INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Martin Klimpl, Consulegis partner

The Netherlands boasts an attractive web of tax treaties, which makes it a popular basis for international investors. This is why Consulegis partner Martin Klimpl from the Czech Republic wanted to know whether establishing a Dutch investment fund would be an interesting option for his client. Martin came to marxman for advice.

Clear insight into the legal and tax implications
Martin: ‘My client here in the Czech Republic works with a large consultancy firm. I was surprised to see how expeditiously Marxman dealt with this and that they responded immediately. After a brief period of many telephone conversations and intensive e-mail correspondence, we had gained a clear understanding of the legal and tax implications, the latter thanks to the tax specialist engaged by Marxman. They also gave us excellent advice, which led my client to change his plans. As a medium-sized firm, Marxman does a very good and efficient job, also quickly finding specialists if necessary, for example when tax issues need to be resolved.

COMPANIES
Michiel Bakker, ConQuaestor B.V.

Within a short space of time, ConQuaestor B.V. has become a leading and successful Dutch financial service provider, employing specialists for interim management, process management and consultancy. Michiel Bakker, the partner responsible for setting up one of their latest specialities, an Outsourcing unit, called in Marxman.

Advice on strategic choices
‘Of course, they nailed down some more or less standard matters for us quite nicely, but what really struck me was their contribution to discussions about the business plan, the way in which they gave advice on strategic choices and, obviously, the legal ramifications. I would typify Marxman as an enterprising law firm, something I noticed immediately when they proposed to share networks. We now regularly refer business relations to each other.'

LABOUR & ORGANIZATION
Bob van Gastel, Stago B.V.
‘They know what goes on in the company, they listen to us and provide proactive input.' Bob van Gastel is Plant Manager at Stago B.V., a manufacturer of cable management systems in Hoorn, the Netherlands. He is very satisfied with the quality of Marxman's services and the way they interpret their responsibilities as legal advisor.

The added value of proactive input
‘Marxman's input will sometimes protect you from unpleasant consequences. We tried to make a settlement with an employee once, for whom we had devised an early retirement scheme. The scheme looked fine on paper, but fortunately Marxman pointed out the tax implications to us in good time: both parties were possibly facing an additional assessment. We then made a different arrangement.'

HEALTHCARE
Siem van den Broek of healthcare provider Stichting Philadelphia Zorg: ‘We engage Marxman's services for a fairly wide range of issues. It started a few years ago with matters regarding labour law, but we now use their wider expertise as well. From company law to health law, construction law, statutory law, liability law, you name it.'

Everything in order
‘They don't work as a gigantic firm, but rather as a one-stop shop, with short lines as well as a pragmatic approach. Because, at the end of the day, it's not about academic issues but about solutions. When all's said and done, you simply want your issues dealt with - like when we initiated preliminary relief proceedings to have a large radio mast removed from one of the locations we had recently acquired. Everybody said it couldn't be done. Well, we did it.'

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & IT
Chris van Luik, ReveNew B.V.
Who owns which intellectual property? This is a question that tends to cause confusion in practice, while a legally sound answer is of crucial importance. The same applies to ReveNew B.V., a company engaged in interactive multimedia marketing that specialises in customising software.

Having your contribution well protected
‘It's important to have certain matters properly arranged in advance, such as ‘who really owns the source code or the content management system'. Customers don't want to be completely at your mercy, but as a maker you want to have your contribution protected, and your risks covered of course. All this is quite complicated, but Marxman arranged it for us in such a way that our customers are quite happy with it too. It is all clear, simple and therefore very workable.'

SPORTS
Eric van der Veen, Sport & Zaken
Sport & Zaken supports sports associations and sports clubs by allowing them to use the expertise of companies free of charge. ‘The cooperation with Marxman Advocaten is excellent,' says Eric van der Veen, Programme Manager of this organisation.

Corporate Social Responsibility in practice
‘They truly commit themselves to the projects we put before them. They are currently mapping out the legal consequences of the future plans of a korfball club. Marxman Advocaten is simply a driven, sports-minded firm that is aware of its social responsibilities and perfectly puts them into practice this way.'

BANKING & SECURITIES
Sonja Wessels, Peek Traffic B.V.

Focus on results
‘We moved into the building next door to Marxman Advocaten in 1998. We had already worked together, but I noticed that a relocation like this does make our relationship stronger. And I have to say, a law firm next door often comes in handy, especially if you regularly deal with employment issues. But ultimately, the results are what counts, and the results are good.'

‘They are on a case now in which we want to have the decisions underlying the issue of a bank guarantee revoked - a long-term process. I hope we'll win the case, but if we don't, it won't be because of Marxman's quality and commitment.



DEBT COLLECTION
Rik Grooteman, Credit Control Manager at Amsterdam RAI, knows all the ins and outs of debt collection procedures. ‘We regularly use external specialists. We will opt for a debt collection agency if we have a simple case, but we contact Marxman Advocaten for matters that are more complicated or when we need someone to look at the legal aspects. We use Marxman for debt collection both in the Netherlands and abroad.

A professional approach
‘What we really appreciate in our cooperation with Marxman is that they always ask whether we are satisfied with the services they provide. This is a professional manner of working that I value very much and that makes them stand out from the competition. But, of course, they are also in a class of their own because of their good results.'