Belgian immigration lawyer needed

[lizagreen]

Hi, I was born in Belgium and have been living in England for many hears. My mother also lives in England. She has maintained her Belgian passport. After the Referendum result I applied for a Belgian passport, seeing as my mother's family were all born there. My application was turned down because at the time of my birth the law specified that the Dad had to be Belgian - and mine wasn't. The law, which was clearly discriminatory, has changed but the Belgian consulate is still applying the old one even though it goes against the Belgian constitution that states men and women are equal. Does anyone know of a similar case and/or know of a good immigration/ constitutional lawyer? The ones I've spoken to so far won't do anything until I pay them at least £2,000... Thanks so much

[CR001]

Does anyone know of a similar case and/or know of a good immigration/ constitutional lawyer? The ones I've spoken to so far won't do anything until I pay them at least £2,000...

Under the forum T&Cs, members are not permitted to post the names and details of immigration lawyers or advisors.

[secret.simon]

When were you born?

I was born in Belgium

If you were born after 1967 in Belgium to a mother who was a Belgian citizen at the time of your birth, you may already be a Belgian citizen.

B. If you were born between 1 January 1967 and 31 December 1984
You are a Belgian citizen if you met the conditions under point A (above) before 01.01.1985
OR
You have been a Belgian citizen since 01.01.1985 if you met the conditions under point C below.

C. If you were born after 1 January 1985
You are a Belgian citizen if:
You were born in Belgium to a Belgian parent (father or mother)
OR
You were born abroad AND:
1. Your Belgian parent was born in Belgium or in Belgian Congo before 30 June 1960 or in Rwanda or Burundi before 1 July 1962;
OR
2. Your Belgian parent was born abroad and makes a declaration, within a period of five years following your birth, requesting that you be granted Belgian nationality. This declaration, called the ‘award declaration’ must be taken at the Belgian consular offices where your Belgian parent is registered in the consular population register abroad. If the parent lives in Belgium, they should contact the registrar in their municipality. You obtain Belgian nationality on the date upon which the "déclaration d'attribution/toekenningsverklaring" is made.
OR
3. Your Belgian parent was born abroad and did not submit a "déclaration d'attribution/toekenningsverklaring" of Belgian nationality within a period of five years following your birth but you were not given another nationality before you turned 18. However, if you were given another nationality before you turned 18, you lose your Belgian nationality.

Further information can also be obtained by contacting:

Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Nationality Department
The Belgian consulate in your main place of residence abroad
Your municipal authority in Belgium