They are the only ones able to represent a litigant before the courts. This is their monopoly (except that the litigant can always represent himself, which is rare and generally not recommended).

Debt collection is only one of multiple services offered.

They are the communication link, the intermediaries between the courts and the litigants. These tasks are reserved for them by law (it is their monopoly).

For more than 20 years, bailiffs have developed an amicable collection service (out of courts), mainly to boost their judicial collection activity.

There are 20,000 lawyers in Belgium and most of them never deal with debt collection.

A handful of lawyers specialize in debt collection.

There is no specific qualification required, but certain conditions must be met in order to collect debts from consumers.

The most professional are grouped together in the Belgian Debt Collectors Association.

A master’s degree in law is required.

In addition, a lawyer must be registered with a “bar“.

A master’s degree in law is required.

Bailiffs are “ministerial officers” appointed by the King and their number is limited.

The Federal Public Service Economy regulates the collection companies.

(Letters from collection companies must provide the address of this regulatory body.)

The bars regulates solicitors. They are grouped into orders (Dutch speaking, French and German speaking) .

No (by peers)

In recent years, it has been suggested (draft law) that the PFS Economy should also be able to regulate the activities of attorneys at law related to amicable collection, as is done for collection agencies.

No (by peers)

In recent years, it has been suggested (draft law)  that the PFS Economy should also be able to regulate the activities of bailiffs related to amicable collection, as is done for collection agencies.

Usually: an hourly rate + costs, coupled with a commission on the result.

The condemned (and solvent) debtor must pay “processing compensation” to the creditor.

Public Order priced service (prices invariable by law).

However, the condemned (and solvent) debtor must repay these costs.

If the debtor is not convicted, the bailiff’s fees must be paid by the creditor (by law).

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)

They are the only ones able to represent a litigant before the courts. This is their monopoly (except that the litigant can always represent himself, which is rare and generally not recommended).

Debt collection is only one of multiple services offered.

They are the communication link, the intermediaries between the courts and the litigants. These tasks are reserved for them by law (it is their monopoly).

For more than 20 years, bailiffs have developed an amicable collection service (out of courts), mainly to boost their judicial collection activity.

There are 20,000 lawyers in Belgium and most of them never deal with debt collection.

A handful of lawyers specialize in debt collection.

There is no specific qualification required, but certain conditions must be met in order to collect debts from consumers.

The most professional are grouped together in the Belgian Debt Collectors Association.

A master’s degree in law is required.

In addition, a lawyer must be registered with a “bar“.

A master’s degree in law is required.

Bailiffs are “ministerial officers” appointed by the King and their number is limited.

The Federal Public Service Economy regulates the collection companies.

(Letters from collection companies must provide the address of this regulatory body.)

The bars regulates solicitors. They are grouped into orders (Dutch speaking, French and German speaking) .

No (by peers)

In recent years, it has been suggested (draft law) that the PFS Economy should also be able to regulate the activities of attorneys at law related to amicable collection, as is done for collection agencies.

No (by peers)

In recent years, it has been suggested (draft law)  that the PFS Economy should also be able to regulate the activities of bailiffs related to amicable collection, as is done for collection agencies.

Usually: an hourly rate + costs, coupled with a commission on the result.

The condemned (and solvent) debtor must pay “processing compensation” to the creditor.

Public Order priced service (prices invariable by law).

However, the condemned (and solvent) debtor must repay these costs.

If the debtor is not convicted, the bailiff’s fees must be paid by the creditor (by law).

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)

None.

(Interest and indemnities, as defined by law or by the contract between the debtor and the creditor, accrue to the creditor.)