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Exhibit 5.01
LOEFF CLAEYS VERBEKE
Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V.
Flanders Language Valley 50
8900 IEPER
Brussels, August 23, 2000
Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have acted as counsel on matters of Belgian law in connection with the
filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission of the
aforementioned registration statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement")
pursuant to which Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products N.V. (the "Company") is
registering under the United States Securities Act of 1933, an aggregate of up
to USD 250,000,000 in shares of the Company's common stock, no par value per
share (the "Common Shares").
This opinion is rendered to you pursuant to the Registration Statement,
Section 'Legal Matters'. For the purpose of rendering this opinion we have
solely reviewed and relied on the following documents and information:
. the Registration Statement;
. copy of the Company's coordinated version of its articles of association
dated July 31, 2000;
. oral confirmation by the Clerk's Office of the Commercial Court at Ieper
that no filings for bankruptcy were outstanding on this date.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, when
issued in accordance with the Company's restated articles of association
(including, as the case may be, the Company's authorized capital), the relevant
provisions of Belgian Company law and any other rules and regulations applicable
to it, the Common Shares will be duly authorized, issued and delivered by the
Company.
This opinion is rendered only with respect to matters of Belgian law and is
rendered in accordance with the rules of the Brussels Bar. We consent to the
filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, including
the prospectus constituting a part thereof and any amendment thereto.
This opinion may be used in connection with the offering of the Common Shares
only while the Registration Statement remains in effect.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Philippe Hamer
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Philippe Hamer
