Willem Van der Werf has significant expertise in the areas of construction, real estate, and government. Political and administrative authorities’ interests frequently play a large role in his practice. In particular, when it concerns development and transformation of a geographical area where public as well as private parties are involved. Willem’s experience enables him to look beyond just the legal aspects of a matter and to assess related political and administrative law risks. By maintaining good and effective relations with the competent authorities, and by being cognisant of the context of administrative authorities, he achieves effective solutions for his clients.

Willem specialises in urban and spatial planning, real estate, municipalities’ right of first refusal, long-term ground lease and lease. In addition, he advises and guides municipalities on expropriation proceedings from beginning to completion. Willem is also experienced in addressing questions of law in the area of public administration, such as accessibility and integrity. He lectures at a number of educational institutions and is a member of the editorial board of the Dutch Journal of Agricultural Law (Tijdschrift voor Agrarisch Recht).

Industry focus

• Government
• Real Estate

Areas of expertise

• Constitutional and administrative law
• Construction law
• Land acquisition and exploitation
• Liability and damages
• State aid
• Real Estate
• Spatial planning and environmental law

Experience

Willem advises on developing and transforming geographical areas. And where needed, litigating on behalf of his clients. In addition to his know-how and expertise in the area of spatial planning administrative law, Willem is experienced in the area of expropriation law, land allocation agreements, long-term ground lease conditions and long-term ground lease agreements.

A few examples from Willem’s practice include:

• Advising and litigating for municipalities in the greater Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Utrecht metropolitan area concerning relevant zoning plans and expropriation needed for the redevelopment of the greenhouse districts and for the development of a residential area of 3,400 homes;
• Advising and litigating for a real estate developer, one of the largest in the Netherlands, in relation to property development in the greater Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Utrecht metropolitan area;
• Advising a municipality on the redevelopment of a large-scale hotel complex in Noordwijk;
• Former chairman of the advisory committee of the Dutch Forestry Service concerning the long-term ground lease of approximately 325 recreational homes on various Wadden Islands;
• Judicial expert at the Court of ’s-Hertogenbosch in matters between a water board and 14 long-term ground lease holders in Zeeland;
• Adviser to Natuurmonumenten on various large-scale transformations of geographical areas from former quarries and factories to recreational areas and nature preserves.

Awards

• PropertyNL Top-60 Vastgoedjuristen;
• Chambers Europe 2020: Public Law: Band 3, Planning & Environment: Band 2: "Clients praise the team's ability to provide "feasible advice," and highlight that the lawyers "can understand our way of work."
• Legal 500 2020 Environment and Planning (Tier 1): “based in The Hague, has expertise in sectors ranging from construction and real estate, to energy and water. It advises on sustainable energy projects, zoning and planning matters and includes developers, investors, and local and regional authorities among its clients. Willem Bosma, Jacques Sluysmans and Willem van der Werf lead the team."
• Legal 500 2020 Energy: Regulatory (Tier 2) "The team provides assistance to clients in relation to the regulatory aspects in energy projects and offers particular expertise in the renewable energy sector.";

• Legal 500 2020 Construction (Tier 3): "Van der Feltz Advocaten has a strong procurement and construction law team, which often works in conjunction with the firm's environmental, planning, and energy departments to meet a wide range of project-related needs."

• Legal 500 2020 Real Estate (Tier 4): “(...)…The team at Van der Feltz Advocaten provides 'accurate and compelling advice'. It has 'very broad knowledge of both civil and public building law', leading to instructions from clients including developers, investors, construction companies, international organisations, and particularly municipalities and provinces. (...) Willem van der Werf, who jointly heads the practice with Willem Bosma and Marc Houweling, is assisting the Municipality of Rijswijk with the Pasgeld-Oost and Pasgeld-West housing developments. "

Professional associations

• Member of the editorial board of the Dutch Journal of Agricultural Law (Tijdschrift voor Agrarisch Recht)
• Member of the Dutch Association for Construction Law Lawyers (Vereniging voor Bouwrechtadvocaten)
• Member of the Dutch Association of Expropriation Law Lawyers (Vereniging van Onteigeningsrecht Advocaten)