In brief
On 12 May 2026, Bill No. 8748 was introduced before the Luxembourg Parliament. The bill seeks to reshape the way complex economic and financial disputes are handled by the courts through the creation of dedicated commercial and criminal chambers, supported by judges with specialized training in financial and business matters.
The proposed reform reflects a broader objective of increasing efficiency, consistency and expertise in the treatment of economic and financial cases. To support these new chambers, the bill also provides for the creation of additional judicial positions and introduces several amendments affecting both court procedures and the organization of the judiciary.
Our Luxembourg Dispute Resolution team is closely following this bill and is available to help clients assess its potential impact on pending or future disputes, and to advise on litigation strategy as the reform progresses through Parliament.
Key takeaways
- Dedicated commercial chambers for economic and financial disputes would be established within the Luxembourg District Court and the Court of Appeals.
- Dedicated criminal chambers for economic and financial matters would be created within the Luxembourg District Court, the Diekirch District Court and the Court of Appeals.
- Litigants would benefit from a tailored procedural framework, including mandatory referrals to the competent chamber, compulsory case-management hearings and the possibility of filing exhibits in English without translation.
- A formal framework for the qualification and continuing education of judges specializing in economic and financial matters would be introduced.
In more detail
Specialized commercial chambers for economic and financial disputes
The bill proposes the creation of at least two commercial chambers dedicated to economic and financial matters: one within the Luxembourg District Court and one within the Court of Appeals.
The scope of these chambers would be determined by reference to a specific list of financial and economic legislation. As a result, not every dispute involving a financial-sector participant would automatically fall under their jurisdiction. For example, a dispute arising from an ordinary lease agreement entered into by an investment fund would remain outside the specialized courts’ exclusive jurisdiction.
The specialized chambers would also have exclusive jurisdiction over disputes relating to the organization and operation of pension funds, including disputes arising from relationships between pension funds, management companies and custodian banks.
Specialized criminal chambers for economic and financial law
The reform also contemplates the establishment of at least three specialized criminal chambers: one within the Luxembourg District Court, one within the Diekirch District Court and one within the Court of Appeals.
According to the bill’s stated objectives, these chambers would complement the existing specialization of prosecutors and investigating magistrates in economic and financial matters. The initiative is intended to further strengthen Luxembourg’s institutional framework for combating economic and financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing.
Unlike the proposed commercial chambers, however, the bill does not define the jurisdiction of the specialized criminal chambers by reference to an exhaustive list of statutes or regulations.
A more tailored procedural framework
The bill introduces several procedural measures designed to facilitate the efficient management of economic and financial litigation.
Where proceedings falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of the specialized commercial chambers are mistakenly brought before the Diekirch District Court, that court would be required to transfer the matter to the competent court. The transfer decision would be binding on both the parties and the referring judges, and the claimant would not need to recommence the proceedings by filing a new writ.
In addition, parties would automatically be summoned to a preparatory hearing aimed at establishing a procedural timetable and facilitating case management from the outset of the proceedings.
The bill would also introduce greater linguistic flexibility by allowing parties to submit exhibits in English without having to provide a translation. This change is likely to be particularly welcomed in cross-border disputes involving international businesses and financial institutions.
Strengthening judicial expertise
A central feature of the reform is the creation of a published list of judges specializing in economic and financial matters. Judges wishing to be included on this list would be required to complete continuing education covering economic and financial law, English legal terminology, accounting and financial analysis. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in removal from the list.
While the bill introduces a structured framework for specialization, it does not require that only judges included on this list may sit in the specialized chambers. Nor does it provide parties with the ability to select their judges, unlike arbitration proceedings.
What does this mean for businesses and financial institutions?
If adopted, the reform would mark a significant development in the Luxembourg judicial landscape. By combining specialized courts, dedicated judicial training and procedural adaptations tailored to complex economic and financial disputes, the bill aims to promote greater expertise, consistency and efficiency in the resolution of such cases.
Businesses, financial institutions, investment funds and other market participants may therefore benefit from a judicial framework that is increasingly aligned with the technical and international nature of modern economic and financial disputes.
The bill is still under discussion and is not definitive.
For specific advice on how this reform may affect your business or ongoing litigation in Luxembourg, please contact Annie Elfassi or any of your contacts within the Luxembourg Dispute Resolution Team.