Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a Western European country bordered by France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Although it is small in size, covering just over 11,750 sq miles, it is densely populated with a population with nearly 11.5 million residents. The country is divided into Dutch-Speaking and French-Speaking communities, with approximately 59% belonging to Flemish (Dutch-speaking) communities, and 40% belonging to the Walloon community. There is also a small population of German-speakers in East Canton region.

Belgium became an independent nation, gaining its independence from the Netherlands on October 4, 1830. Its capital city is Brussels, and today it is ranked as one of the safest/most peaceful countries in the world.

The Belgian court system is divided into 5 judicial areas: Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, Mons and Liege; as well as 27 judicial arrondissements and 225 judicial cantons.  Additionally, several international courts have jurisdiction in the country; including the Benelux court, Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights of the Council of Europe.

The country is a federal constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. It has a complex political history, and complex system of governance, which is comprised of six different governments. Belgium is one of the six-founding members of the European Union and has an official seat on the European Commission. It also maintains foreign relations through organizations including NATO, OECD, Eurozone, and WTO, among others.

International trade, market relations, import and export laws, antidumping and countervailing (AD/CV) legislation, and international CFIUS M&A deals, are some of the topics the National Law Review covers, as it relates to the nation of Belgium. International relations with the US, European Union, and neighboring countries, are also covered on the NLR website. Legislation and regulatory updates, labor and employment law, the financial markets, and the nation’s economy, are topics which the National Law Review covers regularly, and provides the most up to date coverage on for its visitors.

Custom text Title Organization
May
1
2020
Brussels Regulatory Brief: April 2020 K&L Gates
May
1
2020
Modernization of Evidence Rules in the New Belgian Civil Code K&L Gates
Apr
28
2020
Brussels Rail Transport Brief: April 2020 K&L Gates
Apr
27
2020
COVID-19: Electronic Conclusion of Contracts and E-Signatures in Belgium K&L Gates
Apr
27
2020
Smoke lifts temporarily over Belgium’s occult period (and other questions about termination) Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Apr
15
2020
Belgian DPA Releases Guidance Materials and FAQs on Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies Hunton Andrews Kurth
Apr
6
2020
COVID-19 – Belgian government takes measures for those who can and can’t work Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
23
2020
Privacy in a Global Pandemic: Analysis of COVID-19 Guidance By Data Protection Authorities McDermott Will & Emery
Mar
10
2020
Belgium – when contractual cherry-picking may be fruitless Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
26
2020
EU Commission Issues Another Fine for Restrictions on Cross-Border Licensed Merchandise Sales McDermott Will & Emery
Jan
28
2020
Shall we go Dutch? Belgian Pro League Clubs Mull Over Merger with Dutch Eredivisie Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Jan
27
2020
Minding Your Language in Belgian Employment Contracts Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Dec
5
2019
The United Colours of Benelux: Belgian and Dutch Authorities Consider Proposals for Combined Football League Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Nov
19
2019
High temperatures expected in Belgium this winter – social elections are approaching Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Aug
1
2019
Employment Conditions for Belgium’s Largest Joint Committee Have Been Decided Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Apr
30
2019
Belgium – Non-recurrent bonus schemes: still available after Easter Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Apr
2
2019
2020’s social elections in Belgium – the importance of 2019 Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
8
2019
Belgian social partners reach agreement on employment conditions for the next two years. Or do they? Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
26
2019
General Court Annuls European Commission Decision on Belgian Excess Profit Exemption System McDermott Will & Emery
Feb
25
2019
Investigation into the equestrian show-jumping federation resulted in a welcomed settlement Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
20
2019
New Antidumping Petition on Acetone from Belgium, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa and Spain Faegre Drinker
Sep
17
2018
Brussel’s Court of Appeal Challenges CAS Jurisdiction Clause in FIFA Statutes Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Jun
28
2018
FA Announce Restructuring of Non-League Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
22
2018
Belgium: Tax Efficient Bonuses, Flexi-work, Ecommerce and Pensions all Reformed as “Summer Pact” Comes into Force Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Mar
13
2018
The Cheltenham Festival, Brexit and the free movement of horses Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
12
2018
The Hague System for the Registration of International Design Rights Welcomes Russia Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Jan
30
2018
Belgium Modifies Royal Decree Regarding the Placement on the Market of Substances Manufactured at the Nanoscale, Requires Registration of Mixtures Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Dec
30
2017
OFAC Announces Settlement With BCC Corporate SA Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Nov
30
2017
The Legality of Loot Boxes – Update Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Jun
5
2017
New Antidumping /Countervailing Duty Petitions on Citric Acid from Belgium, Columbia and Thailand Faegre Drinker
Mar
12
2017
Brussels Regulatory Brief: March K&L Gates
Feb
17
2017
Upcoming/New CFIUS Filing: Sonaca S.A. and LMI Aerospace Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
3
2017
Brussels Regulatory Brief: February K&L Gates
Dec
1
2016
Major Changes to Belgian Employment Law – No Waffle Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Aug
5
2016
Association for Financial Markets in Europe Publishes Model Clauses for Contractual Recognition of Bail-In Under the EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive Katten
Aug
4
2016
Religious Dress at Work – Where Does EU Law Now Stand? Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Dec
5
2015
Belgian Chemical Registration Deadline Draws Near for Nanomaterials: 1 January 2016 Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Nov
17
2015
Belgian Court Orders Facebook to Stop Tracking Belgian Users Who Don’t Have Facebook Accounts Polsinelli PC
Jun
19
2015
“It Was Great” and Other Things NOT to Say in Support of Your Harassment Claim Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Jan
29
2015
Belgian Government Calls for European Union Data Protection Authority Covington & Burling LLP
Dec
16
2014
Competition in Digital Markets: Head of the CMA Urges to Separate the Signal from the Noise - UK Competition and Markets Authority Covington & Burling LLP
Dec
9
2014
Bridging the Week: December 1 to 5 and 8, 2014 [VIDEO] Katten
Dec
8
2014
AIFM Directive – Latvia, Poland and Spain Warned by European Commission for Failing to Fully Implement New Investment Fund Rules Katten
Nov
15
2014
Delaware Chancery Clarifies Discovery Obligations of Domestic Affiliate of Foreign Company Katten
Oct
20
2014
Norwegian Embassy in Malawi Issues Visas for 12 Countries Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Oct
14
2014
Court of Federal Claims Weighs in on Deadline for Filing FTC Refund Claims McDermott Will & Emery
Sep
10
2014
Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) Rules Maximum Cartel Fine Applies Only to Infringing Subsidiary Turnover and Reduces Fine by €17 Million McDermott Will & Emery
Jun
4
2014
Availability of Biosimilar Pathways and Data/Marketing Exclusivity Globally Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Apr
30
2014
Belgian Court Declares Louboutin Trademark Invalid in Three European Countries Covington & Burling LLP
Mar
21
2014
This Past Quarter’s Notable, International Employment Law Changes And What To Look For Down the Road: Belgium Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
 

NLR Logo

We collaborate with the world's leading lawyers to deliver news tailored for you. Sign Up to receive our free e-Newsbulletins

 

Sign Up for e-NewsBulletins