Le barreau

What is the Bar?

The Bar is the professional organization that brings together all lawyers within the same territory (a judicial district). AVOCATS.BE comprises 9 French-speaking Bars (Brussels, Charleroi, Liège-Huy, Luxembourg, Mons, Namur-Dinant, Walloon Brabant, Tournai, Verviers) and 1 German-speaking Bar, Eupen.

Every lawyer must belong to a Bar to practice. However, this does not limit their activity to that district: a lawyer from Brussels can plead in Liège, Antwerp, anywhere in the European Union, and sometimes beyond.

A Bar includes several categories of lawyers: practicing lawyers, trainee lawyers, and European lawyers (registered in another EU country and practicing in Belgium).

Who leads the Bar?

The Bâtonnier (President of the Bar), elected by the lawyers, heads the Bar. He or she represents all registered lawyers, both in Belgium and abroad.

In practice, he or she:

• convenes and chairs the general assembly of their Bar and the Bar Council;
• appoints a lawyer for individuals who have not chosen one themselves;
• intervenes in case of conflicts between lawyers;
• receives complaints and refers them to the disciplinary council if he or she believes a lawyer has failed in their duties;
• acts as a liaison between the Bar and the judiciary.

He or she is supported by the Bar Council, a team of lawyers also elected by their peers. Together with the Bâtonnier, the Bar Council makes decisions concerning the life of the Bar: internal organization, monitoring compliance with professional ethics, handling disciplinary cases, and administrative and financial management. It functions somewhat like the Bar’s board of directors, chaired by the Bâtonnier.

What is the purpose of the Bar?

The Bar ensures the competence and adherence to the code of ethics of its members. It organizes training for young lawyers, provides continuing education throughout their careers (a professional obligation), and recognizes specializations.

It also performs a disciplinary function: it receives complaints (from clients, lawyers, or judges) and refers them to the disciplinary council if necessary.

It facilitates access to justice, particularly through legal aid offices, and ensures that the profession contributes to major public debates on justice and fundamental rights.