The proposed bill gives shareholders more freedom 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). Among other things, the provisions with regard to conflicting interest have been thoroughly reviewed and strongly… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON CONFLICTING INTEREST
Tag: spighthoff
PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN BANKRUPTCY
Defects detected in the annual accounts drawn up may be relevant 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. Among other things, the… Continue reading PROPOSED REVIEW DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGISLATION ON DIRECTORS’ LIABILITY IN BANKRUPTCY
STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS APPLICABLE IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
The Supreme Court applies strict standards In respect of the standards of due process applicable in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (EVRM) applies, including article 6, which safeguards the right of due process. The first sentence of article 6 EVRM reads as follows:… Continue reading STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS APPLICABLE IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
NON-POSSESSORY PLEDGE UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA
A non-possessory pledge requires a deed Security rights are an important issue, especially in financing transactions. A company may, for example, guarantee the obligations of another company under a certain loan facility. There are several alternatives, one of which will be discussed here. Under the laws of Aruba there are several kinds of pledges, in… Continue reading NON-POSSESSORY PLEDGE UNDER THE LAWS OF ARUBA
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
COMMENCING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
Non-residents can be sued A general rule under the Netherlands Antilles code of civil procedure is that the Curacao court (or another court in the Dutch Caribbean as the case may be) has jurisdiction over defendants which are (in this example) Curacao residents or companies with an office in Curacao. In the case of multiple defendants,… Continue reading COMMENCING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST MULTIPLE DEFENDANTS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN CURACAO
Corporate Governance Adviser must be a strong and independent watchdog over the executive also On April 13, 2010 a seminar on Good Corporate Governance with respect to Curacao-owned enterprises and foundations was held in Curacao, and organized by Certa Legal. I was one of the keynote speakers and delivered my presentation in the Dutch language… Continue reading LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN CURACAO
ARUBAN LAW REGARDING CORPORATE AUTHORITY
The Aruba Trade Register should be checked The laws of Aruba provide that, subject to restrictions laid down by any statutory provision or a corporation’s articles of association, the board of directors of a company shall be competent to represent the company, i.e. a limited liability company (NV, AVV or VBA). In the event of… Continue reading ARUBAN LAW REGARDING CORPORATE AUTHORITY
FOREIGN CLAIMS SECURED BY ARUBAN SECURITY RIGHTS
The foreign law governed claim must be sufficiently identifiable Many financing arrangements are of a cross-border nature. For instance, a loan agreement governed by English law with the loan secured by a right of pledge governed by the laws of Aruba. This raises all kinds of questions. Any foreign right, for instance a claim, in… Continue reading FOREIGN CLAIMS SECURED BY ARUBAN SECURITY RIGHTS
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