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Legal market overview

The Netherlands is in a relatively stable position compared to other advanced economies, with a strong export position and friendly tax regime. The eurozone crisis and the EU were issues dominating the 2012 national elections, the results of which reflected a need for a stable, moderate government.

The saturated Dutch legal market continues to see new niche firms and international law firms enter the market. Jones Day announced it will launch an Amsterdam office in 2013. Foreign players such as Allen & Overy LLP and Clifford Chance already compete for market share with local firms such as De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek, NautaDutilh, Stibbe and Houthoff Buruma. Buren van Velzen Guelen N.V. was renamed Buren in March 2013.

The Netherlands is increasingly becoming a key European venue for US-style class actions. Meanwhile, the government has made proposals for a new Dutch Arbitration Act in 2014, with the reform aiming to make international arbitration proceedings in the Netherlands more attractive to foreign parties. Employment legislation is also facing amendments, with a proposal to simplify the law to allow employers to dismiss employees without a judicial review.

The Dutch housing market, which is one of the most highly regulated systems in the world, suffered a significant downturn but firms were kept busy with restructuring and distressed portfolio work. Vestia, the Netherlands’ biggest housing association, dominated headlines when it had to be rescued after losing €20bn in a derivatives deal – this also signalled the need for improved corporate governance.

Press releases

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

Legal Developments in Netherlands

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • AKD assists Eurofins Scientific Group

    AKD assists Eurofins Scientific Group with the acquisition of Laboratorium Zeeuws-Vlaanderen B.V. and ALTIC B.V.”
  • New Late Payments Directive

    Despite the implementation of Directive 2000/35/EC on combating late payment in commercial transactions in 2002, the European Commission (the “Commission”) concluded in 2008 that late payments were still widespread in the EU. It also turned out that public authorities in certain Member States were stipulating unjustifiably long contractual payment periods for transactions.
  • Amendment of the Collective Redundancy Notification Act

    On 1 March 2012 the Collective Redundancy Notification Act (Wet Melding Collective Outslug, "WACO") will be amended. What changes does this involve?
  • New Corporate Law Legislation

    In the field of corporate law, there are four (coming) Acts that attract attention, namely the introduction of the tenth book of the Dutch Civil Code, the amendment of the Marital Property Act and, to conclude, the coming entry into effect of the Management and Supervision Act and the Flexibilization of BV Act. Please find below a short explanation of each Act.
  • Shipping & Transport - Netherlands

    Attaching maritime assets in insolvency
  • The employment of foreign workers. What issues do you need to be aware of as an employer?

    The employment of foreign workers regularly raises questions. A brief summary of the most important areas of attention will be dealt with in this article.
  • Non-solicitation agreement violated via LinkedIn

    A non-solicitation agreement usually restricts the ability of an employee - after an employment contract has ended - to approach the clients of the former employer. The former employee of a software company recently discovered that the scope of such an agreement can also include contacts made via LinkedIn.
  • NETHERLANDS AS A GLOBAL FINANCE CENTRE

    Few jurisdictions can boast a foreign direct investment record like the Netherlands. As the world's seventh largest inward receiver of investments, housing approximately 9000 foreign-owned companies, the country's dynamic business environment provides an invaluable insight into macro investment trends.
  • Forming a company in the Netherlands

    The Netherlands and Dutch law The Netherlands is a perfect business location for foreign entrepreneurs (2,000 subsidiaries in Amsterdam, 140,000 jobs). It is the gateway to densely populated Western Europe and has a well-developed logistic and technical infrastructure.
  • Leasing of commercial premises in the Netherlands

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Press Releases worldwide

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to
  • Sayenko Kharenko – legal counsel on the acquisition of ING’s securities and custody services bus

    Sayenko Kharenko - legal counsel on the acquisition of ING's securities and custody services business by Citibank. Normal 0 false false false RU X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Обычная таблица"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
  • LS Horizon Limited advised PTG Energy Public Company Limited

    LS Horizon Limited has advised PTG Energy Public Company Limited (the " Company "), which operates the business of distribution of petroleum products and equipment for gas stations, including fuel selling through its PT petrol stations, in connection with its initial public offering (" IPO ") and listing of its shares on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (" SET ").
  • Penningtons establishes pensions team with two senior lateral hires

    Penningtons Solicitors LLP has recruited partner Maria Riccio and associate Rupert Graham-Evans to lead its newly established pensions law team. Working between the firm's Hampshire and London offices, they will also support Penningtons' regional offices across Cambridge and the South East, advising clients in the UK and internationally.
  • Matouk Bassiouny Advises Emirates NBD PJSC on the USD 500 Million Acquisition of BNP Paribas S.A.E.

    Matouk Bassiouny advised Emirates NBD PJSC on the acquisition of 100% of the share capital of BNP Paribas S.A.E. in Egypt.  The value of the transaction amounted to USD 500 million. The Share Purchase Agreement was signed in December 2012 and closing took place in Cairo on Sunday June 9 th 2013. 
  • Partner and Senior Associate join Matouk Bassiouny's Dispute Resolution group

    We are delighted to inform you that Johanne Cox joins Matouk Bassiouny as a Partner in the firm's Dispute Resolution group. Johanne has practiced international arbitration in Egypt for a number of years, prior to which, she practiced arbitration in London and Paris at leading international law firms.  She is recognized in Legal 500 (2013) as "very experienced and knowledgeable", adding a "great dynamic" to her law firm's practice.  Johanne is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a Solicitor-Advocate in England and Wales, and an accredited Mediator.
  • Landmark Supreme Court judgement on the Rights of Depositors in Cyprus

    On 07.06.2013 the Supreme Court issued its judgment in the context of the first recourses filed by depositors and challenging the effect on depositors' funds of the recent bank resolution measures. The judgment is a very welcome development and should be viewed as a significant stepping stone in the future developments of the promotion of depositors' claims.
  • Kochański Zięba Rapala & Partners law firm is a laureate of the European Medal 2013

    Kochański Zięba Rapala & Partners law firm is honored to announce that it has been awarded the European Medal 2013 in the Final of the 24th Edition of the Competition organized by the Business Centre Club in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and under the honorary patronage of the European Economic and Social Committee.
  • Georg Fischer to acquire majority stake in Hakan Plastik of Turkey

    Georg Fischer Ltd. (GF) signed a share purchase agreement on 7 May 2013 to acquire majority stake in Hakan Plastik A.S., with an option to acquire the remaining shares in following years. 
    - Paksoy
  • Hengeler Mueller advises CEWE on transformation of legal form

    The Annual General Meeting of CEWE COLOR Holding AG has approved the change the company's legal form into a partnership limited by shares - Kommanditgesellschaft auf Aktien (KGaA). The change of the legal form includes the transfer of the business currently conducted by CEWE COLOR AG & Co. OHG to CEWE Stiftung & Co. KGaA.
  • Hengeler Mueller advises Grammer AG on refinancing by certificate of indebtedness

    Grammer AG (Amberg), a leading supplier of automotive interior and seating systems, has issued loans evidenced by certificate of indebtedness (Schuldscheindarlehen) in the amount of € 90 million which is divided into tranches of 4 and 6 years as well as fixed and variable interest rate tranches. Grammer AG is refinancing an existing loan evidenced by certificate of indebtedness of 2006 prior to maturity in August with part of the issuing proceeds.