TRADE-BASED MONEY LAUNDERING

More Trade Transparency Units Needed Smuggling and trade fraud are on the rise, according to Viêt Nam News (27 October 2015). The Telegraph reports that the authorities in China have arrested 21 people on suspicion of defrauding almost one million Chinese investors of 50bn yuan (£5.3 billion) after an online peer-to-peer lender turned out to be… Continue reading TRADE-BASED MONEY LAUNDERING

DISCHARGING THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

Only for matters evident from the accounts The shareholders of a Dutch Caribbean limited liability company (NV or BV) may provide a discharge (décharge) to members of the management board for matters evident from the annual accounts, or matters otherwise made known to the general shareholders meeting. This is a standard item on the agenda… Continue reading DISCHARGING THE MANAGEMENT BOARD

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

MAKING FUN OF LAWYERS

Makes me smile… The image that people have of lawyers is usually determined by coincidences. This may be a personal experience with their own lawyer or that of the counterparty. But even more will the image be determined by the relatively small group of lawyers who get publicity. A. Pitlo (Evolutie in het privaatrecht, [Evolution in… Continue reading MAKING FUN OF LAWYERS

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BOSS

Three different personas during testimony There are matters to consider before you enter a courtroom as plaintiff, defendant or witness: for instance, what you say, your body language, how you present yourself and what you wear. The judge will be watching you. You don’t believe me? Read for yourself! The judge about the defendant: Murdock tried out… Continue reading THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE BOSS

KAREL FRIELINK FULL MEMBER OF STEP

Trust and Estate Practitioner The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) was founded in 1991 by George Tasker as a hub for local forums of practitioners. STEP is the international professional body for those who work in the trust industry and the (often overlapping) field of estate administration. Its members are mainly solicitors, barristers,… Continue reading KAREL FRIELINK FULL MEMBER OF STEP

THE DUTY OF CARE OF BANKS

Banks are under the obligation to exercise due care In the Dutch Caribbean, no separately defined body of law exists with regard to the relationship between a (commercial) bank and its customer. The standard general terms and conditions applied by banks in the Dutch Caribbean have an important function in the legal relationship between banks and their… Continue reading THE DUTY OF CARE OF BANKS

LIABILITY OF COMPANY DIRECTORS

No derivative suit It is considered a general rule of Dutch Caribbean corporate law that the management board (a.k.a. board of directors) must act in the best interests of the company (an NV or BV) in the performance of its duties, even when acting on instructions from others (e.g. shareholders). This includes the interests of… Continue reading LIABILITY OF COMPANY DIRECTORS

SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR SELLING ALL ASSETS

In particular circumstances this rule may be set aside Generally speaking, the management board of a company (NV or BV) is not entitled to sell the company’s business or a substantial part thereof, without the approval of the shareholders’ meeting. The Enterprise Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Amsterdam confirmed this in its decision… Continue reading SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIRED FOR SELLING ALL ASSETS

LEGAL DOCUMENTS ARE HARD TO READ DUE TO LEGALESE LANGUAGE

Lawyers must learn to communicate with their clients Communication skills are particularly important for lawyers. On the one hand lawyers have to accurately debate legal issues with like-skilled/trained people and on the other hand they have to explain all this to people without any legal education, many of which are vulnerable. That is not as… Continue reading LEGAL DOCUMENTS ARE HARD TO READ DUE TO LEGALESE LANGUAGE