Infrastructure & Construction

+ 18 other experts

We've been building expertise in large-scale landmark projects, for decades

Our position in contentious and non-contentious construction matters is unrivalled in the Netherlands. We help our clients with shaping contract strategies for our clients’ most important large scale construction projects, have wide experience with project financing including PPP-financing, provide in-depth procurement and public law advise, and have an unrivalled track record in litigating and arbitrating complex construction disputes.

Our construction group focusses on both large-scale projects with a high grade of complexity, and on construction projects with an international character. One of our key success factors is our focus on technical and commercial issues, making it possible for our lawyers to truly team-up with clients’ technical and commercial experts. Over the years, we have been involved in many landmark projects in a wide variety of sectors and jurisdictions. These projects include the construction of breakwaters and harbour facilities, terminals, including offshore jetties for the oil and gas industry, oil and gas rigs and pipelines, special purpose vessels, and largescale (renewable) energy projects.

Our specialists are adept in covering all aspects of construction projects, both contentious and non-contentious, including advising on tender and contracting strategies; applying international standards, such as FIDIC, Logic and Ichem in both common law and civil law jurisdictions; project financing; zoning and permits; and dispute resolution, including DAB, mediation and arbitration under the leading arbitration rules.

Recent Matters

16 March 2023

De Brauw advises Stellantis on EUR 1.5 billion share buyback

De Brauw has advised Stellantis on its EUR 1.5 billion share buyback programme. The programme's first tranche commenced on 17 March 2023 and it is expected to be completed at the latest by 19 June 2023. The first tranche will cover an amount of up to EUR 500 million. The common shares acquired will be cancelled in due course.
22 December 2022

De Brauw advises Royal Schiphol Group on the unwinding of its cross-shareholding with Aéroports de Paris

De Brauw has advised Royal Schiphol Group N.V. ("RSG") on the unwinding of its cross-shareholding with Aéroports de Paris S.A. ("ADP"). The unwinding of the 8% cross-shareholdings marks the end of the industrial cooperation between RSG and ADP and was completed in a series of transactions, including multiple block trades, an accelerated bookbuild and a repurchase of shares. RSG has sold its stake in ADP through two block trades with large institutional investors, Crédit Agricole Assurance and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB), which took place in November 2022. RSG subsequently sold its remaining shareholding (approx. 3.9%) in ADP through an accelerated bookbuilding process, which took place on 5 December. To complete the unwinding of the cross-shareholding, RSG repurchased the RSG shares held by ADP.
17 October 2022

Schroders Capital acquires 10.6% stake in Fastned

De Brauw has advised Schroders Capital on its acquisition in a private placement of a 10.6% stake in Fastned B.V., a Euronext Amsterdam listed company that provides fast electric charging for electrical cars. As part of the transaction, Schroders has obtained a supervisory board seat.

De Brauw has leading edge competence in construction law and knows how to interweave this effectively in the client’s process, in such a way that there is added value for the projects involved.

Chambers Europe, 2021

Insights

3 November 2022

Landmark ruling: construction exemption annulled. How to exit the nitrogen crisis?

All large-scale construction projects that take place in relation to infrastructure, housing and energy transition with limited nitrogen depositions are affected by this landmark judgment. Earlier judgments had already demonstrated that for such projects, an ecological assessment is decisive. This is all the more relevant after the annulment of the special exemption for emissions caused by temporary construction activities (partiële bouwvrijstelling). Construction projects could get back on track if, based on an ecological assessment, significant negative effects on Natura 2000 areas can be excluded.
21 June 2022

The Potential Of Hydrogen: A Guide To Key European Markets

Momentum is building for the development of a low carbon hydrogen economy in Europe, driven by decarbonisation and energy security considerations.
24 February 2022

UPC is starting up – companies to begin preparations

After a long period of uncertainty, it looks like the Unitary Patent and the Unified Patent Court (UPC) will become a reality, possibly by the end of this year. This change in the European patent system has implications for both existing and future patents. Companies will have to choose between European bundle patents or Unitary Patents, and whether they want their patents to be subject to the UPC's jurisdiction. This article summarises the basics of the "Unitary Patent package" and outlines the important choices that patent holders will face soon.