Professional background
My practice consists of three main pilars:
1. Strategic data and digital advice: I provide strategic and actionable advice on data protection, cybersecurity and digital regulation compliance. I have a particular interest in legal challenges relating to digital and emerging tech (Internet of Things, AI, Adtech, re-use of data and online platforms).
2. IT contracting: I also have extensive experience with IT contracting, both for providers and buyers of IT services. I have drafted and negotiated dozens of complex system integration, application maintenance, SaaS, outsourcing and other IT agreements.
3. Enforcement, incidents and dispute resolution: I regularly assist clients during data protection inspections and have successfully defended their interests during enforcement procedures. Similarly, I have assisted many clients with the implications of significant data breaches. Furthermore, if a commercial IT transaction does not go as planned, I help clients to find a win-win solution to the dispute. If no acceptable amicable agreement can be found, I defend the interests of my clients in court.
I work with clients across a broad range of industries, but I am particularly familiar with the technology, financial, life sciences and energy sectors.
I am listed as a Thought Leader in Who's Who Legal: Data and our Brussels team is listed Tier 1 in Legal500 - Privacy and Data Protection.
One client says that I am "extremely up-to-date regarding the latest regulations in our industry" and that I "rapidly understands the big picture of business situations and can deliver prompt and highly valuable legal advice that fits the legislation but, most of all, our business needs." Another client says that I am "an outstanding lawyer, with excellent knowledge of new technologies (as well as the legal and technical aspects)" adding that I am "pragmatic, available and respects deadlines."
Since 2019, I operate www.Dpcuria.eu, a freely accessible database of all data protection related case law of the Court of Justice of the EU. I am also the editor of "Data Protection: CJEU case law review - 1995-2020".
I am a member of the peer-reviewed Dutch/Belgian Computer Law Review (Computerrecht) and a member of the IAPP Faculty, in the context of which I regularly deliver the two-day European Data Protection training.
I am a member of the Brussels bar and I am fluent in Dutch, French and English.
*BV Advocaat Tim Van Canneyt 0832.905.148
Awards & recognition
Chambers 2020 – TMT
Tim Van Canneyt is praised by one client for his strong willingness to understand the customer's business specificities, pragmatism, clarity of advice and availability.
Who's Who Legal 2020
Tim Van Canneyt balances his practice between contentious and non-contentious matters with a deep understanding of creating and developing IT service agreements and outsourcing projects.
Chambers Global and Europe - Data Protection 2019
Clients describe him as a "very pragmatic and straight-to-the-point lawyer," adding that he is "practical and knowledgeable about data protection".
The Legal 500 - Data Protection, 2019
Fieldfisher’s team provides ‘pragmatic advice’ on GDPR, data breaches and international data transfer matters, to name a few areas. The ‘extremely efficient’ Tim Van Canneyt is advising Euroclear on its multinational GDPR compliance project; he jointly heads the team with Olivier Proust.
The Legal 500 - Data Protection, 2018
‘Committed, reliable and practical’, Fieldfisher’s team has ‘a strong ability to consider the business implications’. Tim Van Canneyt is ‘very knowledgeable on complex outsourcing and GDPR’.
Authored pieces
Press Release
Tim Van Canneyt appointed Managing Partner of Fieldfisher Belgium
02.02.2026
European law firm Fieldfisher is delighted to announce the appointment of Tim Van Canneyt as Managing Partner of Fieldfisher Belgium, effective from 1 February 2026. Tim succeeds Jean-Francois Germain, who has held the role since 2019 and completed two consecutive terms during which the Brussels office experienced significant growth in both resources and revenues and built a complete client offering.
What others say…
Tim Van Canneyt is praised by one client for his strong willingness to understand the customer's business specificities, pragmatism, clarity of advice and availability.
Clients describe him as a "very pragmatic and straight-to-the-point lawyer," adding that he is "practical and knowledgeable about data protection".
‘Committed, reliable and practical’, Fieldfisher’s team has ‘a strong ability to consider the business implications’. Tim Van Canneyt is ‘very knowledgeable on complex outsourcing and GDPR’.