Reinier advises national and international companies
reinier.russell@russell.nl +31 20 301 55 55Quality, promptness and personal attention is of paramount importance to us. Read in this newsletter the experiences of five clients. Why do they engage our law firm? What do they think is the strength of Russell Advocaten and, above all, what do they get in return?
“I don’t need to worry about legal matters, and that creates peace of mind.”
“I have been working with Russell Advocaten since the 90s, from different companies. Their added value is a sound strategic vision for legal matters and they give me good advice. When they say, “We won’t do that, because otherwise you will have an even bigger problem”, I take that seriously and go along with it.
Because of their strategic approach they can prevent conflicts and that’s important, I don’t need legal proceedings. And when it comes to a lawsuit, they will prepare it well and often win. Every now and then I get tired of all they want to know, they really go in-depth and that takes time. Of course I know it’s not for nothing. I don’t need to worry about legal matters. That creates peace of mind, safety and trust.”
M. Peter Wiggers
CEO
Royal Capi-Lux Holding BV
“They can communicate as easily in English as they do in Dutch.”
“I have been working with Russell Advocaten since 1986. I engage them for all corporate law matters, including: takeovers, contracts, intellectual property, employment agreements, dismissal, conflicts with suppliers… I am extremely satisfied with the results: they are very good. What I do like especially is their practical advice without endless discussions. They give advice and I, as entrepreneur, decide how to deal with it. They will go along with it, even if I take the hard-line approach.
It is a law firm with short communication lines and an adequate approach. They also have a great backing as regards knowledge and expertise. Another good thing for an international company like us is, they can communicate as easily in English as they do in Dutch.”
Hein J.M. Nederveen
Managing Director Europe
Reynolds & Reynolds BV
“No other law firm is so well-informed.”
“Russell Advocaten is a reliable law firm for all my legal matters. According to me, no other law firm is so well-informed on the national and international art law legislation and there is no other law firm that understands the art world so well. That is of crucial importance to an auction house, of course. They have a significant network and they are well-established. Their strategies are sound, and the service is prompt and efficient. Paul Russell was a member of our Advisory Board for many years and knows all the ins and outs of our auction house. In addition, they keep their clients informed of all kinds of legal developments. I appreciate their proactive approach. Finally, I like the work atmosphere, it feels good, and that’s important.”
Patrick J.M. van Maris van Dijk,
CEO
TEFAF
former Director Global Initiatives, Sotheby’s
“It doesn’t make a difference which lawyer at Russell Advocaten I’m seeing, the quality is always high.”
“Russell Advocaten is great in giving clear legal advice. The advice is good and prevents possible problems. Their strength lies in their expertise, they go deeply into a subject and know what it is all about. And even if I come back to it months later, they know exactly what I’m talking about. They all have this quality, it doesn’t make a difference which lawyer at Russell Advocaten I’m seeing. They keep each other informed.
I think there is great personal engagement, I have the idea that they can relate to me as a client. And they are very client oriented. For instance, when I call and the lawyer in question isn’t in and I tell them I will call again later, the lawyer will be informed of my phone call and I will be called immediately. It looks like a small detail, but it is all about details and attention. I think they set a good example on how a client-oriented business should be operating.”
Marc van Hilst
Director and Major Shareholder
Röling Import BV
“I know in advance whether I have a solid case.”
“I have been working with Russell Advocaten for over 30 years. Therefore the relationship has changed, it has become amicable. Russell Advocaten is a reliable firm – you know what you are going to get. As regards employment law, I think they are very strong. I can always count on a conversation partner who gives good advice. They clearly indicate whether I have a strong case or not. So I know the direction things are taking in advance. I also think that they have a broad knowledge of legal matters. And knowledge is power and I like to take advantage of that.”
Wim van As
General Director
Versvishandel Jan van As BV
When a debtor refuses to pay despite reminders and demand letters, stronger measures will be necessary to secure a claim. One of the most effective instruments in Dutch debt recovery is attachment. How can a creditor secure such an attachment?
Under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Prevention) Act (Wwft), banks may be obliged to refuse a customer or terminate their relationship with them. This can also happen to charities. When is a bank permitted to terminate the relationship? And must a customer cooperate with a bank’s investigation?
The Transparency and Countering Undermining by Civil Society Organisations Act (Wtmo) imposed a number of new obligations on charities in the Netherlands. However, the Act has been rejected by the Dutch Senate on 24 March 2026 and will not enter into force.
Statutory directors enjoy less protection against dismissal, but there must still be reasonable grounds for the dismissal. Otherwise, the employer must pay fair compensation. This can be substantial, as a recent ruling has shown. Why was the employer required to pay this compensation?
Most business relationships run smoothly. Goods are delivered, services are provided and invoices are paid on time. Occasionally, however, a customer or business partner fails to pay. What can a creditor do in that situation?
The European AI Act requires employers to ensure that employees have sufficient knowledge of AI systems. This can be achieved through training, but also through an AI policy tailored to the company. What should you include in such a policy? What role does the works council play in the implementation of the AI policy?