What if protesters want to occupy your company premises?
Blog
5 May 2026
It often happens that companies only start thinking about their options when the activists are already at the gates. At that point, it is usually too late to act calmly and effectively.
However, as a company, you do not have to wait passively.
You can proactively request measures from the president of the court where your registered office is located in order to intervene if protesters attempt to gain access to your company.
Recently, De Groote – De Man obtained two such orders.
We are therefore pleased to briefly explain their usefulness and the possibilities they offer for your company.
Protesting is one thing. Occupying a company is another.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the right to protest is of course allowed. But once an action risks turning into blocking access, halting deliveries, entering a site, or damaging installations, the continuity of your company is put at risk.
For your company, this is not a theoretical risk. Access to buildings, the safety of personnel, the protection of installations, and the ability to continue delivering to customers are essential parts of business operations.
What can a judge concretely do?
That is precisely where a swift legal intervention can make the difference.
The recently obtained orders show that companies can also protect themselves legally when they are confronted with a concrete and serious threat to their access, activities, or premises.
In other words: those who act in time can prevent an action from turning into an actual disruption of business operations.
In both orders, the President of the Court imposed very concrete protective measures before the day of the action. For example, it was prohibited for anyone to physically obstruct free access to the buildings and premises. It was also prohibited to gain access to the site.
In addition, a bailiff was authorized to have offenders removed, to establish their identity and, if necessary, to request the assistance of the public authorities.
The judge also attached significant penalty payments to this: €10,000 per hour per person in case of physical obstruction of access and €100,000 per person in case of unauthorized access to the site.
These are not symbolic measures. They are concrete instruments that allow a company to act quickly, decisively, and with a court order in hand.
Our expert Steve De Cauwer explains: “Thanks to such an order, swift action is possible. As soon as activists block access or gain access to the company premises in violation of the order, the bailiff can intervene immediately and, if necessary, call on the police to support the enforcement of the court order by proceeding with eviction.”
For which companies is this relevant?
Many entrepreneurs spontaneously think of large industrial groups, ports, or chemical sites. But in reality, this can be relevant for many more companies:
- production companies;
- logistics players;
- companies with critical infrastructure;
- companies with sensitive installations;
- sites where safety, deliveries, or access must be guaranteed at all times.
What can De Groote – De Man do in this regard?
When a company fears that protesters will block or occupy its site, it is especially important not to react too late.
At De Groote – De Man, we can quickly assess:
- whether the threat is sufficiently concrete from a legal perspective;
- which evidence should be gathered immediately;
- whether a request to obtain measures has a chance of success;
- which measures should be requested to protect your site, your personnel, and the continuity of your business.
Experience shows that a well-prepared case makes a world of difference. Not only legally, but also practically. In such a situation, a company mainly wants one thing: calm, control, and protection before the situation escalates.
Are you concerned about an announced action targeting your company premises or would you like to proactively explore which legal steps are possible to prevent an occupation or blockage?
De Groote – De Man assists companies in the rapid and strategic protection of their access, activities, and infrastructure. Feel free to contact our specialist Steve De Cauwer for a concrete analysis of your situation.
