WHEN IS A PROSPECTUS REQUIRED?

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands compared The Netherlands The legal system in the Netherlands has a European origin. We will not discuss this further here.* Chapter 5.1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht: ‘Wft’) includes the rules for offering securities. Section 5:2 Wft stipulates: “It is forbidden… Continue reading WHEN IS A PROSPECTUS REQUIRED?

PROSPECTUS LIABILITY AND PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

The Netherlands, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands The Netherlands Since 11 January 2009 Rome II* has been applicable in the Netherlands with regard to the applicable law on non-contractual obligations. Rome II is not applicable in Curaçao, St. Maarten, Aruba and the BES Islands. This observation obviously does not exclude a certain reflex effect.… Continue reading PROSPECTUS LIABILITY AND PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW

PROSPECTUS LIABILITY IN THE NETHERLANDS

World Online is the landmark case Undoubtedly the most important ruling with regard to prospectus liability is the ruling of the Dutch Supreme Court (Hoge Raad) in the case of World Online (WOL) of 27 November 2009 (JOR 2010, 43 with annotation by Karel Frielink). World Online was a European Internet Service Provider and its… Continue reading PROSPECTUS LIABILITY IN THE NETHERLANDS

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

GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES

Opposing views on political influence Few people would argue that the rules issued by the state (government) must also be correctly and strictly observed by that same state. It cannot be well conceived that, for example, the police and Public Prosecutor’s Office (as instruments of the state) should be allowed to violate the law with… Continue reading GOVERNMENT-OWNED COMPANIES

THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Incorporating an NV or BV is not a hassle The act on corporate law (Book 2 Curaçao Civil Code) governs the NV (‘public limited liability company’) and BV (‘private limited liability company’). These companies can be used for group finance or holding activities, (international) joint-ventures, funds, structured finance, as a Curaçao Trust and for “plain-vanilla”… Continue reading THE INCORPORATION OF A CURACAO LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

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

RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION

Curaçao offers legitimate risk management solutions Why would one consider an asset protection strategy? There are individuals and business entities all around the world not trusting their government (e.g. fear for expropriation or nationalization by their government). Or they are seeking legitimate protection from any future downturns. Or they do not want the world to… Continue reading RISK MANAGEMENT AND ASSET PROTECTION

IMPACT OF THE LIABILITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTOR (I)

Liability of the 2nd degree director Under Section 2:17 subsection 1 of the Curaçao Civil Code, the liability of a legal entity as a director of another legal entity (the direct or 1st degree director) also rests jointly and severally on each person who at the time this liability arose for the legal entity was… Continue reading IMPACT OF THE LIABILITY TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIRECTOR (I)

ORDER OF THE COMMON APPEAL COURT OF CURACAO CONCERNING THE RIGHT TO INSTITUTE AN INQUIRY

The Appeal Court has taken several fundamental decisions On 5 March 2013 the Common Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (case: Ghis 55769 – HAR 28/12) issued an order in connection with inquiry proceedings. This order contains three major considerations. The right of legal entities (including… Continue reading ORDER OF THE COMMON APPEAL COURT OF CURACAO CONCERNING THE RIGHT TO INSTITUTE AN INQUIRY

BESCHIKKING INZAKE ENQUETERECHT GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK HOF CURACAO

Het Hof neemt enkele principiële beslissingen Op 5 maart 2013 heeft het Gemeenschappelijk Hof van Justitie van Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten en van Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (zaak: Ghis 55769 – HAR 28/12) een beschikking in het kader van een enquêteprocedure gegeven. Drie belangrijke overwegingen worden hier genoemd. Het enquêterecht voor rechtspersonen (waaronder naamloze… Continue reading BESCHIKKING INZAKE ENQUETERECHT GEMEENSCHAPPELIJK HOF CURACAO

LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Looking back on the future: the further development of corporate governance in Curaçao A seminar on Checks and Balances in Corporate Governance on Curacao, was held on Thursday February 21st, 2013. More than 125 interested managing directors, supervisory directors, lawyers, accountants and other participants were in attendance. The seminar was organized by the Board of… Continue reading LECTURE ON GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE