Taking depositions in Belgium is similar to taking depositions in the U.S. Although Belgium is not a party to the Hague Evidence Convention, prior permission for taking depositions of Belgian citizens is not required, nor are there any restrictions regarding the location used to take a deposition. (U.S. State Department – Belgium Legal Considerations). If you will be attending in person, please note that a tourist visa is not required for stays of less than 90 days; however, your passport must be valid for at least 90 days past your departure date from Belgium. It is recommended that you travel with at least six months validity on your passport, and you will need two blank passport pages for entry/exit stamps. (U.S. State Department – Belgium Travel Requirements)
Once you know the city where the deposition is to be held, you will need to secure a suitable location. Your court reporting firm can reserve a conference room for you anywhere in Belgium from Brussels to Antwerp, to smaller cities in between. Your court reporting team will assign a point of contact to collaborate with the hotel regarding any business center needs you may have, and can also provide informed hotel recommendations for your own accommodations while in the country. Your team will coordinate with a local print vendor for exhibits and also cover a broad range of logistics for you so that you have fewer issues for concern.
Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch, and German. Over half of Belgium speaks Flemish, a local variant of Dutch. Brussels has two official languages: French and Dutch. You may need to reserve a local interpreter fluent in the applicable language for your depositions. Many Belgians are fluent in English, however.
If attending your depositions in Belgium in person, there is much to see and experience while you are in this vibrant country. Belgium has a rich art history, with a skyline dominated by Art Nouveau architecture of which her own Victor Horta was the master. Indulge in Belgium’s world-famous chocolate (chocolatiers Neuhaus and Godiva are Belgian), or a beer from one of her several hundred breweries. Brussels’ National Orchestra and National Opera are world-renowned. Another (albeit fictional) Belgian treasure: Agatha Christie’s mustached detective Hercule Poirot!
Nestled between France, Germany and the Netherlands, with the North Sea to her northwest, Belgium enjoys a moderate sea climate, with relatively mild seasons and rain year-round. Summers are cooled by the sea, and the sea’s easterly current keeps winter temperatures from dropping too drastically. Winter temperatures range between 0°C (32°F) and 5°C (41°F). Spring temperatures typically fall between 2°C (36°F) early in the season to 16°C (61°F) by late spring. Summer temperatures rise to the 12°C (54°F) to 22°C (72°F) range, and by fall temperatures have dropped to 4°C (39°F) to 19°C (64°F).
For more information on taking depositions in Belgium, elsewhere in Europe, or worldwide, please contact Planet Depos at 888.433.3767 or email international@planetdepos.com.
