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

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN ARUBA, BONAIRE, CURACAO AND SAINT MAARTEN

Preliminary relief within several weeks, sometimes within days or hours In all matters for which an immediate injunction, measure, or decision is required, the parties may address themselves to the Courts. If the matter does not require immediate resolution, the Court will deny the relief sought and refer the parties to the normal procedure. These… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN ARUBA, BONAIRE, CURACAO AND SAINT MAARTEN

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

BANKING REGULATIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Soliciting funds requires a license The Netherlands Antilles was dissolved on October 10, 2010. Prior to that date the Netherlands Antilles consisted of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, and formed, together with the Netherlands and Aruba, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Curacao and St. Maarten have become independent countries within the Kingdom.… Continue reading BANKING REGULATIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

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

PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CROSS BORDER MERGER LEGISLATION

Proposed bill introduces outbound mergers 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. The possibility already currently exists that in connection with a… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CROSS BORDER MERGER LEGISLATION