Valentin de le Court has more than twenty years’ experience in innovation‑related intellectual property (IP) law, including four years practising IP in Shanghai, China. He has developed a broad and distinctive expertise in IP and trade secrets law, built through years of practice at the Brussels Bar, at a Shanghai‑based Chinese IP boutique, and at Belgium’s largest IP firm.

With a keen interest in innovation, Valentin focuses on patents and trade secrets, as both counsel and litigator. He litigates patent disputes in court, advises on R&D collaborations and agreements, conducts trade secrets audits, and helps clients navigate the intricacies of negotiating technology transfer and other IP transactions with Chinese counterparts. His practice also covers trade mark law, including advisory, contractual and litigation matters.

Valentin advises and represents clients across a range of industries, with a particular focus on the life sciences and healthcare sectors. He has significant experience representing start‑ups and scale‑ups, particularly in relation to their research and development projects.

Valentin serves as an expert for the China IP SME Helpdesk, a European Commission‑funded initiative that supports European SMEs with IP issues in China. He was recently appointed Vice Chair of the European Committee of the Licensing Executives Society.

Valentin is ranked Silver – Individuals: Litigation and Transactions in the 2025 edition of IAM Patent 1000.

Leading by example, Valentin de le Court is a hub of rich expertise, insight and vision concerning all things patents and trade secrets. An excellent litigator and sagacious counsel, de le Court has made an impact as part of the Belgian and Chinese IP landscapes, demonstrating that his talent transcends location and even sector.

IAM Patent 1000 (2025)

At OC BE I worked very closely with Valentin de le Court who is extremely responsive, cost-conscious and easy to work with. Working with Valentin does not only lead to great results, it is also simply enjoyable.

The Legal 500, Europe Guide 2025

Valentin de le Court is highly qualified in IP litigation. He provides very clear advice, and interacts smoothly with clients and external collaborators, gathering people through idea sharing.

The Legal 500, Europe Guide 2024

NASDAQ listed biopharmaceutical company

Assisted a NASDAQ-listed biopharmaceutical company across the full spectrum of IP proceedings—from saisie-description (evidence-gathering seizure) to opposition proceedings and actions on the merits—including issues concerning the supplementary protection certificate (SPC) at stake, the Bolar and Bolar(+) exemptions, and the SPC manufacturing waiver.

Technology company providing 3D planning application for Kitchen designers

Successfully defended a Belgian patent in competitor-initiated revocation proceedings for a technology company providing a disruptive 3D planning application that combines hardware and software for kitchen designers, upholding the patent’s validity, maintaining a broad scope of protection, and securing a strategic advantage over competing solutions.

Belgian biotechnology company

Advised a Belgian biotechnology company specialising in cell therapies on the drafting and negotiation of a complex co‑development and co‑commercialisation agreement with a PRC‑based biotech company, which enabled a first‑in‑human trial in China and required sophisticated structuring, robust protection of IP and trade secrets, cross‑border data‑sharing and regulatory cooperation, and technology transfer to China.

Canadian carbon‑tech scale‑up

Provide day‑to‑day transactional IP support and expert guidance on contracts concerning IP and trade secrets for a high‑growth Canadian carbon‑tech scale‑up, with a particular focus on R&D and strategic partnership agreements.

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