Gerechtsdeurwaarder / Huissier de justice letter explained in English
Bailiff. A legal officer who delivers court papers and collects debts after a judgment. He or she can also start amicable debt collection before court.
Letters you may get
- Bevel tot betalen / commandement de payer — pay after a judgment, or goods can be seized
- Beslag / saisie — money or goods are being seized
- Minnelijke invordering / recouvrement amiable — a reminder before going to court
What to do
- Call the bailiff today and ask for a payment plan. Costs go up with every new step.
- Part of your wage and benefits is protected and can’t be seized. Ask the OCMW / CPAS or a debt mediator for help.
- Find the deadline. Look for “termijn”, “uiterlijk op”, “délai”, “au plus tard le”.
- Write the reference number from the letter on everything you send back, and keep copies.
- If you disagree with a decision, object in writing before the deadline (“bezwaarschrift”, “beroep”, “verzet”, “bezwaar”). See the template.
Words you may see
- OCMW
- Public social welfare centre in your town. It helps with money, debt and housing problems.
- bevel tot betalen
- Formal order from a bailiff to pay a debt. After it, your goods or money can be seized.
- beslag
- Seizure of money or goods to pay a debt, for example part of your wage.
- CPAS
- Public social welfare centre in your town. It helps with money, debt and housing problems.
- commandement de payer
- Formal order from a bailiff to pay a debt. After it, your goods or money can be seized.
- saisie
- Seizure of money or goods to pay a debt, for example part of your wage.
Questions
What is the Gerechtsdeurwaarder / Huissier de justice?
Bailiff. A legal officer who delivers court papers and collects debts after a judgment. He or she can also start amicable debt collection before court.
How long do I have to answer a letter from the Gerechtsdeurwaarder / Huissier de justice?
It depends on the letter. Look for words like “termijn”, “uiterlijk op”, “délai”, “au plus tard le” — they mark the deadline. In Belgium, a letter sent by post is usually treated as received on the third working day after the date it was sent. Many deadlines, for example 6 months to object to a tax bill, start from that day. To object, the letter usually names the way to do it (“bezwaarschrift”, “beroep”, “verzet”, “bezwaar”).
Can I read a Gerechtsdeurwaarder / Huissier de justice letter in English?
Yes. Take a photo of the letter with Briefly. It explains the letter in plain English, finds the deadline and the amount, and gives you ready-made replies in Dutch or French. Your letter never leaves your device.
Other offices in Belgium
FOD Financiën / SPF Finances · Vlaamse Belastingdienst / Brussel Fiscaliteit / SPW Fiscalité · Gemeente / Commune · OCMW / CPAS · RVA / ONEM · VDAB / Actiris / Le Forem · Ziekenfonds / Mutualité · Groeipakket / Allocations familiales