Planning & Environment: Netherlands

THE FIRM This firm is known for its broad public law department and wins much praise for its long-established environmental law practice. It is a popular choice with public sector clients for infrastructure and PPP projects, and is well equipped to advise on environmental impact assessments. The team assisted ProRail with railway infrastructure issues, including expropriation, liability and environmental permits.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eveline Sillevis-Smitt's knowledge of environmental matters and spatial planning stand her in good stead to advise on property developments and infrastructure projects.

THE FIRM The public sector firm par excellence, Pels Rijcken comes highly recommended for environmental law and planning. Clients note the superb quality and speedy delivery of the work, and peers concede that the group is high on their list when it comes to referrals. The team, one of the largest and most specialised in the country, tackles a wide array of issues, including planning procedures, noise abatement, water management and environmental liability. Clients include the Dutch government, provinces and municipalities as well as companies and individuals.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Liesbeth Schippers, head of the planning and environment practice, is one of the most prominent lawyers in the field. She focuses on spatial planning, and has much experience advising on large-scale infrastructure projects.

THE FIRM Stibbe's administrative law department is home to a flourishing environment and planning practice. With a strong following from clients in the power sector, the team is often involved in energy projects. It recently advised Electrabel on environmental permits for the construction of a coal-fired plant. Other strengths include noise pollution, soil contamination, air quality and waste management. The team's planning and zoning expertise on infrastructure and housing projects is in demand with national and regional governments as well as property developers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Aaldert Ten Veen deals with the environmental and planning aspects of large project developments. He receives praise for his strong analytical and communication skills, and is "influential in meetings with public authorities," according to a client. 

THE FIRM This boutique focuses on the intersection of public, private and criminal law, with planning and environmental matters making up a large part of the practice. The team attracts public sector clients as well as private companies, including the Dutch railways, United Biscuits and Gasunie. It represented the municipality of Rijswijk on a new housing and business development, also handling litigation. It further advised TAQA on the Boekelermeer natural gas storage facility, tackling zoning, environmental and compensation issues.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Godert Van der Feltz is acclaimed for his knowledge of administrative and environmental law and his busy practice in this field. He represents public sector bodies as well as corporate clients. Jacques Sluysmans specialises in expropriation issues. Clients commend his "in-depth knowledge of the legal system" and his to-the-point, solution-focused style.

THE FIRM This outfit has built a healthy reputation for administrative law, advising developers on projects across the country. It is in demand with public sector bodies, and is often called upon to advise the government on new legislation. Other work includes handling the environmental and zoning aspects of the redevelopment of VU University's campus and hospital, and advising Bouwfonds MAB on Symphony, a development of a hotel and offices in the Zuidas business district in Amsterdam.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anne-Marie Klijn is considered an authority on planning and environmental matters, and is commended for her straightforward and accurate advice. "Bringing her to a meeting is always helpful," says a client.

THE FIRM This firm has earned strong credentials in planning and environmental law thanks to its instruction by the Port of Rotterdam on the massive Maasvlakte 2 project. The team continues to advise the port authorities on the project, most recently handling environmental and planning permits for the development of a number of container terminals. Its client portfolio further includes TenneT and Gasunie. Clients say the firm's premium prices are well worth paying considering the excellent results.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nicolien van den Biggelaar is one of the country's foremost advisers on environmental law, spatial planning and nature conservation. Clients are impressed by her dedication: "She sometimes answered our e-mails in the middle of the night. She's amazing." 

THE FIRM This firm has a long tradition in project development, procurement, construction, planning, zoning and environmental law. It often advises municipalities and governmental bodies, in addition to its portfolio of private organisations. The environmental experts work closely with the energy, real estate and projects teams. Recent highlights include advising Tata Steel IJmuiden on permitting, emissions and compliance matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Crince le Roy and Marry de Gaay Fortman are key contacts for the practice.

THE FIRM Loyens & Loeff is well versed in environmental, zoning and planning work, handling both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team represents a mix of public and private organisations, including project developers, utility companies and local governments. It recently assisted IKEA with permits, zoning exemptions and environmental law issues regarding its plans to open new stores and expand existing ones across the country.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Henk Breeman's solid reputation for administrative law attracts many clients to the firm. His areas of expertise include waste management, environmental impact assessments, permits and compliance.

THE FIRM The Amsterdam office is a key player in Allen & Overy's global environmental practice, and is well regarded for its planning and zoning work in the local market. The compact team is often involved in the planning and development of infrastructure and energy projects, with recent work including advising Imtech on two sustainable power plants in the province of Limburg. Waste management and permitting matters are other areas of expertise.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Henry van Geen advises on infrastructure and energy projects, including construction, environmental and tendering matters. He has much expertise on environmental issues in the context of corporate transactions.

THE FIRM NautaDutilh represents many municipalities, including the City of Amsterdam, on urban development and infrastructure projects. One such example was the IJburg/Zeeburgereiland redevelopment, which saw the team advise on Dutch and EU regulations on wildlife, nature conservation and air quality, as well as an environmental impact assessment. Clients point out the high degree of specialisation of the lawyers as one of the firm's biggest strengths.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Erik Minderhoud is well recognised for his regulatory work on large urban projects. He often advises utilities and public sector clients on building permits, zoning and environmental law.