“Court of appeal has lost 5 magistrates due to attacks” | Brussels
The first president of the Brussels Court of Appeal, Laurence Massart, will lead the assize process himself. In addition, a reserve chairperson is provided, who will be responsible for communication throughout the process. Finally, there are two judges from the criminal chambers, who were investigating judges at least for the attacks, and who helped lead the investigation. They speak as witnesses at the trial and must remain at the disposal of the assize court to answer questions or, if necessary, to carry out additional investigations. In addition, two other justices will also be responsible for the day-to-day running of the court, to make up for the absence of President Massart. Recently, four new councilors were appointed, but even then they will not be able to complete it, according to press magistrate Annecq Lecler: “That reinforcement is insufficient. After all, since the beginning of 2022, the court has been flooded by a number of particularly large files from the federal prosecutor’s office, in addition to the trial about the attacks.”
The assize process will also cause personnel problems at the Court of Appeal in other ways. For example, four judges from the French-speaking court of first instance in Brussels will sit as assessors and reserve assessors, and the assize court calls on clerks from that court of first instance. All this ensures that much less staff is available for other assassien processes in the just palace in the coming months. “At the moment there are 2 appointed clerks and 4 court clerks for the assize process”, says the press magistrate. “In addition to 8 administrative experts, 2 bailiffs, 23 employees, 3 to 6 assistants and a driver.” In a response to the cabinet of Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open Vld), it has asked the Brussels Court of Appeal and the Brussels Court of First Instance what their needs are in preparing for the trial of the attacks. level of personnel to be able to organize the process. “We have answered all questions from the court and the court and have allocated the budget. Rapid communication was provided to support,” it said.