TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (II)

Only corporations may plead absence of representative authority Under the Netherlands Antilles Corporate Code, i.e. Book 2 of the Civil Code, transactions with third parties that violate either the law or any limitations on the transactional powers of the board of directors of a corporation, are not enforceable against the corporation if the limitations are… Continue reading TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (II)

TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

Limitations must be disclosed to have effect Netherlands Antilles law provides that, subject to restrictions laid down by the Netherlands Antilles Corporate Code or a corporation’s articles of association, the board of directors of a corporation shall be competent to represent the corporation, e.g. a limited liability company (‘naamloze of besloten vennootschap’; NV or BV).… Continue reading TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

STATUTORY LIMITATIONS FOR FILING A CLAIM UNDER ARUBAN LAW

Five year period With respect to the limitations under Aruban law for filing a claim, the pertinent legal provisions governing limitations are set out in Book 3, Title 11 (Rights of Action) of the Aruban Civil Code. According to Article 310 the right of action for compensation for damage is prescribed up to the end… Continue reading STATUTORY LIMITATIONS FOR FILING A CLAIM UNDER ARUBAN LAW

SPOTLIGHT ON CURACAO

Curacao economic country survey inserted in the New York Post In May 2009, United International Press (UIP) issued a special bulletin on Curacao, the Netherlands Antilles, in an insert in the New York Post. UIP has also placed the bulletin on its website. Curacao is described as a Caribbean Hub with Investment Appeal. Amongst various government… Continue reading SPOTLIGHT ON CURACAO

WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE UNDER ARUBAN LAW? (II)

Case law The Supreme Court in its case law has held that relatives of a deceased person are only entitled to sue for damages against the person liable for his or her death, if and to the extent that their death has left them in need. The extent of need is measured by the standard… Continue reading WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE UNDER ARUBAN LAW? (II)

WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE UNDER ARUBAN LAW? (I)

Nature and extent determined by the Civil Code When considering the nature and extent of damages that are recoverable under Aruban law, the point of departure is Book 6, Title 1 (Obligations in General), Section 10 (Legal Obligations to Make Reparation of Damage), Article 95 of the Aruban Civil Code which states: ‘the damage which… Continue reading WHAT DAMAGES ARE RECOVERABLE UNDER ARUBAN LAW? (I)

TRADE MARK LAW: PLACING LUXURY GOODS IN DISCOUNT STORES CAN AFFECT THEIR QUALITY

French fashion house Dior has the upper hand in legal battle over ‘dumping’ of its goods Placing luxury goods like Christian Dior products in discount stores can affect their quality according to the European Court of Justice, in a ruling on April 23, 2009, thereby backing the renowned French fashion house Dior in a trademark case.… Continue reading TRADE MARK LAW: PLACING LUXURY GOODS IN DISCOUNT STORES CAN AFFECT THEIR QUALITY

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

A local representative is required On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the VBA and is authorized to represent it, with the exception of any restrictions in the articles of association. The… Continue reading MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

Full value share is required On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. Concepts like registered, subscribed and contributed capital do not appear in the Ordinance. No minimum capital is therefore required, unless such a requirement is included in the articles of association.… Continue reading CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA (II)

Case law regarding termination It can be concluded from a Netherlands Antilles case regarding failed negotiations for the continuation of a license agreement (franchising) (Antillean Family Foods NV vs Mc Donald’s Corporation, Supreme Court, February 26, 1993, NJ 1993, 289), that under certain circumstances the termination of an agreement may constitute an obligation (to negotiate… Continue reading FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA (II)

FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA (I)

What are called ‘franchises’ are not seldom mixed type agreements Franchise agreements are not defined in any Aruban statute and are not subject to any specific Aruban legislation. The franchise agreement is a sui generis agreement, subject to the general law of contracts. Distribution agreements are not subject to any specific Aruban legislation either, and… Continue reading FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA (I)

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