Houthoff is a go-to firm for defendants requiring representation in class actions and mass claims proceedings. The practice has wide-ranging knowledge across a large number of sectors such as finance, transport, aviation, and energy. The team has advised clients on diesel-related class actions, mass claims for cartel damages, securities collective actions, consumer class actions, and mass damages follow-on litigation. Expert in cross-border disputes and civil procedures Albert Knigge spearheads the class actions practice within the large dispute resolution group and is the leading lawyer on high-profile class actions for the firm. Working closely alongside Knigge, Rick Cornelissen focuses on follow-on cartel and abuse of dominance damages claims. In Rotterdam, Huib Lebbing acts as defence counsel in class action cases involving health and safety issues. Paul Sluijter is also key to the team and is specialised in international mass claims.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are extremely client focused, provide top notch product within very tight deadlines and are always available to discuss. Houthoff has a very large team ensuring that all workstreams are followed up appropriately and work is done by the appropriate level of experience. ’
‘Albert Knigge is one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with: extremely knowledgeable, always available and client focuse. He will not overpromise and is a very strong communicator. Rick Cornelissen is very pleasant to work with, and always willing to find a client focused solution.’
‘We are very content with Houthoff's work in our class action. The team is highly experienced, responsive delivers high quality work and is pleasant to work with. ’
‘Albert Knigge truly is a trusted advisor. Albert stands out in quality and expertise in this space.’
‘In our class action, Houthoff did a great job getting to know about a complex case in a short time period with successful results. The collaboration was great (e.g. clear answers, good strategy, fast learners)’
‘Rick Cornelissen did a great job in the hearing providing clear views about our case and providing always good solutions to the different problems we faced.’
‘The advantage of Houthoff as an advocate for an insurer as a defendant in a collective procedure is the broad knowledge that this law firm has of insurance products and of the insurance market. The firm understands what is considered important in the boardroom and that collective proceedings are mainly about reputation and stakeholder management.’
‘Very professional litigation team with a client centric approach. The team consists of good litigators, applies a structured approach in preparing litigation and takes specific client requests into account with flexibility. ’
Key clients
- Petrobras
- Volvo Trucks / Renault Trucks
- Stellantis N.V.
- Audi AG
- Nationale-Nederlanden Levensverzekering Maatschappij N.V. (Nationale-Nederlanden)
- Trafigura
- Singapore Airlines Limited,|Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd
- Royal FloraHolland
- Cargolux Airlines International
- Ennatuurlijk B.V.
- The Dutch State (Ministry of Public Health, Welfare and Sport)
- Royal FloraHolland
- Draad Nijmegen B.V., part of the multinational IRCE S.p.A. Group of steel welding companies
Work highlights
- Representing Petrobras and its subsidiaries as defendants in a large international securities collective action.
- Representing Volvo Trucks and Renault Trucks in multi-party cross-border litigation before the Dutch courts in relation to mass damages claims following on from the Commission’s claims of competition law infringements in the trucks sector.
- Representing several car manufacturers, including Stellantis and Audi, as defendants in four class actions brought in the Diesel-matter.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Rick Cornelissen
HouthoffPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Albert Knigge