Europe Guide 2026 : Netherlands
Ranked Individuals
Provided by AKD
Brussels is the source of many legal issues. The policymakers in the European capital intervene more and more in competition matters, public procurement, prohibited State aid, free trade and cartel formation. Certainly, as many important rules are being made there as in The Hague. We're on top of it. And we're on your side.
State aid is assistance (that can be valued in monetary terms) from the government to an enterprise. Examples of this are: tax relief measures, a 'soft' loan or guarantees. State aid may be prohibited, so make sure you seek good advice.
The European Commission and the Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) are
increasingly taking a harder line on the enforcement of competition rules, and are doing so more often, imposing fines – sometimes heavy ones – on companies and managers that are found to be in breach.
There are specific rules of conduct that apply to public authorities and public enterprises that engage in economic activities. Are you, as a public authority, commercially active or are you dealing with unfair competition from the government or a public enterprise? Then it may be worth appealing under those rules.
We also advise in areas such as Free movement of goods, services, capital and persons, Unfair competition and unfair commercial practices, Private International Law (PIL) and Procurement Law.
Provided by Chambers
AKD is particularly active in competition compliance mandates, especially concerning distribution agreements. The law firm additionally acts on behavioural investigations and merger control filings. The team has further experience in private enforcement actions. Team members divide their time between the firm's offices in Brussels and the Netherlands.
Provided by Chambers
AKD advised Standard Investment Netherlands Kappa on the merger control aspects of its proposed acquisition of Verwater Group.
Provided by Chambers
This department distinguishes itself by combining deep competition law expertise with seamless coverage at both EU and Dutch levels.
The lawyers have great knowledge and make difficult topics easy to understand.
It has been a very smooth cooperation. The lawyers respond quickly and pragmatically, and present things in a way so you instantly know what you can or cannot do.
The lawyers didn't just identify legal risks - they proactively structured solutions that preserved momentum while ensuring comprehensive protection.
I would entrust AKD with any competition matter in the Netherlands, irrespective the complexity and size.
Provided by Chambers
Joost Houdijk frequently assists clients with merger clearance mandates. He is also particularly active in competition law compliance matters, often in regard to distribution policies.
We really consider that he is very knowledgeable, has a good analytic view on things and asks the right questions. He can put himself in our position and knows the area in which we are operating.
Joost Houdijk is a very skilled person and has a lot of knowledge of competition law but also thinks about what may happen in the future.
We like working with him because he is also thinking from the commercial end, not just being strict about what we can or cannot do.
Joost Houdijk is a very knowledgeable lawyer in his field of practice and he never fails to handle very complex matters by giving us creative solutions and the answers we need.
Dividing his time between AKD's offices in Brussels and Amsterdam, Pieter Kuypers frequently represents clients in private enforcement actions before the Dutch courts, and in challenges to ACM decisions. He has further experience in state aid mandates.
Competition/European Law
Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad
Provided by AKD
Willemijn Hooij
Pieter Kuypers
Head of Department
Robbert Jaspers
Nikee Groot
Maarten De Wit
Joost Houdijk
View profile of Joost HoudijkPieter Kuypers
View profile of Pieter Kuypers
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