Loss of nationality and Union citizenship: the fourth chapter in the case law of the Court.

Maya Cornelis - Nieuw Juridisch Weekblad, 2026, p.73-74

Faros is very proud when its young associates are publishing in legal literature. This is exactly what Maya Cornelis did in this publication. Maya takes a deep dive into the world of loss of nationality and EU citizenship, drawing on recent case law of the Court of Justice. She analyses how the Court further restricts the margin of discretion of Member States and highlights the importance of procedural safeguards.

‘By Object’ or not ‘by Object’: Issues Resolved?

Frank Wijckmans & Luc Peeperkorn - ECLR, 2025/4, p.132-149

What started as a free discussion on the “by object” topic at the Verticals sessions of the Brussels School of Competition, ended up in a law review article that has now been published by European Competition Law Review. In the article Luc and Frank dive into the details of the caselaw and attempt to take stock of where this caselaw has brought us to date. Their exchanges on the topic result in a clear warning that the “by object” assessment requires a high degree of care and should not be relied upon too easily by courts or enforcers.

Vertical Agreements and Dominant Firms (9th edition)

Emmelie Wijckmans & Frank Wijckmans - ICLG, 2025, p.35-42

Emmelie Wijckmans and Frank Wijckmans continued the tradition of providing guidance in the ICLG Guide on the application of the EU rules on vertical agreements to dominant players. This year’s edition adds input on the most recent initiatives of the EU Commission and the recent caselaw of the Court in Luxemburg. The Q&A format of the ICLG Guide lends itself to a very pragmatic presentation of the relevant answers to the most relevant questions in this particular area. Practitioners will enjoy the overview that is thus provided in a very hands-on manner (which is completely in line with the style of the house at Faros).

A compass for the new vertical block exemption

Frank Wijckmans - SEW Europees en economisch recht, 2024, p.343-358

This article explains how the new European rules on vertical agreements (such as distribution and supply contracts) operate, and when such arrangements are automatically permitted under competition law.

It provides a practical overview of the applicable conditions (such as market share thresholds and prohibited clauses) and helps legal practitioners determine whether an agreement falls within the “safe harbour” of the block exemption or requires an individual assessment.

The new EU Competition rules for supply and distribution agreements: no revolution, but an evolution of the effects-based approach

Frank Wijckmans & Luc Peeperkorn - ECLR, 2023, p.127-147

In this article, the new EU rules on vertical agreements are analysed. In section 2, the change of policy towards an effects-based approach that took place at the turn of the century is described. Section 3 provides an outline of the new rules and describes what has remained the same since the shift to the effects-based approach. Subsequently, section 4 focuses on the parts of the new rules that have changed compared to the rules of 2010.

Whether there are reasons to worry?

Frank Wijckmans - Competitio 2023, p.1-5

This article discusses the legal uncertainty for companies as a result of current competition law legislation, due to a prominence of complex economic and legal considerations.

The Private Competition Enforcement Review – 14th edition

Frank Wijckmans & Maaike Visser & Karolien Francken & Monique Sengelov & Manda Wilson - The Law Reviews, 2021, p.1-33

Based on their experience in private damages cases following Commissions cartel decisions, the authors describe the relevant questions that apply to this type of legal actions. The article is intended to provide pragmatic answers to some the challenges presented by private damages claims.

The future Vertical Block Exemption is in preparation: no seismic shift on the horizon, but still… (Dutch)

Frank Wijckmans & Lise Ryckaert - Competitio, 2021, p.379-394

This article provides an insight into the draft prepared by the European Commission for the new block exemption regulation on vertical agreements. It is particularly helpful to understand the development of the draft towards the definitive texts of Regulation 2022/720 and the new Vertical Guidelines. Some points of criticism reflected in the article have been resolved in the final version of the new legal instruments.

The exculpatory investigation – food for thought (Dutch)

Frank Wijckmans & Herlinde Burez - Tijdschrift voor Belgische Mededinging, 2021, p.184-188

Based on Belgian case law, the interpretation of the requirement of conducting an investigation à décharge in competition law is discussed, as well as the possible consequences of a breach by the Auditorate of this duty.

“Parental liability” in het belgisch mededingingsrecht (Dutch)

Frank Wijckmans & Emmelie Wijckmans - Tijdschrift voor Belgische Mededinging, 2016, p.230-242

This article focuses on the policy of "parental liability" in Belgian competition law. It addresses the question of when parent companies are liable for competition infringements of other group companies.

In search of a balanced interpretation of the concept of restriction by object in competition law. (Dutch)

Emmelie Wijckmans & Grégoire Ryelandt - Revue de Droit Commercial, 2015, p.776-788

The CJEU case-law is analyzed to determine whether Cartes bancaires is a confirmation, an (r)evolution, or a reversion of the determination of the boundary between agreements by object and those with anti-competitive effects. It then analyses the consequences re: information exchanges and ‘signaling’, and ends with comments on the balance between the protection of the fundamental rights of companies/individuals and the importance of correctly qualifying conduct.

So much for the Belgian cartel paradise (Dutch)

Frank Wijckmans & Filip Tuytschaever - Rechtskundig Weekblad, 2008, p.1178-1196

This article provides the practicing lawyer with an overview of the main rules of public enforcement and private enforcement of the cartel ban. The Belgian Leniency Notice of 22 October 2007 is explicitly discussed in this context.