In his political life, Lilar was a member of parliaments for the liberal party, senator of the Arrondissement Antwerp (1946–1971) and four times minister of justice (1946–1947, 1949–1950, 1954–1958 en 1960–1961). He became minister of state in 1969. Under the Gaston Eyskens government (1958–1960), Lilar was vice-premier of the cabinet.
As vice-premier, he was elected president of the Round Table in 1960 whose discussions lead to the independence of the Belgian Congo.
A great humanitarian and defender of human rights, no death penalties were carried out under his terms as minister of justice.[1]
The Albert Lilar Prize from the Comité Maritime International is awarded for a leading work on maritime law published in any language in the world during the previous five years.