Public procurement is an essential part of our economy. In Belgium, it represents about 19% of gross domestic product.
Due to liberalisation of the European market, the rules on public procurement are primarily European in origin. The principles of equality, competition and transparency are crucial in this context.
Regulation of public procurement is particularly complex. Contracting authorities can encounter many difficulties in establishing error-free procurement guidelines and in retaining the best candidate in a legally correct manner. Companies, for their part, have to pay close attention to the form and content of their offer and often question what action they can take in the face of unfavourable decisions. The tendering process is, moreover, governed by binding rules.
& DE BANDT focuses on providing legal assistance, to both businesses and public authorities, in interpreting and applying procurement rules.
& DE BANDT helps to avoid disputes by advising clients on the correct application of the rules to procurement guidelines and tenders. If litigation is unavoidable, we represent our clients before the administrative and civil courts. Our firm is also well acquainted with the general principles of European law and public law, and will therefore, if necessary, take disputes to the Constitutional Court and/or the European authorities.
& DE BANDT has extensive experience in advice and dispute resolution in the area of public procurement, and has been involved in numerous major cases.
