Dispute Resolution
Global Guide 2024 : Netherlands
Band 1
Contact number
+31 20 605 6000About
Provided by Houthoff
Our 'Litigation Team is consistently involved in the country’s largest, most high profile and complex disputes. Dispute resolution has always been one of our core practice areas, which is reflected in the team's high-end caseload. Houthoff has one of the largest dispute resolution teams in the market, with 85 lawyers, including 13 partners.
We stand out because of our full-service offering in the dispute resolution field. Our specialists are as adept at litigating in the Supreme Court as in the District Court. We also have an experienced arbitration team. Our firm covers the full range of case types across all sectors. It has market-leading expertise in disputes in key areas such as securities mass claim litigation, cartel cases and other mass claims, insolvency and restructuring, finance, insurance and the semi-public sector. In recent years, we have cemented our position as the market leader in mass claim defence litigation.
Chambers Review
Houthoff is one of the leading firms in the Netherlands for defending clients in class actions and damages claims. The law firm also handles a number of high-value commercial disputes, including post-M&A and joint venture litigation, as well as shareholder disputes. The team boasts a number of lawyers with notable experience handling contentious matters before the Supreme Court. Houthoff further assists clients with enforcement proceedings, real estate disputes, financial litigation and liability issues in bankruptcy cases. Additionally, the firm handles a number of cross-border arbitrations involving expropriation and arbitral award issues. The lawyers often act on cases under NAI, ICC and ICSID rules.
Work Highlights
- Houthoff represented Petrobras Brasileiro in securities class action proceedings, brought by Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Houthoff team is very knowledgeable, especially in complex matters and unexplored territory in which it showcases the ability to guide the client through the complexity in a smooth and efficient way."
"The lawyers are extremely responsive and on top of things."
"Houthoff's dispute resolution team provides services in all relevant fields, with a sizeable arbitration team, top-notch supreme court litigators and corporate law litigators. The team is absolutely top-tier in the Netherlands."
"Houthoff's work is excellent and quality is quite high."
"The Houthoff team is very knowledgeable, especially in complex matters and unexplored territory in which it showcases the ability to guide the client through the complexity in a smooth and efficient way."
"The lawyers are extremely responsive and on top of things."
"Houthoff's dispute resolution team provides services in all relevant fields, with a sizeable arbitration team, top-notch supreme court litigators and corporate law litigators. The team is absolutely top-tier in the Netherlands."
"Houthoff's work is excellent and quality is quite high."
Notable Practitioners
Albert Knigge has market-leading expertise in defending clients in class actions and follow-on damages claims.
"We were impressed with lawyer Albert Knigge due to his promptness in responding to our inquiries as well as his technical knowledge and quality of customer service."
"He is highly experienced and seen by clients as a trusted adviser."
Dirk Knottenbelt has a broad practice advising on construction arbitration, contractual disputes, investment arbitration, shareholder disputes and the enforcement of arbitral awards. He has notable experience handling arbitration under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules.
"Dirk Knottenbelt is a very good, decisive and strong leader of the team."
Jan Willem de Groot has experience representing clients in a number of high-profile joint venture disputes and post-M&A litigation. He also assists with shareholder disputes and enforcement proceedings.
"Jan Willem has the ability to make complex matters manageable. He is quick and resourceful and well connected in the field."
"He is a really active and enthusiastic lawyer."
Thomas Stouten has extensive experience in handling contractual and shareholder disputes under ICC, SIAC and UNCITRAL rules. Additionally, he represents clients in the enforcement or annulment of ICSID and NAI awards.
"He is razor-sharp in hearings and pleadings, gives in-depth but practical advice and remains very ambitious."
"Thomas definitely is one of the stellar lawyers in the Dutch arbitration world. His track record is impressive and so are his advocacy skills."
Ranked Lawyers at
Houthoff
Netherlands