The rules with regard to ultra vires are fundamentally changed Ultra vires means ‘beyond power or authority’. An ultra vires act is one beyond the purpose clause as laid down in the Articles of Association of a legal entity, for instance a foundation or a limited liability company (NV or BV). Early in 2010, a… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW CORPORATE CODE ON ULTRA VIRES
Tag: shareholder
A PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AND LEGAL PERSONALITY
Dutch Supreme Court, Decision of 18 January 1901 Suppose you and several of your friends decided to combine your financial resources to start a business. You subsequently agreed on the incorporation of a limited liability company (NV). You also agreed on the amount each of you would put into the NV and the number of… Continue reading A PUBLIC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AND LEGAL PERSONALITY
PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CROSS BORDER MERGER LEGISLATION
Proposed bill introduces outbound mergers Earlier in 2010, a draft bill was proposed to amend the Corporate Code (Book 2 Civil Code) of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (which formerly constituted the Netherlands Antilles). Hopefully, the Bill comes into force in 2011. The possibility already currently exists that in connection with a… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CROSS BORDER MERGER LEGISLATION
INQUIRY PROCEDURE TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
The Joint Court will become the forum of choice for corporate disputes Earlier in 2010, a draft bill was proposed to amend the Corporate Code (Book 2 Civil Code) of Curacao, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (which formerly constituted the Netherlands Antilles). The proposed legislation introduces a so-called inquiry procedure for, amongst others,… Continue reading INQUIRY PROCEDURE TO BE INTRODUCED IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY
The management board is responsible for the day-to-day affairs The management board has the function of managing the legal entity, i.e., making policy and conducting the day-to-day management of such legal entity (NV, BV, Foundation or Association). The management board is responsible for the management of the entity and is authorized to represent it, except… Continue reading THE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY
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
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
PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN ARUBA
Ignoring the legal personality of a company 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. There is therefore a legal… Continue reading PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL IN ARUBA
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
AMSTERDAM COURT OF APPEAL ON LIABILITY OF TRUST DIRECTORS
Trust directors not treated differently from regular directors The board of directors of an NV or BV may contractually agree to a limitation of its powers to manage the company. Such arrangements are typical for trust offices engaged by a foreign ultimate beneficiary to render services to ‘his’ company, i.e. the client of a trust… Continue reading AMSTERDAM COURT OF APPEAL ON LIABILITY OF TRUST DIRECTORS
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
THE REPAYMENT OF SHARE PREMIUM IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN
Net equity may not be or become negative From the legal point of view in Netherlands Antilles, share premium (’agio’) forms part of the company’s free reserves, and does not qualify as share capital. If share premium is to be repaid, the company’s financial condition should at the time allow for it, i.e. the net… Continue reading THE REPAYMENT OF SHARE PREMIUM IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN