Judge Bart Stapert reprimanded for breaching attorney-client privilege

The Court of Discipline has issued a reprimand to Bart Stapert, a senior judge at the Hague Court of Appeal, regarding his past conduct as a defense attorney. The ruling concerns his representation of Nabil B. between 2017 and 2018 during negotiations for a crown witness deal in the Marengo trial.

The court found that Stapert breached attorney-client privilege and failed to sufficiently involve his client in communications with the Public Prosecution Service. Evidence included over 400 WhatsApp messages exchanged between Stapert and prosecutors, some of which contained personal information about the client or disparaging remarks about his ability to maintain control over the defendant.

While the disciplinary board previously issued only a warning, the Court of Discipline increased the sanction to a formal reprimand, noting that the client was entirely dependent on his legal counsel during the high-stakes negotiations. Stapert, who transitioned to the judiciary in late 2018, declined to comment on the matter through his counsel, citing the complexity and sensitivity of the case.