Albert Knigge

Attorney-at-law | Partner
Albert Knigge

Albert is head of Houthoff’s mass disputes and class action practice and a member of Houthoff’s Supreme Court Litigation team. He acts as defence counsel in class action litigation, mass claim settlements and follow-on civil litigation. He has over 25 years’ experience in handling complex, multiparty cross-border disputes for corporates, financial institutions and sovereign entities.

Furthermore, he served on Houthoff’s Executive Committee from April 1, 2017, to January 1, 2022. Prior to that, he was a member of Houthoff’s Board of Directors from January 1, 2015, to April 2017, and led Houthoff’s Litigation Team from 2010 to January 1, 2015.

  • Advising a multinational chemical company in its defence strategy against pending and immanent toxic tort claims
  • Represented Trafigura in two class action litigations by Dutch mass claim vehicles concerning the Probo Koala in connection with the alleged exposure to the alleged disposal of chemical waste in the Ivory Coast.
  • Representing several OEM's in class actions brought in the Diesel-matter.
  • Ph.D. from the University of Groningen, thesis entitled ‘De effectieve toegang tot het civiele geding’ (‘Effective access to civil proceedings’)
  • Dutch Law and Notarial Law (University of Groningen)
  • Admitted to the Bar in the Netherlands in 1997

Expertise

Litigation
Business disputes can have a major impact on your organisation's reputation, continuity and financial position. Conflicts are becoming increasingly common due to growing regulation and social pressure. Shareholder disputes, contractual conflicts, directors' liability and collective actions invariably call for a well thought-out strategy and a thorough understanding of the sector.
Class Actions
Companies, financial institutions and governmental bodies increasingly find themselves confronted with mass claims in the Netherlands, often initiated by well-funded claim vehicles. Over the past decade, the Dutch jurisdiction has emerged as a popular hub for such claims.
Supreme Court Litigation
Some cases are so complex or fundamental that they have to be taken to the Supreme Court. Supreme Court proceedings are conducted by specialist lawyers, known in the Netherlands as ‘cassation lawyers’.
Competition Litigation / Private Enforcement
Damages claims resulting from violations of EU and national competition law play an increasingly prominent role in the context of company liability.
EU Litigation
Companies operating in the EU can be confronted with complex issues of EU law such as free movement rules, EU anti-fraud law, State aid, product regulations, sanctions and trade regulations. Overcoming these issues can involve complex interactions with EU institutions and the EU Courts.
Competition
We advise and assist national and international companies, institutions and governments in procedures before the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, the European Commission, foreign competition authorities, and the relevant (specialised) courts.
ESG & Sustainability
Behind the daily headlines on sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues hide complex challenges such as permitting, subsidies, funding and reporting obligations. These matters affect the expectations and demands of all corporate stakeholders.

Ranked in Band 1

Chambers Global & Europe

Litigation (2025 Edition)

"Albert Knigge is incredibly intellectual and very robust in theoretical thinking, being able to put it into practice and explain it in layman's terms."

Chambers Global & Europe

Litigation (2025 Edition)

Ranked in the Hall of Fame

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2025 Edition)

Leading Partner

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Class Actions (2025 Edition)

"Albert Knigge is one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with. He is extremely knowledgeable, always available and client focused, while at the same time no nonsense - he will not overpromise and is a very strong communicator.'

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Class Actions (2025 Edition)

"Albert Knigge truly is a trusted advisor. We work with several law firms and lawyers, but to us Albert stands out in quality and expertise."

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Class Actions (2025 Edition)
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Publications

5 September 2025
5 September 2025
Kansen in cassatie. Houthoff.
19 August 2025
19 August 2025
Chapter ‘Hoger beroep en cassatie in WAMCA-procedures’. Handbook on Mass damage.
28 December 2024
28 December 2024
Consultation response Bill on international corporate responsibility. Houthoff. (Dutch)
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