A minority shareholder may force the company to take-over his shares Article 2:251(1) Netherlands Antilles Civil Code reads as follows: “A shareholder of registered shares, whose rights or interests are prejudiced to such an extent, by the conduct of the company or one or more co-shareholders, that a continuation of his shareholding cannot reasonably be required… Continue reading PREJUDICED INTERESTS OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
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DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Drag-along rights may be validly created A drag-along right is a right that enables a majority shareholder to force a minority shareholder to join in the sale of his shares in a company (NV or BV). The majority shareholder doing the dragging must give the minority shareholder the same price, terms, and conditions that apply… Continue reading DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
WHAT IF A LENDER BECOMES A SHAREHOLDER OF THE BORROWER IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN?
The obligation to repay still ranks pari passu If a lender takes over the shares in a borrower, the ranking of the borrower’s obligation to repay the loan does not change. Such obligations will continue to rank pari passu with the other creditors. Let me give you an example. In the event of dissolution of… Continue reading WHAT IF A LENDER BECOMES A SHAREHOLDER OF THE BORROWER IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN?
DECLARING DIVIDENDS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Resolutions only marginally examined by the court Directly connected to the approval of annual accounts, the general meeting of the NV (or BV, as the case may be) or any other body designated in the articles of incorporation, shall resolve the distribution or reservation of profits according to aforementioned annual accounts and the payment of… Continue reading DECLARING DIVIDENDS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
DUTCH CARIBBEAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
The legal effects doctrine: an exception to the lex loci delicti rule Under Dutch Caribbean rules of private international law, a claim arising from an unlawful act is governed, in the absence of a choice of jurisdiction by the parties, by the law of the country were the unlawful act was committed (lex loci delicti).… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW
INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Liability for thin-capitalization? In terms of ‘piercing the corporate veil’, thin or inadequate capitalization usually means capitalization that is not in proportion to the nature of the risks the business of the corporation necessarily entails; in other words it is based on likely economic needs rather than legal requirements. Shareholders of a company in the… Continue reading INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
THE FINANCIALS OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY
Management’s responsibility According to Netherlands Antilles law, annually, within eight months after the company’s financial year has ended, (unless this term has been extended by the general meeting) annual statements must be drawn up by the management board and submitted to the general meeting of shareholders. The annual statements, comprising the balance sheet, profit and loss account and… Continue reading THE FINANCIALS OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY
MORATORIUM OF PAYMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)
The debtor may make an offer of composition The nature of a Netherlands Antilles’ moratorium differs substantially from a moratorium under US law and does, in particular, not cause pending proceedings to be stayed. Generally, a moratorium in the Netherlands Antilles protects a debtor from claims existing at the time of the moratorium. It does not prevent litigating… Continue reading MORATORIUM OF PAYMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)
MORATORIUM OF PAYMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)
An opportunity to recover Many companies face financial difficulties. Sometimes bankruptcy is the only option. The goal of the bankruptcy is the liquidation of the assets of the company and not to save the business, and this procedure is, therefore, not always the best procedure for realizing the full value of the company as a going… Continue reading MORATORIUM OF PAYMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)
OFFICE DISBURSEMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Not always charged at actual cost Most law firms charge their fees on the basis of hourly rates, which are determined by the seniority of the attorneys involved. It is also standard practice for Netherlands Antilles law firms to charge office disbursements separately as a percentage, e.g. 6%, of their legal fees. Such disbursements comprise, amongst other… Continue reading OFFICE DISBURSEMENTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
CORPORATE PENSION FUNDS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Only legal entities may serve as a fund According to the Netherlands Antilles National Ordinance on Corporate Pension Funds only legal entities may serve as a corporate pension fund. The foundation (‘stichting’) is the legal form most used for these purposes. The main reason for using a foundation instead of a legal entity of which… Continue reading CORPORATE PENSION FUNDS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANIES AND LIABILITY ISSUES
Shareholders are not personally liable Shareholders of an NV or BV are not personally liable for the liabilities of the company, except where this would be contrary to the law. With the exception of actions based on tort or when a shareholder may be held liable because he is considered a policy maker (see below),… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANIES AND LIABILITY ISSUES