A Private Foundation can be used for tax planning and asset protection The Curacao Private Foundation was introduced by the National Ordinance Regarding Foundations as published on October 31, 1998. Since March 1st, 2004, these rules are laid down in Book 2 of the Curacao Civil Code. The Private Foundation possesses corporate personality but does… Continue reading THE CURACAO PRIVATE FOUNDATION
Category: Corporate
THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF A LARGE CURACAO COMPANY
Stricter rules for large companies Under Curacao law the annual accounts of limited liability companies which do not qualify as so called large companies, need to be prepared in accordance with generally accepted standards and shall provide sufficient insight as to enable a sound judgment to be formed regarding the assets and the results and,… Continue reading THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS OF A LARGE CURACAO COMPANY
GRANTING DISCHARGE TO MANAGING DIRECTORS
Discharge is not bankruptcy proof The Civil Codes of Curaçao, Sint Maarten and Bonaire do not contain provisions specifically dealing with discharging managing directors from liability. Neither is there conclusive Dutch Caribbean case law available yet. Managing directors of a limited liability company (NV or BV) can be discharged from their liability towards the company.… Continue reading GRANTING DISCHARGE TO MANAGING DIRECTORS
STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES LACK OF INDEPENDENT SUPERVISION
Independent supervision should be mandatory for government-owned entities It has been my opinion for many years already that government-owned companies should be kept out of the political sphere as much as possible, so that they may benefit from a commercial, businesslike and market-oriented management. In doing so they also run less of a risk of… Continue reading STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES LACK OF INDEPENDENT SUPERVISION
GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITIES IN CURACAO
Concerns about additional authorities Ministers Attorney Karel Frielink is concerned about the additional authorities which cabinet-members have appropriated over government NV’s. According to Frielink, who is also President of the Bar Association, these extra authorities increase the chance of ‘political influencing, favoritism and other forms of abuse’ within government institutions. In an opinion paper, published… Continue reading GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITIES IN CURACAO
WHO DETERMINES THE POLICY OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?
The management board is in charge The shareholders have the authority to determine the general policy of a Dutch Caribbean NV or BV. The shareholders may give instructions to the management board with respect to the general direction of the financial, social, economic and personnel policies of the corporation. However, the shareholders cannot give detailed… Continue reading WHO DETERMINES THE POLICY OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?
PROPOSED REVIEW CORPORATE CODE ON ULTRA VIRES
The rules with regard to ultra vires are fundamentally changed Ultra vires means ‘beyond power or authority’. An ultra vires act is one beyond the purpose clause as laid down in the Articles of Association of a legal entity, for instance a foundation or a limited liability company (NV or BV). Early in 2010, a… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW CORPORATE CODE ON ULTRA VIRES
A PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AND LEGAL PERSONALITY
Dutch Supreme Court, Decision of 18 January 1901 Suppose you and several of your friends decided to combine your financial resources to start a business. You subsequently agreed on the incorporation of a limited liability company (NV). You also agreed on the amount each of you would put into the NV and the number of… Continue reading A PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AND LEGAL PERSONALITY
GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REVISITED
Where these rules not designed to protect companies from the government? It has been my opinion for many years already that government-owned companies should be kept out of the political sphere as much as possible, so that they may benefit from a commercial, businesslike and market-oriented management. In doing so they also run less of… Continue reading GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REVISITED
PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE CODE
Various proposals not yes discussed here The prohibition of appointing Supervisory Directors besides a ‘one-tier Board’ will be deleted (Article 2:19 paragraph 1 proposed bill). Supervisory Directors being a legal entity are allowed to a limited extent (Article 2:19 paragraph 3 proposed bill). For the NV and the BV the law determines who has the right to… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE CODE
PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON CONFLICTING INTEREST
The proposed bill gives shareholders more freedom Earlier in 2010, a draft bill was proposed to amend the Corporate Code (Book 2 Civil Code) of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (which formerly constituted the Netherlands Antilles). Among other things, the provisions with regard to conflicting interest have been thoroughly reviewed and strongly… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON CONFLICTING INTEREST
PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN BANKRUPTCY
Defects detected in the annual accounts drawn up may be relevant Earlier in 2010, a draft bill was proposed to amend the Corporate Code (Book 2 Civil Code) of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (which formerly constituted the Netherlands Antilles). Hopefully, the Bill comes into force in 2011. Among other things, the… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN BANKRUPTCY