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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.

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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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