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 matters including commercial transactions, corporate governance and disputes. He is also the Dutch Caribbean representative of asset-tracing legal network ICC FraudNet.” (Emeritus member of FraudNet)
“Strengths: Karel Frielink is an extremely helpful individual who always makes time for you and responds promptly. Moreover, he is …
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GRAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
How can we change the course of American politics and make it much more human?
Copilot:
“To make American politics more human, we could focus on fostering empathy and understanding among leaders and citizens. This might involve encouraging open dialogue, prioritizing policies that address people’s everyday struggles, and promoting transparency to rebuild trust. Grassroots movements and community engagement could also play a key role in shifting the focus from power dynamics to genuine connection and collaboration.”
ChatGPT:
“That’s a powerful question, Karel — one that touches on the heart of what politics should be about: people.
To make American politics …
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GERMAN AWARD FOR DR. KAREL FRIELINK
Verdienstkreuz am Bande des Verdienstordens der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
On 7 April 2025, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Netherlands, Dr. Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, presented in Curaçao to Honorary Consul Dr. Karel Frielink, the Cross of Merit with Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The award was granted by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany as a token of appreciation for the work that Mr. Frielink has done since 2010 for the benefit of Germans in the Caribbean region, the promotion of relations between Germany and the Caribbean parts of …
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LEO SPIGT (1948-2025)
Mr. L.C.J.M. Spigt (5 mei 1948 – 1 april 2025)
Leo is er niet meer, en laat voor velen een grote leegte achter. Wij leerden elkaar in 1994 kennen. Eerst was hij mijn baas en ik zijn senior medewerker. Daarna werden we partners. Dat bleven we in zekere zin ook toen we niet meer bij hetzelfde kantoor zaten. In die ruim 30 jaar is er een bijzondere band gegroeid. Met weinig woorden begrepen we elkaar.
Iets meer dan een week geleden, woensdag 26 maart 2025, hebben we via een videoverbinding gesproken en afscheid genomen. Dat laatste deden we zoals we …
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NEW CURRENCY FOR CURACAO AND ST. MAARTEN
Curacao and (Dutch) St. Maarten began the transition from the Antillean Guilder (NAf or ANG) to the Caribbean Guilder (Cg or XCG) on March 31, 2025. From now on, the Caribbean Guilder is the legal tender in both countries. All prices, invoices, statements, receipts etc. will be in the new currency (XCG). The XCG has replaced the Antillean Guilder at the same exchange rate of 1 USD = 1.79 XCG.
The Caribbean guilder coins have been issued in the following denominations: 5 guilders, 1 guilder, 50 cents, 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents and 1 cent. For banknotes, the denominations …
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BUY YOUR PHOTO FOR HOME OR OFFICE
𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒍
Who wouldn’t want a real “Frielink” on the wall? In addition to my work as an attorney and legal scholar, I have been active as a non-professional photographer for years.
My photos sometimes make it to the newspaper or an international maritime magazine. A modest selection can be seen in my virtual store at “Werk aan de Muur” (“Art on the Wall“) and …
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WIE ZIT DAAR OP MIJN STOEL?
Blijf binnen je orgaan!
Bij rechtspersonen dienen organen goed van elkaar te worden onderscheiden. Een orgaan is een kring van personen aan wie op grond van (primair) de wet en de statuten bepaalde rechten, bevoegdheden en verplichtingen zijn verbonden. Denk aan de algemene vergadering (bij verenigingen en vennootschappen), het bestuur (bij alle rechtspersonen) en een raad van commissarissen, ook wel raad van toezicht geheten (niet bij elke rechtspersoon verplicht). De organen zijn, zoals dat heet, autonoom. Bij het orgaan bestuur wordt dan over bestuursautonomie gesproken, wat inhoudt dat andere organen daarop geen inbreuk mogen maken. De grenzen dienen goed te …
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APPOINTED CHAIRMAN SUPERVISORY BOARD OF ENNIA
Effective January 1, 2025
An interesting challenge. I have been appointed Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Ennia Holding N.V., Ennia Leven N.V., Ennia Caribe Zorg N.V. and Ennia Caribe Schade N.V. in Curacao, effective January 1, 2025. The two other supervisory directors appointed are Geomaly Martes and Eduard van Gelderen.
It has been a tumultuous few years for Ennia, but there is every reason to have confidence in this insurer that is important to Curacao. As former basketball player Michael Jordan once aptly said, “With talent you win games, with teamwork you win championships.”
Karel Frielink(attorney / legal scholar)
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025
BZSE Attorneys at Law in Curacao celebrates its 10th anniversary
They were ten exciting and challenging years, with many unique cases and fascinating people. Every reason to keep going full steam ahead. For us, success is always the result of teamwork. We thank everyone who contributed to our success!
This photo is of an office building that really exists. In fact, this is our office in Curacao.
COPILOT ON KAREL FRIELINK
This is what Copilot has to say about me
Karel Frielink is a prominent attorney based in Curaçao, specializing in finance law, corporate law, and corporate governance. He has been practicing law since 1989 and is currently the managing partner at BZSE Attorneys at Law in Curaçao.
Frielink has a distinguished career, having worked in the Dutch Caribbean since 1997. He has authored over 200 books and articles on various aspects of Dutch and Dutch Caribbean law, including a leading textbook on Dutch Caribbean corporate law. He also holds a PhD from the University of Curaçao, with research focused on …
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CHATGPT ON KAREL FRIELINK
This is what ChatGPT has to say about me
Karel Frielink is a prominent Dutch Caribbean attorney, known for his expertise in finance, corporate law, corporate governance, and complex fraud and asset recovery cases. Based in Curaçao, he leads BZSE Attorneys at Law in the Caribbean and has been active as a lawyer since 1989. He is also an emeritus member of FraudNet, an elite network of lawyers specializing in cross-border fraud and asset recovery. As an advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, he has chaired the revision of Bonaire’s Corporate Governance Code, aimed at enhancing business practices in …
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HANDBOEK GESCHILLENREGELING
Vooraankondiging: Handboek over geschillen tussen aandeelhouders onderling en met de vennootschap
Voor een begin 2025 in Nederland te verschijnen ‘Handboek Geschillenregeling’ heb ik mijn hoofdstuk ingeleverd. Mijn bijdrage gaat over de geschillenregelingen voor vennootschappen in de Caribische delen van het Koninkrijk en in Suriname. Het gaat om wettelijke, statutaire en contractuele mogelijkheden om een einde te maken aan geschillen. Denk in dat verband aan vorderingen tot uittreding (een aandeelhouder wil zelf weg) en uitstoting (om een aandeelhouder te dwingen zijn aandelen over te dragen). Je moet nog even geduld hebben, maar een prachtig Handboek komt er aan! Tot die tijd …
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