Wanneer een situatie dringend is en gewone gerechtelijke procedures te lang duren, biedt het kort geding een snelle en effectieve oplossing. Maar wanneer is een kort geding precies van toepassing? Wie kan de procedure inleiden? En wat zijn de risico’s? Mr. Mohamed Asfour, advocaat in Brussel, geeft u een praktisch overzicht.
What is interim relief proceedings?
Het kort geding is een spoedprocedure voor de voorzitter van de rechtbank. Het is geen bodemprocedure: de rechter beslist niet definitief over het geschil, maar neemt een voorlopige maatregel om dringende schade te voorkomen of te beëindigen. De uitspraak in kort geding is bindend en onmiddellijk uitvoerbaar, ook al wordt er nog een beroep aangetekend.
When is interim relief proceedings possible?
Two conditions must be met together:
- High urgency: There is a real danger that failure to intervene will cause serious damage or damage that is difficult to repair. This need not be an absolute emergency, but there must be an urgent situation requiring immediate judicial intervention.
- Interim measure: The requested is a temporary, provisional measure - not a final ruling on the law.
Concrete applications of interim relief proceedings
- Rent Law: Forced eviction of a tenant who refuses to leave after termination
- Family Law: Urgent action on children's residence in divorce
- Corporate Law: Prohibition of unfair competition or violation of a trade secret
- Construction Law: Stopping works that threaten to harm neighbour
- Liability: Interim award of damages when liability is reasonably clear
- Employment law: Reinstatement in position for manifestly unreasonable dismissal
- Intellectual property: Cessation of trademark or copyright infringement
Procedure: how does interim relief proceedings work?
- Subpoena: The plaintiff summons the opposing party through a bailiff. The summons states the day and hour of the hearing. In extremely urgent cases, a writ of summons can be served “from hour to hour.”.
- Seat: The hearing before the presiding judge usually takes place within a few days to weeks. Both parties present their arguments orally or through briefs.
- Decision: The president issues an order, usually shortly after the hearing. The measure is immediately enforceable.
- Penalty: The court may attach a penalty to the measure imposed to ensure compliance (e.g., €500 per day of delay).
Competent court
Summary proceedings may be initiated for:
- De voorzitter van de rechtbank van eerste aanleg (meest algemene bevoegdheid)
- De voorzitter van de ondernemingsrechtbank (voor handelsgeschillen)
- De voorzitter van de arbeidsrechtbank (voor arbeidsrechtelijke kwesties)
- De vrederechter (voor huurgeschillen)
Risks and costs
Interim relief proceedings is a powerful tool, but using it without just cause can result in you being ordered to pay costs (including litigation fees for the opposing party). Careful legal analysis before proceedings is essential.
Quick legal help in urgent situations?
Novex Advocaten assists you in summary proceedings in Brussels and the Brussels region. Mr. Mohamed Asfour quickly analyses whether your situation qualifies for summary proceedings and initiates the procedure immediately. Delay can cause irreparable harm in urgent situations - contact us today.
Also read: Invoice collection: essential steps | Rent arrears: what can the landlord do?
