Firms To Watch: Dispute resolution: arbitration

Led by commodity trade specialists Marc van Maanen and Steven Oude Alink, Van Traa Advocaten represents trading companies, their banks and insurers on arbitration and litigation disputes concerning breach of contracts and fraud.

Dispute resolution: arbitration in Netherlands

Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy LLP routinely acts as lead counsel in both high-profile international and domestic arbitrations for clients in the corporate, financial, energy, projects and construction sectors. The firm is also entrusted by the ICC and NAI for representation in Dutch Courts in relation to arbitrator challenges. Head of the arbitration practice Marieke Van Hooijdonk focuses on corporate and commercial disputes, such as M&A, joint ventures, trade and construction and shareholder disputes. Hilde van der Baan specialises in projects, energy and construction arbitration, as well as contractual and product liability issues. Associate Guido Straub provides additional support.

Practice head(s):

Marieke van Hooijdonk

Other key lawyers:

Hilde van der Baan; Guido Straub

Testimonials

‘One of the pre-eminent practices in The Netherlands for complex commercial and investment arbitration. Great reputation and performance in counsel work, one of the best teams, if not the best team. Able to combine no-nonsense practical approach with great lawyering. An inspiring team to work with.’

‘Marieke van Hooijdonk is the grand lady of the Dutch arbitration scene, brilliant sharp mind and excellent analytical and tactical skills. A pleasure to work with. Hilde van der Baan is the rising star on the team: excellent legal and people skills, combining a quiet approach with razor sharp legal analyses and guides her clients with elegance through stormy waters. Great future ahead!’

‘Marieke van Hooijdonk leads the team. She is our go-to lawyer for complex disputes. Very knowledgeable and good strategic instinct. Her advocacy skills are superb. Hilde van der Baan is a rising star with a very commercial approach. Guido Straub stands out as associate. He has a sharp legal mind and drafts excellent submissions.’

Key clients

LyondellBasell

Signify

Consilient Health

Bourrelier Group

Attero

Work highlights

  • Representing Consilient in multi-jurisdictional enforcement and challenge proceedings following major wins in two ICC arbitrations.
  • Representing Attero in the Court of Appeal in The Hague against several municipalities in the Netherlands. The case concerns the annulment of an arbitral award under the NAI Rules.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek leverages its large team to focus on complex, cross-border and landmark cases. The firm is sought out by sovereign states and multinationals for representation in disputes that are highly sensitive. Albert Marsman is a lead counsel in Netherlands’ investment treaty arbitrations and in insurance disputes. Martje Verhoeven-De Vries Lentsch is known for representing clients in commercial arbitration in the field of energy and technology. Verhoeven-De Vries Lentsch also works on disputes concerning joint ventures, shareholder’s interests and post-arbitral award proceedings, such as annulments and enforcements. Marnix Leijten and Edward Van Geuns remain key figures for clients in energy disputes. Matthias Kuscher specialises in international disputes in the energy, infrastructure, construction and IP spaces. Head of the ESG group Davine Roessingh has notable experience in execution and enforcement actions as well as technical acumen on corporate governance issues.

Practice head(s):

Albert Marsman; Martje Verhoeven-De Vries Lentsch; Marnix Leijten; Edward Van Geuns

Other key lawyers:

Matthias Kuscher; Davine Roessingh

Testimonials

‘Hands-on with excellent industry knowledge’

‘Martje Verhoeven-de Vries Lentsch has excellent communication, negotiation and matter management skills; she is available and responsive. She also works on a high strategic level, easily switching to a practical facts level.’

‘DBBW’s team is very practical, client focused and aimed at achieving the best result possible.’

‘Matthias Kuscher is inventive and always ready to dig into complex questions.’

‘De Brauw has a great arbitration team and is without doubt a Tier 1 firm in this field.’

‘I have worked with Martje Verhoeven-de Vries Lentsch, Albert Marsman, Marnix Leijten and Eelco Meerdink. They are all outstanding and great to work with. Marnix is in a league of his own.’

‘De Brauw’s arbitration team is top of the market. They operate in an efficient manner and deliver top quality work. They do outstanding, and unprecedented work and it is clear they enjoy their work thoroughly. Their strategic thinking stands out and seems to maintain a real cooperative atmosphere amongst teams. All are very knowledgeable on arbitration law, and they know their procedural game well. I highly recommend and am impressed with their creative thinking.’

‘Davine Roessingh is a talent to watch. She is a strategic thinker and someone who takes responsibility over the case in a calm and thorough manner. She is on top of things, knows the file and is able to think outside the box, combining academic knowledge with practical advice.’ 

Key clients

Yukos Oil majority shareholders

Just-Eat Takeaway N.V.

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Republic of Kazakhstan

PJSC Novolipetsk Steel (NLMK)

Nouryon Industrial Chemicals B.V.

Royal Duyvis Wiener B.V.

NN Group N.V.

Amlyn Holding B.V.

GasTerra B.V.

The Arab Republic of Egypt

Shell

ExxonMobil

Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij B.V. (NAM)

Work highlights

  • Advising Yukos Oil’s majority shareholders in their dispute with the Russian Federation.
  • Advising Nouryon Industrial Chemicals B.V. in its high-stakes M&A dispute under Spanish law with Iberpotash S.A.
  • Advised JustEat Takeaway.com N.V. in a highly sensitive ICC arbitration under Dutch law against its global competitor Delivery Hero S.E. in order to force Delivery Hero to comply with its contractual obligations.

Houthoff

As ‘one of the best practices for international arbitration in the Netherlands’, Houthoff represents investors and states in large and complex international arbitration cases, including investment arbitration, as well as high-value arbitration-related litigation for enforcement and annulment of arbitral awards. Dirk Knottenbelt heads the arbitration team, specialising in corporate and commercial arbitration. ‘Excellent arbitration counsel’ and ‘standout lawyer’ Thomas Stouten represents an array of clients in commercial and corporate disputes before the ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSD, DIAC, LCIA, SIAC and NAI. Key member of the both the litigation and arbitration teams Remme Verkerk, who has been recently promoted to partner, is involved in landmark cases before the Supreme Court. Counsel Isabelle van den Nieuwendijk supports the team in investment arbitration matters. Since research concluded, Glenn Hoek left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Dirk Knottenbelt; Thomas Stouten

Other key lawyers:

Remme Verkerk; Isabelle van den Niewendijk

Testimonials

‘One of the best practices for international arbitration in the Netherlands, in particular for arbitration-related court proceedings’

‘Dirk Knottenbelt, Thomas Stouten and Isabella van den Nieuwendijk are the key players.’

‘Fantastic team, well connected, always on top of trends and developments.’

‘Houthoff has a very strategic view and gives us support beyond pure legal advice. The firm always has the commercial side of the matter in mind as well. Houthoff is not concerned with merely winning in court, but with making the right decisions for us in the long term.’

‘Houthoff appears to be able to attract the brightest minds to their arbitration team. Their strategic advice is top-notch. They are worth the high rate that they charge, value for money!’

‘Thomas Stouten is a leading individual in the arbitration society. He is likeable and easy to work with, while his expertise on arbitration law is unparalleled. He clearly is the lawyer you want on your side. Dirk Knottenbelt ‘owns’ the court room. He is extremely convincing, and his advocacy skills are truly exceptional.’

‘The Houthoff arbitration group is top-notch, providing capable, thorough, smart representation of clients. They are also perfect co-counsel.’

‘Isabelle van den Nieuwendijk has excellent procedural knowledge and strategic instincts. She is a safe pair of hands.’

Key clients

Petrobras Brasileo

Eni

Surpass Commercial Corp. Ltd.

Wells Ultimate Service LLC

Heidelberg Cement

Work highlights

  • Representing Eni, a leading Italian listed energy company, in the defence against an application by GasTerra, a leading Dutch gas company for the annulment of an arbitral award on gas price reviews.
  • Acting as a lead counsel for several clients in three different ICC arbitrations in the Netherlands and the USA, as well as court proceedings in the Netherlands and Portugal, in pursuit of claims based on commercial contracts with Bariven, a subsidiary of PDVSA, the national oil company of Venezuela.
  • Representing Heidelberg Cement in setting aside proceedings concerning the validity of an (amended) arbitral award before the Dutch Supreme Court.

Linklaters

Linklaters‘ international arbitration team frequently works on complex and high-value commercial and investment arbitrations as well as arbitration-related court proceedings, such as setting aside and enforcement mandates. Arbitration practice head Gerard Meijer represents multi-national companies in a range of global disputes, with recent highlights involving infrastructure and construction disputes before the SIAC, the PCA seated in The Hague for disputes under UNCITRAL rules and the Finland Chamber of Commerce. Meijer also leads the team in post-arbitral litigation disputes concerning clients operating in the telecoms and oil and gas sectors. Counsel Bo Ra Hoebeke provides support in corporate disputes and in invoking bilateral investment treaties. Associate Juan Manuel Sánchez Pueyo focuses on commercial and investment arbitration. Head of the dispute resolution practice Daniella Strik specialises in contentious matters pertaining to financial institutions and energy corporation.

Practice head(s):

Gerard Meijer

Other key lawyers:

Bo Ra Hoebeke; Juan Manuel Sánchez Pueyo; Daniella Strik

Testimonials

‘Gerard Meijer’s team is truly outstanding on all levels.’

‘I have worked with Gerard Meijer in arbitration. He is truly formidable.’

Key clients

Cc/Devas (Mauritius) Ltd

Devas Employees Mauritius Private Ltd

Telcom Devas Mauritius Ltd

Sina Hong Kong Limited

Chevron Corporation and Texaco Petroleum Company

Merck Sharp & Dohme (IA) LLC

Cairn Energy PLC and Cairn UK Holdings Limited

Eni S.p.A.

Devas Multimedia America, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Representing Chevron Corporation and Texaco Petroleum Company in high-profile, multi-billion dollar setting aside proceedings, and in underlying investment arbitral proceedings.
  • Representing Merck Sharp & Dohme (IA) LLC in setting aside proceeding in the Netherlands filed by the Republic of Ecuador with respect to arbitral awards issued against Ecuador in an investment arbitration.
  • Represented Cc/Devas et al. in the high-profile setting aside proceedings in first instance and appeal in relation to a billion-dollar UNCITRAL arbitration claim under the Mauritius-India BIT in 2012.

NautaDutilh

Representing clients in investment arbitration matters is a key feature of NautaDutilh‘s international arbitration practice. Mirjam Van de Hel-Koedoot acts for clients in commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under a variety of arbitration rules and regularly deals with complex court proceedings concerning the enforcement and setting aside of arbitral awards, especially relating to disputes involving bilateral and multilateral investment treaties. Hel-Koedoot also frequently takes on a range of disputes such as transport and joint venture shipbuilding disputes as well as contentious matters in the energy, aerospace and banking sectors. Kasper Krzeminski is sought out for his experience in the areas of post-M&A disputes, construction and shipbuilding projects, multi-jurisdictional debt recovery, the enforcement of arbitral awards, foreign money judgments and discovery proceedings. Paul Olden specialises in corporate arbitration, and Barbara Rumora-Scheltema and Freerk Vermeulen are expert litigators who play a key supporting role in the arbitration set up.

Practice head(s):

Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot; Kasper Krzeminski

Other key lawyers:

Paul Olden; Barbara Rumora-Scheltema; Freerk Vermeulen; Pauline Ernste; Pieter Fritschy

Testimonials

‘Kasper Krzeminski is a rising star of the firm.’

‘The team defending our awards was led by Mirjam van de Hel-Koedoot and Pieter Fritschy, both of whom did an outstanding job.’

‘They are a good team – diligent and responsive.’

‘Kasper Krzeminski is excellent at hearings and understands the best approach to the case.’

Work highlights

  • Represents Naftogaz in ongoing setting aside proceedings initiated by the Russian Federation with respect to a partial award in which the Russian Federation was found liable for its seizure of Naftogaz’s Crimean assets following Russia’s annexation of Crimea
  • Representing Anatoli Stati; Gabriel Stati; Ascom Group S.A.; Terra Raf Trans Traiding Ltd. in a number of proceedings relating to the enforcement of a USD 543 million arbitral award rendered against Kazakhstan.
  • Representing Spanish investors García et al. in setting aside proceedings before the Dutch Supreme Court in relation to an arbitral award in which the tribunal rejected jurisdiction with respect to their investment treaty claim on the basis of the Spain-Venezuela bilateral investment treaty.

Van Doorne

Van Doorne‘s dual partner-led arbitration practice represents clients from a range of industries in high-value and cross-border arbitration cases. Co-head Rogier Schellaars specialises in commercial and investment claims, including post M&A, joint venture and finance matters. Schellaars also focuses on disputes in the energy sector, acting for and against sovereign states. Engaged in intra-EU BIT matters, co-head Bas van Zelst is also active in combined investment, construction and energy disputes. The group’s caseload also includes disputes concerning the media, pharmaceutical, food and agriculture sectors.

Testimonials

‘Impressive expertise in international investment arbitration; deep technical expertise combined with solid commercial instincts; excellent risk/reward analysis; very clear memos, and excellent presentations to the Board. The firm is equally sought after by defending governments as by claimants, which helps in motivating Governments to settle.’

‘The lawyers have an impressive understanding of the cost-benefit rationale underpinning these sensitive processes. Bas Van Zelst and Rogier Schellekens deserve a special mention for their client focused engagement.’

‘I think that what sets them apart is that they can make very commercial judgment calls and can articulate their reasons for advising on a certain course of action.’

‘The team was also able to get up to speed very quickly on a very complicated dispute which had been going on for 5 years, and they were able to spot issues and facts which the previous Dutch law firm was not able to.’

‘Rogier Schellaars sees the big picture. He is well versed in international arbitration but knows the intricacies of local litigation practice in the Netherlands and how the two affect each other.’

‘Focused, solution oriented, and to the point. Good quality services and brought in a straightforward manner. Down to earth approach, strong credibility as a result.’

‘Rogier Schellaars is knowledgeable and a no-nonsense professional. Clear in communication, creative in approach and aggressive when necessary. Very much appreciated.’

Key clients

GeoSolutions B.V.

Czech Republic

Mr. Mohamed Abdel Raouf Bahgat

PanAmericana Television S.A.

Heerema Marine Contractors

Royal Agrifirm Group

Work highlights

  • Representing GeoSolutions B.V. in a technology joint venture dispute concerning the Weibo and the geolocation software connected.
  • Represented Mr. Bahgat in set aside and enforcement actions in the Netherlands courts against the Republic of Egypt.
  • Representing Panamericana Televisión S.A. in arbitral proceedings against the Republic of Peru.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper’s international arbitration team, headed by Marnix Holtzer and Michiel Coenraads , focuses on cross-border high-stakes disputes in the energy and natural resources sector, acting for clients including Shell and Petronas. Associate Anne Josephus Jitta joined from Taylor Wessing and handles arbitration under all common arbitration rules as well as dealing with high-profile enforcement and annulment proceedings. Senior associate Jorian Hamster brings additional expertise in disputes with a human rights and ESG nexus.

Practice head(s):

Marnix Holtzer; Michiel Coenraads

Other key lawyers:

Anne Josephus Jitta; Jorian Hamster

Testimonials

‘DLA Piper is a really strong player in the international arbitration space in the Netherlands. They have a super clear focus on the type of work they want to do, and that pays off.’

‘DLA Piper are a key player in the energy and natural resources and industrials sectors. Also, we see that the firm has an active enforcement practice. The team is very smart in leveraging the global platform in combination with relentless focus on quality. The firm has a strong business acumen, bringing them blue-chip clients, outperforming most of the competition.’

‘Michiel Coenraads leads the team. He is super commercial and internationally focused. He seems to know everybody and really understands what keeps the client awake at night. His technical qualities and hearing presence are outstanding and he is quick in grasping issues and creative in brokering a solution or fighting for his client’s interests. He has built a strong team which includes Jorian Hamster, Anne Josephus Jitta, and many others. They have sector knowledge and it’s a fun and energetic team.’

Key clients

Aciturri Composites S.A.

Argent Energy

ENEL

Infinera

Laureate

SABIC

Petronas

Shell

Tech Mahindra

Urban Green Technologies (Sun Africa)

Van den Heuvel Handel & Techniek B.V

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer

Jeroen Van Hezewijk and Jan Willem Van Der Staay are key contacts in Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer's Dutch arbitration practice. The team not only works on domestic and international arbitration disputes but also a regular feature of the practice is representation for clients in post-arbitration matters, including the setting aside, annulment, exequatur and enforcement of arbitral awards.

Practice head(s):

Jeroen van Hezewijk; Jan Willem Van Der Staay

Testimonials

‘Jeroen van Hezewijk is very knowledgeable, pragmatic and has a good understanding of the client’s business and market dynamics.’

‘The team is quickly up to speed in a very short response time and have above average knowledge of the issue’

‘Each member has its own role in the team, and had a lot of fun working with this team, which is also very important’

Key clients

ConocoPhillips

CW Travel

Manuel Garca Armas et al.

Fernando Fraiz Trapote

Güris Insaat ve Mühendislik AS

Talpa Holding

Work highlights

  • Representing ConocoPhillips in the enforcement of a USD 2 billion arbitration award in the Netherlands
  • Representing Talpa Holding in a multi-million Euro earn out dispute
  • Representing an international logistics company in a post-M&A dispute with a private equity firm

Loyens & Loeff

The experienced and versatile Tom Claassens leads Loyens & Loeff‘s Dutch international arbitration practice, representing sovereign states across the globe and in various corporate disputes. Claassens not only acts for clients in arbitration proceedings, including ICC, UNCITRAL, SIAC and NAI, but also deals with enforcement and setting aside proceedings once an arbitral award has been made. Senior associate Melle Boevink, a member of the litigation and risk management practice group, provide additional support in arbitration matters; his former experience in the corporate team, advising on M&A transactions, shareholders’ and joint venture agreements is routinely leveraged in corporate arbitration disputes.

Practice head(s):

Tom Claassens

Other key lawyers:

Melle Boevink

Testimonials

‘The arbitration team of LL is one of the few arbitration teams in the Netherlands which can handle all kinds of different international arbitrations and arbitration related litigations.’

‘Tom Claassens has a sharp legal mind and excellent hearing presence, combined with a great sense of humor and the ability to make the most nervous client feel relaxed and confident.’

Key clients

Former majority shareholders of Yukos Oil

Neptune Energy

Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna JSC

The State of Libya

Republic of Mongolia

Work highlights

  • Representing the former majority shareholders of Yukos Oil in the enforcement of the arbitral awards rendered against the Russian Federation for claims amounting to over USD 50 billion in relation to the unlawful expropriation of their investment in Yukos Oil.
  • Representing Samruk-Kazyna JS, the sovereign wealth fund of the Republic of Kazakhstan, against Anatolie Stati, Gabriel Stati, Ascom Group S.A. and Terra Raf Trans Trading Ltd., regarding the recognition and enforcement of a USD 500 million+ arbitral award against Kazakhstan.

Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV

Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV is frequently involved in high-value arbitrations in which the state of the Netherlands is a party as well as provinces and municipalities, including The Hague, Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The firm also represents blue-chip corporates in arbitration, such as large oil companies, banks and insurers. Head of the international team Willem Heemskerk specialises in liability and compensation cases, acting for a range of corporate clients. Martijn Scheltema focuses on setting aside proceedings, enforcements regarding arbitral awards, investment and human rights arbitrations. Mark Birnage, who leads the construction and procurement department, often works on arbitration disputes in this area. Expert in energy law and policy Iman Brinkman represents gas and electricity producers, suppliers, project developers and TSOs as well as central and decentralised governments in litigation and arbitration matters. Senior associate Raimond Dufour works on corporate and M&A disputes; associate Cees Verburg supports on oil and gas sector disputes.

Practice head(s):

Willem Heemskerk; Mark Birnage; Martijn Scheltema; Iman Brinkman

Other key lawyers:

Raimond Dufour; Cees Verburg

Testimonials

‘The strength of the team lies in the knowledge and experience in procedural law, second to none, and a level of practical knowledge and understanding of the needs and wishes of the requirements of the client doing business. Martijn Scheltema is not only admitted to the lower Courts of the Netherlands but also to the Supreme Court of the Netherlands. Mr Iman Brinkman is very experienced in matters of energy law. Together with Scheltema, they make an excellent team. Cees Verburgh is a young, up and coming associate, experienced in international arbitration matters.’

‘Scheltama is always available, swift in his thinking and gifted with an almost infallible memory. Brinkman has been practising for the last twenty years or so in the energy sector; there is little that he does not know. Verbuergh is very knowledgeable as well as experienced in international investment arbitration.’

‘The team has a growing arbitration practice with increasingly interesting cases, representing both the Dutch state as well as other clients in a variety of sectors. The team is diligent and very capable of handling complex matters, showing hands-on experience and strategic thinking.’

‘Willem Heemskerk serves as both counsel and arbitrator and has a high reputation in the Dutch arbitration community. He is strategic, cooperative, pragmatic and pleasant to work with as opposing counsel and arbitrator. This allows him to build very positive and strong relationships with clients and fellow practitioners alike and to always seem in control of matters, no matter how challenging.’

‘Willem Heemskerk is a great adversary. He speaks and writes very well.’

‘Pels Rijcken understands how we work and what political dynamics can play a role in delicate international arbitration cases.’

‘This practice is unique because it combines an excellent national and international commercial practice with an extensive practice relating to public institutions’

‘Good ability to understand the technical problem before providing legal advice.’

Key clients

State of the Netherlands

Province of North Holland

Province of South Holland

Province of Utrecht

Province of North Brabant

Province of Limburg

Province of Gelderland

Province of Zeeland.

Municipality of Amsterdam

Municipality of Rotterdam

Municipality of The Hague

Feadship Holland

Royal Van Lent

Royal De Vries Shipbuilding

ABN AMRO Bank

Nationale-Nederlanden

KPN

Rabobank

ProRail

Clifford Chance

Counsel Juliette Luycks heads Clifford Chance‘s Amsterdam-based arbitration practice. Luycks specialises in national and international arbitration under the NAI, ICC, CAM and UNCITRAL rules and in investment treaty arbitration, under the ICSID rules. The team's caseload includes post M&A disputes between two sets of financial investors, setting aside proceedings brought before the Dutch courts challenging final arbitral awards and representing three international oil companies in an ICC arbitration. Senior associate Tiemen Drenth plays a key role in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Juliette Luycks

Other key lawyers:

Tiemen Drenth

Testimonials

‘The Clifford Chance team that has worked with the Attorney General’s Office has been very efficient and their work is very ethical and professional.’

‘Attorney Juliette Luycks has been the Attorney General’s main contact in the cases entrusted to Clifford Chance. Ms. Luycks is very knowledgeable about arbitration and Dutch law and furthermore she understands the issues and concerns of sovereign states in these types of disputes.’

‘Mrs. Luycks is fluent in English and Spanish, which makes her communication with her clients much easier.’

Key clients

Republic of Ecuador

Shell

Conway & Partners

Dispute resolution boutique Conway & Partners focuses on a range of international arbitration disputes pertaining to the oil and gas, shipping and steel industries. The experienced Shawn Conway is a trusted counsel for multinational clients in international transactional disputes. Peter van der Velden is an expert in maritime, transport and trade disputes, and Thabiso Van Den Bosch specialises in construction and offshore mandates. Fraud, asset tracing and D&O liability expert Eggo Jan Rietema, who joined in January 2022, adds a new dimension to the practice. Counsel Céline Goedhart and attorney-at-law Stephanie Saidy are key members of the team.

Practice head(s):

Shawn Conway; Peter van der Velden; Thabiso van den Bosch; Eggo Jan Rietema

Other key lawyers:

Céline Goedhart; Stephanie Saidy

Testimonials

‘Quick responses, always available, quality advice’

‘Shawn Conway – top of the line dispute resolution specialist and strategic partner’

‘Based on my experience, the diverse team have shown great dominance of the laws and arbitration. Multi-lingual, highly qualified professionals with a great deal of human relation. I felt well-guided and supported during the entire arbitration process. The recommendations, opinions and actions taken were very appropriate and effective.’

Key clients

Cabot Corporation

Captech Limited

Hosokawa Micron

Multi Empaques Dominicana Srl

Nederlands Chinese Handelskamer B.V.

Vermaat Technics B.V.

Top Siloconstructions B.V.

Van Oord

De Jong Combustion

Work highlights

  • Representing a Dutch trading house on a shareholders’ dispute on the buy-back of shares and alleged infringements of the non-competition clauses on both sides in NAI arbitration.
  • Representing a blockchain tech company in several inter-related blockchain technology disputes against some of its investors
  • Representing a BVI Company in a dispute with a Russian shipping company to enforce a claim that was awarded in an LMAA arbitration award stemming from a charter dispute.

Legaltree

Partner-only boutique law firm, Legaltree, has a sector-focused arbitration practice. Wouter de Clerck deals with cross-border fraud disputes and contract breaches in the energy sector. New arrival Taco Wiersma joined from Wiersma Mensonides Advocaten and is a specialist in maritime law, providing the practice with a new dimension, acting for clients in a range of offshore disputes, such as disruption of salvage operations, yacht contract breaches, theft of cargo and bills of lading. Max van Leyenhorst focuses on third-party funding disputes, while Sander Oorthuys is involved in contentious contractual issues.

Practice head(s):

Wouter de Clerck; Taco Wiersma; Max van Leyenhorst; Sander Oorthuys

Testimonials

‘Wouter de Clerck is an experienced and results oriented lawyer. Throughout our collaboration, he has shown to be a sharp thinker, always available for communication and able to deliver solutions in an efficient and timely manner.’

‘The Legaltree team continues to provide top quality work against very reasonable rates and with an excellent service. The structure of the firm guarantees in-depth partner involvement and direct contact. They respond swiftly and ensure we feel our cases are a priority to them, not just to us.’

‘Involved in some the high stakes and high attractive work over the past years. Strong referral practice, which reflects the respect they have gained from peers.’

Key clients

ABN AMRO

Booking.com

Boskalis

DS Smith

Grolsch

Hapag Lloyd

Mammoet

Strukton

Spliethoff

Van Oord

Tie Kinetix N.V.

Litigation Funding Nederland

Eteck

Work highlights

  • Acting for the former CEO of an energy company in a USD 590m cross-border fraud dispute situated in Eastern-Europe and the Netherlands

Simmons & Simmons

Simmons & Simmons‘ Amsterdam-based arbitration team is led by Niek Peters, who represents clients in the energy, financial and manufacturing industries in arbitration proceedings and arbitration-related litigation concerning the enforcement and setting aside of arbitral awards. Associate Eveline Fetter is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

Niek Peters

Other key lawyers:

Eveline Fetter

Testimonials

‘The level of expertise and quality is very high.’

‘We appreciate Niek Peters’ tactics in our case, which helped winning more than once.’

‘The team works well together and is very customer oriented.’

Key clients

Cairn Energy PLC

Cairn UK Holdings Ltd

Ferrero Canada Ltd

Credendo

Senior Service

Work highlights

  • Represented Cairn Energy PLC and Cairn UK Holdings Limited in setting aside proceedings commenced by India.
  • Represented Ferrero Canada Ltd in arbitration proceedings under the rules of the ICC in relation to a terminated turnkey contract for the delivery, installation and commissioning of machinery for the production of cacao beans.
  • Represented Senior Service B.V. in court proceedings against PFZW to set aside a decision of its adjudicatory body.

Ysquare

Ysquare represents clients from a range of industries, including oil and gas, renewable energies and chemical products in arbitration disputes. Bregje Korthals Altes acts for clients from such sectors, bringing a high-level of technical expertise. Rufus Abeln is the key contact for listed companies seeking legal representation in post M&A and joint venture disputes.

Practice head(s):

Bregje Korthals Altes

Other key lawyers:

Rufus Abeln

Testimonials

‘The company comes across as very professional. It is a pleasure to work with both the partner and associate directly involved.’

‘Rufus Abeln – are high quality professional. In particular his accessibility and response time in case of questions is great and highly appreciated.’

‘Ysquare is a unique law firm that combines professionalism and high quality of work with accessibility and a very down to earth attitude’

Key clients

Waterland Private Equity

ExxonMobil

Oracle

Steinhoff Recovery Foundation

FORsettlement

Work highlights

  • Representing multiple private equity firms in M&A- and JV-disputes, including private equity group Waterland in a EUR 2bn claim brought in international arbitration proceedings.
  • Advising and representing a Dutch multinational in an international ICC arbitration about a dispute relating to asset rental services.
  • Representing multiple (Dutch and foreign) publicly listed companies in international arbitration proceedings.