There are similarities and differences There are certain similarities between the Dutch and the Antillean BV, in fact they are fundamentally the same type of entity. The main object of the Antillean legislator was, however, flexibility and maximum freedom of organization and presentation. Accordingly, the Antillean Act contains few mandatory provisions, such as provisions relating… Continue reading A COMPARISON OF THE DUTCH BV AND THE DUTCH ANTILLEAN BV
Tag: shareholders
THE INCORPORATION OF A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Incorporating an NV or BV is not a hassle The act on corporate law (Book 2 Netherlands Antilles Civil Code) governs the NV (‘public limited liability company’) and BV (‘private limited liability company’). These companies can be used for group finance or holding activities, (international) joint-ventures, funds, structured finance and “plain-vanilla” (local) activities. A notarial… Continue reading THE INCORPORATION OF A NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
THE CUSTODY OF SECURITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN
Separate legal entity Generally, securities that must be held by a Netherlands Antilles bank on behalf of its clients will be held by a custodian. In most cases the custodian is either a foundation (‘stichting’) or a wholly owned subsidiary (NV or BV) of the bank. The scope of the activities of the custodian will… Continue reading THE CUSTODY OF SECURITIES IN THE NETHERLANDS CARIBBEAN
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
THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)
Case law the principle of good faith A legal entity and all involved in its organization have a legal duty to behave towards each in accordance with the principles of reasonableness and fairness, i.e. (objective) good faith. A provision or requirement contained in a legal entity’s articles of association or by-laws, may be set aside… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (III)
THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)
Limitations on the applicability of provisions As a general matter of Netherlands Antilles law, the interpretation of terms contained in legal documents, such as the articles of association and the by-laws, however only to a certain extent, inter alia subject to the intention of the parties, and the enforcement thereof, is subject to the overriding… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)
THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)
Ranging from basic to extremely complex Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, public and private limited liability companies (NVs or BVs), foundations, co-operatives, mutual insurance societies and associations are considered legal entities. The articles of incorporation (a.k.a. articles of association) provide the regulatory framework by which these legal entities in the Netherlands Antilles are… Continue reading THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)
EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE: NO GENERAL PRINCIPLE RE PROTECTION OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS
Case C-101/08 – Audiolux SA and Others v Groupe Bruxelles Lambert SA (GBL) and Others, and Bertelsmann AG and Others According to the European Court of Justice, in its decision of 15 October 2009, community law does not include any general principle of law under which minority shareholders are protected by an obligation on the… Continue reading EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE: NO GENERAL PRINCIPLE RE PROTECTION OF MINORITY SHAREHOLDERS
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
THE RIGHT TO SHARE IN THE PROFITS OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY
It is not necessary to give all shares a right to share in the profits On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on the company with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. This legislation gives shareholders far more freedom to organize their company than in the past It is not necessary… Continue reading THE RIGHT TO SHARE IN THE PROFITS OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY
STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
A notarial deed is required A statutory merger involves at least two legal entities. The law uses the terms acquiring and disappearing legal entity. The law specifies that only legal entities having the same legal form may merge, specifying that a BV (closed limited liability company) and a NV (public limited liability company) are considered… Continue reading STATUTORY MERGERS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN