Department profile
AKD

Public Law: Planning and Environment

Europe Guide 2026 : Netherlands

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AKD

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About

Provided by AKD

AKD boasts one of the largest administrative law teams in the Benelux. Do you need to file a request for information from a public authority? Are you embroiled in a dispute over subsidies or in charge of maintaining public order? Then AKD is the right partner for you.

We advise and litigate on behalf of the public sector and semi-public institutions as well as on behalf of companies.

A full-service firm, AKD is able to muster all the expertise needed to tackle every administrative dispute imaginable, ranging from local and provincial government law to water authorities legislation, from tax law and administrative fines to obligations to tolerate, and from orders subject to penalties and administrative coercion to municipal measures in the social domain.

While general administrative law is the general springboard for many cases, each of our lawyers works from a specialist niche. For example, we have lawyers specialising in economic administrative law, the issues surrounding "scarce permits” or municipal cooperation and redivision. Contracting with the public sector, at the interface between contract law and administrative law, is a special area of attention at AKD.

Our wealth of expertise enables us to handle the largest and most complex cases while offering top quality. Our lawyers keep up with developments and enhance their specialist knowledge all the time, regularly publishing articles in scientific and other journals or acting as editors of professional publications.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Public Law: Planning and Environment - Netherlands

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

AKD is a market-leading law firm with exceptional expertise in public law and planning and environmental law, acting predominantly for the Dutch state and municipalities, often on contractual agreement negotiations and new legislative proposals. It is esteemed for advising on public law enforcement mandates and other contentious matters. The law firm additionally advises private companies on regulatory compliance, permitting disputes and compensation claims. AKD is a popular choice with both municipalities and constructors for development projects, often involving sustainable housing. The lawyers assist with zoning plans, expropriation issues, environmental permitting mandates and soil and groundwater contamination issues.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • AKD represented public bodies insured with Centraal Beheer Achmea in a mass claim against the Dutch State following a data leak involving the sale of personal information by employees of the Dutch Public Health Services.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The lawyers at AKD have very good skills. They know the exact procedures, have excellent knowledge of the laws and find good solutions. They are focused on solutions.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

  • AKD demonstrates deep expertise in highly specialised areas and its advice is consistently practical and actionable.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

  • They quickly grasp the issues and their administrative processes are well organised.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

  • AKD combines deep legal expertise with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset, which enables it to navigate highly challenging issues effectively.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

  • AKD masters complex legal cases and wins them before courts.

    Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Gerrit van der Veen
    Gerrit van der Veen

    Gerrit van der Veen

    Gerrit van der Veen is regarded as a market-leading practitioner for his work on zoning plans and planning litigation. He is frequently seen assisting public bodies with issues arising from the extraction of natural resources as well as advising clients on applications for environmental permits and ESG policies. He additionally acts on enforcement proceedings.

    • Gerrit approaches complex issues with thoroughness and deep expertise, while his ability to translate these into clear, workable solutions is particularly valuable.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Gerrit van der Veen has a combination of profound legal knowledge and an understanding of what is needed to move forward.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Gerrit van der Veen consistently delivers excellent client service. He is approachable, responsive and ensures that our needs are understood and addressed in a timely and professional manner.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Jos van der Velden
    Jos van der Velden

    Jos van der Velden

    Jos van der Velden boasts notable expertise in planning and environmental law. He is regularly instructed by governmental bodies and private companies to assist with issues such as zoning plans, permits and enforcement proceedings.

    • Jos van der Velden clearly understands the interests of our company.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Thomas Sanders
    Thomas Sanders

    Thomas Sanders

    Thomas Sanders is experienced handling a range of planning and environment mandates including permitting issues and planning procedures. He offers additional expertise assisting with enforcement proceedings and freedom of information disputes.

    • Thomas Sanders combines a personable approach with authoritative subject matter knowledge.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • I particularly value Thomas for his extensive knowledge of administrative law procedures. He also thoroughly understands the interests of our company.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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  • Eveline Sillevis Smitt
    Eveline Sillevis Smitt

    Eveline Sillevis Smitt

    Eveline Sillevis Smitt boasts a respected planning and environmental law practice. She regularly assists public and private clients with urban planning and zoning mandates, with additional experience in contentious proceedings concerning environmental permits and contamination issues.

    • Eveline is a great lawyer with in-depth knowledge. She quickly responds to our questions and even anticipates the questions and advice to be asked. It is of great value to work with her.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope

    • Eveline Sillevis Smitt provides sound advice and is fast and efficient. She has an eye for detail and the company's interests as a whole.

      Public Law: Planning and Environment respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at AKD (5)

Netherlands

Members

Provided by AKD

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