European Union: Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Belgium's new Book 7 of the Civil Code preserves the existing hotel operator liability regime unchanged due to international treaty obligations under the 1962 Paris Convention. The restructured provisions maintain liability caps, mandatory safekeeping duties, and unlimited liability exceptions that have governed the hospitality sector since 1970.

Belgium's House of Representatives has definitively approved Book 7 of the Civil Code, introducing significant reforms to construction contract legislation that will enter into force in September 2027. The final legislation includes several important refinements to the February 2025 proposal, including changes to pre-existing circumstances tests, conformity defect notification rules, and limitation periods. Businesses concluding construction contracts must carefully review and revise their existing contract

A defendant may have a sound answer to a claim and still face judgment if the court papers go unanswered. Once proceedings have been served, the first priority is to establish the deadline for responding. The merits of the dispute can then be examined without the defence being put at risk by a missed procedural step.

A stay of appeal proceedings pending a decision on invalidity under R. 118.2(b) and R. 242.2(a) RoP requires that the nullity action be pending between the same parties. A nullity action brought by a third party does not meet this precondition, even invoking R. 295(m) RoP.

Under Rule 171(2) RoP, a defendant is not required to provide counter-measurements if the claimant’s initial measurements regarding a claim feature are inherently unconvincing and inconclusive

The Court of Appeal reviews ex officio whether a statement of appeal is validly signed under R. 224, R. 4.1 RoP, irrespective of when a party raises the objection

Explore how the intersection of law and literature enriches legal practice through interpretive tools, rhetorical strategies, and cultural insights. Discover how literary analysis can demystify legal language and foster a more reflective, humane approach to justice.

Two officers, Jonathan Santana and Jason Smith, claim that the film "contains too many real details" taken from a real 2016 case in which more than USD 21 million concealed in buckets, in which they played key roles as investigators.

Ireland's new Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation Bill 2026 introduces comprehensive protections against abusive litigation designed to silence journalists, activists, and citizens exercising their right to public participation. The legislation empowers courts to swiftly dismiss meritless claims, impose costs and damages on plaintiffs, and provides mechanisms to address cross-border SLAPP proceedings.

A legal analysis examines whether banks should bear liability for losses on pledged items when client orders to liquidate managed investments are not executed before the bank enters resolution proceedings. The fiduciary nature of the managed investment relationship raises critical questions about the bank's duty of care and the timing of order execution in relation to institutional failure.

A Danish Supreme Court case examines whether a bankruptcy trustee from Gorrissen Federspiel can be held liable for failing to pursue clawback claims against a financial clearingbroker involving over $64 million in financial security arrangements. The dispute centers on whether supplementary securities provided through P/E calls were protected under securities trading law and whether the clearingbroker actually gained any economic benefit that could be subject to bankruptcy clawback provisions.

Work at height remains one of the most dangerous occupations despite technological advances, with falls from scaffolding, cranes, and platforms continuing to cause fatal workplace accidents. Understanding the complex web of legal liability—from employers to equipment owners—and knowing the compensation rights available to surviving families becomes crucial when tragedy strikes on construction sites and elevated workspaces.