Retention periods for documents regarding legal procedures
Summary dated 1 September 2021 of the essential legal provisions regarding the retention periods of your archives.
| Documents | Minimum retention period | Format | Start date of the retention period | Act |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Documents regarding legal business claims |
30 years unless otherwise provided for in an extraordinary act (1) | Original | Origin of the legal procedure | Art. 2262 old Belgian Civil Code |
|
Documents regarding legal personal claims |
10 years unless otherwise provided for in an extraordinary act (1). By way of derogation, all damages claims based on non-contractual liability shall be barred after 5 years as from the day following the day on which the prejudiced party has become aware of the damages or their aggravation and of the identity of the person liable, and in any event after 20 years as from the day following the day on which the fact causing the damages has occurred. |
Original | Origin of the legal claim | Art. 2262bis old Belgian Civil Code |
Although we have composed this list with much care, Merak N.V. cannot be held responsible for any errors or any changes made to legislation.
(1) As such, shorter limitation periods can be provided for in specific Acts. The legal claim based on an employment contract is, for example, barred one year after the termination of the agreement (article 15 Act of 2 July 1978 concerning employment contracts).