Procedure guides for lawyers
Belgian procedural rules explained step by step, with the articles, worked examples and the tool that applies them.
Each guide lists its sources and the date they were checked. The guides assist the lawyer, who remains responsible for checking the applicable rule.
Deadlines
- Computing procedural deadlines under the Belgian Judicial CodeHow a Belgian procedural deadline is computed: starting point, day one, months, weekends and holidays, parties abroad and the last moment to file.
- Limitation periods in Belgian civil and labour lawBelgian civil and labour limitation periods in 2026: 10 years, 5 years, 1 year, the starting points, interruption by summons or formal notice, and suspension.
Judicial calendar
Conclusions
- Conclusion deadlines under article 747 of the Judicial CodeHow the Belgian conclusion calendar works under art. 747: agreed or judicial calendar, observations, the judge's order, late conclusions and art. 748.
- Drafting conclusions under articles 743 and 744 of the Judicial CodeWhat Belgian conclusions must contain: parties and role number (art. 743), facts, claims, means and dispositif (art. 744), synthesis and inventory.
Court and language
- Which court has jurisdiction in Belgium: subject, amount and placeMaterial and territorial jurisdiction of Belgian civil courts: justice of the peace up to €5,000, enterprise, labour and family courts, appeal thresholds.
- Language of court proceedings in Belgium: the law of 15 June 1935Which language for a writ and civil proceedings in Belgium: language regions, Brussels, Halle-Vilvoorde, facility communes, change of language, nullity.
Costs
- Litigation costs in Belgium: who pays whatWho bears the costs of Belgian proceedings and how much they are in 2026: procedural indemnity, docket fee, legal aid fund contribution and bailiff costs.
- Late-payment interest in Belgium: legal and commercial ratesHow Belgian late-payment interest works in 2026: the legal rate (4.50 %), the commercial rate (10.50 %), when interest starts and the €40 compensation.
Foreign nationals
- Appeal before the CCE: deadlines and procedure in 2026Appealing to the Council for Alien Law Litigation under the law of 17 June 2026: 30, 10 or 5 days, notification rules, urgent procedure and the court fee.
- Family reunification in Belgium: the income requirementThe income a sponsor needs for family reunification in Belgium in 2026: regimes, thresholds, the 10 % increase per member and the incomes that count.