Renowned Belgian lawyer Luc Misson has passed away at the age of 77.
Misson became famous for his pivotal role in the landmark legal case that transformed the European football landscape in 1995 defending footballer Jean-Marc Bosman in a case that resulted in a European Court of Justice ruling that abolished quotas limiting foreign players in clubs and allowed players to move freely at the end of their contracts.
A graduate of UCL with a law degree in 1975, Misson also challenged the Court of Arbitration for Sport after a case involving three footballers and the disciplinary powers of the Belgian football federation.
While representing French footballer Mohamed Dahmane, Misson threatened to halt the Belgian football championship, as Dahmane was unable to play for RAEC Mons after breaking a contract with KRC Genk. A labour court later capped the compensation claims from Genk at 12 months, like other workers.
In collaboration with lawyer Julien Pierre, Misson influenced the European Court of Human Rights’ Taxquet judgment, which required jury courts to provide reasons for their verdicts.
This judgement followed the conviction of Richard Taxquet for organising the 1991 assassination of André Cools, which resulted in a 20-year jail sentence in 2004. The ruling mandated jury courts to justify their decisions.
Luc Misson successfully defended Dr Georges Mouton, accused of prescribing banned substances to athletes, with the court declaring the charges inadmissible. He also advised former alderman Claude Despiegeleer, who faced charges related to embezzlement against a social housing firm. In another high-profile case, he defended ex-goalkeeper Gilbert Bodart, who was convicted for his involvement in a robbery and received a suspended 3.5-year prison sentence.
Beyond sports, Misson represented local residents in a case against Bierset Airport. He secured a decision from the Court of Cassation overturning a previous ruling that had dismissed the residents’ claim for a halt to night flights and financial compensation. In civil matters, he successfully advocated for university students affected by a medical school numerus clausus policy.
In 2010, he achieved a significant victory for train drivers by securing a court order requiring the Belgian National Railway Company (SNCB) to recognise the Independent Union of Train Drivers and support its operations, though the union remains outside the national joint committee.
Luc Misson’s funeral will take place on Tuesday in Vielsalm.
