PHILIPSBURG--Pending changes to the Civil Code seek to establish set guidelines for all partnerships, instead of having different, outdated regulations for the creation of partnerships between companies.

This was the topic of a Central Committee of Parliament hearing with the Notaries Association on Wednesday afternoon. St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce had been scheduled to be part of the discussions, but had requested more time to review the draft amendments.

The changes to the Civil Code still have to be deliberated in a Central Committee meeting, before they are tabled in a plenary session for approval.

Association President Henry Parisius told Members of Parliament (MPs) that notaries are in favour of the changes that would modernise the Civil Code and group all partnership regulations under one umbrella. He noted that when similar changes were proposed in The Netherlands, civil law notaries and lawyers there were much in favour of the changes.

MP Roy Marlin (Democratic Party) questioned whether the ease of creating partnerships between companies would have an impact on payment of taxes. Notary Candidate Lars de Vries explained that tax obligations will have to be met by the partners in the form of profit tax for the venture and income tax in the case of individuals.

Questions related to formation of companies, rights and obligations were also posed to the notary panel by MPs.

The Notaries Association representatives will be back in Parliament today, Thursday, at 4:00pm to discuss the draft changes to the Civil Code dealing with common law marriage and amendments to Book II of the Civil Code. Representatives of the Bar Association will also be present to discuss the topics with MPs.

Originally, the Book II amendments were scheduled for discussion on Friday morning. However, taking into consideration the swift handling of topics in all hearings with the notaries this week, President of Parliament, in consultation with MPs and the notaries, has combined the two agenda points into one meeting.

The hearing will be live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20, Pearl Radio FM 98.1, www.pearlfmradio.com and www.sxmparliament.org.