International arbitration

Our (international) arbitration practice stands out. Many of our lawyers have worked for years in the renowned international arbitration practice group of De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek. We have expertise and experience both in commercial and investor-State arbitrations both in and outside the Netherlands in various industries and sectors, including construction, financial services, post M&A, energy and project development. We have experience in arbitrations conducted under the auspices of the ICSID, ICC, NAI, PCA and UNCITRAL Rules, in English, Dutch, German and French.

Considering our extensive arbitration experience and in-depth knowledge of Dutch arbitration law, we are often engaged by leading international law firms and top tier foreign law firms that seek the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards in the Netherlands or are confronted with setting aside proceedings in arbitrations seated in the Netherlands. We occasionally collaborate with Dutch law firms that lack arbitration expertise and experience.

Stefan Derksen, Jochem Vlek and Lútsen de Vries have all contributed to the leading handbook in the Netherlands on Dutch arbitration law. Irène Léger is an arbitration specialist who has practiced international arbitration in Paris and Amsterdam. Stefan Derksen and Irène Léger also regularly sit as arbitrators.

Recent cases

• We have extensive experience in (international) construction arbitration. Currently the firm is representing the owner of a waste-to-energy plant in high-stakes arbitration proceedings with a dispute value exceeding EUR 60 million
• We are co-counsel in Curacao seated arbitration proceedings representing a US-headquartered industrial conglomerate in a dispute against a Venezuelan high net worth individual who guaranteed certain loans
• We are currently defending a client in arbitration proceedings commenced by a project developer claiming more than EUR 120 million in damages for various alleged breaches of a settlement agreement. The arbitration is still ongoing but in view of a series of interim awards it is clear that less than 1% of the claim amount will be awarded 
• We are currently representing in arbitration a group of international investors who seek damages from the company of which they used to be minority shareholders  in view of irregularities that occurred at the time of the sale of the company
• We are currently coordinating the enforcement of two arbitral awards issued in the Netherlands. We work closely with local counsel in various jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Croatia, Italy and France. As an independent boutique firm with a large informal network we can add value by helping our clients select local counsel best suited for the job