Renaud van Melsen interviewed in Le Soir Immo
A good read to start the year? We are happy to share Renaud van Melsen’s interview in Le Soir Immo. What is our role as lawyers in real estate and public law? What are today’s major questions in town planning and environmental law? To read the article “Les avocats ne sont pas des penseurs en […]
Highlights 2020 and upcoming events in 2021
What happened in 2020, and what is to expect in 2021? Every day in December, Simont Braun shared legal highlights of 2020 and upcoming events for 2021 in its End-of-Year Countdown. Here is a recap of each highlight by area of practice: 1. Corporate law 2. Intellectual property 3. Digital finance & Financial services 3. […]
(R)évolution du droit des biens : 10 points clés pour le droit immobilier
La loi du 4 février 2020 a réformé et modernisé en profondeur le droit des biens. Cette loi introduit un nouveau Livre 3 dans le nouveau Code civil. La réforme entre en vigueur le 1er septembre 2021. Les dispositions du livre 3 sont supplétives sauf les définitions et les dispositions qualifiées d’impératives. Voici dix points […]
The strengthening of public cooperation
Non-institutionalised cooperation between contracting authorities (pouvoir adjudicateur /aanbestedende overheid) allows them to resort to mechanisms for pooling one or more of their missions freely, without going through public procurement procedures. In 2020, the CJEU has clarified one of the conditions allowing contracting authorities to use this legal exception and avoid public procurement rules. Version française […]
Judicial reorganisation procedure: two draft bills pending under the benefit of urgency
The legislator has tabled two draft bills, respectively on 10 June 2020 and 21 October 2020, to amend a.o. the provisions relating to the judicial reorganisation procedure (PRJ/WCO) governed by Book XX of the Code of Economic Law (CEL). The review of these draft bills is being carried out under the emergency procedure notably because […]
Simont Braun secures the admissibility of Test Achats’ class action against Ryanair before Belgian Courts
Simont Braun represents Test Achats in a major class action against Ryanair, which aims at obtaining indemnification for passengers who were victims of cancellations and delays of flights in summer 2018. The total compensation is estimated at €16 million. On 7 December 2020, the Brussels Business Court declared this very large class action admissible. This […]
Unfair terms in B2B relations – What you should know from now on.
Are you a small, medium or big company? As a builder, banker, retailer, seller or any other business, do you enter into B2B agreements that usually provide for some penalties, limitation of liability, specific duration or transfer of risks? Would you mind if a judge strikes down these clauses or reviews the price agreed to […]
New law on basic banking services for businesses in Belgium
Yesterday, 24 November 2020, the new law on basic banking services for businesses has been published in the Belgian Official Journal. This law voted on 22 October 2020 by the Belgian Parliament introduces a right to basic banking services for companies in Book VII of the Economic Law Code. This new regime aims at providing […]
Payments in the video game industry: Regulatory Status in Belgium
Rising importance of payments in the video game industry: Apple v. Epic Games This summer has brought a major lawsuit in the video game industry with the “Apple v. Epic Games” case. Epic Games, the developer of the popular game Fortnite, introduced the possibility for its iOS users to buy V-Bucks (the virtual currency used […]
A European passport for crowdfunding
At last, a European passport for crowdfunding! As from 10 November 2021, it will be possible for both new and existing crowdfunding platforms to obtain a licence allowing them to carry out their activities in all EU countries. What does it mean in practice for SMEs, start-ups and potential investors? Catherine Houssa clarifies the main […]
Simont Braun authors FinTech Belgian Chapter in The Legal 500
Have a look at the FinTech Belgian Chapter authored by Simont Braun in The Legal 500 Comparative Guide! It’s a concise, pragmatic and yet comprehensive overview of FinTech in Belgium, and a must-read for all practitioners and actors of the sector. The Belgian Chapter is available here. Thank you, in particular, to Catherine Houssa, Philippe […]
Trademarks & Designs | Fake application or renewal invoices!
Trademark applicants and owners often receive documents asking for payments related to a trademark or design application or renewal. Cautiousness is highly recommended in this respect! For example, a new misleading invoice is in circulation, which takes the form of a fake European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) renewal invoice. The misleading invoice has recently […]