23rd Lexunion Anual Conferece in Antwerp : 17-19 Sept. 2026

The 23rd edition of our annual LEXUNION conference took place from 17 to 19 September 2026 in Antwerp, and this year’s aim was to take stock of the achievements and future prospects arising from 10 years of the application of the European Succession Regulation. The event was organised by the Brussels-based notary’s office Actalys and, as is customary, sponsored by Coutot-Roehrig, to both of whom we extend our warmest thanks.

Members of the LEXUNION network attended in large numbers – 67 in total from 10 countries – to take part in the discussions and benefit from the exchanges.

The programme and speakers were as follows:

Friday 18 September 2026

09 am             Conference Opening 

Greetings, introduction du congrès (Hotel Hilton Antwerp – Old Town) – Salutations, introduction

(Mr. Julien Schlaeppi)

09.05 am             Presentation of the sponsor COUTOT & ROEHRIG

(Mr. Benoît de Chanaleilles)

09.15 am               Start of the conférences – 10 years of the European Successions Regulation: Review & Outlook

Introduction:     Reminder of the content and scope of the Regulation and update on case law

(Prof. Patrick Wautelet – University of Liège / Belgium)

1^st  Part: The concept of habitual residence

(Messrs. Quentin Bärtschi & Philippe Frésard / Switzerland)

1. In countries covered by the European Successions Regulation (ESR)
2. In third countries

 

2^nd Part : The European Certificate of Succession (ECS)

(Mrs. Merel Priester / Netherlands)

1. Objectives: automatic recognition, standardisation
2. Ten years of practice: inconsistencies, delays, reluctance on the part of banks
3. Possible improvements: harmonisation, electronic version

 

3 ^rd Part : European Regulation and Agreements as to succession (“pactes successoraux”)

(Mrs. María Higueras / Germany
Mr. Pascal Julien Saint-Amand / France)

1. Date of assessment of validity, date of effect
2. Effect of a change in inheritance law following the signing of the inheritance agreement

 

4^th Part : Possible limitations of the European Regulation

(Mr. Domenico Damascelli & Mrs. Francesca Ferrari / Italy)

1. Legitimate portion and Public Policy
2. Domestic legal provisions: content and implications

 

5^th Part : EU Regulation & the UK: the complexities

(Mrs. Sarah Ahchoon & Mr. Gareth Ledsham  / United Kingdom
Mr. John de Bergeyck / Belgium)

1. No statutory share of the estate but some minimum inheritance rights in the UK
2. Practical application of wills where assets are located in different countries (distinction between applicable law and the location of assets)
3. Administration of the Estate

 

Conclusions

(Prof. Patrick Wautelet – University of Liège / Belgium)

Saturday 19 September 2026

09.00 am               Extraordinary General Meeting

09.45 am               Follow-up of works

6^th Part :  Cross-border organisational Strategies (Comparison of inheritance rights –  Practical Case Study with civil and tax implications)

A. In countries covered by the ERS: France – Italy

[Messrs. Pascal Julien Saint-Amand & Federico Tassinari] 

B. With a non signatory country

1. France – Switzerland

[Messrs. Guillaume Soudey & Julien Schlaeppi ]

1. Denmark – Spain

[Mr. Troels Rovsing & Mrs. Carmen Herrero]

Conclusions

(Mr. Julien Schlaeppi/ Switzerland)

 

11.45am               Selection of legislatives changes and national pratices from 2025/2026 that have an international impact in the areas of works of Lexunion

 

1.15pm               Closing

Author : Marie Larivière