Belgium: Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

A Belgian court has ruled that arbitration clauses in international franchise agreements can override local franchisee protections, even when disputes involve Belgium's Pre-Contractual Information Act. This landmark decision extends earlier Supreme Court precedent and fundamentally shifts how protective legislation interacts with contractual dispute resolution mechanisms in cross-border franchise relationships.

A patent law firm seeks access to the register in proceedings involving Seventy Bio, Inc. against Johnson & Johnson and Legend Biotech entities, with the United States government intervening. The case concerns European Patent EP 3 689 383 and involves multiple Janssen pharmaceutical subsidiaries across Europe and Legend Biotech entities in the USA, Ireland, and Belgium.

The European Union's revised Product Liability Directive introduces sweeping changes to manufacturer liability across digital and commercial supply chains, with Member States now racing to transpose the legislation by December 2026.

Through a very practical questionnaire they offer a better understanding on local approach and requirements relating to the enforcement and the challenge of arbitration awards in Belgium.

In its judgment of 21 December 2021 (C‑497/20), the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) confirmed that excluded tenderers may invoke all irregularities when challenging an award decision, even irregularities that do not relate to their exclusion.

Regulation (EU) 1215/2012 (Brussels Recast) provides uniform rules for the recognition and enforcement of judgments between Member States in civil and commercial matters.

Belgium makes headway in its plans to become an attractive forum for domestic and international arbitration

On June 24, the Belgian legislature enacted a new Arbitration Law that replaces all previous provisions on arbitration in the sixth part of the Belgian Judicial Code.

The Draft Law is yet another sign of Belgium's long-standing interest in the subject of international arbitration.