Jochem Spaans
Partner
Amsterdam

Jochem Spaans
Partner
Amsterdam
Contact Details
Jochem is a Partner within the Projects & Real Estate department of Allen & Overy Amsterdam and specialises in (EU) environmental law, spatial planning law and general administrative law.
He advises and litigates for US, European and multinational corporations on all aspects of environmental law, including permitting and compliance issues, and has a broad experience in assisting clients in environmental (operating) permit application procedures and subsequent legal redress procedures. Recent experiences include various energy and industrial projects, including wind farms and petro-chemical industry sites. Besides, as a member of Allen & Overy's global REACH and WEEE & RoHS teams, Jochem has substantial experience advising on compliance matters affecting the chemicals and electronics industries.
Jochem is an assistant-professor at the VU University (Vrije Universiteit) Amsterdam and holds a Ph.D in environmental law. He regularly publishes on environmental and spatial planning law and is a co-author for the Tekst & Commentaar on Environmental law (Kluwer).
Jochem is a member of the Netherlands Association for Environmental Lawyers, the Netherlands Association for Environmental Law, the Netherlands Association for Building Law and the Netherlands Association for Public Law. In the latest edition of the Which Lawyer? section of PLC’s Environment handbook, he is recognised for his environmental law work.
The 2017 edition of Chambers Europe described Jochem as "Understands how to deal with multiple colleagues across jurisdictions.", "Holistic responses" and "Nice customer service approach.". Quote from Legal 500: "Fast, enthusiastic counsel Jochem Spaans has strong offshore wind knowledge."
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as advocaat, Netherlands, 2003
Listed in the register of legal practice areas of the Dutch Bar Association for Bestuursrecht
Academic
Grotius Academy (Post Graduate Education): Spatial planning and Environmental law, 2008
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law: Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.), 2002
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law: Master of Laws (LL.M.), 1998
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Social Sciences, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Science of Public Administration, 1998
Related articles

Publications: 19 October 2022
Introduction to the EU’s Emissions Trading System
The EU Emissions Trading System (the EU ETS) is one of the key pillars of the EU’s policy to combat climate change and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from regulated sectors.
Publications: 24 March 2022
Podcast: Is the Netherlands ready for Hydrogen? An update on the regulatory framework
Publications: 24 March 2022
Podcast: Lesson learnt from hydrogen projects the Middle East and AsiaPac
Publications: 24 March 2022
Podcast: The current state of the Hydrogen market: Macquarie’s view

Qualifications
Professional
Admitted as advocaat, Netherlands, 2003
Listed in the register of legal practice areas of the Dutch Bar Association for Bestuursrecht
Academic
Grotius Academy (Post Graduate Education): Spatial planning and Environmental law, 2008
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law: Doctor of Laws (Ph.D.), 2002
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Law: Master of Laws (LL.M.), 1998
VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Social Sciences, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Science of Public Administration, 1998
Published work
- Multiple casenotes in legal journals Tijdschrift AB (Kluwer) and Mediaforum (VMC), including AB 2012/67 and AB 2012/68;
- Co-author of N.S.J. Koeman and R. Uylenburg (red.), Tekst & Commentaar Milieurecht, Kluwer: Deventer 2012 (to be published);
- L.P.W. Mensink and L.A.J. Spaans, "Niet openbaar, toch op TV, Jurisprudentie verduidelijkt wanneer eens openbaar voor de één, altijd openbaar voor eenieder is", in: JBPlus 2010/3, p.115-132;
- H.J. de Ru, J.L. Burggraaf and L.A.J. Spaans, De Maatschappelijke onderneming, Een studie naar de noodzaak en wenselijkheid van een eigen regeling voor de maatschappelijke onderneming in het rechtspersonenrecht, Boom Juridische uitgevers: Den Haag 2005;
- W.G.B. van de Ven and L.A.J. Spaans, “De moeizame realisatie van windenergie in Nederland”, in: Tijdschrift voor Omgevingsrecht 2003/2, p. 34-45;
- L.A.J. Spaans and J. Struiksma, "Bestemd voor kwaliteit, Onderzoek naar de juridische beperkingen en mogelijkheden van directe doorwerking van kwaliteitsnormen naar bestemmingsplannen", in: Fundamentele Herziening Wet Ruimtelijke Ordening, Onderzoek naar aanleiding van het BRO, Ministerie van VROM: Den Haag 2002, p. 1-58;
- Milieukwaliteitsnormstelling, Over de wijze van milieukwaliteitsnormstelling binnen de democratische rechtsstaat(dissertatie), Boom Juridische uitgevers: Den Haag 2002;
- L.A.J. Spaans and J. Struiksma, “Een riskante bestemming. Over het externe veiligheidsbeleid en de vertaling daarvan in bestemmingsplannen”, in: Tijdschrift voor Bouwrecht 2002/3, p. 199-209;
- L.A.J. Spaans and F.C.M.A. Michiels, De waarde(n) van milieukwaliteitsnormen, Boom Juridische uitgevers: Den Haag 2000.