K&L Gates LLP (JD Supra Belgium)

The approval of Book 8 of the new Belgian Civil Code introduces new rules on evidence. The aim is to clarify and modernize the current rules, as well as to make them more flexible. We have summarized the most important changes.

Concluding contracts and getting documents executed in a timely and correct manner often presents some practical difficulties. Coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, including postal service delays, provide businesses with an extra challenge in order to get agreements and other documents executed.

In the past two years, several legislative amendments have led to a thorough redrawing of the Belgian landscape of (international) non-profit organizations. Starting from 1 May 2018, a modernized bankruptcy and insolvency regime became applicable to both companies and the non-profit sector.

In the light of the current COVID-19 crisis, the performance of certain business contracts can become challenging or even impossible. Numerous companies see themselves forced to renegotiate, adjust and, in worst-case scenarios, terminate their business contracts in the light of the exceptional circumstances they currently face.

With the spread of COVID-19, governments and companies everywhere are faced with hitherto unseen challenges. Measures are being taken everywhere to contain the pandemic and to discourage gatherings of people.

Recent Belgian legislation on B2B relations imposes new rules on the allowed content of business contracts.

The new Belgian Companies and Associations Code, which envisions a more efficient, flexible, and attractive framework for businesses and (foreign) investors, has been approved by the Belgian parliament on February 28, 2019, and will enter into force on May 1, 2019.

Antitrust and competition - A welcome limitation on the investigatory powers of the Commission when requesting information from companies - On 10 March 2016, the Court of Justice of the European Union (“CJEU”) set aside an information request decision of the European Commission (“Commission”) to several cement producers in a cartel investigation. The CJEU found the request for information...