APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Full review of the case Appellate proceedings in the Dutch Caribbean provide for a full review of the appealed decision: the grounds on which the Appellate Court can reverse the original judgment are not, as in certain other jurisdictions, limited to procedural matters. It is furthermore permissible to introduce new documentary evidence in the course… Continue reading APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

INSURANCE BUSINESS IN ARUBA (II)

Different insurance contracts According to the SOSIB a “life insurance agreement” is an insurance contract concerning the payment of cash benefits related to the life or death of man, and a “general insurance contract” is an insurance contract, other than a life insurance contract. Generally, an insurance contract is understood to be an agreement whereby… Continue reading INSURANCE BUSINESS IN ARUBA (II)

INSURANCE BUSINESS IN ARUBA (I)

The Central Bank of Aruba is the regulator The Central Bank of Aruba supervises insurers incorporated in Aruba and the branches and agencies in Aruba of insurers incorporated outside Aruba based on the State Ordinance on the Supervision of the Insurance Business (SOSIB). The SOSIB, effective since 2001, stipulates that life and non-life insurance business… Continue reading INSURANCE BUSINESS IN ARUBA (I)

CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

A license is required According to Section 4 of the Aruba State Ordinance on the Supervision of the Credit System 1998 (SOSC), no enterprise or institution established in Aruba shall pursue the business of a credit institution unless it has obtained authorization to that end from the Central Bank. No enterprise or institution established outside… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

LEGAL MERGERS IN CURACAO

The Curacao Civil Code provides for a simplified merger procedure The acquisition of a business enterprise may take place through the purchase of shares (take-over), the purchase of assets and liabilities or a legal / statutory merger. The Curacao Legal Code on corporate and other legal persons contains detailed provisions for mergers of companies limited… Continue reading LEGAL MERGERS IN CURACAO

THE CURACAO MEMBER-MANAGED COMPANY

The right form for small businesses Until March 1, 2004 only manager managed companies were known. According to the current Curacao Civil Code, the articles of a company may provide that such company be a member managed company, which is a company without a board of directors. The shareholders (members) are then in charge of… Continue reading THE CURACAO MEMBER-MANAGED COMPANY

THE CURACAO PRIVATE FOUNDATION

A Private Foundation can be used for tax planning and asset protection The Curacao Private Foundation was introduced by the National Ordinance Regarding Foundations as published on October 31, 1998. Since March 1st, 2004, these rules are laid down in Book 2 of the Curacao Civil Code. The Private Foundation possesses corporate personality but does… Continue reading THE CURACAO PRIVATE FOUNDATION

THE ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGEMENT BY THE COURTS IN CURACAO

Judgments are immediately enforceable most of the time According to Article 55, par. 1 of the Curacao Code of Civil Procedure, opposition (in the case of a default judgment) or appeal (in the event of adversarial proceedings) prevent the enforcement (execution) of a judgment unless the decision is ‘enforceable notwithstanding opposition or appeal’ a.k.a. a… Continue reading THE ENFORCEMENT OF A JUDGEMENT BY THE COURTS IN CURACAO

THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

A well developed system The judicial system of the various islands in the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) is independent, has a long history, and is well developed. It is capable of resolving complex commercial disputes in a just and efficient manner. The judges in the Dutch Caribbean are… Continue reading THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM

CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

A license is required The National Ordinance on the supervision of banking and credit institutions 1994 (Landsverordening toezicht bank- en kredietwezen, the “NOSB”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits any one (other than a licensed Credit Institution) from – directly or indirectly – soliciting funds from the public or extending credit to the public… Continue reading CREDIT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

Raising money without a license is prohibited The National Ordinance on the Supervision of Investment Institutions and Administrators 2002 (Landsverordening toezicht beleggingsinstellingen en administrateurs, a.k.a. “NOSIIA”) of both Curacao and St. Maarten prohibits raising, or obtaining, pecuniary means or other property for the purpose of participating in an investment institution that has not been granted a… Continue reading INVESTMENT INSTITUTIONS IN CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN

TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND REDUNDANCY

Termination by mutual consent is preferable In general, Curacao labor law provides for the following ways to terminate an employment agreement: (i) termination by giving notice, (ii) dissolution by the Courts and (iii) termination by mutual consent. Prior to giving notice, an employer must obtain a permit from the Director of the Directorate of Labor… Continue reading TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND REDUNDANCY