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Bachelor of Laws, Standard Program

Etudiants du programme de bachelier en droit à l'UNamur

What is the curriculum for the Bachelor of Laws program at UNamur?

The Bachelor of Laws program at UNamur provides a comprehensive and solid foundation in legal studies, designed to cultivate curious generalist lawyers capable of tackling all areas of law. At UNamur, this program combines theoretical and practical knowledge of the law.

Law Courses: A Comprehensive and Rigorous Foundation

Your program covers the major fields of law:

  • Public Law: You will explore the organization of the state and how it functions through courses in constitutional law, sources and principles of law, European Union law, administrative law, criminal law, civil liberties, judicial law, and labor law.
  • Private law: You will study the rules governing relationships between individuals through courses in contract law, property law, family law, economic law, intellectual property law, and the history of private law.
  • Starting in the first year, a course in legal methodology introduces you to sources of law (both print and digital), the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, legal research, and legal writing.

Interdisciplinary courses: broadening your perspective on society

The Bachelor of Law at UNamur also includes courses in economics, sociology, philosophy, psychology, and history. These courses broaden your general knowledge and strengthen your critical thinking skills, which are essential to any legal analysis. They allow you to better understand the origins and scope of legal rules and to engage in critical reflection on the law.

Electives and options

Build your own path: elective courses & options

Starting in the second block, you can choose a specialization based on your career goals: 

  • Criminology: You are interested in the study of crime, criminals, and punishment. This track will facilitate your transition to the master’s program in criminology.
  • Public Law and Political Science: You are drawn to the study of society, political ideas, the organization of power, the state, its institutions, and how they function.
  • Economics and Management: If you choose this track along with additional courses totaling approximately 15 credits, you will be eligible—upon receiving a certificate of supplementary training in economics or management—to enter the Master’s in Economics or the Master’s in Management at UNamur, offered as daytime or evening courses.
  • Law and Digital Technology: You wish to enrich your education with a complementary, multidisciplinary approach to digital technology and its implications for fundamental rights (privacy, image, freedom of expression, etc.), criminal law (cyberbullying, cybercrime, etc.), private law (contracts, evidence, property, user protection, etc.), and regulation (artificial intelligence, the sharing economy, etc.).
  • Vulnerabilities and Society: You are interested in issues of a more social or societal nature, or you wish to reflect further on how society and the law support individuals facing situations of vulnerability or experiencing multiple vulnerabilities.
  • Modern Languages: To strengthen your language skills, you can select advanced courses in Dutch and English related to law.
  • Philosophy: You question the ultimate meaning of things and wish to engage with other cultural fields to understand the reality to which the rule of law applies.
  • Sustainable Development and Transition: You are interested in exploring the legal aspects of the transition to sustainable development and wish to better understand how this transition shapes and transforms the law of today and tomorrow.
  • By adding one or two elective courses to your program and meeting certain requirements, you can, upon receiving a certificate of supplementary training, gain direct admission to UCLouvain’s master’s programs in political science or public administration.

Each track includes an interdisciplinary course and a capstone project. Some tracks facilitate subsequent admission to master’s programs other than the one in law. 

You're off to a good start

Language training: an essential asset

In Belgium, a lawyer must be fluent in Dutch and English. These languages are mandatory in your bachelor’s program. 

At UNamur, you benefit from:

  • diagnostic tests at the beginning of the year,
  • refresher modules,
  • courses in Dutch legal terminology,
  • courses in comparative law and English legal terminology.
  • At the end of the program, the UNamur School of Law offers you the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad at Hasselt University as part of the Erasmus Belgica program. You can also participate in the trilingual immersion program in law.

What teaching methods are used in the Bachelor of Law program at UNamur?

The Bachelor of Law program at UNamur combines theoretical knowledge with practical legal experience through participatory teaching methods. Many of the faculty members are lawyers, judges, public prosecutors, researchers, and others who bring their professional experience to enrich their teaching. 

To develop your practical skills, the Faculty of Law has implemented a series of educational initiatives starting in the Bachelor’s program: 

  • Practice sessions, organized in groups of about twenty students and supervised by a teaching assistant, allow you to delve deeper into specific topics and apply the concepts covered in class. During these sessions, you solve practical cases tailored to your level of study and similar to those faced by lawyers, judges, corporate legal counsel, notaries, and others.
  • Writing assignments introduce you to researching legal sources, understanding them, and applying them to develop well-founded, reasoned, and persuasive legal arguments.
  • The completion of a capstone project, supervised by a teaching assistant or a legal professional, challenges you with both a substantive issue and a practical case (including meeting with a practicing attorney). As part of their final-year project, some supervised students provide, through the “Namur Legal Lab,” initial legal advice to other students facing issues related to their housing leases.
  • An internship is offered at the end of the program. Treated as a full-fledged elective course, it allows you to discover legal practice through observation and participation in certain professional activities carried out by your supervisor (lawyers, judges, notaries, bailiffs, corporate lawyers, lawyers in the nonprofit sector, etc.), under their guidance and with their advice.
  • Mock trials in constitutional law or international humanitarian law and a public speaking competition immerse you in the heart of the legal profession.
  • Numerous visits to institutions relevant to your future careers as lawyers are offered in Namur (Walloon Parliament, Courthouse, prison) and elsewhere (Parliament, Court of Justice of the European Union, Constitutional Court, Council of State). 

For all these activities, attentive and personalized supervision is provided. 

Bachelier en droit - Aides à la réussite

What support services are available to help law students succeed?

UNamur helps you develop your academic, methodological, and interpersonal skills—with the support of numerous professionals. 

What master’s programs are available after completing a bachelor’s degree in law at UNamur?

A bachelor’s degree in law from UNamur automatically qualifies students for a master’s degree in law in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. Admission is also possible for master’s programs in law offered in the Flemish Community

Continuing one’s legal education at another university offers the advantage of experiencing two different campuses, two cultures, and two distinct academic approaches during one’s studies, which is an undeniable asset. 

UNamur and UHasselt have developed a trilingual immersion program that guarantees automatic admission to UHasselt’s Master’s program. Specific agreements have also been established with KULeuven and UAntwerpen to facilitate admission to their Master’s programs. 

Master’s in Criminology

A Bachelor’s degree in Law also grants access to the Master’s in Criminology with program adjustments. 

Additional programs leading to other master’s degrees

A dual bachelor’s degree in law and philosophy, completed in four years, will grant you access to the corresponding master’s programs. 

In addition, the Faculty offers specialized programs whose certificates allow you to enter the Master’s programs 

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About the Bachelor of Laws Program at UNamur

What is the Bachelor of Laws program at UNamur?

The Bachelor of Law at UNamur is a 180-credit university program that covers all the fundamental subjects of public and private law, as well as interdisciplinary courses designed to develop critical thinking and a broad understanding of the humanities and social sciences. 

What areas are covered in this program?

You will study both public law (constitutional, administrative, European Union law, labor law, etc.) and private law (contracts, property, family law, business law, intellectual property law). In addition, courses in economics, sociology, and psychology will enrich your overall understanding of the law. 

 Does the Bachelor of Law program include language courses?

Yes. Knowledge of Dutch and English is essential. The program includes courses in legal terminology in these languages as well as personalized academic support (diagnostic tests and remedial instruction) to help you read and understand contracts or court decisions in English and Dutch. If you wish, you can also take more interactive courses. 

What electives can I choose during the bachelor’s program?

You can choose electives such as criminology, law and digital technology, economics and management, modern languages, philosophy, vulnerabilities and societies, sustainable development, or public law and political science, depending on your interests and academic plans. 

What teaching methods are used?

The bachelor’s program combines theory and practice through lectures, seminars, mock trials, a public speaking competition, visits to institutions (Walloon Parliament, Courthouse, etc.), interactive exercises, and small-group instruction. 

Can I do an internship during the bachelor’s program?

Yes. A legal internship is offered at the end of the program. It takes place under the supervision of a professional (lawyer, judge, notary, bailiff, or corporate lawyer) and allows you to gain hands-on experience in legal professions. 

What career opportunities are available after the Bachelor’s in Law?

The Bachelor’s degree in Law provides access to Master’s programs in Law offered by institutions in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the Flemish Community. It also allows you to pursue a Master’s in Criminology or Master’s degrees in related fields with certain supplementary courses. 

What skills will I acquire with this bachelor’s degree?

By the end of the bachelor’s program, you will be able to understand the main concepts of Belgian and European law, conduct legal research, analyze real-world situations, and communicate legal arguments clearly both orally and in writing.

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Bachelor of Laws, dual Bachelor's degree in Law and Philosophy

Double bac Droit Philosophie

Double Bachelor's Degree in Law and Philosophy

Are you torn between law and philosophy? Do you want to understand the law… but also question the meaning of norms, justice, and society? UNamur’s dual Bachelor’s degree in Law and Philosophy offers a unique four-year program that allows you to earn two degrees: a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Philosophy.

This program combines legal rigor with philosophical depth. It trains you to analyze the institutions and rules of our society while developing your critical thinking, your ability to argue a case, and your understanding of the world.

On this page, explore the program’s structure, its objectives, and the career opportunities it offers.

Why choose the dual bachelor's degree in Law and Philosophy?

  • Two bachelor’s degrees in four years: you earn two bachelor’s degrees in four years. The dual bachelor’s degree program provides direct admission to master’s programs in law and philosophy.
  • A rare and powerful synergy: law and philosophy feed off each other. You develop sound reasoning, rigorous critical thinking, and a capacity for deep analysis.
  • True personal enrichment: Philosophy encourages you to question the world, challenge assumptions, and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition.
  • A versatile and sought-after profile: combining legal skills with philosophical reflection opens doors to law, teaching, research, and all fields where ethics and conceptual thinking are essential.

Two bachelor's degrees in four years

  • You will begin your Bachelor’s degree in Law with the standard courses in the legal curriculum. Starting in Block 1, you will also take philosophy courses (courses from the Bachelor’s program in Philosophy).
  • In blocks 2 and 3, several philosophy courses replace certain courses in the Bachelor’s in Law program, fully integrating the philosophical dimension into your legal education.
  • Once you have earned your Bachelor’s degree in Law, you will enroll in the Bachelor’s program in Philosophy to complete the remaining credits. You will thus earn your second degree, in Philosophy, at the end of this additional year.
Bachelier en droit - Aides à la réussite

What courses are offered in the Law and Philosophy program?

  • In the Law track, specific courses such as Ethics and Law enrich your academic experience.
  • In philosophy, you’ll explore a rigorous approach to reality: fundamental questioning, the study of the human condition, philosophical reading, and reasoned discussions.
  • Courses include, among others: fundamental ethics, logic and argumentation, philosophical anthropology, etc.

For details on the course units, consult the curriculum and the brochure.

What resources are available to help students succeed in the Law School?

Earning a dual bachelor’s degree at the university involves many challenges. To help you overcome them, UNamur supports you in developing your academic, methodological, and interpersonal skills—with the assistance of numerous professionals.

What career opportunities are available after completing the dual high school diploma in Law and Philosophy?

  • This dual degree program gives you access to master’s programs in law and philosophy, depending on your career goals. 
  • The lawyer-philosopher profile is in high demand in fields where ethics, regulation, conceptual analysis, or consulting are central.
  • You can pursue careers in ethics (bioethics, the environment, digital technology, etc.), public policy, NGOs and international organizations, teaching, and academic research.

FAQ — Dual Bachelor's Degree in Law and Philosophy at UNamur

What is the dual bachelor’s degree in Law and Philosophy at UNamur?

The dual Bachelor’s degree in Law and Philosophy at UNamur is a four-year university program that leads to two separate degrees: a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Philosophy.

How many years does the dual Bachelor’s degree in Law and Philosophy take?

The program spans four academic years: three years dedicated to the Bachelor of Law with integrated philosophy courses, followed by an additional year to complete the Bachelor of Philosophy.

How is the dual bachelor’s program structured?

Starting in Block 1, students pursue the Bachelor of Law and certain courses from the Bachelor of Philosophy. In Blocks 2 and 3, philosophy courses replace certain courses from the Bachelor of Law. After earning the Bachelor of Law, students complete the remaining credits in philosophy.

Who is the dual Bachelor’s in Law and Philosophy program for?

This program is designed for curious students drawn to critical thinking, argumentation, and the big questions of justice, society, and meaning, as a complement to learning legal rules.

In which sectors can a lawyer-philosopher work?

Graduates can pursue careers in law, teaching, research, public policy, NGOs, international organizations, or fields related to ethics (bioethics, the environment, digital technology).

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Bachelor of Laws, Erasmus Belgica program with Hasselt University

Etudiants en Erasmus Belgica en droit à l'UHasselt

What are the benefits of the Erasmus Belgica program in law at Hasselt University?

Language proficiency: You are fluent in French and Dutch, two languages essential for legal careers in Belgium.

Intercultural awareness: Your experience within two linguistic communities enriches your understanding of Belgian law.

Personalized support: You study on two intimate campuses, where individual guidance and close interaction with faculty are central to the program.

Innovative Methods: Learning is based on a variety of pedagogical approaches that foster independence, analytical skills, and problem-solving.

Desired profile: This program signals to your future employer that you are bilingual, flexible, and curious.

Expanded network: You’ll build academic and professional contacts in Wallonia and Flanders.

Why study through the Erasmus Belgica program at Hasselt University?

  • The UNamur School of Law offers you the opportunity to spend a semester or a year at Hasselt University through the Erasmus program. The one-year program is part of the broader “2+2+1” trilingual immersion program.
  • The Law Faculties at Hasselt University and UNamur share a student-centered pedagogical approach and a close-knit, student-friendly environment. At Hasselt, students are encouraged to take an active role in their education through small-group work sessions and individual preparatory assignments. 

What resources are available to help ensure a successful linguistic and cultural immersion?

The Erasmus Belgica program at the Hasselt University School of Law offers you a fully immersive experience in Dutch. This is facilitated by:

  • Specialized support from students at Hasselt University;
  • A dedicated orientation week for international students;
  • Dutch language courses tailored to your level at Limburg’s largest language center, located near the campus.
L’année académique à l’UHasselt est divisée en quatre quartiles de 10 semaines, avec examens à la fin de chaque période.

Academic structure at Hasselt University: the quartile system

The academic year at UHasselt is divided into four 10-week terms, with exams at the end of each term. 

This system allows for:

  • A focus on a limited number of courses
  • Intensive learning
  • Prompt assessment of learning outcomes
  • Better management of the workload

Students who choose a 6-month Erasmus program will therefore take 2 quarters of Block 3 in Hasselt. Those who enroll in the 2+2+1 trilingual immersion program will take all 4 quarters of Block 3. 

Who is the program intended for?

The Erasmus Belgica program at the UNamur School of Law is open to students who have: 

  • Completed the 120 credits for Blocks 1 and 2 of the Bachelor of Law program
  • A good knowledge of Dutch
  • The ability to integrate into multicultural environments
  • A strong motivation for this type of exchange 
Etudiants en droit en Erasmus Belgica à l'UHasselt

Registration Process

FAQ – Erasmus Belgica in Law - UNamur-UHasselt

What is the Erasmus Belgica program in law at UNamur?

The Erasmus Belgica program allows law students at the University of Namur to participate in an academic exchange at Hasselt University for 6 months or 1 year, in order to strengthen their French-Dutch bilingualism and their understanding of Belgian law.

What is the difference between the 6-month Erasmus Belgica program and the 2+2+1 trilingual immersion program?

  • 6 months: 2 quarters of Block 3 at UHasselt.
  • 2+2+1: The 2+2+1 program is a full immersion over 5 years: Blocks 1 and 2 of the bachelor’s degree in French at Namur, Block 3 of the bachelor’s degree and Block 1 or 2 of the master’s degree in Dutch at Hasselt, and Block 1 or 2 of the master’s degree in English abroad.

Who is the program for?

Students who have successfully completed the 120 credits of blocks 1 and 2 of the Bachelor’s in Law, have a good command of Dutch, and wish to gain intercultural experience.

How do I apply for the 6-month Erasmus Belgica program?

Students must be nominated before registering on the Mobility Online platform (between December 15 and February 15) in order to participate in the program and, if applicable, apply for a scholarship.

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Bachelor of Laws, "2+2+1" trilingual immersion program

Immersion trilingue en droit - UNamur -UHasselt

Why choose the trilingual law immersion program?

Ideal Candidate: A trilingual lawyer (French–Dutch–English) stands out immediately in the Belgian and European job markets.

Gradual immersion: The program takes you step by step: 2 years in Namur, 2 years in Hasselt, and 1 year abroad.

Personalized support: You’ll study on two intimate campuses, where individual guidance and close interaction with faculty are at the heart of the program.

Innovative methods: Learning is based on varied pedagogical approaches that develop independence, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities.

Language proficiency: You will become proficient in three languages essential for legal careers in Belgium and the European Union.

Intercultural openness: Your experience in two linguistic communities and a study abroad program enriches your understanding of the law.

Expanded network: You will build academic and professional contacts in Wallonia, Flanders, and internationally.

Enhanced resume: This program signals to your future employer that you are flexible, curious, and fully multilingual.

The 2+2+1 Program Explained in a Video

Etudiants en Erasmus Belgica en droit à l'UHasselt

How is the trilingual immersion program structured?

  • Years 1 and 2 — UNamur: Bachelor’s degree in law taught in French, with a gradual increase in language instruction.
  • Year 3 — UHasselt: Courses in Dutch as part of the Erasmus Belgica program.
  • Years 4 and 5 — Master’s degree at UHasselt and Erasmus abroad: In-depth study of law and international exposure through a possible Erasmus exchange during the first or second year of the Master’s program.
  • Three languages, three cities, three horizons, all within the same academic journey.

When and how do I apply for the trilingual law immersion program?

Prerequisites

  • Successful completion of Blocks 1 and 2 (120 credits) of the bachelor’s program.
  • Have a good knowledge of Dutch.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate into multicultural contexts.
  • Demonstrate a strong motivation for a demanding trilingual program. 

Enrollment Procedure

  • Enrollment in the daytime Bachelor’s program in Law
  • Pre-registration for the “2+2+1” program: Block 1 students wishing to enroll in this program are invited to complete a pre-registration form starting in February of the current academic year (academic year T). This form is also available to high school seniors planning to enroll in the UNamur Faculty of Law. Pre-registration closes on March 30 (year T).
  • Assessment Interview: An initial interview in Dutch will then take place in late June or late August–early September of year T. It aims to assess the pre-enrolled student’s aptitude.
  • Enrollment: The student’s enrollment in the trilingual immersion program will then be confirmed at the start of the T+1 academic year, provided the student has earned 60 credits. The student will then be asked to officially confirm their enrollment and make minor adjustments to their Student Academic Plan (PAE) with the registrar’s office.
  • Enrollment in the mobility program: Starting December 15 of the T+1 year, the student may register on the "mobility online" platform to participate in the Erasmus Belgica program and receive a grant. They may then take Block 3 courses at Hasselt University.
  • Master’s enrollment: The student will then enroll in Master’s years 1 and 2 at Hasselt University. They may choose to participate in an Erasmus exchange abroad during their first or second year.

FAQ – Bachelor of Law (Trilingual Immersion Program) (UNamur - UHasselt)

What is the trilingual bachelor’s program in law at UNamur?

The trilingual law program (2+2+1) combines legal studies with language immersion in French, Dutch, and English. It takes place over five years at two universities, UNamur and UHasselt, and includes an international exchange component, offering a legal profile that is highly sought after in Belgium and Europe. 

How does the trilingual law program (2+2+1) work?

The program is structured in several stages:

  • 2 years of the Bachelor’s in Law at Namur 
  • 2 years at Hasselt University in Dutch 
  • 1 year of Erasmus abroad during the master’s program

This model allows you to combine legal training with international experience. 

Why choose a trilingual Bachelor’s degree in Law?

This program enables you to become a trilingual lawyer, a major asset in the job market. It strengthens language skills and opens up opportunities in Belgian, European, and international contexts. 

What are the requirements to join the trilingual program?

To join this track, you must:

  • have successfully completed the first two years of the Bachelor of Law program 
  • have a good command of Dutch 
  • demonstrate strong motivation and adaptability
    Pre-registration and an evaluation interview are also required. 

Is the trilingual program an advantage in Belgium?

Yes, proficiency in French, Dutch, and English is particularly valued in Belgium, where legal and professional contexts are multilingual.

Who is the trilingual Bachelor of Law program for?

This program is designed for students who are passionate about law, interested in languages, and eager to thrive in an international and multicultural environment.

Contacts

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Jury

Nihoul Marc
Chair of the Examination Panel
Nihoul Marc
Chair of the First 60-Credit Block

Legal careers

Métiers des juristes

Legal professions

A constantly changing profession

Legal professions are evolving. It's no longer just a matter of intervening in litigation to defend a party or settle a dispute. Lawyers are also the advisors who prevent conflict by scrutinizing the applicable legislation or finalizing a contractual approach. Increasingly, they are called upon to intervene in non-judicial dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation.

Another notable development is internationalization. More and more cases have a foreign element, or are subject to supranational law such as European Union law. Finally, the development of information technologies is changing the day-to-day work of lawyers, while opening up new fields of specialization within the law.

The omnipresence of law in social and economic life explains the diversity of career opportunities open to legal professionals.

The professions of the lawyer

Lawyers are versatile professionals. The functions described here represent the core of the legal profession, but the list of outlets is far from exhaustive.

The judiciary

Magistrates are appointed for life by the King. There are two categories among them, the public prosecutor and the judges.

  • The Public Prosecutor's Office

    Public prosecutors (known as "auditeurs" in first-degree labor courts) and their substitutes, grouped together in the Public Prosecutor's Office (also known as "the standing magistracy" or "the public prosecutor's office"), are in charge of public order. These magistrates prosecute offenders, coordinate police investigations, summon defendants to court and ensure that sentences are carried out. They intervene in economic and financial matters, environmental issues, computer crime, youth protection, social legislation offences... and of course in common law cases (traffic, vice, theft, assault...).

    The public prosecutor may also be called upon to advise the court on the appropriate resolution of the dispute, in family matters, labor or social security law or in certain commercial cases.

  • Judges

    Judges (also known as the "magistrature assise" or "the bench") are responsible for adjudicating disputes between individuals (in civil or social law matters) and judging those prosecuted for offenses (in criminal matters). Judges are appointed to various courts and tribunals, including justices of the peace, police courts, courts of first instance, labor courts, commercial courts, courts of appeal, labor courts and the Court of Cassation. Increasingly, judges are also playing a conciliatory role. Outside their hearings, judges study their cases, carry out the appropriate research and draft their judgments. Most judges are specialized. For example, police court judges mainly settle disputes relating to traffic offences and compensation for the consequences of road accidents; labor courts have jurisdiction over disputes between employers and workers, or in matters of safety and social welfare; justices of the peace hear rental disputes, relations between neighbors, and the protection of the mentally ill, among other matters; the family court has jurisdiction to settle family disputes and ensure the protection of children.

    To become a magistrate, the main routes are, on the one hand, the competitive examination for admission to the judicial internship (followed by a 24-month internship) for those presenting at least two years' experience in a legal profession, and on the other hand the professional aptitude examination (allowing immediate appointment) for those demonstrating at least five years' experience in a legal profession to become a member of the public prosecutor's office and at least ten years to become a judge.

  • Notaries

    The mission of notaries is to avoid conflicts between people wishing to reach agreements in the fields of real estate (purchase/sale of property, loans...), family (marriage contracts, gifts, inheritance...) and business (incorporation of companies, mergers...). They listen, advise and give opinions. They draw up authentic deeds that record agreements in writing, in a form that is legally unassailable. To embark on a career as a notary, you need, among other things, to pass a master's degree specializing in notarial practice and complete a three-year internship with an appointed notary.

  • Lawyers

    Lawyers are self-employed individuals charged with advising clients facing legal problems in their private or professional lives, in strict compliance with legislation and ethical rules. Lawyers can assist their clients from the conception and launch of a project (drafting opinions and contracts) through to the various stages of dispute resolution (negotiation, mediation, legal proceedings). Their tasks are varied: researching legislation, case law and doctrine, drafting numerous written documents (letters, conclusions), organizing conciliation meetings, taking part in expert appraisals, pleadings... The lawyer's profession sometimes presents faces that are less familiar to the general public. For example, it is often lawyers who act as bankruptcy trustees, liquidators of a vacant estate, debt mediators, or administrators of the assets of vulnerable persons...

    Lawyers newly admitted to the Bar must complete a three-year internship with an experienced lawyer before they can join the roll of the Ordre and practice the profession on their own. Many lawyers, however, choose to create or join associations, which in particular enables them to offer more specialized and diversified services.

  • Bailiffs

    Bailiffs are public officers who intervene at various stages of legal proceedings. They communicate procedural documents to litigants (summonses, judgments, etc.). They are also responsible for enforcing court decisions, possibly through seizure. They draw up statements of facts (adultery, certain products on offer, unauthorized use of a brand name on a website, etc.). Their image is unfairly negative. In reality, they can play a conciliatory role, guaranteeing equal treatment for those subject to the law, while respecting everyone's rights. Law graduates can become bailiffs after two years' training and passing a competitive examination. After five years, they can then apply for a
    vacant position as a "titular" bailiff.

Lawyers in public and private organizations

  • Company lawyers

    Companies in general (industry, banking, insurance, telecommunications...) employ many lawyers in their various departments (human resources management, litigation, regulations...). Only members of the Institut des juristes d'entreprise can hold the corresponding title. These specialists are consulted on a daily basis by their employers on all legal issues (commercial, tax, environmental, social, etc.). For example, they advise on drafting and negotiating contracts. They also intervene in the event of litigation, although they do not represent the company in court, as they are not lawyers. Finally, they guarantee the legality of the various decision-making procedures within the company (they prepare boards of directors, for example).

  • Officials

    In public services at federal, regional, community, provincial or municipal level (federal public services - SPF, CPAS, ONEM, Forem...), lawyers prepare opinions for managers on matters specific to their administration, focusing on the legal aspects. They play an active role in the preparation of legislative and regulatory texts.

  • Lawyers in organizations

    Depending on their specialties, lawyers are also invaluable advisors in the non-commercial world and in associations (mutual societies, trade unions, consumer associations...), as well as in international organizations (European Commission, UN, International Court of Justice...).

The police

Frequent outlets for lawyers include the police, both in operational (investigations) and administrative settings.

Research and teaching

Some law graduates pursue a research activity in Belgium or abroad. Universities and public funds (e.g. FNRS) finance the completion of a doctorate (usually four years). Alongside other forms of fundamental legal research, "applied" research is generally based on partnerships with companies or public institutions that wish to develop new products or services and have questions about the legal framework. For example, what legal constraints need to be taken into account when setting up an internet sales service, what rules apply to the use of artificial intelligence by the judicial system?

Finally, some lawyers teach in high schools, in higher education or in the world of continuing education.

Legal careers

Métiers des juristes

Legal professions

A constantly changing profession

Legal professions are evolving. It's no longer just a matter of intervening in litigation to defend a party or settle a dispute. Lawyers are also the advisors who prevent conflict by scrutinizing the applicable legislation or finalizing a contractual approach. Increasingly, they are called upon to intervene in non-judicial dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation.

Another notable development is internationalization. More and more cases have a foreign element, or are subject to supranational law such as European Union law. Finally, the development of information technologies is changing the day-to-day work of lawyers, while opening up new fields of specialization within the law.

The omnipresence of law in social and economic life explains the diversity of career opportunities open to legal professionals.

The professions of the lawyer

Lawyers are versatile professionals. The functions described here represent the core of the legal profession, but the list of outlets is far from exhaustive.

The judiciary

Magistrates are appointed for life by the King. There are two categories among them, the public prosecutor and the judges.

  • The Public Prosecutor's Office

    Public prosecutors (known as "auditeurs" in first-degree labor courts) and their substitutes, grouped together in the Public Prosecutor's Office (also known as "the standing magistracy" or "the public prosecutor's office"), are in charge of public order. These magistrates prosecute offenders, coordinate police investigations, summon defendants to court and ensure that sentences are carried out. They intervene in economic and financial matters, environmental issues, computer crime, youth protection, social legislation offences... and of course in common law cases (traffic, vice, theft, assault...).

    The public prosecutor may also be called upon to advise the court on the appropriate resolution of the dispute, in family matters, labor or social security law or in certain commercial cases.

  • Judges

    Judges (also known as the "magistrature assise" or "the bench") are responsible for adjudicating disputes between individuals (in civil or social law matters) and judging those prosecuted for offenses (in criminal matters). Judges are appointed to various courts and tribunals, including justices of the peace, police courts, courts of first instance, labor courts, commercial courts, courts of appeal, labor courts and the Court of Cassation. Increasingly, judges are also playing a conciliatory role. Outside their hearings, judges study their cases, carry out the appropriate research and draft their judgments. Most judges are specialized. For example, police court judges mainly settle disputes relating to traffic offences and compensation for the consequences of road accidents; labor courts have jurisdiction over disputes between employers and workers, or in matters of safety and social welfare; justices of the peace hear rental disputes, relations between neighbors, and the protection of the mentally ill, among other matters; the family court has jurisdiction to settle family disputes and ensure the protection of children.

    To become a magistrate, the main routes are, on the one hand, the competitive examination for admission to the judicial internship (followed by a 24-month internship) for those presenting at least two years' experience in a legal profession, and on the other hand the professional aptitude examination (allowing immediate appointment) for those demonstrating at least five years' experience in a legal profession to become a member of the public prosecutor's office and at least ten years to become a judge.

  • Notaries

    The mission of notaries is to avoid conflicts between people wishing to reach agreements in the fields of real estate (purchase/sale of property, loans...), family (marriage contracts, gifts, inheritance...) and business (incorporation of companies, mergers...). They listen, advise and give opinions. They draw up authentic deeds that record agreements in writing, in a form that is legally unassailable. To embark on a career as a notary, you need, among other things, to pass a master's degree specializing in notarial practice and complete a three-year internship with an appointed notary.

  • Lawyers

    Lawyers are self-employed individuals charged with advising clients facing legal problems in their private or professional lives, in strict compliance with legislation and ethical rules. Lawyers can assist their clients from the conception and launch of a project (drafting opinions and contracts) through to the various stages of dispute resolution (negotiation, mediation, legal proceedings). Their tasks are varied: researching legislation, case law and doctrine, drafting numerous written documents (letters, conclusions), organizing conciliation meetings, taking part in expert appraisals, pleadings... The lawyer's profession sometimes presents faces that are less familiar to the general public. For example, it is often lawyers who act as bankruptcy trustees, liquidators of a vacant estate, debt mediators, or administrators of the assets of vulnerable persons...

    Lawyers newly admitted to the Bar must complete a three-year internship with an experienced lawyer before they can join the roll of the Ordre and practice the profession on their own. Many lawyers, however, choose to create or join associations, which in particular enables them to offer more specialized and diversified services.

  • Bailiffs

    Bailiffs are public officers who intervene at various stages of legal proceedings. They communicate procedural documents to litigants (summonses, judgments, etc.). They are also responsible for enforcing court decisions, possibly through seizure. They draw up statements of facts (adultery, certain products on offer, unauthorized use of a brand name on a website, etc.). Their image is unfairly negative. In reality, they can play a conciliatory role, guaranteeing equal treatment for those subject to the law, while respecting everyone's rights. Law graduates can become bailiffs after two years' training and passing a competitive examination. After five years, they can then apply for a
    vacant position as a "titular" bailiff.

Lawyers in public and private organizations

  • Company lawyers

    Companies in general (industry, banking, insurance, telecommunications...) employ many lawyers in their various departments (human resources management, litigation, regulations...). Only members of the Institut des juristes d'entreprise can hold the corresponding title. These specialists are consulted on a daily basis by their employers on all legal issues (commercial, tax, environmental, social, etc.). For example, they advise on drafting and negotiating contracts. They also intervene in the event of litigation, although they do not represent the company in court, as they are not lawyers. Finally, they guarantee the legality of the various decision-making procedures within the company (they prepare boards of directors, for example).

  • Officials

    In public services at federal, regional, community, provincial or municipal level (federal public services - SPF, CPAS, ONEM, Forem...), lawyers prepare opinions for managers on matters specific to their administration, focusing on the legal aspects. They play an active role in the preparation of legislative and regulatory texts.

  • Lawyers in organizations

    Depending on their specialties, lawyers are also invaluable advisors in the non-commercial world and in associations (mutual societies, trade unions, consumer associations...), as well as in international organizations (European Commission, UN, International Court of Justice...).

The police

Frequent outlets for lawyers include the police, both in operational (investigations) and administrative settings.

Research and teaching

Some law graduates pursue a research activity in Belgium or abroad. Universities and public funds (e.g. FNRS) finance the completion of a doctorate (usually four years). Alongside other forms of fundamental legal research, "applied" research is generally based on partnerships with companies or public institutions that wish to develop new products or services and have questions about the legal framework. For example, what legal constraints need to be taken into account when setting up an internet sales service, what rules apply to the use of artificial intelligence by the judicial system?

Finally, some lawyers teach in high schools, in higher education or in the world of continuing education.

Legal careers

Métiers des juristes

Legal professions

A constantly changing profession

Legal professions are evolving. It's no longer just a matter of intervening in litigation to defend a party or settle a dispute. Lawyers are also the advisors who prevent conflict by scrutinizing the applicable legislation or finalizing a contractual approach. Increasingly, they are called upon to intervene in non-judicial dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation.

Another notable development is internationalization. More and more cases have a foreign element, or are subject to supranational law such as European Union law. Finally, the development of information technologies is changing the day-to-day work of lawyers, while opening up new fields of specialization within the law.

The omnipresence of law in social and economic life explains the diversity of career opportunities open to legal professionals.

The professions of the lawyer

Lawyers are versatile professionals. The functions described here represent the core of the legal profession, but the list of outlets is far from exhaustive.

The judiciary

Magistrates are appointed for life by the King. There are two categories among them, the public prosecutor and the judges.

  • The Public Prosecutor's Office

    Public prosecutors (known as "auditeurs" in first-degree labor courts) and their substitutes, grouped together in the Public Prosecutor's Office (also known as "the standing magistracy" or "the public prosecutor's office"), are in charge of public order. These magistrates prosecute offenders, coordinate police investigations, summon defendants to court and ensure that sentences are carried out. They intervene in economic and financial matters, environmental issues, computer crime, youth protection, social legislation offences... and of course in common law cases (traffic, vice, theft, assault...).

    The public prosecutor may also be called upon to advise the court on the appropriate resolution of the dispute, in family matters, labor or social security law or in certain commercial cases.

  • Judges

    Judges (also known as the "magistrature assise" or "the bench") are responsible for adjudicating disputes between individuals (in civil or social law matters) and judging those prosecuted for offenses (in criminal matters). Judges are appointed to various courts and tribunals, including justices of the peace, police courts, courts of first instance, labor courts, commercial courts, courts of appeal, labor courts and the Court of Cassation. Increasingly, judges are also playing a conciliatory role. Outside their hearings, judges study their cases, carry out the appropriate research and draft their judgments. Most judges are specialized. For example, police court judges mainly settle disputes relating to traffic offences and compensation for the consequences of road accidents; labor courts have jurisdiction over disputes between employers and workers, or in matters of safety and social welfare; justices of the peace hear rental disputes, relations between neighbors, and the protection of the mentally ill, among other matters; the family court has jurisdiction to settle family disputes and ensure the protection of children.

    To become a magistrate, the main routes are, on the one hand, the competitive examination for admission to the judicial internship (followed by a 24-month internship) for those presenting at least two years' experience in a legal profession, and on the other hand the professional aptitude examination (allowing immediate appointment) for those demonstrating at least five years' experience in a legal profession to become a member of the public prosecutor's office and at least ten years to become a judge.

  • Notaries

    The mission of notaries is to avoid conflicts between people wishing to reach agreements in the fields of real estate (purchase/sale of property, loans...), family (marriage contracts, gifts, inheritance...) and business (incorporation of companies, mergers...). They listen, advise and give opinions. They draw up authentic deeds that record agreements in writing, in a form that is legally unassailable. To embark on a career as a notary, you need, among other things, to pass a master's degree specializing in notarial practice and complete a three-year internship with an appointed notary.

  • Lawyers

    Lawyers are self-employed individuals charged with advising clients facing legal problems in their private or professional lives, in strict compliance with legislation and ethical rules. Lawyers can assist their clients from the conception and launch of a project (drafting opinions and contracts) through to the various stages of dispute resolution (negotiation, mediation, legal proceedings). Their tasks are varied: researching legislation, case law and doctrine, drafting numerous written documents (letters, conclusions), organizing conciliation meetings, taking part in expert appraisals, pleadings... The lawyer's profession sometimes presents faces that are less familiar to the general public. For example, it is often lawyers who act as bankruptcy trustees, liquidators of a vacant estate, debt mediators, or administrators of the assets of vulnerable persons...

    Lawyers newly admitted to the Bar must complete a three-year internship with an experienced lawyer before they can join the roll of the Ordre and practice the profession on their own. Many lawyers, however, choose to create or join associations, which in particular enables them to offer more specialized and diversified services.

  • Bailiffs

    Bailiffs are public officers who intervene at various stages of legal proceedings. They communicate procedural documents to litigants (summonses, judgments, etc.). They are also responsible for enforcing court decisions, possibly through seizure. They draw up statements of facts (adultery, certain products on offer, unauthorized use of a brand name on a website, etc.). Their image is unfairly negative. In reality, they can play a conciliatory role, guaranteeing equal treatment for those subject to the law, while respecting everyone's rights. Law graduates can become bailiffs after two years' training and passing a competitive examination. After five years, they can then apply for a
    vacant position as a "titular" bailiff.

Lawyers in public and private organizations

  • Company lawyers

    Companies in general (industry, banking, insurance, telecommunications...) employ many lawyers in their various departments (human resources management, litigation, regulations...). Only members of the Institut des juristes d'entreprise can hold the corresponding title. These specialists are consulted on a daily basis by their employers on all legal issues (commercial, tax, environmental, social, etc.). For example, they advise on drafting and negotiating contracts. They also intervene in the event of litigation, although they do not represent the company in court, as they are not lawyers. Finally, they guarantee the legality of the various decision-making procedures within the company (they prepare boards of directors, for example).

  • Officials

    In public services at federal, regional, community, provincial or municipal level (federal public services - SPF, CPAS, ONEM, Forem...), lawyers prepare opinions for managers on matters specific to their administration, focusing on the legal aspects. They play an active role in the preparation of legislative and regulatory texts.

  • Lawyers in organizations

    Depending on their specialties, lawyers are also invaluable advisors in the non-commercial world and in associations (mutual societies, trade unions, consumer associations...), as well as in international organizations (European Commission, UN, International Court of Justice...).

The police

Frequent outlets for lawyers include the police, both in operational (investigations) and administrative settings.

Research and teaching

Some law graduates pursue a research activity in Belgium or abroad. Universities and public funds (e.g. FNRS) finance the completion of a doctorate (usually four years). Alongside other forms of fundamental legal research, "applied" research is generally based on partnerships with companies or public institutions that wish to develop new products or services and have questions about the legal framework. For example, what legal constraints need to be taken into account when setting up an internet sales service, what rules apply to the use of artificial intelligence by the judicial system?

Finally, some lawyers teach in high schools, in higher education or in the world of continuing education.

Legal careers

Métiers des juristes

Legal professions

A constantly changing profession

Legal professions are evolving. It's no longer just a matter of intervening in litigation to defend a party or settle a dispute. Lawyers are also the advisors who prevent conflict by scrutinizing the applicable legislation or finalizing a contractual approach. Increasingly, they are called upon to intervene in non-judicial dispute resolution procedures, such as mediation.

Another notable development is internationalization. More and more cases have a foreign element, or are subject to supranational law such as European Union law. Finally, the development of information technologies is changing the day-to-day work of lawyers, while opening up new fields of specialization within the law.

The omnipresence of law in social and economic life explains the diversity of career opportunities open to legal professionals.

The professions of the lawyer

Lawyers are versatile professionals. The functions described here represent the core of the legal profession, but the list of outlets is far from exhaustive.

The judiciary

Magistrates are appointed for life by the King. There are two categories among them, the public prosecutor and the judges.

  • The Public Prosecutor's Office

    Public prosecutors (known as "auditeurs" in first-degree labor courts) and their substitutes, grouped together in the Public Prosecutor's Office (also known as "the standing magistracy" or "the public prosecutor's office"), are in charge of public order. These magistrates prosecute offenders, coordinate police investigations, summon defendants to court and ensure that sentences are carried out. They intervene in economic and financial matters, environmental issues, computer crime, youth protection, social legislation offences... and of course in common law cases (traffic, vice, theft, assault...).

    The public prosecutor may also be called upon to advise the court on the appropriate resolution of the dispute, in family matters, labor or social security law or in certain commercial cases.

  • Judges

    Judges (also known as the "magistrature assise" or "the bench") are responsible for adjudicating disputes between individuals (in civil or social law matters) and judging those prosecuted for offenses (in criminal matters). Judges are appointed to various courts and tribunals, including justices of the peace, police courts, courts of first instance, labor courts, commercial courts, courts of appeal, labor courts and the Court of Cassation. Increasingly, judges are also playing a conciliatory role. Outside their hearings, judges study their cases, carry out the appropriate research and draft their judgments. Most judges are specialized. For example, police court judges mainly settle disputes relating to traffic offences and compensation for the consequences of road accidents; labor courts have jurisdiction over disputes between employers and workers, or in matters of safety and social welfare; justices of the peace hear rental disputes, relations between neighbors, and the protection of the mentally ill, among other matters; the family court has jurisdiction to settle family disputes and ensure the protection of children.

    To become a magistrate, the main routes are, on the one hand, the competitive examination for admission to the judicial internship (followed by a 24-month internship) for those presenting at least two years' experience in a legal profession, and on the other hand the professional aptitude examination (allowing immediate appointment) for those demonstrating at least five years' experience in a legal profession to become a member of the public prosecutor's office and at least ten years to become a judge.

  • Notaries

    The mission of notaries is to avoid conflicts between people wishing to reach agreements in the fields of real estate (purchase/sale of property, loans...), family (marriage contracts, gifts, inheritance...) and business (incorporation of companies, mergers...). They listen, advise and give opinions. They draw up authentic deeds that record agreements in writing, in a form that is legally unassailable. To embark on a career as a notary, you need, among other things, to pass a master's degree specializing in notarial practice and complete a three-year internship with an appointed notary.

  • Lawyers

    Lawyers are self-employed individuals charged with advising clients facing legal problems in their private or professional lives, in strict compliance with legislation and ethical rules. Lawyers can assist their clients from the conception and launch of a project (drafting opinions and contracts) through to the various stages of dispute resolution (negotiation, mediation, legal proceedings). Their tasks are varied: researching legislation, case law and doctrine, drafting numerous written documents (letters, conclusions), organizing conciliation meetings, taking part in expert appraisals, pleadings... The lawyer's profession sometimes presents faces that are less familiar to the general public. For example, it is often lawyers who act as bankruptcy trustees, liquidators of a vacant estate, debt mediators, or administrators of the assets of vulnerable persons...

    Lawyers newly admitted to the Bar must complete a three-year internship with an experienced lawyer before they can join the roll of the Ordre and practice the profession on their own. Many lawyers, however, choose to create or join associations, which in particular enables them to offer more specialized and diversified services.

  • Bailiffs

    Bailiffs are public officers who intervene at various stages of legal proceedings. They communicate procedural documents to litigants (summonses, judgments, etc.). They are also responsible for enforcing court decisions, possibly through seizure. They draw up statements of facts (adultery, certain products on offer, unauthorized use of a brand name on a website, etc.). Their image is unfairly negative. In reality, they can play a conciliatory role, guaranteeing equal treatment for those subject to the law, while respecting everyone's rights. Law graduates can become bailiffs after two years' training and passing a competitive examination. After five years, they can then apply for a
    vacant position as a "titular" bailiff.

Lawyers in public and private organizations

  • Company lawyers

    Companies in general (industry, banking, insurance, telecommunications...) employ many lawyers in their various departments (human resources management, litigation, regulations...). Only members of the Institut des juristes d'entreprise can hold the corresponding title. These specialists are consulted on a daily basis by their employers on all legal issues (commercial, tax, environmental, social, etc.). For example, they advise on drafting and negotiating contracts. They also intervene in the event of litigation, although they do not represent the company in court, as they are not lawyers. Finally, they guarantee the legality of the various decision-making procedures within the company (they prepare boards of directors, for example).

  • Officials

    In public services at federal, regional, community, provincial or municipal level (federal public services - SPF, CPAS, ONEM, Forem...), lawyers prepare opinions for managers on matters specific to their administration, focusing on the legal aspects. They play an active role in the preparation of legislative and regulatory texts.

  • Lawyers in organizations

    Depending on their specialties, lawyers are also invaluable advisors in the non-commercial world and in associations (mutual societies, trade unions, consumer associations...), as well as in international organizations (European Commission, UN, International Court of Justice...).

The police

Frequent outlets for lawyers include the police, both in operational (investigations) and administrative settings.

Research and teaching

Some law graduates pursue a research activity in Belgium or abroad. Universities and public funds (e.g. FNRS) finance the completion of a doctorate (usually four years). Alongside other forms of fundamental legal research, "applied" research is generally based on partnerships with companies or public institutions that wish to develop new products or services and have questions about the legal framework. For example, what legal constraints need to be taken into account when setting up an internet sales service, what rules apply to the use of artificial intelligence by the judicial system?

Finally, some lawyers teach in high schools, in higher education or in the world of continuing education.