The arbitration practice at Pels Rijcken & Droogleever Fortuijn NV handles all stages of arbitration cases, from interim measures to set-aside proceedings. While the firm is primarily known for its expertise in handling matters for public and governmental entities, it has been growing its commercial client base as well as its international capabilities. Willem Heemskerk chairs the international team and is the go-for for complex liability and compensation disputes before arbitral tribunals. Fellow practice head Mark Birnage is known for his expertise in construction and project work and handles project-related arbitration proceedings. Supreme Court litigator Martijn Scheltema is noted for his knowledge of set-aside proceedings and the enforcement of arbitral awards. Iman Brinkman focuses on energy-related matters, while newly promoted partner Raimond Dufour is the go-to for international arbitration proceedings.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Raimond Dufour's assistance was essential, first to build the strategy in the early stages of the proceedings, and then throughout the arbitration, until the primary claims prevailed before the tribunal.’
‘The team is unique where high-level legal performance (such as the handling of cases in the Supreme Court) is combined with an outstanding quality of work in specific industry sectors such as the energy sector.’
‘Martijn Scheltema's legal skills are matched by his ability to assess problems from the client's perspective and to develop and advise a practical approach to cases submitted to him for advice or action. Iman Brinkman's sound knowledge of civil law, commercial law and administrative law is of great value to himself and to the firm. He is a widely recognised expert in the energy sector.’
‘The team is very quick in responding to the client's wishes and is open to considering input from the client. In addition, they have a deep bench to do research on all legal matters. They also diligently plan the work in accordance with the schedule of proceedings and therefore there is ample opportunity to provide input and review the submissions.’
‘I have worked closely with Willem Heemskerk and Raimond Dufour. They both have a wealth of experience and are very easy and pleasant to work with. Besides their extensive legal knowledge, they have a very good sense of strategy.’
‘The team excels in teamwork and client care. The team makes a great effort to acquire and apply knowledge about the specific subject the arbitration is about.’
‘Willem Heemskerk stands out because of his broad perspective on cases. As a client, you can lean on his experience in arbitration. Willem is very decisive on what's good for the client's position and he gives very good advice.’
'Thorough, hands-on lawyers. Honest people.'
Key clients
- State of the Netherlands
- Provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, North Brabant, Limburg, Gelderland, and Zeeland
- Municipalities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague
- Feadship Holland; Royal Van Lent; Royal De Vries Shipbuilding
- ABN AMRO Bank
- Nationale-Nederlanden
- KPN
- Rabobank
- ProRail
Work highlights
- Represented the Dutch state in a multi-billion-euro arbitration against Shell and ExxonMobil over the Norg underground gas storage site and assisting the state in two major arbitrations against NAM (Shell and ExxonMobil's Dutch joint venture) relating to the Groningen gas field.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Willem Heemskerk, Mark Birnage