CONVERSION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

An NV may be converted into a BV and vice versa The Netherlands Antilles Civil Code provides for an NV to be converted into a BV and vice versa. Conversion does not terminate the existence of the legal entity. Conversion requires a resolution. A resolution to convert and to amend the articles has to be… Continue reading CONVERSION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

Limitations must be disclosed to have effect Netherlands Antilles law provides that, subject to restrictions laid down by the Netherlands Antilles Corporate Code or a corporation’s articles of association, the board of directors of a corporation shall be competent to represent the corporation, e.g. a limited liability company (‘naamloze of besloten vennootschap’; NV or BV).… Continue reading TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (I)

LIBERALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Telecom first, airlines to follow suit The government of the Netherlands Antilles has been in favor of liberalizing the telecommunication market for may years now. Liberalization of the telecom market means opening it up to domestic and foreign competition, subject to certain regulatory principles. Basically, liberalization means competition; competition means price levels determined by the… Continue reading LIBERALIZATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

THE CREDIT CRUNCH, THE ECONOMIC RECESSION AND MAJOR FRAUDS SCHEMES

Lawyers are having a heyday Many countries, companies and private individuals are suffering severely from the credit crunch, the economic recession and the various fraud schemes (Madoff, Stanford, Enron, etc.). However, what causes misery to some represents opportunity to others, in this case, the lawyers. The financial meltdown, for instance, has resulted in governments interfering… Continue reading THE CREDIT CRUNCH, THE ECONOMIC RECESSION AND MAJOR FRAUDS SCHEMES

PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS

Netherlands Antilles According to PLC Cross Border (Which lawyer?), Spigthoff Attorneys & Tax Advisers is one of two firms dominating the Netherlands Antilles market for international work, both on- and offshore. Spigthoff ranks high in corporate / M&A and dispute resolution. Martijn Welten, who specialises in corporate law, mergers & aquisitions and corporate litigation, is (highly)… Continue reading PLC CROSS BORDER LAW FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS

RIGHT OF SET-OFF UNDER DUTCH CARIBBEAN LAW

One of the most modern regimes in the world The legal concept of set-off may be defined as setting cross-claims off against each other to produce a single balance. For instance, if A were to have a claim against B for a sum of money, and B would have a cross-claim against A for a… Continue reading RIGHT OF SET-OFF UNDER DUTCH CARIBBEAN LAW

STRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

Example: Parallel debt structures under Dutch Caribbean law In a parallel debt structure, a company (the borrower) acknowledges a debt to an appointed agent by promising to pay the agent an amount equal to the sum of the borrower’s obligations under the (syndicated) loan agreement with the lenders. Thus an independent, parallel debt is created… Continue reading STRUCTURING TRANSACTIONS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT

BANKRUPTCY AND INTEREST CLAIMS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Bankruptcy vs non-bankruptcy claims There are special statutory provisions regarding agreed interest rates, for instance, in a contract between the creditor and a party who subsequently goes bankrupt, during a bankruptcy (faillissement) and moratorium on payements (surseance van betaling). It is explicitly stated in the Netherlands Antilles Bankruptcy Decree (Faillissementsbesluit 1931) that only the interest… Continue reading BANKRUPTCY AND INTEREST CLAIMS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

TEXAS BILLIONAIRE ALLEN STANFORD ACCUSED OF FRAUD

Stanford fraud charges tricker panic Fraud charges laid against Allen Stanford sparked panic across the Caribbean. Stanford and his companies, among them Stanford International Bank Ltd. (a private offshore investment bank in Antigua), Stanford Group Co. and Stanford Capital Management LLC are subject to a fraud inquiry. According to The Daily Herald “The ripple effects of the “massive… Continue reading TEXAS BILLIONAIRE ALLEN STANFORD ACCUSED OF FRAUD

THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

Info Bulletin Dismantling available The country The Netherlands Antilles (‘het Land de Nederlandse Antillen’) will cease to exist, presumably in 2010. Like Aruba, although slightly different, Curacao and St. Maarten will receive the status of autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in accordance with referendums held on both islands. Bonaire, St. Eustatius and… Continue reading THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS

FAQ Question 1 In which cases and by whom may bankruptcy proceedings be initiated in accordance with Netherlands Antilles bankruptcy law? Filing for bankruptcy may be done either by the debtor itself or by one or more of its creditors. If the debtor is a company, the managing directors do not have the authority to… Continue reading THREE QUESTIONS ON DUTCH CARRIBBEAN BANKRUPTCY LAWS

DUTCH CARIBBEAN COURT DECISION IN TELECOM CASE

Scarlet about to enter telecom market in Sint Maarten On 18 November 2008, the Administrative Court in Sint Maarten ruled that the Executive Council of Sint Maarten was not authorized to refuse Scarlet a business license for the provision and operation of international telecommunications services in Sint Maarten (click here for the judgment). Scarlet, represented… Continue reading DUTCH CARIBBEAN COURT DECISION IN TELECOM CASE