AMERICAN EMBASSY CONSULAR SECTION BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
LIST OF ATTORNEYS
In the Consular District of Belgium
Credit Reports: These can usually be obtained through banks and commercial reporting agencies such as
Dun & Bradstreet Inc.
Banks: Several American and International banks have branches in Belgium and are listed in the local
telephone directories (yellow pages).
The Belgian “Notaris” or “Notaire”: Every Belgian Commune (city or township) has officials, appointed for life, who administer estates and who are qualified to draw up legal instruments such as deeds, powers of
attorney, mortgages, wills, and marriage contracts. They also act as interim administrators in transfers of
property.
Notaries public, as the term is used in the United States, do not exist in Belgium. Their duties are usually
performed by Burgomasters (Mayors) as well as by Notarissen, who are empowered to acknowledge
signatures and to administer oaths on documents prepared for use in Belgium.
U.S. Consular Officers may perform notarial services similar to those performed by a notary public in the
United States. Such services include taking acknowledgments of signatures on documents for use in the
United States, taking affidavits, and protests of negotiable paper and taking depositions. U.S. Consular
officers may also perform authentications*.
*Authentication of official / public documents and signatures of officials:
The United States and Belgium are parties to The Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of
Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The purpose of the convention is to abolish the requirement of
diplomatic and consular legalization for public documents originating in one country that are intended for
use in another. The phrase “public documents” includes documents executed before a foreign notary.
The American Embassy is therefore not maintaining a file with Belgian notaries’ signatures or seals. When required such signatures and seals may be authenticated in Belgium by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The same goes for sworn translators / interpreters whose signatures and seals may be authenticated by the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs after having been authenticated by the Ministry of Justice.
CAVEAT: The American Embassy at Brussels assumes no responsibility for the professional ability and
integrity of the persons or firms whose names appear in the list given below. The names listed are arranged
alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance.
NOTE:
The rules of the Belgian Bar Association prohibit all advertising on the part of its members. As the
publication of the names of the members of the Bar, together with any data concerning their professional
experience and qualifications, may be considered as a violation of this rule against advertising, this list is
released on the condition that it will not be published.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page#
In the Consular District of Belgium 1 Table of Contents 2/3
Foreword: Retaining a Foreign Attorney 4/5/6
LIST OF ATTORNEYS - Location and name of attorneys
Aalst
COTTYN Roseleth Van De Steen & Co 7
Antwerp
AERNAUDTS Linda, CASSIERS Roland & DUMEZ Paul: 7 APS, Martin Leopold, GOOS Willy & DEHAEN Frank 7 BOONEN Jan 7
CARSAU, Frans 8
DE PAEP, Rudiger 8
DIERYCK, Christian (De Clauwe & Dieryck) 8 ERDMAN, Frederik 8
FAURE Michael G. (Van Goethem Law Firm) 9 FRANSEN & CORNETTE 9
HUYBRECHTS, ENGELS, CRAEN & PARTNERS 9
LANGE, Herman 9
LERNOUT, Leo 10
LINKLATERS DE BANDT 10
LOYENS Advocaten – Avocats 10
MARINOWER, Claude 10
MEINERTZHAGEN, D.H. 11
MERTENS, Werner 11
NAEYAERT, Herman (De Roeck, Nayaert & Carette) 11 TRITSMANS Jan, ADVOCATENKANTOOR 11
VAN DEN BOSCH , Robert 12
VAN DEN HEUVEL, Jozef 12
WILLEMSE, Jan (Willemse, DeVarez-Huyskens-De Somer 12 Brugge
MICHOLT Ralf Leon 12
RONSE Pierre (Van Elslander & Ronse) 13 SABBE Magda (Mrs.) 13
WEYTS Hans 13
Brussels
ARCHIBALD, S.G.: (Law Office of): 13
BDG & ASSOCIATES, GALLOP, Bradley: 14
BORNET & Associes 14
BURLION 14
CASARES, Orlando J. 14
CLEARY, GOTTLIEB, STEEN & HAMILTON: 15
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COUDERT BROTHERS: 15
COUTRELIS & ASSOCIATES 15
DE JAEGHER, Edouard 16
DECHERT, PRICE & RHOADS: 16
DUNESME, Baudouin 16
EDWIN HEITKAMP 16
FRAGOMEN, DEL REY, BERNSEN & LOEWY 17 Geoffrey DeHaven 17
HOFFMANN & Partners 17
HOPSON, Juliette 17
KANOFF, Ronni 18
LAMBERT et ASSOCIES 18
LIBERT & MAYERUS 18
LINKLATERS DE BANDT 18
MAHILLON , Michel 19
Miller & Chevalier 19
MILLER, BOLLE & PARTNERS 19
OPPENHEIMER, WOLFF & DONNELLY 19 SAVOYE, Robert J. 20
SCHMITZ-JOTTRAND-KLEES & GERNAY 20 SCHUIND, Lucie and GELDOF, Jan 20 SHER Paul D. & Associates 21 SIMONET, KELDER, Donont, Lories & Mertens 21 SOULIER, GRANTURCO & ASSOCIATES 21 VAN BAEL & BELLIS: 22
Charleroi
CAMBIER, Pierre 22
FRANCQ, VAN VLASSELAERE & MALOTEAU 22 S.P.R.L. DUVIEUSART, Etienne & VISEUR 22 STEWART AND STEWART 23
Gent
DE VOS, Jacques 23
LEROY Philippe 23
STORME, Marcel (Storme, Leroy, Van Parys, Doolaege 23
Kortrijk
LIETAER, DEBUSSCHERE & BAUWENS, advocaten 24 Liège
DELFOSSE, Jean-Marie, Philippe & Vincent 24 MUSCH et de PIERPONT(Law Office) 24 WAGNEUR, KATHY (Association d’Avocats) 24
Mons
FRANEAU, CAVENAILE, Jean-Claude 25 SERVAIS, Françoise 25
Sint Truiden
LAMBEETS, Guy and LAMBEETS, Geert 25
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RETAINING A FOREIGN ATTORNEY
In retaining the services of a foreign attorney concerning a private party dispute abroad,
the following guidelines may assist you in protecting your interests.
I. Selecting an Attorney When you receive a list of attorneys, we recommend that you contact several attorneys
and briefly describe the nature of the services you desire. Before you decide which
attorney to employ, ask for a written schedule of fees generally charged for the services
you need, whether the attorney is fluent in the English language, and if possible
become acquainted with a particular attorney. Do not turn over your documents or
funds until you are certain that the attorney understands your problem and is willing to
handle your case.
II. Notaries Public**, “Notarissen/Notaires”* and “Deurwaarders/ Huissiers”
In Belgium, notaries public, “notarissen/notaires” and “deurwaarders/huissiers” can
perform many of the functions performed by attorneys in the United States. For
example, notaries frequently draft instruments, wills and conveyances. In Belgium a
notary is a public official, appointed by the Ministry of Justice, whose functions include
not only the preparation of documents, but the administration and settlement of estates.
Such notaries may serve as repositories for wills and are empowered to serve legal
documents.(In some countries “huissiers/deurwaarders” serve documents.) They hold
law degrees. But do not plead cases in court.
* The Belgian “Notaris/ Notaire”: Every Belgian Commune (city or township) has
officials, appointed for life, who administer estates and who are qualified to draw
up legal instruments such as deeds, powers of attorney, mortgages, wills, and
marriage contracts. They also act as interim administrators in transfers of
property.
** Notaries public, as the term is used in the United States, do not exist in
Belgium. Their duties are usually performed by Burgomasters (Mayors) as well
as by Notaires/ Notarissen, who are empowered to acknowledge signatures and
to administer oaths on documents prepared for use in Belgium.
III. Assistance of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Should your association with a foreign attorney prove unsatisfactory, a U.S. consular
officer can contact the attorney on your behalf in an effort to ease and expedite your
mutual communication. In addition, complaints against foreign counsel whose names
appear on the list of attorneys may result in the removal of their names from the list.
IV. Coordination with Counsel in the U.S.
American attorneys may not be in a position to represent your interests abroad,
particularly because they will not be permitted to participate in foreign court
proceedings under the laws of the foreign country. American attorneys experienced in
international law may be helpful in explaining the complex international issues involved
in your case and some may have associates or partners abroad to whom they can refer
your case.
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V. Legal Aid Associates
There are facilities in Belgium for low cost or free legal services. If information about
such assistance is not included in the list of attorneys, ask the local bar association,
(with offices attached to each individual court), or the Ministry of Justice about the
availability of legal aid. You may also wish to consult the “Directory of Legal Aid and
Advice Facilities Available Throughout the World” published by the International Legal
Aid Association. The United States Office of the Association is c/o The International
Bar Association, 501 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017. See also, “The availability of
Legal Services to Poor People and People of Limited Means in Foreign Systems”,
International Lawyer, Vol. 6, No. 1, p. 128, 1971.
VI. How to Deal With Your Foreign Attorney
a. Find out the attorney’s qualifications and experience.
b. Find out how the attorney plans to represent you. Ask specific questions and
expect the attorney to explain legal activities in a language that you can
understand.
c. Find out what fees the attorney, “notaire/notaris” or “huissier/ deurwaarder”
charges and how the attorney expects to be paid. “Notaires/ Notarissen” and
“huissiers/ deurwaarders” are usually government officials who must charge fees
established by their government. Some attorneys may expect to be paid in advance;
some may demand payment after each action they take on your behalf, refusing to
take further action until they are paid; and some may take the case on a percentage
basis, collecting a pre-arranged percentage of the moneys awarded to you by the
foreign court. In 1976, the Law Library of the Library of Congress prepared a report
entitled “Payment of Attorneys Fees in European Countries”. You can obtain a copy
of the report by contacting the Library of Congress directly at Room 240, James
Madison Bldg., 101 Independence Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.. 20540, tel: (202)
287-5065.
d. Ask that your attorney keep you informed of the progress of your case according
to a pre-established schedule. Remember that most foreign courts work rather
slowly. You may, therefore, wish the attorney to send you monthly reports, even
though no real developments have ensued, simply to satisfy your doubts about the
progress of the case.
e. Have your attorney analyze your case, giving you the positive and negative
aspects and probable outcome.
f. Do not expect your attorney to give a simple answer to a complex legal problem.
Be sure that you understand the technical language in any contract or other legal
document prepared by your attorney before you sign it.
g. Keep your attorney fully informed of any new developments in the case.
h. If you need to provide complex or technical documents to your attorney, you
may wish to consider having the documents translated into the native language.
Remember, an elementary knowledge of English may not be enough to enable the
attorney to understand the documents you provide.
i. Be honest with your attorney. Tell the attorney every relevant fact in order to
get the best representation of your interest.
j. Find out how much time the attorney anticipates the case may take to complete.
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NOTE: In some countries the courts recess for a period of several months. In
addition, even if the case is resolved, currency control laws may delay the
transferring of funds awarded to you from the foreign country for an indefinite
period of time.
k. Request copies of all letters and documents prepared on your behalf.
VII. Assistance of the Department of State
If you have additional questions, contact the consular section of the American Embassy,
the telephone number is 02/5082878 or 02/5082385 or email:
uscitizenbrussels@state.gov. You may also contact the appropriate division of the Office
of Citizens Consular Services, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C.
20520.
VIII. Complaints Against Foreign Attorneys
If the services of your foreign attorney prove unsatisfactory, in addition to notifying the
Department of State and the U.S. embassy in Brussels, you may address your
complaints to the Belgian bar association.
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COTTYN Roseleth Van De Steen & Co
Leopoldlaan 32A bus 1-2
9300 Aalst
Tel: 053/773635
Fax: 053/779266
E-mail: info@ramquet-cottyn.com
Criminal law.
English, Dutch and French.
AERNAUDTS Linda, CASSIERS Roland & DUMEZ Paul:
Justitiestraat 18a
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2487686
Fax: 03 2379926
Commercial, contract and company law. Handles collection cases, insurance and civil law cases.
English, Dutch, French, and Italian.
APS, Martin Leopold, GOOS Willy & DEHAEN Frank
Harmoniestraat 38
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2372851
Fax: 03 2372852
International commercial business law, maritime law, corporation law, including international trade
disputes, arbitration, transportation, shipping and insurance and collection cases.
English, French, German and Dutch.
BOONEN Jan
Groenenbroekstraat 2
2520 Ranst
Tel: 03 3539977
Fax: 03 3537559
Handles collection cases on percentage basis, civil cases, traffic, consumer, law, commercial cases rent.
English, French and Dutch.
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CARSAU, Frans
Kochdreef 1
2170 Wuustwezel
Tel: 03 6636758; 0475/67.52.95
Fax: 03 6636920
Family law. Handles estate and criminal cases, human rights, international humanitarian law (Convention
of Geneva and The Hague), youth law.
English, German, French and Dutch.
DE PAEP, Rudiger
Maria-Henriettalei 1
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2035858
Fax: 03 2342380
E-mail: Lawy@wijffels.com
International practice, maritime law, admiralty, maritime insurance, arrest law, environmental law,
industrial conflagrations.
English, French, Dutch and German.
DIERYCK, Christian (De Clauwe & Dieryck)
Korte Lozanastraat, 20-26
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2387850
Fax: 03 2379899
Commercial, maritime, admiralty and insurance law. Handles litigation and arbitration, collection cases,
company and business law, bankruptcy and torts, banking and distributorship.
English, Dutch and French.
ERDMAN, Frederik
Amerikalei 25-27/bus 16
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2385531
Fax: 03 2480899
Criminal, divorce and commercial law. Handles collection cases.
English, Dutch, French, German and some knowledge of Spanish.
8
FAURE Michael G. (Van Goethem Law Firm)
Mechelsesteenweg 210A
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2372100
Fax: 03 2376017
Corporation law, commercial law and consumer protection law, products liability and environmental law.
Dutch, English, French and German.
FRANSEN & CORNETTE
Everdijstraat 43
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2315607
Fax: 03 2333980
Commercial and Maritime Law.
Dutch, French, English.
HUYBRECHTS, ENGELS, CRAEN & PARTNERS
Amerikalei 73
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2441560
Fax: 03 2384140
E-mail: hec.law@ping.be
Commercial law, international business law, maritime law, corporations, corporate housekeeping,
acquisitions and mergers, banking law, EU, international trade disputes, arbitration, environmental law,
transportation, shipping and insurance and collection cases.
English, French, German, Dutch, Russian and Turkish.
LANGE, Herman
Schermersstraat 30
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03 2034310
Fax: 03 2034318
E-mail: h.lange@lange-law.be
Trade disputes, commercial and maritime cases, admiralty, labour law, bankruptcy arbitration. Handles
collection cases.
English, Dutch, French and German.
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LERNOUT, Leo
Fortstraat 9
2640 Mortsel
Tel: 03 4402492
Fax: 03 4402492
Handles civil law in general
Dutch, English, French and German.
LINKLATERS DE BANDT
Graanmarkt 2
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03/2036262
Fax: 03/2036234
English, Dutch and French.
LOYENS Advocaten - Avocats
Frankrijklei 38 bus 4
2000 Antwerp
Tel: 03/2265006
Fax: 03/2130718
www.loyens.be
English, Dutch and French.
MARINOWER, Claude
Consciencestraat 7
2018 Antwerp
Tel: 03 21895 or 218959l Fax: 03 2394354
Commercial and civil law. Also handles criminal cases and trade disputes.
Dutch, French, English, German and Hebrew.
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