Born on 29 June 1954 in Wilrijk, Belgium

• Degree in Law, University of Antwerp and Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1971-1976
• Master of Laws, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States, 1977-1978
• Doctor in Law, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1987
• Member of the Brussels bar, 1976-1984 and 1987-1994
• Auditor at the Council of State, 1984-1987
• Judge (1994-2005), chamber president (2005-2012), Council of State
• Assistant, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1976-1986
• Professor of human rights (since 1986), of civil procedure (1986-1995), of administrative procedure (1995-1997), of constitutional law (1997-2008), University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
• Member of the Human Rights Advisory Panel (United Nations, Kosovo), 2007-2012
• Judge of the European Court of Human Rights from 13 September 2012 to 12 September 2021
• Vice-President of Section from 25 August 2015 to 31 October 2015 and from 3 November 2018 to 4 May 2019
• President of Section from 20 September 2019 to 12 September 2021.