Houthoff‘s litigation practice is well-versed in handling complex collective damages, securities class actions and competition-related claims. The practice represents and defends a range of domestic and international corporates. Practice head Albert Knigge leads on multiparty cross-border disputes and excels in Dutch civil procedures. Rick Cornelissen is a key team member and handles a mix of civil and competition mass claims. Paul Sluijter is a go-to for international mass claims, the recovery of assets and the recognition of foreign judgements and attachment. Lucas Dröge handles sensitive class actions involving issues such as health and safety, product liability and contamination.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Houthoff has an extremely strong class action practice where they have the strength and depth to handle the most complex and challenging cases.’
- ‘Phebe Franssen is extremely capable, knowledgeable, hard-working and builds amazing relationships with clients. She is a real star of the future. Albert Knigge is one of the leading class action lawyers in the Netherlands.’
- ‘The practice is very experienced. The quality of work and service level is very high.’
- ‘Albert Knigge is well known for his knowledge of and experience in class actions. We are very happy to work with him’
- ‘Highly collaborative approach, clear expertise in processes and legal issues relevant for class actions in Netherlands.’
- ‘Clear experts in their fields, calm, focused approach even under stress, balancing pragmatism and innovation, highly collaborative.’
Key clients
- Petrobras
- Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks
- Stellantis
- Audi AG
- Nationale-Nederlanden Levensverzekering Maatschappij N.V.
- Trafigura
- Singapore Airlines Limited,|Singapore Airlines Cargo
- CBRE Investment Management
- Royal FloraHolland
- Cargolux Airlines International
- Ennatuurlijk
- The Dutch State (Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport)
Work highlights
Represented Nationale-Nederlanden in the ongoing class actions by Dutch policyholders connected to the alleged misselling of unit-linked insurance products.
Represented CBRE Investment Management and other lessors in the interim relief proceedings initiated by 540 tenants of residential units over changes to the regulations for standard rent adjustment clauses for residential space.
Represented Petrobras in a securities class action submitted by the mass claims vehicle Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Albert Knigge
Other key lawyers
Rick Cornelissen; Paul Sluijter; Lucas Dröge; Diederik van der Kooij; Phebe Franssen; Lumine van Uden; Karmijn Krooshof; Davide Ballestrero