THE RIGHT TO SHARE IN THE PROFITS OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

It is not necessary to give all shares a right to share in the profits On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on the company with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. This legislation gives shareholders far more freedom to organize their company than in the past It is not necessary… Continue reading THE RIGHT TO SHARE IN THE PROFITS OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

GROUP RESTRUCTURING AND REFINANCING

Plan and act prudently: better to be safe than sorry Especially in these times of global economic and financial turmoil, a group (or part thereof) might want to consider restructuring and refinancing its operations or may be already in the process of doing so. When considering or carrying out such plans, careful thought must be… Continue reading GROUP RESTRUCTURING AND REFINANCING

THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND

It is easy and inexpensive to set up a SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) From a legal point of view, establishing a fund in Curaçao is very attractive under the corporate law in force since March 1, 2004, whereby a private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap) can be established very quickly and flexibly. Virtually everything is… Continue reading THE STRUCTURE OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN FUND

THE SHAREHOLDERS REGISTER OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Shareholders may inspect the register Every shareholder of a Netherlands Antilles NV or BV may inspect the register of the company regarding the shares held by them. The articles of association of a particular company may confer the right for inspection on others. In most cases a shareholder may however only inspect the register of… Continue reading THE SHAREHOLDERS REGISTER OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

A notarial deed is required A statutory merger involves at least two legal entities. The law uses the terms acquiring and disappearing legal entity. The law specifies that only legal entities having the same legal form may merge, specifying that a BV (closed limited liability company) and a NV (public limited liability company) are considered… Continue reading STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Ignoring the legal personality of a company A shareholder is not personally liable for acts performed in the name of the company and is not liable to contribute to losses of the company in excess of the amount which he must pay to the company as contribution for his shares. There is therefore a legal… Continue reading PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION

The concept of corporate officers is unknown The management board has the function of managing the corporation, i.e., making policy and conducting the day-to-day management of the corporation. The management board is responsible for the management of the BV and is authorized to represent it, except where restricted by the articles of incorporation. The management… Continue reading THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION

THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS

FAQ Question 1 In which cases and by whom may bankruptcy proceedings be initiated in accordance with Netherlands Antilles bankruptcy law? Filing for bankruptcy may be done either by the debtor itself or by one or more of its creditors. If the debtor is a company, the managing directors do not have the authority to… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS

DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE LAW IN PRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES

Rules of law, articles and contract may be set aside According to Section 2:7(2) of the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code, any rule imposed, for instance, on board members or shareholders of a limited liability company, will not be deemed to apply, to the extent, in the given circumstances, that these would be unacceptable in terms of… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE LAW IN PRESSING CIRCUMSTANCES

CAN A FOREIGN COMPANY BUY SHARES IN A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?

Generally speaking: yes Under Netherlands Antilles law, no specific requirements exist regarding the purchase of shares in a Netherlands Antilles offshore company by a foreign company. The Netherlands Antilles do not have any anti-trust regulations. In the Netherlands Antilles there are no statutory requirements preventing the sale of one or all the shares issued and… Continue reading CAN A FOREIGN COMPANY BUY SHARES IN A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?

DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Drag-along rights may be validly created A drag-along right is a right that enables a majority shareholder to force a minority shareholder to join in the sale of his shares in a company (NV or BV). The majority shareholder doing the dragging must give the minority shareholder the same price, terms, and conditions that apply… Continue reading DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

WHAT IF A LENDER BECOMES A SHAREHOLDER OF THE BORROWER IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN?

The obligation to repay still ranks pari passu If a lender takes over the shares in a borrower, the ranking of the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan does not change. Such obligations will continue to rank pari passu with the other creditors. Let me give you an example. In the event of dissolution of… Continue reading WHAT IF A LENDER BECOMES A SHAREHOLDER OF THE BORROWER IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN?