Joining ABEX means becoming part of a recognised network of technical and judicial expert witnesses throughout Belgium. Admission is guided by demanding criteria and a rigorous procedure guaranteeing the competence and ethics of its members.

Admission criteria

Admission to ABEX is subject to strict conditions designed to guarantee excellence and professionalism among expert witnesses:

  • Technical expertise : supported by a diploma, certificate of aptitude or equivalent self-training.
  • Professional experience : minimum 5 years for graduates and 10 years for self-learners.
  • Commitment to the professional rules of conduct: compliance with the ethical rules specific to the expert witness profession.
  • Continuing education : willingness to undergo regular training in order to keep abreast of developments in the field of expertise.

ABEX recognises different expert titles depending on the speciality practised (judicial expert, surveyor expert, engineer expert, property expert, accounting expert, arbitration expert, mediation expert, etc.). Membership gives you official recognition and strengthens the credibility of your expertise.

Benefits of membership

ABEX membership offers you a number of professional benefits:

  • Increased visibility : presence on the ABEX website and inclusion in the directory distributed to courts, lawyers and insurance companies.
  • Access to expert reports: opportunity to act as a specialist advisor or expert witness at the request of a court or an arbitration, mediation or conciliation body.
  • Training opportunities : participation in study days, seminars and training courses organised by ABEX.
  • Events and networking : participation in Expert Witness Lunches, Expert-Magistrate Dinners and other inter-professional meetings.
  • Infrastructure and resources : access to the ABEX premises for expertise meetings.
Membership procedure

Submit a application

Send your application to the ABEX Chair by post (50, avenue Georges Lecointe, 1180 Brussels) or by e-mail (office@abex.be), giving your full contact details.

Prepare the application

Complete the enrolment form and attach the required documents:

  • Curriculum vitae and copies of diplomas
  • A recent passport photo
  • Two letters of sponsorship issued by full ABEX members
  • Investigation and file compilation fees amount to €157.30 and will be charged to you. A reputational survey will be carried out among members.

Pass an admission interview

When convened by the Admissions Committee, you will be heard by a panel consisting of the Chair, the General Secretary, the relevant Section Chair and the committee's rapporteur. This interview, held every two months, will assess your expertise on the basis of reports drawn up by you in the targeted fields of expertise.

Validation by the Executive Committee

On the basis of the Admissions Committee's report, the Executive Committee, which meets monthly, will make the final decision on your application.

Membership and subscription

  • Once admitted as a full or trainee member by the committee, you will be required to pay the annual subscription:
    • €350 for full members
    • €215 for trainee members (halved for admissions after 1 July)
      Trainee members are supervised by a training supervisor, an ABEX expert in the same field of expertise.

Joining ABEX means becoming part of a community of qualified expert witnesses enjoying the support of a structured framework intent on upholding the profession’s reputation and excellence.

Admission form