THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (II)
Limitations on the applicability of provisions
As a general matter of Netherlands Antilles law, the interpretation of terms contained in legal documents, such as the articles of association and the by-laws, however only to a certain extent, inter alia subject to the intention of the parties, and the enforcement thereof, is subject to the overriding principle of “fairness and reasonableness” (in Dutch: “redelijkheid en billijkheid”) meaning that under certain circumstances a term of the articles of association or by-laws may not be applicable in so far as this term would in such circumstances be contrary to this principle.
According to …
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THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN LEGAL ENTITY (I)
Ranging from basic to extremely complex
Under the laws of the Netherlands Antilles, public and private limited liability companies (NVs or BVs), foundations, co-operatives, mutual insurance societies and associations are considered legal entities.
The articles of incorporation (a.k.a. articles of association) provide the regulatory framework by which these legal entities in the Netherlands Antilles are governed and by which they must abide. Additionally regulations (‘reglementen’) are sometimes also used as a sort of ‘by-laws’.
The articles of association are more or less comparable with the constitution of a country. Regulations can for instance be adopted by a managing board, a …
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AMSTERDAM COURT OF APPEAL ON LIABILITY OF TRUST DIRECTORS
Trust directors not treated differently from regular directors
The board of directors of an NV or BV may contractually agree to a limitation of its powers to manage the company. Such arrangements are typical for trust offices engaged by a foreign ultimate beneficiary to render services to ‘his’ company, i.e. the client of a trust office. In principle, any contract a board of directors enters into binds the board and thereby limits its power. However, notwithstanding such a contract, it is still the board of directors that is in charge of managing the affairs of the company.
A distinction should …
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TRANSACTIONAL POWER OF THE MANAGING BOARD OF A DUTCH CARIBBEAN CORPORATION (II)
Only corporations may plead absence of representative authority
Under the Netherlands Antilles Corporate Code, i.e. Book 2 of the Civil Code, transactions with third parties that violate either the law or any limitations on the transactional powers of the board of directors of a corporation, are not enforceable against the corporation if the limitations are properly disclosed at the trade register. According to Article 2:10(3) Netherlands Antilles Civil Code only corporations may plead the absence of representative authority.
A counterparty wishing to withdraw from a legal act on that ground, may only rely on the fourth paragraph of Article 2:10 …
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