Lexial

Business & Immigration in Schengen States is not a “program”, it is an Art.

As first commercial power in the world, European Union is attractive to foreign investors from many countries. As one of the first financial and most competitive places, this is also the case of Switzerland.

International mobility is a constantly moving field. In Belgium, the 6th Reform of the State, in force since January 2015, transferred the decision power to Regions, which notably changed the practice to obtain professional cards. A professional card is a mandatory tool for non-EU citizens to create a Belgian company and to become resident on this basis.

In France, since 2016, the”Talent Passport” is an amazing tool allowing residency, open to several kinds of profiles: investors, starters, IT specialists and executives or qualifies employees.

In Switzerland, a vote of 9 February 2014 has lead to a more restrictive approach on immigration and investors should be able to show high level investment capacities. But taxation lump remains attractive.

In Brussels, Paris and Geneva, Lexial is also the leading firm in the field of professional immigration for expatriated executives and their employers in obtaining authorizations of occupation and work permits (including for posting / secondment), or in setting up special tax systems for foreign executives, as well as in all legal aspects of the employment relationship and daily life.

Business & Immigration in Schengen States is not a “program”, it is an Art.

As first commercial power in the world, European Union is attractive to foreign investors from many countries. As one of the first financial and most competitive places, this is also the case of Switzerland.

International mobility is a constantly moving field. In Belgium, the 6th Reform of the State, in force since January 2015, transferred the decision power to Regions, which notably changed the practice to obtain professional cards. A professional card is a mandatory tool for non-EU citizens to create a Belgian company and to become resident on this basis.

In France, since 2016, the”Talent Passport” is an amazing tool allowing residency, open to several kinds of profiles: investors, starters, IT specialists and executives or qualifies employees.

In Switzerland, a vote of 9 February 2014 has lead to a more restrictive approach on immigration and investors should be able to show high level investment capacities. But taxation lump remains attractive.

In Brussels, Paris and Geneva, Lexial is also the leading firm in the field of professional immigration for expatriated executives and their employers in obtaining authorizations of occupation and work permits (including for posting / secondment), or in setting up special tax systems for foreign executives, as well as in all legal aspects of the employment relationship and daily life.

The firm has developed great expertise in assisting foreign clients brought before Belgian and French criminal courts, at each step of proceedings, in particular within extradition frameworks. In Belgium Emmanuel Ruchat is also entitled to plea before Supreme Court in criminal law.

We frequently provide assistance to our clients who face civil rights issues, whether before Belgian or French courts, or the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, or the Court of Justice of the European Union in Luxembourg, where we have a proven expertise regarding EU restrictive measures (sanctions).

We also assist clients in setting up NGO for lobbying purposes.

The Firm can also lodge individual complaints to Human Rights Committee in Geneva, which is a body of independent experts monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by its State parties.

We deal with cases implying NATO civilian personnel before the Administrative Tribunal of NATO.

Lexial provides day-to-day assistance - including litigation and arbitration - at both national and international levels in a number of areas, including :

- Contracts

- Employment

- Commercial and corporate

- Insurance

- Distribution and competition

- Debt recovery

The firm has created a dedicated cost-controlled package specifically for SMEs, called SME Solutions, which facilitates the budgeting of legal fees for smaller businesses that require day-to-day legal support.

We also assist and advise employers with regard to all issues encountered in their relations with their employees, such as the pre-contract negotiation of working conditions, the negociation of the employment contract, or its termination. For contract terminations, the firm can negotiate a settlement or litigate on behalf of clients (before the industrial tribunal (conseil de prud’hommes) in France or the labour court in Belgium). The firm can also assist clients seeking to optimize their compensation, especially in an international situation resulting from a temporary assignment or expatriation. More generally, the firm has also developed expertise in the area of supplementary employee benefit schemes, both national and international.