how to become a lawyer in belgium

In Belgium, a prospective lawyer ("advocaat" in Dutch, "avocat"/"avocat" in French) must meet following requirements:

• hold a master's degree in law (which requires two years of study and the Bachelor in Law which requires three years of study) or hold a PhD in Law
• taking the pledge in a court of appeal,
• a three-year apprenticeship (Flemish prospective lawyers have to do 15 cases of pro bono during these 3 years),

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Full Answer

What are the rules for foreign lawyers in Belgium?

With respect to associations with or between foreign lawyers, the following rules apply: For EU lawyers practising under their home country professional title (List E), the rules set out in Article 11 of the Qualification of Lawyers Directive have been implemented into Belgian law ( Article 477 octies, Judicial Code ).

How to become an avocat in Belgium?

In order to hold the title of Belgian 'avocat', 'avocaat' or 'rechtsanwalt', a lawyer must be a citizen of Belgium or of another Member State of the European Union (article 428 of the L 02-07-1975).

Can a third country lawyer work in Belgium?

EU, EEA and Swiss lawyers who hold recognised professional titles and European nationality may provide temporary services in Belgium on an unrestricted basis. Unregistered third country citizens may also provide services in areas other than Belgian law. Can a foreign lawyer obtain a visa to visit clients or to market but not to practice?

How to become a lawyer in the UK?

Hold a Master's degree in law. Take an oath at a public hearing of the Court of Appeal, after having been presented by a lawyer registered for at least ten years to the bar association of the jurisdiction. Be registered on the list of lawyers of the bar association ( Tableau) or on the list of trainees.

How can I be a lawyer in Belgium?

Hold a Master's degree in law. Take an oath at a public hearing of the Court of Appeal, after having been presented by a lawyer registered for at least ten years to the bar association of the jurisdiction. Be registered on the list of lawyers of the bar association (Tableau) or on the list of trainees.

Can a foreign lawyer practice in Belgium?

Article 428 of the Belgian Judicial Code stipulates that nobody can use the title of lawyer or practise as a lawyer if he or she is not Belgian or a citizen of an EU Member State. The nationality requirement is derived from Royal Decree of 24 August 1970 (Belgian Official Journal of 8 September 1970).

How long does it take to study law in Belgium?

The Bachelor of Laws is in Dutch and consists of 180 credits completed in three years, followed by a two-year master program of 120 credits.

Is there a bar exam in Belgium?

You must pass the professional competence examination as organised by the Flemish Bar Council or the Ordre des Barreaux Francophones et Germanophone (Bar Council of French and German- Speaking Lawyers), depending on the bar where you wish to register*, when the training received relates to fields of study that differ ...

How do I become an EU lawyer?

They must pass the first State Examination (or Staatsexamen, often as part of a university law degree), followed by two years of practical training including rotations at civil and criminal courts, an administrative authority and a law firm, called the Referendariat.

Can an American lawyer practice in Italy?

However, an American attorney can still get hired and practice law in Italy without going through this process, he or she just has to practice American law, not Italian law;[14] JD holders can live in Italy and give legal consultation on American law.

What are the 4 types of law?

In this presentation, we will examine the four primary sources of law at the state and federal levels. These four sources of law are the United States Constitution, federal and state statutes, administrative regulations, and case law.

Is law difficult to study?

Nothing is tough , it all depends on how you see it. It differes from person to person. If you have deep interest in studying law and you can indulge yourself into law then it might be a cup of tea for you. You need to immerse yourself deep into the subject to understand it better.

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Here are the most useful high school subjects for future lawyers:English. ... Public speaking. ... Social studies. ... Science. ... Mathematics. ... Statistics and data science. ... American history and government. ... Communication.More items...•

Can you become a lawyer in another country?

The truth is, lawyers work in and are admitted to practise in jurisdictions, which by their nature are local. In other words, being an international lawyer is not just another type of lawyer, like an employment lawyer or a criminal defence lawyer.

Can I practice law without passing the bar?

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has allowed law graduates to practise in courts without clearing the All India Bar Examination for a period of six months.

How do I become a lawyer in the Netherlands?

To become a lawyer in the Netherlands you must complete law school with a Dutch University. You must subsequently follow the three-year Professional Education Programme for the Legal Profession (Beroepsopleiding Advocaten). You will have take a test to determine your basic knowledge (in Dutch).

When was the Belgian Judicial Code Act passed?

Is there legislation governing the legal sector. The Belgian Judicial Code Act of 4 July 2001 on the Structure of the Bar. Under what title do lawyers practise?

When did Brussels Bar Association and American Bar Association agree to a new rule?

There is a specific agreement between the Brussels Bar and the American Bar Association of August 6, 1994 (Annex 9 to the Recueil) which applies specific rules to American lawyers.

How long does it take to get a work permit for a non-EU national?

In order for a non-EU national to work as a self-employed person, he or she must apply for a Professional Card and the application process can take up to a year.

What is required to register with the bar?

Registration with the relevant Bar, requires candidates to submit to their local Court of Appeal: their original degree certificate, proof of nationality and a certificate of good conduct, along with details of their trainee supervisor. They are then required to swear an oath.

Which countries are included in the EU Free Trade Agreement?

Provisions covering trade in services are included in the EU's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with South Africa, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Central America and Korea. Of these, only the agreement with Korea covers legal services explicitly and on the EU side offers no concessions beyond those offered to other members of the WTO.

Can a Swiss lawyer work in Belgium?

EU, EEA and Swiss lawyers who hold recognised professional titles and European nationality may provide temporary services in Belgium on an unrestricted basis. Unregistered third country citizens may also provide services in areas other than Belgian law.

Is Belgium a member of the EU?

As a member of the European Union, Belgium extends special treatment to individuals and businesses from other EEA states (EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein. As a member of the EU, Belgium is also party to the EU's many bilateral agreements with other countries and free trade areas. ...

Master's Programme: Master of Laws

This is a 2-year programme, 120 ECTS, leading to a Master of Laws. Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree in Law.

Can I acquire a Flemish master of laws' degree in English?

The Faculty offers a bachelor of laws programme in Dutch and a master of laws programme in Dutch or in English, both leading to the Flemish degree of 'master in de rechten' (master of laws).

A law degree can smooth the path to practice and help students gain admission to the bar

Becoming a lawyer in an overseas country is not easy, but it can be well worth the reward. In mainland Europe, the legal services markets are diverse and dynamic, with a wide range of career opportunities on offer.

Practicing law in the Netherlands

The main route to practicing law in the Netherlands starts with a three-year undergraduate law degree, followed by a doctorate degree or master of law, then a legal apprenticeship for another three years.

Practicing law in Spain

To access the legal profession in Spain, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a university in addition to a master’s degree, such as an LL.M. Then, you will need to carry out a supervised internship in a law firm, or the legal department of a company in Spain. You must also pass an aptitude test, which Spain’s Ministry of Justice runs annually.

Practicing law in Germany

In order to practice law in Germany, lawyers need to go through a two-stage qualification process.

Practicing law in France

The standard route to practicing law in France is studying at law school and taking an examination.