Equine Law and Commercial Litigation in the Netherlands
The Dutch headquarters of Schelstraete Equine Law is at the heart of our international practice, serving as the base for our legal practice in equine law, commercial litigation, and sports law. From our Dutch office, our legal team advises and represents national and international clients in complex legal matters.
Led by Managing Partners Luc Schelstraete and Piotr Wawrzyniak, our team combines extensive legal experience with in-depth knowledge of the equestrian industry and broader commercial sector.
Legal Expertise
Our lawyers advise and represent athletes, private clients, businesses, investors, veterinarians, trainers, grooms, and other professionals across a wide range of matters, including:
- Equine law: Legal advice and representation within the equestrian industry, including equine transactions, contractual disputes, cases concerning non-conformity, veterinary liability, and more.
- Commercial litigation: Representation in complex commercial disputes, including contractual and business disputes both within and beyond the equestrian sector.
- Sports law: Advice and representation in regulatory, disciplinary, and anti-doping proceedings before relevant sport authorities and tribunals.
Specialist Equine Knowledge: Legal, Veterinary and Commercial
Our equine law practice combines legal expertise with veterinary knowledge and first-hand experience within the equestrian industry. With an in-house equine veterinarian and team members with professional backgrounds in the horse industry, we understand the legal, veterinary, and commercial considerations that arise in equine-related matters.
By considering factors such as warranties, disclosure obligations, diagnostic imaging (including MRI and CT scans), gait analysis, and liability, we can provide advice and representation tailored to the specific circumstances of our clients and the realities of the equestrian sector.
Our Expertise
We combine specialized equine law, commercial litigation, and sports law expertise with in-house veterinary and commercial insight.
Contracting
Our experts draft and negotiate legally robust and cross-border contracts that protect your interests in national and international transactions.
Litigation
Our lawyers represent clients in complex cross-border disputes and litigation, acting decisively to safeguard legal and commercial positions.
Corporate Consultancy
We advise businesses and investors on governance, restructuring, and cross-border corporate strategy.
Disciplinary & Doping Cases
We provide strategic defense in disciplinary and doping proceedings before national and international sports authorities, such as the FEI, CAS, and HISA
Immigration
Our lawyers handle visas, work permits, and residency procedures to support international equestrian careers and other athletic professions.
Equine Sports Industry Practice
We structure and provide strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures, advise on mergers and acquisitions of equine businesses, and represent private equity investors.
Our experts draft and negotiate legally robust and cross-border equine contracts that protect your interests in national and international transactions.
Our equine lawyers represent clients in complex cross-border equine disputes and litigation, acting decisively to safeguard legal and commercial positions.
We advise equine businesses and investors on governance, restructuring, and cross-border corporate strategy.
We are the global equine law firm of choice for providing strategic defense in disciplinary and doping proceedings before national and international sports authorities, such as the FEI and the CAS.
Our equine lawyers handle visas, work permits, and residency procedures to support international equestrian careers and operations.
We structure and provide strategic advice for equine events, series, and joint ventures, advise on mergers and acquisitions of equine businesses, and represent private equity investors.
Mediation
We facilitate structured, confidential mediation to resolve disputes efficiently while preserving professional relationships.
Compliance
We support organizations in meeting regulatory, welfare, and governance requirements at national and international level.
Family Office
We assist high-net-worth families with structuring, succession planning, and long-term protection of their assets.
Finance
We provide legally grounded financial guidance for enterprises, transactions, and investment structures.
Import & Export of Horses
We guide clients through the legal and regulatory complexities of international horse transport and trade.
We facilitate structured, confidential mediation to resolve equine disputes efficiently while preserving professional relationships.
We support equine organizations in meeting regulatory, welfare, and governance requirements at national and international level.
We assist high-net-worth families with structuring, succession planning, and long-term protection of equine assets.
We provide legally grounded financial guidance for equine enterprises, transactions, and investment structures.
We guide clients through the legal and regulatory complexities of international horse transport and trade.
Meet our Dutch Lawyers
Leading lawyers specialized in equine law and commercial litigation.
- Contracting
- Litigation
- Corporate
- Family Office
- Doping and Disciplinary Cases
- Sports Law
- Due Diligence in Equine deals
Luc Schelstraete
Partner / Attorney-at-law
- Disciplinary
- Litigation
- Corporate
- Insurance
Piotr Wawrzyniak
Partner / Attorney-at-law
Vincent Zitman
Attorney-at-law / Senior associate
- Commercial Dispute Resolution
- Mediation
- Sports Law
- Litigation
Dr. Zachary Calo
Attorney-at-law / Professor of Sports Law
Deniz Colkusu
Attorney-at-law
Charlotte Kros
Attorney-at-law
Femke Laan
In-house veterinarian / Paralegal
Charlotte van der Steen
Legal Advisor / Certified MFN Mediator
Lara Schönherr
Sports Lawyer
Charlotte van den Akker
Marketing & PR Manager
Fabienne Jongen
Accountmanager
Ella ten Have
Finance Manager and Controller
Laura ter Steeg
Council Advisor
Ludovic Duarte
Council Advisor
News & Deals
Latest equine news and legal insights.
Get in touch
Whether you have a specific legal question or need strategic advice, our team of Dutch equine lawyers and commercial litigation specialists is ready to assist you.
Head Office
Hoflaan 7-9,
5223 LT
’s-Hertogenbosch
The Netherlands