The Supreme Court applies strict standards In respect of the standards of due process applicable in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (EVRM) applies, including article 6, which safeguards the right of due process. The first sentence of article 6 EVRM reads as follows:… Continue reading STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS APPLICABLE IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Tag: litigation
THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN INCORPORATION DOCTRINE
The courts apply the law of the state where the legal entity was incorporated The Netherlands Antilles adheres to the Incorporation Doctrine (Netherlands Antilles State Ordinance of 9 September 1960, which entered into force on the 10th of September 1960, P.B. 1960, 166). According to this doctrine, the internal affairs of a corporation are governed… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN INCORPORATION DOCTRINE
SCANNED EVIDENCE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Electronic files will not be disregarded as evidence A Netherlands Antilles or Aruban court may only base its decision on facts. An alleged fact that is not disputed by the parties is considered to be such a fact, even if it does not correspond with reality. For example, if both parties state that they were… Continue reading SCANNED EVIDENCE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
SEE YOU IN COURT?
Arbitration as an alternative for settling disputes in Curacao 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… Continue reading SEE YOU IN COURT?
COMMENCING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Non-residents can be sued A general rule under the Netherlands Antilles code of civil procedure is that the Curacao court (or another court in the Dutch Caribbean as the case may be) has jurisdiction over defendants which are (in this example) Curacao residents or companies with an office in Curacao. In the case of multiple defendants,… Continue reading COMMENCING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS IN ARUBA
Differences with the United States Civil proceedings in Aruba differ substantially from those in the United States. In Aruba there are, for instance, no juries. In principle, legal proceedings are basically conducted in writing. Oral pleadings are customary in preliminary relief proceedings, but optional in proceedings on the merits. Discovery proceedings like those in the… Continue reading PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS IN ARUBA
THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
General observations regarding adversarial proceedings All adversarial proceedings in the Dutch Caribbean shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Claims will be denied or rejected (afgewezen) by the Court if ruled that they are unfounded. If a claim is denied for reasons… Continue reading THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
The court only considers the key issues According to Article 110 and 111 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Proceedings (NACCP), all adversarial proceedings shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance. Proceedings so initiated are ordinary proceedings, unless the petitioner expressly opts for preliminary relief proceedings (kort… Continue reading ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?
Litigating twice on the same matter is not allowed The Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure prevents parties from litigating twice on the same legal issue. The principle that a final judgment of a competent court is conclusive upon the parties in any subsequent litigation involving the same cause of action is known as ‘res… Continue reading OBITER DICTUM OR NOT?
DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS
Failing to contest may make a fact true Facts play an important role in civil litigation. Facts are established by the Court in First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba and by the Joint Court of Appeal of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, not by the Supreme Court. A review by the Supreme Court… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN LITIGATION AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACTS
CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2010 LAUNCHED
All-new law firm rankings The Chambers Global 2010 was launched at the end of February 2010. You will find the all-new rankings and editorial on their website – www.chambersandpartners.com. The Chambers Global focuses on firms and lawyers who have truly international practices. This is what Chambers and Partners has to say about Spigthoff Attorneys &… Continue reading CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2010 LAUNCHED
PREJUDICED INTERESTS OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
They may force the company to take-over their shares Article 2:251(1) of the 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 NETHERLANDS ANTILLES