Welcome to the first In the Picture of 2026. As we begin a new year, we take a brief step back to reflect on what In the Picture has become, and a small step forward to make it even clearer and more useful for you. Each month, our aim remains simple: to put one relevant legal development “in the picture” in a concise, practical and accessible way, helping you navigate the competition, corporate and commercial law issues that matter for your business.

A long-running series with a clear purpose

When we launched In the Picture, our goal was to offer short, hands-on insights written for legal and business professionals who need clarity more than complexity. More than 100 editions later, this format has proven its value. The concept has remained steady: highlight one concrete topic, explain why it matters, and translate legal developments into practical takeaways.

What continues to set In the Picture apart?

• Accessible explanations of developments in both EU and Belgian law.
• A focus on practical impact, not theory: what changes mean for your business, your teams, and your day-to-day decisions.
• A touch of visual lightness, thanks to our recurring cartoon in the best Belgian tradition.

This combination of clarity, practicality and a bit of humour has shaped In the Picture’s identity and kept the series consistent, readable and relevant.

Thank you for reading, sharing and engaging

This new year is also an occasion to express our sincere thanks. In the Picture has become what it is because so many of you take the time to read, share and react to it. Your interest, your comments and even your short “this was useful” notes help guide us toward topics that matter most.

We appreciate your loyalty and the trust you place in our monthly updates.

Your input matters — tell us what you’d like to see 'in the picture'.

If there are topics you would like us to cover in 2026, questions that often arise internally, developments you’ve heard about, or broader themes that would benefit from a clear, practical explanation, we warmly invite you to share them with us.

You can do so via our website contact form or through your usual contact person at contrast. Your suggestions help us keep ITP focused, responsive and relevant.

A small improvement: new icons for EU law vs. Belgian law

Starting with the next edition, each In the Picture will include a small visual indicator:

• EU flag icon → the edition focuses mainly on EU law developments.
• Belgian flag icon → the edition focuses mainly on Belgian law developments.

This small addition is meant to help you immediately understand the legal level at stake. Our goal is simple: to make In the Picture even quicker to read and easier to situate.

Looking ahead to 2026

We look forward to bringing you another year of clear, hands‑on updates that help you stay on top of the evolving legal landscape. Whether the topic concerns competition law, corporate matters, commercial practices or regulatory changes, we will continue to put what matters “in the picture”—practically, succinctly and with a cartoon as eye wink.

Thank you for starting the year with us. We hope you enjoy the 2026 editions.