Chambers & Partners has published its Europe 2026 Guide, and AKD is once again recognised as a Leading Firm.
In this year’s edition, AKD is recognised with 17 firm rankings and 36 individual rankings across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. We’ve maintained our firm rankings across the board, while celebrating new rankings and individual promotions.
Notable developments across our focus industries:
- Energy in Belgium moves up to Band 1
- Continued top-tier recognition for our Healthcare team and a new ranking for Life Sciences in the Netherlands
- Real Estate and Construction reinforce their strong position, with increased recognition for our experts
We would like to thank our clients for their positive feedback, which is invaluable in achieving these rankings.
You can find a complete overview of ranked practice areas and individual lawyers in the Chambers Europe Guide 2026 here.
Client feedback for our teams
Banking & Finance (Belgium)
''AKD have a hands-on approach and are highly knowledgeable in technical matters. We receive quick and qualitative feedback on all topics and requests.''
''AKD's team demonstrates remarkable availability, combining swift proactivity and responsiveness. Their ability to maintain control and master every aspect of the transaction is truly commendable.''
Energy (Belgium)
''AKD's strengths are its hands-on approach and ability to see the next steps. The lawyers use their time wisely according to what has the most added value for me as a client.''
''AKD has a deep understanding of the sector and quickly grasps the perspectives of both parties. The lawyers are skilled at identifying bottlenecks and proactively proposing solutions to resolve them'.'
Tax (Belgium)
''Werner Heyvaert has extensive practical knowledge and is highly committed to clients.''
Employment (Belgium)
''Julien Hick provides excellent client service and consistently delivers clear, pragmatic advice. He quickly understands our business context and adapts his guidance so it is both legally sound and commercially workable.''
Competition/European Law (the Netherlands)
''This department distinguishes itself by combining deep competition law expertise with seamless coverage at both EU and Dutch levels.''
''The lawyers didn't just identify legal risks - they proactively structured solutions that preserved momentum while ensuring comprehensive protection.''
Corporate/M&A: €50-250 million (the Netherlands)
''AKD has a very client-oriented team that provides clear communication on complex matters. The lawyers are very responsive and coordinated.''
''The team has a good understanding of what adds value to negotiations from a legal and commercial perspective. It is very much on the ball and keeps a good overview of transactions.''
Employment (the Netherlands)
''The team demonstrates legal acumen and a clear understanding of our business drivers, international footprint and strategic priorities. The advice is not just technically correct, but shaped by commercial realism.''
''AKD stands out for its proactivity, knowledge, communication skills and personal interactions. Its service levels are of a very high standard, and the team responds quickly.''
Energy and Natural resources (the Netherlands)
''The depth and breadth of AKD's team is truly impressive. It combines extensive legal expertise with a deep understanding of the renewable energy sector, which allows it to handle complex agreements and regulatory challenges with confidence.''
''They understand very well that complex issues take time, but thanks to their experience they can deliver quickly and decisively.''
Healthcare (the Netherlands)
''The AKD team is understanding, cooperative and adaptive to new ideas and visions.''
''AKD has broad knowledge of the legal framework and case law.''
Intellectual Property: General - Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright (the Netherlands)
''The team’s depth is reflected in its ability to tackle highly specialised legal issues with a deep understanding of the nuances involved.''
''AKD consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of intricate legal issues and is able to break them down into manageable components for the business.''
Life Sciences (the Netherlands)
''The AKD team is very extensive in its analysis.''
''AKD provides efficient and to-the-point advice.''
Litigation Mass torts: Mainly Plaintiffs (the Netherlands)
''AKD carefully and deliberately chooses the most promising method for conducting proceedings. The lawyers are curious and like to investigate.''
Litigation (Dispute resolution) (the Netherlands)
''We like AKD's very commercial and pragmatic style.''
''The lawyers are valuable sparring partners who arrive at the right considerations.''
Public Law (the Netherlands)
''AKD combines deep legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset, which enables it to navigate highly challenging issues effectively.''
''The lawyers at AKD have very good skills. They know the exact procedures, have excellent knowledge of the laws and find good solutions. They are focused on solutions.''
Public Law: Planning and Environment (the Netherlands)
''They quickly grasp the issues and their administrative processes are well organised.''
''AKD masters complex legal cases and wins them before courts.''
Real estate (the Netherlands)
''AKD delivers extensive experience and excellent specialist knowledge with a confident and assertive manner.''
Chambers & Partners has published its Europe 2026 Guide, and AKD is once again recognised as a Leading Firm.
In this year’s edition, AKD is recognised with 17 firm rankings and 36 individual rankings across Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. We’ve maintained our firm rankings across the board, while celebrating new rankings and individual promotions.
Notable developments across our focus industries:
- Energy in Belgium moves up to Band 1
- Continued top-tier recognition for our Healthcare team and a new ranking for Life Sciences in the Netherlands
- Real Estate and Construction reinforce their strong position, with increased recognition for our experts
We would like to thank our clients for their positive feedback, which is invaluable in achieving these rankings.
You can find a complete overview of ranked practice areas and individual lawyers in the Chambers Europe Guide 2026 here.
Client feedback for our teams
Banking & Finance (Belgium)
''AKD have a hands-on approach and are highly knowledgeable in technical matters. We receive quick and qualitative feedback on all topics and requests.''
''AKD's team demonstrates remarkable availability, combining swift proactivity and responsiveness. Their ability to maintain control and master every aspect of the transaction is truly commendable.''
Energy (Belgium)
''AKD's strengths are its hands-on approach and ability to see the next steps. The lawyers use their time wisely according to what has the most added value for me as a client.''
''AKD has a deep understanding of the sector and quickly grasps the perspectives of both parties. The lawyers are skilled at identifying bottlenecks and proactively proposing solutions to resolve them'.'
Tax (Belgium)
''Werner Heyvaert has extensive practical knowledge and is highly committed to clients.''
Employment (Belgium)
''Julien Hick provides excellent client service and consistently delivers clear, pragmatic advice. He quickly understands our business context and adapts his guidance so it is both legally sound and commercially workable.''
Competition/European Law (the Netherlands)
''This department distinguishes itself by combining deep competition law expertise with seamless coverage at both EU and Dutch levels.''
''The lawyers didn't just identify legal risks - they proactively structured solutions that preserved momentum while ensuring comprehensive protection.''
Corporate/M&A: €50-250 million (the Netherlands)
''AKD has a very client-oriented team that provides clear communication on complex matters. The lawyers are very responsive and coordinated.''
''The team has a good understanding of what adds value to negotiations from a legal and commercial perspective. It is very much on the ball and keeps a good overview of transactions.''
Employment (the Netherlands)
''The team demonstrates legal acumen and a clear understanding of our business drivers, international footprint and strategic priorities. The advice is not just technically correct, but shaped by commercial realism.''
''AKD stands out for its proactivity, knowledge, communication skills and personal interactions. Its service levels are of a very high standard, and the team responds quickly.''
Energy and Natural resources (the Netherlands)
''The depth and breadth of AKD's team is truly impressive. It combines extensive legal expertise with a deep understanding of the renewable energy sector, which allows it to handle complex agreements and regulatory challenges with confidence.''
''They understand very well that complex issues take time, but thanks to their experience they can deliver quickly and decisively.''
Healthcare (the Netherlands)
''The AKD team is understanding, cooperative and adaptive to new ideas and visions.''
''AKD has broad knowledge of the legal framework and case law.''
Intellectual Property: General - Mostly Trade Mark/Copyright (the Netherlands)
''The team’s depth is reflected in its ability to tackle highly specialised legal issues with a deep understanding of the nuances involved.''
''AKD consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of intricate legal issues and is able to break them down into manageable components for the business.''
Life Sciences (the Netherlands)
''The AKD team is very extensive in its analysis.''
''AKD provides efficient and to-the-point advice.''
Litigation Mass torts: Mainly Plaintiffs (the Netherlands)
''AKD carefully and deliberately chooses the most promising method for conducting proceedings. The lawyers are curious and like to investigate.''
Litigation (Dispute resolution) (the Netherlands)
''We like AKD's very commercial and pragmatic style.''
''The lawyers are valuable sparring partners who arrive at the right considerations.''
Public Law (the Netherlands)
''AKD combines deep legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset, which enables it to navigate highly challenging issues effectively.''
''The lawyers at AKD have very good skills. They know the exact procedures, have excellent knowledge of the laws and find good solutions. They are focused on solutions.''
Public Law: Planning and Environment (the Netherlands)
''They quickly grasp the issues and their administrative processes are well organised.''
''AKD masters complex legal cases and wins them before courts.''
Real estate (the Netherlands)
''AKD delivers extensive experience and excellent specialist knowledge with a confident and assertive manner.''