A sensitive subject The advocate (attorney; lawyer) as orator is a sensitive subject. Many clients will have listened with curled toes or alternatively with a deep feeling of embarrassment to their own advocate or (if they are lucky) to that of their counterparty at the moment suprême when the so-carefully prepared written summary of the argument… Continue reading THE LAWYER AS ORATOR
Tag: law firm
ON THE IMAGE OF LAWYERS
Bloodsuckers and hypocrites? Lawyers (attorneys) are often exposed to strong criticism, both here and elsewhere. The late famous Dutch professor A. Pitlo (Evolutie in het privaatrecht, [Evolution in private law] Groningen: H.D. Tjeenk Willink 1972, p. 102) speaks with regard to certain advocates (lawyers) about the ‘half-intellect’ that by intellectualism must succeed in being kept… Continue reading ON THE IMAGE OF LAWYERS
THE LAWYER AS CRAFTSMAN
Tradition and resourcefulness You could hear these statements just about anywhere: “The study of law is a dull study. You have to read a lot of books and especially learn a lot by heart. But luckily it is not a difficult study. It is more or less the easiest study to graduate in.” Is all… Continue reading THE LAWYER AS CRAFTSMAN
WHY WOULD SOMEONE BECOME A LAWYER?
The story of Saint Yvo (1253-1303) Without being sworn in to the Bar it is not possible to call yourself an advocate (lawyer; advocaat) in the Dutch Caribbean. Being sworn in as an lawyer is for any beginner a high point, a clear start. The lawyer undertakes responsibility and does this under oath. Art. 3… Continue reading WHY WOULD SOMEONE BECOME A LAWYER?
SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS OF A CURACAO INSURANCE COMPANY
The Central Bank has issued guidance notes According to the Curacao Ordinance on the Supervision of the Insurance Business, a Board of Supervisory Directors of an insurance company shall have the task of supervising the policy of the Management Board of such company and the general course of events of the insurance company and the business… Continue reading SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS OF A CURACAO INSURANCE COMPANY
THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ROME I AND ROME II
Nothing has changed as of 10-10-10 The Country the Netherlands Antilles consisted of Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, and formed part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On October 10, 2010 the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist as a country. Two new countries were born on that date: the country Curacao and… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ROME I AND ROME II
INTERNATIONAL NON-CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY FROM A DUTCH PERSPECTIVE
Introduction Financial law is not an exclusively national affair. Cross-border transactions and service provisions have been common place for a very long time. Harmonisation of rules has been worked towards in a European context for decades. Leaving aside special subject matters such as liability for products and road accidents, the (partial) harmonisation of the rules in… Continue reading INTERNATIONAL NON-CONTRACTUAL LIABILITY FROM A DUTCH PERSPECTIVE
WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT OF YOUR LAWYER
Quality, Clarity, Trust, Value for Money, Passion and Compassion Whether you live in the UK, the USA or the Dutch Caribbean, almost every lawyer (attorney) or law firm claims to be the best, the leading, etc. Why are they all trying so hard? And does this do the trick for you? Even more importantly, does… Continue reading WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT OF YOUR LAWYER
GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REVISITED
Where these rules not designed to protect companies from the government? It has been my opinion for many years already that government-owned companies should be kept out of the political sphere as much as possible, so that they may benefit from a commercial, businesslike and market-oriented management. In doing so they also run less of… Continue reading GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REVISITED
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
CELEBRATING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WEBLOG
A cartoon has been drawn by Mike Flanagan for the 5th anniversary of the launch of Karel’s Legal Blog June 1st, 2010 marks the 5th anniversary of my legal blog. This is an important milestone for me. Back in May 2005 I only had a rough idea about blogging and what it would take to create… Continue reading CELEBRATING THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS WEBLOG
SUPERVISION OF TRUST COMPANIES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Trust companies render management services The supervision of trust companies is dealt with in the National Ordinance on the Supervision of Trust Service Providers 2003 (‘Landsverordening toezicht trustwezen’, the ‘NOST’). Supervision of trust companies (a.k.a. fiduciary or company service providers) falls in the category integrity supervision and not in the category prudential supervision. The supervisor… Continue reading SUPERVISION OF TRUST COMPANIES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN