Law of Belgium

Belgium
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Belgium
Constitution
Monarchy Monarch (list) Philippe Duchess of Brabant Elisabeth of Belgium Crown Council Royal Family
Federal Parliament Senate President: Christine Defraigne Chamber of Representatives President: Siegfried Bracke
Federal Cabinet Michel Government Prime Minister: Charles Michel
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Recent elections Federal 2003 2007 2010 2014 Regional 1999 2004 2009 2014 Local 2000 2006 2012 2018 European 1999 2004 2009 2014 Political parties
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The law of Belgium (Dutch: Belgisch recht; French: Droit belge) is very similar to that of neighbouring France, with Belgium having adopted the Napoleonic code which governs French society. Belgian law also derives from the Constitution of Belgium and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Due to state reforms in Belgium, the country transformed from a unitary to a federal state. Consequently, in addition to the federal level, the communities and regions have legislative authority in certain matters. Federal legislation is called a "law" (wet, loi) whereas regional legislation is called "decree" (decreet, décret), except for that of the Brussels-Capital Region which is called "ordinance" (ordonnantie, ordonnance).

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