The Institute of Company Lawyers (Instituut voor bedrijfsjuristen - Institut des juristes d’entreprise, in short IBJ-IJE), was established by the law of 1 March 2000 and has about 2200 members who. through their affiliation to the IBJ-IJE, bear the protected title of company lawyer and so are under the legally regulated status. The IBJ-IJE represents and protects the interests of the profession in general and company lawyers in particular, monitors and promotes quality, notably by organising and requiring continuing education and training. Company lawyers have a protected title and their legal opinions on behalf of the employer are confidential. Company lawyers are subject to their own code of ethics, which guarantees their intellectual independence and permanent education. As a professional order, the IBJ-IJE also has the power to take disciplinary measures if necessary. As an indispensable and dynamic network for its members, the IBJ-IJE aims to create connection and be a sounding-board, where experiences are exchanged and information regarding the latest legal trends and developments in the workplace are shared. Thus, in 2022, the IBJ-IJE organised more than 100 activities in cooperation with its partners and working groups.
The role and function of the company lawyer are unique. The company lawyer works in the service of a company and, as an internal collaborator, he or she is therefore particularly familiar with the organisation's sector, services and/or goods, processes, people and culture. So, from a legal perspective, the company lawyer contributes to the achievement of the organisation's mission. Precisely because the company lawyer works from within the company, he or she is best placed to provide highly effective and proactive legal advice. The company lawyer acts as both a business partner and a gatekeeper of the company's integrity. By fulfilling this public interest role, the company lawyer ensures that the company complies with the law and contributes to the rule of law.
For more information: www.ije.be
