Law of Belgium

[4] The Belgian state was formed as a constitutional monarchy in 1830, after a long period of domination by France, from 1714 to 1814.

[4] Belgium endeavored to make changes and amendments in their legal system which are mostly in French, Dutch and German.

This change started to produce satisfactory results from the early industrialization in the 19th century.

French codes are the typical example of a legal system in Belgium affected by conquests of France.

Also, Belgium signed the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in November 1950, which is the day of its adoption, and finally ratified it in June 1955.

[clarification needed] Thus, some Belgian lawyers have claimed that "the 1831 constitution cannot be seen as the product of a 'Belgian' legal tradition".

The Belgian constitutional law enacted in 1830 mainly presents the fundamental rights of the population.

[1] The constitutional laws in Belgium can only be amended by first dissolving the existing Parliament and Senate and electing new members of both houses.

Amendments require the assent of two-thirds of the members of Parliament and Senate present at the sitting.

[5] The international law increased power since the constitution of Belgium and involves many provisions which directly influence public lives.

[8] Commercial law mainly covers legal cases between transactions on commerce, trade and merchandise.

[8] Majority of the commercial legislations are based on code of commerce which is formed under the first Napoleon in 1795.

The three principal books are “The Consulate of the Sea”, “The Judgements and Customs of Orleon” and “The Maritime Law of Wisby”.

The significant role of Napoleonic code was the replacement of the feudal system of law which was the rest of the French monarchy.

[3] The Napoleonic code influenced the development of law systems for countries both throughout and outside Europe.

Most of them are based on the civil laws from the code Napoleon, which has been modified to suit the spirit of modern times and customs of the country, and adapted from French.

Belgium is divided into five main judicial areas, which are Brussels, Liège, Ghent, Mons, and Antwerp.

[4] It has jurisdiction to overturn judgments and orders which are final in their nature for defect as being contrary to law, and the right to transfer actions and suits from one court to another.