Rik Vanreusel – partner and team lead criminal law

Mr. Rik Vanreusel has been a partner at De Groote – De Man since 2024 and heads the Criminal Law department. With over 15 years of experience in criminal and international criminal law, Rik represents both defendants and victims in complex cases, often with a cross-border dimension.

A career highlight was representing the interests of the Iranian opposition in an international terrorism trial. He is a member of the bar at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and, in 2020, became the third Belgian admitted to the list of assistants to counsel at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. In 2024, he was appointed Duty Counsel before this tribunal to assist the key witness in the trial against Hashim Thaçi, former president of Kosovo.

Rik is fluent in French, English and German, which enables him to assist clients in both national and international cases. He is also a SALDUZ trainer for the Order of Flemish Bars, delivers courses on the technical and scientific aspects of criminal law, and publishes regularly with legal publishers Larcier and Politeia. His practice is marked by meticulous preparation, technical expertise and a strong focus on the interests of his clients. In addition, Rik is a lecturer in criminal procedure law at the Stageschool of the Order of Flemish Bars (OVB). He also holds the certificate of specialized training in Cassation procedure and Criminal cases.

In his free time, Rik enjoys a game of table tennis or exploring the countryside by bike. He also appreciates a quality cigar and a good conversation in pleasant company.

Publications

• \\\”Human Trafficking\\\” [\\\”Mensenhandel”], Wet en Duiding Strafrecht, Larcier, 2012
• \\\”The territorial jurisdiction of the sentencing court\\\” [“De territoriale bevoegdheid van de strafuitvoeringsrechtbank”], Wet en Duiding Strafuitvoering, Larcier, 2014
• \\\”Human Trafficking (update)\\\” [“Mensenhandel” (update)], Wet en Duiding Strafrecht, Larcier, 2015
• \\\”The annulment of judgments\\\” [“De nietigverklaring van vonnissen”], Duiding Strafprocesrecht, Larcier, 2016
• \\\”The lawsuit of the future: a look at justice in 2050\\\” [“De rechtszaak van de toekomst: een blik op justitie anno 2050”], Emile et Ferdinand, Larcier, 2016
• \\\”Human Trafficking (update)\\\” [“Mensenhandel” (update)], Duiding Strafrecht, Larcier, 2018
• \\\”Illegitantly obtained private banking information: no need for Antigoon test” [“Onrechtmatig verkregen private bancaire informatie: geen nood aan Antigoon-toets”], in Tijdschrift Privacy & Persoonsgegevens, Politeia, 2018/4, 26-32