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ARTICLE · 16 MARCH 2026

A Protocol For IP Disputes At The Brussels Enterprise Court

ALTIUS
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Perhaps the most significant aspect of this protocol is what it represents structurally: a formalized agreement between the judiciary and the legal profession.

BelgiumIntellectual Property
Bregt Raus
Bregt Raus
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The Dutch-speaking Enterprise Court of Brussels has long been a central forum for intellectual property litigation in Belgium. On 2 March 2026, a protocol  entered into force setting out best practices for interactions between lawyers and the court in IP matters. Its aim is straightforward: to improve cooperation and ensure efficient, professional case management. Three points stand out.

1. A Formalized Partnership Between the Bar and the Bench

Perhaps the most significant aspect of this protocol is what it represents structurally: a formalized agreement between the judiciary and the legal profession.

Such a bilateral agreement is new in Belgian IP litigation. Rather than relying on informal chamber practices, the court and the bar have endorsed a common framework, signed on 20 February 2026 and in force since 2 March 2026. It is not hard law, but the protocol carries authority.

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