DECK advocaten is a boutique law firm specialized in transport, maritime, trade and insurance law. We all have great affinity with these areas of expertise which allows us to easily relate to our national and international clients, which include shipping companies, owners, carriers, traders, logistic service providers and their insurance companies and insurance brokers. DECK advocaten has an international network which we can bring in if and when necessary.
Transport law in the broadest sense is an important area of expertise of DECK advocaten. Our focus points are however cases concerning carriage by road transport, inland waterways, sea and multimodal transport. In addition, we handle cases that are related to transshipment of cargo and temporary storage. We also assist in drafting and advising on charter parties, contracts of carriage and transport documents. DECK advocaten represents owners, carriers, stevedores as well as cargo interests, including their P&I-, FD&D-, liability- and cargo underwriters.
DECK advocaten offers assistance to various logistic service providers such as freight forwarders and storage companies. We handle cases concerning damage to goods stored (in shore tanks and warehouses) and damage that occurred during various operations (loading and discharging operations, value added services and cross docking). We also assist in drafting and advising on logistic contracts and the use of (standard) general terms and conditions.
DECK advocaten has ample and comprehensive experience in maritime matters concerning commercially operated vessels as well as yachting. This includes maritime casualties (collisions, salvage, marine pollution) or damage to hull caused during loading and discharging operations, to other damage caused by vessels as well as accidents on board. In addition, we deal with disputes regarding shipbuilding, repair works, payment of freight and demurrage and detention (FD&D). attachment of vessels and issues regarding guarantees (LoU’s). Furthermore, we support clients in drafting charter parties, ship building contracts and contracts in respect of recycling of ships.
DECK advocaten assists parties involved in (international) trade in relation to agreements regarding sales, distribution, agency and consignment agreements. Examples of cases that we handle are conflicts caused by quality problems, too late or no delivery and non-payment. We assist clients with drafting of contracts. Our clients are companies involved in the trade of import and export of perishable products (such as fresh and dried fruit, bananas and nuts) and industrial products (such as steel products, semi-finished products, machines).
Next to cases regarding logistics and shipping DECK advocaten is well versed in general liability issues such as damage caused by or damage caused to construction equipment. We can assist during the procedure of assessing the damage, with recourse actions against liable parties as well as with defending a claim.
Insurance is one of the key factors in almost all cases we handle. We are therefore well versed in insurance law and various types of insurance such as P&I, H&M, carrier’s liability, marine cargo, professional liability and CAR. We represent underwriters as well as insureds. We advise on and litigate cases concerning recourse as well as insurance cover (concurrent rights of insurance, subrogation).
We deal with disputes subject to arbitration in connection with shipping, ship building, transport, logistics, warehousing and international trade on a regular basis. DECK advocaten acts as counsel in arbitration proceedings on behalf of all kinds of clients.
Jan Eckoldt is specialized in transport law. He focuses on carriage of goods by sea, inland waterways and roads as well as on combined transport. He also frequently deals with other maritime and shipping related issues (such as collisions, accidents on board, limitation proceedings, FD&D, repair work etc.). Jan also advises regarding drafting charter parties, ship building contracts and contracts in respect of recycling of ships.
Jan grew up in Cologne, Germany. He studied in Germany and the Netherlands. Before his studies he worked as a tax consultant in Cologne. Jan is familiar with the sometimes typical yet subtle cultural differences between the Dutch-German business approach. Due to his background and experience, Jan often advises German speaking clients and assists Dutch clients with conflicts in Germany.
He started his career as a transport and trade lawyer in March 2005. He has also registered these practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas and complies with the training standards set by the Netherlands Bar. In 2014, Jan received his PhD at the University of Leiden on his thesis “Choice-of-court agreement and carriage of goods by sea”.
Mark Koppenol is specialized in cases regarding transport, logistics and trade. In respect of transport it concerns transport by road, sea and multimodal transport. Furthermore, he has knowledge of and experience regarding logistic matters, including liabilities, drafting logistic contracts and advising about general terms and conditions. He has also expertise in (international) trade disputes. He often advises in that respect regarding perishable goods.
He advises and serves the interests of transport companies, logistic service providers, cargo interests and traders and also their underwriters and insurance brokers.
Mark has studied at the Erasmus University Rotterdam where he specialized in civil law and maritime and transport law. He is a lawyer in the field of transport, logistics and trade since 2012. He has also registered these legal practice areas in the Netherlands Bar’s register of legal practice areas and complies with the training standards set by the Netherlands Bar.
DECK advocaten
De Ruijterkade 107 III
1011 AB Amsterdam
The office of DECK advocaten is easily accessible by car and public transport. Our office is just a few minutes’ walk from Amsterdam Central Station. In case you visit us by car, you can park in front of our office or in the parking garage around the corner called Oosterdokgarage (navigate to Oosterdoksstraat 150D, Amsterdam).
Fax: +31 (0)20 210 3202 – Trade register no.: 67807267 – VAT-ID.: NL857181087B01