Author: Karel Frielink

$1.3 BILLION SETTLEMENT OF FORTIS INVESTOR ACTIONS

Interesting post by Kevin LaCroix (The D&O Diary) “In what is by far the largest investor settlement ever under the Dutch collective settlement procedures, several shareholder foundations have reached an agreement to settle the Fortis shareholder claims for a total of €1.204 billion ($1.3 billion). The shareholder foundations’ settlement with Ageas, as Fortis is now… Continue reading $1.3 BILLION SETTLEMENT OF FORTIS INVESTOR ACTIONS

PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS

When a case needs an urgent decision The procedure for provisional measures in summary proceedings (kort geding), a.k.a. preliminary relief proceedings or interlocutory proceedings, is an interim injunction procedure before the court. Such proceedings, under Dutch Caribbean law, are aimed at obtaining temporary instructions from the court, not at receiving a final decision in the… Continue reading PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS

THE BINDING EFFECT OF JUDGMENTS

Limited to the parties involved in the proceedings Court decisions, even decisions by the Dutch Supreme Court, are not binding on courts when deciding future cases. However, the Code of Civil Procedure prevents parties from litigating twice on the same legal issue. The principle that a final judgment of a competent court is conclusive upon… Continue reading THE BINDING EFFECT OF JUDGMENTS

BRIBERY

A criminal act With regard to anti-corruption the Criminal Codes of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands include criminal acts such as fraud, bribery and abuse of authorities. The bribery offence closely resembles the bribery provisions under the Dutch Criminal Code. The Codes also stipulate regulations on criminal acts committed by judges, ministers, members… Continue reading BRIBERY

CONSULTATIE CODE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE NEDERLAND

Commissie presenteert voorstel De (Nederlandse) Monitoring Commissie Corporate Governance Code heeft vandaag een zogeheten consultatiedocument gepresenteerd. Daarin staan voorstellen voor herziening van de Nederlandse corporate governance code. Alle belanghebbenden en geïnteresseerden worden uitgenodigd om een reactie uit te brengen op dit consultatiedocument en deel te nemen aan het publieke debat omtrent de herziening van de… Continue reading CONSULTATIE CODE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE NEDERLAND

TRADE-BASED MONEY LAUNDERING

More Trade Transparency Units Needed Smuggling and trade fraud are on the rise, according to Viêt Nam News (27 October 2015). The Telegraph reports that the authorities in China have arrested 21 people on suspicion of defrauding almost one million Chinese investors of 50bn yuan (£5.3 billion) after an online peer-to-peer lender turned out to be… Continue reading TRADE-BASED MONEY LAUNDERING

CONSOLIDATED BANKRUPTCY

Creditors, stay alert! Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) will together be referred to as the Dutch Caribbean, although each has its own set of laws. Bankruptcy in general serves the purpose of liquidating assets of a particular person or legal entity and distributing the proceeds among the combined… Continue reading CONSOLIDATED BANKRUPTCY

DISCHARGING THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

Only for matters evident from the accounts The shareholders of a Dutch Caribbean limited liability company (NV or BV) may provide a discharge (décharge) to members of the management board for matters evident from the annual accounts, or matters otherwise made known to the general shareholders meeting. This is a standard item on the agenda… Continue reading DISCHARGING THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

The UNCITRAL Model Law is applicable Parties with a legal dispute can turn to the public court system to settle the dispute; however, instead of bringing a lawsuit in a public court, they can also opt for arbitration. Arbitration is a form of private dispute settlement in which the parties instruct one or more persons… Continue reading INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

MAKING FUN OF LAWYERS

Makes me smile… The image that people have of lawyers is usually determined by coincidences. This may be a personal experience with their own lawyer or that of the counterparty. But even more will the image be determined by the relatively small group of lawyers who get publicity. A. Pitlo (Evolutie in het privaatrecht, [Evolution in… Continue reading MAKING FUN OF LAWYERS

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BOSS

Three different personas during testimony There are matters to consider before you enter a courtroom as plaintiff, defendant or witness: for instance, what you say, your body language, how you present yourself and what you wear. The judge will be watching you. You don’t believe me? Read for yourself! The judge about the defendant: Murdock tried out… Continue reading THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BOSS