Suchergebnisse

This contribution presents an overview of the Belgian Constitutional Court and its activities during 2016. Two constitutional controversies that were at the forefront of political discussions and attracted much media attention are discussed, namely the separation of powers and the refugee "crisis" as well as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada. Moreover, the article gives an overview of the main cases of the Belgian Constitutional Court of the past year that may be of interest to an international audience. These cases are divided into the following categories: the Belgian Constitution in Europe and the world, separation of powers, justice and order, ethical issues and hot topics.

This contribution presents an overview of the Belgian Constitutional Court and its activities during 2016. Two constitutional controversies that were at the forefront of political discussions and attracted much media attention are discussed, namely the separation of powers and the refugee "crisis" as well as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada. Moreover, the article gives an overview of the main cases of the Belgian Constitutional Court of the past year that may be of interest to an international audience. These cases are divided into the following categories: the Belgian Constitution in Europe and the world, separation of powers, justice and order, ethical issues and hot topics.

The article tries to lay down the perspectives and the development of Belgian constitutional law within the next 20 years (2010-2030).

Dans cette intervention, l'auteur rappelle la dialectique de l'histoire institutionnelle de la Belgique entre 1831 et 2006 et la montée de l'antagonisme entre les peuples qui la constituent. Il met en lumière les racines de ce "mal congénital" de l'État belge et décrit le passage progressif d'un modèle unitaire, vers un fédéralisme unique au monde. Le modèle belge n'est pas transposable tel quel. Mais plusieurs de ses principes le sont. La Belgique est en effet confronteé à une question existentielle que connaissent de nombreux États: comment faire cohabiter harmonieusement dans un même espace politique des peuples différents? Quel statut accorder aux minorités?

1. The Belgian legal tradition: does it exist? / Dirk Heirbaut -- 2. Basic features of the legal system / Mark van Hoecke and Michiel Elst -- 3. Constitutional law / Francis Delperee -- 4. Administrative law / Robert Anderson -- 5. The judicial system and procedure / Jean Laenens and George Van Mellaert -- 6. Family law / Patrick Seaeve -- 7. Successions, donations inter vivos and wills / Christian De Wulf -- 8. Property law / Helene Casman -- 9. Contracts / Walter De Bondt -- 10. Tort law / Hubert Bocken -- 11. Commercial law and business transactions / Eddy Wymeersch -- 12. Corporations and partnerships / Koen Geens -- 13. Taxation / Andre Spruyt -- 14. Labour and social law / Willy Van Eeckhoutte -- 15. Criminal law / Alain De Nauw and Joelle Rozie -- 16. Private international law / Johan Erauw

Astreinte proceedings, a well known feature of the French law of civil procedure, has been recently introduced into the Belgian legal system. The introduction was brought about by statutory means, the Law of January 31, 1980, that actually introduced into Belgian law the provisions of a Benelux convention on astreinte to apply uniformly in Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg. The provisions are based on those of the Dutch law rather than French law so that what is taken over from the French law relates mainly to the fundamental concept of astreinte and its name.

The relationship between EU law and national constitutional law, including constitutional law in federalism matters, has been subject to an ongoing scholarly debate. This monograph contributes to this debate in two ways. The author argues for an approach to constitutional law that goes beyond the classic - coined dogmatic - understanding of constitutional case law regarding federalism as expounded in Belgian academia. Building on that basis, he sets out to rethink the framework within which the connection between EU law and national constitutional law can be understood. The analysis delves int.