Speech by Karel Frielink at the 8th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Ombudsman Association Ladies and Gentlemen! First of all, I would like to thank the Curaçao Ombudsman, Alba Martijn, for inviting me to speak at this conference. Unfortunately, she will leave office in about a month. She did an excellent job, and her professionalism,… Continue reading STATE-OWNED ENTERPRISES AND GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
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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
DUTCH CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES
A bank has less freedom than an ordinary legal entity What would be the requirements, from a regulatory point of view, if a Curaçao or St. Maarten bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (‘Centrale Bank van… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES
THE COURT OF LAST RESORT
Curaçao court as court of last resort for civil matters An attachment on assets located in Curaçao generally establishes jurisdiction over the cause of action for which the attachment is made, also if neither of the parties involved are domiciled in Curaçao. According to Section 767 of the Curaçao Code of Civil Procedure, the Curaçao… Continue reading THE COURT OF LAST RESORT
150 JURIDISCHE PUBLICATIES
Een persoonlijke mijlpaal Afgelopen donderdag was het dan zo ver: mijn 150e juridische publicatie zag het levenslicht. Het gaat om mijn bijdrage aan het Liber Amicorum ‘Christels Koers’ dat toen werd aangeboden aan prof.mr. drs. C.M. Grundmann-van de Krol: “Openbaarmaking door de financiële toezichthouders”. De volledige lijst met publicaties is hier te vinden. Nummer 151 is overigens… Continue reading 150 JURIDISCHE PUBLICATIES
US LAW GOVERNED AGREEMENTS
Curaçao and St. Maarten Courts will accept the choice of laws One of the questions frequently asked is whether the Courts in Curaçao or St. Maarten, if an action is brought before them, will pay deference to a “choice of governing law” and/or venue provision in an agreement, in particular when the parties have chosen… Continue reading US LAW GOVERNED AGREEMENTS
ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA
A license is required The European Central Bank defines e-money as follows (a non-legal definition): “E-money can be defined as any amount of monetary value represented by a claim issued on a prepaid basis, stored in an electronic medium (for example, a card or computer) and accepted as a means of payment by undertakings other… Continue reading ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA
THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A CURAÇAO COMPANY (III)
Controlling minority? Such a situation (i.e. example 2) is possibly less desirable from the company’s perspective, certainly where the more essential decision-making is concerned. Although decisions should be taken on the basis of a discussion of content and it will not always be possible to predict how the meeting of shareholders will vote, the possibility… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A CURAÇAO COMPANY (III)
THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A CURAÇAO COMPANY (I)
Comparable with a constitution The articles of association of a Curaçao company (a public [NV] or private [BV] limited liability company) are somewhat comparable with a constitution or state regulations: the articles of association comprise – like the law, but also additionally to the law and, where permitted, unlike the law – the rules of… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A CURAÇAO COMPANY (I)
VALIDLY REPRESENTING A CURACAO COMPANY
Extract and Articles are of importance Limited liability companies like the Curaçao NV or BV are legal entities. Whether or not a managing director has the authority to validly represent a company can be derived from the extract from the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce of Curaçao together with the articles of association… Continue reading VALIDLY REPRESENTING A CURACAO COMPANY
ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO
Curaçao: a jurisdiction not to be missed A Curaçao private foundation or a trust is often used for asset protection and privacy purposes. The Curaçao private foundation and the Curaçao trust must be set up by a notarial deed executed before a civil law notary in Curaçao. Both the private foundation and the trust are… Continue reading ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO