CURACAO AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF U.S. JUDGMENTS
Recognition and enforceability
In the absence of an applicable treaty between foreign countries (for example the U.S.) and Curacao, a judgment (in a civil matter) rendered by a U.S. court will not be enforced by the courts of Curacao. The Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States of America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (which entered into force December 5, 1957) does not govern general recognition of Curacao and U.S. judgments in each of the countries. In order to obtain a judgment which is enforceable in Curacao the claim must be re-litigated before the Curacao courts.
STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS APPLICABLE IN THE DUTCH CARIBBEAN
The Supreme Court applies strict standards
In respect of the standards of due process applicable in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (EVRM) applies, including article 6, which safeguards the right of due process.
The first sentence of article 6 EVRM reads as follows: ‘In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law’.
The requirement of a ‘fair hearing’ has …
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