WILLEMSTAD, PARAMARIBO – On May 1, 2025, the new Civil Code of Suriname will officially come into effect, marking a historic milestone in the modernization of the country’s private law. The development of the new code was made possible in part through long-term legal support from the Ministry of Justice of Curaçao and the Joint Court of Justice. 

The collaboration between Suriname and Curaçao dates back to 2005, when then Surinamese Minister of Justice and Police, Chan Santokhi, visited Curaçao as part of the Bonaire Protocol. During that visit, Curaçao was asked to provide assistance in drafting a modernized civil code, inspired in part by the 2001 Civil Code of the former Netherlands Antilles. 

Curaçao answered the call. Under the leadership of Prof. Jan de Boer, a member of the Joint Court of Justice, intensive work was carried out over the following years to develop the new legal framework. This effort ultimately led to the adoption of the Civil Code by the National Assembly of Suriname on August 14, 2024. The official date of implementation—May 1, 2025—was confirmed by presidential decree on February 6, 2025. 

In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the process, Prof. Jan de Boer was named an Officer in the Honorary Order of the Palm by President Chan Santokhi in May 2025. 

Curaçao’s Minister of Justice, Shalten Hato, extended his congratulations to his Surinamese counterpart, expressing deep appreciation for the productive collaboration between Suriname, the Joint Court, and the Ministry of Justice of Curaçao. Minister Hato emphasized the importance of mutual support and knowledge-sharing within the Kingdom and across the region.