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Country Background

Belgium is located in Western Europe. It is bounded by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Netherlands. The capital of Belgium is Brussels. The official languages are Dutch, French, and German. The country’s population in 2016 was approximately 11.4 million. Belgium is a predominantly Christian country, with about 75% of the population Roman Catholic.

Constitution & Legal Structure

Belgium is referred to as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy. Belgium is a civil law system based on the French Civil Code with judicial review of legislative acts. Belgium is a member state of the European Union.

Constitutional Status of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no constitutional status in Belgium.

Jurisdiction(s) of Islamic Law

Islamic law has no official jurisdiction of operation in Belgium.

Dominant School of Islamic Law

Belgium has no official school of Islamic law. 

Sources of Law for Legal Research

Official Publications

• Legislative
  
  • Federal Parliament consisting of the Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers/Chambre des Représentants [Chamber of Representatives] and the Senaat/Sénat [Senate]
  • Moniteur Belge/Belgisch Staatsblad (official gazette)
• Executive
  • Government Portal
  • Prime Minister
  • Monarchy
• Judicial
  • Supreme Court of Justice
  • Constitutional Court
  • Raad van State/Conseil d'Etat/ Staatsrat [Supreme Administrative Court] - decisions available in Dutch, French, German, and English

 Unofficial Databases

• RefLex
• FAOLEX: Belgium (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) database of national laws and regulations on food, agriculture, and renewable natural resources.
• NATLEX: Belgium (International Labour Organization) database of national laws on labor, social security, and related human rights.
• RefWorld Legal Information: Belgium (UNHCR)
• WIPO Lex: Belgium (World Intellectual Property Organization)

References:

For an extended list of legal resources for this country, see the Library of Congress’s Research Guide, and for a narrative review, see the GlobaLex Foreign Law Research Guide (most updated version, where available). The Constitution is available in the LOC Guide in its original language and at Constitute in English and Arabic translation. For full versions of past constitutions, amendments, and related legislation, see HeinOnline World Constitutions Illustrated or Oxford Constitutions of the World [subscription required for each].