SEPARATION BETWEEN LEGAL AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

The beneficial owner of shares is not a shareholder On March 1, 2004 the act on corporate law (Book 2 Netherlands Antilles Civil Code) became effective. The Act governs NVs (‘public limited liability company’) and BVs (‘private limited liability company’). The main object of the legislator was to provide flexibility and maximum freedom for organization and… Continue reading SEPARATION BETWEEN LEGAL AND BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

THE SELLING OF SHARES BY A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY

Answers to foreign counsel queries A Netherlands Antilles company (NV or BV) may have assets, both local and foreign. Not seldom such a company wants to sell all or a portion of its assets. If foreign assets or a foreign buyer is involved, foreign counsel always asks questions about the laws of the Netherlands Antilles.… Continue reading THE SELLING OF SHARES BY A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY

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

BEARER SHARES IN A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN COMPANY

Registered shares must be issued first On 1 March 2004, the new Netherlands Antilles act on corporate law (Book 2 Civil Code) became effective. Since that date it is no longer possible to (directly) issue bearer shares. A company with only bearer shares has no shareholders’ register. Only a public limited liability company (NV) may… Continue reading BEARER SHARES IN A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN COMPANY

CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

Full value share is required On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. Concepts like registered, subscribed and contributed capital do not appear in the Ordinance. No minimum capital is therefore required, unless such a requirement is included in the articles of association.… Continue reading CAPITAL STRUCTURE OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY