International debt collection and debt management

Because pre-payment or credit redemption cannot always be agreed on in competitive markets, you will naturally deliver on open account whenever the client seems to be financially strong. But waiting for payment on outstanding accounts can seriously harm small and medium-sized enterprises.

If your client does not settle during the agreed term of payment, we are at your disposal with our years of experience in the field of debt collection in Belgium.

Commercial Law

Due to the continuing European integration and the internationalisation of economic transactions, you need to deal with a growing interweaving of different national and international legal systems ? especially in the field of commercial law.

Our office is experienced in providing legal support to Belgian and foreign small and medium-sized enterprises for all legal questions concerning their international commercial transactions.

Economic Criminal Law

When participating in international business, you need to be aware of the various national and supra-national regulations and rules. This is most obvious in the fields of environmental protection and fiscal law. Moreover, whenever these different national laws collide − or when national and international laws contradict each other − it’s difficult to know how to act correctly, and a small or medium-sized enterprise can easily find itself embroiled in a criminal investigation procedure.

Building Law

The local markets within the European Union are becoming more and more transparent and open to the cross-border provision of services. Big building companies have been international players for a long time, especially in the field of plant engineering and construction. Today, small and medium-sized enterprises, operating only on a regional level, face international competition (especially in border areas), but they are also taking the opportunity to expand their activities into foreign markets.

Public Procurement

Public procurement is an important sector of the European economy: each year, the European authorities, the member states of the EU, their regions, municipalities and other public corporations award contracts for more than one trillion euro. This is equivalent to 16% of the European Community’s GDP. However, public authorities tend to award their procurement contracts or construction projects to local industry.

Real Estate Law

In regard to international real estate transactions, in particular, we advise buyers, sellers, contractors, architects and other design consultants.

In principle, there are no restrictions on a non-Belgian purchasing property in Belgium. Nevertheless, you should be aware of very important differences between the national legal systems in Europe concerning the transfer of property. There are also differences in the owner’s duty to insure his property.

Renting Property

The rental of commercial or business property accounts for a major portion of a business’s operational costs. Therefore, the leasing of business premises is a common cause of law suits that can endanger the existence of an enterprise. Qualified legal advice in this field is of utmost importance.

About us

Aps Lawyers is a dynamic, specialist law firm established by Mr. Martin Aps in 1981.

Mr. Aps has studied at universities in Louvain and Antwerp and holds a Master’s degree in Business Law. Specialised in commercial law, he has followed a number of national and international post-graduate programmes in economic, mercantile and public law. He has also spent considerable time practicing abroad within a multinational company culture.

Over time, Aps Lawyers has specialised in providing specific legal services to foreign businesses with commercial activities in Belgium and to the Belgian government.

A lawyer with a direct approach and a strong business-sense, Mr. Aps believes that the success of his firm is due to its ground-breaking, no-nonsense approach: direct, efficient, personal and dynamic.

Quick and thorough approach

Aps Lawyers’ case work is characterised by:

a rapid, direct approach.
very thorough preparation of the case-file. Experience has taught that, especially in complex dossiers, knowledge of all of the facts and the gathering of all of the evidence contribute substantially to the successful outcome of the discussions or proceedings.
meticulous follow-up of actions in consultation with the client. During the course of proceedings, soundings are taken regularly for any possibility of settling the matter amicably.
prompt accessibility and an optimum flow of information to the client.

To the point, in and out of court

By providing cogent advice, conducting negotiations and mediation, and drawing up reliable strategies, contracts and settlements, Aps Lawyers directs its efforts both to conducting lawsuits and to avoiding them.

If the matter comes to legal proceedings, the client can count on vigorous, efficient assistance before all the courts and boards of arbitration in Belgium. Fluency in English, and extensive experience with Anglophone countries and companies, make Aps Lawyers particularly effective for English-speaking clientele.

Aps Lawyers has been the house lawyer to hundreds of small and large national and international companies for over 20 years. The firm’s staff members regularly follow specialist in-service training courses to keep their legal knowledge and skills continuously up-to-date. The firm regularly publishes specialist studies, which serve as useful working instruments for our clients.

A worldwide network

Since 1981, Mr. Aps has maintained contacts with a number of international Chambers of Commerce. In addition, he has been active in various international associations, through which he has been able to build a network of contacts with lawyers from all parts of the world.

Aps Lawyers has had established contacts for many years with:

Foreign lawyers in Belgium
Lawyers from most countries in the world
Belgian and International Chambers of Commerce, and
Foreign trade and diplomatic delegations in Belgium and Belgian delegations abroad.

Government contacts

For the past five years, Aps Lawyers has acted as adviser and attorney to Belgium’s federal and local government authorities. Mr. Aps conducts proceedings before the Council of State and the Court of Arbitration as well as before the civil courts in the domains of telecommunications, public tender contracts and general administrative law.

Contact us today

Aps Lawyers in Antwerp and Brussels

Tel: +32.3/237.28.51
Fax: +32.3/237.28.52
E-mail: info@apsadvocaten.be

Don't delay. Get in touch using the form below or call us at
+32 3 237 28 51