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. Houthoff’s Arbitration Team has an international focus and is one of few in the Netherlands to devote all of its time and efforts to arbitration. The Arbitration Team assists multinationals, financial institutions, government bodies and state companies in large and complex commercial and investment arbitrations. The team also regularly litigates in arbitration-related proceedings before the regular courts on matters such as the enforcement and setting aside of arbitral awards. A number of our specialists are regularly appointed as arbitrators and secretaries.

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)
"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)
“Houthoff’s arbitration practice is described as ‘highly specialised, well embedded in the Dutch arbitration community, and also very nice to work with’.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2022 Edition)
“Really friendly team, very responsive and great experience.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2022 Edition)
“The team is very experienced in arbitration, especially with Dutch focus.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2022 Edition)
“Superb, market-leading team. Houthoff punches above its weight.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2021 Edition)
“Houthoff is one of the main players in the field of international arbitration in the Netherlands. The firm has one of the few full-time arbitration practices and are active in the larger arbitration (related) cases in the Netherlands at this moment.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2021 Edition)
“Razor sharp from a legal content perspective, highly responsive and T- shaped organised.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2021 Edition)
“The team is well balanced and stands out in arbitration. It provides pragmatic solutions and advice to avoid arbitration which allows us to focus on the business. They understand our needs, providing not a lengthy or complicated advice, but a solution.”
Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2021 Edition)

Our expertise in arbitration

Arbitration often involves extremely sector-specific disputes. Therefore, the Arbitration Team works very closely with our specialists in areas such as financing, competition law and liability law. The team has successfully represented clients in many arbitrations under different regulations, including the UNCITRAL Rules, and at many arbitration institutes, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI) and the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).

Under certain conditions, international investors that have suffered significant losses can receive protection under the various bilateral investment treaties (BITs) that have been signed by the Netherlands and other states. They engage our arbitration specialists as their go-to counsel for structuring their companies in a way that ensures BIT protection and/or the possibility to recover such loss through the medium of investment arbitration.

Our experts at Houthoff have extensive experience in drafting and negotiating arbitration clauses. We ensure that any arbitration process we engage in is preceded by clear agreements. Our clients rely on us to provide sound advice on the recognition of international arbitral awards, and assistance with their enforcement. The arbitration team has a successful track record in substantial setting-aside and enforcement proceedings.

As the familiar faces in the most complex and high-profile arbitration cases, we at Houthoff offer our clients the highest possible quality advice and a well-thought-out litigation strategy.

Highlighted Matters
Represented an investor in an investment arbitration under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules against Poland under a Dutch BIT
Highlighted Matters
Acting as Petrobras Dutch counsel in connection with Claim Foundations claiming compensation on behalf of investors for the fraud issues at the parent company in Brazil.
Highlighted Matters
Counsel in foreign arbitral proceedings under the DIAC Arbitration Rules concerning a dispute about a service contract on behalf of a foreign company.