Tags: Real Estate and Regulatory
The new federal government’s Coalition Agreement of 31 January 2025: implications for the real estate and construction sector
After more than seven months of intense negotiations, a federal government (baptised the “Arizona coalition”) has been formed, resulting in a 200-page long – sometimes very detailed – coalition agreement for the period 2025-2029 (the “Federal Coalition Agreement”). Some of the measures set out in the new Federal Coalition Agreement will have an impact on (parts of) the real estate sector…
New payment terms in public procurement
Belgium’s public tender rules are being reformed following a 2022 EU court ruling. The current 30-day verification plus 30-day payment term will be replaced by a single 30-day “treatment term” for both. Healthcare sector exceptions remain, allowing up to 60 days for payment. The new rules take effect on 1 January 2025.
Belgium aims for hospitals to increase their biosimilars uptake
Despite many initiatives by the (former) Minister of Health, the uptake of biosimilars in Belgium has remained rather low. In this blog, we summarise the new rules, which apply since 2 October 2023.
Belgian Supreme Court rules on the consequences for commercial lease agreements of the lock-downs during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Supreme Court (“Hof van Cassatie/Court of Cassation”) overruled on 26 May 2023 a decision that determined that Article 1722 (old) Civil Code (a partial or total “destruction” of the leased premises) does not apply for the tenant that can not operate its premises due to the measures taken by the Belgian Government in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How to challenge an award decision in Belgium
Public procurement is all about tendering. And tendering is about winning and… losing. Often, in-house lawyers need urgent advice on how to challenge award decisions. Here are some tips and tricks.
Real Estate Recovery: Bouncing back after the global pandemic
In the Virtual Round Table Series by IR Global, our expert Lieven Peeters joins the discussion on the future of real estate after the global pandemic.
Nitrogen crisis in Flanders? A recent judgment may have serious consequences
On 25 February 2021, the Flemish Council for Permit Disputes annulled a permit for the construction and operation of two large-scale poultry barns. But what does this judgment mean for further economic development in Flanders?
Low Emission Zone: what’s in it for Belgian car drivers?
Low emission zones (LEZs) are now a familiar practice in Belgium. However, it is a dynamic tool that is still evolving and poses new standards in the near future. Its implementation in Belgium’s constitutional structure raises some legal issues and its lawfulness is not undisputed either.
Prior authorisation requirement for letting property through AirBnB platform is consistent with the Services Directive, says European Court of Justice
The European Court of Justice has decided on 22 September 2020 that national legislation requiring an authorisation or permit for the short-term letting of residential properties is consistent with EU law, given that a housing shortage and shortage of long-term housing rentals constitute ‘an overriding reason relating to the public interest’.
The obligation of prior environmental assessment once again interferes with our energy supply
The Court of Justice has recently decided that Flemish rules establishing a framework for the development consent for wind turbines infringe the EU rules on prior environmental assessment.
Extension of Doel 1 and Doel 2 is illegitimate but our energy supply is safe for now …
On 5 March 2020, the Constitutional Court annulled the extension of Doel 1 and Doel 2 because this extension infringed EU legal provisions concerning environmental assessments.
Weathering The Crisis: What Future For Real Estate?
COVID-19 is having a massive impact on the retail sector. How will this develop in the short and long term? What is the future of brick-and-mortar retailers? Will the way we are experiencing shopping be deeply modified?