PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

A.K.A. Summary Proceedings or Interlocutory Proceedings The procedure for provisional measures in summary proceedings (kort geding), or preliminary relief proceedings or interlocutory proceedings, is to request an interim injunction before the court. Such proceedings, under the laws of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, are aimed at obtaining temporary instructions from the… Continue reading PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS

When a case needs an urgent decision The procedure for provisional measures in summary proceedings (kort geding), a.k.a. preliminary relief proceedings or interlocutory proceedings, is an interim injunction procedure before the court. Such proceedings, under Dutch Caribbean law, are aimed at obtaining temporary instructions from the court, not at receiving a final decision in the… Continue reading PRELIMINARY RELIEF PROCEEDINGS

LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

If you need a troubleshooter in your corner The civil court system in the Dutch Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba) consists of three tiers; first instance cases are brought before the Court of First Instance. Appeal cases are brought before the Joint Court of Appeal. When all normal appeal procedures… Continue reading LITIGATION IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

General observations regarding adversarial proceedings All adversarial proceedings in the Dutch Caribbean shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Claims will be denied or rejected (afgewezen) by the Court if ruled that they are unfounded. If a claim is denied for reasons… Continue reading THE THREE STAGES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

The court only considers the key issues According to Article 110 and 111 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Proceedings (NACCP), all adversarial proceedings shall be initiated by means of a petition to the Court of First Instance. Proceedings so initiated are ordinary proceedings, unless the petitioner expressly opts for preliminary relief proceedings (kort… Continue reading ORDINARY ADVERSARIAL VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

ORDINARY VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN ARUBA

Interlocutory or summary proceedings provide for immediate relief Article 110 of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Code of Civil Procedure (‘the Code’) provides that all adversarial proceedings shall be initiated by means of a petition to the court of first instance. Proceedings so initiated are ordinary proceedings a.k.a. proceedings on the merits. A petitioner may… Continue reading ORDINARY VERSUS SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN ARUBA

LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

Defendant has to show that the claim is invalid Article 705, Paragraph 2 of the Netherlands Antilles Code of Civil Procedure states that the lifting of an attachment may be ordered if it appears summarily that the claim is invalid. According to existing case law of the Dutch Supreme Court (see for instance Supreme Court… Continue reading LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

Freezing assets is rather easy Under Netherlands Antilles law 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. It is not required, under Netherlands Antilles law, that the litigant needs to demonstrate that,… Continue reading LIFTING OF AN ATTACHMENT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (IV)

Only condemnatory judgments are allowed As far as the form and the content of a decision in summary proceedings is concerned, the judge has great latitude in reaching a decision. A guiding principle for the judge will always be a policy of not going beyond what might be necessary or well-balanced as far as the… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (IV)

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (III)

Judge will balance interests In general the court will take into account the detriment which the plaintiff in summary proceedings will suffer if he has to wait too long for a judgment in a procedure on the merits. In summary proceedings the judge needs to balance the interests of the plaintiff and the defendant. In… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (III)

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

Urgency is a requirement Provisional measures may always be given in summary proceedings in civil cases if the claim meets the following three conditions: (i) there is an urgent interest at stake; (ii) the interests of both parties needs to be balanced; and (iii) the balancing of interests justifies a decision in summary proceedings. The… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (II)

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

Attempting to obtain temporary instructions from the court The procedure for provisional measures in summary proceedings (in Dutch: kort geding), a.k.a. interlocutory proceedings, is an interim injunction procedure before the court. Such proceedings, under Netherlands Antilles law, are aimed at obtaining temporary instructions from the court, not at receiving a final decision in the case.… Continue reading SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)