INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

The UNCITRAL Model Law is applicable Parties with a legal dispute can turn to the public court system to settle the dispute; however, instead of bringing a lawsuit in a public court, they can also opt for arbitration. Arbitration is a form of private dispute settlement in which the parties instruct one or more persons… Continue reading INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

SYMPOSIUM ON 35 YEARS OF THE CURACAO BAR ASSOCIATION (16 NOVEMBER 2012)

Presentation by Karel Frielink – President (part 2) Civil Litigation Law should be better So now I will deal with the subject of this symposium. I begin straight away with a provoking statement: Our Civil Litigation Law should be better. This goes further than it ‘could’ be better. However, we shouldn’t only think about the… Continue reading SYMPOSIUM ON 35 YEARS OF THE CURACAO BAR ASSOCIATION (16 NOVEMBER 2012)

THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

General observations regarding adversarial proceedings All adversarial proceedings in the Dutch Caribbean shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Claims will be denied or rejected (afgewezen) by the Court if ruled that they are unfounded. If a claim is denied for reasons… Continue reading THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

The court only considers the key issues According to Article 110 and 111 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Proceedings (NACCP), all adversarial proceedings shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance. Proceedings so initiated are ordinary proceedings, unless the petitioner expressly opts for preliminary relief proceedings (kort… Continue reading ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?

Litigating twice on the same matter is not allowed The Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure prevents parties from litigating twice on the same legal issue. The principle that a final judgment of a competent court is conclusive upon the parties in any subsequent litigation involving the same cause of action is known as ‘res… Continue reading OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?

DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS

Failing to contest may make a fact true Facts play an important role in civil litigation. Facts are established by the Court in First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba and by the Joint Court of Appeal of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, not by the Supreme Court. A review by the Supreme Court… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS

LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

Defendant has to show that the claim is invalid Article 705, Paragraph 2 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure states that the lifting of an attachment may be ordered if it appears summarily that the claim is invalid. According to existing case law of the Dutch Supreme Court (see for instance Supreme Court… Continue reading LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT

FAQ Question 1 How easily can one obtain permission to freeze assets? The Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure provides the possibility to seize and freeze assets in anticipation of a court order to pay a certain amount or to return certain goods. This legal remedy is referred to as prejudgment attachment or seizure (conservatoir… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN PREJUDGMENT ATTACHMENT

THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS

FAQ Question 1 Are there any particular issues that concern foreign plaintiffs in the Netherlands Antilles? If proceedings on the merits are initiated by a non-resident plaintiff, the defendant may ask the court to order that the plaintiff provide security for damages, costs and interest which it might be liable to pay as a result… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ABOUT DUTCH CARIBBEAN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS