LEGAL MERGERS IN CURACAO

The Curacao Civil Code provides for a simplified merger procedure The acquisition of a business enterprise may take place through the purchase of shares (take-over), the purchase of assets and liabilities or a legal / statutory merger. The Curacao Legal Code on corporate and other legal persons contains detailed provisions for mergers of companies limited… Continue reading LEGAL MERGERS IN CURACAO

UNITED NATIONS BASIC PRINCIPLES ON THE ROLE OF LAWYERS

The Basic Principles are considered to be a “soft-law” instrument The Basic Priciples on the role of lawyers were adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Havana, Cuba, 27 August to 7 September 1990. According to the preambule professional associations of lawyers have a vital… Continue reading UNITED NATIONS BASIC PRINCIPLES ON THE ROLE OF LAWYERS

THE CURACAO MEMBER-MANAGED COMPANY

The right form for small businesses Until March 1, 2004 only manager managed companies were known. According to the current Curacao Civil Code, the articles of a company may provide that such company be a member managed company, which is a company without a board of directors. The shareholders (members) are then in charge of… Continue reading THE CURACAO MEMBER-MANAGED COMPANY

THE CURACAO PRIVATE FOUNDATION

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

THE ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGEMENT BY THE COURTS IN CURACAO

Judgments are immediately enforceable most of the time According to Article 55, par. 1 of the Curacao Code of Civil Procedure, opposition (in the case of a default judgment) or appeal (in the event of adversarial proceedings) prevent the enforcement (execution) of a judgment unless the decision is ‘enforceable notwithstanding opposition or appeal’ a.k.a. a… Continue reading THE ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGEMENT BY THE COURTS IN CURACAO

THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

A well developed system The judicial system of the various islands in the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) is independent, has a long history, and is well developed. It is capable of resolving complex commercial disputes in a just and efficient manner. The judges in the Dutch Caribbean are… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

A license is required The National Ordinance on the supervision of banking and credit institutions 1994 (Landsverordening toezicht bank- en kredietwezen, the “NOSB”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits any one (other than a licensed Credit Institution) from – directly or indirectly – soliciting funds from the public or extending credit to the public… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

Raising money without a license is prohibited The National Ordinance on the Supervision of Investment Institutions and Administrators 2002 (Landsverordening toezicht beleggingsinstellingen en administrateurs, a.k.a. “NOSIIA”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits raising, or obtaining, pecuniary means or other property for the purpose of participating in an investment institution that has not been granted a… Continue reading INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

THE RHYTHM AND BLUES OF CURACAO CONTRACT LAW

Principle of fairness and reasonableness When considered in the perspective of the laws of Curacao, the reliance on or the enforcement of contractual terms and conditions contained in any agreement, may under certain circumstances be contrary to the overriding principle of ‘fairness and reasonableness’ (redelijkheid en billijkheid) which governs the relationship between the parties to… Continue reading THE RHYTHM AND BLUES OF CURACAO CONTRACT LAW

U.S. JUDGMENTS AND CURACAO

The recognition and enforceability of foreign judgments in the absence of a treaty In the absence of an applicable treaty between foreign countries (for example the U.S.) and Curacao, a judgment rendered by a U.S. court will not be enforced by Curacaoan courts. In order to obtain a judgment which is enforceable in Curacao the… Continue reading U.S. JUDGMENTS AND CURACAO

SECURITIZATION IN CURACAO

Curacaoan special purpose vehicles are commonly used in cross–border financing transactions Curacaoan special purpose vehicles (SPVs) are commonly used in both cross–border financing transactions as well as in Curacao domestic financing transactions. As far as cross–border transactions are concerned, (synthetic and cash) securitizations, repackagings, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), leasing transactions, MTN… Continue reading SECURITIZATION IN CURACAO

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