Concerns about additional authorities Ministers Attorney Karel Frielink is concerned about the additional authorities which cabinet-members have appropriated over government NV’s. According to Frielink, who is also President of the Bar Association, these extra authorities increase the chance of ‘political influencing, favoritism and other forms of abuse’ within government institutions. In an opinion paper, published… Continue reading GOVERNMENT OWNED ENTITIES IN CURACAO
Tag: shareholders
WHO DETERMINES THE POLICY OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?
The management board is in charge The shareholders have the authority to determine the general policy of a Dutch Caribbean NV or BV. The shareholders may give instructions to the management board with respect to the general direction of the financial, social, economic and personnel policies of the corporation. However, the shareholders cannot give detailed… Continue reading WHO DETERMINES THE POLICY OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN COMPANY?
PROPOSED REVIEW CORPORATE CODE ON ULTRA VIRES
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
ELECTRONIC AGREEMENTS IN CARACAO AND SINT MAARTEN
The Dutch Caribbean digital signature exists for over 10 years The Curacao Ordinance on Electronic Agreements a.k.a. the Curacao Ordinance on agreements concluded electronically (Landsverordening overeenkomsten langs elektronische weg) became effective on 1 January 2001. The Ordinance in St. Maarten is similar to the one in Curacao. The Ordinance provides that an electronic signature shall… Continue reading ELECTRONIC AGREEMENTS IN CARACAO AND SINT MAARTEN
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 CORPORATE CODE
Various proposals not yes discussed here The prohibition of appointing Supervisory Directors besides a ‘one-tier Board’ will be deleted (Article 2:19 paragraph 1 proposed bill). Supervisory Directors being a legal entity are allowed to a limited extent (Article 2:19 paragraph 3 proposed bill). For the NV and the BV the law determines who has the right to… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATE CODE
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
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
DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Personal and several liability The members of the Board of Directors are personally and severally liable towards the NV (or BV, as the case may be) for any loss caused by the improper performance of duties. Each member of the Board who proves that he cannot be blamed for such improper performance and that the… Continue reading DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA
Drag-along rights may be validly created On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. A drag-along right is a right that enables a majority shareholder to force a minority shareholder to join in the sale of his shares in a company (VBA). Generally,… Continue reading DRAG-ALONG RIGHTS UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA
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