Arbitration
Arbitration is the preferred method for resolving cross-border disputes
The added value of arbitration quickly becomes clear when conducting business in an international environment. Clients benefit from the efficient and effective resolution of disputes, which is precisely what our arbitration team offers.
NautaDutilh’s arbitration team is unique in that it is a stand-alone practice, with members in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, supported by the largest litigation and dispute resolution group in a Benelux law firm (85+ lawyers). Our arbitration team can thus draw on firm-wide expertise in all practice areas, including corporate, construction, financial, insurance, intellectual property and IT law, as well as Supreme Court litigation.
For these reasons, NautaDutilh is the law firm of choice when it comes to high-profile, high-stakes arbitral proceedings with a Benelux connection.
A proven track record of success
NautaDutilh has a proven track record of success in high-stakes commercial arbitral proceedings in various sectors (including corporate, construction, intellectual property and energy) as well as in in-vestment treaty arbitration.
Our team has an outstanding reputation and extensive experience handling high-stakes commercial and investment treaty arbitration under all major arbitration rules (ICC, UNCITRAL, ICSID, LCIA, PCA, SIAC, NAI, CEPANI, etc.). Thanks to our thorough knowledge of Belgian, Dutch and Luxembourg arbitration law and of the applicable international treaties, rules and regulations, our clients receive timely, to-the-point, high-quality advice that enables them to develop an effective strategy.
Furthermore, we have an impressive record of accomplishment in arbitration-related court proceedings. Our experience in this field is very broad and extends to complex multi-jurisdictional enforcement proceedings and setting aside proceedings in relation to arbitral awards, including before the highest national courts. Indeed, NautaDutilh is consistently the preferred choice of top law firms seeking lead or co-counsel in the Benelux.
Highlighted work
Recent highlights of our Benelux arbitration team include representing and advising:
- Moldova-based investors in enforcement proceedings in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in relation to an SCC arbitral award against Kazakhstan in an Energy Charter Treaty investment arbitration;
- Ukrainian investors in two setting aside proceedings in relation to UNCITRAL arbitral awards rendered against the Russian Federation in investment arbitration;
- a Dutch energy company in ICC arbitration against an Italian construction company in a dispute related to delays in and the disruption of a large-scale construction project; and
- a Dutch investor in investment arbitration against the Czech Republic under the Netherlands-Czech Republic BIT.
Meet the team leads
See the whole team
What others say
Our team is consistently ranked in the top tiers by the world's most reputable legal directories and league tables and is included in The Global Arbitration Review 100: The Guide to Specialist International Arbitration Practices 2019.
“The ‘strong, academic and practical’ practice at NautaDutilh routinely handles investor-state and corporate arbitration matters. In an example of its strength in the former, [NautaDutilh] is acting for two foreign investors in securing attachments in the Netherlands and other jurisdictions pertaining to a $500m arbitral award rendered against Kazakhstan.” Legal 500, 2019
“NautaDutilh is lauded for its ‘consistently high quality’ and for its ability to deliver ‘impeccable results within the shortest deadlines’.” Legal 500, 2019
“NautaDutilh’s Dispute Resolution practice “[b]enefits from a strong reputation across the Benelux region to offer clients a seamless cross-border service” and is a “perfect combination of in-depth knowledge and hands-on solutions.” Chambers, 2019
“Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, chairperson at Dutch commodities trader Louis Dreyfus Holding, says the firm represented one of their companies in a recent arbitration and the “NautaDutilh team exhibited high intelligence and deep knowledge in all legal matters related to the arbitration.” GAR 100, 2019
“The vice president of production at an oil company says the firm represented his company in a construction arbitration and were “alert and adaptive” in the hearing. He says the firm is distinguished by its “professionalism and team approach.” GAR 100, 2019
“Another client who used the firm in an ICC construction dispute says the firm “had good
knowledge of the construction business” and were “able to understand complex technical issues.” Rotterdam-based senior associate Tomas Vaal is described as a “young lion” who is strategic, smart and fluent and will leave no stone unturned to win a case. ” GAR 100, 2019
