Image of Tom Schoors

Tom Schoors

Partner

Email

Tom.Schoors@aoshearman.com

Phone

+32 3 287 73 30

Offices

Brussels

V-CARD
Tom is Managing Partner of A&O Shearman Belgium and Belgium Cross-Practice Insurance Lead. He has extensive court litigation and (national and international) arbitration experience.

Tom 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 25 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 construction disputes and insurance litigation, and co-heads our cross-practice insurance sector team and our PENRI (Projects, Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure) sector team. Finally, having a specific interest in the energy markets, Tom regularly assists clients on 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.

Experience

Representative matters

Various energy companies on the development of new onshore and offshore energy projects, as well as on a variety of regulatory issues (including advising on the new regulatory framework for future tenders for offshore wind energy production installations in the Princess Elisabeth Zone in the Belgian North Sea).

Various offshore wind farms on contract and related insurance disputes regarding (serial) defects affecting the wind turbines (both in arbitration and in court), inter-array cables and generators.

Leading chemicals companies in ICC arbitration and court proceedings in relation to disputes with contractors in the context of the construction of a chemical plant in the port of Antwerp-Bruges.

A leading insurance company as defendant in various misselling proceedings initiated by groups of claimants that are claiming compensation for their lost investment.

An international chemicals company in relation to a major construction dispute with its contractors. 

An industrial company on the construction and project financing of a new gas fired combined cycle power plant, under the Belgian CRM regime.

An insurance company in a post-M&A arbitration regarding the sale of a portfolio of insurance policies. 

A financial institution on the restructuring of its agency network, and related litigation. 

A global financial services provider on a multimillion cyber-attack.

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.
  • 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
  • "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
“Very thorough, approachable and responsive”
Chambers, 2023
“He challenges us and looks at the broader picture, weighing our interests and seeing how we can best move forward”
Chambers, 2023

Qualifications

Admissions

Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2021

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

Languages

Dutch, English, French
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Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.