Several attempts have been made over the past 15 years to amend the old detective law of 1991, and this legislature succeeded at the last minute. On May 8, 2024, the House voted the new Private Investigation Act (WPO) at the last Parliamentary session.

This new law is based on six key principles: (1) balance between public and private investigation; (2) a single regulatory framework for all private investigators (profile neutrality); (3) protection of privacy and fundamental rights; (4) maintenance of quality and reliability standards; (5) control and supervision; and (6) framework system analogous to the private security sector.

The common thread throughout this study day is whether or not this law will be a gamechanger for the further professionalization of the private investigation sector and cooperation with the public investigation apparatus. Both the academic world, the policy maker himself and representatives of all involved practitioners will have their say.

We will conclude this study day with a panel debate under the expert guidance of Prof. Pieter Leloup (UGent).

This seminar will be held in Dutch but simultaneous translation into French will be provided for French-speaking participants.

For more information and to register, click here.