Dirk Knottenbelt

Dirk Knottenbelt

Advocaat | Partner

Contact

Dirk Knottenbelt
Rotterdam
+31 10 217 24 72
+31 6 5155 9271
Send e-mail

Practice Areas

Arbitration
Litigation

Sectors

Financial Services
Technology, Media & Telecom
Insurance
Energy & Industry
Agrifood
Manufacturing
Transport & Logistics

Languages

Dutch
English
German

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Dirk leads Houthoff’s arbitration team and specialises in complex corporate law and commercial arbitrations and litigation. The majority of this work focuses on arbitration and other dispute settlement procedures with an international dimension. His clients are mostly Dutch, US and other international companies. Dirk represents clients in national and international commercial and investment arbitrations, under the auspices of the ICC, NAI, ICSID and other institutional rules, such as GAFTA, NZV, AVZ and FENEX. Dirk also acts as an arbitrator in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations, and as a deputy justice at the Dutch courts of appeal.


  • “One client describes him as ‘calm, confident and very convincing’.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel (2022 Edition)
  • “A client appreciates that he ‘knows how to present a case convincingly’.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel (2022 Edition)
  • “Clients commend him for his courtroom presence, saying that ‘his oral advocacy is very well structured, credible and convincing.’”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel (2021 Edition)
  • Leading Individual
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2021 Edition)
  • “The ‘very skilled and client-oriented’ Dirk Knottenbelt  frequently represents clients in ICC arbitration.”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel (2020 Edition)
  • “Knottenbelt is a true advocate, great at hearings. Knows how to present his case. Very analytical.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2020 Edition)
  • “I worked with Dirk Knottenbelt and others during the whole arbitration process. They are polite, passionate, smart, professional and always fully prepared for upcoming situations. Besides, they do wonderful paperwork.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2020 Edition)
  • “Dirk Knottenbelt is very analytical.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2020 Edition)
  • “The team is led by senior partner Dirk Knottenbelt who is leading in arbitration and has an overwhelming presence.”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2020 Edition)
  • “Dirk Knottenbelt is praised by clients for his ‘strong commercial awareness, excellent service level and strategic approach.’”
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel - Netherlands (2019 Edition)
  • “Dirk Knottenbelt is ‘excellent.’”
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2019 Edition)
  • "Commentators praise him as an 'excellent litigator,' adding that he is 'smart and responsive'."
    Chambers Global & Europe, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration Counsel (2018 edition)
  • "Dirk Knottenbelt is ‘very pragmatic’."
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2018 Edition)
  • Recommended
    Legal 500, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration (2018 Edition)

Qualifications & Experience

  • LL.M. Dutch Law (Leiden University)
  • Several modules at the University of Edinburgh

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