Extension Of The Belgian Reconciliation Procedure

Following the Act of 19 December 2023 (published on 27 December 2023), the legislator has introduced a reconciliation procedure in the commercial and labour courts as well as in the courts of appeal.

Previous situation

The tool that Father Christmas has just added to the Belgian ADR toolbox is not new. Reconciling the parties has expressly been part of each court's remit since 2018. Moreover, since 2019 the courts have had the duty to promote an amicable resolution of disputes at all stages of the proceedings. Simultaneously, a specific reconciliation procedure was formally introduced in the family courts by the creation of a reconciliation chamber in those tribunals. Moreover, other tribunals and courts have organised similar reconciliation chambers on their own initiative.