Restructuring & Insolvency

Cliënten die betrokken zijn bij een onderneming die in financiële moeilijkheden zit hebben behoefte aan doortastend advies en een '360-round view' op de problemen waarmee zij zich geconfronteerd zien. Kennis van en ervaring met complexe financieringsstructuren, maar ook de EU Insolventieverordening en buitenlandse insolventieprocedures, zoals de Amerikaanse Chapter 11 en de Engelse scheme of arrangement, is vereist om in grensoverschrijdende herstructureringen en (dreigende) insolventies juist advies te geven.

Daarnaast moet soms snel en op adequate wijze een juridische procedure kunnen worden gevoerd. Insolventiegeschillen vergen strategisch inzicht en doortastendheid. Houthoff heeft een ongeëvenaard sterke insolventieprocespraktijk opgebouwd. Onze procesadvocaten hebben de expertise en bevoegdheid op te treden in procedures voor de Hoge Raad. Onze advocaten treden geregeld op als de curator of bewindvoerder in insolventieprocedures.

Het Herstructurering & Insolventie team van Houthoff is marktleider. Zij zijn internationaal erkend en worden al jaren in juridische gidsen (bijv. Chambers en Legal 500) bovenaan 'geranked'. Het team beschikt over diepgaande expertise en ervaring en heeft in nagenoeg alle grote zaken die de afgelopen jaren in de Nederlandse markt speelden, een leidende rol vervuld.

“A client reports that the lawyers are ‘very diligent, thoughtful, knowledgeable and flexible, as well as result-driven.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
“Highlighting the firm’s ability to handle cross-border matters, a client underlines that the team ‘offers the same high-quality services, communication and dedication to international clients.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
“Houthoff is a boutique style law firm with very competent lawyers and a great restructuring practice.”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
“The lawyers have experience from all angles of restructuring cases and are not afraid to give clear advice.”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
“Great team, great people, high quality, very reliable and always good.”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
First Tier firm

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
“Highlighting the firm’s ability to handle cross-border matters, a client underlines that the team ‘offers the same high-quality services, communication and dedication to international clients.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2021 Edition)
"They are first class,’ lauds one client, adding that ‘they’re innovative, smart and a cut above the rest.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency: Administration (2020 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2020 Edition)
“Sources report that the lawyers ‘are pragmatic and they get to the point quickly.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency: Administration (2020 Edition)
"They are first class,’ lauds one client, adding that ‘they’re innovative, smart and a cut above the rest.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2020 Edition)
“Sources report that the lawyers ‘are pragmatic and they get to the point quickly.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2020 Edition)
“The team has earned a distinguished international reputation. They are a committed and dedicated team with likeable lawyers who have specialist expertise in complex cross-border restructurings and insolvency proceedings. My experience is that their lawyers are hard-working, commercial and solution-oriented.”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2020 Edition)
“Houthoff is one of our favourite law firms to work with on complex cross-border insolvency matters, and we have built a long-standing relationship and trust with them. Compared to larger firms, Houthoff has a boutique approach with partners that are very committed and are available and responsive during a deal.”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2020 Edition)
“Interviewees highlight the lawyers’ ‘strong analytical and communication skills.’”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2019 Edition)
“They quickly and effectively find answers and solutions to complex legal and substantive questions.”

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency (2019 Edition)
First Tier firm

Chambers Europe, Restructuring & Insolvency: Administration (2019 Edition)
“Houthoff is credited with being ‘a well-coordinated, clearly led team that quickly understands the business, the issues, and drives for results.’”

Legal 500, Restructuring & Insolvency (2019 Edition)

Voorbeelden van expertise op het gebied van herstructurering en insolventie

Ons Herstructurering & Insolventie team is betrokken geweest bij spraakmakende complexe (financiële) insolventies, waaronder Oi, OSX/OGX, SwissAir, Van der Hoop bankiers, V&D, DSB Bank, Lehman Brothers, Yukos, Joh. Enschedé en Landsbanki.

Het Herstructurering & Insolventie team werkt geïntegreerd samen met (sector)experts op het gebied van onder meer M&A en banking & finance. Houthoff is daarnaast verbonden aan Lex Mundi, een exclusief wereldwijd netwerk van advocatenkantoren. Daarnaast beschikt het team over een netwerk van uitstekende buitenlandse financiële experts en insolventieadvocaten en -kantoren dat is opgebouwd in grensoverschrijdende zaken die in het verleden zijn behandeld. Daarmee is in internationale situaties verzekerd dat het team met de beste (buitenlandse) adviseurs samenwerkt.

Highlighted Matters

Advised and represented Finqus B.V. and DSB Bank N.V. (in bankruptcy) on the sale of Finqus' loan portfolio with a purchase price of approx. EUR 1.5 billion to NIBC Bank N.V.
Highlighted Matters

Representing Kroonenberg, one of the largest real estate investors in the Netherlands, in a high-profile dispute against the bankruptcy trustees of Memid and Midreth, a large construction company in the Netherlands.
Highlighted Matters

Representing investment firm Indofin, in relation to the IHC Group's restructuring in 2020.
Highlighted Matters

Representing CBRE Global Investors in proceedings in relation to the bankruptcy of Hudson's Bay Netherlands.
Highlighted Matters

Advised OSX Brasil S.A. and its Dutch subsidiaries. on the restructuring of their consolidated debt of over US$ 2.5 billion, including representing the OSX companies in various litigation matters in the Netherlands as well as coordinating litigation abroad. The team worked also on the debt restructuring of OSX 3, the USD 450 million bond structure and the syndicated debt of USD 850 million.
Highlighted Matters

Acted as Dutch counsel in connection with the preparation and implementation of the settlement plan relating to the Agrokor group. Agrokor entered into an insolvency process in 2017 under 'Lex Agrokor', a law passed in Croatia aimed at the restructuring of Agrokor in view of its systemic importance for the Croatian economy. The business has been transferred to the Fortenova Group.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff advised Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Neuberger Berman on a large Sharia based financial restructuring.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff acted on behalf of De Viersprong, a highly specialised mental healthcare institute (GGZ) employing over 300 people, in its successful standstill and turnaround negotiations with its financiers, institutional creditors, the WFZ (healthcare guarantee sector fund) and the relevant health care insurers.
Highlighted Matters

V&D was a landmark brand of high street located department stores (63 stores) in the Netherlands and was founded in 1887. Houthoff advised the company in a wide array of matters, including the restructuring of its debt, and representing the company in several high profile litigation matters related to real estate and labour law.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff advised ABN AMRO Bank, ING Bank and ABN AMRO Lease on a complex asset based financial restructuring and LTV pool based financing of an international group of companies.
Highlighted Matters

Advised Aurelius, through its investment vehicle Capricorn, in lodging several claims in the Netherlands, relating to, among others, (a) the voidance of several intercompany transactions of the Oi Group which have been to the detriment of the group's creditors and (b) to prevent the ailing Brazilian parent company from borrowing any more money from one its Dutch subsidiaries.
Highlighted Matters

Acting as court appointed bankruptcy trustee of DSB Bank, Houthoff continued through 2014 to unwind the legacy of the failed bank following the settlement agreement made with claimants regarding overcharged premiums and interest obligations. To date, 40 employees of the bank are employed.
Highlighted Matters

Houthoff, together with Stikeman Elliott LLP, advised Essar Steel Algoma, Inc. and its (Dutch) group companies in respect of a USD 200 million DIP-financing, which was provided by Deutsche Bank AG for the purpose of the voluntary proceedings under (i) the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and (ii) chapter 15 of title 11 of the United States Code.