News
New Belgian Act on medicinal product shortages
On 3 February 2020, the Belgian Act of 20 December 2019 amending various legal provisions concerning shortages of medicinal products was published in the Belgian State Gazette.
The 2020 Action Plan of the Social Information and Investigation Service : its highlights and focus areas
The Social Information and Investigation Service (“SIOD/SIRS”) has published its 2020 Action Plan “Fight against Social Fraud and Social Dumping”. This plan reveals the strategy and the top priorities of the inspection services for 2020. The 2020 Action Plan is built around five strategic objectives, resulting in 55 specific actions. We summarize the highlights of the 2020 Action Plan below so that you can see at a glance if and when your sector is being targeted this year.
ALTIUS has contributed to the 2020 Edition of the ‘European Employment Law Update’ that covers 34 countries in Europe
‘European Employment Law Update’ is an annual guide that compiles updates on employment law from leading law firms all over Europe.
ALTIUS appoints a new Counsel!
ALTIUS is proud to announce that Sophie Lens has been appointed as Counsel from January 2020.
Employers, be aware of the “hidden protection period” kick-off!
The “hidden protection period” is one of the most remarkable features of the social elections process. The hidden protection period is the period during which candidates already benefit from the specific dismissal protection, even though the candidate lists are only being disclosed to the employer 65 days later. Hence, there is a 65 days-gap during which an employer is not aware of an employee’s candidacy for the social elections and related dismissal protection, reason why it is highly recommended not to proceed with any dismissals during the hidden protection period to avoid a substantial financial liability.
Depending on your election date, the hidden protection period starts between 12 January and 25 January 2020.
Patenting blockchain
While much has been written already regarding blockchain and its many exciting applications for the future, not much has been said on how you can adequately and legally protect your blockchain once it has been developed.
The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Real Estate 2020
One of our partners, Lieven Peeters, is pleased to announce that the International Comparative Legal Guide to: Real Estate 2020 has been published.
Clawback: chasing assets
This article reflects on some of the options offered under Belgian law by the actio pauliana, commonly referred to in English as the ‘clawback’ rules.
X – 60: What are your obligations?
On X – 60, i.e. between 13 and 26 December 2019, depending on the chosen election day, the employer must provide the Works Council and/or the CPPW, or, in their absence, the Trade Union Delegation, with written information that includes the following elements:
(1) the determination of the (number of) ‘technical business unit(s)’ (TBUs)
(2) the number of employees per ‘category’ on day X – 60
(3) the functions of the high level executive personnel (‘leidinggevend personeel/personnel de direction’) and an indicative list of the persons exercising these functions
(4) the functions of the managerial personnel (‘kaderleden/cadres’) and an indicative list of the persons exercising these functions (only for the Works Council)
(5) the day of posting of the notice announcing the date of the elections and the envisaged date of the elections
The new Plant Health Regulation is ready to take off as of 14 December 2019
Pests threaten plant health. To fight the increased risks owing to the further globalisation of trade and climate change, the European legislature has adopted measures concerning the determination and reduction of risks imposed by pests: Regulation 2016/2031.
Is your company ready for the Incoterms 2020?
On 1 January 2020, the new Incoterms® 2020 as published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) will come into force.
Whistleblowing employees soon to be protected against retaliation measures?
The Whistleblower Directive is a minimum level directive and must be implemented within 2 years after it enters into force (which as of today’s date is not yet the case).