Litigation

Disputes are the order of the day, especially in the competitive international market where most of Houthoff’s clients operate. A dispute can bring a company’s operations to a standstill. That is why our 80 experienced Litigation Team lawyers are always focused on bringing disputes to a satisfactory conclusion and preventing surprises. Our lawyers never lose sight of our clients' strategic interests.

Where settlement is an option, our litigators negotiate the best settlement conditions. Where litigation is unavoidable, our specialists commit themselves to the process with energy and enthusiasm - in national and international mediation procedures and arbitrations, and proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber, the Dutch Supreme Court and the European Court of Justice.

Band 1
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2024 Edition)
“A client stated that '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'.”
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2024 Edition)
“One client mentioned that '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'.”
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2024 Edition)
"A client says: ‘Houthoff has one of the leading international disputes practices in the Netherlands. A very broad bench of advocates, skilled in both litigation and arbitration matters. Of particular note is their experience in set-aside cases’."
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2024 Edition)
First Tier firm
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
"A client says: 'The personal connection between the people in both our companies inspires the feeling that Houthoff is there for us and fighting on our behalf'."
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
"A client stated: 'Hand on my heart, it is my go-to team for anything in Europe and specifically in the Netherlands'."
Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
"A client mentions: 'The lawyers are truly on the ball, and able to provide top-quality work even when deadlines are tight.'"

Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
"A client mentions that Houthoff has 'a very strategic view and gives us support beyond pure legal advice. The firm always has the commercial side of the matter in mind as well. Houthoff is not concerned with merely winning in court, but with making the right decisions for us in the long term'."

Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2023 Edition)
"One client highlights: 'The Houthoff team is our go to team for Supreme Court cases.’"

Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2023 Edition)
"One client says: 'Houthoff appears to be able to attract the brightest minds to their arbitration team. Their strategic advice is top-notch. They are worth the high rate that they charge, value for money'."

Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2023 Edition)
“A client specifies that ‘the quality is good, the lawyers are responsive and they understand both the legal issue and the business’.”
Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
“Houthoff's services are at a very high level.”
Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
“A client describes the team as ‘highly responsive, committed and with great insight and knowledge’.”
Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
“The team is comprised of exceptionally quick and commercially minded lawyers who devise clever strategies and explain complex cases to clients in a user-friendly way.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2022 Edition)
“Excellent cross-practices approach to litigation.’”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2022 Edition)
“Houthoff is our first choice for advice regarding appeal/cassation before the Supreme Court.’”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2022 Edition)
“They are prepared to explain how the law applies, and how the process is in the Netherlands and Europe, helping counsel from other jurisdictions to understand their views and adapt.”
Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2021 Edition)
“A client recognises the practice for its scope, saying that ‘the performance is always excellent, both in terms of legal advice as well as understanding of any risk.’”
Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2021 Edition)
“Smart lawyers who understand what is relevant to the client.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial litigation (2021 Edition)

Our litigators represent national and international companies, government bodies and independent professionals. Houthoff has gained a unique position when it comes to complex disputes involving a multitude of parties and jurisdictions. Our Litigation Team doesn't shy away from questions that lead parties and the court into uncharted territories.

Our litigation specialists work in concert with our experts in sectors such as financing, M&A, environmental law and insurance, and employ a strategic and result-orientated approach to disputes. They are known for their success and it’s not without reason that for many years they have ranked highly in legal guides such as the Legal 500 and Chambers Global. We can scale up our litigation teams to any desired size and conduct multiple complex national and international proceedings at the same time without compromising on quality.

Highlighted Matters
Representing a major truck manufacturer in its defence strategy against multiple cartel damages mass claims.
Highlighted Matters
Represented a former CFO of a Belgian bank/insurance company in his defence against several prospectus claims, including a mass claim brought by the Dutch Shareholders Association (VEB).
Highlighted Matters
Advised and acted for Huntsman, successfully defending against claims brought by Ducor Petrochemicals in (appeal) proceedings before the Trade and Industry Appeals Tribunal (College van Beroep voor het bedrijfsleven) regarding regulatory issues relating to Huntsman's closed distribution system for electricity.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Ola Cabs in data access request proceedings before the Amsterdam District Court. This was the first judgment by an EU court on data portability.
Highlighted Matters
Represented RDW (Dutch Vehicle Licence Authority) before the Dutch DPA and administrative courts in defence of complaints raised by a group of data subjects.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Marktplaats, a classified advertising site based in the Netherlands, on preliminary relief proceedings brought by a professional advertiser who was blocked from the platform.
Highlighted Matters
Representing Kroonenberg, one of the largest real estate investors in the Netherlands, in a high-profile dispute against the bankruptcy trustees of Memid and Midreth, a large construction company in the Netherlands.
Highlighted Matters
Representing members of the supervisory board of Imtech N.V. in various proceedings.
Highlighted Matters
Assisted Elliott in inquiry proceedings at the Enterprise Chamber against the paints and chemical group AkzoNobel. Elliott was one of AkzoNobel’s largest shareholders, with an interest in AkzoNobel of more than 5%.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff is the lead counsel to the private owner of the vast Dutch polder Duchess Hedwige (adjacent to the Belgian border in the southern part of the Province of Zeeland). Houthoff advises the owner and litigates against the Dutch Government regarding the planned project of the Dutch Government to submerge the privately-owned polder (more than 300 hectares of cultivated land) and turn it into estuarine nature.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Swiss/Spanish Teka Group in inquiry proceedings before the Enterprise Chamber in Amsterdam. Teka is in dispute with a cluster of minority shareholders. In the action before the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal, they alleged that Teka has been mismanaged on a number of issues. The court of appeal denied all claims against Teka.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Danube Logistics in a significant litigation matter in the Netherlands against several Dutch and Moldovan parties regarding Danube's acquisition of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port in Moldova, including its oil and cargo/container terminals. In this massive international litigation, on behalf of the Danube Logistics group of companies, Houthoff successfully lodged a claim in 2015 before the Amsterdam Court. Opposite parties launched an appeal.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Vi Holding, the largest shareholder of aluminum multinational Vimetco N.V. on several proceedings in the Netherlands and the UK relating to a transaction with regard to a significant minority stake in Vimetco. Disputes arose with respect to certain obligations under this transaction, and also a third party initiated proceedings in both the UK and the Netherlands following it.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Aurelius, through its investment vehicle Capricorn, in lodging several claims in the Netherlands, relating to, among others, (a) the voidance of several intercompany transactions of the Oi Group which have been to the detriment of the group's creditors and (b) to prevent the ailing Brazilian parent company from borrowing any more money from one its Dutch subsidiaries.
Highlighted Matters
V&D was a landmark brand of high street located department stores (63 stores) in the Netherlands and was founded in 1887. Houthoff advised the company in a wide array of matters, including the restructuring of its debt, and representing the company in several high profile litigation matters related to real estate and labour law.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Ballast Nedam on an appeal case against Max Bögl, a former joint venture partner. Ballast Nedam wins court of appeal case against Max Bögl. The Supreme Court has rejected an appeal in cassation, lodged by Max Bögl. For Ballast Nedam this ruling means an elimination of a risk of over 9 million euros, without further financial impact. Ballast Nedam brought action in 2003 against Max Bögl for breach of contract in the tendering stage of three underground stations on the North-South Line.
Highlighted Matters
Represented Goodyear Dunlop in litigation resulting from a series of incidents.
Highlighted Matters
Represented a South Korean listed electronics manufacturer in its defence against several cartel damages claims submitted by major CRT purchasers regarding the manufacture of television screens and computer monitors.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff is representing Singapore Airlines Singapore Cargo in various Dutch private enforcement proceedings before the Amsterdam courts. These proceedings were initiated by claim vehicles Equilib, EWD and Stichting Cartel Compensation (SCC) following the EC's decisions in the air cargo case. The first action was initiated in 2010 and all the cases are ongoing.
Highlighted Matters
Assisting Petróleo Brasileiro - Petrobras and its subsidiaries, as well as former directors, in respect of a Dutch class action threatened by the Dutch foundation named Stichting Petrobras Compensation Foundation representing non-US investors in securities issued by Petróleo Brasileiro - Petrobras and Petrobras Global Finance B.V.