Diplomatic Law in Belgium (Hardcover)

Foreword by Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs.

Belgium hosts numerous diplomatic missions. These are either accredited
to the Kingdom of Belgium or to one of the international
organisations headquartered in Belgium. Their operation, as well
as the legal status and privileges and immunities of their members, are
essentially regulated by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,
dated 18 April 1961.

This handbook describes Belgium’s practice vis-à-vis these missions, and
analyses the day-to-day implementation of the Vienna Convention by the
various Belgian authorities. It systematically reviews the limited number
of legislative or regulatory provisions, the Government’s practice – set out
inter alia in several ‘circular notes’ communicated to the missions present
in Belgium – and, additionally, identifies the jurisprudence of courts and
tribunals and highlights the possible deviations from the practice of the
executive branch.

Designed as a guide intended primarily for diplomatic missions established
in Belgium, this handbook is also relevant for civil servants, judges,
lawyers and bailiffs encountering questions of diplomatic law in Belgium,
as well as for students and researchers seeking information on national
practice in this area of law.

Frédéric Dopagne is a Senior Associate at Lorenz and a Lecturer at the
Universities of Louvain (UCL), Liège (ULg) and Lille (UCL).

Emily Hay is a Solicitor admitted in New South Wales and an Associate at
Hanotiau & van den Berg.

Bertold F. Theeuwes (ed.) is Managing Partner at Lorenz and Head of
its Public International Law and Diplomatic Law practice.