Chambers Global Netherlands International Capabilities

Netherlands: International & Cross Border Capabilities

In the International & Cross Border Capabilities sections, Chambers highlights the law firms which are identified by clients as the best and most user-friendly to work with when matters involve international aspects, that require the lawyers to consider, manage and advise on issues which are going on across different countries and jurisdictions.

All the firms listed in the Netherlands section offer strong abilities to serve clients who are seeking a legal team with significant resources in the Netherlands, but also the ability to excel in international work.

Frequently, the firm’s specified have been picked out by clients for their strengths in some or all of the below:

• coordinating advice on connected transactions, court procedures or regulatory issues in different countries as a lead counsel;
• providing global reach and giving clients access to top quality legal advice in all the markets they need help;
• providing seamless and integrated legal services to clients, which create a user-friendly experience across borders; and
• helping clients in international matters through specific knowledge or experience of sector or industry practices worldwide.

Global Trends in the Dutch Market:

The Netherlands has become a highly important jurisdiction for international matters. A series of high-profile international M&A and capital markets offerings have taken place in recent years which involved a significant Dutch law component and gave Netherlands-based firms expansive international roles. The Yukos Oil litigation has also shown the international nature of the Dutch market, while the Netherlands is also becoming increasingly important as a centre for international arbitration.

The particular trend in the Dutch market is the contrast between the considerable and growing international credentials of independent Dutch firms and the expansive international offerings of the international firms in the market.

Amongst independent practices in the Netherlands, De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is often perceived as holding a dominant position in the market, particularly in relation to international work. The firm is often stated to have an unrivalled quality in the key practice areas which require international capability, most notably M&A, which has given it a platform to position itself as a lead global counsel for Dutch corporates. It is able to perform this role with the help of a premium quality best-friends network across Europe, which includes many of the world's most renowned independent firms. Several other Dutch independents also have highly impressive international credentials. Stibbe offers an impressive full-service practice across the Benelux region and has regularly acted as a key co-counsel on high-end cross-border work. Houthoff, NautaDutilh and Loyens & Loeff are also high-quality Dutch firms which are frequently involved in the international space, also partnering with top-tier firms in other jurisdictions and regularly acting in key roles on multinational transactions and litigation.

Allen & Overy is regarded as the all-round market leader in the Netherlands amongst international firms and as a result it holds a dominant position in international work across a range of practice areas. Clifford Chance's Dutch team is also often given market leading status, particularly in relation to cross-border financing and capital markets work, areas in which clients have frequently noted that the global network and English law capabilities of these firms give them an advantage.

Amongst other international firms, the size and scope of practices vary, with Freshfields and Linklaters adopting a narrower focus in Amsterdam, concentrating on high-end cross-border work in corporate, finance and capital markets. Baker McKenzie and DLA Piper have well-perceived, credible practices in the Netherlands which are typically engaged in more of a mixture of international and local work and are praised for providing a valuable international platform for more medium size and mid-market value clients. Many other international firms are developing practices in the Netherlands as the influence of the jurisdiction continues to grow, with several market entrants in recent years in growing a local practice and supporting other offices within their international networks.