WelcometoDe Brauw

De Brauw advised Accsys Technologies Plc, the fast-growing company that enhances the natural properties of wood to make high performance and sustainable building products, on its relationship agreement with Teslin and De Engh and its EUR 34 million capital raise. De Brauw advised together with Slaughter and May, as Accsys is listed at both AIM and Euronext Amsterdam. Teslin and De Engh provided, in aggregate, approximately EUR 13m of new equity through the placing. The Relationship Agreement includes customary terms and conditions for a substantial shareholding of this nature, including the right for Teslin and De Engh to appoint one new non-executive director to the Board of the Company for so long as they hold an interest of at least 15 per cent and a second non-executive director for so long as they hold iat least 22.5 per cent.

Collective redress is a hot topic across Europe. The entry into force of the Representative Actions Directive on 25 June 2023 means that it will remain so for years to come. The Netherlands has always been at the forefront of class actions and settlements. Dennis Horeman, Machteld de Monchy and Tim Kluwen have written two chapters in the International Comparative Legal Guide - Class and Group Actions 2024 to highlight some of the key aspects of Dutch law and practice.

For corporate disputes, Dutch law provides for the dispute resolution procedure (geschillenregeling) and corporate inquiry proceedings (enquêteprocedure). A recent bill aims to improve the effectiveness of the dispute resolution procedure and to broaden the grounds for awarding remedies. The bill also clarifies the admissibility requirements for inquiry proceedings for listed companies' shareholders and depositary receipt holders.