Pels Rijcken advises and represents government entities in some of the most high-profile matters at the intersection of planning, environmental, and administrative law. The team is led by Daniëlle Roelands-Fransen, who possesses in-depth knowledge of planning law, with a focus on urban infill, zoning plans, development, and redevelopment. Roelof Reinders remains a first port of call for conservation law, having litigated landmark cases arising from the Netherlands’ nitrogen deposition crisis, and elsewhere advises on major infrastructure projects. In early 2025, the team saw the arrival of Rosanne Bassie, who specialises in spatial planning and environmental law, and Midas Klijsen, who represents government bodies in proceedings concerning land use and related regulatory matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Pels Rijcken is very professional and reliable. It has extensive knowledge of environmental law and nature conservation law.’
- ‘Roelof Reinders is an excellent lawyer. He and his team work quickly and thoroughly.’
- ‘They have in-depth knowledge of environmental and spatial law, and are unmatched in their determination and willingness to provide excellent legal advice.'
- 'Daniëlle Roelands-Fransen, Jelmer Procee, and Roelof Reinders have extensive expertise in their specific field of knowledge. They are able to provide detailed and extensive legal advice and counsel.'
- ‘Pels Rijcken works extensively for government agencies, which enables it to provide better advice. In addition, they know all aspects of the law that are relevant to us.’
- ‘The lawyers at Pels Rijcken always think along with you, are willing to go the extra mile, and ask critical questions.’
Key clients
- The Dutch State: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Change, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations
- Municipality of Amsterdam
- Municipality of Rotterdam
- Municipality of Leiden
- Municipality of Tilburg
- Municipality of Zaanstad
- Municipality of Haarlem
- Municipality of Zoetermeer
- Province of Noord-Brabant
- Province of Gelderland
- Province of Noord-Holland
- Province of Zuid-Holland
Work highlights
Advised Municipality of Zuidplas on the zoning plan with an extended scope for transforming an agricultural area into a new village with 8,000 homes and represented the municipality in the proceedings before the Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State.
Representing the State in the procedure on the limitation of the number of aircraft movements at Schiphol International Airport.
Advising the Minister of Infrastructure and the Environment on the new ViA15 motorway, including a trial procedure regarding the method of calculating nitrogen deposition, which is important for all spatial developments in the Netherlands.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Daniëlle Roelands-Fransen
Other key lawyers
Jelmer Procee; Roelof Reinders; Katrien Winterink; Midas Klijsen; Rosanne Bassie