© Advocaat.be - Orde van Vlaamse Balies, 2024
I obtained my law degree in another Member State of the European Union
Are you Belgian or a national of another EU Member State and obtained your law degree in another European Union Member State? Then you can undergo an aptitude test and thus be admitted to the profession of lawyer. However, there are a number of conditions attached to this.
I did not yet do a traineeship in another Member State of the European Union
Then you must
- apply to the Order of Flemish Bars (OVB) to take part in the proficiency test
- and pass the aptitude test.
Then you are at the same level as someone who graduated in Belgium and can start your internship.
I already did an internship in another European Union member state but I am not yet active as a lawyer
Then you must
- apply to the Order of Flemish Bars (OVB) to take part in the proficiency test
- and pass the aptitude test.
Then you can register as a lawyer and register as a tableau lawyer.
I am already a lawyer in another EU Member State
Then you can practise as a lawyer in Belgium under the title of your home country, obtaining the Belgian professional title. Both options have some conditions.
- If you want to practise your profession of lawyer under the professional title of your country of origin , you must register on the EU list. You must also provide the Bar Council with proof of your registration with the competent authority of the composition of origin. You must still be registered there and the proof must not be older than three months. Then you will be able to do the same work in Belgium as a lawyer established in Belgium. But: beware, you do not carry the Belgian professional title of lawyer. You can then only represent clients or defend a case if you work with a lawyer who is registeredon the roll of lawyers and if that lawyer introduces you to the president of the court before which you are appearing before the session.
- If you will be awarded the Belgian professional title , you must pass the aptitude test. If you have been working in Belgian law under the professional title of your country of origin for three years, you can apply for registration on the tableau and no longer have to take the aptitude test. However, you must be able to prove this to the Bar Council and provide them with all the necessary information and documents concerning the number and nature of the cases handled.