WILDERS ANTI-KORAN FILM: THE NETHERLANDS FEARS ATTACKS ON PEOPLE AND PROPERTIES

Calls to kill Mr. Wilders should be strongly condemned
Freedom of expression is one of the cornerstones of the Dutch democracy. Within the boundaries of the law, one may say whatever one wants to. However, even within these boundaries, expressing one’s view can be highly irresponsible, especially if the purpose thereof is to demonize and offend others. [...]

Filed under: legal by Karel.Frielink
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HOW MANY POLITICIANS DO WE NEED IN THE NETHERLANDS PARLIAMENT?

150 + 75 members seems too much
The Dutch House of Representatives or Lower House (‘Tweede Kamer’) has 150 members (MPs). Members of the Lower House receive an allowance for expenses for their work. This is called a compensation. The amount of the compensation is € 83,398.32 per MP per year. They also receive a holiday allowance [...]

Filed under: legal by Karel.Frielink
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DUTCH MAILBOX COMPANIES

It’s not merely a mailbox
According to the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), a tax haven (or offshore jurisdiction) is a jurisdiction that actively makes itself available for the avoidance of taxes which would otherwise be paid in a higher tax jurisdiction. There are more advanced and less advanced offshore jurisdictions. The concessions and benefits are [...]

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SELLING LEASED PROPERTY IN THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The lessee is protected (in principle)
As a general principle, the rights of a lessee must be protected in the event leased property is sold.
Therefore, according to Dutch Caribbean law, in the event of the sale of a leased property, either a regular sale or a foreclosure sale, the (material) obligations in any lease agreement with respect to [...]

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TELEPHONE TAPING BY BANKS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Common practice
It is common practice around the world for (dealing rooms of) banks and brokers to tape conversations with their clients in order to avoid misunderstandings as to the selling or buying instructions given by the clients. There are no specific laws or regulations in the Netherlands Antilles applicable to this aspect of telephone taping.
In various [...]

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TRUST COMPANIES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

A license is required
One or more Netherlands Antilles legal entities or companies (offshore companies) are inserted in many international group structures. This is mainly done for tax purposes. Another reason for using a Netherlands Antilles company may be to have a company with a seat in a respected jurisdiction with a well functioning legal and [...]

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MARKETING EFFORTS BY FOREIGN COMPANIES IN ARUBA AND TAX CONSEQUENCES

Permanent establishment creates a taxable presence
Foreign companies wishing to promote their products in Aruba may ask the question whether marketing activities result in taxable activities in Aruba.
In Aruba the profit tax law applies the concept of a permanent establishment that creates a taxable presence without providing a definition. In practice it is understood that the concept includes representatives though [...]

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NATALEE HOLLOWAY CASE: ETHICAL AND OTHER ISSUES

Undercover operation and huge TV circus ethical?
Crime reporter Peter R. de Vries paid the 34-year old business man who befriended and secretly recorded Joran van der Sloot some US$ 35,000. Bounty hunters are a well-known phenomenon, also on TV, as are rewards offered by police or private persons. We have all seen episodes of ‘America’s [...]

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NATALEE HOLLOWAY: CASE SOLVED?

Not yet, not yet at all
Dutch television aired a videotape last Sunday (3 February 2008), in which Joran van der Sloot says he was with Natalee Holloway on an Aruban beach when she apparently died and that a friend of his with a boat disposed of Holloway’s body (further details here on CNN and here). According [...]

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REFORMING DUTCH CARIBBEAN INSURANCE LAW

Draft bill presented
Last month a draft bill for new statutory provisions governing insurance contracts was presented for debate to professional circles such as insurance companies, intermediaries, the chamber of commerce, consumer organizations, the bar association, and the central bank. The author of the draft is Prof. Jan de Boer, member of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba [...]

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