Out-of-court dispute resolution in Belgium

Mediation

During a mediation process, the mediator (a neutral third party) tries to help the parties to find a suitable solution to the dispute. The mediator ensures that the parties can improve or resume communication with each other so that they can look for the best solution. He suggest options but mostly deals with the context in which the discussions take place in order to make them as successful as possible. He does not settle the  dispute as a judge would.

There are two types of mediation:

1. in a free mediation process, the initiative comes from (one of) the parties involved in a conflict;
2. a judicial mediation is ordered by a judge. In both cases, participation is entirely voluntary and any party can stop the procedure at any time.

Quoi qu’il en soit, la participation reste volontaire et chaque partie concernée peut mettre fin à la procédure à tout instant.

The mediator can be certified or not. Certification is granted by the FPS Justice when the mediator meets specific training conditions. The FPS Justice keeps a list of certified mediators (available in French or Dutch), sorted according to their specialisation and place of residence.

If the parties request it, and provided that the mediator is certified, the agreement can be ratified by a court of justice. It will then have the same legal value as a court sentence and be binding. The limitation period is also suspended as soon as a mediation agreement is signed – again, provided that the mediator is certified. There is no obligation to work with a certified mediator, but you should keep the advantages mentioned above in mind.

The mediation procedure is described in articles 1724 to 1737 of the Judicial Code (available in French or Dutch).

Conciliation

In a conciliation procedure, the conciliator is a neutral third party who hears both parties before he offers a solution – that they are not obliged to applyv. 

A conciliation procedure can also take place within the context of a court action. In this case, it can be led by the judge, provided that it is part of his competence (e.g.: a renting dispute belongs to the field of competence of a justice of the peace while a commercial dispute superior to 5,000 euros between a consumer and a trader should be handled by the tribunal of first instance).

Conciliation is always a voluntary procedure.

The conciliation procedure is described in articles 731 to 734 of the Judicial Code (available in French or Dutch).

Arbitration

In an arbitration procedure, the arbitrator(s) pronounce(s) a judgement on the dispute as a judge would. This judgement possesses force of law and there is in principle no appeal against it.

Arbitration requires both parties to accept the procedure in writing with the drawing up of an arbitration agreement when the dispute arises (unless the general terms of the contract between the parties already included an arbitration clause from the beginning).

The arbitrator(s) give(s) a decision in writing, which is called the ‘arbitral award’. A copy of it is sent to the parties to inform them of the decision. A second copy is deposited at the registry of the tribunal of first instance. The parties have to carry out the award. If one of them does not, the other party can ask the president of the tribunal of first instance to impose its implementation (= exequatur).

The arbitration procedure is described in articles 1676 to 1723 of the Judicial Code (available in French or Dutch). 

Ombudsman

An ombudsman's mission is to analyse individual complaints concerning the functioning of public institutions (federal public services, pensions, Belgian railways, Communities, Regions, municipalities...) or concerning specific sectors (post office, insurances, banks, telecommunications ...) and to deliver opinions. When a company or public institution does not wish to follow the ombudsman's opinion, they have to give their reasons. The ombudsman also plays a preventive role as it also makes suggestions and recommendations to offer long-term solutions. The services of an ombudsman are free of charge.

1. The best reaction is to make a complaint on the location of your vacation and to confirm it with a registered letter that you send to the tour operator within a deadline of one month after you have returned home. If the problem arises before the trip, you can send a registered letter to the tour operator / travel agent, in which you describe the issue, offer a solution and set a deadline. This registered letter should be sent as soon as possible and at the latest one month after the trip should have taken place

2. In the absence of an agreement four months after you came home / the initial departure date (if the trip did not take place), you can contact the Travel Disputes Commission. You can opt for a conciliation or an arbitration procedure (a different procedure gives a different result). 

   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:

   • The travel agency / tour operator has to be Belgian;
   • The tour operator or travel agent uses:
     • the general terms of the Travel Disputes Commission or
     • the standard contract of the Travel Disputes Commission;
   • Deadlines have to be complied with;
   • The Travel Disputes Commission does not handle complaints about physical damage, non-included travel assistance or insurance, bankruptcy of the company and non-contractually determined liability;

   A procedure with the Travel Disputes Commission is not free of charge:

   • There is a € 50 fee for a conciliation (only available in French or Dutch);
   • For an arbitration procedure (only available in French or Dutch); you will have to pay a deposit of 10 % of your claim with a minimum of € 100. This sum will eventually be paid by the unsuccessful party.

3. If you meet the requirements, you can contact the Travel Disputes Commission (in writing):

   Travel Disputes Commission 
   Secretariat of the conciliation unit 
   Rue du Progrès 50 
   1210 Bruxelles 
   Tel.: +32 2 277 61 80 
   Fax: +32 2 277 91 00 
   E-mail: conciliation.clv@skynet.be
   Website: only available in French or Dutch;

   Or

   Travel Disputes Commission 
   Secretariat of the arbitration unit 
   Rue du Progrès 50 
   1210 Bruxelles 
   Tel.: +32 2 277 62 15 
   Fax: +32 2 277 91 00 
   E-mail: clv.gr@skynet.be
   Website: only available in French or Dutch

   The Disputes Commission will then send you the documents you need as well as a form to fill in (for arbitration). If the conciliation does not work, you can still start an arbitration procedure. 

4. If you do not receive satisfaction and there is no specific public body to handle your complaint, you can also work with a certified mediator. You can find one or several Belmed partners for your dispute thanks to our search engine. These partners comply with the provisions of the Mediation Act of 21 February 2005 (French or Dutch ) and are certified by the federal mediation commission (French or Dutch ) or comply with the European Commission Recommendations of 1998 (French or Dutch ) or 2001 (French or Dutch ).

5. If mediation does solve you problem, you will have to take the matter to court:  

   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the other party as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If no solution has been found a month later, you can contact the Furniture Disputes Commission for an arbitration procedure. The decisions of the Furniture Disputes Commission have the same legal value as the judgements of regular courts. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • The trader is affiliated with the Furniture Disputes Commission and uses the standard contract. The general terms of this contract stipulate that it is possible to work with this Commission in case of a dispute;
   • You have already tried to solve the dispute amicable and complied with the one-month deadline. 
3. A procedure with the Furniture Disputes Commission is not free of charge:
   • You have to pay a deposit: € 100 if you are affiliated with Test-Achats or Arcopar and € 150 otherwise. The losing party eventually pays this deposit (max. € 100). An advance payment is required when an expert is designated. The full expert costs are to be paid by the losing party. 
4. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Disputes Commission: 
   
   Furniture Disputes Commission 
   Kasteelstraat 1A B10 
   1700 Dilbeek 
   Tel.: +32 2 478 47 58 (from 9am to midday and from 1pm to 5pm) 
   Fax: +32 2 478 37 66 
   E-mail: clmeubles@gcmeubelen.be ou tom.steenhoudt@navem.be
   Website: (only available in French or Dutch) 
   
   The Disputes Commission will then send you the documents you need as well as a form to fill in. 
    
5. If you do not receive satisfaction and there is no specific public body to handle your complaint, you can also work with a certified mediator. You can find one or several Belmed partners for your dispute thanks to our search engine . These partners comply with the provisions of the Mediation Act of 21 February 2005 (French or Dutch ) and are certified by the federal mediation commission (French or Dutch ) or comply with the European Commission Recommendations of 1998 (French or Dutch ) or 2001 (French or Dutch ).
6. If mediation does solve you problem, you will have to take the matter to court: 
   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. A procedure with the Arbitration Commission for Consumers and Textile Carers is not free of charge:

2. Report the problem to the other party as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
3. I you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Arbitration Commission for Consumers and Textile Carers (CACET) for an arbitration procedure. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • The laundry or dry cleaner has to be a member of the Belgian federation of textile carers;
   • You have already tried to solve the dispute amicably in the 30 days that followed the reception of the textile item concerned;
   • The Arbitration commission cannot help you if the incident took place more than three months ago or when your compensation claim is above € 1,959.20;
   • Complaints can only be handled when they are made with the appropriate form (to be received from the Arbitration commission) and if the goods concerned were sent to the Belgian federation of textile carers.
   • If the compensation claim is under € 620, you have to pay a deposit of € 20 if you are  affiliated with Test-Achats, Arcopar or ACV and € 40 otherwise. If the compensation claim is above € 620, you have to pay a deposit of € 40 if you are affiliated with Test-Achats, Arcopar or ACV and € 60 otherwise. An advance payment is required when an expert is designated. The full expert costs are to be paid by the losing party. 
4. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Arbitration commission: 
   Arbitration Commission for Consumers and Textile Carers (CACET) 
   Brusselsesteenweg 478 
   1731 Zellik (Asse) 
   Tel.: +32 2 463 19 50 
   Fax: +32 2 463 17 61 
   E-mail: CACET@fbt-online.be
   Website: only available in French or Dutch. 
   The Arbitration commission will send you the documents you need as well as a form to fill in.
5. If you do not receive satisfaction and there is no specific public body to handle your complaint, you can also work with a certified mediator. You can find one or several Belmed partners for your dispute thanks to our search engine . These partners comply with the provisions of the Mediation Act of 21 February 2005 (French or Dutch ) and are certified by the federal mediation commission (French or Dutch ) or comply with the European Commission Recommendations of 1998 (French or Dutch ) or 2001 (French or Dutch ). 
6. If mediation does solve you problem, you will have to take the matter to court:
   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the other party as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the AUTOMOTO Conciliation Commission for a conciliation procedure. The Commission itself, or an expert if the Commission finds it necessary, will try to reconcile the parties. Should this prove impossible, the expert will draw up a technical report that can be useful in a possible court case. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • This has to deal with a dispute between a consumer and a company. Business-to-business and consumer-to-consumer disputes are excluded. The seller has to be a professional and the vehicle has to be registred in the name of a private individual;
   • You have already tried to solve the dispute amicable.

   A procedure with the Reconciliation Commission is not free of charge:

   • Each party is requested to pay a one-time, non-refundable financial contribution of 96.80 euros VAT incl. (80 euros VAT excl.). If an expert is required, an estimate detailing the additional costs will be sent beforehand to the parties for approval.

3. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Reconciliation Commission: 
   
   AUTOMOTO Conciliation Commission 
   Avenue Jules Bordet 164 
   1140 Brussels 
   Tel.: +32 2 778 62 47 
   Fax: +32 2 778 62 22 
   E-mail: info@conciliationautomoto.be
   Website: www.conciliationautomoto.be (only available in French or Dutch) 
   
   The Reconciliation Commission will send you the documents you need as well as a form to fill in.

4. If you do not receive satisfaction and there is no specific public body to handle your complaint, you can also work with a certified mediator. You can find one or several Belmed partners for your dispute thanks to our search engine . These partners comply with the provisions of the Mediation Act of 21 February 2005 (French or Dutch ) and are certified by the federal mediation commission (French or Dutch ) or comply with the European Commission Recommendations of 1998 (French or Dutch ) or 2001 (French or Dutch ).

5. If you do not meet the requirements or if the conciliation procedure did not work, you will have to take the matter to court:

   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the insurance company or broker as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Insurance Ombudsman. It is free of charge. If the mediation procedure does not prove fruitful, the Ombudsman will give a written, non-binding opinion on the case within six months. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • You have already tried to solve the dispute amicably;
   • This is a written procedure: complaints may only be made by mail, fax, e-mail or the online complaint form; only information will be provided by telephone.

3. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Ombudsman: 
   
   Insurance Ombudsman 
   Mrs. Josette Van Elderen 
   Square de Meeûs 35 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Tel.: +32 2 547 58 71 
   Fax: +32 2 547 59 75 
   E-mail: info@ombudsman.as
   Website: only available in French or Dutch. 

4. If you do not meet the requirements or the procedure with the Ombudsman was not fruitful, you will have to take the matter to court:

   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

 

The Datassur organisation was created at the request of insurance companies. It manages databases and databanks concerning accidents, the payment behaviour of the insured people, etc., so that insurance companies can better assess the risks of potential customers.

 

1. Report the problem to the telecommunication operator as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Ombudsman Service for Telecommunications. It is free of charge. If the mediation procedure does not prove fruitful, the Ombudsman will give a written, non-binding opinion to the operator, which can be useful in case of further procedures. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • You have already tried to solve the dispute amicably;
   • This is a written procedure: complaints may only be made by mail, fax, e-mail or the online complaint form; only information will be provided by telephone;
   • The complaint was filed with the telecommunication company no longer than a year ago.

3. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Ombudsman Service: 
   
   Ombudsman Service for Telecommunications 
   Mr. Luc Tuerlinckx 
   North Gate II, Boulevard du Roi Albert II 8 bte 3, 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Tel.: +32 2 223 06 06 
   Fax: +32 2 219 86 59 
   E-mail: plaintes@mediateurtelecom.be
   Website: http://www.ombudsmantelecom.be  
    

4. If you do not meet the requirements or the procedure with the Ombudsman Service was not fruitful, you will have to take the matter to court:

   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the post office / delivery company as soon as possible and in compliance with the way described in the general terms. If possible, send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Office of the Ombudsman for the Postal Sector. It is free of charge. If an amicable settlement proves impossible, the Ombudsman will give a written, non-binding opinion to the post office or delivery company, which can be useful in case of further procedures. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • Complaints are only admissible if the complainant has first made a complaint with the company, in compliance with its usual procedure;
   • Complaints can be made in writing (by mail, fax or e-mail) or in person in the office of the Ombudsman. Only information will be provided by telephone;
   • Financial disputes with bpost bank are not admissible; 
3. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Ombudsman: 
   
   Office of the Ombudsman for the Postal Sector 
   Rue Royale 97 bte 14 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Tél.: +32 2 221 02 30 
   Fax: +32 2 221 02 44 
   E-mail: info @smspo.be
   Website: http://www.smspo.be
    
4. If you do not meet the requirements or the procedure with the Ombudsman was not fruitful, you will have to take the matter to court:
   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the Belgian Railways as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Mediator for rail passengers. It is free of charge. This independent mediator will try to reconcile the parties. If an amicable settlement is impossible, the mediator will send a non-binding opinion to the Belgian Railways, which can be useful in case of further procedures.  
   In compliance with the laws, it is not required to make a complaint with the Belgian Railways first – thanks to a protocol concluded between the Belgian Railways and the mediator, the Belgian Railways do have the opportunity to first provide their answer to the complaint in case the complainant did not contact them before turning to the mediator. 
    
3. If you want to follow the procedure, you can contact the mediator: 
   The Mediator for rail passengers 
   Cantersteen 4 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Tel: +32 2 525 40 01 
   Fax: +32 2 525 40 10 
   Email : plaintes@ombudsrail.be
   Website: only available in French or Dutch
4. If the procedure with the mediator does produce any satisfactory solution, you will have to take the matter to court:
   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the STIB/MIVB as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Ombudsman of the STIB/MIVB. It is free of charge. This independent ombudsman will formulate an amicable settlement proposal. If no solution can be found, the Ombudsman will send a non-binding opinion to the STIB/MIVB, which can be useful in case of further procedures. 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • Complaints are only admissible if the complainant has first made a complaint with the STIB/MIVB, at least 30 days before contacting the mediation service;
   • The complaint has to concern facts that took place no more than 3 months prior to the complaint with the STIB/MIVB;
   • Complaint can only be made in writing (mail or e-mail). 
3. If your situation meets the requirements and you are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Ombudsman: 
   
   Ombudsman of the STIB/MIVB 
   Mr Jean-Pierre Alvin 
   Rue du Gentilhomme 3 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   E-mail: mediateur@stib.irisnet.be
   Website: only available in French or Dutch

4. If you do not meet the requirements or the procedure with the Ombudsman did not produce any satisfactory results, you will have to take the matter to court:

   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the other party as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the Ombudsman in financial conflicts. The objective of this impartial mediation body (with an Ombudsman and a consumer representative) is to find a mutual agreement between the financial institution and the complainant. The procedure is free of charge. The mediation service gives a non-binding opinion (except for complaints concerning basic banking services). 
   
   Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:
   • Complaints are only admissible if the complainant has first made a complaint with the other party;
   • This is a written procedure: complaints may only be made by mail, fax, e-mail or the online complaint form. You have to send copies of the correspondence and of all useful documents;
   • This must deal with a complaint concerning a financial institution which is affiliated with the mediation service (all Febelfin members). A list can be found on the website; 
   • The complaint does not deal with the financial institution’s commercial policy;
   • You are a private individual acting on your own account (exception: legal entities for complaints concerning a cross-border payment of € 12,500 max. – in which case a € 50 fee has to be paid);
   • Your complaint does not concern a case of overindebtedness for which the financial institution is not at fault;
   • The dispute is not the subject of legal proceedings. 
3. If you meet the requirements and are ready to follow the procedure, you can contact the Ombudsman: 
   
   Ombudsman in financial conflicts 
   North Gate II, Boulevard du Roi Albert II 8 bte 1, 
   1000 Brussels 
   Tel.: +32 2 545 77 70 
   Fax: +32 2 545 77 79 
   E-mail: ombudsman@ombfin.be
   Website: http://www.ombudsfin.be  
    
4. If you do not meet the requirements or the procedure with Ombudsfin does not produce any satisfactory solution, you will have to take the matter to court:
   • The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. The Ombudsman Service for Energy is authorised to handle complaints against gas and electricity suppliers. Please note that there are conditions you have to meet:

   • You must have tried to solve the problem directly with the supplier in question;
   • The Ombudsman service can refuse to handle a complaint if it was filed more than a year ago with the electricity or gas company; 
   • The service declares it has no jurisdiction when legal proceedings are underway;
   • Complaints have to be made in writing (by mail, fax, e-mail or the online complaint form.

2. If you meet these requirements, you can ask the Ombudsman to intervene in your case. It will analyse your complaint and try to find an amicable settlement. If this does not work, it will give a non-binding opinion to the supplier. 
   
   Ombudsman Service for Energy 
   North Gate II, Boulevard du Roi Albert II 8 bte 1, 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Phone: +32 2 211 10 60 
   Fax: +32 2 211 10 69 
   E-mail: plainte@mediateurenergie.be
   Site web: only available in French, Dutch or German
    

3. If you do not meet these requirements or have not obtained any satisfactory result with the Ombudsman service, you will have to take the matter to court:

   • Only the justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
   • Only the tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

1. Report the problem to the seller as soon as possible and send a written confirmation, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt, in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    
2. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can contact the European Consumer Centre (ECC), which accompanies consumers in case of cross-border conflicts and will look for an alternative solution or put you in contact with alternative dispute resolution bodies in the country in question. It provides you with information, support and assistance. Its services are free of charge. 
   
   European Consumer Centre 
   Rue de Hollande 13 
   1060 Bruxelles 
   Tel.: +32 2 542 33 89 
   Fax: +32 2 542 32 43 
   E-mail: info@cecbelgique.be
   Website: http://www.eccbelgium.be/
    
3. If the procedure with the ECC does not produce any satisfactory result, you will have to take the matter to court. You can contact the various legal aid centres (available in French or Dutch) for more information.

1. First of all, you have to report the problem to the other party. After you have read the general terms and conditions of sale (back of the order form or invoice), send a written confirmation of the problem, preferably with a registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt in which you will explain the situation, offer a solution and give a deadline for the resolution of the issue. 
    

2. If you do not obtain satisfaction, you may as of 1 June 2015 also contact the Consumer Mediation Service, whose objectives are:

   • Provide consumers and companies with information on their rights and duties;
   • Receive an out-of-court resolution claim for a consumer dispute and either handle it or send it to an existing mediation service.
3. Consumer Mediation Service 
   North Gate II 
   Boulevard du Roi Albert II 8 
   1000 Bruxelles 
   Tel:  +32 2 702 52 20 
   Fax: +32 2 808 71 29 
   E-mail: contact@mediationconsommateur.be
   Website: http://consumerombudsman.be/

If you do not receive satisfaction and there is no specific public body to handle your complaint, you can also work with a certified mediator. You can find one or several Belmed partners for your dispute thanks to our search engine. These partners comply with the provisions of the Mediation Act of 21 February 2005 (French or Dutch) and are certified by the federal mediation commission (French or Dutch) or comply with the European Commission Recommendations of 1998 (French or Dutch) or 2001 (French or Dutch). 

If mediation does solve you problem, you will have to take the matter to court:

• The justice of the peace is competent for disputes involving a sum up to € 5,000;
• The tribunal of first instance is competent for disputes involving a sum above € 5,000.

I live in Nivelles and I have a problem with the refund of my rent guarantee.

  
In case of rent dispute within the judicial district of Nivelles or Brussels, the Real Estate Conciliation, Arbitration and Mediation Board will appoint a jurist and a technician specialised in the matter. The Board will charge a fee of 50 euros per party as administrative costs to open a case.

.