The firm

kris beirnaert - lawyer financial crime belgiumThe law firm Beirnaert Law provides assistance to enterprises and physical persons who are suspected or victim of crime, in particular economic and financial crimes (white collar crime).

The firm was founded in 2015 by Kris Beirnaert who, as an attorney since 2002, has built up extensive expertise in economic and financial criminal law, mainly at major international law firms.

legal500In the leading international directory The Legal 500, editions 2013, 2015 and 2016, Kris is featured as a specialist in the category 'fraud and white collar crime', ranking in Band 1. He is explicitly praised for his "dynamic and no-nonsense approach, technical expertise, in-depth analysis and clear communication skills" (edition 2015).

Beirnaert Law is active, among other things, in matters relating to money laundering, forgery, swindle, bribery, misuse of corporate assets, abuse of confidence, bankruptcy crimes, tax evasion, inheritance fraud, and gambling fraud.

The firm provides assistance to parties in Dutch-speaking and French-speaking procedures for all courts in Belgium, as well as in procedures for the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and for the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and has special expertise in treating criminal cases before the Supreme Court of Cassation.

Beirnaert Law guarantees quality, efficiency and discretion. We strive to reach a successful resolution for all dossiers in the shortest possible term, if possible by means of an amicable settlement.

In January 2018, Beirnaert Law has started a cooperation with the law firm Du Mongh Advocaten.

 

Expertise

Economic-financial Crime

Economic-financial criminal law is a very complex field, which is dispersed over numerous legislative texts at national, European and international level. In addition, for optimal treatment of such files, not only a highly specialist and up-to-date knowledge of criminal law and criminal procedure law is required, but also a robust basic knowledge of various other legal areas, such as judicial law, civil law, commercial and economic law, tax law, etc.

Beirnaert Law assures you the necessary skills and experience: since 2002 Kris Beirnaert has continuously specialized in matters of white collar crime, mainly at major international law firms. As 'Lead Lawyer’ at DLA Piper, he was the central figure for affairs of economic-financial criminal law, from 2009 to 2015.

Cassation procedures

When criminal proceedings have come to an end, the final decision can be challenged before the Supreme Court of Cassation. The handling of a case before the Court of Cassation requires specialist knowledge. Hence, since 1 February 2016, such procedures can only be led by lawyers who comply with certain quality criteria, in particular lawyers at the Supreme Court, lawyers who received the four-year professional training in cassation procedures at the bar of the Supreme Court and passed the final exam, and lawyers who have had a training on cassation procedures in criminal matters.

Beirnaert Law guarantees you to have the required skills and experience: from 2007 to 2011 Kris Beirnaert received the four-year vocational training in cassation procedures at the bar of the Supreme Court, where he succeeded cum laude in the final exam. In addition, Kris already acts in cassation procedures since 2005. Furthermore, he has gained an extensive practical knowledge at DLA Piper (2009 – 2015), where he regularly assisted two Supreme Court lawyers in dealing with Supreme Court files in both criminal matters as civil and tax affairs.

Curriculum

Jan 2018
Cooperation

In January 2018, Kris starts a cooperation with the law firm Du Mongh Advocaten, which primarily focuses on cases related to property law and corporate law. This leads to a very fruitful interaction with cases involving economic-financial criminal law.

Sep 2015
Startup Beirnaert Law

In September 2015, Kris founds the boutique law firm Beirnaert Law, in order to offer his expertise in economic-financial criminal law in a completely autonomous and independent manner, with the emphasis on quality, efficiency and discretion.

Jun 2011
Diploma vocational training Cassation procedures

In 2011, after a four-year training (since 2007), Kris succeeds cum laude in the final exam of the vocational training in cassation procedures at the bar of the Supreme Court.

Apr 2009
DLA Piper

In April 2009, Kris joins DLA Piper in Brussels where he, until September 2015, as Lead Lawyer is the central figure for economic-financial criminal law, and thus handles files in numerous sectors (IT, pharma, banks, telecom, petrochemical, insurance, etc.), often very international oriented (e.g. in the context of OLAF investigations).

Sep 2007
Assistant tort law

In the academic year 2007-2008, Kris is also part-time teaching assistant in the Institute for Law of Obligations at the Catholic University of Leuven (K.U.L.), where his activities are aimed mainly at tort law.

Sep 2002
Lawyer economic-financial crime

In September 2002, Kris starts his career as a lawyer at the law firm Coudert Brothers LLP in Antwerp. From April 2004 to March 2009, he works at the law firm Antaxius Advocaten CVBA in Antwerp. At these firms, from the very beginning he exclusively treats affairs of economic-financial crime.

Jun 2002
Diploma Economic Law

In 2002, Kris graduates magna cum laude in the Specialized studies of economical law at the University of Brussels (Master after Master).

Jun 2001
Master of laws

In 2001, Kris graduates cum laude as Master of Laws at the Catholic University of Leuven. He passes the academic year 1999-2000, in the framework of an Erasmus-exchange program, at the university of Rennes in France, where he succeeds in the exams magna cum laude.

  • Beirnaert Law provides assistance in procedures for all courts in Belgium, the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg and the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, and has special expertise in treating criminal cases before the Supreme Court of Cassation.

  • Beirnaert Law is active, among other things, in matters relating to money laundering, forgery, swindle, bribery, misuse of corporate assets, abuse of confidence, bankruptcy crimes, tax evasion, inheritance fraud, and gambling fraud.

  • In the leading international directory The Legal 500, editions 2013, 2015 and 2016, Kris is featured as a specialist in the category 'fraud and white collar crime', ranking in Band 1. He is explicitly praised for his "dynamic and no-nonsense approach, technical expertise, in-depth analysis and clear communication skills" (2015).

    Publications

    Since 2004, Kris published many scientific articles, mostly on criminal law and criminal procedure law. A broad selection of these publications is given below.

    • Artikel 65, paragraph 2, of criminal code regarding collective/continuing offence identified late not applicable in EU context

      K. Beirnaert, "Artikel 65, tweede lid, Strafwetboek inzake het laattijdig vastgesteld collectief/voortgezet misdrijf niet van toepassing in EU-context" (note with Cass. 17 mei 2022), Rechtskundig Weekblad 2023-24, afl. 20, p. 779-783

    • The continuation of the activities of a bankrupt company: misappropriation of assets with no end

      K. Beirnaert, "De voortzetting van de activiteiten van een gefailleerde onderneming: verduistering van activa zonder einde?" (note with Cass. 19 januari 2021), Rechtskundig Weekblad 2022-23, afl. 4, p. 152-154

    • False claiming of travel expenses by magistrate is fraud, when the law is clear

      K. Beirnaert, "Gesjoemel met verplaatsingskosten door magistraat is knevelarij, indien de wet duidelijk is" (note with onder Cass. 28 april 2010), Rechtskundig Weekblad 2020-21, afl. 33, p. 1312-1315

    • Comments on the articles 44 to 50bis, 246 to 253, 504bis and 504ter of the Criminal Code

      K. Beirnaert, in Duiding Strafrecht, Brussel, Larcier, 2018
      K. Beirnaert, in Wet & Duiding Strafrecht, Brussel, Larcier, 2012 en 2015

    • Comments on the articles 1 to 5ter and 20 to 29 of the Preliminary title of the code of criminal procedure and the articles 442bis to 447bis of the code of criminal procedure

      K. Beirnaert, in Duiding Strafprocesrecht, Brussel, Larcier, 2017
      K. Beirnaert, in Wet & Duiding Strafprocesrecht, Brussel, Larcier, 2010 en 2013

    • Tax offence does not require intention of tax fraud

      K. Beirnaert, "Oogmerk van belastingontduiking niet vereist voor fiscaal misdrijf" (noot onder Antwerpen 10 juni 2015), Tijdschrift voor fiscaal recht 2016, p. 748-750

    • Potpourri II - Criminal law and law of criminal procedure

      T. De Meester (ed.), L. Augustyns, K. Beirnaert en P. Tersago, Potpourri II - Strafrecht en strafprocesrecht, Antwerpen-Cambridge, Intersentia, 2016, 308 p.

    • Court of Cassation restores right of defence: presumption of resuming submissions after changing of the court's composition

      K. Beirnaert en S. Descheemaeker, "Cassatie herstelt recht van verdediging: vermoeden van herneming conclusie bij gewijzigde samenstelling zetel" (noot onder Cass. 7 februari 2012),Tijdschrift voor Strafrecht 2012, afl. 5, p. 330-332

    • The right of defence and the impossibility to verify the legality of the proceedings: isn't the criminal action at stake?

      K. Beirnaert, "Het recht van verdediging en de onmogelijkheid de regelmatigheid van de procedure te controleren: staat de ontvankelijkheid van de strafvordering niet op het spel?" (noot onder Cass. 30 maart 2010), Tijdschrift voor Strafrecht 2010, afl. 5, p. 277-281

    • The 'loss of a chance'-theory back again?

      K. Beirnaert, "'Verlies van een kans'-theorie terug van weggeweest?", Juristenkrant 2008, afl. 175, p. 3

    • Fees and costs criminal lawyers recoverable through administrative compensation procedure?

      K. Beirnaert, "Erelonen en kosten strafpleiters verhaalbaar via rechtsplegingsvergoeding?", Juristenkrant 2008, afl. 163, p. 12-13

    • Community service in opposition proceedings after fine pronounced in absentia: Loophole in the law?

      K. Beirnaert, "Werkstraf op verzet na geldboete bij verstek: lacune in de wet?" (noot onder Arbitragehof 11 januari 2007), Rechtskundig Weekblad 2007-08, afl. 9, p. 360-366

    • Constitutional Court oversteps competences. It can only test formal legislation, no jurisprudential principles

      K. Beirnaert en B. Insel, "Arbitragehof gaat bevoegdheden te buiten. Mag alleen formele wetgeving toetsen, geen jurisprudentiële beginselen", Juristenkrant 2007, afl. 147, p. 1 en 8

    • The 'loss of a chance'-theory clarified

      K. Beirnaert and B. Insel, "Verlies van een kans-theorie verduidelijkt", Juristenkrant 2005, n° 102, p. 5

    • Liberty and conditional release versus freedom of expression and freedom of association

      K. Beirnaert, "Vrijheid en invrijheidstelling onder voorwaarden versus vrijheid van meningsuiting en vrijheid van vergadering" (noot onder Cass. 18 maart 2003), Tijdschrift voor Strafrecht 2004, afl. 1, p. 69-73

    Fees & costs

    • At the opening of a new file, clear agreements on applicable fees on the basis of an hourly rate or fixed sum, are made with the clients.
    • No general office costs are charged. Any extern costs, specifically related to the file (e.g. court fees), are charged.
    • The fees and – if any – the costs in principle are invoiced monthly, accompanied by a detailed listing of all performances and costs.