Ranking tables
Public Law: Planning and Environment | Europe
Netherlands
Rankings overview for Departments
All Departments profiles
Band 1

1 AKDPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedAKD is a market-leading law firm with exceptional expertise in public law and planning and environmental law, acting predominantly for the Dutch state and municipalities, often on contractual agreement negotiations and new legislative proposals. It is esteemed for advising on public law enforcement mandates and other contentious matters. The law firm additionally advises private companies on regulatory compliance, permitting disputes and compensation claims. AKD is a popular choice with both municipalities and constructors for development projects, often involving sustainable housing. The lawyers assist with zoning plans, expropriation issues, environmental permitting mandates and soil and groundwater contamination issues.

1 Pels RijckenPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedPels Rijcken is a standout law firm regularly mandated by Dutch public bodies. The law firm is highly experienced in preliminary relief proceedings, as well as representing public bodies in contentious administrative cases. It additionally offers market-leading experience in environmental matters, including nature conservation regulations and environmental permitting matters. Pels Rijcken also represents clients in expropriation matters.

1 StibbePublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 1 | 14 Years RankedStibbe has a highly esteemed team with an impressive offering in public and planning and environmental law. The law firm is well respected for its advisory work on the impact of legislative changes. The team acts for both municipalities and private clients, with notable experience advising private sector clients on Dutch gambling law and additional strength in planning and zoning matters. It often assists clients with environmental permits and nature conservation legislation.
Band 2

2 De Brauw Blackstone WestbroekPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedDe Brauw Blackstone Westbroek has an in-depth offering in planning and environmental law, often collaborating with the law firm's market-leading energy regulatory team to assist with energy sector mandates. The law firm is frequently involved in climate change matters, defending clients in litigation, as well as advising on carbon storage and nitrogen emissions mandates. The lawyers regularly act on contentious and non-contentious proceedings regarding zoning plans and environmental permits. De Brauw also assists with water protection legislation. It is additionally active in public law topics, representing public and private sector clients in parliamentary inquiries, human rights cases and freedom of information disputes.

2 HouthoffPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedHouthoff is a reputed law firm with notable experience in contentious public law matters, representing clients in administrative enforcement actions, challenges and appeals against zoning plans. It also handles non-contentious matters, assisting with procurement and subsidy issues. The law firm is additionally active on planning and environmental law matters, advising on appeals against the refusal of environmental permits, and has experience with emissions regulations matters.

2 NewGround LawPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 2 | 5 Years RankedNewGround Law hosts a seasoned team of environment and planning lawyers in the Netherlands. The law firm advises a range of clients on public law issues, such as zoning, planning, permitting and environmental impact assessments. It has particular expertise in handling cases concerning nitrogen and real estate developments.

2 Van der Feltz advocatenPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 2 | 14 Years RankedVan der Feltz advocaten has a strong practice advising on a broad spectrum of public law and planning and environmental law mandates. It assists clients with expropriations and litigation concerning zoning plans and environmental permits, as well as non-contentious permit applications. The law firm acts on soil pollution mandates, as well as matters concerning REACH and EHS. Van der Feltz advocaten is additionally experienced in compensation claims, acting for private and public entities. The lawyers also assist with freedom of information requests.
Band 3

3 DentonsPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedDentons is an international law firm with expertise in planning and environmental law, working alongside the law firm's well-regarded real estate practice to advise on the permitting and zoning aspects of development projects. The law firm additionally represents clients in enforcement proceedings under EU environmental and natural protection legislation and assists with matters involving nitrogen emissions.

3 NautaDutilhPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 3 | 14 Years RankedNautaDutilh has a well-respected team with considerable expertise in planning and environmental law. The law firm represents private companies and municipalities in enforcement proceedings imposed by the AFM and ACM, as well as appeal proceedings against fines. Furthermore, it also handles mandates related to environmental permits and zoning plans. The practice is equally equipped to assist with administrative proceedings and compliance with Dutch regulations.

3 PloumPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 3 | 3 Years RankedPloum is well reputed for its planning and environment practice. The law firm is frequently seen advising on appeals against the refusal of environmental permits, and has experience handling environmental impact assessments and licensing procedures. The team is also well placed to represent clients in contentious public law matters, representing clients in administrative enforcement actions and appeal proceedings against fines.

3 SIX AdvocatenPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 3 | 3 Years RankedSIX Advocaten is a reputed boutique law firm with a solid planning and environment practice. The team advises a range of notable clients on public law issues such as planning, permitting and environmental impact assessments. The law firm is also well placed to represent clients in enforcement proceedings and zoning mandates.
Band 4

4 A&O ShearmanPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 4 | 13 Years RankedA&O Shearman has a broad practice in planning and environmental law in the Netherlands. It regularly liaises with its energy practice and advises clients on the zoning, planning and environmental implications of large-scale energy and property developments. The law firm frequently advises clients on regulatory compliance mandates and is particularly adept at handling nitrogen deposition matters.

4 LexencePublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedLexence is a notable law firm with a strong footprint in the planning and environment space. The team adeptly handles matters centred around zoning, permitting and land use concerns, including soil contamination issues. The lawyers equally demonstrate skill representing clients before the Council of State in disputes connected to redevelopment projects. Lexence also assists with nitrogen emissions and compliance with environmental legislation. Its client base comprises investors and real estate developers.

4 Loyens & LoeffPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 4 | 8 Years RankedLoyens & Loeff is a prominent law firm in the Netherlands that handles a wide range of planning and environmental cases. The team is regularly instructed to guide clients through permitting procedures and zoning plans connected to real estate and energy projects. The law firm is also a favourite amongst companies seeking to make their operations more sustainable. Loyens & Loeff's expertise further extends to nitrogen deposition, pollution and nature conservation issues, as well as compliance with environmental regulations.

4 Straatman Koster AdvocatenPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 4 | 3 Years RankedStraatman Koster is a respected law firm that offers clients extensive capabilities in environment and planning law matters. The team is experienced in handling a variety of environmental disputes, including those pertaining to conservation, waste management and pollution mitigation. It offers further strength in zoning plans and permitting issues concerning construction and energy projects. The law firm is also well placed to represent clients before the Council of State. Straatman Koster attracts a range of clients including a selection of public entities and energy service providers.

4 Ten Holter Noordam AdvocatenPublic Law: Planning and Environment2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years RankedRotterdam-based Ten Holter Noordam boasts a comprehensive planning and environmental law practice. The team is adept at handling a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, including those related to development projects, zoning plans and permitting procedures. The law firm also assists with cases stemming from the nitrogen crisis, as well as compliance with the Dutch Environment and Planning Act. Clients include prominent real estate companies and public bodies.