Belgian Supreme Court (“Hof Van Cassatie”) 25 June 2020: A (new) legal update in non-compete clauses

A frequently asked and recurring question in the business world: are a seller of shares, a director, a former director and a shareholder of a company bound by a non-compete obligation?

Belgian law does not provide for the aforementioned persons for an explicit general prohibition to engage in competing activities. A contrario, the Belgian Code of Economic Law contains the principle that “everyone is free to exercise any economic activity of their choice” and the general principle of “the freedom to conduct a business”.  

This freedom can only be restricted by law or by agreement. In this article we list the freedoms/restrictions on the part of a seller, director, former director and shareholder. New here is the legal status of a former director following the judgement of the Belgian Supreme Court (“Hof van Cassatie”) of 25 June 2020. 

Non-compete clause in acquisition agreements  

If a purchaser of shares wishes to be protected against competing activities by the seller after the acquisition of shares, he will have to negotiate a valid non-compete clause in the acquisition agreement.  

It is important to bear in mind that a valid non-compete clause must be limited in 3 areas: time, geography, and description of the activities.  

The Belgian Supreme Court ruled in its judgement of 14 September 2017 that such a restriction is unreasonable when it “reaches further than necessary – with respect to object, territory or duration – to counter competition”. 

Furthermore, a non-compete clause that imposes an unreasonable restriction on the object, territory or duration is invalid. If mitigation of the clause is in accordance with the intention of the parties, the court may limit the nullity to the part of the clause that is conflicting. In this context, it is advisable to always add the following paragraph to a non-compete clause: “If the non-compete clause included in this Article is held to be invalid, in whole or in part, this clause will be converted to the widest possible valid non-compete clause.” 

Prohibition to compete for shareholders 

A shareholder who is not actively involved in the day-to-day functioning of the company is in principle not bound by a non-compete obligation. However, a shareholders’ agreement or the articles of association may expressly provide for a non-compete obligation for the duration of the shareholding as well as, if desired, for a certain period after the shareholding has ended. Again, the above 3 criteria must be respected. 

Prohibition to compete for directors 

Until the judgement of the Belgian Supreme Court of 25 June 2020, it was generally accepted that directors had a non-compete obligation for the duration of their mandate, as well as for a reasonable period after the end of their director’s mandate (10 to 12 months).  

This prohibition to compete was based on the loyalty obligation of directors and the “after-effect of good faith”. This loyalty obligation follows from the purpose-related authority of the director and stipulates that the director has the duty to subordinate his interests to the interests of the company. 

The judgement of the Belgian Supreme Court of 25 June 2020 breaks with this view and explicitly states that from now on the loyalty obligation to non-compete ceases upon termination of the director’s mandate. 

The prohibition to compete therefore remains in force during the term of the director’s mandate, but lapses upon the termination of the director’s mandate. Naturally, a director will still be bound by the non-compete obligation after the end of his mandate if this has been contractually agreed or – also – if there is unfair competition. 

With this judgement, the Belgian Supreme Court puts an end to the legal uncertainty that prevailed with regard to the exercise of competitive activities after termination of the director’s mandate. 

Thus, it remains important to conclude a valid and enforceable contractual non-compete clause with your directors.  

Sara Burm and Lien Verhelle 
De Langhe Attorneys 

Published in Voka – Ondernemers, VOKA Kamer van koophandel West-Vlaanderen, edition 14 / 2020