Buenos Aires (exchange programme). He also holds an LL.M from the University of Cambridge (Jesus College).

He speaks French, English, Dutch and Spanish.

Léonard’s recent published works include:

• L. Maistriaux, « La compétence internationale pour l’action en restitution fondée sur un enrichissement sans cause », R.D.C./T.B.H., 2023/1, p. 84-92
• L. Maistriaux, « La Convention de La Haye sur la reconnaissance et l'exécution des jugements étrangers en matière civile ou commerciale. Lignes de force, état des lieux et perspectives pour la Belgique », J.T., 2022/12, p. 181-187
• L. Maistriaux, « Règlement signification : mise en œuvre, applications et interprétations belges » in Schmitz, M. et Gielen, P. (dir.), La signification des actes judiciaires et extrajudiciaires en Europe, 1e édition, Brussels, Bruylant, 2021, pp. 49-74