"Amsterdam Court Ruling Highlights Key Lessons in Construction Law from Schiphol A-Pier Dispute"

"On July 30, 2025, the Amsterdam court ruled on a dispute between Schiphol and the contractor BN-TAV regarding the construction of the A-Pier. The court's decision highlighted key lessons for construction law, particularly concerning design responsibility, the impact of inadequate designs, burden of proof, and criteria for contract termination in complex projects. Schiphol had terminated the contract with BN-TAV in November 2021 due to alleged shortcomings, but the court found that deficiencies in the design provided by Schiphol were primarily the responsibility of the client, not the contractor. The ruling emphasized that contract termination in large projects should only occur for significant shortcomings, as it can have serious consequences for all parties involved."