Karel’s Legal Blog

Areas of Practice Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers (Curacao)

 

Administrative Law

You want to go for it? We go for it.

For many years, Spigthoff counsels about administrative law and represents citizens and companies in proceedings against the Netherlands Antilles government, island governments and government agencies. Such counseling and proceedings relate to telecom matters, tenders, environmental issues, business regulations, zoning & land development, securities & banking regulations, healthcare, market regulation and freedom of information.

 

Aviation

You need unlimited advice? The sky is our limit.

Spigthoff represented various international carriers in the past couple of years, was the leading law firm in the privatization process of Curaçao International Airport (Hato) and has since been involved in its development.

We handle aircraft registration in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, aircraft financing, international sales agreements, setting up businesses and labor issues. We also handle insolvency and litigation matters.

 

Banking, Securities and Funds

You want a financially sound solution? We deliver.

Spigthoff’s attorneys and tax advisers represent major banks and other lenders in various jurisdictions. Those transactions relate to (term loan) credit facility agreements, structured finance (collateralized debt obligations, credit-linked notes, note issuance programmes, securitizations, acquisitions and project finance), security documentation, ship financing, aircraft financing and group finance companies.

We represent a variety of clients in connection with the establishment, structuring as well as regulatory matters of funds, including private investment funds, mutual funds, hedge funds, umbrella funds and real estate funds. We advice on exit-strategies, whether by private sale or initial public offering.

Our attorneys are well prepared to handle complex cases. These cases include debt collection on behalf of major lenders and securities litigation.

 

Constitutional Law

Need it fundamentally right? We will fulfill that need.

Dutch Caribbean Constitutional Law is the body of rules regulating the functioning of the public entity The Netherlands Antilles and the individual islands belonging to the Netherlands Antilles as well as the public entity Aruba, both internally and in their relation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Douwe Boersema of Spigthoff has a PhD in constitutional law and is a well-known expert in this field. He counsels various clients about the interpretation and development of constitutional matters, including issues related to the revision of the Constitutional Law and oil exploration.

 

Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions

You need it quick and good? Come to us.

Spigthoff provides legal services to (publicly held) large multinational companies and (start-up) private businesses. Our broad practice intersects with related practices, in particular tax, labor law and banking & securities. Prof. Alexander Mohr of Spigthoff has co-drafted the Netherlands Antilles corporate code and Karel Frielink is the author of the leading corporate textbook.

We represent a variety of businesses in connection with the original establishment, initial capitalization, ongoing financing transactions (private equity and debt), corporate governance, (cross-border) contractual relationships, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements and directors’ liability. Our areas of practice include advice on exit-strategies, whether by private sale or initial public offering, mergers & acquisitions, E-Commerce, limited partnerships and tender offers.

 

Corporate Litigation

You are forced to a fight? Losing is not our habit.

Spigthoff represents both shareholders and companies in corporate disputes. We are noted for our toughness but, at the same time, aiming to solve problems and conflict situations amicably and expeditiously. Our lawyers are ready and able to enter into the fray and litigate thoroughly when necessary on their clients’ behalf.

We represent a variety of clients in connection with corporate disputes, among them shareholders, managing directors and supervisory directors.

 

E-Commerce

You want to go virtual? We know how it can be done.

Spigthoff has gained extensive experience in e-commerce issues. The firm has been involved in the drafting of the Netherlands Antilles Act on Electronic Agreements (2000) and the Act on International Games of Chance (to be enacted in 2008).

We counsel about domain name issues, E-Zone companies, digital signatures, internet advertising, on-line auctions and other related e-commerce issues, including tax matters.

 

Gaming Law

You want to play? We show you the rules.

Spigthoff has a substantial gaming clientele, who offer gambling and betting online. The firm has been involved in the drafting of the Netherlands Antilles Act on International Games of Chance (to be enacted in 2008).

We counsel about the establishment, structuring as well as regulatory matters of internet gambling and betting companies, employment issues, intellectual property rights, gaming tax issues, outsourcing and advertising.

 

Insolvency and Corporate Restructuring

You need solid advice? We give it to you.

Insolvency and corporate restructuring is one of the key areas of Spigthoff. Martijn Welten of Spigthoff acts as one of the bankruptcy trustees of Dutch Caribbean Airways, once the national carrier.

We counsel troubled companies about refinancing, (cross-border) restructuring and downsizing. We represent creditors in insolvency litigation and directors in connection with allegations of mismanagement.

 

Intellectual Property

You need IP protection? We deliver.

Spigthoff helps clients obtain and protect intellectual property rights in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

We counsel clients about copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and unfair competition. We negotiate or draft licensing and franchise agreements. When it becomes necessary to litigate, Spigthoff is well prepared to handle complex cases.

 

Labor Law

You need the job done? We will do it.

Spigthoff has gained extensive experience in labor law issues, both domestic and international.

We counsel clients about employment contracts, restructuring and downsizing businesses, labor law disputes, executive compensation, employee benefit plans, employment tort litigation, wrongful discharge, outsourcing and confidentiality issues.

 

Liability and Insurance

Your liability too heavy? We aim at lighten it.

Spigthoff represents companies, firms and private clients concerning (supervisory) directors’ liability and professional liability.

We counsel about regulatory insurance matters, product liability, tort in general and insurance contracts. Spigthoff has extensive experience in representing insurance companies in mergers and acquisitions as well as in insurance related litigation.

 

Litigation

You need tough? We will be tough.

Litigation and dispute resolution is a key practice of Spigthoff. We focus on both domestic and transnational disputes. Cases we handle involve directors’ liability, shareholder disputes, securities litigation, construction disputes, government contracts, insurance litigation, professional liability, labor law, IP litigation and tax issues.

 

Real Estate, Project Finance

You want the bricks in place? We will put them there.

Spigthoff’s attorneys and tax advisers represent owners, investors, lending institutions and project developers in real estate transactions and investments. We are the lead counsel concerning the development of one of the largest hotel and (golf) resorts on Curaçao.

We counsel about acquisition, development, joint ventures, licenses, financing, leasing, real estate management, land use & zoning, government contracts, tax, including cross-border transactions.

 

Tax, National and International

You need tax relief? We will show you the way.

Spigthoff counsels domestic and international companies, (investment) funds and wealthy private individuals.

We counsel about real estate, project finance, joint ventures, acquisitions, labor issues and e-commerce. Spigthoff has been involved in advance agreements with the tax authorities regarding the applicability of the participation exemption on derivatives, the place of management of funds and the tax effects of financing transactions.

 

Telecommunications Law

You need communication? It is our middle name.

Spigthoff has always had a strong focus on the telecommunications industry. The firm’s attorneys have been involved as counsel in the acquisition of telecom businesses, the corporate restructuring and financing thereof, and played a major role in the preparation of the telecommunication privatization process, which was aborted for political reasons.

Our experience includes areas such as regulatory matters, rates regulations, telecom litigation both against government bodies and competitors (access and interconnection disputes), and broadcasting. We counsel clients about Domain names, broadband Internet, Broadband telephony (VoIP), wireless communications, call centers, and virtually every other major telecommunications service.

 

For assistance please contact Karel Frielink at the below address or at Karel.Frielink@Spigthoff.com.

 

Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers LLC
Scharlooweg 33
Willemstad, Curacao
Netherlands Antilles
T +599 9 461 87 00
F +599 9 461 80 73
E info@spigthoff.com
I http://www.spigthoff.com/

Filed under: legal by Karel.Frielink