Dispute Resolution

Pels Rijcken has an outstanding reputation for advising clients from the public sector and for representing clients before the Supreme Court. Recently the law firm has advised on a number of high-profile environmental disputes and human rights cases. The team defends clients in several major mass damages claims and class action proceedings. The lawyers in the team have notable expertise in disputes in a range of areas, including liability, tax litigation, bankruptcy proceedings, commercial disputes and financial litigation. In addition to the firm's impressive litigation matters, the team also represents clients in ICSID arbitrations.

A client enthuses: "My overall impression of Pels Rijcken is that their legal knowledge is profound," and goes on to add that "the contact is pleasant and the lawyers always respond quickly when consulted."

Another client believes that "Pels Rijcken is a fantastic law firm" and particularly highlights that "if you have a case or question the lawyers react immediately."

Acted for the Dutch state before the Supreme Court on the Urgenda case concerning the state's obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Hans van Wijk is a highly esteemed Supreme Court litigator who represents financial sector clients and public entities in high-profile disputes. He has experience in a range of matters, including liability cases, environmental litigation and bankruptcy disputes. Hans van Wijk also advises on multi-jurisdictional litigation, with a particular focus on clients based in the Dutch Caribbean. A client enthuses that he is a "very skilful and thorough lawyer, who is pleasant to work with and who manages to have a keen overall view of several procedural and substantive strands of law."

Wemmeke Wisman enters the rankings this year thanks to some impressive feedback from clients, with one enthusing: "She is knowledgeable and responsive and provides a high standard of quality," and also praising her "strategic and highly valuable advice in every stage of a case." She has a strong focus on tax disputes, often acting for public bodies. Additionally Wemmeke Wisman advises energy companies on liability claims.

Willem Heemskerk is one of the leading lawyers in the Netherlands for mass damages claims and class action proceedings, predominantly acting for the defendants. Willem Heemskerk also advises clients on commercial disputes and high-profile arbitral award annulment proceedings. One interviewee praises him for his "procedural knowledge," while a client enthuses that he is "always sharp as a knife, but friendly as a priest."