Tom Schoors
Managing Partner Belgium
Antwerp
Tom Schoors
Managing Partner Belgium
Antwerp
Contact Details
Tom is the managing partner of Allen & Overy Belgium. As partner in our Litigation & Contracts practice, he has extensive court litigation and (national and international) arbitration experience. His commercial litigation practice covers a broad range of complex commercial and contractual disputes. In addition, Tom can draw on more than 20 years’ experience of international business transactions, advising on a wide variety of commercial contracts and projects involving many different sectors and jurisdictions.
Tom has developed particular expertise in both anti-trust damages actions and insurance litigation, and heads our cross-practice insurance sector team. Finally, having a specific interest in the energy markets, Tom regularly advises clients on energy regulation, energy projects and energy disputes. He heads our energy practice and has also lectured on energy contracts at the KU Leuven.
Tom has won plaudits from leading independent legal directories such as Chambers and Legal 500 for his ability to combine his commercial understanding with his legal expertise to provide practical, solution-oriented advice which focuses on getting the best result for his clients.
Other noteworthy experience includes advising:
- Rentel on the development, construction and operation of its offshore wind farm, consisting of 48 turbines for a total capacity of 288 MW.
- A leading DIY chain in a major dispute regarding non-performance of a key logistics contract and its potential termination for cause.
- An insurance company in a post-M&A arbitration regarding the sale of a portfolio of insurance policies.
- A leading global insurance company on the coverage for a damages claim by a financial institution under its professional liability insurance in relation to the sale of investment products linked to Madoff feeder funds to more than 400 private banking clients.
- A major chemicals company on the regulatory and contractual aspects of the construction of a CCGT power plant in a joint venture structure, including in the negotiations as well as on the grid connection and grid access related matters.
Qualifications
Professional
Exempt European lawyer (England and Wales), 2011
Admitted as “advocaat” (Belgium), 1996
Academic
Post Graduate Degree, Energy Law, University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 2001
Post Graduate Degree, Corporate Finance, University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 1998
LLM, European Law, University of Saarbrücken (Europa-Institut), Germany, 1998
Degree, Law, University of Namur and University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 1996
Related articles
Publications: 05 November 2021
The Belgian federal hydrogen vision and strategy
On 29 October 2021, the Belgian federal government presented its hydrogen vision and strategy. We summarise the key points of this long-awaited policy announcement.
Publications: 17 December 2020
European Commission positive about implementation of Damages Directive
Publications: 12 October 2020
Private antitrust litigation before Belgian courts: Gradual increase in follow-on damages actions
Publications: 25 March 2020
Covid-19 coronavirus: hardship and force majeure – a Belgian analysis
Experience highlights
Advising major insurance companies as defendant in different proceedings to obtain the nullity of various insurance policies on the basis of liability (including precontractual liability).
Advising a global financial services provider on a multimillion cyber-attack.
Advising Otary and SeaMade, the offshore wind developers, on the realisation of the 266MW Mermaid and 246MW Seastar offshore wind projects.
Advising a leading retail chain as claimant in a major dispute regarding the non-performance under a contract for the installation of a warehouse management system.
Qualifications
Professional
Exempt European lawyer (England and Wales), 2011
Admitted as “advocaat” (Belgium), 1996
Academic
Post Graduate Degree, Energy Law, University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 2001
Post Graduate Degree, Corporate Finance, University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 1998
LLM, European Law, University of Saarbrücken (Europa-Institut), Germany, 1998
Degree, Law, University of Namur and University of Leuven (KUL), Belgium, 1996
Fraudulent emails
Please note there is a known fraud/scam currently using the Allen & Overy brand and Tom Schoors' name.
More information on fraud using the Allen & Overy brand can be found here.
Published work
- Schoors T., Rasking L., “Private antitrust litigation in Belgium”, chapter in Getting The Deal Through: Private Antitrust Litigation 2019, London: Law Business Research Ltd.
- Schoors T., Goossens F. “Steunmechanismen voor offshore hernieuwbare energie in België” (Support mechanisms for offshore renewable energy in Belgium), chapter in Jaarboek Energierecht 2017, p.69-87, Antwerp: Intersentia.
- Schoors T., Devroe W. and Baeyens T., "Schadevergoedingsacties na kartelinbreuken" (Damages actions for cartel infringements), article in NjW, March 2011, p. 198-213.
- Schoors T., Baeyens T., "Bestuurder loopt risico bij elke klacht tegen bedrijf" (Directors are at risk whenever claims are filed against the company), article in De Bestuurder, July 2009, p. 24-25.
- Schoors T., De Bock B., Portugaels, N., “Insurance litigation in Belgium”, chapter in Getting The Deal Through: Insurance Litigation 2019, London: Law Business Research Ltd.
Energy
- Chapters on Belgium in A&O's "Changes to European Electricity and Gas Markets", all editions, with J. Everaert.
- "Aansprakelijkheid van beheerders van elektriciteits- en gasdistributienetten", chapter in Jaarboek Energierecht 2011, p.145-178, with D. Pacquée and L. Rasking.
- "Het federale energierecht in 2009: overzicht van de belangrijkste ontwikkelingen" (Federal energy law in 2009: overview of the main developments), chapter in Jaarboek Energierecht 2009, p.1-30, with D. Pacquée.
- "Recente ontwikkelingen in het federale energierecht" (Recent developments in federal energy law), chapter in Jaarboek Energierecht 2008, p.45-71, with D. Pacquée.
- "Overeenkomsten voor de levering van elektrische energie en gas" (Contracts for the delivery of electrical energy and gas), in K. Deketelaere (ed.), Handboek Milieu- en Energierecht, Brugge, Die Keure, 2006, p.1240-1251.
- "Groene ellende in België: over groenestroomcertificaten en kosteloze distributie" (Green distress in Belgium: about green certificates and free distribution), Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Energierecht, Amsterdam, Published by Den Hollander, 2005, nr. 3, p.84-90.
- "Towards a Benelux electricity market", Platts' European Electricity Review 2005, p.24, with J. E. Janssen.
- "The Belgian gas market and gas supply contracts under Belgian law", Journal of Network Industries, Vol. 5, no. 2, Intersentia, 2004, p.165-192.
- "Unstable regulation hinders Belgian renewables", European Electricity Review 2004, Platts, 2004, p.28-29, with J. Everaert.
- "Belgium suffering from congestion and high prices", European Electricity Review 2003, Platts, 2003, p.8-9, with J. Everaert.
- "Renewable Energy – Belgian regulatory framework", Spring issue of the Journal of the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in London, 2003, with J. Everaert.
- "Waiting for the great breakthrough", Power in Europe - West European Electricity Review 2002, Platts, 2002, p.12-13, with J. Everaert.
- "Legt de algemene toepassing van de Wet Productaansprakelijkheid de aansprakelijkheidsbeperking van netbeheerders aan banden?", Noot bij Antwerpen (5de Kamer), 19 april 2012, in Milieu- en Energierecht, april-juni 2014, p.132-139, with L. Rasking.
Other
- "De dwangsom in een grensoverschrijdende context" (The penalty fine in a crossborder context), in Rechtskundig Weekblad, number 26 of 25 February 2006, p.1001, with P. Debaene.
- "Distribution of medicinal products", in S. Callens (ed.), Chapters on Pharmaceutical Law, Antwerp, Intersentia, 2000, p.63-84.
- "Parallel import of medicinal products", in S. Callens (ed.), Chapters on Pharmaceutical Law, Antwerp, Intersentia, 2000, p.107-122, with B. Janse.
Recognition
A calm person, which helps when dealing with public authorities, and he is able to come up with creative solutions
Chambers, 2018
broad view" and a "business mindset
Chambers, 2017
He is really straightforward and knows our business well
Chambers, 2017
He has the skills to bring together many parties and come to an agreement
Chambers, 2016
