Dirk van den Berg

Partner

Expertise:

real estate law
leasing
franchise
distribution law

Dirk van den Berg advises a large number of businesses in the petrol stations sector, on contracts with oil companies and other subjects. He furthermore advises businesses, in particular in the retail sector, in the fields of commercial tenancy law and franchise. Dirk has broad litigation experience, in both preliminary relief proceedings and proceedings on the merits. He litigates when necessary, but also acts as a mediator and always considers the possibilities of a favourable settlement.

Between 2000 and 2018, Dirk was partner at a leading Dutch law firm. He has additional qualifications as a specialist in insolvency, leasing and mediation.

Dirk is an active member of the following assiciations or platforms:

Member of the Landlord and Tenant Law Practitioners Association
Member of the Association of Insolvency Lawyers (Insolad)
Member of the Association for Distribution, Franchise and Agency Law (DFA)
Dirk has a regular column in Pompshop, a trade magazine for the petrol station and carwash industry
Annotator for trade publication ‘Jurisprudentie (voorheen Journaal) Huur & Verhuur’

Our clients about Dirk in The Legal 500 EMEA 2021:

“Knowledge of the relevant market developments“.

“Good knowledge, quick replies and pragmatic advice“.

“All individuals have both good social and professional skills“.

“They think several steps ahead in the process“.

“This office works with the most modern techniques and communication resources“.

“Pro-active practice with a good network“.

The Legal 500 about act legal:
“act legal specialises in franchising, and insolvency and restructuring matters, and also handles rental matters, real estate transactions, M&A, corporate disputes and employment issues. As part of act legal, an alliance of independent firms, the practice is well placed to handle matters across Europe. The team attracts work from large international corporates, midsized enterprises, governments and investors. Katinka Verdurmen is a key name for commercial real estate matters and litigation. Dirk van den Berg and Jodit de Bruin are the other names to note.”

Track records

Advising Intertoys B.V. in drafting and assessing 140 lease contracts and approximately 70 franchise contracts; advising on the re-establishment of the franchise organisation.

Advising various petrol station entrepreneurs with regard to the upcoming auction based on the Petrol Act (Law on the auction of certain sales points of motor fuels).

Advising a Dutch province on the design of a new system for the rental of petrol stations and the transfer of existing users of the stations to the new system.

Tankstation Huurregels Bij Gemengde Overeenkomst

Advising the foundation "De Grens Bereikt!" concerning the claim of a large number of owners and tenants of petrol stations against the State of the Netherlands in connection with the increase in excise duties on petrol.

Several cases with regard to the Petrol Act (Law on the auction of certain points of sale of motor fuels).

Advising various tenants of petrol station lots in Rotterdam with regard to the auctions to be held by the municipality of Rotterdam.

Advising various municipalities with regard to the rental of petrol station lots.

Advising McDonald's franchisees regarding the implementation of the Franchise Act.

Various proceedings concerning the consequences of the COVID measures issued by the government on current leases for shops and the catering industry.

Advising CASA 23 in a dispute with a.o. the municipality of Almere on the purchase of building plots, housing projects, delays due to corona measures, construction defects and construction damage.