NETHERLANDS 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 Netherlands Antilles bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Netherlands Antilles Central Bank (de ‘Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen’)? Generally, if the… Continue reading NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES

HELP MAKE CURACAO ABLED

The Laura and Wagner Foundation Fundraising Evening On Thursday December 3, 2009, the Laura and Wagner Foundation are holding a fundraising evening at the Netherlands Antilles Central Bank. Special guests will appear via TeleConference to discuss how to make technology more abled for the disabled. Click here to read the flyer. The Laura and Wagner Foundation… Continue reading HELP MAKE CURACAO ABLED

THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ITS CIVIL LAW SYSTEM

Abstract rules are the starting point The Netherlands Antilles are an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is composed of three parts: the Kingdom in Europe (popularly known as Holland, north of Belgium and west of Germany), the Netherlands Antilles (in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela), and Aruba… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ITS CIVIL LAW SYSTEM

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)

Case law the principle of good faith A legal entity and all involved in its organization have a legal duty to behave towards each in accordance with the principles of reasonableness and fairness, i.e. (objective) good faith. A provision or requirement contained in a legal entity’s articles of association or by-laws, may be set aside… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

Limitations on the applicability of provisions As a general matter of Netherlands Antilles law, the interpretation of terms contained in legal documents, such as the articles of association and the by-laws, however only to a certain extent, inter alia subject to the intention of the parties, and the enforcement thereof, is subject to the overriding… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)

THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

Ranging from basic to extremely complex Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, public and private limited liability companies (NVs or BVs), foundations, co-operatives, mutual insurance societies and associations are considered legal entities. The articles of incorporation (a.k.a. articles of association) provide the regulatory framework by which these legal entities in the Netherlands Antilles are… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)

CARIBBEAN KIDS NEWS

The Dutch Antillean ‘Jeugdjournaal’ The Curacao-based Foundation Youth Into Media (Stichting Youth Into Media) is responsible for the sustainable development of a youth news program – Caribbean Kids News – on television and the internet for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The first show of ‘Caribbean Kids News’ was on September 14, 2009 on TeleCuracao. Caribbean… Continue reading CARIBBEAN KIDS NEWS

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (V)

Restrictions on termination With regards to damages, the aim thereof is generally to restore the creditor to the position he would have been in had the contract been fulfilled. In case of breach of contract, the damages will usually be assessed by considering the situation the creditor would be in if restored to the position… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (V)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (IV)

Non-performance as a response to non-performance Whenever a party to a contract is faced with non–performance by the other party, the party’s first reaction might well be to suspend its part of the contract. In the legal sense of the word, suspending or withholding performance may be described as both a defense and a self… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (IV)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (III)

Different cases of breach of contract Any question of breach starts with an inquiry into the type of obligation at hand. It is necessary to know more about the type of obligation at hand in order to determine whether a party has failed to perform that obligation. When determining whether a party has failed to… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (III)

LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BZSE law office on Sint Maarten celebrates merger On October 2, 2009 BZSE law firm (BergmanZwanikkenSnowEssed) celebrated the merger of Bergman and ZwanikkenSnowEssed law offices and the official opening of their new offices in Belair (St. Maarten) with a lecture on good corporate governance. I was the keynote speaker and delivered my presentation in the… Continue reading LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (II)

Entitlement to specific performance Under the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code the demand for specific performance is not a remedy for breach of contract in a strictly legal technical sense. In this system the entitlement to specific performance is a consequence of the duty to perform a (contractual) obligation. The contract itself, and not the breach… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (II)