Litigation and Arbitration

Large organisations are sometimes confronted with complex and sensitive disputes. We assist our clients in responding appropriately and in managing the impact on their business and reputation.

As one of the largest and leading litigation and arbitration practices in the Benelux, our integrated team helps clients solve business-critical disputes seamlessly and manages matters with the highest degree of efficiency. Our team of talented and diverse lawyers displays a unique full-service expertise and has a distinct footprint in both litigation and arbitration.

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Matter
NL Law

Stibbe represents Apple Inc. in class action for alleged abuse of dominance

Stibbe is acting as Apple's defence counsel in a Dutch class action for alleged abuse of a dominance in relation to the App Store.

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Amsterdam Zuidas Symphony building
Matter
NL Law

Stibbe represents Norsk Hydro in ESG-related mass damages claims

Stibbe is representing Norsk Hydro, the world's leading aluminium and renewable energy company, in a series of mass damage claims.

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Meeting room with a lounge, bookcases and a conference table with laptops, all kinds of stationary, books and papers at Stibbe in Brussels
Matter
NL Law

Stibbe defends KLM against greenwashing claims

Fossielvrij NL has launched a greenwashing claim against Royal Dutch Airlines KLM, the first of its kind to be brought under the Dutch collective action regime.

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Cars drive along a wide street lined with modern buildings in Luxembourg City, where bike lanes, traffic lights, and trees border the sidewalk
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NL Law

Stibbe represents Mercedes-Benz in class action concerning NOx emissions from diesel vehicles

Stibbe is acting as defence counsel for Mercedes-Benz in mass litigation over allegations that the company installed prohibited defeat devices in its diesel-powered vehicles.

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Services

We advise on and litigate in a wide variety of disputes, often in complex multi-party and multi-jurisdictional matters. We have a special focus on cross-border litigation, acting for and against foreign entities, tailoring our legal assistance towards commercially and strategically sensible solutions.

We work together closely with other practice groups at Stibbe, such as public law, criminal law, EU and competition law, and corporate and finance law, providing clients with a unique combination of experts coming up with the best suitable strategy and argumentation. This truly showcases and ensures that our clients benefit from the advantages of a full-service, multi-specialist firm.

We have expertise in financial services litigation, construction disputes, restructuring and insolvency, insurance and reinsurance disputes, auditors' liability, and complex contractual disputes. We also assist our clients in corporate disputes such as securities litigation, shareholder and joint venture disputes, directors’ liability, M&A litigation, corporate governance disputes, and inquiry proceedings.

Furthermore, we play a major role in some of the largest class actions and group actions in the Benelux. Our Litigation group also specialises in defending clients against antitrust civil damage and follow-on damage claims.

In addition, we have extensive experience in all types of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), such as mediation and collaborative negotiation. Our priority is to partner with our clients to find the best out-of-court dispute resolution in order to avoid lawsuits. When litigation is unavoidable, we always suggest the most suitable procedural route.

Our arbitration team has a distinctive track record of handling large and complex cases, and represents clients in national and international arbitration across all sectors and under the rules of all major arbitral institutions, including ICC, LCIA, SCC, NAI and CEPANI, as well as ad hoc proceedings (also under the UNCITRAL Rules). Our team acts as counsel and as arbitrator.

We have won landmark cases at the highest level before the Belgium Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation/Hof van Cassatie) in criminal matters and before the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad der Nederlanden).

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Recognition & Awards

"Stibbe’s arbitration team is simply the best in Brussels. They have an impressive ability to understand large volumes of complex factual and legal information and to synthesise it in a way that can be understood by any tribunal."

The Legal 500
2024
Dispute Resolution

"The team is strong and professional, with a good mix in terms of seniority and competencies. The engagement, involvement and follow-up from the partners is strong."

Chambers Europe
2024
Dispute Resolution

"Stibbe has all the expertise to work on cases in house at high level. It always makes itself available, is always on time and responds immediately."

Chambers Europe
2024
Dispute Resolution

"Stibbe's team provides a proactive service and on-time answers all the time."

Chambers Europe
2024
Dispute Resolution

"Stibbe has a skilled and intelligent team. The lawyers' communication is to the point and focused."

Chambers Europe
2024
Dispute Resolution

"Stibbe is the go-to firm in Brussels for international arbitration."

The Legal 500
2024
Dispute Resolution

"The team is capable of delivering our arguments in a persuasive manner and responds to the client's requests in a timely manner."

Chambers Europe
2023
Dispute Resolution

"Outstanding partners and outstanding associates. Brilliant and incredibly intelligent lawyers."

The Legal 500
2023
Dispute Resolution: Commercial Litigation

"Stibbe is one of the best disputes firms in the Belgian market. They are not a satellite office of a large international firm but, instead, provide dedicated and excellent service within the Belgian (and Benelux) markets. I recommend the firm to anyone that needs local advice."

The Legal 500
2023
Dispute Resolution

Belgium Firm of the Year

Benchmark Litigation Europe 2021