[1] He was the son of Augustus Van Dievoet, jurist, lawyer, historian and Latin writer.

After studying at the Athénée de Bruxelles and studying at the Faculty of Law of the Free University of Brussels, where he obtained his doctorate in law with distinction in 1865, he was destined for the career of a lawyer.

He was appointed barrister at the Court of Cassation by Royal Decree of 31 December 1880, replacing Auguste Orts, who had died.

He was a member of the circle of influence known as La Table Ronde lit.

'The Round Table' which consisted of 20 personalities who "seem to have been men of confidence of Leopold II".