THE LAWYER AS CRAFTSMAN

Tradition and resourcefulness You could hear these statements just about anywhere: “The study of law is a dull study. You have to read a lot of books and especially learn a lot by heart. But luckily it is not a difficult study. It is more or less the easiest study to graduate in.” Is all… Continue reading THE LAWYER AS CRAFTSMAN

SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS OF A CURACAO INSURANCE COMPANY

The Central Bank has issued guidance notes According to the Curacao Ordinance on the Supervision of the Insurance Business, a Board of Supervisory Directors of an insurance company shall have the task of supervising the policy of the Management Board of such company and the general course of events of the insurance company and the business… Continue reading SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS OF A CURACAO INSURANCE COMPANY

THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

The Country known as the Netherlands Antilles will disappear as of 10-10-10 The country, the Netherlands Antilles, consists of Bonaire, Curacao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba, and forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 10 October 2010 the Netherlands Antilles will no longer exist. Two new countries will be born on that… Continue reading THE DISMANTLING OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES

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

BES LAW DEVELOPMENTS

Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES) Within a couple of years, the BES Islands, as public entities, will be part of the country of the Netherlands in the framework of the political restructuring in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The US dollar will be introduced as the new currency in the BES Islands. Curacao and… Continue reading BES LAW DEVELOPMENTS

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

A local representative is required On January 1, 2009 the new Aruba Ordinance on companies with limited liability (vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid; VBA) became effective. The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of the VBA and is authorized to represent it, with the exception of any restrictions in the articles of association. The… Continue reading MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF THE ARUBA COMPANY WITH LIMITED LIABILITY

THE OFFERING OF NOTES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

Only to licensed credit institutions Any Notes (including rights representing an interest in a Note in global form) that are offered as part of their initial distribution or by way of a re-offering in the Netherlands Antilles, shall, in order to comply with the Netherlands Antilles National Ordinance on the supervision of banking and credit… Continue reading THE OFFERING OF NOTES IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN

INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (III)

A broker must be registered Under the National Ordinance on the supervision of the insurance brokerage business 2003 (Landsverordening toezicht assurantiebemiddelingsbedrijf 2003, “NOSA”), insurance brokers (assurantiebemiddelaars) are prohibited from providing services as an insurance broker unless they are registered in the relevant register administered by the Central Bank. “Insurance Broker” means anyone who, other than… Continue reading INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (III)

INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

A license is required The insurance business in the Netherlands Antilles is regulated by the National Ordinance on the Supervision of the Insurance Business 1990 (Landsverordening toezicht verzekeringswezen, the “NOSI”). The NOSI divides the insurance business into life insurance and indemnity insurance products. Indemnity insurance products are in turn divided into a number of categories:… Continue reading INSURANCE BUSINESS IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN (I)

THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (IV)

Identity of ultimate beneficiary must be known According to the Order on Sound Operational Management (the Order)(‘Regeling integere bedrijfsvoering Wet toezicht trustkantoren’) pursuant to the ASTO, a trust office shall know the identity of the ultimate beneficial owner (‘UBO’) of an object company and keep the evidence used to determine who qualifies as the ultimate… Continue reading THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (IV)

THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (III)

Policy rule on integrity testing The integrity of those having a certain interest in, or control over, a trust office (such as managers, supervisory directors and persons who determine or help determine policy) will be tested and their antecedents investigated (Article 3 of the Dutch Act on the Supervision of Trust Offices; ‘ASTO’). The test… Continue reading THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (III)

THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (II)

Regulatory framework aims at sound operational management Section 10 (1) of the Dutch Act on the Supervision of Trust Offices (the ‘ASTO’) states that rules may be issued for trust offices, pursuant to an order in council, i.e. a governmental decree, with the intention of ensuring sound operational management. Such rules were issued in the… Continue reading THE DUTCH SUPERVISION ON TRUST COMPANIES (II)