Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | Precarious occupancy and lease conformity
On 16 July 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted Book 7 of the new Civil Code, introducing a comprehensive overhaul of several key contractual relationships. In our first article (read it here), we outlined the reform and its expected entry into force on 1 September 2027. This article focuses on two important developments concerning the general […]
Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | Consumer Sales Contracts
On 16 July 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted Book 7 of the new Civil Code, introducing a comprehensive overhaul of several key contractual relationships. In our first article (read it here), we outlined the reform and its entry into force on 1 September 2027. This article examines the conformity guarantee applicable to consumer sales contracts […]
Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | New time limits for non-conformity claims
On 16 July 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted Book 7 of the new Civil Code, introducing a comprehensive overhaul of several key contractual relationships. In our first article (read it here), we outlined the reform and its expected entry into force in September 2027. This article focuses on another important aspect of the new framework: […]
Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | Sales contracts: hidden defects, conformity and seller liability
On 16 July 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted Book 7 of the new Civil Code, introducing a comprehensive overhaul of several key contractual relationships. In our first article (read it here), we outlined the reform and its expected entry into force in September 2027. This article examines one of the most significant changes affecting sales […]
Think Before You Repost | EU Copyright Rules for Social Media Content
A social media post may qualify for copyright protection despite its informal format. In a judgment of 3 September 2026 in Gândul Media Network (C-598/24), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) clarified when such posts are protected and how the current-events reporting exception applies. Facts And Background Of The Case In September […]
Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | Construction contracts: sale or service?
On 16 July 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted Book 7 of the new Civil Code, introducing a comprehensive overhaul of several key contractual relationships. In our first article (read it here), we provided an overview of the reform, its scope and its expected entry into force in September 2027. This second article examines a question […]
New rules on Environmental Claims and Sustainability Labels from September 2026
From 27 September 2026, telling customers that your product is ‘climate neutral’, ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘green’ without proof will be an unfair commercial practice under Belgian Law. Over the summer, Belgium transposed the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (the “EmpCo Directive”). The Act of 22 July 2026 amending the Code of Economic Law introduces new […]
Three years of Belgian FDI screening: key takeaways from the latest annual report
The Belgian authorities have published the third annual report on Belgium’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) screening mechanism, covering the period from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026. Three years after the regime entered into force on 1 July 2023, the report confirms the continued maturation of the system and provides valuable insights into notification […]
The New Belgian Criminal Code | What Companies Need to Know
Belgium has adopted a new Criminal Code, which entered into force on 1 September 2026, replacing the 1867 Criminal Code. This is the most significant overhaul of Belgian criminal law in over 150 years. The reform modernises the general principles of criminal liability, introduces a new sentencing system, and revisits several offences directly relevant to […]
New Book 7 of the Belgian Civil Code | A landmark reform of Belgian contract law
One of the most significant reforms of Belgian contract law in decades was adopted by the Belgian Parliament on 16 July 2026. The reform introduces a new Book 7 into the Belgian Civil Code and comprehensively revises the legal framework governing a broad range of contractual relationships. Given the central role these contracts play in […]
RSUs granted by a foreign parent company: Court of Cassation broadens the concept of remuneration
I. Introduction International groups use share-based incentive plans to reward key employees and retain them over the longer term. Under such plans, a foreign parent company may, for example, grant Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) to employees of its Belgian subsidiary. As the Belgian employer does not itself grant or finance the RSUs, it has sometimes […]
Belgium’s New Capital Gains Tax: What It Means for Private Equity
On 2 April 2026, the Belgian Parliament adopted a general capital gains tax (“CGT”) on financial assets, closing a debate that had run for over a year. The regime applies retroactively from 1 January 2026 and, on paper, targets individuals rather than companies. In practice, it reshapes how private equity deals are priced, structured and […]