Chapter 16

Belgium

Steven De Schrijver

Steven De Schrijver

Astrea Advocaten, Belgium

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First published: 16 January 2013

Summary

The Belgian judicial system resembles the civil law system of its neighbor, France. There are two court branches within the Belgian system: the administrative courts and the ordinary courts. The administrative courts deal with matters relating to administrative law. The ordinary courts have jurisdiction over civil and criminal actions. In view of the territorial organization of its court system, Belgium is divided into more than 200 counties, 26 districts, and 5 judicial areas. At the county level, which is the lowest level, a distinction must be made between the Police Court and the Justice of the Peace. A Justice of the Peace is, in general, empowered to hear all cases involving claims of up to €1,860. The Police Courts are empowered to hear all cases involving civil consequences of road accidents and cases involving misdemeanors. At the judicial level, Belgium has five Courts of Appeal and five Labor Courts of Appeal. Belgium has one Supreme Court.

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