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Freshfields

Competition/European Law

Europe Guide 2026 : Netherlands

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Freshfields

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Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category: Antitrust and competition | Freshfields

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Competition/European Law - Netherlands

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Freshfields is highly esteemed for its broad competition law practice that covers merger control filings, investigations and litigation. The team offers experience in cartel and unfair trading investigations, as well as representing clients in damages actions and appeals against authority decisions. It works closely with colleagues from the firm's highly-respected Brussels office to advise on matters before the EC, particularly involving the Digital Markets Act.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields acted for Talpa as a third party on the phase II merger investigation between RTL Netherlands and DPG Media.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team understands our business perfectly and gives advice on what we should do.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

  • The lawyers provide cohesive, pragmatic advice across jurisdictions, combining strategic insight with efficient execution.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

  • It is a highly-skilled department and with a lot of competition law expertise.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

  • Freshfields is very tuned into the market in terms of acting for similarly situated companies and as it relates to the regulators. It provides strong, practical advice and a robust team.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

  • I believe the Freshfields team demonstrates both pragmatism and extensive experience. Throughout the process, we received clear, practical guidance on procedural matters.

    Competition/European Law respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Onno Brouwer
    Onno Brouwer

    Onno Brouwer

    Dividing his time between the firm's offices in Amsterdam and Brussels, Onno Brouwer is well regarded for assisting clients with the DMA. He also advises on cartel allegations and investigations into unfair trading practices.

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  • Winfred Knibbeler
    Winfred Knibbeler

    Winfred Knibbeler

    Winfred Knibbeler stands out for his activity in a range of contentious competition law matters, representing clients in preliminary relief proceedings, appeals against fines and follow-on damages actions. He also has experience in behavioural investigations and merger control filings, including acting for third parties.

    • Winfred Knibbeler is a highly effective and pragmatic professional who maintains his composure even in the most complex and stressful situations.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • He is really great. He has a lot of expertise and is a thought leader in the field. He has the right tone of voice with regulators, so he really stands out for me.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • Winfred Knibbeler is a very strong name.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • He is a very good lawyer, who is very experienced and smart.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • He is always a very good and bright competition lawyer.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
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  • Alvaro Pliego Selie
    Alvaro Pliego Selie

    Alvaro Pliego Selie

    Alvaro Pliego Selie frequently represents clients in appeals against authority decisions, as well as assisting with cartel investigations and third party interventions in merger control filings.

    • Alvaro Pliego Selie has good flexibility jumping across cases whether they are big or small and he is always responsive.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • He is great lawyer who always tries to provide pragmatic advice.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
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  • Paul Van den Berg
    Paul Van den Berg

    Paul Van den Berg

    Paul Van den Berg regularly assists clients with the Dutch merger control filing for high-value transactions. He has further experience assisting them with ACM sector inquiries.

    • His depth of knowledge and his calm and reassuring demeanor have been appreciated.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • He consistently provides clear, strategic guidance and demonstrates a strong understanding of our commercial objectives.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • Paul Van den Berg is an exceptionally good lawyer at connecting the dots across the globe.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope

    • Paul Van den Berg is an excellent advisor, who is responsive, pragmatic, and deeply knowledgeable.

      Competition/European Law respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (4)

Netherlands

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