The Judicial Family

The President of the Jeune Barreau, Bob Biver, has called for greater respect for judicial professionals after a serious incident in Ettelbruck where a court-appointed administrator (curateur) was attacked and seriously injured with a knife. The incident, which took place on 12 June, involved a professional connection: the administrator was overseeing bankruptcy proceedings linked to a business owned by the alleged perpetrator, who was subsequently arrested.[1]

Biver explained that judicial careers such as magistrates, lawyers, administrators, bailiffs, and notaries are not without risks, and that the so-called "judicial family" deserves both respect and the right to feel safe in their daily work, which, he noted, "is not always the easiest".[1]

The Ettelbruck Bar, Luxembourg City Bar, and the National Council of Justice have all strongly condemned the attack. The Ettelbruck Bar stressed that, although the severity of this attack is exceptional, such incidents are not entirely isolated. Biver also emphasised that in the vast majority of cases, daily work can be performed without any issues as most people remain "civil and respectful".[1]

While such attacks are the exception, Biver recommends precautionary steps for administrators who may feel unsafe. Before taking on a new case, it is possible to research the company involved via the Luxembourg Business Register or online. When visiting premises to prepare an inventory or official report, bringing a witness or a court clerk (greffier) can provide additional security. Procedural rules also allow administrators to be accompanied by a court official when conducting inventories, which serves both to protect the individual and to ensure proper procedure.[1]

Despite these measures, Biver acknowledges that there is no way to guarantee complete safety in all situations. Administrators and bailiffs can sometimes find themselves in sensitive circumstances, particularly when dealing with individuals experiencing significant personal or financial stress, such as those facing bankruptcy.[1]

Biver insists that maintaining respect for the judiciary is essential. The entire judicial family, including judges, lawyers, notaries, bailiffs, and administrators, must be able to carry out their work free from threats or harm. Ultimately, Biver says, everyone must be able to rely on the rule of law, and trust that the justice system will protect both the public and those working within it. In its statement, the Ettelbruck Bar also calls for a strengthened prevention policy, better protection for judicial professionals, and tougher penalties for violence, threats, or intimidation against members of the judicial system.[1]

A knife. In Ettelbruck. On 12 June. A court-appointed administrator. A curateur. overseeing bankruptcy proceedings. The business was owned by the alleged perpetrator. The perpetrator was arrested. The administrator was seriously injured. The judicial family is magistrates, lawyers, administrators, bailiffs, notaries. The judicial family is not without risks. The judicial family deserves respect. The judicial family deserves safety. The judicial family's work is not always the easiest. The Ettelbruck Bar condemned the attack. The Luxembourg City Bar condemned the attack. The National Council of Justice condemned the attack. The severity is exceptional. The incidents are not isolated. The majority of cases are fine. Most people are civil. Most people are respectful. The precautionary steps: research the company. Bring a witness. Bring a court clerk. The procedural rules allow accompaniment. The accompaniment protects the individual. The accompaniment ensures proper procedure. The complete safety is not guaranteed. The bankruptcy is personal stress. The bankruptcy is financial stress. The stress can become a knife. The knife was in Ettelbruck. The knife was on 12 June. The respect is essential. The rule of law is essential. The justice system must protect. The justice system must protect the public. The justice system must protect those working within it. The Ettelbruck Bar wants prevention. The Ettelbruck Bar wants protection. The Ettelbruck Bar wants tougher penalties. The penalties are for violence. The penalties are for threats. The penalties are for intimidation. The penalties are for the judicial system. The judicial system is the family. The family was attacked. The family is asking.[1]