Martijn van Bemmel

Dutch and European Competition Law / Cartels and cooperation / Abuse of dominance / Merger Control and Joint Ventures / Dawn Raids and Regulatory Investigations / State Aid / Competition Litigation / Financial Regulations / International Sanctions

Martijn assists clients on various Competition Law related subjects. He often works with clients in the financial, technology, healthcare and fashion/retail sectors.

He advises his clients strategically with regards to cooperation agreements, abuse of dominance and mergers and acquisitions. In particular, he represents clients when they are under investigation by regulators, such as the Authority for Consumers & Markets and the European Commission and when these agencies are performing dawn raids. Furthermore, Martijn advises and litigates on European, Dutch and American financial sanctions and export controls.

Martijn graduated with honours from the University of Amsterdam with an LL.M degree in Corporate law. He also graduated from the University of Amsterdam with an LL.M degree in Information law and an MSc degree in Social Sciences. In 2009 he moved to New York and studied at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University. Martijn also worked as a freelance graphic designer.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - EU & Competition Law - Ranked

Led by Annemieke van der Beek, senior associate Martijn van Bemmel and Martine de Koning, Kennedy Van der Laan assists clients with compliance, regulator investigations and enforcement proceedings. Handling EU and competition law, including sanctions, trade controls and financial regulation, as well as abuse of dominance, follow-on litigation and merger control, the firm stands out for its sector-specific experience in manufacturing, fashion, retail and hospitality, with an additional focus on banking and finance particularly in relation to the payment services market.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - EU and Competition - ranked

Annemieke van der Beek, Martijn van Bemmel and Martine de Koning co-head the EU and competition team at Kennedy Van der Laan, which has a leading position in the Dutch banking and finance sector, and is also active in the public transport and hospitality sectors. Van der Beek is particularly noted for her competition expertise in the payment services market. As part of an ongoing trend, the practice continues to see an increase in follow-on damages actions. In addition, it has seen a growth in mass claims following recent changes in the law. Elsewhere, the group provides compliance advice and represents clients in regulatory investigations, among other matters. In an ongoing mandate, van Bemmel and others are acting for Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) and Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) in a dispute with Cycling Service over a new platform for managing prize money.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2021 - EU & Competition - Ranked

Kennedy Van der Laan has ‘a lot of practical experience’ in the banking and financial services, manufacturing and retail sectors. The group is led by Annemieke van der Beek, who has been notably active in the payment services industry; she recently worked with Martijn van Bemmel advising a variety of Dutch banks on a matter relating to the pooling of ATM machines. Martine de Koning is also recognised for handling the competition elements of franchising, distribution and agency issues.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2020 - EU and Competition

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'.

Testimonial

‘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‘.

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.”

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - EU and Competition

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.

The Legal 500 EMEA 2019 - Industry focus: Retail

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 2015 - EU and Competition

Kennedy Van der Laan handles contentious and non-contentious competition matters for a client base of Dutch and international companies, particularly in the technology, media, healthcare and transport sectors. Annemieke van der Beek and Martijn van Bemmel are recommended.