Professor Dr Niek Peters

Professor Dr Niek Peters is a partner at Legaltree and professor of international commercial arbitration at the University of Groningen.

Niek sits as arbitrator (sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator and chair) in commercial arbitrations, both ad hoc (including UNCITRAL) and institutional (e.g., ICC, NAI, LCIA, UNUM). He also acts as counsel in commercial arbitrations and court litigation, including setting aside and enforcement proceedings.

Niek‘s practice, both as counsel and arbitrator, focuses on the energy sector, the construction sector, the transport sector, the financial services sector and international trade. Many cases concern contractual disputes and damages claims. In this context, Niek also has experience with shareholder disputes, joint venture disputes, post M&A disputes and professional liability claims. Many of Niek’s cases have an international element and are governed by foreign law.

Niek is a board member of the Royal Netherlands Association for International Law and the Dutch Arbitration Association. He is also a delegate to the ICC’s International Commission on Arbitration & ADR. During his career he has published many books and articles on arbitration, private international law and liability law.

In Legal500 Niek has been recognized as a leading individual in the field of arbitration and he has been in included in Who’s Who Legal for many years. In Who‘s Who Legal he has been described as “a great attorney”, “a clever practitioner”, “quick minded and smart”, “extremely thorough”, “with a strong knowledge of arbitration law”, and with “the ability to find practical and effective solutions to difficult issues”. In Legal500 it was stated that Niek has “a strong legal knowledge” and “a strong intellect”, and that he “combines high-level academic knowledge with practical experience” that “helps to solve the most difficult questions” in “a low-key, can-do approach”.

"Nothing beats a well-prepared arbitrator"

-Niek Peters