NEW CIVIL CODE SURINAME

A historic and monumental decision The National Assembly, Suriname’s parliament, passed the proposals for a new Civil Code (and related laws) on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. This project has been worked on for years. These are the laws that will enter into force in the near future: As for the new Surinamese law of legal… Continue reading NEW CIVIL CODE SURINAME

CROSS-BORDER CONVERSION OF CURACAO LEGAL ENTITIES

Inbound and outbound Since 10-10-10 Curacao has its own Book 2 of the Civil Code. This applies equally to Sint Maarten. The BES Islands (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius) also have their own Book 2 Civil Code, that (also) differs from Book 2 of the Civil Code in the Netherlands. As from the said date,… Continue reading CROSS-BORDER CONVERSION OF CURACAO LEGAL ENTITIES

TYPES OF LIABILITY IN ARUBA

A three-part distinction With regard to liability a three-part distinction can be made. The first distinction relates to the basis of the liability: liability pursuant to a contractual relationship (the attributable failure in this respect) and liability pursuant to a wrongful act. Another distinction relates to the personal liability (thus for the party’s own actions… Continue reading TYPES OF LIABILITY IN ARUBA

IMPACT OF LIABILITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTOR

Curaçao law cannot ‘break through’ to a legal relationship governed by foreign law Under Section 2:17 subsection 1 of the Curaçao Civil Code, the liability of a legal entity as a managing director of another legal entity (the direct or 1st degree director) also rests jointly and severally on each person who at the time… Continue reading IMPACT OF LIABILITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTOR

TYPES OF LIABILITY IN CURACAO

A three-part distinction With regard to liability a three-part distinction can be made. The first distinction relates to the basis of the liability: liability pursuant to a contractual relationship (the attributable failure in this respect) and liability pursuant to a wrongful act. Another distinction relates to the personal liability (thus for the party’s own actions… Continue reading TYPES OF LIABILITY IN CURACAO

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BAD HABITS

Letter to the editor of The Daily Herald Dear Editor, According to Leroy de Weever (DP), he doesn’t need a Corporate Governance Council to come tell him how to do his job. He wants to disband the Corporate Governance Council as soon as possible. Corporate governance rules were designed to protect companies from politicians, in… Continue reading CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND BAD HABITS

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND REDUNDANCY

Termination by mutual consent is preferable In general, Curacao labor law provides for the following ways to terminate an employment agreement: (i) termination by giving notice, (ii) dissolution by the Courts and (iii) termination by mutual consent. Prior to giving notice, an employer must obtain a permit from the Director of the Directorate of Labor… Continue reading TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND REDUNDANCY

ELECTRONIC AGREEMENTS IN CARACAO AND SINT MAARTEN

The Dutch Caribbean digital signature exists for over 10 years The Curacao Ordinance on Electronic Agreements a.k.a. the Curacao Ordinance on agreements concluded electronically (Landsverordening overeenkomsten langs elektronische weg) became effective on 1 January 2001. The Ordinance in St. Maarten is similar to the one in Curacao. The Ordinance provides that an electronic signature shall… Continue reading ELECTRONIC AGREEMENTS IN CARACAO AND SINT MAARTEN

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

THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The Country known as the Netherlands Antilles will disappear as of 10-10-10 The country, the Netherlands Antilles, consists of Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, and forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will no longer exist. Two new countries will be born on that… Continue reading THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES