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A Statement of Claim is the formal document that starts a legal case in Belgian civil courts. It outlines your specific demands against another party and explains why you believe they should be held legally responsible. This document must detail the key facts, legal grounds, and exact compensation or actions you're seeking.

Under Belgian judicial law, your lawyer files this statement (called "dagvaarding" in Dutch or "citation" in French) with the court and serves it to the opposing party. It needs to include precise contact details, a clear timeline of events, and your legal arguments. The court uses this document as the foundation for the entire legal process, so getting it right is crucial for your case's success.

File a Statement of Claim when someone owes you money, breaches a contract, or causes you damages in Belgium. For example, if a supplier fails to deliver promised goods, a tenant stops paying rent, or a business partner violates your agreement, this legal document starts your formal court action to recover what you're owed.

Time matters - Belgian law sets strict deadlines for filing claims, typically within 5 or 10 years depending on the case type. Submit your Statement of Claim early to preserve evidence and witness testimony. This also shows the court you acted promptly to protect your rights and can help prevent the other party from claiming the dispute is too old to pursue.

• Basic Civil Claims: Used for straightforward monetary disputes in Belgian courts, focusing on clear financial demands and supporting evidence
• Commercial Claims: Tailored for business-to-business disputes, including detailed sections on contractual terms and market practices
• Employment Claims: Structured for workplace disputes, with specific sections addressing labor law violations and compensation calculations
• Property Claims: Designed for real estate and tenant disputes, incorporating property laws and rental agreement violations
• Professional Services Claims: Used when claiming damages from service providers, emphasizing professional standards and client agreements

• Legal Counsel: Draft and file Statements of Claim on behalf of clients, ensuring all legal requirements are met under Belgian law
• Claimants: Individual citizens, businesses, or organizations seeking compensation or specific actions through the Belgian courts
• Court Officials: Process and validate the claims, manage case scheduling, and ensure proper service of documents
• Defendants: Parties who must respond to the claims made against them within strict legal timeframes
• Bailiffs: Officially deliver the Statement of Claim to defendants and certify proper notification

• Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant documents, contracts, correspondence, invoices, and proof of damages
• Identify Parties: Note complete legal names, addresses, and registration numbers of all involved parties
• Timeline Details: Document key dates and events in chronological order, including when the dispute arose
• Legal Basis: Specify which Belgian laws or contractual terms support your claim
• Calculate Damages: Prepare detailed calculations of financial losses or compensation sought
• Draft Review: Our platform helps generate legally-sound claims, ensuring all mandatory elements meet Belgian court requirements

• Court Details: Name and location of the competent Belgian court where the claim is filed
• Party Information: Full legal names, addresses, and identification numbers of claimant and defendant
• Claim Summary: Clear statement of the legal and factual basis for your claim
• Relief Sought: Specific demands for compensation or actions requested from the court
• Supporting Facts: Chronological presentation of relevant events and evidence
• Legal Grounds: Reference to specific Belgian laws or regulations supporting your claim
• Signature Block: Date, place, and signatures of the claimant or authorized representative

A Statement of Claim differs significantly from a Witness Statement in Belgian legal proceedings. While both documents play crucial roles in court cases, they serve distinct purposes and have different requirements.

• Primary Purpose: A Statement of Claim initiates legal action and outlines your demands, while a Witness Statement provides factual testimony supporting a case that's already in progress
• Legal Standing: Only the claimant or their lawyer can file a Statement of Claim, but any person with relevant knowledge can provide a Witness Statement
• Content Focus: Statement of Claims present legal arguments and demand specific remedies, while Witness Statements strictly describe observed facts or events
• Timing: A Statement of Claim must be filed at the start of proceedings, whereas Witness Statements can be submitted throughout the case as evidence