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Court expenses: JustInvoice, evidence and Peppol
For work on a judicial requisition, the expense file and electronic invoice serve different purposes. This is the procedure published by FPS Justice.
Understand the processExpense claim and invoice: two distinct submissions
Link to this sectionSince 1 January 2026, FPS Justice requires JustInvoice for court expense files, except where businesses have been given specific procedures. This is an administrative procedure: the FAQ says no law mandates this software by name. VAT-liable providers working on judicial requisitions also send a Peppol electronic invoice. Mercurius is an option, not a mandatory tool.
Requisition, approval and expense claim
Link to this sectionThe written requisition defines the assignment before the service. Afterwards, obtain written approval and attach it to the itemised expense claim. For interpreting, record start, finish and waiting time; for translation, the approved word count. An invoice does not replace this evidence. Obtain the requesting authority’s approval before expanding the assignment.
Submit, obtain assessment and match the invoice
Link to this sectionFirst submit the complete JustInvoice file to obtain its identifier. Assessment checks the expenses; payment processing follows. The invoice must match the assessed amount and include the office’s ROJ-FJGK reference and the file’s JINV reference. Since 20 May 2026, rejection can arise from the structured UBL order-reference field even when the PDF shows the correct code.
Judicial tariffs: amounts and units excluding VAT
Link to this sectionCircular 131/13 of 16 January 2026, published on 21 January, increases tariffs by 2.23% for services performed in 2026, effective from 1 January. The table lists Title II base rates; the minimums and supplements in the Decree of 22 December 2016 still apply according to the assignment. These amounts remunerate judicial requisitions and do not set prices for private CertiDocs orders.
| Your situation | What to check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Interpreting: service | €62.78/hour excluding VAT | Record actual interpreting minutes; check minimums and supplements. |
| Interpreting: waiting time | €44.47/hour excluding VAT | Obtain approval of waiting time; apply the guaranteed first-hour rule. |
| Interpreting: travel | €0.6929/km excluding VAT | Substantiate actual distance and preserve the rate’s precision. |
| French ↔ Dutch translation | €0.0785/word excluding VAT | Use the approved word count and check the requisition minimum. |
| Translation: language group in item 1.3 | €0.1236/word excluding VAT | Check the list: Finnish, Latvian, Estonian, Slovenian, Lithuanian, Albanian, Maltese, Hebrew, Tibetan, Turkic and Romani languages. |
| Translation: other languages charged per word | €0.1061/word excluding VAT | First rule out the preceding categories and the per-line regime. |
| Per-line translation: logograms or braille | €1.2486/line excluding VAT | Apply Article 1 units and check the 30-line minimum. |
Must the expense claim still be signed?
Link to this sectionA claim filed through JustInvoice and followed by an electronic invoice no longer needs a signature. A non-VAT-liable provider without an electronic invoice must still sign the claim. This distinction does not remove the requesting authority’s approval of the service.
Late-payment interest: conditions and starting point
Link to this sectionSince 1 February 2026, FPS Justice reports automatic compensation and interest after 30 days from invoice receipt for commercial transactions with a complete, correct file. The period therefore does not simply start on the day of the interpreting assignment.
Business or consumer clients: a different scope
Link to this sectionA private translation order does not become a court expense. Structured B2B invoicing since January 2026 generally covers transactions between Belgian VAT-liable businesses, subject to the e-invoice portal’s exceptions; the small-business VAT exemption does not by itself remove the obligation. Outgoing invoices to consumers are outside this B2B requirement. Check your status and your client’s.
Preparation advice from CertiDocs
Check before sending
Link to this sectionKeep a working file for each JustInvoice reference and reconcile the requisition, approval, calculation and invoice. If rejected, compare the fields actually sent by your accounting software with current FPS Justice instructions. A visually correct PDF does not necessarily show the transmitted structured data. Keep submission receipts and corrections together.
Documents to prepare
- Written requisition and case reference
- Approval with confirmed word count or times
- Itemised claim, JustInvoice references and applicable invoice
Steps to follow
Identify the assignment’s basis
Check whether this is a judicial requisition or a private order.
Complete the evidence
Reconcile the authorised assignment, approved service and expense breakdown.
Check the submission
Follow the official file instructions and check references after sending.
Good to know
Guides
On the same topic
Other steps to prepare. Working as a sworn translator or interpreter.
For your application
Frequently asked questions
+−Does the judicial tariff set private translation prices?
+−Does an invoice replace approval?
+−Must I wait six months before filing?
+−Is an emailed PDF enough for mandatory B2B invoicing?
Official source
Official sources used
The references below are the public sources used to document this page. The competent authority always retains the final decision.
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