New Disclosure Requirements for Commercial Cooperation Agreements in Belgium
New pre-contractual disclosure requirements apply before entering into franchise agreements and other commercial cooperation agreements in Belgium. Under Belgian Law, pre-contractual disclosure requirements apply to any agreement granting a right to use a commercial formula – whether it involves a common trade sign, a trade name, a transfer of know-how, or the provision of commercial […]
Belgian Central Register of Director Bans | Short update
JustBan, the Central Register of Director Bans, now also includes civil director bans. We previously reported on the launch of the Belgian Central Register of Director Bans (‘JustBan’). In the first implementation phase, only criminal director bans were included in the register. In the second phase, scheduled for implementation in 2024, civil director bans were […]
Updated Thresholds for qualification as Small or Micro-Undertaking
Small and micro-undertakings benefit from several exemptions. To be classified as a small or micro-undertaking, a company may not exceed certain thresholds. The law of 28 March 2024 has amended the applicable thresholds in the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations (“BCCA”). Additionally, the law of 15 May 2024 provides for a clarification of the […]
ArtificiaI Intelligence in Belgium | Legal State of Play in 2024
As AI continues to redefine industries and reshape the future, our team remains at the forefront, deeply committed to tracking every legal and regulatory shift in this ever-evolving landscape. Exclusively for the Legal 500 we’ve updated the Belgian chapter of the Artificial Intelligence Comparative Guide. Download PDF here Should you have any questions, do not […]
L’introduction d’un pourvoi en cassation complémentaire pour violation d’une disposition légale rétroactive
La loi du 19 décembre 2023 portant dispositions diverses en matière civile et judiciaire a introduit un nouvel article 1094/2 dans le Code judiciaire (M.B., 27 décembre 2023). Cette disposition, entrée en vigueur le 6 janvier 2024, apporte une nouveauté intéressante à la procédure applicable devant la Cour de cassation. En effet, cette disposition permet […]
Central Register of Director Bans
With the law of 4 May 2023, which entered into force on 1 August 2023 (the “Law”), the Belgian legislator provided a legal framework for the creation of a central register of director bans (“Centraal Register van Bestuursverboden” / “Registre central des interdictions de gérer”). The Law transposes Directive (EU) 2019/1151 amending Directive (EU) 2017/1132 […]
L’instauration des chambres de règlement amiable dans les juridictions civiles et commerciales
Le coût d’une procédure et l’arriéré judiciaire particulièrement important devant de nombreuses juridictions en Belgique, ont amené le législateur, depuis plusieurs années, à encourager et favoriser le recours aux modes alternatifs de règlement des litiges. Ainsi, la loi du 18 juin 2018 a notamment autorisé le juge à imposer une médiation aux parties (sauf si […]
Updated guidelines on Belgian FDI Screening
The Cooperation Agreement of 30 November 2022 establishing a foreign direct investment screening mechanism (‘FDI Regulation’) entered into force on 1 July 2023. Prior to its effective date, on 30 June 2023, the Interfederal Screening Commission (‘ISC’) published initial guidelines in the form of a Q&A on the application of the FDI Regulation. After gaining […]
Instant payments in euro soon to be free throughout Europe!
On 19 March 2024, the Regulation (EU) 2024/886 of 13 March 2024 as regards instant credit transfers in euro (the “Instant Payment Regulation”) was published in the Official Journal. This Regulation will allow anyone to make instant credit transfers in euros from one payment account to another payment account within the European Union (“EU”). Some […]
The Mc Donald’s Case | Even major brands must prove trade mark use
McDonald’s loses its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken products – an important reminder for owners of (famous) brands McDonald’s has lost its EU trade mark ‘Big Mac’ for chicken sandwiches and poultry products in classes 29 and 30 and related restaurant services in class 42 after five years of non-use, following a judgment […]
Large-Scale Online Copyright Infringement | New Judicial Procedure
On 6 May 2024, the Royal Decree of 18 April 2024 concerning the establishment of the service for the fight against copyright and related rights infringements on the Internet and the illegal operation of online gambling games was published in the Belgian Official Gazette. This Royal Decree provides for the entry into force of a […]
Prop trading | Just playing with data or actual investment services?
Over the past decade, online trading has become increasingly accessible for regular consumers. The European market is now full of platforms offering a wide array of products and investment options. While these platforms initially positioned themselves as gateways between clients (consumers) and the traditional financial markets, new technologies have paved the road for different (innovative) […]