Three months to reflect My sabbatical started on the 1st of October 2014. I will start a new law firm in Curaçao on the 1st of January 2015. Check my blog for an update in December 2014. In the meantime, if you want to contact me, please do so via kfrielink@bzselaw.com. Karel Frielink (1 October… Continue reading SABBATICAL STARTED 1 OCTOBER 2014
Tag: karel frielink
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS A LAWYER
It is all about passion and commitment Today I am celebrating that I was admitted to the Amsterdam Bar on 12 September 1989. I am a graduate of VU University in Amsterdam, 1989. After 8 years of practicing law for two different law firms in Amsterdam (one small, one large firm), I moved to Curaçao… Continue reading CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS A LAWYER
MARTIJN WELTEN NEW MANAGING PARTNER SPIGT DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Karel Frielink is leaving firm after 15 years (Summary in English below) PERSBERICHT van Spigt Dutch Caribbean van 9 september 2014 Karel Frielink vertrekt bij Spigt Dutch Caribbean, Martijn Welten nieuwe managing partner. Per 1 oktober 2014 vertrekt Karel Frielink bij Spigt Dutch Caribbean Advocaten en Belastingadviseurs. Martijn Welten zal met ingang van die datum… Continue reading MARTIJN WELTEN NEW MANAGING PARTNER SPIGT DUTCH CARIBBEAN
ARUBA, CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN AND THEIR CIVIL LAW SYSTEMS
Abstract rules are the starting point Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten are autonomous parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is composed of four parts: (i) the Kingdom in Europe (popularly known as Holland, north of Belgium and west of Germany) and Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (in the Caribbean… Continue reading ARUBA, CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN AND THEIR CIVIL LAW SYSTEMS
I TURNED 50 TODAY!
Most stuff still works I am happy and still enjoy life. I will keep on working to make Curaçao a better place to live for all human beings irrespective of their color, culture, race, nationality, language, religion, belief, age or sexual orientation. I will spend my birthday with my wife, daughters and parents… and not… Continue reading I TURNED 50 TODAY!
LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
If you need a troubleshooter in your corner The civil court system in the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba) consists of three tiers; first instance cases are brought before the Court of First Instance. Appeal cases are brought before the Joint Court of Appeal. When all normal appeal procedures… Continue reading LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES
Opposing views on political influence Few people would argue that the rules issued by the state (government) must also be correctly and strictly observed by that same state. It cannot be well conceived that, for example, the police and Public Prosecutor’s Office (as instruments of the state) should be allowed to violate the law with… Continue reading GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES
THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Incorporating an NV or BV is not a hassle The act on corporate law (Book 2 Curaçao Civil Code) governs the NV (‘public limited liability company’) and BV (‘private limited liability company’). These companies can be used for group finance or holding activities, (international) joint-ventures, funds, structured finance, as a Curaçao Trust and for “plain-vanilla”… Continue reading THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR
Curaçao Trust could be used for asset segregation purposes According to Professor of Law David Hayton, an Anglo-Saxon trust arises from the settlor’s transfer of title to property to another person, intending that person to be a trustee-manager of it for the benefit of beneficiaries or for a charitable or other permitted purpose. Trusts are… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR
DUTCH 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 Curaçao or St. Maarten bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (‘Centrale Bank van… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES
LEGAL FEES: CHANGING LANDSCAPE
Alternative billing arrangements According to Larry Primeaux, the construction of legal fees is undergoing a metamorphosis in reaction to changing economics. Fact is, indeed, that you read everywhere that law firms (lawyers, advocates, attorneys) have to change. The system of “hourly rate billing” in particular has to take the rap. “In this economy, at least… Continue reading LEGAL FEES: CHANGING LANDSCAPE
LAWYERS AND BILLABLE HOURS
What is wrong with this exactly? You read everywhere that law firms (lawyers, advocates, attorneys) have to change. Lawyers are too conservative. They hold on to the past and are anything but innovative. As the economic climate deteriorates the call for change becomes increasingly stronger. The system of “hourly rate billing” in particular has to… Continue reading LAWYERS AND BILLABLE HOURS