Available online 37 organic laws of St. Maarten stemming from the Constitution, the explanatory memorandum to the Constitution and a glossary have been translated into British English. All translated legislations are now available on the government’s website along with the Dutch version. The English translations are not binding in court. The original (Dutch) version of the… Continue reading FIRST SET OF SINT MAARTEN LAWS TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH
DOORBRAAK VAN AANSPRAKELIJKHEID
Rechtspersoonlijkheid kan soms worden genegeerd Naamloze en besloten vennootschappen hebben rechtspersoonlijkheid. Ze worden onder meer opgericht om de risico’s van commerciële activiteiten te beperken. Degene die een fabriek start om autobanden te produceren, weet dat daaraan risico’s zijn verbonden. Als hij als eenmanszaak opereert en het komt tot een faillissement, dan is hij met zijn… Continue reading DOORBRAAK VAN AANSPRAKELIJKHEID
A CORPORATION AND ITS ALTER EGO
Piercing or lifting the corporate veil As a general rule under Curaçao law, shareholders of corporate entities with limited liability do not risk more than their capital contribution. Such shareholders cannot be held liable for their corporations’ debts or obligations. These corporations are recognized as legal entities separate from their shareholders and managing directors. However,… Continue reading A CORPORATION AND ITS ALTER EGO
DE ENE ADVOCAAT IS DE ANDERE NIET
En het ene kantoor is het andere niet… Je moet werken vanuit je eigen identiteit en overtuiging. Dat kunnen we vandaag lezen in een interview met Mark van Eck van Business Openers in Advocatie.nl. Een kantoor dat werkt vanuit wat dat kantoor uniek maakt, waarin het zich dus onderscheidt van andere kantoren, is meer succesvol.… Continue reading DE ENE ADVOCAAT IS DE ANDERE NIET
SECURED CROSS-BORDER FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
Trust and parallel debt Cross-border financing transactions have links with different jurisdictions, and may include both civil law and Anglo-Saxon jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions do and some don’t accept that it is possible to grant security to a security agent (e.g. a special purpose vehicle or a trust) in order to secure money owed to several… Continue reading SECURED CROSS-BORDER FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
If you need a troubleshooter in your corner The civil court system in the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba) consists of three tiers; first instance cases are brought before the Court of First Instance. Appeal cases are brought before the Joint Court of Appeal. When all normal appeal procedures… Continue reading LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES
Opposing views on political influence Few people would argue that the rules issued by the state (government) must also be correctly and strictly observed by that same state. It cannot be well conceived that, for example, the police and Public Prosecutor’s Office (as instruments of the state) should be allowed to violate the law with… Continue reading GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES
THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Incorporating an NV or BV is not a hassle The act on corporate law (Book 2 Curaçao Civil Code) governs the NV (‘public limited liability company’) and BV (‘private limited liability company’). These companies can be used for group finance or holding activities, (international) joint-ventures, funds, structured finance, as a Curaçao Trust and for “plain-vanilla”… Continue reading THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR
Curaçao Trust could be used for asset segregation purposes According to Professor of Law David Hayton, an Anglo-Saxon trust arises from the settlor’s transfer of title to property to another person, intending that person to be a trustee-manager of it for the benefit of beneficiaries or for a charitable or other permitted purpose. Trusts are… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR
FATCA AND THE US – DUTCH INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
Dutch IGA published In connection with the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), the government of the Netherlands entered into a Model 1 Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) with the United States (click here). Under the Dutch IGA, Netherlands financial institutions would report required information to the Netherlands tax authorities, followed by an automatic exchange of the… Continue reading FATCA AND THE US – DUTCH INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT
RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION
Curaçao offers legitimate risk management solutions Why would one consider an asset protection strategy? There are individuals and business entities all around the world not trusting their government (e.g. fear for expropriation or nationalization by their government). Or they are seeking legitimate protection from any future downturns. Or they do not want the world to… Continue reading RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION
CONSULTATIE GRENSOVERSCHRIJDENDE OMZETTING
Voorstel wetswijziging in Nederland Vandaag is in Nederland ter consultatie een Voorontwerp grensoverschrijdende omzetting kapitaalvennootschappen gepresenteerd. Het ambtelijk voorontwerp bevat een regeling waarmee voorwaarden worden gesteld voordat een grensoverschrijdende omzetting van een naamloze of besloten vennootschap in een buitenlandse kapitaalvennootschap kan plaatsvinden (outbound) en omgekeerd (inbound). Voorts bevat het voorontwerp een wijziging van de regeling… Continue reading CONSULTATIE GRENSOVERSCHRIJDENDE OMZETTING