THANK YOU ChatGPT – YOU NAILED IT!

I asked the question and the answer came in seconds! “Karel Frielink is considered a top lawyer primarily because of his deep expertise, influential legal work, and leadership in the Dutch Caribbean legal landscape, especially in Curaçao and other parts of the former Netherlands Antilles. Here’s a breakdown of why he is held in high… Continue reading THANK YOU ChatGPT – YOU NAILED IT!

CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2025 LEGAL RANKINGS RELEASED

Karel Frielink ranked Band 1 for the 16th time: “He is incredibly knowledgeable.” Once again, I have been selected as a ranked lawyer in Chambers Global 2025, identifying me as one of the best lawyers in the Dutch Caribbean. Chambers and Partners: “Karel Frielink is a leading lawyer who advises on a wide range of… Continue reading CHAMBERS GLOBAL 2025 LEGAL RANKINGS RELEASED

35 JAAR ADVOCAAT – 35 YEARS BEING A LAWYER

Ik vier dat door gewoon door te werken Over ongeveer een maand (12 september 2024) ben ik 35 jaar advocaat. In die jaren heb ik veel geleerd, ook buiten mijn vakgebied. Daarnaast heb ik behoorlijk wat boeken en artikelen geschreven over het ondernemingsrecht en financieel recht. Als docent aan de universiteit in Curacao heb ik… Continue reading 35 JAAR ADVOCAAT – 35 YEARS BEING A LAWYER

LAW FIRMS SEE ALTERNATIVE FEE ARRANGEMENTS AS HERE TO STAY

“I don’t think the billable hour is dead, but I think it has company” According to an article by Kim Lyons of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “the billable hour has long been the mainstay of law firms and their pay structure. But in recent years, firms have had to become more creative in how they get… Continue reading LAW FIRMS SEE ALTERNATIVE FEE ARRANGEMENTS AS HERE TO STAY

ADVOCATEN EN DECLARABELE UREN

Wat is daar eigenlijk mis mee? Overal lees je dat advocatenkantoren moeten veranderen. Ze zijn te conservatief. Ze houden vast aan het verleden en zijn alles behalve innovatief. Naarmate het economisch slechter gaat wordt de roep om verandering steeds sterker. Met name het systeem van ‘uurtje factuurtje’ moet het ontgelden. Advocaten wordt verweten dat zij… Continue reading ADVOCATEN EN DECLARABELE UREN

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

THIS BLOG IS ARCHIVED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

Blogs of today can be studied for years to come I’m thrilled to learn from Robert Ambrogi’s blog that “Karel’s Legal Blog” has been archived in the Library of Congress: On the Internet there is no rule against perpetuities. To the contrary our perpetuation seems assured. Latest case in point: the new Legal Blawgs Web… Continue reading THIS BLOG IS ARCHIVED BY THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 8)

New legislation Finally, note that rather simple examples have been taken here. However, many suits are complicated with regard to their subject matter. In this connection disputes about complicated take-over issues, disputes between investors and an investment fund, disputes with a contractor or architect about a building or disputes about intellectual property come to mind.… Continue reading LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 8)

LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 7)

Injunctive relief Apart from seizures it is also possible to consider an application for interim injunctive relief (voorlopige voorziening). The Judge for Interim Relief can render so-called provisional relief, for instance order a building freeze or order the counterparty to pay an advance on the compensation. Such a provision is called provisional because it is… Continue reading LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 7)

LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 6)

Proceedings in various jurisdictions Sometimes cases which are strongly interrelated to each other are brought before different courts. For instance you instigate proceedings with the court in Curacao and your counterparty instigates proceedings at the same time against you before the court in Aruba or in Sint Maarten. If the merits of the case involve… Continue reading LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 6)

LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 5)

Duty to submit exhibits It can of course happen that it is not a plaintiff but the defendant or a third party who has the documents by which the plaintiff can prove the existence and extent of his claim. There is a separate procedure by which such documents can be demanded. This procedure, better known… Continue reading LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 5)

LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 4)

Statement of Defense As the defending party you have to put up a defense (Statement of Defense) and in this regard this statement should not only be clear and complete but you should also know for instance what formal defenses you should advance. With regard to the latter for instance the plea of limitation of… Continue reading LITIGATION IS A SKILLED PROFESSION (part 4)