MARTIJN WELTEN NEW MANAGING PARTNER SPIGT DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Karel Frielink is leaving firm after 15 years (Summary in English below) PERSBERICHT van Spigt Dutch Caribbean van 9 september 2014 Karel Frielink vertrekt bij Spigt Dutch Caribbean, Martijn Welten nieuwe managing partner. Per 1 oktober 2014 vertrekt Karel Frielink bij Spigt Dutch Caribbean Advocaten en Belastingadviseurs. Martijn Welten zal met ingang van die datum… Continue reading MARTIJN WELTEN NEW MANAGING PARTNER SPIGT DUTCH CARIBBEAN

TRUST INTRODUCED IN SINT MAARTEN

Brief summary of several of the powers and obligations of a Trustee On April 1, 2014, new legislation entered into force pursuant to which it is now possible to set up a trust, similar to the trust in Anglo-Saxon common law jurisdictions, in St. Maarten (a civil law jurisdiction). Similar legislation entered into force in… Continue reading TRUST INTRODUCED IN SINT MAARTEN

THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR

Curaçao Trust could be used for asset segregation purposes According to Professor of Law David Hayton, an Anglo-Saxon trust arises from the settlor’s transfer of title to property to another person, intending that person to be a trustee-manager of it for the benefit of beneficiaries or for a charitable or other permitted purpose. Trusts are… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST BECOMES MORE AND MORE POPULAR

LAWYERS AND BILLABLE HOURS

What is wrong with this exactly? You read everywhere that law firms (lawyers, advocates, attorneys) have to change. Lawyers are too conservative. They hold on to the past and are anything but innovative. As the economic climate deteriorates the call for change becomes increasingly stronger. The system of “hourly rate billing” in particular has to… Continue reading LAWYERS AND BILLABLE HOURS

CHALLENGING THE VALIDITY OF A CONTRACT

Based on error, fraud or undue influence The validity of a contract can be challenged on various grounds, including error, fraud or undue influence. In the case to be discussed here a contract was entered into by an intermediary. Appellants in cassation (Van Eendenberg) were owners of the parcels on which a preferential right was… Continue reading CHALLENGING THE VALIDITY OF A CONTRACT

US LAW GOVERNED AGREEMENTS

Curaçao and St. Maarten Courts will accept the choice of laws One of the questions frequently asked is whether the Courts in Curaçao or St. Maarten, if an action is brought before them, will pay deference to a “choice of governing law” and/or venue provision in an agreement, in particular when the parties have chosen… Continue reading US LAW GOVERNED AGREEMENTS

ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

A license is required The European Central Bank defines e-money as follows (a non-legal definition): “E-money can be defined as any amount of monetary value represented by a claim issued on a prepaid basis, stored in an electronic medium (for example, a card or computer) and accepted as a means of payment by undertakings other… Continue reading ELECTRONIC MONEY INSTITUTIONS IN ARUBA

ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO

Curaçao: a jurisdiction not to be missed A Curaçao private foundation or a trust is often used for asset protection and privacy purposes. The Curaçao private foundation and the Curaçao trust must be set up by a notarial deed executed before a civil law notary in Curaçao. Both the private foundation and the trust are… Continue reading ASSET PROTECTION IN CURACAO

SEIZING ASSETS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Court approval required, but freezing assets is rather easy Under the laws of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba any party with a prima facie claim may file a petition for a court order granting an attachment, which petitions are generally granted, solely based on the allegations in the petition. Seizing assets… Continue reading SEIZING ASSETS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

GERARD SPONG SIGNEERT ZIJN BOEK IN CURACAO

De Breuk WILLEMSTAD – Gerard Spong heeft vandaag zijn nieuwste boek ‘De Breuk’ gepresenteerd op Curacao. Spong is strafrechtadvocaat in Amsterdam. Zijn advocatenkantoor Spong Advocaten is geassocieerd met SMS Attorneys at Law te Curacao. Recentelijk heeft Spong zijn veertigjarig jubileum als advocaat gevierd. Van zijn hand verscheen ‘De Breuk’, een juridische thriller gebaseerd op ware… Continue reading GERARD SPONG SIGNEERT ZIJN BOEK IN CURACAO

THE CURACAO TRUST

Can be used as protected or segregated cell company On 1 January 2012, new legislation entered into force according to which it is now possible to set up a trust (Curacao Trust) similar to the trust in Anglo-Saxon common law jurisdictions. The introduction of the Curacao Trust serves as an important instrument which could be… Continue reading THE CURACAO TRUST

DE ADVOCAAT (VIII)

De utopische advocaat Van de ideale advocaat moet een hoge mate van beschaving worden verwacht, alsook een hoge mate van geleerdheid en kundigheid. Een praktische instelling, taalvaardigheid en rhetorische bekwaamheid maken deel uit van de standaardbagage van de utopische advocaat. Hij wordt niet alleen gevreesd, omdat hij vlijmscherp analyseert, van logica gespeende redeneringen doorklieft en… Continue reading DE ADVOCAAT (VIII)