Albert Knigge

Advocaat | Partner

Languages

Dutch
English

Follow me

Heading Houthoff's Litigation Team, Albert has market-leading experience in a wide range of complex, multiparty cross-border disputes. He acts as defence counsel for corporate and financial institutions with a particular focus on class action litigation, mass claim settlements and follow-on civil litigation. He is admitted to the bar as Supreme Court lawyer. 

He has numerous publications to his name, particularly on civil procedure and liability law. He is an editor for the publication Burgerlijke Rechtsvordering (Civil Procedure). In addition, Albert is a board member of the Dutch Association for Procedural Law, and a member of the Dutch Association of Civil Cassation Lawyers, the Dutch Commercial Law Association, the Dutch Corporate Litigation Association, the Royal Netherlands Society of International Law and the Dutch Association for Civil Law. Albert served on Houthoff's Executive Committee from 1 April 2017 until 1 Janary 2022. He has been awarded the Hall of Fame title by Legal 500 for consistently demonstrating an outstanding degree of expertise in Commercial Litigation. Legal 500 has also recognised Albert as Leading Individual in the field of Class Actions. Albert is listed in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners for his efforts in Dispute Resolution. 

  • Band 1
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2024 Edition)
  • “A client says that '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'.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2024 Edition)
  • Ranked in the Hall of Fame
     
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2024 Edition)
  • "A client states that: ‘Albert Knigge is one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with: extremely knowledgeable, always available and client focus. He will not overpromise and is a very strong communicator. Rick Cornelissen is very pleasant to work with, and always willing to find a client focused solution’."
     
    Legal 500, Class Actions (2024 Edition)
  • Ranked in Tier 1
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
  • "A client says: 'I simply trust him and like to work with him'."
    Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2023 Edition)
  • Ranked in the Hall of Fame
     
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2023 Edition)
  • "One client says: ‘Albert Knigge is that rare mix of being an excellent black letter lawyer but also very commercial. He is very user-friendly and a pleasure to work with'."
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2023 Edition)
  • "A client said: 'Albert Knigge is a master tactician with a deep understanding and knowledge of law who ensures all points are covered'."
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2023 Edition)
  • Albert Knigge is ranked in Tier 1
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
  • “I am very happy to rely on Albert Knigge's advice and feel that I am in safe hands.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
  • “One interviewee enthusing that he is ‘good at coming up with solutions and good at listening’.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
  • Leading individual
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2022 Edition)
  • “Albert Knigge is valuable for his practical approach to complex legal issues.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2022 Edition)
  • “He is very commercial and cuts quickly to the heart of relevant issues.”
    Chambers Global, Dispute Resolution (2021 Edition)
  • Leading Individual
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: commercial litigation (2021 Edition)
  • “Clients praise Albert Knigge’s ‘very calming presence’ in litigation, adding that he ‘does a really good job negotiating with other parties.’”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution (2020 Edition)
  • “The team led by Albert Knigge is very experienced in a wide range of disputes and provides commercial and user-friendly advice.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2020 Edition)
  • Leading Individual
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation (2020 Edition)

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE 
  • 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)
  • Representing a major truck manufacturer in its defence strategy against multiple cartel damages mass claims.

  • 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).
  • Representing Kemira in private enforcement proceedings initiated by the mass claim vehicle Cartel Damages Claims (CDC) as a follow-on to the sodium chlorate cartel.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Representing and providing litigation support to a housing corporation concerning a €2 billion settlement with a consortium of banks with respect to its derivative portfolio and subsequent litigation against banks, its former board and supervisory board and its former auditors. The team led by Albert Knigge also conducts sensitive and complex investigations into the liability of a number of foreign banks, all regarding the unwinding of the derivatives portfolio.

Publications

View more View less