Find a Lawyer in Brussels

Brussels holds a special place in the Belgian legal landscape. The capital is home not only to the country's highest courts - the Court of Cassation, the Council of State, and the Constitutional Court - but also to numerous courts of first instance, labour tribunals, and commercial courts that handle tens of thousands of cases every year.

The Brussels Palace of Justice, located at Place Poelaert, is one of the largest court buildings in the world, with its 26,000 square metres of floor space. Despite the renovation works that have been underway for several years, it remains the beating heart of Brussels justice. This is where the most high-profile hearings take place, as well as the everyday proceedings that affect the lives of thousands of Brussels residents.

What makes Brussels distinctive is its legal bilingualism. Two bars coexist: the Ordre francais des avocats du barreau de Bruxelles (commonly known as the French-speaking bar) and the Balie van Brussel (Dutch-speaking bar). This duality is not merely administrative: it reflects the reality of a city where litigants can choose to plead in the language of their choice. For you, this means a wider choice of professionals who can represent you in your mother tongue.

The French-speaking bar of Brussels alone has more than 3,500 lawyers registered on the roll, plus nearly 900 trainee lawyers. The latter, supervised by experienced lawyers, actively participate in legal aid duty shifts and reduced-rate consultations. The Dutch-speaking bar has around 900 lawyers.

This concentration of lawyers can be explained by several factors. First, the presence of the European institutions attracts firms specialising in European law, competition law, and international law. Second, major Belgian companies and multinationals often have their headquarters in Brussels, generating significant demand for corporate and tax law. Finally, the Brussels population itself, diverse and cosmopolitan, has varied legal needs: family law for mixed couples, immigration law for expatriates, tenancy law for the capital's many renters.

For litigants on modest incomes, the Brussels Bureau d'Aide Juridique (Legal Aid Office) runs one of the most developed legal assistance systems in the country. Free duty sessions are held daily at several locations: at the Palace of Justice, at the justice houses in various municipalities, and even at some CPAS (public social welfare centres). These sessions provide a free initial legal opinion and, if income conditions are met, referral to a pro deo lawyer who will handle your case at no charge or at a reduced rate.

The question of fees is often a source of concern for litigants. It is important to know that Belgian lawyers set their rates freely, which explains sometimes significant differences from one firm to another.

In Brussels, an initial orientation consultation typically lasts between 30 minutes and one hour and costs between 75 and 150 euros. Some lawyers offer a free or reduced-rate initial consultation to assess your case.

For full handling of a case, several billing methods exist. The hourly rate is the most common: expect between 125 and 250 euros per hour for an established Brussels lawyer, more for highly sought-after specialists or partners in major firms. Fixed fees are sometimes offered for standardised procedures (mutual consent divorce, company formation). Success fees, where the lawyer receives a percentage of the sums obtained, are permitted in Belgium but regulated.

Do not hesitate to ask for a written estimate and a fee agreement before committing. This is your right, and a good lawyer will take the time to clearly explain their pricing.

If your income is modest, you may qualify for legal aid. Since September 2024, the thresholds have been increased: fully free legal aid is granted to single persons earning less than 1,526 euros net per month, or to households earning less than 1,817 euros. Partially free aid applies up to 1,817 euros for a single person and 2,099 euros for a household. A 20% deduction is applied per dependant.