Dutch Caribbean

Houthoff’s Dutch Caribbean experts advise on the laws applicable in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the BES-islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba). We also provide advice on the laws of Suriname, a former Dutch colony, especially with respect to oil and gas projects.

Our corporate finance experts advise our clients, mostly banks, large corporations, investment funds and government agencies, primarily in the context of cross-border corporate and finance transactions and are renowned for their expertise with respect to financial and securities regulations applicable in the Dutch Caribbean. The expertise of the Dutch Caribbean team also includes Curaçao competition law.

"The team is diverse and the partners and associates work well together. They gather knowledge about the clients industry and delve into the details of the case."
Legal 500, Dutch Caribbean (2024 Edition)
“A client says that 'Houthoff is an excellent firm with a great cassation law practice'.”
Chambers Global, General Business Law - Dutch Caribbean (2024 Edition)
“Houthoff is regarded as ‘The firm quickly understands the commercial impact of the matters at hand and is well equipped to handle complex legal matters'."
Chambers Global, General Business Law - Dutch Caribbean (2023 Edition)
“One source highlighted the firm's ‘strong insurance, M&A and corporate practices.’”
Chambers Global, General Business Law - Dutch Caribbean (2022 Edition)
“Clients applaud the group's ‘ability to jump in and assist immediately with a fully-fledged team.’”
Chambers Global, General Business Law - Dutch Caribbean (2022 Edition)
“Houthoff is regarded as ‘very hands-on and quick to respond’ and its New York office retains excellent capabilities for Dutch Caribbean matters.”
Chambers Global, General Business Law - Dutch Caribbean (2021 Edition)

Houthoff's Supreme Court litigation practice handles appeals against judgments of the Dutch Caribbean Court of Appeal. These appeals are heard by the Supreme Court of the Netherlands in The Hague. Given their litigation expertise, Houthoff's Supreme Court litigators are also regularly asked to assist and plead in high profile Dutch Caribbean litigation matters before the Dutch Caribbean courts.

Key clients include Goldman Sachs, WPP, JPMorgan, ExxonMobil, Rabobank, BNP Paribas, Credit Suisse, UBS, FMO and OPIC.

Highlighted Matters
Houthoff advised several US financial institutions in several matters regarding Curaçao securities laws.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff advised a Curaçao corporation on its cross-border conversion into a Spanish corporation.
Highlighted Matters
Houthoff advised UBS on matters of Curaçao law in connection with a USD 790 million amended and restated term loan agreement entered into with companies belonging to the Citco group. The companies, including several Citco entities, incorporated under Curaçao law as guarantors and security providers.
Highlighted Matters
Advised Trafigura LLC on matters of St. Eustatius law in connection with a USD 3 billion credit agreement with, inter alia, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd, secured by certain assets located in St. Eustatius.