$1.3 BILLION SETTLEMENT OF FORTIS INVESTOR ACTIONS

Interesting post by Kevin LaCroix (The D&O Diary) “In what is by far the largest investor settlement ever under the Dutch collective settlement procedures, several shareholder foundations have reached an agreement to settle the Fortis shareholder claims for a total of €1.204 billion ($1.3 billion). The shareholder foundations’ settlement with Ageas, as Fortis is now… Continue reading $1.3 BILLION SETTLEMENT OF FORTIS INVESTOR ACTIONS

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPECTUS LIABILITY (II)

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands compared The Netherlands In the Netherlands there is a two-track law concerning prospectus liability as professor L. Timmerman calls it. There are two sets of rules supplementing the general doctrine of the wrongful act (Section 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code (‘BW-NL‘): the rules with regard to… Continue reading STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPECTUS LIABILITY (II)

STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPECTUS LIABILITY (I)

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands compared That a prospectus must be approved (in the Netherlands and the BES Islands by the Authority for the Financial Markets, and in Curaçao and Sint Maarten by the Joint Central Bank of these countries) does not guarantee that the prospectus is not misleading. Therefore approval by… Continue reading STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR PROSPECTUS LIABILITY (I)

WHEN IS A PROSPECTUS REQUIRED?

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands compared The Netherlands The legal system in the Netherlands has a European origin. We will not discuss this further here.* Chapter 5.1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht: ‘Wft’) includes the rules for offering securities. Section 5:2 Wft stipulates: “It is forbidden… Continue reading WHEN IS A PROSPECTUS REQUIRED?

PROSPECTUS LIABILITY AND PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands The Netherlands Since 11 January 2009 Rome II* has been applicable in the Netherlands with regard to the applicable law on non-contractual obligations. Rome II is not applicable in Curaçao, St. Maarten, Aruba and the BES Islands. This observation obviously does not exclude a certain reflex effect.… Continue reading PROSPECTUS LIABILITY AND PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

PROSPECTUS LIABILITY IN THE NETHERLANDS

World Online is the landmark case Undoubtedly the most important ruling with regard to prospectus liability is the ruling of the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad) in the case of World Online (WOL) of 27 November 2009 (JOR 2010, 43 with annotation by Karel Frielink). World Online was a European Internet Service Provider and its… Continue reading PROSPECTUS LIABILITY IN THE NETHERLANDS

QUEEN BEATRIX ABDICATES IN FAVOR OF SON

The Queen will formally stand down on 30 April 2013 Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced earlier today that she will abdicate on April 30 after 33 years as head of state. The abdication secures the Dutch throne for Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander at the age of 45. “Responsibility for our country must now lie in the… Continue reading QUEEN BEATRIX ABDICATES IN FAVOR OF SON

INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF A CURACAO COMPANY

Liability for thin-capitalization? A shareholder is not personally liable for acts performed in the name of the company and is not liable to contribute to losses of the company in excess of the amount which he must pay to the company as contribution for his shares. In terms of ‘piercing the corporate veil’, thin or… Continue reading INADEQUATE CAPITALIZATION OF A CURACAO COMPANY

ON THE GERMAN – DUTCH CARIBBEAN RELATIONSHIP

Interesting editorial in The Daily Herald (St. Maarten) Economic powerhouse “The visit of German ambassador Heinz-Peter Behr last week should serve as an eye-opener on the largely untapped possibilities that European market offers. Up to now much of the attention regarding the “Old Continent” understandably regards the Netherlands and France from which “The Friendly Island”… Continue reading ON THE GERMAN – DUTCH CARIBBEAN RELATIONSHIP

CURACAO TAX REFORM 2011

New Opportunities for the International Sector The Curacao tax reform 2011 was recently adopted by the Curacaoan parliament. The Curacao tax reform 2011 has some interesting features for the international financial sector. The expectations are that more features will follow during the next few years, however, no formal announcements have yet been made in this… Continue reading CURACAO TAX REFORM 2011

VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE AND THE HUNT FOR UNDISCLOSED ACCOUNTS BY US AND DUTCH TAX AUTHORITIES

Propaganda machines up to speed Publicity efforts by the US and Dutch tax authorities indicate that the hunt for undisclosed accounts in typical offshore jurisdictions is still a hot item. Although Curacao was not mentioned by the US authorities, the Dutch tax authorities announced a new search for undisclosed accounts in Curacao based on information… Continue reading VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE AND THE HUNT FOR UNDISCLOSED ACCOUNTS BY US AND DUTCH TAX AUTHORITIES