EU & Competition law
Our specialisms
Dutch and European Competition Law / Antitrust law / European Law / Cartels / Cooperation agreements / Distribution, supply and purchase agreements / Licensing and transfer of technology / Merger control and joint ventures / Abuse of dominance / Dawn raids and other regulatory investigations / Competition litigation / Follow-on litigation / Compliance programs / State aid / Public-private partnerships / Procurement / European payment directives and financial regulations / Financial sanctions / Import and export regulations.
The EU and Competition law team provides strategic advice on boardroom level and also directly advises to the business. We handle high profile, high complexity cases for large, multinational and national clients, strategic and cross border projects and disputes.
Our dedicated specialists are not only well-versed in the law, but also have practical experience with a particular understanding of the business of our clients and the markets on which they operate. With this expertise we focus on finding practical and commercially viable solutions for our clients.
We have longstanding relationships with the supervisory authorities in the Netherlands and this allows us to limit competition law risks for our clients and to effectively resolve disputes with competition authorities.

Litigation
The EU and Competition Law team has broad experience in representing clients in proceedings before Dutch and European competition authorities and courts.
We have particular expertise in supporting our clients in follow-on litigation, such as antitrust damage claims. When it comes to litigation, we actively collaborate with the Litigation & Arbitration team of Kennedy Van der Laan.
Market focus
We have been involved in many landmark cases in the financial and banking sector. We are regarded as the leading competition law firm in the banking sector in the Netherlands and have been involved in all major projects in the field of payments.
High profile clients in the fashion and retail sectors seek our expertise for specialist advice. Our work often involves complex cross-border projects across different territories, such as Western-Europe, Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
We also have special expertise in the healthcare/life sciences sector as well as the media, ICT and technology sectors.
As a spider in the firm’s web, our EU and Competition law team cooperates with all other teams of Kennedy Van der Laan. We have strong working relationships with top law firms in all major jurisdictions across the globe.
Market recognition
The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - EU & Competition - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan displays deep expertise in the banking and financial sector, regularly advising the three largest Dutch banks. A notable matter highlight involved practice head Annemieke van der Beek and Martijn van Bemmel advising Dutch Payments Association regarding a dawn raid and the following procedure. Martine de Koning is another key member of the team and leads cases on abuse of dominance, vertical restraints and transfer of technology. Clients praise the competition team for its 'high-quality work' and 'professional, knowledgeable and practical lawyers'.
Testimonials
- ‘The competition law team at Kennedy Van der Laan consists of professional, knowledgeable and practical lawyers, who are very effective in obtaining the required results. They are thorough and deliver high-quality work‘.
- ‘I have worked with Martijn on a complex matter of competition law relating to the Dutch lottery system. He has extensive knowledge of competition law and is a really clever and skillful lawyer. Martijn is a great professional, who is positive and efficient at getting deals done. I can highly recommend him to others who require high-quality and practical legal advice‘.
- ‘Annemieke van der Beek. Very nice to work with, a real professional with a sharp insight into the client’s business‘.
Chambers Europe 2020 - Competition/European Law- Ranked
Assists financial sector clients with competition matters, including obtaining approval for joint ventures. Also represents transport sector clients in cartel damages claims. Acts for retail sector clients on contentious distribution matters. Additionally has clients from the healthcare sector.
Strengths
Clients underline the firm's knowledge in this area.
Notable practitioners
Annemieke van der Beek particularly assists clients from the banking industry. Her practice includes experience of follow-on cartel litigation, as well as handling complex abuse of dominance proceedings before the ACM.
Martine De Koning enters the rankings on the back of positive assessments from clients, who describe her as "very well connected" and "very strategic." She is particularly active for clients from the retail and fashion industries, advising on vertical restraints, as well as franchise and distribution agreements.
Victor de Wolff (Financial Director GSN):
“We at GSN are especially happy with the cooperation model between ourselves and Kennedy Van der Laan. Thanks to a great mutual commitment to the preparation of the cases and a clear division of roles, we were able to choose the best strategy to follow in these cases together. With Kennedy Van der Laan we have developed a characteristic method of cooperation, in which GSN supplies the relevant facts, after which the team translate this business information into legally relevant information.
All in all, we are extremely satisfied; not only with the positive outcome of the various proceedings and summary proceedings, but also with the cooperation. The team of Kennedy Van der Laan, consisting of Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel and several other colleagues from other practice groups, always do their utmost to achieve the best result for us.”
Jeroen Sluijter (Vice President Legal Rabobank):
“I’ve been working with Annemieke van der Beek for many years. She combines thorough knowledge of competition law with a hands-on and very client orientated way of working. Besides that Annemieke is very capable to align interests of stakeholders leading to strategic relevant advantages for her clients. Her professional approach has led to unanimous positive results when dealing with competition authorities needed for carrying out strategic projects. Highly recommended!”
Marco Demmink (Secretaris Currence and Betaalvereniging Nederland (Dutch Payments Association)):
“Annemieke van der Beek is considered an authority on competition law in the payment industry. She has an extensive knowledge of payment system and its institutions; her network includes all the relevant key persons and she stays constantly up to date on all developments in this field. For this reason, her advisory work is broadly valued an appreciated.”
Dirk van Oostveen, (CEO Rotaform):
"I had sought Annemieke's advice on a complex topic of competition law. Together with her colleague Minke de Haan, she fulfilled my request in an excellent manner. Their well-wrought written advice had ample legal depth while being pragmatic and solution-driven at the same time. I was very happy with the outcome and would certainly not hesitate to recommend Annemieke to others who require high-quality legal services."
The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Industry focus: Retail - Tier 1
The Kennedy Van der Laan practice 'provides creative solutions, combining expertise in different areas such as IP, distribution, data protection and licensing and also stands out at managing complex projects' and it specifically benefits clients with 'significant expertise in the retail industry'. Martijn van Bemmel and Jelle Blom are 'outstanding' while Martine de Koning is viewed as 'a top lawyer who perfectly knows the retail industry'. Nike, Converse, VodafoneZiggo and Elecosoft UK are among its client list. Of late the team has handled matters including a complex distribution dispute, franchising, and online retailing issues. It also advised Panda Sporthallen Exploitatie in a Court of Appeal case in which it claimed compensation for the early termination of a fitness club franchise format. Counsel Bart-Adriaan de Ruijter and senior associate Isabel van Tuyll van Serooskerken are other team members of note.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - EU and competition - Ranked
Kennedy Van der Laan 's team 'works efficiently and is focused on the bigger picture'. It has notable strength handling competition matters in the banking and finance, retail and healthcare sectors. Annemieke van der Beek assisted the Dutch Payments Association during a dawn raid and is acting for the client in an ongoing investigation by the European Commission into its role in the alleged misconduct by Dutch banks surrounding their payment accounts and third party access. Martine de Koning, who is 'very dynamic', and senior associate Martijn van Bemmel are other names to note.
Chambers Europe 2019 - Competition/European Law - Ranked
What the team is known for
Notable team with a developing presence in the market, offering expertise across a broad range of EU and competition law matters, including state aid and merger control, in addition to regulatory work, compliance and litigation. Advises national and multinational clients, with a focus on large Dutch banks and is experienced handling competition matters related to fintech.
Strengths
The team offers a "high level of knowledge, flexibility and understanding of the customer," according to clients.
Sources also praise the "very business-minded" lawyers for their "useful suggestions that have a direct application to the situation under discussion."
Work highlights
Represented Dutch Payments Association in a dawn raid investigation by the European Commission.
Notable practitioners
Annemieke van der Beek receives praise from sources for her "high level of knowledge and experience."The source goes on to add that she is "flexible and creative in solving problems" and "always very customer-oriented." She advises on state aid and merger control mandates, and additionally acts on dawn raids.
The Legal 500 EMEA 2018 - EU and Competition - Tier 4
Kennedy Van der Laan’s ‘very professional and prompt’ team has a strong focus on handling competition matters for clients in the banking and finance, retail and healthcare sectors. Annemieke van der Beek is assisting the Port of Amsterdam with state aid issues arising from a number of construction, real estate and community projects. Martine de Koning is a name to note.
Chambers Europe 2018 - Competition/European Law - Band 5
What the team is known for
Notable team with a developing presence on the market, offering expertise across a broad range of EU and competition law matters, including state aid and merger control, in addition to regulatory work, compliance and litigation. Advises national and multinational clients, with a focus on large Dutch banks. Particularly strong in the financial, fashion and retail sectors.
Strengths
Sources praise the firm, asserting that its lawyers are "dynamic, practical and client-focused."
One client is particularly impressed by the team's track record, in addition to the level of service: "They're easy to work with, they put themselves in our position and then transfer matters into a legal document which is understandable for us."
Work highlights
Assisted Geldservice Nederland with obtaining merger clearance from the ACM concerning the transfer of ownership and operation of ATMs.
Advised Intravacc on the state aid aspects of its privatisation
Notable practitioners
Annemieke van der Beek receives plaudits from clients for his "excellent and high level of knowledge of our industry." She is well regarded for her knowledge of competition law and experience in the financial services sector. Her work highlights include advising Oncode on the state aid implications of its operation to combine the oncology research from several academic hospitals and research institutions in the Netherlands.