Partnerblog
Co-ownership: Majorities and (un)certainties in the event of complete demolition and reconstruction
Plot demolition and reconstruction are far reaching infringements of property rights. It is not self-evident that they can be forced on (co-)owners without their consent. Yet this is the path that the legislator followed in 2018, when the possibility of a four-fifths majority decision was introduced in the general assembly (‘algemene vergadering’) to proceed with the demolition or reconstruction of a plot. However, the Constitutional Court pulled the brakes with a 20 February 2020 ruling, legislating that infringements of property rights must be proportional and necessary in light of the objective pursued. Additional safeguards were therefore introduced by the law of 31 July 2020 to protect that right.
Do's and don'ts in the event of a crisis situation within a company
Companies shouldn't ask themselves if they will ever be faced with a crisis but rather when this will be the case. Modern means of communication present a vast number of opportunities but also entail a wide variety of risks. Managing these risks requires special attention. Without arguing for a moun-tain of paperwork and red tape, we believe it's important for each company to have at least the ap-propriate internal procedures and mechanisms to manage the risks it faces.
Time registration obligation: what if you do not have one (yet)?
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in a 14 May 2019 judgment that Member States should provide for mandatory time recording in their legislation. Although Belgium does not have such an obligation so far, the Court’s judgment is not without consequences. This is already evident from a 22 May 2020 judgment by the Labour Court of Brussels, according to which, an employer without a time registration system can no longer assume a purely passive role when an employee claims overtime arrears (without sufficient proof due to a lack of time registration data). The employer will itself have to provide the necessary evidence to dismiss the claim or will risk an order to pay the claimed amount.
Revival of enforcement against vertical relationships may call for a rethink of distribution practices
A €40 million fine was imposed on a clothing company for a new type of competition law infringement as well as behaviour long recognized to constitute a hardcore infringement. The European Commission's Guess decision reflects the current renewed interest in taking enforcement action against vertical agreements and in adapting the competition rules to new business practices.
Freedom to compete for former directors – unless there is an express contractual commitment
The Belgian Supreme Court recently made it clear that former directors, after the end of their mandate, can in principle perform competing activities.
Brexit: The monster that cannot be tamed
Brexit has so far been a long story of postponements and cancellations, for both negotiators as well as companies. However, it now seems inevitable that a conclusive outcome will finally arrive.
How to explain the legal aspects of cybersecurity to the Board of Directors?
Forget the clichés – cybersecurity is not just an IT issue, it is a company-wide issue. From the chair(wo)man of the Board of Directors to the newest intern, every person in an organisation can be both a cybersecurity threat and a cybersecurity asset.
Interim measures remain fashionable
This blog post discusses three recent decisions on interim measures, the recent publications of the BCA and the postponed entry into force of the abuse of economic dependency, allowing you to catch up with key developments in Belgian competition law