With over six years of experience, Tess is a litigator in the public and administrative law department, specializing in economic public law. She advises and represents both public entities and private sector clients.

Her practice primarily focuses on public procurement, public contracts, concessions, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). She also has expertise in energy law, including smart grids, carbon trading, and innovative renewable energy projects (both onshore and offshore).

Tess holds an LL.M. in International Public Law from Leiden University, a highly regarded institution for international law programs. This background equips her with the knowledge and skills to handle and advise on international public law matters. During her studies, she was part of the Leiden team that won the International ICC Moot Court Competition. Since then, she has returned almost every year as a judge in the competition.

Tess works in Dutch, French, and English and has a working knowledge of German.

• Advising and assisting public authorities in preparing procurement procedures, including competitive dialogue for awarding a "DBFMO" contract and a competitive procedure with negotiation for a "DBFM" contract. This includes drafting contractual documents, defining selection and award criteria, drafting contracts, and reviewing candidacies and bids;

• Advising public authorities and private companies on daily inquiries related to the execution of public contracts and compliance with public procurement law, including sanctions, damages, and contract modifications;

• Assisting private companies in preparing their candidacies and bids for public procurement opportunities;

• Representing public authorities and private companies in proceedings before the Council of State, civil courts, tribunals, and the Belgian Competition Authority in cases involving award decisions, public contract execution, and unfair competition;

• Advising NGOs in the award process for multiple grant contracts with the European Commission for development projects in several African countries;

• Assisting private entities in disputes with the European Commission regarding the classification of financial aid provided by the Belgian state (subsidy disputes);

• Representing private individuals in dismissal procedures from senior positions in government and international organizations;

• Advising a private entity on renewable energy projects and sustainability solutions;

• Assisting a public entity in establishing a city-wide heat network and preparing a draft law that was subsequently enacted;

• Advising a public entity in negotiations with the Flemish energy company regarding energy provision and reviewing a power purchase agreement for a long-term partnership;

Education :

LL.M. International Public Law (University of Leiden, 2019, Cum Laude)

Master of laws (University of KU Leuven, 2018)

Bar : Brussels

Winner of 2018-2019 International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (world competition)

Semi-finalist of 2017-2018 European Law Moot Court (Acting as Advocate General)

• WAUTERS, K. and LEPPERS, T., Commentaire article par article de la Législation sur les marchés publics, Loi du 17 juin 2013, Politeia, Bruxelles, 2025 (to appear);

• LEPPERS, T. and  RIXHON, M., De Arresten van de Raad van State in Enkele Cijfers – Vergelijking van de XIIde en de Vide Kamers anno 2023 – Les Arrêts du Conseil d’Etat en Quelques Chiffres – Comparaison des VI e et XII e Chambres anno 2024, Jaarboek Overheidsopdrachten 2023-2024 / Chronique des Marchés Publics 2023-2024, Bruxelles, EBP Consulting, 2024 (to appear);

• MARTENS, B and LEPPERS, T., De Vereiste van een ISO-Certificaat in de Selectiecriteria: Enkele Vraagstukken, Jaarboek Overheidsopdrachten 2022-2023 / Chronique des Marchés Publics 2022-2023, Bruxelles, EBP Consulting, 2022;

• LEPPERS, T., “De grenzen van de wetenschappelijke vrijheid: ‘le courage de la nuance’”, Juristenkrant, 6 april 2022;

• WAUTERS, K. and LEPPERS, T., Toepassingsgebied wetgeving overheidsopdrachten: het mysterie verder ontsluierd, M.C.P. - O.O.O., 2022/1, 15-39;

• GHYSELS, J. and LEPPERS, T., «Zonnepanelen in Vlaanderen: compensatie of vergoeding?», R.W., 2020-2021 (84), 1362;