Petra Heemskerk

Practice Areas

Petra Heemskerk is a seasoned litigator with extensive expertise in public law and procurement law. She acts for both contracting authorities and tendering companies, providing strategic and pragmatic guidance throughout the full procurement and contracting cycle. Petra advises on complex public private partnerships and mobility related matters, offering clients clear and practical solutions grounded in her deep understanding of public, procurement, and contract law. She is a trusted sparring partner who provides insights extending beyond legal issues, offering strategic foresight and supporting clients across the full scope of their activities.

Petra is a trusted advisor to her clients, renowned for her strategic insight and hands on approach. She supports her clients on a long term basis and represents them in high stakes administrative and civil proceedings.

Petra serves as the permanent legal advisor to Qbuzz, advising the company in multiple court proceedings that have resulted in the irrevocable award of several high value public transport concessions. Her portfolio of key clients also includes VEMOBIN, GVB, and Royal BAM Group.

Career

Joined CMS in 2006. Partner since 2010. Head of Real Estate and Construction Practice Group since 2022.

Professional Memberships

• Former Chairman of the Dutch Association for Procurement Law

• Chairman of the supervisory Board of Equipe Zorgbedrijven

Publications

Analysis of deficiencies in legal protection within procurement procedures, offering perspectives for reflection and response strategies.

Rammelende rechtsbescherming; ruimte voor reflectie en (re)actie – TAAN, July 2025, No. 4

[Tijdschrift Aanbestedingsrecht en Staatssteun (TA) 2025 afl. 4 - Vakliteratuur Recht.nl]

Discussion of structural issues in self-cleaning mechanisms and reactive conduct in procurement law.

Dodelijke cocktail van onbezielde zelfreiniging en reactiviteit – Tender Nieuwsbrief, July 2020

[Dodelijke cocktail van onbezielde zelfreiniging en reactiviteit]

Critical examination of political proposals to abolish mandatory procurement obligations.

Voorstel tot afschaffen aanbestedingsplicht onzin – Binnenlands Bestuur, 7 December 2018

[https://www.binnenlandsbestuur.nl/sociaal/opinie/ingezonden/voo]

Annotation on the court’s approach to qualitative award criteria in preliminary relief proceedings.

Kwalitatieve gunningscriteria (Vzr. Rb Den Haag, 3 januari 2018) – note in JAAN, February 2018, No. 2

[Kwalitatieve gunningscriteria (Vzr. Rb Den Haag, 3 januari 2018)

Overview of proportionality principles within Dutch construction procurement law (Canon of Construction Law series).

Canon van het Bouwrecht: Gids Proportionaliteit – Tijdschrift voor Bouwrecht, December 2017, No. 12

[Canon van het Bouwrecht: Gids Proportionaliteit]

Annotation on judicial interpretation of discretionary (“may”) clauses in procurement decisions.

'Kan-bepaling' (Vzr. Rb Noord-Nederland, 26 juli 2017) – note in JAAN, September 2017, No. 6

['Kan-bepaling' (Vzr. Rb Noord-Nederland, 26 juli 2017)]

Case commentary on the Court of Appeal’s decision to annul a youth-care procurement procedure.

Hof zet streep door aanbesteding jeugdzorg – Boardroomzorg.nl, April 2017, No. 2

[Hof zet streep door aanbesteding jeugdzorg]

Two topical analyses of trends and practical issues in public procurement practice.

Twee actuele beschouwingen uit de aanbestedingspraktijk – Vastgoed Fiscaal & Civiel, April 2017, No. 2

[Twee actuele beschouwingen uit de aanbestedingspraktijk]

Languages Spoken

Dutch, English, Spanish