Area of expertise | Arbitration & Mediation

Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution that offers several advantages under certain circumstances:

• The procedure is confidential and not public.
• Arbitrators possess not only legal expertise but often also specific knowledge of the subject matter of the dispute.
• Arbitration tends to be relatively swift (the possibility of an appeal must be agreed upon in advance).

Our attorneys have extensive experience in arbitration, particularly in construction disputes, corporate law matters, commercial contracts, and partnership disputes.

In addition to our experience representing clients in arbitration, Eugène Rosier and Nico van der Peet also serve as arbitrators. Eugène Rosier is an arbitrator at the Netherlands Arbitration Institute (NAI) in Rotterdam.

Legal procedures can often cause significant damage to the relationship between parties. There are situations where it is desirable to resolve the dispute while maintaining a good working relationship. Examples include a workplace dispute with a valued employee, a divorce, a conflict between shareholders in a (family) company, or a dispute between businesses in a client-supplier relationship, where both parties are interdependent. In such cases, dispute resolution with the guidance of a mediator is the ideal solution. Fokje Kuiper (specialising in family law disputes), Karina Lemmens (expert in work-related issues, healthcare, and family businesses), and Dimitry Aertssen (specialising in disputes within legal entities or partnerships, and commercial disputes between businesses) are senior mediators you can rely on for mediation services.

Binding advice is an efficient form of dispute resolution. Through a settlement agreement, the parties agree—either before or after a dispute arises—that they will abide by the decision of the binding advisor(s). The procedure for binding advice typically involves a written round, followed by an oral hearing, and ultimately the issuance of the binding advice. Our dispute resolution specialists have extensive experience both as binding advisors and in handling procedures related to binding advice.

Negotiation is an art. Our attorneys are experienced negotiators. They not only understand the theory behind various negotiation methods but, more importantly, have practical experience in applying them. The goal is to maximize your negotiating position by taking realistic, well-supported legal stances. Of course, we always keep the ultimate objective in mind.

At times, negotiations may stall, and resorting to court proceedings seems unavoidable or, strategically, the most desirable course of action. Additionally, certain procedural options—such as seizure or filing for bankruptcy—are exclusively within the jurisdiction of the state courts. Thuis Partners has one of the largest litigation practices in Limburg and boasts extensive experience across all areas of law. We regularly handle cases before district courts, cantonal courts, courts of appeal, the Commercial Court, and—working alongside cassation lawyers—the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad). We have particular expertise in cases involving significant financial stakes that require a specialized approach. Managing such high-stakes litigation—often involving numerous parties and extensive media attention—is a challenge we are well-acquainted with, especially in cases that can be highly threatening to businesses.