PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS 2010

Netherlands Antilles According to PLC Cross Border (Which lawyer?), Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers is one of two firms dominating the Netherlands Antilles market for international work, both on- and offshore. Spigthoff ranks high in corporate / M&A and dispute resolution. Martijn Welten, who specializes in corporate law, mergers & acquisitions and corporate litigation, is… Continue reading PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS 2010

NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES

A bank has less freedom than an ordinary legal entity What would be the requirements, from a regulatory point of view, if a Netherlands Antilles bank wished to sell its entire business or a substantial part thereof? Would it require approval from the Netherlands Antilles Central Bank (de ‘Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen’)? Generally, if the… Continue reading NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN BANKS AND REGULATORY ISSUES

THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ITS CIVIL LAW SYSTEM

Abstract rules are the starting point The Netherlands Antilles are an autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Kingdom of the Netherlands is composed of three parts: the Kingdom in Europe (popularly known as Holland, north of Belgium and west of Germany), the Netherlands Antilles (in the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela), and Aruba… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN AND ITS CIVIL LAW SYSTEM

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (V)

Restrictions on termination With regards to damages, the aim thereof is generally to restore the creditor to the position he would have been in had the contract been fulfilled. In case of breach of contract, the damages will usually be assessed by considering the situation the creditor would be in if restored to the position… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (V)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (IV)

Non-performance as a response to non-performance Whenever a party to a contract is faced with non–performance by the other party, the party’s first reaction might well be to suspend its part of the contract. In the legal sense of the word, suspending or withholding performance may be described as both a defense and a self… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (IV)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (III)

Different cases of breach of contract Any question of breach starts with an inquiry into the type of obligation at hand. It is necessary to know more about the type of obligation at hand in order to determine whether a party has failed to perform that obligation. When determining whether a party has failed to… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (III)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (II)

Entitlement to specific performance Under the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code the demand for specific performance is not a remedy for breach of contract in a strictly legal technical sense. In this system the entitlement to specific performance is a consequence of the duty to perform a (contractual) obligation. The contract itself, and not the breach… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (II)

BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (I)

Failure to properly perform Under the Netherlands Antilles Civil Code (CC) breach of contract is defined as a failure to properly perform, perform on time, or to perform at all, which failure is attributable to one of the parties If a debtor breaches his obligations there are various courses of action available to the creditor.… Continue reading BREACH OF CONTRACT IN THE DUTCH ANTILLES (I)

LEGAL REBELS ARE REMAKING THE LEGAL PROFESSION

Dozens of lawyers are remaking their corners of the profession According to the American Bar Association (ABA), “the legal profession is not just struggling through a recession but undergoing a structural break with the past. There is a growing consensus that the profession that emerges from this downturn will be different in fundamental ways from… Continue reading LEGAL REBELS ARE REMAKING THE LEGAL PROFESSION

LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

Defendant has to show that the claim is invalid Article 705, Paragraph 2 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure states that the lifting of an attachment may be ordered if it appears summarily that the claim is invalid. According to existing case law of the Dutch Supreme Court (see for instance Supreme Court… Continue reading LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

Freezing assets is rather easy Under Netherlands Antilles law any party with a prima facie claim may file a petition for a court order granting an attachment, which petitions are generally granted, solely based on the allegations in the petition. It is not required, under Netherlands Antilles law, that the litigant needs to demonstrate that,… Continue reading LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (IV)

Only condemnatory judgments are allowed As far as the form and the content of a decision in summary proceedings is concerned, the judge has great latitude in reaching a decision. A guiding principle for the judge will always be a policy of not going beyond what might be necessary or well-balanced as far as the… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (IV)