Corporate Dispute resolution

Speaking slot - On 20 April 2018, Robbert Jan van der Weijden will speak at the Business and Law Research Centre Symposium on innovative private law. Various speakers will discuss the consequences of technological developments for Dutch commercial law and Robbert Jan will focus on innovative property law. 

Short Reads - On 26 January 2018, the Supreme Court delivered a judgment (ECLI:NL:HR:2018:108) about the interruption of the limitation period for a claim for damages. The key element in this case was whether the acts and statements of an insurer and a loss adjuster qualified as an acknowledgement of liability and, if so, whether this acknowledgement could be attributed to the liable party

Short Reads - In its decision of 24 November 2017 (ECLI:NL:HR:2017:3016), the Dutch Supreme Court confirmed that a judge is allowed to critically interrogate a witness and remind a witness of his oath. Such action is not an indication that a judge is not impartial or independent.

Articles - The second edition of "The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Corporate Investigations" will soon be published. The Belgian chapter to the guide was authored by Hans Van Bavel together with Frank Staelens from Moore Stephens Belgium.

Short Reads - You think you have made clear arrangements about the exclusivity of your supplier's services. The supplier has agreed to service your company only. You have even agreed unequivocal penalty clauses under which the supplier pays a penalty for every breach and another one for every day the breach continues. Unfortunately, the supplier breaches the exclusivity clause, forcing you to claim the full amount of penalties due. And then the supplier refuses to pay them because he finds them unreasonable. Now what?  

Short Reads - How can a party terminate an agreement? With the exception of certain specific agreements (i.e. employment or rent), the Dutch Civil Code (DCC) does not provide rules on termination as such. Whether and under what conditions a party is entitled to terminate an agreement is determined by the agreement itself and the general standards of reasonableness and fairness ("redelijkheid en billijkheid") in Article 6:248 DCC. In its decision of 2 February 2018 (ECLI:NL:HR:2018:141), the Dutch Supreme Court further developed its case law on the subject matter.

Short Reads - Persons using a building in the course of running a business might be liable for damage caused by a defect in the building on the basis of strict liability. Such liability exists if there is a link between the origin of the defect and the running of the business. In its decision of 24 November 2017 (ECLI:NL:HR:2017:3016), the Dutch Supreme Court clarified how to ascertain whether there is such a link.

Inside Stibbe - With effect from 1 January, Stibbe Amsterdam appoints lawyers Branda Katan and Reinout de Boer as partner. Branda Katan specialises in contractual disputes, fraud and class actions. Reinout de Boer is an expert in domestic and international taxation. Stibbe Brussels promotes Ian Arnouts (public law) as counsel.