Ploum

Construction, Real Estate, Litigation

Attorney at law, partner

Jacob Henriquez (LLM, FCIArb) heads the (International) Construction Law practice at Ploum. He specializes in Construction law and Dispute Resolution. He is an experienced lawyer that handles complex matters in the Construction & Engineering, Infrastructure, and Offshore sectors, offering robust and knowledgeable representation across a broad range of topics.

In his role as partner at Ploum Law Firm, he advises on contentious and non-contentious construction and infrastructure projects across a variety of industries, including transport, energy and petrochemical. He also negotiates and drafts construction agreements for (international) clients, amongst others FIDIC, EPC(M) and O&M contracts for renewable energy projects such as onshore and offshore windfarms, solar projects as well as battery energy storage systems (BESS).

He has (co-)written several books on Construction law and publishes regularly in Dutch Construction Law journals. He is also one of the global editors of Construction Law International (since 2017).

He is a visiting professor at the University of East Anglia (United Kingdom) where he teaches International Construction Law and Dispute Resolution since 2021. He is also a guest lecturer on Contracting Engineering Projects at TIAS School for Business and Society (NL) since 2023 as well as a guest lecturer at Aarhus University (International Construction Law summer school) where he teaches a course on the role of the Engineer and Variations (FIDIC).

International dispute resolution

Jacob is an experienced and convincing dispute resolution professional, representing his clients before state courts as well as in complex (international) construction arbitration with experience handling complex cases at the Arbitration Board for the Construction Industry (RvA), the ICC and at the LCIA.

In his role as a deputy judge and arbitrator, he adjudicates disputes referred to him as an independent and impartial third party. He holds a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) in London and is a FIDIC Certified Adjudicator (FIDIC-CA-1694). He is on the FIDIC President’s List of Approved Dispute Adjudicators.

Given his expertise in international construction projects and (international) dispute resolution, he accepts mandates as an Arbitrator, Adjudicator and as Dispute Board (DAAB) member.

FIDIC and NEC4 expertise

Of particular note is Jacob’s in-depth knowledge of the FIDIC standard forms of contract in which matters he has successfully represented and advised his clients. His publications on a number of FIDIC related topics in renowned construction law journals further underlines his FIDIC expertise.

He has also handled (as lead counsel) or has been involved in multiple FIDIC cases brought before the Dutch courts. He successfully completed the FIDIC Summer School at King’s College London in 2022. Over the years, he has also advised a number of Dutch clients on NEC4 projects in the UK.

Recent representative work

Representing a Dutch contractor in a dispute with its Employer, the largest construction company in Turkey, regarding the Shotton Paper Mill project - one of the largest and most technologically advanced paper mills in Europe in at Shotton Mill, in Deeside (between Wales and England). The project is based on NEC4 conditions of contract, ESC option A and is part of a £1bn development. Advising an energy company using innovative technologies to transform organic waste into biofuel, which can be used to generate electricity, heat, and even fuel for vehicles in a dispute with a Dutch EPC contractor regarding the execution of a Biofuel plant on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Representing a Dutch consultancy and engineering firm – in negotiating and concluding design & build as well as other turnkey-agreements with its client as well as Subcontractors regarding an EV-charging plaza in the Netherlands. This project was a reference project that would serve as an example for other projects in Belgium and Germany. Representing a global engineering company headquartered in Philadelphia, USA, with various engineering and construction agreements for an NH3 (Ammonia) Terminal Storage Facility at in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Advising White & Case LLP (Paris office) in relation to a subcontract to be entered into between their client, a company incorporated in the UK, and a Dutch company, regarding a data centre in the Netherlands. Advising a Renewable Energy company in a (project delivery) dispute against a German manufacturer of wind turbines. Advising the largest plant-based consumer product company in the world regarding a construction and engineering agreement for a project in the Netherlands. Advising Gate terminal on its EUR 350 million investment in a new 180.000m3 LNG tank and all related (FIDIC) construction agreements. Advising a Dutch Contractor in a dispute with OPCW regarding its new headquarters in the Netherlands (FIDIC Red Book 1999). Chairman of an Expert Review Board (together with two other international experts) in a FIDIC Yellow Book 1999 dispute between an Employer and an International Contractor regarding a EUR 85 million claim in an offshore project near the Dutch coast. Representing a large Dutch Contractor in an LCIA arbitration related to a large scale infrastructure project in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Advising a Dutch contractor on a Design Build Operate agreement in the Saudi Arabia (NEOM city).

Visiting lecturer on International Construction Law and Dispute Resolution (University of East Anglia, United Kingdom) Association for Dutch Construction Lawyers (VBR-A) IBA International Construction Projects committee Editorial board of ‘Construction Law International’ (CLInt) Netherlands Arbitration Institute General Council of the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom)

Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration (CIArb London – 2022). FIDIC Summer School (King’s College London – 2022). Procurement law for lawyers (Free University of Amsterdam – 2019). Grotius Academy postgraduate degree in Real Estate law (2014). Master’s degree in International Commercial Law (University of Glasgow, with distinction – 2008). Master’s degree in Dutch Law (Tilburg University, with distinction – 2007). Bachelor’s degree in Dutch Law (Tilburg University – 2006).