Differences with the United States Netherlands Antilles civil proceedings differ substantially from those in the United States. In the Dutch Caribbean there are, for instance, no juries. In principle, legal proceedings are basically conducted in writing. Oral pleadings are customary in preliminary relief proceedings, but optional in proceedings on the merits. Discovery proceedings like those… Continue reading PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Author: Karel Frielink
INDEPENDENT SUPERVISORY BOARD IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Should be mandatory for government-owned entities Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, the main task of a board of supervisory directors is to supervise the board of managing directors of a limited liability company (NV or BV). The Corporate Code provides for two different kinds of boards of supervisory directors, a “regular” board of… Continue reading INDEPENDENT SUPERVISORY BOARD IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
CURACAO TOURISM BOOMS
Article on Curacao by Ben Fox (Associated Press) Various newspapers, including USA Today and Miami Herald, published an article by Ben Fox. Here follows an excerpt: In a grim season for Caribbean tourism, an island just north of Venezuela stands out: Hotel rooms are scarce and discounts unavailable. That’s largely because Curacao is crowded with Venezuelans,… Continue reading CURACAO TOURISM BOOMS
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU
Bon aña nobo i tur kos bon! Gelukkige nuwejaar Godt nytår Onnellista uutta vuotta Lokkich neijier Felice anno nuovo Felix sit annus novus Godt nyttår Bliadhna mhath ur Feliz año Nuevo Yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun Karel Frielink
FINAL POSTING OF 2008
This will be my final posting for 2008. What a year. It feels as if the whole world has changed more rapidly than ever before and not only as a result of the economic turmoil. The year 2009 is about to begin and it won’t be an easy year. Many will suffer from the… Continue reading FINAL POSTING OF 2008
THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION
The concept of corporate officers is unknown The management board has the function of managing the corporation, i.e., making policy and conducting the day-to-day management of the corporation. The management board is responsible for the management of the BV and is authorized to represent it, except where restricted by the articles of incorporation. The management… Continue reading THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION
A DUTCH CARIBBEAN BUSINESS LICENSE
License required According to the Netherlands Antilles Ordinance on the Establishment of a Business (Landsverordening betreffende vestiging van ondernemingen, PB 1946 nr. 43), a license is required to establish a company (vestigingsvergunning) as well as one to operate a company as an individual director who is not a “citizen” (directievergunning). According to the published policy… Continue reading A DUTCH CARIBBEAN BUSINESS LICENSE
THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT
FAQ Question 1 How easily can one obtain permission to freeze assets? The Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure provides the possibility to seize and freeze assets in anticipation of a court order to pay a certain amount or to return certain goods. This legal remedy is referred to as prejudgment attachment or seizure (conservatoir… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT
THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
FAQ Question 1 Are there any particular issues that concern foreign plaintiffs in the Netherlands Antilles? If proceedings on the merits are initiated by a non-resident plaintiff, the defendant may ask the court to order that the plaintiff provide security for damages, costs and interest which it might be liable to pay as a result… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS
FAQ Question 1 In which cases and by whom may bankruptcy proceedings be initiated in accordance with Netherlands Antilles bankruptcy law? Filing for bankruptcy may be done either by the debtor itself or by one or more of its creditors. If the debtor is a company, the managing directors do not have the authority to… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS
NEW PRESIDENT CURACAO BAR ASSOCIATION
Meeting held on 12 December 2008 At the Curacao Bar Association’s annual meeting, Karel Frielink (Spigthoff) was formally elected to serve as President of the Curacao Bar Association for a two year-term. He is the successor of Eric de Vries (HBN Law). Eric Bokkes (Bokkes Fontein Advocaten), Daniel Zahavi (ZL Law) and Chester Peterson (Sulvaran… Continue reading NEW PRESIDENT CURACAO BAR ASSOCIATION
DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE LAW IN PRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES
Rules of law, articles and contract may be set aside According to Section 2:7(2) of the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code, any rule imposed, for instance, on board members or shareholders of a limited liability company, will not be deemed to apply, to the extent, in the given circumstances, that these would be unacceptable in terms of… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE LAW IN PRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES