Liability for thin-capitalization? In terms of ‘piercing the corporate veil’, thin or inadequate capitalization usually means capitalization that is not in proportion to the nature of the risks the business of the corporation necessarily entails; in other words it is based on likely economic needs rather than legal requirements. Shareholders of a company in Aruba… Continue reading INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF AN ARUBAN COMPANY
Author: Karel Frielink
SUPERVISION OF TRUST COMPANIES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Trust companies render management services The supervision of trust companies is dealt with in the National Ordinance on the Supervision of Trust Service Providers 2003 (‘Landsverordening toezicht trustwezen’, the ‘NOST’). Supervision of trust companies (a.k.a. fiduciary or company service providers) falls in the category integrity supervision and not in the category prudential supervision. The supervisor… Continue reading SUPERVISION OF TRUST COMPANIES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
LAW FIRM MARKETING AND THE INTERNET
Blog posts reinforce your expertise and reputation I found this article on CNN’s website: ‘How can small companies make money from social media?’, and it made me start thinking about whether social media is a business for law firms. I joined LinkedIn and SunZu (f.k.a. Ecademy) back in 2004. I was among the 1st million members of LinkedIn: member number… Continue reading LAW FIRM MARKETING AND THE INTERNET
THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
General observations regarding adversarial proceedings All adversarial proceedings in the Dutch Caribbean shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Claims will be denied or rejected (afgewezen) by the Court if ruled that they are unfounded. If a claim is denied for reasons… Continue reading THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN CURACAO
Corporate Governance Adviser must be a strong and independent watchdog over the executive also On April 13, 2010 a seminar on Good Corporate Governance with respect to Curacao-owned enterprises and foundations was held in Curacao, and organized by Certa Legal. I was one of the keynote speakers and delivered my presentation in the Dutch language… Continue reading LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN CURACAO
ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
The court only considers the key issues According to Article 110 and 111 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Proceedings (NACCP), all adversarial proceedings shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance. Proceedings so initiated are ordinary proceedings, unless the petitioner expressly opts for preliminary relief proceedings (kort… Continue reading ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?
Litigating twice on the same matter is not allowed The Netherlands Antilles 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 the parties in any subsequent litigation involving the same cause of action is known as ‘res… Continue reading OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?
DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS
Failing to contest may make a fact true Facts play an important role in civil litigation. Facts are established by the Court in First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba and by the Joint Court of Appeal of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, not by the Supreme Court. A review by the Supreme Court… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS
CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2010 LAUNCHED
All-new law firm rankings The Chambers Global 2010 was launched at the end of February 2010. You will find the all-new rankings and editorial on their website – www.chambersandpartners.com. The Chambers Global focuses on firms and lawyers who have truly international practices. This is what Chambers and Partners has to say about Spigthoff Attorneys &… Continue reading CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2010 LAUNCHED
PREJUDICED INTERESTS OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
They may force the company to take-over their shares Article 2:251(1) of the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code reads as follows: “A shareholder of registered shares, whose rights or interests are prejudiced to such an extent, by the conduct of the company or one or more co-shareholders, that a continuation of his shareholding cannot reasonably be required… Continue reading PREJUDICED INTERESTS OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
AANSPRAKELIJKHEID OVERHEID ALS AANDEELHOUDER
Symposium 26 februari 2010 Op vrijdag 26 februari 2010 vond het symposium ‘Overheid en aansprakelijkheid‘ plaats. Het symposium was georganiseerd door het Centrum voor Postacademisch Juridisch Onderwijs van de Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen in samenwerking met de Universiteit van de Nederlandse Antillen. Ik heb daar een verhaal mogen houden. De andere sprekers waren prof. mr P.… Continue reading AANSPRAKELIJKHEID OVERHEID ALS AANDEELHOUDER
PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN ARUBA
Ignoring the legal personality of a company A shareholder is not personally liable for acts performed in the name of the company and is not liable to contribute to losses of the company in excess of the amount which he must pay to the company as contribution for his shares. There is therefore a legal… Continue reading PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN ARUBA