The trial

In June 2023, our lawyer Maître Letellier sent the Brussels government a letter of formal notice (requesting a halt to the granting of building permission on natural areas larger than one and a half hectares): the foundation stone of our legal case had been laid. After several months, we received a negative response from the government in October 2023: building permits on natural areas would continue to be issued.

This refusal gave us no choice but to take our case to court: on 5 February 2024, we summoned the Brussels government to appear before the courts.

The date of the introductory hearing was set for 22 February 2024 at 9am before the 1st chamber of the French-speaking court of first instance in Brussels. The main purpose of this introductory hearing was to determine the timetable for exchanges between We Are Nature, represented by Mtre Letellier, and the Brussels-Capital Region and its lawyer.

The next stages are written exchanges, without a court hearing. This phase is currently undergoing.

Once we know, we will of course keep you informed of the dates of the pleadings (when the lawyers exchange their arguments before the judge), which will take place in 2025.

The timetable (so far):

• 05/02/2024: We Are Nature summonsed the Region to appear in court on 5 February,
• 22/05/2024: The region has undertaken to conclude (respond) by 22 May. This relatively long deadline was necessary to give the region time to formulate its response, given that our request concerns several aspects of regional policy (climate, water management, soil, town and country planning in particular),
• 15/07/2024: We Are Nature responded on 15 July,
• 15/10/2024: The Region responded on 15 October,
• 25/11/2024: If necessary, We Are Nature will conclude by 25 November,
• 07/01/2025: The Region would then have the last word by 7 January 2025.
• 07/02/2025: On 7 February 2025, the court will ensure that the case will then be ready for oral argument, and the dates for oral argument will be set.