Expertise & research

Next to his international dispute resolution practice, Dr. Kamminga pursues scholarly interests. His research focuses on effectively dealing with legal problems by using insights from legal theory, social psychology, economics, and organizational theories.
In his current work, he studies contractual relations and complex legal contracting from a multi-disciplinary and empirical perspective. He focuses on the role of the legal environment in complex relationships and its effects on peoples' and organizations' collaboration behavior. Questions that are central to his research: To what extent do governance structures such as regulations, contracts, or codes of conduct facilitate collaboration? How can legal governance structures support cooperation and conflict management between organizations and individuals more optimally? He uses both theoretically and empirical methods to determine how rulemaking procedures, conflict resolution mechanisms, contracts, and lawyers influence (business) relationships.
Multi-party contractual relations in large projects or significant disputes have his particular interest. Examples of cases he worked on are multi-party personal injury claims cases, construction, and infrastructure contracting and conflicts, as well as multi-party securities cases. His research often has found its way to practice in the form of innovative contracts or codes of conduct for personal injury claim handling. His current academic work focuses on questions of contract design, contract behavior, and effective procurement methods for private and public projects.

 

Dr. Kamminga, a JAMS neutral, mediates and arbitrates complex civil cases in a variety of areas involving millions and sometimes billions in claims.

 

Advise and consulting

Collaboration and contracting advise - Next to his dispute resolution work, Peter Kamminga advises organizations in the public and private sectors about effective procurement, collaboration, contract negotiation, and contract design strategies. As a result of increasing demand for his services, he founded Kamminga Consulting Group 10 years ago, which has grown into a boutique consulting firm with a track record advising government agencies and private organizations developing robust collaboration strategies and contracting approaches for long term relationships.

Complex projects and long term relationships - Kamminga Consulting Group specializes in collaboration and contracting related to complex projects. Particularly those that require a high level of coordination between the partners or stakeholders, such as large scale construction and IT projects. Drawing from the newest insights on innovative contracting he advises public and private entities on how to optimally collaborate, contract, organize contract management and apply the most adequate dispute resolution methods. The past two decades he has assisted many corporations and government entities in optimizing and evaluating their procurement procedures and drafting contracts tailored to their unique business relationships and projects.

Collaboration - Dr. Kamminga and his team work with firms that are passionate about collaboration and optimizing their contractual relations. He uses collaboration strategies, and advises those who are committed to fostering it in their organizations. Blending empirical evidence with experience, Dr. Kamminga provides strategic advice with practical implementation for organizations to foster collaboration and achieve their business objectives.

Corporate research - Kamminga Consulting Group conducts in-depth studies and empirical research on organizational collaboration in global professional service firms, financial institutions, technology companies, and in-house departments. Organizations typically engage Dr. Kamminga to conduct various analyses on the firm or company’s current “state of play,” to then work together in building a strategy for future development, including how organizational collaboration can move the agenda forward.

 
 

Speaking and leadership

He lectures on efficient contract design and dispute resolution for complex multi-party relationships in, for instance, the construction industry. He gives training at executive levels in Europe and the US. He teaches complex negotiation, mediation, contracting, and construction law at undergraduate and graduate levels At US and European Universities.
Dr. Kamminga delivers high-impact presentations and keynotes that are interactive and engaging – no matter the audience size. He blends empirical evidence with real-life experience to provide authoritative advice with teeth. That is, he gives organizations pragmatic “how to’s” to foster collaboration and achieve their business goals.
He curates highly customized leadership development programs for senior leaders and business executives. Dr. Kamminga is a subject matter expert who performs needs assessments, advises on required content, and designs and delivers a program tailored for the organization.

 

Latest media, interviews and speaking


Keynote Samenwerking by Design - de art en science van het optimaliseren van relaties binnen contracten, Nationale Contract Management Conferentie 2020

Keynote Cobouw congres - Mythes rond bouwcontracten ontmaskerd, Congres aanbesteding in de praktijk, 2019

Lezing Grip op samenwerking in contractuele relaties, Nederlandse Beroepsvereniging voor Contract Managers 2019

“Contract geen wondermiddel”, Cobouw 2020

“Mythes rond bouwcontract ontmaskeren: pas op met succesverhalen”, Cobouw 2019

Cobouw - Samenwerking is een keuze, ga niet op zoek naar silver bullets, Cobouw Opinie 2019

Other contributions to popular media

Dispute Boards worth a try? 7th International Mediation Conference, ICC Paris 2017

Expert advies – Je gelijk krijg je zelden…, Quest Magazine, December 2016

Kamminga, Y.P.  The Netherlands as Securities Hub? JAMS Foundation Weinstein Fellow Newsletter nr. (1) 14-15, 2012

Cecchi Dimeglio P. & Kamminga, Y.P.  Using Games to Teach a Mutual-Gains Approach in Water Negotiations,’ Teaching Negotiation, Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, Vol. 4, issue 2, Winter 2011-2012

(Them v. Us and the infrastructure of cooperation) Hullie & Zullie en de infrastructuur van het samenwerken, InfraA2, 2009

(Greetings from Stanford) ‘Groeten uit Stanford’, Mr. Nr. 6/7 2007

Interviews and mention in newspapers

Van contract naar contractuele relatie bijeenkomst, Cobouw, November 2016

(Codes of conduct in the construction industry) ‘Gedragscodes in de bouw,’ Bouwen en Uitvoering (B+U), Nr. 2, 2009, Bianca Looman

(The human factor is a key determinant of project success) ‘Psychologische factor bepaalt mede het success van een project’ VNG Magazine, 03/20/2009, Marten Muskee, p. 26-28

(Building bridges: the secrets of cooperation) ‘Bruggen bouwen: het geheim van samenwerking’ in: Innovatie onze kracht! (Innovation our force!) Regieraad Bouw, November 12, 2009, Maarssen

(New Contracts and less conflict) ‘Nieuwe contracten en minder conflict’, S.E., Section Science(01/28/2009), Maurits van den Toorn

(The cause for expensive transport infrastructure)  ‘Een recept voor te dure wegen, bruggen, HSL lijnen,’ Brabants Dagblad, (12/18/2008), Ton de Jon

(Team building to finish large construction projects) ‘Team building nodig bij grote bouwprojecten,’ Univers (12/18/2008), Marten van den Wier

(People make a project a success) ‘De mensen maken dat het project loopt als een tierelier’, Trouw (12/18/2008), Marten van de Wier

Books

Kamminga, Y.P. (2008). Towards effective governance structures for contractual relations: Recommendations from social psychology, economics and law for improving project performance in infrastructure projects, Tilburg: Tilburg University Press, 510 pp. (NL samenvatting)

Book chapters

Kamminga, Y.P.  (2015). Rethinking contract design: why incorporating non-legal drivers of contractual behavior in contracts may lead to better results in complex defense systems procurement, Journal of Public Procurement, Vol. 15, 2, Summer 2015, 208-235.

Kamminga, Y. P., Cecchi Dimeglio, P., Susskind, L. (2015). Dealing With Complex water negotiations: Adopting a non-zero Sum approach, In: Cecchi Dimeglio P. and Brenneur, B. (Eds). World Dispute Resolution Handbook, Brussels: Larcier.

Kamminga, Y.P.  (2015). Using mediation in multi-party disputes or why complex matters still go to litigation. In: Cecchi Dimeglio P. and Brenneur, B. (Eds). World Dispute Resolution Handbook, Brussels: Larcier.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2013). Mediation in complex multi-party disputes. In: Conciliation et médiation commercial: Domaines d’application et droit compare, Béatrice Blohorn-Brenneur, L’Harmattan, 2013, p. 135-150.

Susskind, L., Kamminga, Y.P. & Cecchi Dimeglio (2012). P. Value creation in water resource management: Cooperative rather than competitive approaches to water management, in Islam, S. & Susskind, L. and associates, Water diplomacy: A negotiated approach to managing complex water networks, Taylor & Francis/Resources for the Future

Articles and working papers

Kamminga, Y.P. & Schonewille, M (2015). Grensoverschrijdende geschiloplossing, Tijdschrift Conflicthantering, December 2015.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2015). Building Societies with Better Contracts: The Role of Lawyers in Designing Effective Contracts for the Development of Infrastructure, Available at SSRN.

Kamminga, Y.P. & Cecchi Dimeglio, P. (2014). The Changes in Legal Infrastructure: Empirical Analysis of the Status and Dynamics Influencing the Development of Innovative Practice, 38(2) Journal of the Legal Profession, p.191-230.

Cecchi Dimeglio, P.  & Kamminga, Y.P. (2012). Using a Series of Linked Games to Teach a Mutual-Gains Approach to Water Negotiations, 4(2) Program On Negotiation Pedagogy Series, Winter 2012, p. 6-9.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2014). The Next Level in Contract Design: Incorporating Non-Contractual Mechanisms when Negotiating and Drafting Complex Contracts (August 27, 2014). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2488080 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2488080

Kamminga, Y.P. (2011). International multi-party projects: the importance of negotiating process in cross-border contractual relationships, PON series working paper.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2011). Inter-firm negotiations and conflict, Canadian Journal of Arbitration and Mediation (RCAM/CJAM), pp. 144-165.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2010). Des Cultures Différentes, Comment Prévenir les Conflits?, SFSP, Actes du colloques Le Rôle de la Négociation entre Partenaires Publics et Privés, 2010, p. 18-30.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2010). Report on ADR & Lawyers: the Dutch situation, “ADR and Lawyers” (EU project), the final report The Costs of Non ADR – Surveying and Showing the Actual Costs of Intra-community Commercial, handed to the European Commission), May 2010, Brussels, Belgium.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2009). Keeping infrastructure projects on track with effective governance structures. Gouda: PSI Bouw.

Verdonschot, Jin Ho, Barendrecht, Maurits, Klaming, Laura and Kamminga, Peter, Measuring Access to Justice: The Quality of Outcomes (November 10, 2008). Tilburg University Legal Studies Working Paper No. 014/2008; TISCO Working Paper No. 007/2008.

Barendrecht, J.M., Kamminga, Y.P. and Verdonschot J.H. (2008). Priorities for the Justice System: Responding to the Most Urgent Legal Problems of Individuals, TISCO Working paper NO. 001/2008

Barendrecht, J.M. Kamminga, Y.P. and Verdonschot, J.H. (2007). Identifying Legal Needs: A Bottom Up Approach to Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Discussion Paper (Ext. r. no. 2007/02). Tilburg University, 2007

Barendrecht, M., Kamminga, Y.P. & Van Zeeland, C. (2007). A Code of Conduct for Negotiating Personal Injury Claims: Structuring the Shadow of Tort Law, Tilburg University Legal Studies Working Paper No. 001/2007

Kamminga, Y.P. Berg, van den M.A.M.C. (2006). Optimizing contracting for alliances in infrastructure projects, International Construction Law Review, 2006, p. 59-77

Barendrecht J.M. Kamminga, Y.P. and Zeeland, van C.M.C. (2006). Code of Conduct for Personal Injury Claim Handling, Tilburg University, 2006

Chao-Duivis, M. Kamminga, Y.P. Van Wassenaer, A. et al. (2004). Dispute resolution procedures and DRB regulations, Study group on Dispute Review Boards, 2004

Barendrecht, J.M. Kamminga, Y.P. and Giesen, I. (2001). Standardization for Personal Injury Claims: Some Preliminary Remarks (Discussion Paper (Ext. r. no. 2001/01). Tilburg University, 2001

(Co-)authored books and reports in Dutch

Kamminga, Y.P. (2015). Nieuwe kaders voor Samenwerking in Aanbesteding en Contract, VU University (Forthcoming November 2015).

Kamminga, Y.P. (2011). (Contract and Cooperation in infrastructure development). Empirische studie naar samenwerking op middelgrote projecten, Prorail-rapport, 90 pp.

Kamminga, Y.P. (2009). (Building bridges – Systematic cooperation in legal environments) Bruggen bouwen – praktijkgids voor systematisch samenwerken in bouwprojecten. Gouda: PSIBouw/Regieraad. (PSIBouw Praktijkgids, 6), 48 pp.

Kamminga, Y.P., Wagemaker, J., & Vliet, J. van (2008). Samenwerking bij D&C Contracten: Utopie of veelbelovende mogelijkheid? Den Haag: Rijkswaterstaat

Barendrecht, J.M., Kamminga, Y.P. & Zeeland, C. (2006). (The Dutch Code of Conduct for Personal Injuries) Gedragscode Behandeling Letselschade, Universiteit van Tilburg, 2006

Barendrecht, J.M., Kamminga, Y.P. & Zeeland, C. (2006). (The Dutch Code of Conduct for Personal Injuries: A Guide for Victims) Gids Behandeling Letselschade, Universiteit van Tilburg, 2006

Kamminga, Y.P. & Barendrecht, J.M. (2005). (Access to Justice: The costs of a way out of conflict) Toegang tot recht: de lasten van een uitweg, Den Haag: Boom Juridische Uitgevers 2005 (published in RMO-advies 32, Toegang tot recht)

Barendrecht, J.M. & Kamminga, Y.P. (2004). (Resolving Conflict effectively) Effectief geschillen oplossen, Amsterdam: Contact 2004, 159 pp.

Barendrecht, J.M., Kamminga, Y.P. & Zeeland, C. (2004). (Claims: how to deal with them low cost) Schadeclaims: kan het goedkoper en minder belastend? Opties om de transactiekosten van het aansprakelijkheidsrecht te verlagen, Den Haag: Boom Juridische Uitgevers 2004, 232 pp.

Kamminga, Y.P., Barendrecht J.M., Beukering-Rosmuller, E.J.M. & Brenninkmeijer, A.F.M. (2002). (Mediation: guide for teachers and students) Mediation onderwijs: handleiding voor studenten en docenten, Universiteit van Tilburg 2002, 251 pp.

Selected articles (in German and Dutch)

Kamminga, Y.P. & Dohmen, H. (2014). Contracten als projectsuccesfactor. Contracten die samenwerking faciliteren als middel om projectprestaties in ICT projecten te verbeteren,” Tijdschrift Conflicthantering, October 2014

Kamminga, Y.P. (2012). Boekbespreking: ‘M. Hoezen, Competitive Dialogue Procedure: Negotiations and Commitment in Inter Organisational Construction Projects, Bouwrecht, September 2012

Kamminga, Y.P. (2012) & Smits, S. (Analysis of Procurement Law from a Cooperation perspective) Aanbesteding een goede basis voor samenwerking? Een analyse van aanbestedingsregelgeving vanuit samenwerkingsperspectief, Bouwrecht, Juni 2012

Kamminga, Y.P. (2012). (Collaborative divorce: making a success of a team approach in dispute resolution processes) Collaborative Divorce: hoe een teambenadering in conflictoplossingsprocessen tot een succes maken? (Tijdschrift voor Familie en Jeugdrecht, Maart, 2012)

Kamminga, Y.P. & Cecchi Dimeglio, P. (2011). ‘Kooperative Praxis als Instrument, um schwierige ökonomische Zeiten erfolgreich zu meister,’ HAV Magazin (in German)

Kamminga, Y.P. (2010). (Lessons from empirical studies on partnering and alliancing in infrastructure projects) ‘Welke lessen zijn er te trekken uit empirische studies naar success en falen van alliancing en partnering’, In: Chao Duivis et.al. Alleen Samen, Den Haag IBR: 2010, 67-82

Kamminga, Y.P. (2007). (The contract is the first general outline of the relationship: interview with Robert Mnookin) “Het contract is de eerste globale invulling van de relatie...”, Forum voor Conflictmanagement, nr. 1, 2007, 32-35

Kamminga, Y.P. and De Hoon, M.H. (2006). (Guiding parties in their choice of conflict management) Keuzebegeleiding bij conflicten: een reactie naar aanleiding van het rapport Uitgebalanceerd, Tijdschrift voor Mediation, 2006, 9(4), 92-96

Kamminga, Y.P. and Zeeland, C. (2006). (First steps in the direction of a conflict management system for personal injury cases) Eerste stappen naar een systeem van geschiloplossing voor de letselschaderegeling, Tijdschrift voor Mediation, 2006, 9-13

J.M. Barendrecht, Kamminga, Y.P. C.M.C. van Zeeland & S. van Willigenburg (2005). (Procedural standards for claim handling) Procedurele normen bij letselschadeclaims, ADR Actueel, Jaargang 9(1), 2005, 15-18

Kamminga, Y.P. et al. (2004). (Rules and Regulations for DRB’s) Reglement en Toelichting Dispute Review Boards, Ede: CROW 2004

J.M. Barendrecht, Kamminga, Y.P. C.M.C. van Zeeland & S. van Willigenburg (2004). (Working towards a Code of Conduct for Personal Injury Claims) Naar een gedragscode voor onderhandelen over personenschade? PIV Bulletin, 6 (jaargang 7), 2004, 1-5

J.M. Barendrecht, Kamminga, Y.P., C.M.C. van Zeeland & S. van Willigenburg (2004). (Standardising Personal injury damages?) Normering van Personenschade, Verkeersrecht, 52(10), 2004, 301-301

Kamminga, Y.P. (2003). (Combining mediation and arbitration in the resolution of construction disputes) Efficiënte en effectieve geschiloplossing: een mix van arbitrage en mediationBouwrecht, nr. 6 2003, 473-483

Kamminga, Y.P. and Weterings, W.C.T. (2003). (Estimating immaterial damages) Begroting van smartengeld (HR 17 november 2000, NJ 2001, 215, Druiff/B.C.e. Bouw), In: Vranken, J.M.B. & Giesen, I. (Ed.), De Hoge Raad binnenste buiten. (pp. 111-121). The Hague: Boom Juridische Uitgevers 2003

C.M.C. van Zeeland Kamminga, Y.P. & J.M. Barendrecht (2003). (What people want and what the legal system can do) Waar het mensen om gaat en wat het burgerlijk recht daar mee doet, Nederlands Juristenblad, 16, 2003, 818-827

Kamminga, Y.P. (2003). (Effective and efficient dispute resolution at large construction projects: a mix of arbitration and mediation) Efficiente en effectieve geschiloplossing bij grote bouwprojecten: zoeken naar een ideale mix van mediation en arbitrage, Bouwrecht, p. 473.

Giesen, I, Kamminga, Y.P. and Barendrecht, J.M. (2001). (Standardising damages) Normering van schadevergoeding voor arbeidsongevallen en beroepsziekten: over draagvlak, differentiatie en smartengeld, (met I. Giesen, & J.M. Barendrecht), In: Faure, M. & Hartlief, T. (Ed.), Schade door arbeidsongevallen en nieuwe beroepsziekten (pp. 131-165), The Hague: Boom Juridische uitgevers 2001

 
Photo: Bram Saeys

Photo: Bram Saeys