Dutch Law Firm
specializing in Product Law,
Supply Chain Compliance,
Commercial Contracts and Litigation
Dutch law firm
specializing in Product Law, Supply Chain Compliance,
Commercial Contracts and Litigation
Dutch Law Firm
specializing in Product Law,
Supply Chain Compliance,
Commercial Contracts and Litigation
Dutch law firm
specializing in Product Law, Supply Chain Compliance,
Commercial Contracts and Litigation
Who we are?
MAAK Advocaten is an Amsterdam-based Dutch law firm. Our Dutch specialist lawyers advise on regulations, draft contracts under Dutch law, litigate in the Netherlands, and act as an active strategic partner rather than a reactive adviser.
This makes us particularly relevant for foreign companies, in-house counsel and entrepreneurs operating anywhere in a manufacturing supply chain, from suppliers and manufacturers to importers, distributors, online platforms and fulfilment providers. However, clients do not choose MAAK Advocaten simply because we are Dutch lawyers; they choose us because we understand their sector, their position in the chain, and speak the language of their business.
All our Dutch attorneys-at-law (advocaten) are admitted to the Dutch Bar (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten / NOvA), each with their own specialisation. Our Dutch lawyers have a proven track record in complex, high-stakes matters, a national and international network of experts, and eight integrated areas of expertise.
In practice, this means that whether you need advice on Dutch law, a contract drafted, or a dispute resolved in the Netherlands, you deal with a Dutch specialist who already understands your sector. Contact our Amsterdam attorneys for a no-obligation introductory conversation.
Contact
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Our Amsterdam law firm combines legal depth with sector-specific knowledge across eight integrated practice areas, giving international clients a single point of contact for the full range of issues that arise in a manufacturing supply chain. Our specialists follow regulatory developments daily, which means we can identify your legal challenge quickly and respond to your needs without delay.
Our core areas of expertise are:
Our Dutch specialist lawyers actively look for commercial opportunities and work to minimise risk at the same time. Because our Dutch legal specialists translate new rules, partnerships and disputes in the Netherlands into concrete solutions, your interests remain central at every stage. Schedule a consultation with our Amsterdam attorneys to discuss which expertise applies to your organisation.
MAAK Advocaten is a Dutch law firm specialised in Dutch and European product law, product compliance and product liability (productaansprakelijkheid). We advise manufacturers, importers, distributors and online platforms on the full range of Dutch and European product regulations throughout the product lifecycle – from design and development to market introduction on the Dutch and European market, post-market surveillance (markttoezicht) and end-of-life obligations. Foreign companies placing products on the Dutch market face a specific and evolving set of regulatory requirements that our Amsterdam-based product law lawyers handle on a daily basis. For foreign manufacturers and importers seeking legal certainty on the Dutch and European market, we provide tailored compliance strategies as specialised legal counsel under Dutch law.
We advise on CE marking, conformity assessment procedures, technical documentation and declarations of conformity (conformiteitsverklaringen), as well as Dutch and European packaging regulations, labelling requirements and sustainability legislation including greenwashing, Green Claims, F-Gas and CBAM. We cover digital product aspects including software, cybersecurity and AI applications, and advise on ecodesign, repairability and circularity obligations. Our product law experts work across a wide range of sectors, including consumer products, machinery, medical devices, automotive, batteries, digital infrastructure, chemicals and personal protective equipment. We also advise on supply chain compliance obligations including due diligence requirements under EUDR, CBAM and the forthcoming forced labour regulation, and assist in building the contractual frameworks and supplier policies needed to manage those obligations. Need a Dutch lawyer for product compliance? Contact our Amsterdam team.
When things go wrong, we act immediately. As a Dutch law firm with an integrated team of compliance specialists and litigators in Amsterdam, we represent manufacturers in product liability claims under Dutch law, manage product recall actions (terugroepacties) and act against enforcement measures (handhavingsacties) by Dutch authorities including the NVWA, ILT and RDI. Our compliance and litigation teams work as one integrated unit, giving you a single point of contact from the first regulatory question to the courtroom.
When a commercial dispute arises in the Netherlands, you need a Dutch law firm that knows Dutch procedural law inside out and can act decisively on your behalf. MAAK Advocaten represents claimants and defendants in Dutch civil proceedings before the Rechtbank Amsterdam and the Gerechtshof Amsterdam, as well as in English-language proceedings before the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) – the specialised Amsterdam court that handles international commercial disputes entirely in English. We handle cases in first instance (eerste aanleg) and on appeal (hoger beroep), and we advise on the most effective procedural strategy from the outset. Our Dutch lawyers have a proven track record in complex commercial disputes for both Dutch and international clients, acting as reliable legal counsel in the Netherlands for foreign companies requiring effective representation.
We have extensive experience in Dutch interim relief proceedings, including the kort geding (interim injunction) and the conservatoir beslag (pre-judgment attachment) – powerful tools under Dutch procedural law that allow you to protect your position quickly and effectively when immediate action is required. We regularly act in disputes involving breach of contract (wanprestatie), non-conformity (non-conformiteit) of goods or services, wrongful termination (onrechtmatige opzegging) of commercial agreements, tort claims (onrechtmatige daad), greenwashing claims, ESG-related disputes, product safety and product liability under Dutch law. Our litigation and compliance teams work together as one integrated unit, allowing us to handle both the substantive regulatory questions and the procedural aspects of any dispute in the Netherlands.
For international disputes, MAAK Advocaten also represents clients in arbitration proceedings (arbitrage) before the ICC, LCIA and the NAI (Nederlands Arbitrage Instituut), based in the Netherlands. Arbitration under Dutch law is frequently chosen by international parties as an efficient and confidential alternative to Dutch court proceedings. We also advise on recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in the Netherlands, and coordinate with local counsel in our international network for cross-border matters. From our Amsterdam office, we combine Dutch procedural expertise with international dispute resolution experience to protect your interests – wherever the proceedings take place.
Sound contracts form the basis of a stable business relationship under Dutch law, and MAAK Advocaten is your legal partner in the Netherlands at every stage of contracting, from negotiation to execution, and from breach to termination. Provided the parties’ expectations are set out clearly, this substantially reduces the risk of later disputes.
Our Dutch contract lawyers advise on and negotiate international purchase and sale terms, cooperation agreements, agency and distribution contracts under Dutch law, and other commercial arrangements for the manufacturing industry. Unlike in many common-law jurisdictions, Dutch contract law places significant weight on the reasonableness and fairness (redelijkheid en billijkheid) between contracting parties, which affects how contracts are drafted and interpreted.
We advise on the full range of commercial agreements under Dutch law, including purchase and sale agreements (koop- en verkoopovereenkomsten), supply and distribution agreements (leveranciers- en distributieovereenkomsten), agency agreements (agentuurovereenkomsten), manufacturing and OEM contracts, co-manufacturing arrangements, franchise agreements, service level agreements (SLA’s) and other long-term commercial relationships. We advise on choice of law and jurisdiction clauses, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), force majeure (overmacht) and hardship provisions, liability caps and indemnities, termination rights (ontbinding en opzegging), and ESG supply chain obligations including EUDR, the Forced Labour Regulation, CSRD and CSDDD.
We also conduct contract audits – reviewing existing agreements under Dutch law for legal risk, gaps and opportunities – and advise on contract lifecycle management, renegotiation and exit strategies. From the onboarding of new suppliers to the resolution of contractual disputes before Dutch courts, our Dutch law firm provides practical and clearly communicated legal advice that enables your business to operate in the Netherlands without unnecessary legal friction. Contact our Amsterdam team to discuss your contract law needs.
In a globalised and rapidly changing regulatory environment, gaining and maintaining access to the Dutch and European market is not a one-time step but a dynamic and ongoing process.
MAAK Advocaten is a Dutch law firm that supports manufacturers, importers and distributors worldwide in complying with the product regulations that apply to placing goods on the Dutch and European market, and in everything required to stay on the market once access is obtained. Our Amsterdam, based Dutch lawyers and legal counsel advise on both existing and upcoming product regulations, conformity assessment procedures (conformiteitsbeoordelingsprocedures), certification requirements, labelling obligations and market access strategies tailored to your products and sectors. For companies that need a Dutch lawyer or solicitor familiar with the Dutch and European regulatory field, MAAK Advocaten provides direct and specialist access to Dutch law.
We have built an extensive international network and assist clients with market access to, among others, the European internal market, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, South America, China and India. We work closely with technical experts, test laboratories, notified bodies and authorised representatives (gemachtigde vertegenwoordigers / EU Representatives) to deliver compliance strategies that are pragmatic, cost-effective and sustainable – so that your products can be placed on the market without unnecessary delay. For foreign manufacturers and importers entering the Dutch or European market for the first time, or expanding their product portfolio into new regulated categories, our Dutch law firm provides the legal and regulatory guidance needed to get it right from the outset.
Our market access practice covers conformity assessment and technical documentation, CE marking and equivalent certifications for other markets including UKCA (UK), FDA registration (US) and certifications for China, India and Australia, authorised and EU representative structures, post-market surveillance (markttoezicht) obligations, import and customs compliance, and digital labelling requirements under new legislation. When regulatory barriers delay or prevent market access – whether through unjustified national measures, unclear classification decisions or challenging administrative procedures – we help clients challenge those barriers through legal and administrative channels in the Netherlands and at European level. Where Dutch regulatory authorities are involved, our integrated team acts as a single point of contact. Contact our team to discuss your market access challenges.
Regulatory Litigation under Dutch law covers disputes and enforcement proceedings with regulators, and our Amsterdam attorneys represent organisations in negotiations with authorities, objection procedures, and proceedings before the administrative courts. This can involve written warnings, a periodic penalty payment order (last onder dwangsom), fines (boetes), sales bans (verkoopverboden), administrative penalties (dwangsommen), product recalls and forced recall actions (product recalls en terugroepacties), seizure or destruction of products, publication of violations (“naming and shaming”), heightened supervision or re-inspections, and the withdrawal or suspension of licences.
Our Dutch attorneys conduct administrative law proceedings under the Dutch General Administrative Law Act (Awb), file objections and apply for interim relief (voorlopige voorzieningen) to suspend enforcement measures pending appeal. We work proactively – identifying enforcement risks under Dutch law and building a defensible compliance position before any authority takes action. For cross-border matters, we also appear before European institutions, including RAPEX/Safety Gate notifications and EU market surveillance coordination (Joint Actions). Our approach as Dutch legal counsel is assertive and decisive: where constructive dialogue is possible, we pursue it; where litigation is necessary, we move swiftly.
Dutch supervisory authorities can also be used strategically. Where a competitor is systematically non-compliant with Dutch regulations and thereby gaining an unfair market advantage, targeted engagement of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the Netherlands Authority for Digital Infrastructure (RDI), or the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) can restore a level playing field. MAAK Advocaten guides companies from our Amsterdam office through this offensive use of regulatory enforcement, from building the evidentiary file and drafting a well-founded notification to following up with the authority and monitoring outcomes. Our Dutch attorneys also handle product liability claims (aansprakelijkheidsclaims) under Dutch law (Burgerlijk Wetboek), advise on liability allocation (aansprakelijkheidsverdeling) across the supply chain, and assess technical dossiers and declarations of conformity (conformiteitsverklaringen) as defence tools in Dutch court proceedings.
Have you developed an original design, built a distinctive brand, or created an innovative formula? Under Dutch law, this creation deserves protection, and our IP specialists act both preventively and when you are confronted with an infringement. This includes trademark infringement, the fight against counterfeit products, and copyright infringement. In urgent cases, we can protect your interests directly through interim relief proceedings (kort geding) before the summary proceedings judge.
Without proper protection, competitors can copy your work with impunity. Our Amsterdam IP attorneys advise your organisation preventively, for example when drafting licence agreements or filing a trademark, and act swiftly and firmly once an infringement is established. Unlike in most other Dutch civil proceedings, in IP proceedings the actual legal costs can generally be recovered from the losing party under Dutch law, which significantly strengthens the position of the rights holder. If you are wrongly accused of an IP infringement, we prepare your defence together with you.
With extensive experience in European and Dutch IP law, and a sharp eye for practice, we guide organisations throughout the Netherlands and beyond. Whether it concerns interim relief proceedings against an infringer or strategic advice on your trademark strategy, you can rely on our specialist service.
International trade and transport give rise to complex legal risks. Delays, cargo damage, loss of goods and liability disputes can disrupt your supply chain at any moment.
MAAK Advocaten is a Dutch law firm specialised in Dutch trade law and transport law, advising importers, exporters, freight forwarders and logistics service providers operating on the Dutch and European market. We help companies manage these risks, fix responsibilities contractually under Dutch law and act effectively in transport and trade disputes before Dutch courts – keeping your goods flow legally and operationally under control. The Netherlands, and Amsterdam in particular, is one of Europe’s most important logistics hubs, making Dutch trade and transport law a critical area of expertise for international supply chains. Our legal counsel in the Netherlands covers the full scope of Dutch and European trade law.
Sanctions regimes, export controls and Dutch and European customs rules (douanerecht) are changing at a rapid pace. In the current geopolitical environment, sanctions lists are regularly updated, export control lists are revised and customs procedures are becoming increasingly complex as a result of Brexit and geopolitical shifts. Our Amsterdam-based trade law team helps companies structure their trading arrangements in compliance with Dutch and European law and respond swiftly when problems arise. We advise on EU, US and UN sanctions compliance, dual-use export licences and disputes over customs classification and valuation before Dutch courts and authorities. For companies entering the Dutch or European market, we also advise on removing regulatory barriers to market access through Dutch legal and administrative channels.
We further advise on CMR liability, transport agreements (vervoersovereenkomsten) under Dutch law across all modes of transport including road, sea, air and multimodal, Incoterms and risk allocation in the supply chain, and disputes between shippers, carriers, freight forwarders and insurers. We assist in obtaining Dutch licences and permits (vergunningen), advise on customs compliance and support companies facing regulatory investigations and enforcement actions (handhavingsacties) by Dutch authorities. When international trade barriers delay or prevent access to the Dutch or European market, we challenge them through legal and administrative channels (bestuursrechtelijke kanalen) in the Netherlands.
The transition to a sustainable business is no longer optional; it is a legal reality under current and upcoming Dutch and EU law. Our Amsterdam specialists guide organisations through the increasingly complex environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulatory landscape, from working conditions to climate legislation, including CBAM, the EUDR, forced labour rules, the PPWR, the CSRD and the CSDDD.
We know the rules, understand your position within the value chain, and proactively flag gaps in your existing agreements. We also act as your sparring partner, helping you anticipate developments in EU and Dutch regulation before they take effect.
Our attorneys advise on ESG regulation, sustainability claims and climate-related liability under Dutch law, for example when drafting a transition plan, assessing and protecting your position within the value chain, or litigating climate cases, an area in which Dutch courts are internationally regarded as leading. With extensive experience and a sharp eye for practice, we help ensure ESG becomes part of your strategy, not merely a risk to manage.
Our Dutch lawyers in Amsterdam keep you informed of the latest legal and industry developments that may affect your business. Here you will find our most recent insights and publications on Product Regulations and Compliance, Litigation in the Netherlands, Logistics, Industry and Trade, Dutch Contract Law, Market Access, ESG and Sustainability, Dutch Regulatory Litigation, Dutch Intellectual Property Law
Are you facing a legal challenge? Do not hesitate to contact our Amsterdam law firm. Our specialists are ready to assist you with practical, commercially focused legal advice.
MAAK Advocaten is a boutique law firm based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that combines in-depth legal expertise with extensive industry knowledge. Our Dutch specialist lawyers have built a strong reputation in Product and Supply Chain Compliance, Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Commercial Contracts, ESG and Sustainability, Intellectual Property, Market Access, Regulatory Litigation, and Logistics, Industry & Trade.
Our specialized Dutch lawyers advise suppliers, manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other businesses seeking pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice. By combining a thorough understanding of the legal landscape with practical insight into our clients’ industries, we deliver legal solutions that create real business value.
At our Amsterdam law firm, we are ready to support your business. Whether you require advice on product regulation, assistance with structuring a complex commercial agreement, or representation in litigation or arbitration, our lawyers apply their expertise strategically to protect your commercial and legal interests. Contact us today for a no-obligation introductory meeting.
Our combination of specialist legal expertise, personal commitment, and a 97% client satisfaction rate sets us apart from other law firms in Amsterdam. Our Dutch lawyers believe in a proactive and transparent approach: not merely responding to legal issues as they arise, but anticipating risks, identifying opportunities, and acting as a strategic legal partner to your business.
Our attorneys in the Netherlands understand that clear communication and delivering on our commitments are the foundation of outstanding legal services. We go the extra mile to relieve our clients of legal concerns by providing advice that extends beyond the legal framework, advice that reflects your commercial objectives, takes account of market developments, and keeps pace with an evolving regulatory landscape. This is one of the key reasons why the vast majority of our clients choose to work with us again.
Choose our Amsterdam law firm if you are looking for dedicated lawyers who understand your industry and are highly specialized in product regulation, commercial contracts, and dispute resolution. Our success is measured by yours.
Dutch law differs significantly from English, American, German and other legal systems – in contract law, procedural law and administrative law alike. Companies operating in the Netherlands or entering into contracts with Dutch parties need more than general legal advice: they need a Dutch law firm that knows Dutch law in depth and understands the realities of international business. MAAK Advocaten combines both: all our lawyers are admitted to the Dutch Bar (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten), advise exclusively in the areas where we have genuine specialist knowledge, and communicate directly with international clients in English. We offer focused expertise rather than a generalist approach – as Dutch legal counsel across product law, contract law, litigation, regulatory matters, market access and trade law.
As a Dutch law firm in Amsterdam, we are close to the most important Dutch courts, including the Rechtbank Amsterdam, the Gerechtshof Amsterdam and the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC). This proximity, combined with our international outlook and established network of legal and technical partners across Europe, means that foreign companies instructing MAAK Advocaten have a single point of contact for all their Dutch law needs – from the first consultation to the courtroom. For international clients who need a reliable Dutch lawyer, Dutch solicitor or Netherlands commercial lawyer, MAAK Advocaten offers the combination of specialist knowledge, English-language communication and cross-border experience that complex matters require.
Foreign companies can contact MAAK Advocaten directly in English. We are a specialised Dutch law firm in Amsterdam and all our lawyers are admitted to the Dutch Bar (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten). We offer a free introductory consultation to assess your situation and discuss the best approach under Dutch law. Reach us by phone at +31 (0)20 210 31 38 or by email at mail@maakadvocaten.nl.
In the absence of an express choice of law clause, Dutch law will typically govern a B2B contract with a Dutch party under the EU Rome I Regulation. It is strongly advisable to include an explicit choice of law and jurisdiction clause in any commercial agreement. MAAK Advocaten advises on contract drafting, review and negotiation under Dutch law.
A kort geding (interim injunction) is an expedited procedure before a Dutch court resulting in a provisional ruling within days or weeks. A bodemprocedure (main proceedings) is the full civil procedure leading to a final binding judgment, which may take several months to years. MAAK Advocaten handles both before Dutch courts, including the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC).
The Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) is a specialised English-language chamber of the Amsterdam courts (Rechtbank Amsterdam and Gerechtshof Amsterdam) that handles international commercial disputes entirely in English – including written submissions, hearings and judgments. Foreign companies can litigate before the NCC without the need for Dutch-language proceedings. MAAK Advocaten regularly represents clients in NCC proceedings.
Yes. MAAK Advocaten is a Dutch law firm in Amsterdam whose lawyers are admitted to the Dutch Bar and are fluent in English. We specialise in representing foreign companies before the Rechtbank Amsterdam, the Gerechtshof Amsterdam and the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC), with extensive experience acting for international clients in Dutch litigation and arbitration proceedings.
Foreign manufacturers placing products on the Dutch or European market must comply with applicable product regulations, conformity assessment procedures, CE marking requirements and labelling obligations. MAAK Advocaten advises on market access strategies, regulatory compliance and challenges to regulatory barriers under Dutch and European law.
Yes. MAAK Advocaten provides full legal advice and representation under Dutch law in English. Our Dutch lawyers and legal counsel advise international clients on product law, contract law, litigation, regulatory matters, market access and trade law – entirely in English, without the need for intermediaries or translation services.
MAAK Advocaten is based in Amsterdam – the economic and legal centre of the Netherlands. From our offices at Kraanspoor 34 in Amsterdam-Noord, we advise clients from across Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States and beyond on their legal matters in the Netherlands. All our lawyers are admitted to the Dutch Bar (Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten) and have extensive experience acting as legal counsel in the Netherlands for international clients. Amsterdam is home to the Rechtbank Amsterdam, the Gerechtshof Amsterdam and the Netherlands Commercial Court (NCC) – the key courts for international commercial disputes in the Netherlands – as well as the NAI, one of Europe’s leading arbitration institutions. This institutional proximity gives international clients direct and informed access to the Dutch legal system.
We have built a solid international network of legal and technical partners across Europe and worldwide. Where a matter requires local expertise in Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom or elsewhere, we coordinate the collaboration with trusted local counsel – ensuring you have a single point of contact throughout. As a Dutch law firm with an international perspective, we offer the combination of Dutch legal expertise, English-language communication and cross-border litigation and compliance experience that international clients require. Whether you need a Dutch lawyer, a Dutch solicitor or a Netherlands commercial lawyer for a one-off matter or a long-term legal partnership, MAAK Advocaten is ready to assist.
Do you need legal advice under Dutch law? Are you looking for a Dutch lawyer or Dutch solicitor to advise on product compliance, to review or draft a contract, to represent you in proceedings before a Dutch court, to challenge a decision by a Dutch supervisory authority, or to support your market access to the Netherlands or Europe? MAAK Advocaten offers a free initial consultation in English, in which we assess your legal situation and discuss the possible approach as your legal counsel under Dutch law. Our lawyers are available by phone, by email or in person at our office in Amsterdam.
Contact our Dutch law firm in the Netherlands today: by phone at +31 (0)20 210 31 38, by email at mail@maakadvocaten.nl or via www.maakadvocaten.nl. We aim to respond to all enquiries within one business day. MAAK Advocaten – your English-speaking Dutch law firm in Amsterdam for Dutch law.
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