Biography

Jean-François Bellis

Position

Partner

Education

University of Brussels (ULB) – Law Degree 1972
University of Michigan Law School - LL.M. 1974

Bar Admission

Member of the Brussels Bar

Professional Focus

Jean-François Bellis started to practice law in Brussels in 1975 specialising in competition and trade law. In 1979 - 1980, he served as Legal Secretary to Lord Mackenzie Stuart at the Court of Justice of the European Communities (now Court of Justice of the European Union) in Luxembourg. In 1986, together with Ivo Van Bael, he founded Van Bael & Bellis, of which he is managing partner.

In the field of competition law, Jean-François Bellis has advised international clients in numerous cases at EU and national level involving a broad range of antitrust issues, including cartels, abuses of a dominant position, mergers, distribution and licensing.

In the field of trade law, he has advised international clients in countless EU anti-dumping cases as well as in many EU countervailing, safeguard and "trade barriers" proceedings. He was appointed by the WTO Director-General as a member of a WTO panel.

Jean-François Bellis has extensive litigation experience in EU competition and trade cases. He has been involved in a large number of the major competition and trade cases in front of the European Courts.

In February 2011, the Global Competition Review (GCR) granted to Jean-François Bellis its "Lifetime Achievement Award" in recognition of his longstanding experience in competition law."

Jean-François Bellis has written numerous books and articles in the field of competition and trade law and has spoken on these two subjects at many international conferences and seminars.

Recommendations

• Recommended by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe for Competition law and Trade law.
• Recommended for competition law and trade and customs law in The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers.
• Recommended by Expert Guides - Guide to the World's Leading Competition and Antitrust Lawyers.
• Recommended by Expert Guides - Guide to the World's Leading Trade Lawyers.
• Recommended by the Expert Guides - Best of the Best top competition lawyers worldwide.
• Recommended by Legal 500 for Competition law.
• Recommended by PLC for Competition law.
• Recommended by the European Legal Experts for Competition law.

Teaching Posts

Jean-François Bellis lectures on EU competition law at the Institute of European Studies of the University of Brussels.