Dirk Knottenbelt

Attorney-at-law | Partner
Dirk Knottenbelt

Expertises

Arbitration Litigation Insurance & Reinsurance Energy & Industry Financial Services Technology Agrifood Manufacturing Transport & Logistics

Contact

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Dirk leads Houthoff’s Arbitration Team. He has more than 30 years of experience as counsel in major disputes in international arbitration and litigation. Apart from his work as arbitration and litigation counsel, he is frequently consulted in strategic matters and to assist in avoiding litigation or arbitration. His clients include a diverse array of Dutch and international corporations, as well as States and government agencies. Dirk is an IMI qualified mediator, acts as arbitrator and sits as deputy judge in the Court of Appeal.

  • LL.M. Civil Law (Leiden University)
  • University of Edinburgh
  • Admitted to the Bar in the Netherlands in 1991

Expertises

Arbitration
Arbitration offers a bespoke way to resolve conflict, particularly when it comes to cross-border disputes. Parties are increasingly choosing arbitration, as it gives them the freedom to appoint specialised arbitrators and determine the place of arbitration and procedural rules themselves.
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.
Insurance & Reinsurance
The insurance sector has been facing a series of major challenges for a number of years. Economies of scale are more vital than ever, so mergers and acquisitions are the order of the day. This is combined with intensifying regulation and pressure on premiums. The corporate market is having to manage increasingly complex products and rising claim costs.
Energy & Industry
Investments in wind and solar energy, biorefining and large-scale energy storage are all here to stay. CO2 emissions have to be reduced, which means that production processes need to be more efficient. This requires significant investment on the part of the industry.
Financial Services
The financial sector is subject to increasing regulation, both within and outside Europe. It has become more complex and challenging for financial institutions to continuously anticipate and comply with constantly changing regulations.
Technology
Whether it's about the largest and fastest-growing companies having technology at the core of their business model, financial institutions developing new ways to commercialise their services or industrials relying heavily on technology for their products – technology is top of mind.
Agrifood
The innovative agrifood sector presents excellent opportunities for national and international investors. Increasing numbers of non-European parties are getting involved in the Dutch agrifood sector.
Manufacturing
Houthoff’s Manufacturing Team advises manufacturers, chemical companies and industrials on M&A, environmental due diligence, cartel claims, outsourcing and international production opportunities in emerging economies.
Transport & Logistics
The growing consumer market, the arrival of large European distribution centres and rising demand in the construction sector are all contributing to a greater demand for physical goods flows, and with it a growing need for transport.
Arbitration
Arbitration offers a bespoke way to resolve conflict, particularly when it comes to cross-border disputes. Parties are increasingly choosing arbitration, as it gives them the freedom to appoint specialised arbitrators and determine the place of arbitration and procedural rules themselves.
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.
Insurance & Reinsurance
The insurance sector has been facing a series of major challenges for a number of years. Economies of scale are more vital than ever, so mergers and acquisitions are the order of the day. This is combined with intensifying regulation and pressure on premiums. The corporate market is having to manage increasingly complex products and rising claim costs.
Energy & Industry
Investments in wind and solar energy, biorefining and large-scale energy storage are all here to stay. CO2 emissions have to be reduced, which means that production processes need to be more efficient. This requires significant investment on the part of the industry.
Financial Services
The financial sector is subject to increasing regulation, both within and outside Europe. It has become more complex and challenging for financial institutions to continuously anticipate and comply with constantly changing regulations.
Technology
Whether it's about the largest and fastest-growing companies having technology at the core of their business model, financial institutions developing new ways to commercialise their services or industrials relying heavily on technology for their products – technology is top of mind.
Agrifood
The innovative agrifood sector presents excellent opportunities for national and international investors. Increasing numbers of non-European parties are getting involved in the Dutch agrifood sector.
Manufacturing
Houthoff’s Manufacturing Team advises manufacturers, chemical companies and industrials on M&A, environmental due diligence, cartel claims, outsourcing and international production opportunities in emerging economies.
Transport & Logistics
The growing consumer market, the arrival of large European distribution centres and rising demand in the construction sector are all contributing to a greater demand for physical goods flows, and with it a growing need for transport.

Ranked in Band 1

Chambers Global & Europe

Arbitration (2025 Edition)

"Dirk Knottenbelt's ability to digest the most complex issues is impressive. He is very well respected and arbitrators accept what he says."

Chambers Global & Europe

Arbitration (2025 Edition)

Ranked in the Hall of Fame

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2025 Edition)

"Dirk Knottenbelt is one of the senior statesmen in arbitration. He immediately sees the strengths and weaknesses in a case and is extremely convincing."

Legal 500

Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2025 Edition)
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Publications

1 April 2021
1 April 2021
Bewijs van corruptie in arbitrage en de toetsing door de vernietigingsrechter. Accompli, Liber Amircorum.

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