Brussels Court of Appeal Overload: Cases Delayed to 2028, Magistrates Near Implosion

The Brussels Court of Appeal faces a critical caseload surge, with incoming cases up 65% in French-speaking correctional chambers since 2020, pushing some hearings to September 2028. The first president warns magistrates are 'on the verge of implosion,' and the indictment chamber has limited plea times. This signals systemic judicial strain in Belgium, potentially affecting legal certainty and case processing efficiency.