Rutger Blaauw

Get to know Rutger

Rutger is active in the field of commercial law. He often assists companies within the Netherlands and abroad, such as trading companies, ship owners, insurers and property companies. Rutger also advises on contractual and company-law matters.

The emphasis of Rutger's practice is on liability law in all its aspects. Companies in trouble ask him for his guidance.

Throughout the years, Rutger has handled many personal injury cases. Personal injury is a niche area, especially where it concerns shipping and transport. An issue in these cases may be to what extent another party than the client is bound to pay the damage in the end.

Because of his broad experience with litigation in complex matters, Rutger is also asked to assist in unorthodox matters that require a creative solution.

His assistance is sought, for instance, in matters involving an international nature. This may be a situation of a dispute or a situation where a foreign entity is unknown with the system in The Netherlands and reaches out for guidance. This calls for good cooperation and decisiveness.

In 1996, Rutger started his career with Van Dunné & Van der Wiel, a Rotterdam specialist law firm in the field of transport and trade. In 2000 Rutger switched to Van Harmelen Beijneveld van Houten, now known under the name DOCK Legal Experts, where he has been a partner since 2005.

Rutger has regularly been a guest lecturer at Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Professional & Community Affiliations

• Netherlands' Association for Maritime and Transport Law
• The Association for Liability and Compensation Law
• The Association for Insurance Science
• Erasmus Trust Fund and  College Board

Admissions

• Dutch Bar Association
• All Courts in the Netherlands
• Various arbitration institutes
• Appeal bodies
• Raad van State (Dutch Council of State)

Publications & Lectures

• ‘Aansprakelijkheid van de taxateur van onroerende zaken’, BR 2010/139, afl. 9, p. 733-734;

• ‘Werkwijze taxateur bepaalt aansprakelijkheid’, De Taxateur 2008/19, afl. 40, p. 10-11
  
  

Education

• Grotius Academy (Postgraduate Course Transport Law, 2000)

• London Guildhall University (International & Comparative Business Law, MA, 1995)

• Erasmus University Rotterdam LLM (Private Law, 1994)

• Grotius Academy (Postgraduate Training Personal Injury, 2024)