Business law: invoicing, recovering, partnering, defending
Business law, for an SME, comes down to four moments: the client who does not pay, the contract that goes wrong, the shareholder who leaves, the employee who has to be hired or let go. I handle all four, with a price known before starting.
Brussels Bar lawyer since 2021, Certified data protection officer (Maastricht), Published fees
Why it matters
An unpaid invoice between businesses produces late payment interest and a fixed indemnity of €40 from the due date (Act of 2 August 2002). A lawyer's formal notice, sent within 48 hours, is often enough. Otherwise, an undisputed debt is recovered without a trial, through the recovery of undisputed debts procedure entrusted to the bailiff.
Between partners, everything is decided while all is well. Since 2019, the SRL leaves wide freedom to the parties. The articles and a shareholders' agreement fill it in: exit, valuation, non-compete, voting.
My view on litigation: I prefer a written settlement to a hearing, and I say so from the formal notice onwards. When proceedings are necessary, they run by phase, with a quote and a cap for each one, and a payment on account before each phase.
Typical situations
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An integrator whose client disputed the final invoice after going live
It would need to gather the evidence of delivery and acceptance, send a formal notice, then bring the matter before the Enterprise Court if the dispute persists.
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An SME learning that a debtor is bankrupt
It would need to file its claim in the Central Solvency Register (RegSol) before the date set by the judgment. After that time limit, it would receive nothing.
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Two equal partners who no longer speak to each other
Without an agreement, the company would be deadlocked; there would remain a negotiated buy-out or, as a last resort, withdrawal or exclusion before the court.
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An online retailer whose comparative advertising was challenged by a competitor
Book VI of the Code of Economic Law sets the conditions of comparison; a cease-and-desist action can be brought within weeks.
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A subcontractor served with a summons before the Enterprise Court
It would need to react within days: appointment of a lawyer, timetable for submissions, examination of the claim and of possible counterclaims.
What is included
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Formal notice and debt recovery
Reasoned letter within 48 hours, recovery of undisputed debts procedure, follow-up with the bailiff.
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Commercial litigation
Enterprise Court, cease-and-desist action, interim proceedings, counterclaims, by phase.
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Companies and partners
Incorporation, articles of association, shareholders' agreement, transfer of shares, disputes between partners.
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Commercial contracts
Confidentiality agreements, agency, distribution, terms of sale, advertising compliance.
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Employer
Employment contracts and clauses, end of contract, transfer of undertaking, applicable collective agreements.
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Insolvency of a debtor
Filing a claim in RegSol, bankruptcy summons, follow-up of a judicial reorganisation.
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Before a sale
Audit of intangible assets: trade mark, code, domains, data, contracts, change-of-control clauses.
How it works
- 01
Scoping
A 45-minute video call to set out the problem and the options.
- 02
Written quote
Scope, fixed price and indicative deadline, before any work starts.
- 03
Delivery
I draft, negotiate or file, and I keep you informed.
- 04
Handover
Annotated deliverables, points to watch and the next deadlines.
Three ranges, a price fixed before the work starts
The firm uses artificial intelligence tools for research and first drafts, under a lawyer's control. The time they save is not billed: it is already reflected in these ranges.
- Chase an unpaid invoiceAn invoice remains unpaid despite your reminders.Formal notice, recovery of an undisputed claim up to handover to the bailiff.From €290
- Set up, sellA company to set up, a shareholder coming in or leaving, a business to sell.Incorporation, shareholders' agreement, audit of intangible assets before a sale.On quote
- DefendA commercial dispute that can no longer be settled amicably.Proceedings, urgent measures, negotiated settlement.Quote per phase
The exact price depends on your matter. You receive it in writing after the first contact, which is free, and it does not change afterwards without your agreement. Amounts exclude VAT; official fees and disbursements are extra.
All ranges and how billing worksFrequently asked questions
Forty-five minutes to scope the matter, €120 excl. VAT
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A 45-minute video call, prepaid.
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A written report in five points within 24 working hours: the problem as you put it, the options, my recommendation, the budget for what follows, the timing.
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If you instruct me within 30 days, the €120 is deducted from the fee.