Why is Grégory Lenoci’s family changing lawyers before his appeal?
Grégory Lenoci’s family has decided to replace defence lawyer Étienne Gras before an appeal against Lenoci’s 17-year prison sentence, following advice from former federal MP Laurent Louis, according to reports published on 25 August. The immediate practical lesson is simple: Belgian clients may change lawyers, but they should confirm the new mandate in writing, secure the complete case file and check every procedural deadline.
The change comes during a limited appeal period in a highly polarised criminal case. It also offers a useful illustration of how Belgian clients can replace counsel without losing control of their file, costs or procedural deadlines.
’s family has decided to appoint a new lawyer for his planned appeal after consulting former federal MP , and reported on 25 August. The identity of the incoming counsel had not been publicly confirmed in the reporting reviewed by Belgium Pulse as of 28 August 2026. For anyone facing a similar handover in Belgium, the practical priority is not the public argument around the case but continuity: put the change in writing, ensure the complete file passes directly between lawyers and verify the appeal deadline immediately.
Lenoci, 49, was sentenced by the on 20 August to 17 years’ imprisonment for the attempted, premeditated killing of a neighbour whom he suspected of sexually abusing his young stepson. BRF, citing Belga and RTBF, reported that the neighbour survived the but remained in a severely impaired condition almost a year later. The court also placed Lenoci at the disposal of the sentence-enforcement court for ten years after the principal sentence, a separate protective measure that can extend judicial control beyond an ordinary prison term.
Étienne Gras, who represented Lenoci at trial, had announced an appeal after the judgment. The later decision to change counsel therefore concerns who will conduct the next stage, rather than whether the defence intends to challenge the verdict. Reports attribute the recommendation to , a controversial former member of the federal parliament and public supporter of Lenoci. They do not establish that Louis will have any formal role in the proceedings, and he is not being presented as Lenoci’s lawyer.
## What a change of lawyer means in Belgium
A privately paying client is generally free to choose a different lawyer, including while proceedings are under way. The change does not erase fees already earned, suspend a deadline or restart the case. Guidance published by , the organisation representing Belgium’s French- and German-speaking bars, says the successor lawyer should promptly notify the previous counsel, ask about outstanding fees, inform the other parties and relevant court, and obtain the documents needed to continue the case. The outgoing lawyer is expected to transfer the useful file and flag urgent deadlines.
In practical terms, a client or family helping an imprisoned relative should first obtain written confirmation that the new lawyer accepts the mandate. They should then ask both lawyers to confirm who is responsible for filing the appeal, on what date it will be filed and whether proof of filing will be supplied. A closing fee statement from the former lawyer and a written explanation of the new lawyer’s charging method can prevent a second dispute from developing alongside the criminal case. says lawyers must explain how their fees and expenses will be calculated; privately agreed fees are subject to 21% VAT.
The client should also preserve copies of the judgment, hearing notices, expert reports, written submissions, correspondence and any document showing that an appeal was lodged. Belgium’s Federal Public Service Justice explains that a criminal case file can be consulted at the registry, or greffe in French and griffie in Dutch, of the court handling the case. A lawyer can inspect or order copies of that file. In Lenoci’s case, the relevant first-instance institution is the tribunal correctionnel de , part of the Tribunal de première instance de Namur.
## Deadlines matter more than personalities
Contemporary reports said Lenoci had 30 days from the 20 August judgment to appeal. The precise calculation and filing method should nevertheless be verified by the appointed lawyer and the court registry, particularly because criminal deadlines can depend on how a judgment was delivered or served. Changing counsel does not by itself extend them. Until an appeal is formally recorded, an announced intention remains only an intention.
People navigating the system in another language can search for counsel by language and criminal-law experience through the directory in French-speaking Belgium, including Wallonia and most Francophone Brussels practices. Dutch-speaking users can consult Advocaat.be and the Orde van Vlaamse Balies. Court language follows Belgium’s judicial-language rules rather than a party’s preferred language: proceedings in are normally conducted in French, while a Dutch-language court uses terms such as rechtbank, griffie and Bureau voor Juridische Bijstand. A lawyer should identify early whether an interpreter or translated document is needed; families should not assume that informal help from a bilingual relative will be sufficient in court.
Those unable to afford representation can seek first-line legal advice without an income test through a Commission d’aide juridique, sometimes available at a palais de justice, maison de justice, commune, CPAS or participating association. Second-line assistance, commonly called pro deo representation, is administered through the and depends on financial circumstances. The advises applicants to consult the current conditions rather than rely on old income figures, which are periodically revised. Switching from one appointed pro deo lawyer to another may also require a serious reason and coordination with the BAJ, unlike a straightforward change between privately retained lawyers.
## A case surrounded by competing narratives
The handover comes after unusually heated reactions to the sentence. Some supporters see Lenoci primarily as a parent who acted after believing a child had been harmed and regard 17 years as excessive. ’s editorial commentary also questioned the severity of the punishment while acknowledging the gravity of the assault. The court, however, found premeditation and imposed a sentence reflecting the violence, Lenoci’s record and its assessment of risk, according to accounts of the judgment.
That distinction is essential. Allegations against the injured neighbour and any shortcomings in the authorities’ response do not confer a right to inflict violence. Nor does condemning vigilantism require indifference to suspected child abuse. The two issues must be investigated and judged through their respective procedures, with the rights of the child, the accused and the injured party protected separately.
The College of Courts and Tribunals intervened after insults and threats followed the verdict. As reported by , it defended the legitimacy of reasoned criticism while warning against intimidation, disinformation and calls for private justice. That institutional response explains why the identity and strategy of Lenoci’s next lawyer will receive attention beyond an otherwise routine professional handover.
What happens next is procedural. New counsel must formally take control of the file, preserve the appeal timetable and decide which findings or aspects of the sentence to contest. An appellate court can reassess the case within the scope of the appeals before it; the eventual result cannot be inferred from the change of lawyer. Until the appeal is filed and the new counsel is named, reports about strategy should be treated cautiously. For families elsewhere in Belgium, the durable takeaway is less dramatic: choose a lawyer with the appropriate specialism and working language, document the mandate and costs, and never let a change of representation obscure a court deadline.
Impact
Regional — The proceedings are centred on Namur and operate in French. Residents seeking comparable assistance can approach the Namur court registry, the local Bureau d’aide juridique or the French-language AVOCATS.BE directory.
Local — The case is anchored in Namur, where the criminal judgment was delivered and where proceedings operate in French. People facing a comparable lawyer change can contact the relevant Namur court registry about procedural administration, approach the local Bureau d’aide juridique if they need legal-aid guidance, or search the AVOCATS.BE directory for French-speaking counsel. Registry staff can provide administrative information but do not replace advice from a lawyer responsible for protecting appeal deadlines and reviewing the complete case file.
What it means for you
If you are changing lawyers in a Belgian case, confirm the new mandate and the former lawyer’s withdrawal in writing. Ask for the complete case file, proof that any appeal has been lodged, and a written list of every approaching deadline. Clarify outstanding fees with previous counsel and obtain the new lawyer’s rates before work begins. Do not assume that changing counsel pauses a procedural time limit. For French-speaking assistance, use the AVOCATS.BE directory; for legal-aid information, consult FPS Justice or the relevant local Bureau d’aide juridique.
Opposing perspectives
- Lenoci’s relatives and public supporters
Supporters place strong weight on Lenoci’s belief that his stepson had been harmed and on their perception that the authorities had failed to react quickly enough. Some consequently view the 17-year sentence as disproportionate and see an appeal with new counsel as necessary.
- The Namur Criminal Court’s reasoning
The court treated the assault as a premeditated attempted killing rather than an excusable spontaneous reaction. Accounts of the judgment say it considered the degree of violence, Lenoci’s record and the assessed risk of further violence when setting the sentence and additional supervision.
- Belgium’s judicial institutions
The College of Courts and Tribunals accepts that judgments may be criticised in democratic debate but insists that disagreement cannot justify threats, intimidation, disinformation or calls to take justice into private hands.
Who, where and what
Key people, places and terms in this story
Belgian city where the criminal proceedings are centred.
Belgian defendant sentenced to 17 years in prison and preparing an appeal.
Trial defence lawyer who initially announced an appeal before the family decided to change counsel.
Former Belgian federal MP who supported Lenoci and reportedly advised the family to appoint different counsel.
Belgian federal authority providing public guidance on legal advice and consultation of case files.
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Belgian defendant sentenced to 17 years in prison and preparing an appeal.
Trial defence lawyer who initially announced an appeal before the family decided to change counsel.
Former Belgian federal MP who supported Lenoci and reportedly advised the family to appoint different counsel.
Belgian city where the criminal proceedings are centred.
Assault underlying Lenoci’s conviction for premeditated attempted killing.
Planned challenge to the judgment for which the family is changing legal representation.
Belgian federal authority providing public guidance on legal advice and consultation of case files.
Court that convicted Lenoci and imposed the 17-year sentence on 20 August 2026.
Professional body and directory for French- and German-speaking lawyers in Belgium.
Local legal-aid service available to eligible people seeking assistance in Namur.
News outlet that reported the family’s decision to replace counsel on 25 August 2026.
News outlet that reported the lawyer change and the advice attributed to Laurent Louis.
Belgian news outlet included among the article’s sources.
Belgian newspaper whose magazine coverage provided commentary on the Lenoci case.
Belgian publication included among the sources concerning Lenoci’s conviction.
Sources & evidence
- View sourceLa Dernière HeurePrimaryprimary· dhnet.be· 25 August 2026Retrieved 28 August 2026· 38 days ago· Dated
- View source7sur7corroborating· 7sur7.be· 25 August 2026Retrieved 28 August 2026· 38 days ago· Dated
- View sourceBRF Nachrichtencorroborating· brf.be· 20 August 2026Retrieved 28 August 2026· 43 days ago· Dated
- View sourceLe Soirbackground· soirmag.lesoir.be· 21 August 2026Retrieved 28 August 2026· 42 days ago· Background / context
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This briefing was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by a Belgium Impulse editor before publication. methodology.