Corporate Litigation
Houthoff is a well-established key player in litigation in the Netherlands and has an excellent track record in both national and cross-border dispute resolution.
Our Corporate Litigation team advises managing boards, joint ventures and shareholders on shareholder’s disputes, corporate and director's liability, and corporate governance matters. In addition, Houthoff represents targets, bidders, white knights, investment banks, major shareholders and other participants in takeover situations and other contested corporate matters.
Our Corporate Litigation team advises managing boards, joint ventures and shareholders on shareholder’s disputes, corporate and director's liability, and corporate governance matters. In addition, Houthoff represents targets, bidders, white knights, investment banks, major shareholders and other participants in takeover situations and other contested corporate matters.
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“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)
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“A client describes the team as ‘highly responsive, committed and with great insight and knowledge’.”Chambers Europe, Dispute Resolution (2022 Edition)
The Corporate Litigation team is highly experienced in litigating before the Enterprise Chamber (Ondernemingskamer) of the Amsterdam Court of Appeal and regularly acts as counsel in preliminary relief proceedings. The team effectively manages risks and disputes through in-depth knowledge as well as strategic anticipation, and provides solutions both inside and outside the courtroom.
Houthoff is recognised as one of the leading firms handling corporate litigation matters at the Dutch Supreme Court level. We are one of the few firms with a Chambers Global Tier 1 listing for litigation in the Netherlands, and Houthoff has been involved in virtually all high-profile contested takeover and corporate governance matters in recent years.
Houthoff is recognised as one of the leading firms handling corporate litigation matters at the Dutch Supreme Court level. We are one of the few firms with a Chambers Global Tier 1 listing for litigation in the Netherlands, and Houthoff has been involved in virtually all high-profile contested takeover and corporate governance matters in recent years.
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Advised OSX Brasil S.A. and its Dutch subsidiaries. on the restructuring of their consolidated debt of over US$ 2.5 billion, including representing the OSX companies in various litigation matters in the Netherlands as well as coordinating litigation abroad. The team worked also on the debt restructuring of OSX 3, the USD 450 million bond structure and the syndicated debt of USD 850 million.
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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%.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
