Department profile
Houthoff

Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad

Europe Guide 2026 : Netherlands

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Houthoff

Rankings

About

Provided by Houthoff

The free market economy is based on competition. The European Commission and the national competition authorities are tasked with ensuring that this competition is free and fair. Houthoff’s Competition Team advises and assists national and international companies, institutions and governments in procedures before the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), the European Commission, foreign competition authorities, and the relevant (specialised) courts. Its expertise includes merger control procedures, dawn raids and investigations into alleged cartels or abuse of dominance and State aid. Our Competition Team has detailed legal and economic expertise and sector-specific knowledge. We combine legal and economic analyses to achieve optimal solutions and litigation strategies.

Chambers Review

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Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad - Netherlands

What the Team is Known For

Houthoff enters the top tier of the rankings this year on the back of notable work in high-profile contentious cases and strong feedback from commentators. In addition to representing both claimants and defendants in significant damages actions, the law firm offers notable expertise in both merger control filings and behavioural investigations. The team is also able to call on a number of Dutch-qualified lawyers based in Brussels to assist with multi-jurisdictional mandates and European law issues.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Houthoff defended Nexans in a damages action following an investigation into a cartel in the power cables industry.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team’s expertise spans both Dutch law and European law and procedural rules, ensuring that every aspect of the matter was expertly addressed.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

  • Responses to any questions were always provided very promptly, which was greatly appreciated throughout the process.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

  • The lawyers are hands-on, have the specialist knowledge we need and react quickly.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

  • The team has in-depth knowledge of the ACM's thinking and working methods and in-depth knowledge of the sector in which we operate, enabling the lawyers to provide optimal advice.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

  • Houthoff reacted well to our requests, in a way that their legal advice was practical, business-oriented and adaptive, and that always in a timely manner even thought it was under high time pressure.

    Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Yvo de Vries
    Yvo de Vries

    Yvo de Vries

    Yvo de Vries has particular expertise advising clients on cartel investigations and appeals against ACM decisions. In addition, he has experience in merger clearance filings.

    • He is strong on content, knows the case on a detailed level, and is charismatic.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • Yvo de Vries is very experienced, with a very calm attitude. He is a very smart guy, like a walking library, which is really helpful.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • He stands out for his commercial awareness and proactive approach.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • Yvo de Vries has an excellent understanding of our position and interests.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope
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  • Rick Cornelissen
    Rick Cornelissen

    Rick Cornelissen

    Rick Cornelissen offers a strong portfolio on both the defendant and claimant side of damages litigation in relation to cartel and abuse of dominance allegations.

    • He is very responsive, very careful and punctual. He is a real team player.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • He is undoubtedly one of the go-to lawyers in the field of mass damages claims.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • Rick is a fearless litigator who won’t give an inch in a dispute. He’s shown himself to be highly creative and not afraid to make new arguments.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope
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  • Gerrit Oosterhuis
    Gerrit Oosterhuis

    Gerrit Oosterhuis

    Based in the Brussels office of Houthoff, Gerrit Oosterhuis often assists clients with notifying mergers and joint ventures before the Dutch competition authorities. He also has experience in foreign direct investment issues and unfair competition law complaints.

    • He is practical, hands-on and also fun to work with.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • His management of work deliverables and personal involvement in all discussions added a lot of value, which led to success in our matter.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope
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  • Greetje van Heezik
    Greetje van Heezik

    Greetje van Heezik

    Greetje van Heezik is based in the firm's Brussels office. She has a strong focus on European law issues and also represents clients before Dutch authorities in disputes concerning alleged competition law infringements.

    • She gives good advice, taking into account all possible risks.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope

    • She is a very solid attorney both from a strategic and legal perspective, who is very easy to work with, and is creative. You can see she is an experienced litigator who is looking for new angles.

      Competition/European Law: Lawyers Based Abroad respondentEurope
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Ranked Individuals at Houthoff (4)

Netherlands

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