DATED JSC “RUSHYDRO” AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON DEPOSIT AGREEMENT Relating to American Depositary Receipts representing American Depositary Shares of JSC “RUSHYDRO”
Exhibit 99.(a)
DATED
JSC “RUSHYDRO”
AND
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Relating to American Depositary Receipts representing American
Depositary Shares of JSC “RUSHYDRO”
Relating to American Depositary Receipts representing American
Depositary Shares of JSC “RUSHYDRO”
CONTENTS
Clause | Page | |||
1. Interpretation |
1 | |||
2. Form of ADSs |
5 | |||
3. Appointment of Custodian, Deposit and Withdrawal of Deposited Property |
7 | |||
4. Transfer of ADSs |
11 | |||
5. Voting of Shares |
12 | |||
6. Conditions |
14 | |||
7. Undertakings of the Company |
14 | |||
8. Withholding Taxes and Applicable Laws |
15 | |||
9. Liability |
17 | |||
10. Depositary’s Fees, Costs, Expenses and Indemnities |
21 | |||
11. Resignation and Termination of Appointment of the Depositary |
23 | |||
12. Termination of Deposit Agreement |
23 | |||
13. Amendment of Deposit Agreement and Conditions |
24 | |||
14. Notices |
24 | |||
15. Severability |
25 | |||
16. Copies of this Agreement |
26 | |||
17. Governing Law |
26 | |||
18. Arbitration and Submission |
26 | |||
19. Third Party Rights |
28 | |||
20. Language |
28 | |||
21. Counterparts |
28 | |||
SCHEDULE 1 Forms Of Certificate In Definitive Registered Form Representing American
Depositary Shares |
29 | |||
SCHEDULE 2 Form of Master ADR |
60 | |||
EXHIBIT A Deed Poll |
66 |
THIS DEPOSIT AGREEMENT is made on [•]
BETWEEN:
(1) | JSC “RUSHYDRO” incorporated as an open joint stock company under the laws of Russia (the “Company”); and | |
(2) | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON in its capacity as depositary for the Facility (as defined below), (the “Depositary”) which expression shall wherever the context so admits include any other depositary appointed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. | |
The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as depositary for the Facility (as defined below) and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement. |
NOW IT IS HEREBY AGREED AND DECLARED as follows:
1. | INTERPRETATION | |
1.1 | The following expressions shall have the following meanings: | |
“ADSs” means the registered American Depositary Shares issued hereunder which are from time to time outstanding and (except for where the context indicates otherwise) includes the Master ADR issued pursuant to Clause 2, and any temporary ADS which may be issued pursuant to this Agreement from time to time; | ||
“Agent” means any agent appointed by the Depositary pursuant to Condition 17; | ||
“Authorised Signatory” means, in relation to the Depositary, a person duly authorised and having the necessary power on its behalf to sign the ADSs; | ||
“business day” means a day on which commercial banks are open for business in London and New York; | ||
“certificate in definitive registered form” or “certificate representing ADSs” means a certificate issued in respect of ADSs which are not represented by interests in the Master ADR and issued substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1, as the same may be amended from time to time pursuant to this Agreement; | ||
“Conditions” means the terms and conditions set out in Schedule 1 applicable to the ADSs as the same may be modified in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, and “Condition” refers to a numbered paragraph of the Conditions (but not to the italicised portions thereof); | ||
“Custodian” means ING Bank (Eurasia) ZAO and/or such other successor or additional custodian or custodians of the Deposited Property as may from time to time be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to Clause 3.1 and to applicable Russian laws and notice of whose appointment is duly given to the Holders; | ||
“Deed Poll” means the deed poll dated on or about [•] 2008 executed by the Company in connection with this Agreement substantially in the form set out in Exhibit A; |
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“Deposited Property” means and includes the Deposited Shares and all and any rights,
interests and other securities, property and cash held from time to time by the Custodian or
the Depositary or their respective agents and attributable to the Deposited Shares pursuant
to the provisions of this Agreement together with any right of the Depositary or the
Custodian to receive Deposited Shares or any such rights, interests and securities, property
and cash as aforesaid other than any right of the Depositary or the Custodian against any
Pre-Releasee (as defined in Clause 3.9 hereof) to receive any Shares, cash or ADSs pursuant
to the contract governing the Pre-Release;
“Deposited Shares” means the Shares which are for the time being deposited with and held by
the Custodian or its agents on behalf of the Depositary pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement and such other Shares and securities received by the Depositary or the Custodian
in respect thereof and held pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;
“DRS” means the Direct Registration System administered by DTC and pursuant to which the
Depositary may register the ownership of uncertificated ADSs, which ownership shall be
evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Holders entitled thereto;
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, or its successor;
“Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
“Facility” means the separate account created in the books and records of the Depositary in
which the Deposited Shares and other Deposited Property corresponding to Deposited Shares
are deposited with the Custodian;
“Foreign Registrar” means the entity that presently carries out the duties of registrar for
the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other agent of the Company
for the transfer and registration of Shares, including without limitation any securities
depositary for the Shares;
“FSFM” means the Russian Federal Service for Financial Markets and its successors and
predecessors;
“Holder” means the person or persons recorded in the Register as holder for the time being
of an ADS;
“Main Office” means, in relation to the Custodian, its head office at Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx 00, Xxxxxx 000000, the Russian Federation, or such other location of the head office
of the Custodian (or the head office of any other custodian from time to time appointed), as
may be designated by the Custodian (or other custodian appointed) with the approval of the
Depositary (if outside the city of Moscow) and notice of which designation is duly given to
the Holders;
“Master ADR” means the Master ADR issued pursuant to Clause 2, substantially in the form set
out in Schedule 2, as may be amended from time to time pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, and any temporary master ADR which may represent ADSs issued pursuant to this
Agreement from time to time;
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“owner of ADSs” means in respect of any ADSs represented by interests in the Master ADR,
such person whose name appears in the records of DTC as the owner of a particular amount of
ADSs, and in respect of any other ADS, the Holder thereof;
“Placement Report (Notification)” means the placement report registered, or the placement
notification filed, by the Company with the FSFM in relation to the issuance of new Shares;
“Profile System” means the required feature of DRS which allows a DTC participant, claiming
to act on behalf of a Holder of ADSs, to direct the Depositary to register a transfer of
those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC
participant without receipt by the Depositary of prior authorisation from the Holder to
register such transfer;
“prospective purchaser” means a prospective purchaser of an ADS or interest therein
designated as such, and notified to the Depositary, by a Holder or an owner of ADSs;
“record date” means (i) in respect of any meeting of shareholders of the Company, any
dividend or distribution in cash or of Shares, or any distribution of rights or for any
other purpose, the record date (or any particular time on such date) set by the Company
therefor, and (ii) in respect of any case where a record date is required in relation to the
ADSs, the date set by the Depositary in accordance with the Conditions;
“Register” means the register of Holders maintained by the Depositary referred to in Clause
2.2;
“Restricted Securities” means Shares or ADSs representing Shares that are acquired directly
or indirectly from the Company or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 of the Securities
Act) in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering, or that
are subject to resale limitations under Regulation D under the Securities Act or both, which
are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other
affiliate of the Company, or that would require registration under the Securities Act in
connection with the offer and sale thereof in the United States, or that are subject to
other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or Russia, or
under a shareholder agreement or the charter or similar constitutive document of the
Company;
“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
“Shares” means fully paid registered ordinary shares of the Company each having a nominal
value of RUB 1;
“specified office” of any person means the office of such person specified in Clause 14
hereof or such other or further offices (outside the United States of America) as may from
time to time be duly notified to the Holders; and
“United States” means the United States as that term is defined in Regulation S under the
Securities Act.
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1.2
(i) | In this Agreement, where the context so permits, words importing the singular number only shall include the plural number and vice versa, words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and vice versa and words importing persons shall include firms, partnerships, trusts and corporations. | ||
(ii) | References in this Agreement to Exhibits, to Schedules and to Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs shall be construed as references to the Exhibits and Schedules to this Agreement and to the Clauses, sub-clauses, paragraphs and sub-paragraphs of this Agreement. | ||
(iii) | References in this Agreement to remuneration or costs or charges or expenses shall include any value added tax or similar tax charged or chargeable in respect thereof. | ||
(iv) | References in this Agreement to RUB and Russian Roubles shall be construed as references to the currency of Russia. | ||
(v) | References to this Agreement to “dollars”, “U.S.$” and “$” shall be construed as references to United States dollars which are freely transferable by residents and non-residents of the United States and convertible by such persons into any other freely convertible currency unless such transferability and convertibility is restricted by any law or regulation of general application, in which event references to “dollars”, “U.S.$” and to “$” shall be construed as references to such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States. | ||
(vi) | References in this Agreement to any statute or a provision of any statute shall deemed to include a reference to any statute or the provision of any statute which amends, extends, consolidates or replaces the same, or which has been amended, extended, consolidated or replaced by the same, and shall include any orders, regulations, instruments or other subordinate legislation made under the relevant statute. | ||
(vii) | References in this Agreement to any action, remedy or method of judicial proceedings for the enforcement of rights of creditors shall be deemed to include, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, references to such action, remedy or method or judicial proceedings for the enforcement of rights of creditors available or appropriate in such jurisdiction as shall most nearly approximate to such action, remedy or method of judicial proceedings described or referred to in this Agreement. | ||
(viii) | Words and phrases defined in the Conditions shall have the same meaning where used herein, unless the context otherwise requires. | ||
(ix) | References in this Agreement to this Agreement shall be construed as references to this Agreement as amended or varied from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and Condition 21. |
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(x) | References in this Agreement to Russia shall be construed as references to the Russian Federation. |
1.3 | The headings to Clauses and Conditions are inserted for convenience and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement. | |
2. | FORM OF ADSS | |
2.1 | Certificates in definitive registered form in respect of ADSs, and the Master ADR, shall have endorsed thereon the Conditions in or substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 and shall be signed by an Authorised Signatory. | |
2.2 | The ADSs will initially be represented by a single Master ADR in registered form, in the form set out in Schedule 2, which will be printed or typewritten and signed manually or by facsimile by an Authorised Signatory. Any Master ADR may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement as advised by the Company or as may be reasonably required by the Depositary in order for the Depositary to perform its duties under this Agreement, or as required to comply with any applicable law or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto or required by any book-entry system by which ADSs issued hereunder may be transferred, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular ADSs are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Property or otherwise. Subject to (i) the delivery of evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that such number of Shares as may be agreed between the parties hereto have been registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee to the Custodian; (ii) the Depositary receiving confirmation from the Company that the Deposited Shares have been issued as fully paid; (iii) the Foreign Registrar having registered the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee as the holder of the Deposited Shares in the Company’s register of shareholders; (iv) the Depositary being notified by or on behalf of the Company as to the number of Shares to be represented by the Master ADR; and (v) the Depositary and the Custodian causing the establishment of the Facility and accepting the deposit of Shares therein, the Depositary will hold (as custodian for DTC) the Master ADR and will register it in the name of DTC or its nominee. The ADSs shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP number that is or may be assigned to any other depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares. | |
Any further ADSs issued pursuant to Condition 1.4 which (i) represent Shares which have rights (whether dividend rights or otherwise) which are different from the rights attaching to , or a different state registration number from, the Shares represented by the outstanding ADSs, or (ii) are otherwise not fungible (or are to be treated as not fungible) with the outstanding ADSs, will be represented by an ADR certificate in definitive registered form or a separate temporary Master ADR. Upon becoming fungible with outstanding ADSs, such further ADSs shall be evidenced by the Master ADR (by increasing the total number of ADSs evidenced by the Master ADR by the number of such further ADSs). | ||
The Depositary shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, at all times outside the United Kingdom and Russia, a register of Holders, showing the number of ADSs represented by |
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the Master ADR and the number of ADSs in respect of which certificates in definitive registered form have been issued and which remain outstanding from time to time, the date of issue and all subsequent transfers and changes of ownership in respect thereof, and the names and addresses of Holders. The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all ADSs surrendered and Deposited Property withdrawn under this Agreement or substitute certificates in registered form delivered under this Agreement. The Depositary shall give the Company unrestricted access to such records and the Register and provide the Company with copies thereof from time to time on request. The Depositary will receive requests for the transfer of ADSs (other than ADSs represented by a Master ADR), and will, against payment of all applicable fees and charges, effect the necessary entries and issue new certificates in definitive registered form on surrender of certificates in respect of the ADSs being transferred and upon receipt of such forms of transfer and such other documents as may reasonably be required, duly executed, as it shall from time to time provide to the Holders. | ||
2.3 | The Holder of the Master ADR shall enjoy the same rights and benefits under this Agreement (including the Conditions) as if such Holder were the Holder of the ADSs in definitive registered form represented thereby and shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement except as otherwise expressly stated herein or in the Conditions. | |
2.4 | When Shares are deposited with the Depositary, the Depositary will, or will cause the Custodian or its other nominee to, increase the number of ADSs by a corresponding amount, subject to Conditions 1 and 2, and will make the appropriate entries in the Register to show such issue and the increase in the number of ADSs represented by the Master ADR and shall notify DTC of such increase. | |
2.5 | Except as otherwise provided herein, the Company will pay all the stamp duties and other similar duties or taxes payable in Russia, the United Kingdom or the United States on or in connection with the issue of the Master ADR and any definitive ADS certificates in registered form, the initial issue of the ADSs and the execution of this Agreement. If any proceedings are taken to enforce the obligations of the Company under this Agreement or under the Deed Poll or under the Master ADR or the certificates representing the ADSs (or any of them) and for the purposes of such proceedings this Agreement or the Deed Poll or the Master ADR or any certificates representing the ADSs are required to be taken into any jurisdiction (a judgement in Russia, the United Kingdom or the United States having first been obtained in the case of any other jurisdiction other than Russia, the United Kingdom or the United States) and stamp duties or other similar duties or taxes become payable on this Agreement or under the Deed Poll or the Master ADR or such certificates representing the ADSs in connection with such proceedings in such jurisdiction, the Company will forthwith pay (or reimburse the person making a valid payment of) all such stamp duties and other similar duties and taxes, including penalties and interest (if any) unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction in such proceedings. | |
2.6 | The Depositary shall make available pursuant to the Master ADR, not later than the date specified in the Master ADR following any event described therein imposing an obligation upon the Depositary to exchange such Master ADR, upon payment of any relevant fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses at the specified office of the |
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Depositary to the order of the Holder of the Master ADR, in exchange for an interest in such Master ADR, one or more certificates in definitive registered form registered in the name of such person as instructed by such Holder. Upon the issue of any certificate in definitive registered form, the Depositary shall make appropriate entries in the Register to show the issue of such certificates in definitive registered form and the decrease in the number of ADSs represented by the Master ADR and shall notify DTC of such decrease. | ||
2.7 | If at any time when Deposited Shares are represented by a Master ADR, (i) DTC or any successor advises the Company in writing at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days; or (ii) DTC or any successor ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act; or (iii) DTC is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so, and no alternative clearing system satisfactory to the Depositary is available within 45 days; or (iv) the Depositary has determined that, on the occasion of the next payment in respect of the ADSs, the Depositary or its agent would be required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment in respect of the ADSs which would not be required were the ADSs in definitive registered form (provided that the Depositary shall have no obligation to so determine or to attempt to so determine), the Depositary will undertake in the Master ADR within 60 days of the occurrence of the circumstances listed in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) to make certificates in definitive registered form available subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Clause 2.6 above. Any such exchange shall be at the expense (including printing costs) of the relevant Holder. | |
2.8 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Clause 2, the Depositary shall, as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of a written request from the Company, furnish to the Company a list (which shall be as of a recent date) of the names, addresses and holdings of ADSs by all Holders. | |
3. | APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN, DEPOSIT AND WITHDRAWAL OF DEPOSITED PROPERTY | |
3.1 | The Depositary has separately appointed the Custodian to act for it as custodian hereunder and the Custodian has agreed to act in accordance with the terms of, and to carry out those functions expressed to be performed by it in, this Agreement and the Conditions. The Custodian, shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. The Custodian may resign or be removed by the Depositary from its duties by giving prior notice, except that if a replacement Custodian is appointed which is a branch or an affiliate of the Depositary, the Custodian’s resignation or discharge may take effect immediately on the appointment of such replacement Custodian. Upon the removal of or receiving notice of the resignation of the Custodian, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a successor Custodian (approved (i) by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (ii) by the relevant authority in Russia, if any), which shall, upon acceptance of such appointment and the expiry of any applicable notice period, become the Custodian. The Depositary in its discretion (and with the approval (i) by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (ii) by the |
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relevant authority in Russia, if any) may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians which shall, upon acceptance of such appointment, become the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement. Notice of any change of Custodian shall be given to Holders, immediately upon such change taking effect, by the Depositary in accordance with Condition 22. | ||
Subject as hereinafter provided, the Depositary will require the Custodian to ensure that all Deposited Property held by the Custodian is identified as being held for the account of the Depositary and is segregated from all other property, particularly property of the same type or class, held by the Custodian provided that the Custodian shall not be obliged to segregate cash comprised in the Deposited Property from cash otherwise held by the Custodian. The Depositary may temporarily deposit the Deposited Property in a manner or in a place other than as specified in the Conditions provided that it complies with Condition 18. The Depositary will cause itself and the Custodian to establish and maintain the Facility distinct and segregated from any other facility of the Company. | ||
3.2 | Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Clause 3.1, if and so long as the Depositary and the Custodian are the same legal entity, references to them separately in this Agreement are for convenience only and that legal entity shall be responsible for discharging both functions directly to the Holders and the Company. | |
3.3 | Each Holder depositing Shares under this Agreement and pursuant to the Conditions shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorised to do so. Each such Holder shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares being deposited are not, and the ADSs representing those Shares would not be, Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of ADSs. | |
3.4 | The Depositary will refuse to accept Shares and/or other securities for deposit whenever it is notified in writing of the circumstances described in Condition 2. The Depositary may also refuse to accept Shares and/or other securities for deposit if such refusal is deemed necessary or desirable or advisable by the Depositary, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental authority, body or commission, or stock exchange or under any provision of this Agreement or for any other reason. | |
3.5 | Upon receipt of any request made by any Holder in accordance with Condition 1.1 for withdrawal of Deposited Property and upon compliance therewith by or on behalf of each person who will be the beneficial owner of the Deposited Property to be delivered in respect of ADSs, the Depositary shall make without unreasonable delay (and forthwith notify the Company of) such arrangements for the delivery thereof to, or to the order in writing of, the person or persons specified in the order for withdrawal; provided that the Depositary may suspend the withdrawal of all or any category of Deposited Property due to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of |
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fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADSs or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Property. | ||
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Shares, by physical delivery, book entry or otherwise (other than to the Company or its agent as contemplated by Condition 1), or otherwise permit Shares to be withdrawn from the Facility, except upon the receipt and cancellation of ADSs, or as set out in Clause 3.9 below. | ||
3.6 | The Depositary hereby declares and confirms that it will hold all the Deposited Property for the benefit of the Holders as bare trustee and the Holders will accordingly be tenants in common of such Deposited Property to the extent of the Deposited Property represented by the ADSs in respect of which they are the Holders. For the avoidance of doubt, in acting hereunder the Depositary shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in this Agreement and the Conditions and, other than holding the Deposited Property as bare trustee as aforesaid, does not assume any relationship of trust for or with the Holders or the owners of ADSs or any other person. | |
3.7 | The Depositary may refuse to deliver Deposited Property if such action is deemed necessary or desirable by the Depositary, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental authority, body, commission or stock exchange or under any provision of this Agreement or for any other reason. | |
3.8 | In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not sell, convey, lend, assign or create any security interest over Shares or other Deposited Property held hereunder or ADSs. | |
3.9 | Unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing so, and notwithstanding the provisions of Condition 1.4, the Depositary may execute and deliver ADSs or issue interests in a Master ADR prior to the receipt of Shares (a “Pre-Release”). The Depositary may, pursuant to Condition 1.1, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of ADSs, which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such ADS has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. | |
Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom ADSs or Deposited Property are to be delivered (the “Pre-Releasee”) that such person, or its customer, (i) owns or represents the owner of the corresponding Deposited Property or ADSs to be remitted (as the case may be), (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Deposited Property or ADSs (as the case may be) to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Holders and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such ADSs or Deposited Property (as the case may be) that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such ADSs or Deposited Property, as the case may be), other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release, (b) at all times fully collateralised with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary determines in good faith will provide substantially similar liquidity and security, (c) terminable by the |
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Depositary on not more than five (5) business days’ notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. | ||
The number of ADSs which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Release will not normally represent more than 30 per cent. of the total number of ADSs then outstanding; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Company, change such limit for the purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions hereunder, with any particular Pre-Releasee, on a case by case basis as the Depositary deems reasonably appropriate. The collateral referred to in sub-paragraph (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee’s obligations in connection herewith, including the Pre-Releasee’s obligation to deliver Shares and/or other securities or ADSs upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction anticipated hereunder (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Property hereunder). The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing, including without limitation earnings on the collateral. | ||
The Depositary may issue ADSs against rights to receive Shares from the Company (or from any agent of the Company recording share ownership). No such issue of ADSs shall be deemed a “Pre-Release” subject to the restrictions of this Clause 3. | ||
3.10 | Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or the Conditions to the contrary, any ADSs issued in respect of any new Shares issued by the Company shall be issued on a provisional basis represented by a temporary Master ADR until, the Depositary has received written notice from the Company that a Placement Report (Notification) in relation to such Shares has been registered or filed, as the case may be, with the FSFM, at which time the relevant temporary ADSs shall be automatically exchanged for ADSs represented by an existing Master ADR. Prior to receiving written notice from the Company as required by this Clause, notwithstanding any other terms of this Agreement or the Conditions, where new Shares are deposited into a temporary Facility subject to this Clause: (i) the Depositary shall not permit such Shares to be withdrawn from the temporary Facility, or vote or cause to be voted any of such Shares; and (ii) Holders shall not be entitled to give any voting instructions in respect of such Shares. | |
3.11 | Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Deposit Agreement or the Conditions, the Depositary may, with (to the extent reasonably practicable) prior notice to the Company and the Holders, cancel a number of the ADSs then outstanding, sell (either by public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion, subject to all applicable laws and regulations) the Deposited Property formerly represented by such ADSs and distribute the net proceeds of such sale as a cash distribution pursuant to Condition 4 to the Holders entitled thereto, and thereby reduce the Depositary’s holdings of any class of Deposited Property below an amount that the Depositary determines to be necessary or advisable, if (i) the Depositary or its agent receives any notice from any Russian governmental or regulatory authority that the existence or operation of a Facility or the holding by the Depositary (or its Custodian or any of their respective nominees) of the Deposited Property violates any Russian law or regulation, or that the Depositary (or its Custodian |
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or any of their respective nominees) is required to make any filing or obtain any consent,
approval or license to operate that Facility or to own or exercise any rights with respect
to the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property (other than such filings, consents,
approvals or licences which the Depositary in its reasonable discretion considers to be of
a routine administrative nature required in the ordinary course of business) or (ii) the
Depositary or the Custodian receives advice from Russian counsel (including Russian counsel
to the Company) that the Depositary (or the Custodian or any of their respective nominees)
reasonably could be subject to criminal or civil liabilities or in breach of Russian law as
a result of the existence or operation of the Facility or the holding or exercise by the
Depositary (or the Custodian or any of their respective nominees) of any rights with respect
to the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property. If the Depositary cancels ADSs and
sells Deposited Property under the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall allocate the
cancelled ADSs converted under the preceding sentence and the net proceeds of the sale of
the number of Deposited Property previously represented thereby, among the Holders pro-rata
to their respective holdings of ADSs immediately prior to the cancellation, except that the
allocations may be adjusted by the Depositary, in its sole discretion, so that no fraction
of a cancelled ADS is allocated to any Holder. Any payment pursuant to this Clause in
connection with ADSs represented by a Master ADR shall be made according to the usual
practice between the Depositary and the relevant settlement system. Any payment pursuant to
this Clause in connection with a ADS in definitive registered form shall be made to the
relevant Holder only after surrender to the Depositary of the ADS certificate by such Holder
for cancellation of the relevant number of ADSs.
4. | TRANSFER OF ADSS | |
4.1 | Title to the ADSs passes by registration in the Register and, accordingly, transfer of title to an ADS is effective only upon such registration. The Depositary may refuse to accept for transfer any ADSs in accordance with Condition 2 and will refuse to accept for transfer any ADSs if it reasonably believes that such transfer would result in any violation of applicable laws. The Holder of any ADS will (except as otherwise required by law) be treated by the Depositary and the Company as its beneficial owner for all purposes (whether or not any payment or other distribution in respect of such ADSs is overdue and regardless of any notice of ownership, trust or any interest in it, or writing on, or the theft or loss of any certificate issued in respect of it) and no person will be liable for so treating the Holder. | |
4.2 | Notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 4.1 to the contrary, the Company and the Depositary acknowledge that the DRS and Profile System shall apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. | |
4.3 | In accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS and Profile System, the Company acknowledges that the Depositary will not, and will be under no obligation to, verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of a Holder in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery (as describe above) has the actual authority to act on behalf of the Holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the State of New York). Without limiting the generality thereof, the provisions of Clause 9 |
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shall apply equally to matters arising from the use of the DRS, and the Company agrees that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS and Profile Systems, in accordance with this Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the party of the Depositary. | ||
5. | VOTING OF SHARES | |
5.1 | Subject to Condition 1.10, Holders will have the right to instruct the Depositary with regard to the exercise of voting rights with respect to the Deposited Shares subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Clause 5 and Condition 12. The Company will notify the Depositary of any resolution to be proposed at a General Meeting of the Company and the Depositary will vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Shares in the manner set out in this Clause 5 and Condition 12. | |
5.2 | The Company agrees with the Depositary that it will promptly provide to the Depositary sufficient copies (but not more than 10 copies), as the Depositary may reasonably request, of notices of meetings of the shareholders of the Company and the agenda therefore as well as written requests containing voting instructions by which each Holder may give instructions to the Depositary to vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, each and any resolution specified in the agenda for the meeting. Based on the notices, agenda and requests provided by the Company, which the Depositary shall prepare and send corresponding notices to any person who is a Holder on the record date established by the Depositary for that purpose (which shall be the same as the corresponding record date set by the Company for the holders of Shares or as near as practicable thereto) as soon as practicable after receipt of the same by the Depositary in accordance with Condition 22. The Company also agrees to provide to the Depositary appropriate proxy forms to enable the Depositary to procure the appointment of a representative to attend the relevant meeting and vote on behalf of the registered owner of the Deposited Shares. | |
5.3 | In order for each voting instruction to be valid, the voting instructions form must be completed and duly signed by the respective Holder in accordance with the written request containing voting instructions and returned to the Depositary by such record date as the Depositary may specify. | |
5.4 | The Depositary will exercise or cause to be exercised the voting rights in respect of the Deposited Shares so that a portion of the Deposited Shares will be voted for and a portion of the Deposited Shares will be voted against any resolution specified in the agenda for the relevant meeting in accordance with the voting instructions it has received from Holders. | |
5.5 | If the Depositary is advised in the opinion referred to in Clause 5.8 below that it is not permitted by Russian law to exercise the voting rights in respect of the Deposited Shares differently (so that a portion of the Deposited Shares may be voted for a resolution and a portion of the Deposited Shares may be voted against a resolution) the Depositary shall, if the opinion referred to in Clause 5.8 below confirms it to be permissible under Russian law, calculate from the voting instructions that it has received from all Holders (x) the aggregate number of votes in favour of a particular resolution and (y) the aggregate number of votes opposed to such resolution and cast or cause to be cast in favour of or opposed to such resolution the number of votes representing the net positive difference |
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between such aggregate number of votes in favour of such resolution and such aggregate number of votes opposed to such resolution. | ||
5.6 | The Depositary will only endeavour to vote or cause to be voted the votes attaching to Deposited Shares in respect of which voting instructions have been received. If no voting instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder (either because no voting instructions are returned to the Depositary by such Holder or because the voting instructions are incomplete, illegible or unclear) with respect to any or all of the Deposited Shares represented by such Holder’s ADSs on or before the record date specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall have no obligation to, and shall not, exercise any voting rights attaching to such Deposited Shares. | |
5.7 | If the Depositary is advised in the opinion referred to in Clause 5.8 below that it is not permissible under Russian law or the Depositary determines that it is not possible to vote or cause to be voted such Deposited Shares in accordance with Clauses 5.4, 5.5 or 5.6, the Depositary shall not vote or cause to be voted such Deposited Shares. | |
5.8 | Where the Depositary is to vote in respect of any resolution in the manner described in Clauses 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 above the Depositary shall appoint the Custodian or any other person designated by the Depositary as a representative of the registered owner of the Deposited Shares to attend such meeting and vote the Deposited Shares in the manner required by this Clause 5. The Depositary shall not be required to take any action required by this Clause 5 if (i) it reasonably requests, within a reasonable time of receipt by it of a notice of any meeting from the Company, that the Company procures that the Depositary receives an opinion from the Company’s legal counsel (such counsel being reasonably acceptable to the Depositary) at the expense of the Company to the effect that votes cast under the voting arrangements contemplated in this Clause 5 and in Condition 12 are valid and binding on the Company under Russian law and the statutes of the Company and that the Depositary is permitted under Russian law to exercise votes in accordance with the provisions of this Clause 5 but that in doing so the Depositary will not be deemed to be exercising voting discretion, and (ii) it has not received that opinion. | |
5.9 | By continuing to hold the ADSs, all Holders shall be deemed to have agreed to the provisions of Condition 12 and this Clause 5 as each may be amended from time to time in order to comply with applicable Russian law. | |
5.10 | The Depositary shall not, and the Depositary shall ensure the Custodian and its nominee do not, vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Deposited Shares other than in accordance with instructions given in accordance with this Clause 5. | |
5.11 | Notwithstanding any other term of this Clause 5 or Condition 12, prior to the Depositary being notified in writing by the Company that a Placement Report (Notification) in respect of new Shares deposited into a Facility has been registered, or filed as the case may be, with the FSFM, the Depositary shall have no obligation to take any action pursuant to this Clause 5 or Condition 12 to procure the exercise of votes arising in relation to such Shares. |
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6. | CONDITIONS | |
The Depositary shall comply with, and perform the obligations imposed upon it by, and the Company will perform the obligations expressed to be imposed on it by, the Master ADR and the Conditions (in particular, but without prejudice to the generality of this Clause, Conditions 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and the provisions contained in the Conditions shall have full effect in the like manner as if the same had been incorporated in full herein except that in the case of conflict or inconsistency the terms set out herein shall prevail over the Conditions. | ||
The Depositary will, at the Company’s expense, comply with written instructions of the Company not to accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the laws in any jurisdiction. | ||
7. | UNDERTAKINGS OF THE COMPANY | |
So long as the Deposited Shares are represented by ADSs, the Company will: | ||
7.1 | use its reasonable endeavours to procure the appointment of a successor depositary as soon as reasonably possible following the giving of a notice of the termination of the appointment of the Depositary or the receipt of a notice of resignation from the Depositary, such appointment to take effect from the date of termination specified in such notice; | |
7.2 | inform the Depositary if any Shares issued by it which may be deposited under Condition 1 do not, by reason of the date of issue or otherwise, rank pari passu in all respects with the other Deposited Shares and of the total number of the Company’s issued and outstanding Shares upon request for such information by the Depositary to the Company and provide forthwith upon request such additional information as may reasonably be requested by the Depositary to enable it to discharge the trusts, powers, rights and duties vested in it hereunder or under the Conditions; | |
7.3 | unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, give its consent to, and, if requested, use all reasonable endeavours to facilitate, any distribution, sale or subscription (which, without limitation, shall not include any registration of such distribution, sale or subscription under the Securities Act) by the Depositary or the Holders pursuant to Condition 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 (including the obtaining of legal opinions from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and the Company concerning such matters as the Depositary may reasonably specify) and subject to the penultimate paragraph of Condition 7; | |
7.4 | to the extent reasonably practicable take such action as may be required in obtaining or filing any authorisation, consent, registration, permit or report under Condition 11.2 and Clause 8.4; | |
7.5 | transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian such number of copies of any notices referred to in Condition 23 and other material (which contains information having a material bearing on the interests of Holders) sent by the Company by mail or courier to holders of the Shares or other Deposited Property or such number of copies of English |
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translations of the originals if the originals were prepared in a language other than English as the Depositary may reasonably request, and in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, notify the Depositary as soon as practicable after the fixing of any record date for determining the right to receive dividends or distributions; | ||
7.6 | publish information in English required to maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act on its Internet web site or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in its primary trading market. The Company’s Internet web site address is xxx.xxxxxxxx.xx; | |
7.7 | provide to the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially own Restricted Securities and the Company shall update such list on a regular basis. The Company shall advise each of the persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit under the terms hereof. The Depositary may rely on such list or update thereof, but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon; and | |
7.8 | in the event of any issue of additional Shares or of other securities (including rights to subscribe for or purchase Shares or securities convertible or exchangeable for Shares) as a distribution with respect to the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property represented by ADSs or a further issue of Shares to be represented by ADSs, or further issues to Holders for cash of such additional Shares or such other securities, the Depositary shall be entitled to make a reasonable request to the Company to, and if the Depositary so requests, the Company shall, at the cost of the Company, obtain and furnish to the Depositary a written opinion from counsel in the United States, which counsel shall be satisfactory to the Depositary and the Company, stating whether or not the circumstances of such issue are such as to make it necessary for a registration statement under the Securities Act to be in effect prior to making such distribution or other issue available to investors or to the owners of ADSs (as the case may be) and, if in the opinion of such counsel a registration statement is required, stating that there is a registration statement in effect which will cover the issuance of such additional Shares or other securities. | |
8. | WITHHOLDING TAXES AND APPLICABLE LAWS | |
8.1 | In performing its obligations hereunder, the Depositary shall comply, and shall use its reasonable endeavours to procure that the Custodian and each Agent shall comply, with all applicable laws and regulations of the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom binding on each of them respectively. | |
8.2 | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, before making any payment of dividends or other distributions or payments in respect of any Deposited Property, the Company shall make such deductions or withholdings (if any) which, by the laws of Russia, the Company is required to make in respect of any income, capital gains or other taxes or levies and the Company may also deduct or withhold the amount of any tax or governmental charges payable by the Company or for which the Company might be made liable in respect of such distribution or other payment or any document signed in connection therewith. None of the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company or their respective agents shall have any obligation to any person to apply any provision under |
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any treaty or other arrangement between Russia and the country within which such person is resident, or to take any action or to file any reports to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes in respect of Deposited Shares or ADSs under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and beneficial owners. | ||
If the Company reasonably so requests, and provides to the Depositary information regarding any taxes withheld by the Company in respect of distributions or other payments in respect of any Deposited Property, the Depositary shall forward such information to the Holders. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, in respect of distributions in respect of any Deposited Property. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or beneficial owner of ADSs to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis of non-US tax paid against such Holder’s or beneficial owner’s income tax liability. | ||
The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable after the receipt of a request from the Company such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agents to file the necessary reports with governmental, judicial or other state authorities of the Russian Federation required by such authorities or by Russian law and regulations. The Depositary will also make all reasonable efforts to provide to the Company, upon reasonable request from the Company: (i) certification of Depositary’s status as a resident of the United States; and (ii) certifications (if any) received by the Depositary regarding a ADSs beneficial owner’s status as (A) an owner of interests in ADSs and (B) a tax resident of a jurisdiction with which Russia has entered into an income tax treaty (for example, in the case of a beneficial owner of ADSs that is resident of U.S. tax purposes in the United States, such beneficial owner’s certification of its last filed U.S. federal income tax return in the form of an IRS Form 6166), but the Depositary shall have no obligation to request or obtain such certifications from Holders or beneficial owners of ADSs. | ||
8.3 | The Company will, as soon as possible after making a payment to the Depositary, furnish to the Depositary such evidence of deduction or withholding and payment to the applicable tax authority of tax so deducted or withheld from the amount of the payment as may reasonably be requested by the Depositary. | |
8.4 | If any governmental or administrative authorisation, consent, registration or permit or any report to any governmental or administrative authority is required under any applicable law in Russia in order for the Depositary to receive from the Company Shares or other securities to be deposited under the Conditions, or in order for Shares, other securities or other property to be distributed under Conditions 4, 5, 6 or 10 or to be subscribed under Condition 7, or to offer any rights or sell any securities represented by such rights relevant to any Deposited Shares, the Company will, subject to Clause 7.4 and to the extent reasonably practicable, apply for such authorisation, consent, registration or permit or file such report, itself or on behalf of the Holders within the time required under such law. The Depositary shall not be obliged to distribute ADSs representing such Shares, Shares, other securities or other property to be deposited under |
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the Conditions or make any offer of any such rights or sell any securities corresponding to any such rights with respect to which (as notified to the Depositary by the Company) such authorisation, consent, registration or permit or such report has not been obtained or filed, as the case may be, and shall have no duties to obtain any such authorisation, consent, registration or permit, or to file any such report. | ||
9. | LIABILITY | |
9.1 | In acting, hereunder the Depositary shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in this Agreement and the Conditions and, other than holding the Deposited Property for the benefit of Holders as bare trustee, does not assume any relationship of trust for or with the Holders or owners of ADSs or any other person. | |
9.2 | Neither the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company, any Agent, nor any of their agents, officers, directors or employees shall incur any liability to any other of them or to any Holder or owner of an ADS or any other person with an interest in any ADSs if, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of Russia or any other country or of any relevant governmental authority, or by reason of the interpretation or application of any such present or future law or regulation or any change therein, or by reason of any other circumstances beyond their control or, in the case of the Depositary, the Custodian, any Agent, or any of their agents, officers, directors or employees by reason of any provision, present or future, of the constitutive documents of the Company, any of them shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing which the terms of this Agreement or the Conditions provide shall or may be done or performed; nor shall any of them incur any liability to any Holder or owner of ADSs or any other person with an interest in any ADSs by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any voting rights attached to the Deposited Shares or any of them or any other discretion or power provided for in this Agreement. Any such party may rely on, and shall be protected in acting upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been duly signed or presented (including a translation which is made by a translator believed by it to be competent or which appears to be authentic). | |
9.3 | Neither the Depositary nor any Agent shall be liable (except for its own wilful default, negligence or bad faith or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees) to the Company or any Holder or owner of ADSs or any other person by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any certificate for Shares or ADSs or any signature on any transfer or instruction purporting to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic or for its failure to perform any obligations under this Agreement or the Conditions. | |
9.4 | The Depositary and its agents may engage or be interested in any financial or other business transactions with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in relation to the Deposited Property (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the conversion of any part of the Deposited Property from one currency to another), may at any time hold or be interested in ADSs for its own account, and shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual fees, commissions and other charges for business |
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transacted and acts done by it as a bank, and not in the capacity of Depositary, in relation to matters arising under this Agreement (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, charges on the conversion of any part of the Deposited Property from one currency to another and on any sales of property) without accounting to the Holders or any other person for any profit arising therefrom. | ||
9.5 | The Depositary shall endeavour to effect any such sale as is referred to or contemplated in Conditions 5, 6, 7, 10, 13 or 20 or any such conversion as is referred to in Condition 8 in accordance with the Depositary’s normal practices and procedures but shall have no liability (in the absence of its own wilful default, negligence or bad faith or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees) with respect to the terms of such sale or conversion or if such sale or conversion shall not be reasonably practicable. | |
9.6 | The Depositary shall not be required or obliged to monitor, supervise or enforce the observance and performance by the Company of its obligations under or in connection with this Agreement or the Conditions. | |
9.7 | The Depositary shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Company, any Holders, or any owner of ADSs or any other person as regards any deficiency which might arise because the Depositary is subject to any tax in respect of the Deposited Property or any part thereof or any income therefrom or any proceeds thereof. | |
9.8 | In connection with any proposed modification, waiver, authorisation or determination permitted by the terms of this Agreement, the Depositary shall not, except as otherwise expressly provided in Condition 21, be obliged to have regard to the consequence thereof for the Holders or the owners of ADSs or any other person. | |
9.9 | Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Agreement or the Conditions, the Depositary may refrain from doing anything which could or might, in its opinion, be contrary to any law of any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency or state or which would or might otherwise render it liable to any person and the Depositary may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation. | |
9.10 | The Depositary may, in relation to this Agreement and the Conditions, act or take no action on the advice or opinion of, or any certificate or information obtained from, any reputable lawyer, valuer, accountant, banker, broker, securities company or other expert whether obtained by the Company, the Depositary or otherwise and (subject to Clause 9.13 below) shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or liability occasioned by so acting or refraining from acting or relying on information from persons presenting Shares for deposit or ADSs for surrender or requesting transfers thereof. | |
9.11 | Any such advice, opinion, certificate or information (as discussed in Clause 9.10) may be sent or obtained by letter, telex, facsimile transmission, telegram or cable and (subject to Clause 9.13 below) the Depositary shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion, certificate or information purported to be conveyed by any such letter, telex or facsimile transmission although (without the Depositary’s knowledge) the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic. |
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9.12 | The Depositary may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing, a certificate, letter or other communication, whether oral or written, signed or otherwise communicated on behalf of the Company by a chief executive officer of the Company (or person of similar position) or by a person duly authorised by a chief executive officer of the Company (or person of similar position) or such other certificate from persons specified in Clause 9.10 above which the Depositary considers appropriate and the Depositary shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any loss or liability that may be occasioned by the Depositary acting on such certificate. | |
9.13 | The Depositary shall have no obligation under the Deposit Agreement except to perform its obligations as are specifically set out therein without wilful default, negligence or bad faith. | |
9.14 | The Depositary may delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons, whether being a joint Depositary of this Agreement or not and not being a person to whom the Company may reasonably object, all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Depositary by this Agreement and such delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions, including power to sub-delegate, and subject to such regulations as the Depositary may in the interests of the Holders think fit, provided that no objection from the Company to any such delegation as aforesaid may be made to a person whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Depositary’s ultimate holding company. Any delegation by the Depositary shall be on the basis that the Depositary is acting on behalf of the Holders and the Company in making such delegation. The Company shall not (in any circumstances) and the Depositary shall not (provided that it shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such delegate) be bound to supervise the proceedings or be in any way responsible for any loss, liability, cost, claim, action, demand or expense incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. However, the Depositary shall, if practicable, and if so requested by the Company, pursue (at the Company’s expense and subject to receipt by the Depositary of such indemnity and security for costs as the Depositary may reasonably require) any legal action it may have against such delegate or sub-delegate, arising out of any such loss caused by reason of any such misconduct or default. The Depositary shall, within a reasonable time of any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof, give notice thereof to the Company. Any delegation under this Clause which includes the power to sub-delegate shall provide that the delegate shall, within a specified time of any sub-delegation or amendment, extension or termination thereof, give notice thereof to the Company and the Depositary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary shall provide a prior written notice of any such delegation, or sub-delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof, unless either (i) such delegation, sub-delegation, renewal, extension or termination is in the usual course of business of the Depositary; or (ii) such delegation, sub-delegation, renewal, extension or termination is to a subsidiary or affiliate of the Depositary. | |
9.15 | The Depositary may, in the performance of its obligations hereunder, instead of acting personally, employ and pay an agent, whether a solicitor or other person, to transact or |
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concur in transacting any business and do or concur in doing all acts required to be done by such party, including the receipt and payment of money. | ||
9.16 | The Depositary shall be at liberty to hold or to deposit this Agreement and any deed or document relating thereto in any part of the world with any reputable banking company or companies (including itself) whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of deeds or documents or with any lawyer or firm of lawyers of good repute, and the Depositary shall not (in the case of deposit with itself, in the absence of its own negligence, wilful default or bad faith or that of its agents, directors, officers or employees) be responsible for any losses, liability or expenses incurred in connection with any such deposit. | |
9.17 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Conditions, the Depositary shall not be liable in respect of any loss or damage which arises out of or in connection with its performance or non-performance of or the exercise or attempted exercise of, or the failure to exercise any of, its powers or discretions under this Agreement, except to the extent that such loss or damage arises from the wilful default, negligence or bad faith of the Depositary or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, in no circumstances shall the Depositary have any liability for any act or omission of any securities depositary, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of Deposited Shares or otherwise. | |
9.18 | No provision of this Agreement or the Conditions shall require the Depositary to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its right or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity and security against such risk of liability is not assured to it. | |
9.19 | For the avoidance of doubt, the Depositary shall be under no obligation to check, monitor or enforce compliance with any ownership restrictions in respect of ADSs or Shares under any applicable Russian law as the same may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the generality of Condition 3, the Depositary shall refuse to register any transfer of ADSs or any deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs if notified by the Company, or the Depositary becomes aware of the fact, that such transfer or issuance would result in a violation of the limitations set forth above. | |
9.20 | Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary is authorised to destroy such documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Agreement and at such times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary, provided that the Company does not (i) request the Depositary to retain such documentation for such further period of time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, (ii) direct the Depositary to return all such documentation to the Company or, (iii) direct the Depositary to ensure delivery or transmission of such documentation to a successor depositary appointed in accordance with the terms of Clause 11. | |
9.21 | No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this Agreement. |
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10. | DEPOSITARY’S FEES, COSTS, EXPENSES AND INDEMNITIES | |
10.1 | The Depositary shall be entitled to charge the following remuneration and to receive the following remuneration and reimbursement (such remuneration and reimbursement being payable on demand) in respect of its services under this Agreement: |
10.1.1 | from the Holders: |
(a) | for the issue of ADSs or the cancellation of ADSs upon the withdrawal of Deposited Property: U.S.$5.00 or less per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued or cancelled; | ||
(b) | for issuing ADS certificates in definitive registered form in replacement for mutilated, defaced, lost, stolen or destroyed ADS certificates: a sum per ADS certificate which is determined by the Depositary to be a reasonable charge to reflect the work, costs and expenses involved; | ||
(c) | for issuing ADS certificates in definitive registered form (other than pursuant to (b) above): the greater of U.S.$1.50 per ADS certificate (plus printing costs) or such other sum per ADS certificate which is determined by the Depositary to be a reasonable charge to reflect the work plus costs (including, but not limited to, printing costs) and expenses involved; | ||
(d) | for receiving and paying any cash dividend or other cash distribution on or in respect of the Deposited Shares: a fee of U.S.$0.02 or less per ADS for each such dividend or distribution; | ||
(e) | in respect of any issue of rights or distribution of Shares (whether or not evidenced by ADSs) or other securities or other property (other than cash) upon exercise of any rights, any free distribution, stock dividend or other distribution: U.S.$5.00 or less per 100 outstanding ADSs (or portion thereof) for each such issue of rights, dividend or distribution; | ||
(f) | a fee of U.S.$0.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) per calendar year for depositary services which shall be payable as provided in paragraph (h) below, provided however that this fee may be increased to U.S.$0.04 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) if no cash dividend was paid by the Company on Deposited Shares in that calendar year; | ||
(g) | for any inspections by the Depositary (or the Custodian or their respective agents) of the register of shareholders of the Company: a fee of U.S.$0.01 per ADS per annum, which shall be payable as provided in paragraph (h) below; and | ||
(h) | any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s agents, including the Custodian, or the agents of the Depositary’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property (which charge shall be assessed against Holders as of the date or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of |
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the Depositary by billing such Holders for such charge or deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), |
together with all expenses (including currency conversion expenses), transfer and registration fees, taxes, duties and charges payable by the Depositary, any Agent or the Custodian, or any of their agents, in connection with any of the above; and | |||
10.1.2 | from the Company, such sums and amounts as may be specified in a letter between the Company and the Depositary of even date herewith. |
10.2 | All fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which are payable by the Company to the Depositary shall be paid by the Company to the Depositary upon demand therefor subject to all necessary Russian exchange control and other consents and approvals having been obtained (which the Company undertakes to use its best endeavours to obtain). | |
10.3 | The Company shall be liable for and shall indemnify the Depositary, the Custodian and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents, and hold them each harmless from and against, and shall reimburse them each for, any and all losses, costs, damages, judgements, claims, actions, proceedings, expenses or other liabilities (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and, in each case, irrecoverable value added tax and any similar tax charged or otherwise imposed in respect thereof) (collectively referred to herein as “Losses”) arising from or incurred in connection with its appointment or the exercise of its powers and performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Conditions or the Deed Poll except for such Losses caused by or resulting from any wilful default, negligence or bad faith of the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective officers, directors, employees and agents. The Depositary shall hold the benefit of this Clause 10.3 on trust for itself, the Custodian and for its and the Custodian’s respective officers, directors, employees and agents. Whether or not to seek to enforce this Clause 10.3 on behalf of any such person shall be entirely at the discretion of the Depositary. | |
10.4 | The Depositary shall be liable for and shall indemnify the Company and its officers, directors, employees and agents and hold them each harmless from any Losses arising from or incurred in connection with or otherwise related to this Agreement or the Conditions but only to the extent that such Losses are caused by or result from any wilful default, negligence or bad faith of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective officers, directors, employees and agents. The Company shall hold the benefit of this Clause 10.4 on trust for itself, its officers, directors, employees and agents. Whether or not to seek to enforce this Clause 10.4 on behalf of any such person shall be entirely at the discretion of the Company. | |
10.5 | Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an “indemnified person”) shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the “indemnifying person”) of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person’s rights to seek indemnification except to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture of substantive rights or defences |
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of the indemnifying person) and shall consult in good faith with the indemnifying person as
to the conduct of the defence of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity
hereunder, which defence shall be reasonable in the circumstances. No indemnified person
shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder
without the consent of the indemnifying person, provided however that such consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
11. | RESIGNATION AND TERMINATION OF APPOINTMENT OF THE DEPOSITARY | |
11.1 | The Company may terminate the appointment of the Depositary under this Agreement by giving at least 120 days’ prior notice in writing to the Depositary and the Custodian, and the Depositary may resign as Depositary by giving at least 120 days’ prior notice in writing to the Company and the Custodian. Within 30 days after the giving of either such notice, notice thereof shall be duly given by the Depositary to the Holders, in accordance with Condition 22. | |
The termination of the appointment or resignation of the Depositary shall take effect on the date specified in such notice; PROVIDED THAT no such termination of appointment or resignation shall take effect until the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary under this Agreement and the acceptance of such appointment to act in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Conditions, by the successor depositary. The Company undertakes to use its reasonable endeavours to procure the appointment of a successor depositary with effect from the date of termination specified in such notice as soon as reasonably possible following notice of such termination or resignation. Upon any such appointment and acceptance, notice thereof shall be duly given by the Depositary to the Holders in accordance with Condition 22. | ||
11.2 | In accordance with Condition 19, upon the termination of the appointment or resignation of the Depositary and against payment of all fees and expenses due to the Depositary from the Company under this Agreement, the Depositary shall deliver to its successor as depositary sufficient information and records to enable such successor efficiently to perform its obligations under this Agreement and shall deliver and pay to such successor depositary all property and cash held by it under this Agreement. Upon the date when such termination of appointment or resignation takes effect, the Custodian shall be deemed to be the Custodian hereunder for such successor depositary and shall hold the Deposited Property for such successor depositary and the Depositary shall thereafter have no obligation hereunder or under the Conditions (other than liabilities accrued prior to the date of termination of appointment or resignation or any liabilities stipulated in relevant laws or regulations). | |
12. | TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT | |
12.1 | Either the Company or the Depositary but, in the case of the Depositary, only if the Company has failed to appoint a replacement Depositary within 90 days of the date on which the Depositary has given notice pursuant to Condition 19 that it wishes to resign, may terminate the Deposit Agreement by giving 90 days’ prior notice to the other and to the Custodian. Within 30 days after the giving of such notice, notice of such termination shall be duly given by the Depositary to Holders of all ADSs then outstanding in accordance with Condition 22. If by the date on which the termination is due to take |
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effect the Company has notified the Depositary that it has appointed a successor Depositary and such successor Depositary has accepted such appointment: (i) this Agreement shall not be terminated; (ii) Clauses 12.2 and 12.3 shall not apply; (iii) a notice of such appointment and acceptance of the successor Depositary shall be given by the Depositary to the Holders as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt by the Depositary of the notification from the Company; and (iv) the appointment of the Depositary shall terminate on the date which the Depositary notifies the Company to be the first date on which it is reasonably practicable for such appointment to terminate, and upon such termination the provisions of Clause 11.2 shall apply. | ||
12.2 | During the period beginning on the date of the giving of such notice by the Depositary to the Holders and ending on the date on which such termination takes effect, each Holder shall be entitled to obtain delivery of the Deposited Property relative to each ADS held by it, subject to the provisions of Condition 1.1 and upon compliance with Condition 1, payment by the Holder of the charge specified in Condition 16.1(i) and Clause 10.1.1(a) for such delivery and surrender, and payment by the Holder of any sums payable by the Depositary and/or any other expenses incurred by the Depositary (together with all amounts which the Depositary is obliged to pay to the Custodian) in connection with such delivery and surrender, and otherwise in accordance with this Agreement. | |
12.3 | If any ADSs remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary shall as soon as reasonably practicable sell the Deposited Property then held by it under this Agreement and shall not register transfers, shall not pass on dividends or distributions or take any other action, except that it will deliver the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it under this Agreement, pro rata to Holders of ADSs which have not previously been so surrendered by reference to that proportion of the Deposited Property which is represented by the ADSs of which they are the Holders. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Agreement and the Conditions, except its obligation to account to Holders for such net proceeds of sale and other cash comprising the Deposited Property without interest. | |
12.4 | For the avoidance of doubt, any obligations of the Company herein to make payments to the Depositary and indemnify it and any obligation of the Depositary to indemnify the Company shall in respect of any event occurring before termination survive any such termination. | |
13. | AMENDMENT OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AND CONDITIONS | |
All and any of the provisions of this Agreement and the Conditions (other than Condition 21) may at any time and from time to time be amended by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any such amendment shall be made subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Condition 21. | ||
14. | NOTICES | |
14.1 | Any notice or demand or request to the Company or the Depositary or any approval or certificate required to be given, made or served for any purposes under this Agreement shall be in the English language and shall be given, made or served by sending the same |
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by prepaid post (first class if
domestic, first class airmail if
overseas) or air courier or by telex,
facsimile transmission or by delivering
it by hand as follows:
The Company: | JSC “RUSHYDRO” | |||||
Arkhitektora Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00 | ||||||
Xxxxxx 000000 | ||||||
Russian Federation | ||||||
Attention: | Corporate Governance Department | |||||
Fax: | n/a | |||||
Telephone: | +7 495 540 3012 ext. 1021 | |||||
The Depositary: | The Bank of New York Mellon | |||||
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||||
00xx Xxxxx | ||||||
Xxx Xxxx | ||||||
Xxx Xxxx 00000 | ||||||
Attention: | ADS Division | |||||
Fax: | x0 000 000 0000 | |||||
with a copy to: | Xxxxxxxx Xxxx | |||||
Fax: | x0 000 000 0000 |
or to such other address as shall have been notified (in accordance with this Clause) to the
other party thereto and any notice or demand sent by post as aforesaid shall be given, made
or served three days (in the case of domestic post) or seven days (in the case of overseas
post) after despatch and any notice or demand sent by telex as aforesaid shall be effective
when the sender receives the answerback from the addressee at the end of the telex and any
notice or demand sent by facsimile transmission as aforesaid shall be effective when the
intended recipient has confirmed by telephone to the transmitter thereof that the recipient
has received such facsimile in complete and legible form.
14.2 | Any notice to be given to any Holder shall be given in the manner specified in Condition 22, the provisions of which will apply to determine whether notices given to Holders or received from Holders have been validly given or received. | |
15. | SEVERABILITY | |
If any one or more of the provisions contained in this Agreement or the Conditions shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or otherwise disturbed thereby. |
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16. | COPIES OF THIS AGREEMENT | |
Certified or conformed copies of this Agreement shall be filed with the Depositary and the Custodian and shall be available to Holders for inspection during normal business hours on any business day at the specified offices of the Depositary and any Agent and at the Main Office of the Custodian. | ||
17. | GOVERNING LAW | |
17.1 | This Agreement, the Master ADR and the ADSs are governed by and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with law of England and Wales. The rights and obligations attaching to the Deposited Shares will be governed by Russian law. | |
18. | ARBITRATION AND SUBMISSION | |
18.1 | Any dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (a “Dispute”) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration and not litigation. In such case, the dispute shall be referred to arbitration under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (the “Rules”), which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Clause 18. Judgement upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. | |
18.2 | The parties to this Agreement agree that: |
(i) | The number of arbitrators shall be three. Two of the arbitrators shall be nominated by the respective parties in the Request for Arbitration and the Response, and the third, who shall be the Chairman of the tribunal, shall be nominated by the two party nominated arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the last of their appointments. In the event of a failure to nominate an arbitrator by either party or a failure to agree the Chairman of the tribunal, the London Court of International Arbitration shall, at the written request of either party, make such appointments forthwith; | ||
(ii) | The place of the arbitration shall be London, England; | ||
(iii) | The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English; and | ||
(iv) | The decision and award of the arbitration shall be final and binding from the day it is made. |
18.3 | If any Dispute raises issues which are substantially the same as or connected with issues raised in a Dispute which has already been referred to arbitration (an “Existing Dispute”), or arises out of substantially the same facts as are the subject of an Existing Dispute, or a dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with the Conditions or the Deed Poll, whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (in any such case a “Related Dispute”), the arbitrators appointed or to be appointed in respect of any such Existing Dispute shall also be appointed as the arbitrators in respect of any |
- 26 -
Related Dispute, save where the arbitrators consider such appointment to be inappropriate. | ||
18.4 | The arbitrators, upon the request of one of the parties to a Dispute or Related Dispute or a party to this Agreement which itself wishes to be joined in any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to a Dispute or Related Dispute, may join any party to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to that Dispute or Related Dispute and may make a single, final award determining all Disputes and Related Disputes between them. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby consents to be joined to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to any dispute at the request of a party to that Dispute or Related Dispute, and to accept joinder of any party requesting to be joined under this Clause 18.4. | |
18.5 | Where, pursuant to the above provisions, the same arbitrators have been appointed in relation to an Existing Dispute and one or more Related Disputes, the arbitrators may, with the agreement of all the parties concerned or upon the application of one of the parties, being a party to each of the Disputes, order that the whole or part of the matters at issue shall be heard together upon such terms or conditions as the arbitrators think fit. The arbitrators shall have power to make such directions and any provisional, interim or partial awards as they consider just and desirable. | |
18.6 | Nothing in these dispute resolution provisions shall be construed as preventing either party from seeking conservatory or similar interim relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. | |
18.7 | Any award of the tribunal of arbitrators shall be binding from the day it is made, and the parties hereby agree to waive any right of appeal to any court of law, insofar as such waiver may be validly made. | |
18.8 | In the event that the Depositary is made a party to or is otherwise required to participate in any litigation, arbitration or proceeding (whether judicial or administrative) which arises from or is related to or is based upon any act or failure to act by the Company, or which contains allegations to such effect, upon notice from the Depositary, the Company shall fully co-operate with the Depositary in connection with such litigation, arbitration or proceeding, and shall not resist being joined to any such legal actions if the Depositary so requests. | |
18.9 | Without prejudice to the powers of the arbitrators provided in the Rules, statute or otherwise, the arbitrators shall have power at any time, following the written request (with reasons) of any party at any time, and after due consideration of any written and/or oral response(s) to such request made within such time periods as the arbitrators shall determine, to make an award in favour of the claimant(s) (or the respondent(s) if a counterclaim) in respect of any claims (or counterclaims) if it appears to the arbitrators that there is no reasonably arguable defence to those claims (or counterclaims), either at all or except as to the amount of any damages or other sum to be awarded. | |
18.10 | The parties agree that in no circumstances will they request the arbitrators to, and the arbitrators shall have no authority to, exercise any power to award damages which are |
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not calculated by reference to the relevant party’s actual costs or to award any loss of profit whatsoever or any consequential, special or punitive damages. |
19. | THIRD PARTY RIGHTS | |
A person who is not a party to this Agreement has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Xxx 0000 of the United Kingdom to enforce any term of this Agreement but this does not affect any right or remedy granted under the Deed Poll or which otherwise exists or is available apart from that Act. | ||
20. | LANGUAGE | |
This Agreement may be executed in the form of both an English language document and a document translated into Russian, but in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the terms or interpretation of the English language form and the Russian form, the terms and interpretation of the English language form shall prevail and shall be regarded as definitive. | ||
21. | COUNTERPARTS | |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when executed and delivered is an original, but all the counterparts together constitute the same documents. |
AS WITNESS the hands of the duly authorised representatives of the parties hereto the day and year
first before written.
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SCHEDULE 1
Forms Of Certificate In Definitive Registered Form Representing American
Depositary Shares
Forms Of Certificate In Definitive Registered Form Representing American
Depositary Shares
THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT CERTIFICATE, AGREES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF JSC “RUSHYDRO” AND THE DEPOSITARY NAMED
BELOW THAT THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT AT ANY TIME BE
OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON LOCATED IN RUSSIA, RESIDENTS OF
RUSSIA, OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, SUCH PERSONS UNLESS AND TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE
PERMITTED UNDER RUSSIAN LAW.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SHARES DEPOSITED HEREUNDER WILL BE REGISTERED ON THE SHARE REGISTER
MAINTAINED BY THE RUSSIAN SHARE REGISTRAR OF THE COMPANY IN THE NAME OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS
DEPOSITARY, OR ITS NOMINEE, OR OF THE CUSTODIAN, OR ITS NOMINEE. HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
SHOULD BE AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT RUSSIA’S SYSTEM OF SHARE REGISTRATION AND CUSTODY CREATES RISKS OF
LOSS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN OTHER SECURITIES MARKETS. THE DEPOSITARY
WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE UNAVAILABILITY OF DEPOSITED PROPERTY OR FOR THE FAILURE TO MAKE ANY
DISTRIBUTION OF CASH OR PROPERTY WITH RESPECT THERETO AS A RESULT OF SUCH UNAVAILABILITY.
[UNTIL THE RECEIPT BY THE DEPOSITARY OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY CONFIRMING THE REGISTRATION
OR FILING, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF A PLACEMENT REPORT (NOTIFICATION) WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERAL
SERVICE FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS IN RESPECT OF NEWLY ISSUED SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY, SUCH NEWLY
ISSUED SHARES SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO A TEMPORARY FACILITY FOR TEMPORARY ADSS, AND HOLDERS’ RIGHTS
OF WITHDRAWAL AND VOTING SHALL BE LIMITED AS SET OUT IN CONDITION 1.]1
THE DEPOSITARY HAS BEEN ADVISED BY RUSSIAN COUNSEL THAT COURTS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ARE NOT
REQUIRED TO RECOGNISE OR ENFORCE JUDGMENTS OBTAINED IN THE COURTS OF ENGLAND.
1 | Include if ADSs are issued in respect of new Shares. |
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ADSs in respect of [•] Shares
[CUSIP] No: [•]
[ISIN] No: [•]
[ISIN] No: [•]
JSC “RusHydro”
(Incorporated as an open joint stock company under
the laws of Russia)
(Incorporated as an open joint stock company under
the laws of Russia)
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT CERTIFICATE
in respect of registered ordinary shares
in the share capital of JSC “RusHydro”
in respect of registered ordinary shares
in the share capital of JSC “RusHydro”
each having a nominal value of RUB 1
(the “Shares”)
(the “Shares”)
THIS IS TO CERTIFY (1) that pursuant to a Deposit Agreement dated [•] 200[ ] (the “Deposit
Agreement”) between JSC “RusHydro” (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the
"Depositary”) there have been deposited with the Depositary, or with a custodian (the “Custodian”)
duly appointed by the Depositary, certificates which name the Depositary or its nominee or the
Custodian or its nominee as holder in respect of the Shares and (2) that [•] of [•]
(the “Holder”) is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register maintained by the Depositary as
holder of [•] American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) and is entitled, upon compliance with the
Conditions endorsed hereon (the “Conditions”) and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, to the
benefit of the Conditions and at the option of the Holder (a) to have the Depositary deliver at the
office of the Custodian in Moscow, Russia to a person specified by the Holder hereof (i)
appropriate documentation (including a certificate or certificates, if any) necessary to transfer
such number of Shares represented hereby to the Holder and (ii) any other Deposited Property, or
(b) to have such documentation and any other Deposited Property forwarded at the risk and expense
of the Holder, for delivery at the specified office of the Depositary or of such agent in each case
located in Russia or such other place as is permitted under applicable law from time to time. The
words “Deposited Property” shall mean such number of Shares represented hereby and all and any
rights, interests and other securities, property and cash for the time being held by the Custodian
or the Depositary or their respective agents and attributable to such number of Shares pursuant to
the Conditions and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, together with any right of the Depositary or
the Custodian to receive such shares or any such rights, interests and securities, property and
cash as aforesaid other than any right of the Depositary or the Custodian against any Pre-Releasee
to receive any Shares or ADSs pursuant to the contract governing the Pre-Release.
This American Depositary Receipt Certificate is evidence of entitlement only. Title to the ADSs
passes only upon due registration in the Register maintained by the Depositary and only the duly
registered holder is entitled to payments and other rights in respect of the ADSs. Holders and
owners of ADSs (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) are not parties to the Deposit Agreement and
thus, under English law, have no contractual rights against, or obligations to, the Company under
the Deposit Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company has entered into a Deed Poll
dated on or about [•] 200[ ] under which any Holder may enforce the relevant provisions of
the Deposit Agreement as if it were a party to the Deposit
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Agreement and was the “Depositary” in respect of that number of Shares to which the ADSs of which
he is a Holder relate if the Company fails to perform any obligation imposed upon it by the
relevant provisions of the Deposit Agreement which is material to the interests of the Holders (as
a class). The Depositary is under no duty to enforce any of the provisions of the Deposit
Agreement on behalf of any Holder or owner of ADSs.
Dated [•]
By: |
||
Authorised Signatory |
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
The following terms and conditions (subject to completion and amendment and excepting sentences in
italics) will apply to the American Depositary Shares, and will be endorsed on each American
Depositary Share:
The American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) represented by this certificate are each issued in respect
of 100 ordinary shares of par value RUB 1 each (the “Shares”) in JSC “RUSHYDRO” (the “Company”)
pursuant to and subject to an agreement dated [•] 200[ ], and made between the Company and
The Bank of New York Mellon in its capacity as depositary (the “Depositary”) for the “Facility”
(such agreement, as amended from time to time, being hereinafter referred to as the “Deposit
Agreement”). Pursuant to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary has appointed ING
Bank (Eurasia) ZAO as custodian (the “Custodian”) to receive and hold on its behalf any relevant
documentation respecting certain Shares (the “Deposited Shares”) and all rights, interests and
other securities, property and cash deposited with the Custodian which are attributable to the
Deposited Shares (together with the Deposited Shares, the “Deposited Property”). The Depositary
shall hold Deposited Property for the benefit of the Holders (as defined below) as bare trustee in
proportion to their holdings of ADSs. In these terms and conditions (the “Conditions”), references
to the “Depositary” are to The Bank of New York Mellon and/or any other depositary which may from
time to time be appointed under the Deposit Agreement, references to the “Custodian” are to ING
Bank (Eurasia) ZAO or any other custodian from time to time appointed under the Deposit Agreement
and references to the “Main Office” mean, in relation to the relevant Custodian, its head office in
the city of Moscow or such other location of the head office of the Custodian in Russia as may be
designated by the Custodian with the approval of the Depositary (if outside the city of Moscow) or
the head office of any other custodian from time to time appointed under the Deposit Agreement.
References in these Conditions to the “Holder” of any ADS shall mean the person or persons
registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose (the “Register”) as holder.
These Conditions include summaries of, and are subject to, the detailed provisions of the Deposit
Agreement, which includes the forms of the certificates in respect of the ADSs. Copies of the
Deposit Agreement are available for inspection at the specified office of the Depositary and each
Agent (as defined in Condition 17) and at the Main Office of the Custodian. Terms used in these
Conditions and not defined herein but which are defined in the Deposit Agreement have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Deposit Agreement. Holders of ADSs are not party to the Deposit Agreement
and thus, under English Law, have no contractual rights against, or obligations to, the Company or
Depositary. However, the Deed Poll executed by the Company in favour of the Holders provides that,
if the Company fails to perform the obligations imposed on it by certain specified provisions of
the Deposit Agreement, any Holder may enforce the relevant provisions of the Deposit Agreement as
if it were a party to the Deposit Agreement and was the “Depositary” in respect of that number of
Deposited Shares to which the ADSs of which he is the Holder relate. The Depositary is under no
duty to enforce any of the provisions of the Deposit Agreement on behalf of any Holder of an ADS or
any other person.
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1. | Withdrawal of Deposited Property and Further Issues of ADSs | |
1.1 | Subject to Condition 1.10, any Holder may request withdrawal of, and the Depositary shall thereupon relinquish, the Deposited Property attributable to any ADS upon production of such evidence of the entitlement of the Holder to the relative ADS as the Depositary may reasonably require, at the specified office of the Depositary or any Agent accompanied by: |
(i) | a duly executed order (in a form approved by the Depositary) requesting the Depositary to cause the Deposited Property being withdrawn to be delivered at the Main Office of the Custodian, or (at the request, risk and expense of the Holder, and only if permitted by applicable law from time to time) at the specified office located in New York, London or Russia of the Depositary or any Agent, or to the order in writing of, the person or persons designated in such order; | ||
(ii) | the payment of such fees, taxes, duties, charges and expenses as may be required under these Conditions or the Deposit Agreement; and | ||
(iii) | the surrender (if appropriate) of ADS certificates in definitive registered form properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by proper instruments of transfer satisfactory to the Depositary to which the Deposited Property being withdrawn is attributable. |
1.2 | Upon production of such documentation and the making of such payment as aforesaid for withdrawal of the Deposited Property in accordance with Condition 1.1, the Depositary will direct the Custodian, by tested telex, facsimile or SWIFT message, within a reasonable time after receiving such direction from such Holder, to deliver at its Main Office to, or to the order in writing of, the person or persons designated in the accompanying order: |
(i) | a certificate (if any) for, or other appropriate instrument of title (if any) to or evidence of a book- entry transfer in respect of the relevant Deposited Shares, registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and accompanied by such instruments of transfer in blank or to the person or persons specified in the order for withdrawal and such other documents, if any, as are required by law for the transfer thereof; and | ||
(ii) | all other property forming part of the Deposited Property attributable to such ADS, accompanied, if required by law, by one or more duly executed endorsements or instruments of transfer in respect thereof; provided however that the Depositary may make delivery at its specified office in New York of any Deposited Property which is in the form of cash; |
PROVIDED THAT the Depositary (at the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering
an ADS):
(a) | will direct the Custodian to deliver the certificates for, or other instruments of title to, or book-entry transfer in respect of, the relevant Deposited Shares and any document relative thereto and any other documents referred to in sub- |
- 33 -
paragraphs 1.2(i) and (ii) of this Condition (together with any other property forming part of the Deposited Property which may be held by the Custodian or its agent and is attributable to such Deposited Shares); and/or | |||
(b) | will deliver any other property forming part of the Deposited Property which may be held by the Depositary and is attributable to such ADS (accompanied, if required by law, by one or more duly executed endorsements or instruments of transfer in respect thereof); |
in each case to the specified office located in New York or London of the Depositary (if permitted by applicable law from time to time) or at the specified office in Russia of any Agent as designated by the surrendering Holder in the order accompanying such ADS. | ||
1.3 | Delivery by the Depositary, any Agent and the Custodian of all certificates, instruments, dividends or other property forming part of the Deposited Property as specified in this Condition will be made subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto. | |
1.4 | The Depositary may, in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement and upon delivery of a duly executed order (in a form reasonably approved by the Depositary) by or on behalf of any investor who is to become the beneficial owner of the ADSs from time to time execute and deliver further ADSs having the same terms and conditions as the ADSs which are then outstanding in all respects (or the same in all respects except for the first dividend payment on the Shares corresponding to such further ADSs) and, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall accept for deposit any further Shares in connection therewith, so that such further ADSs shall form a single series with the already outstanding ADSs. References in these Conditions to the ADSs include (unless the context requires otherwise) any further ADSs issued pursuant to this Condition and forming a single series with the already outstanding ADSs. | |
1.5 | Any further ADSs issued pursuant to Condition 1.4 which (i) represent Shares which have rights (whether dividend rights or otherwise) which are different from the rights attaching to, or a different state registration number from, the Shares represented by the outstanding ADSs, or (ii) are otherwise not fungible (or are to be treated as not fungible) with the outstanding ADSs, will be represented by an ADR certificate in definitive registered form or a separate temporary Master ADR. Upon becoming fungible with outstanding ADSs, such further ADSs shall be evidenced by the Master ADR (by increasing the total number of ADSs evidenced by the Master ADR by the number of such further ADSs). | |
1.6 | The Depositary may issue ADSs against rights to receive Shares from the Company (or any agent of the Company recording Share ownership). No such issue of ADSs will be deemed a “Pre-Release” as defined in Condition 1.7. | |
1.7 | Unless requested in writing by the Company to cease doing so, and notwithstanding the provisions of Condition 1.4, the Depositary may execute and deliver ADSs or issue interests in a Master ADR prior to the receipt of Shares (a “Pre-Release”). The Depositary may, pursuant to Condition 1.1, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of ADSs, which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such ADS has |
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been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom ADSs or Deposited Property are to be delivered (the “Pre-Releasee”) that such person, or its customer, (i) owns or represents the owner of the corresponding Deposited Property or ADSs to be remitted (as the case may be), (ii) assigns all beneficial right, title and interest in such Deposited Property or ADSs (as the case may be) to the Depositary in its capacity as such and for the benefit of the Holders, and (iii) will not take any action with respect to such ADSs or Deposited Property (as the case may be) that is inconsistent with the transfer of beneficial ownership (including without the consent of the Depositary, disposing of such Deposited Property or ADSs, as the case may be), other than in satisfaction of such Pre-Release, (b) at all times fully collateralised with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary determines in good faith will provide substantially similar liquidity and security, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days’ notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of ADSs which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Release will not normally represent more than 30 per cent. of the total number of ADSs then outstanding; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate and may, with the prior written consent of the Company, change such limits for the purpose of general application. The Depositary will also set dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions hereunder, with any particular Pre-Releasee, on a case by case basis as the Depositary deems reasonably appropriate. The collateral referred to in sub-paragraph (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee’s obligations in connection herewith, including the Pre-Releasee’s obligation to deliver Shares and/or other securities or ADSs upon termination of a transaction anticipated hereunder (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Property hereunder). | ||
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing including, without limitation, earnings on the collateral. | ||
1.8 | Every Holder depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement and pursuant to these Conditions shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor, if applicable, are validly issued, fully paid, non-assessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares and that the person making such deposit is duly authorised to do so. Each such Holder shall also be deemed to represent that the Shares being deposited are not, and the ADSs representing those Shares would not be, Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and delivery of ADSs. | |
1.9 | Notwithstanding anything in the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions to the contrary, any ADSs issued in respect of any new Shares issued by the Company shall be issued on a provisional basis represented by a temporary Master ADR until, the Depositary has received written notice from the Company that a Placement Report (Notification) in relation to such Shares has been registered or filed, as the case may be, with the FSFM, at which time the relevant temporary ADSs shall be automatically exchanged for ADSs represented by an existing Master ADR. Prior to receiving written notice from the |
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Company as required by this Condition, notwithstanding any other terms of the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions, where new Shares are deposited into a temporary Facility subject to this Condition: (i) the Depositary shall not permit such Shares to be withdrawn from the temporary Facility, or vote or cause to be voted any of such Shares; and (ii) Holders shall not be entitled to give any voting instructions in respect of such Shares. | ||
1.10 | Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Deposit Agreement or the Conditions, the Depositary may, with (to the extent reasonably practicable) prior notice to the Company and the Holders, cancel a number of the ADSs then outstanding, sell (either by public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion, subject to all applicable laws and regulations) the Deposited Property formerly represented by such ADSs and distribute the net proceeds of such sale as a cash distribution pursuant to Condition 4 to the Holders entitled thereto, and thereby reduce the Depositary’s holdings of any class of Deposited Property below an amount that the Depositary determines to be necessary or advisable, if (i) the Depositary or its agent receives any notice from any Russian governmental or regulatory authority that the existence or operation of a Facility or the holding by the Depositary (or its Custodian or any of their respective nominees) of the Deposited Property violates any Russian law or regulation, or that the Depositary (or its Custodian or any of their respective nominees) is required to make any filing or obtain any consent, approval or license to operate that Facility or to own or exercise any rights with respect to the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property (other than such filings, consents, approvals or licences which the Depositary in its reasonable discretion considers to be of a routine administrative nature required in the ordinary course of business) or (ii) the Depositary or the Custodian receives advice from Russian counsel (including Russian counsel to the Company) that the Depositary (or the Custodian or any of their respective nominees) reasonably could be subject to criminal or civil liabilities or in breach of Russian law as a result of the existence or operation of the Facility or the holding or exercise by the Depositary (or the Custodian or any of their respective nominees) of any rights with respect to the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property. If the Depositary cancels ADSs and sells Deposited Property under the preceding sentence, the Depositary shall allocate the cancelled ADSs converted under the preceding sentence and the net proceeds of the sale of the number of Deposited Property previously represented thereby, among the Holders pro-rata to their respective holdings of ADSs immediately prior to the cancellation, except that the allocations may be adjusted by the Depositary, in its sole discretion, so that no fraction of a cancelled ADS is allocated to any Holder. Any payment pursuant to this Clause in connection with ADSs represented by a Master ADR shall be made according to the usual practice between the Depositary and the relevant settlement system. Any payment pursuant to this Clause in connection with a ADS in definitive registered form shall be made to the relevant Holder only after surrender to the Depositary of the ADS certificate by such Holder for cancellation of the relevant number of ADSs. | |
2. | Suspension of Issue of ADSs and of Withdrawal of Deposited Property | |
The Depositary shall be entitled, at its reasonable discretion, at such times as it shall determine, to suspend the issue or transfer of ADSs (and the deposit of Shares) generally or in respect of particular Shares. In particular, to the extent that it is in its opinion |
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practicable for it to do so, the Depositary will refuse to accept Shares for deposit, to execute and deliver ADSs or to register transfers of ADSs if it has been notified by the Company in writing that the Deposited Shares or ADSs or any depositary receipts corresponding to Shares are listed on a U.S. Securities Exchange unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any such Shares are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A. Further, the Depositary may suspend the withdrawal of Deposited Property due to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders’ meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADSs or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Property. The Depositary shall (unless otherwise notified by the Company) restrict the withdrawal of Deposited Shares where the Company notifies the Depositary in writing that such withdrawal would result in ownership of Shares exceeding any limit under any applicable law, government resolution or the Company’s constitutive documents or would otherwise violate any applicable laws. |
3. | Transfer and Ownership | |
3.1 | The ADSs are in registered form, each corresponding to 100 Shares. Title to the ADSs passes by registration in the Register and accordingly, transfer of title to an ADS is effective only upon such registration. The Depositary will refuse to accept for transfer any ADSs if it reasonably believes that such transfer would result in violation of any applicable laws. The Holder of any ADS will (except as otherwise required by law) be treated by the Depositary and the Company as its beneficial owner for all purposes (whether or not any payment or other distribution in respect of such ADS is overdue and regardless of any notice of ownership, trust or any interest in it or any writing on, or theft or loss of any certificate issued in respect of it) and no person will be liable for so treating the Holder. | |
3.2 | Notwithstanding the provisions of Condition 3.1 to the contrary, the Holder and the Depositary acknowledge that the DRS and Profile System shall apply to uncertificated ADSs upon acceptance thereof to DRS by DTC. | |
3.3 | In accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS and Profile System, the Holder acknowledges that the Depositary will not, and will be under no obligation to, verify, determine or otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming to be acting on behalf of a Holder in requesting a registration of transfer and delivery (as describe above) has the actual authority to act on behalf of the Holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code from time to time in effect in the State of New York). Without limiting the generality thereof, the provisions of Condition 14 shall apply equally to matters arising from the use of the DRS, and the Holder agrees that the Depositary’s reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the Depositary through the DRS and Profile Systems, in accordance with this Deposit Agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the party of the Depositary. |
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4. | Cash Distributions | |
Whenever the Depositary shall receive from the Company any cash dividend or other cash distribution on or in respect of the Deposited Shares (including any amounts received in the liquidation of the Company) or otherwise in connection with the Deposited Property, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable, convert the same into United States dollars in accordance with Condition 8. The Depositary shall give notice to the Holders of its receipt of such payment in accordance with Condition 22, specifying the amount per Deposited Share payable in respect of such dividend or distribution and the earliest date, determined by the Depositary, for transmission of such payment to Holders and shall as soon as practicable distribute any such amounts to the Holders in proportion to the number of Deposited Shares corresponding to the ADSs so held by them respectively, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Conditions 9 and 11; PROVIDED THAT:- |
(a) | in the event that the Depositary is aware that any Deposited Shares are not entitled, by reason of the date of issue or transfer or otherwise, to such full proportionate amount, the amount so distributed to the relative Holders shall be adjusted accordingly; and | ||
(b) | the Depositary will distribute only such amounts of cash dividends and other distributions as may be distributed without attributing to any ADS a fraction of the lowest integral unit of currency in which the distribution is made by the Depositary, and any balance remaining shall be retained by the Depositary beneficially as an additional fee under Condition 16.1(iv). |
5. | Distributions of Shares | |
Whenever the Depositary shall receive from the Company any distribution in respect of Deposited Shares which consists of a dividend or free distribution of Shares, the Depositary shall cause to be distributed to the Holders entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of Deposited Shares corresponding to the ADSs held by them respectively, additional ADSs corresponding to an aggregate number of Shares received pursuant to such distribution. Such additional ADSs shall be distributed by an increase in the number of ADSs corresponding to the Master ADR or by an issue of certificates in definitive registered form in respect of ADSs, according to the manner in which the Holders hold their ADSs; PROVIDED THAT, if and in so far as the Depositary deems any such distribution to all or any Holders not to be reasonably practicable (including, without limitation, due to the fractions which would otherwise result or to any requirement that the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges) or to be unlawful, the Depositary shall (either by public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion, subject to all applicable laws and regulations) sell such Shares so received and distribute the net proceeds of such sale as a cash distribution pursuant to Condition 4 to the Holders entitled thereto. | ||
6. | Distributions other than in Cash or Shares | |
Whenever the Depositary shall receive from the Company any dividend or distribution in securities (other than Shares) or in other property (other than cash) on or in respect of the Deposited Property, the Depositary shall distribute or cause to be distributed such securities or other property to the Holders entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of |
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Deposited Shares corresponding to the ADSs held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for effecting such distribution; PROVIDED THAT, if and in so far as the Depositary deems any such distribution to all or any Holders not to be reasonably practicable (including, without limitation, due to the fractions which would otherwise result or to any requirement that the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges) or to be unlawful, the Depositary shall deal with the securities or property so received, or any part thereof, in such way as the Depositary may determine to be equitable and practicable, including, without limitation, by way of sale (either by public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion, subject to all applicable laws and regulations) and shall (in the case of a sale) distribute the resulting net proceeds as a cash distribution pursuant to Condition 4 to the Holders entitled thereto. | ||
7. | Rights Issues | |
If and whenever the Company announces its intention to make any offer or invitation to the holders of Shares to subscribe for or to acquire Shares, securities or other assets by way of rights, the Depositary shall as soon as practicable give notice to the Holders, in accordance with Condition 22, of such offer or invitation, specifying, if applicable, the earliest date established for acceptance thereof, the last date established for acceptance thereof and the manner by which and time during which Holders may request the Depositary to exercise such rights as provided below or, if such be the case, specifying details of how the Depositary proposes to distribute the rights or the proceeds of any sale thereof. The Depositary will deal with such rights in the manner described below:- |
(i) | if and to the extent that the Depositary shall, at its discretion, deem it to be lawful and reasonably practicable, the Depositary shall make arrangements whereby the Holders may, upon payment of the subscription price in USD or Russian Roubles or other relevant currency together with such fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses as may be required under the Deposit Agreement and completion of such undertakings, declarations, certifications and other documents as the Depositary may reasonably require, request the Depositary to exercise such rights on their behalf with respect to the Deposited Shares and to distribute the Shares, securities or other assets so subscribed or acquired to the Holders entitled thereto by an increase in the numbers of ADSs corresponding to the Master ADR or an issue of certificates in definitive registered form in respect of ADSs, according to the manner in which the Holders hold their ADSs; or | ||
(ii) | if and to the extent that the Depositary shall at its discretion, deem it to be lawful and reasonably practicable, the Depositary will distribute such rights to the Holders entitled thereto in such manner as the Depositary may at its discretion determine; or | ||
(iii) | if and to the extent that the Depositary deems any such arrangement and distribution as is referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above to all or any Holders not to be lawful and reasonably practicable (including, without limitation, due to the fractions which would otherwise result or to any requirement that the |
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Company, the Custodian or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges) or to be unlawful, the Depositary (a) will, PROVIDED THAT Holders have not taken up rights through the Depositary as provided in (i) above, sell such rights (either by public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion subject to all applicable laws and regulations) or (b) may, if such rights are not transferable, in its discretion, arrange for such rights to be exercised and the resulting Shares or securities sold and, in each case, distribute the net proceeds of such sale as a cash distribution pursuant to Condition 4 to the Holders entitled thereto. |
(iv) |
(a) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Depositary offers rights pursuant to Condition 7(i) (the “Primary ADS Rights Offering”), if authorised by the Company to do so, the Depositary may, in its discretion, make arrangements whereby in addition to instructions given by a Holder to the Depositary to exercise rights on its behalf pursuant to Condition 7(i), such Holder is permitted to instruct the Depositary to subscribe on its behalf for additional rights which are not attributable to the Deposited Shares represented by such Holder’s ADSs (“Additional ADS Rights”) if at the date and time specified by the Depositary for the conclusion of the Primary ADS Rights Offering (the “Instruction Date”) instructions to exercise rights have not been received by the Depositary from the Holders in respect of all their initial entitlements. Any Holder’s instructions to subscribe for such Additional ADS Rights (“Additional ADS Rights Requests”) shall specify the maximum number of Additional ADS Rights that such Holder is prepared to accept (the “Maximum Additional Subscription”) and must be received by the Depositary by the Instruction Date. If by the Instruction Date any rights offered in the Primary ADS Rights Offering have not been subscribed by the Holders initially entitled thereto (“Unsubscribed Rights”), subject to Condition 7(iv)(c) and receipt of the relevant subscription price in US Dollars or Russian Roubles or other relevant currency, together with such fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses as it may deem necessary, the Depositary shall make arrangements for the allocation and distribution of Additional ADS Rights in accordance with Condition 7(iv)(b). | ||
(b) | Holders submitting Additional ADS Rights Requests shall be bound to accept the Maximum Additional Subscription specified in such Additional ADS Rights Request but the Depositary shall not be bound to arrange for a Holder to receive the Maximum Additional Subscription so specified but may make arrangements whereby the Unsubscribed Rights are allocated pro rata on the basis of the extent of the Maximum Additional Subscription specified in each Holder’s Additional ADS Rights Request. | ||
(c) | In order to proceed in the manner contemplated in this Condition 7(iv), the Depositary shall be entitled to receive such opinions from Russian counsel and US counsel as in its discretion it deems necessary which |
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opinions shall be in a form and provided by counsel satisfactory to the
Depositary and at the expense of the Company and may be requested in addition
to any other opinions and/or certifications which the Depositary shall be
entitled to receive under the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions. For
the avoidance of doubt, save as provided in these Conditions and the Deposit
Agreement, the Depositary shall have no liability to the Company or any
Holder in respect of its actions or omissions to act under this Condition
7(iv) and, in particular, the Depositary will not be regarded as being
negligent, acting in bad faith, or in wilful default if it elects not to make
the arrangements referred to in Condition 7(iv)(a).
The Company has agreed in the Deposit Agreement that it will, unless prohibited by applicable law or regulation, give its consent to, and if requested use all reasonable endeavours (subject to the next paragraph) to facilitate, any such distribution, sale or subscription (which, without limitation, shall not include any registration of such distribution, sale or subscription under the Securities Act) by the Depositary or the Holders, as the case may be, pursuant to Conditions 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 (including the obtaining of legal opinions from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary concerning such matters as the Depositary may reasonably specify). | ||
If the Company notifies the Depositary that registration is required in any jurisdiction under any applicable law of the rights, securities or other property to be distributed under Conditions 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 or the securities to which such rights relate in order for the Company to offer such rights or distribute such securities or other property to the Holders or owners of ADSs and to sell the securities corresponding to such rights, the Depositary will not offer such rights or distribute such securities or other property to the Holders or sell such securities unless and until the Company procures the receipt by the Depositary of an opinion from counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that a registration statement is in effect or that the offering and sale of such rights or securities to such Holders or owners of ADSs are exempt from registration under the provisions of such law. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall be liable to register such rights, securities or other property or the securities to which such rights relate and they shall not be liable for any losses, damages or expenses resulting from any failure to do so. | ||
If at the time of the offering of any rights, at its discretion, the Depositary shall be satisfied that it is not lawful or practicable (for reasons outside its control) to dispose of the rights in any manner provided in paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, the Depositary shall permit the rights to lapse. The Depositary will not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Holders or owners of ADSs in general or to any Holder or owner of an ADS or Holders or owners of ADSs in particular. | ||
8. | Conversion of Foreign Currency | |
Whenever the Depositary shall receive any currency other than United States dollars by way of dividend or other distribution or as the net proceeds from the sale of securities, other property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the currency so received |
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can in the judgement of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into United States dollars and distributed to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall as soon as practicable convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may reasonably determine, the currency so received into United States dollars. If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or licence of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to apply, or procure that an application be made, for such approval or licence, if any, as it may deem desirable. If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgement any currency other than United States dollars is not convertible on a reasonable basis into United States dollars and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, or if any approval or licence of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or, in the opinion of the Depositary, is not obtainable, or if any such approval or licence is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute such other currency received by it (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such other currency) to the Holders entitled thereto to the extent permitted under applicable law, or the Depositary may in its discretion hold such other currency for the benefit of the Holders entitled thereto. If any conversion of any such currency can be effected in whole or in part for distribution to some (but not all) Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary may at its discretion make such conversion and distribution in United States dollars to the extent possible to the Holders entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of such other currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance for the account of, the Holders entitled thereto, and notify the Holders accordingly. |
9. | Distribution of any Payments | |
9.1 | Any distribution of cash under Conditions 4, 5, 6, 7 or 10 will be made by the Depositary to Holders on the record date established by the Depositary for that purpose (such date to be as close to the record date set by the Company for holders of Shares as is reasonably practicable) and, if practicable in the opinion of the Depositary, notice shall be given promptly to Holders in accordance with Condition 22, in each case subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and (subject to the provisions of Condition 8) distributions will be made in United States dollars by cheque drawn upon a bank in New York City or, in the case of the Master ADR, according to usual practice between the Depositary and DTC, as the case may be. The Depositary or the Agent, as the case may be, may deduct and retain from all moneys due in respect of such ADS in accordance with the Deposit Agreement all fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses which may become or have become payable under the Deposit Agreement or under applicable law or regulation in respect of such ADS or the relative Deposited Property. | |
9.2 | Delivery of any securities or other property or rights other than cash shall be made as soon as practicable to the Holders on the record date established by the Depositary for that purpose (such date to be as close to the record date set by the Company for holders of Shares as is reasonably practicable), subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the U.S. Securities Xxx 0000, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in order to be distributed to Holders) and, if reasonably requested |
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in writing by the Depositary, the Company shall promptly furnish to the Depositary a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating whether or not such distribution requires, or, if made in the United States, would require, registration under the Securities Act. If any distribution made by the Company with respect to the Deposited Property and received by the Depositary shall remain unclaimed at the end of three years from the first date upon which such distribution is made available to Holders in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, all rights of the Holders to such distribution or the proceeds of the sale thereof shall be extinguished and the Depositary shall (except for any distribution upon the liquidation of the Company when the Depositary shall retain the same) return the same to the Company for its own use and benefit subject, in all cases, to the provisions of applicable law or regulation. | ||
10. | Capital Reorganisation | |
Upon any change in the nominal or par value, sub-division, consolidation or other reclassification of Deposited Shares or any other part of the Deposited Property or upon any reduction of capital, or upon any reorganisation, merger or consolidation of the Company or to which it is a party (except where the Company is the continuing corporation), the Depositary shall as soon as practicable give notice of such event to the Holders and at its discretion may treat such event as a distribution and comply with the relevant provisions of Conditions 4, 5, 6 and 9 with respect thereto, or may execute and deliver additional ADSs in respect of Shares or may require the exchange of existing ADSs for new ADSs which reflect the effect of such change. | ||
11. | Withholding Taxes and Applicable Laws | |
11.1 | Payments to Holders of dividends or other distributions on or in respect of the Deposited Shares will be subject to deduction of Russian and other withholding taxes, if any, at the applicable rates. | |
11.2 | If any governmental or administrative authorisation, consent, registration or permit or any report to any governmental or administrative authority is required under any applicable law in Russia in order for the Depositary to receive from the Company Shares or other securities to be deposited under these Conditions, or in order for Shares, other securities or other property to be distributed under Conditions 4, 5, 6 or 10 or to be subscribed under Condition 7 or to offer any rights or sell any securities represented by such rights relevant to any Deposited Shares, the Company has agreed, to the extent reasonably practicable, to apply for such authorisation, consent, registration or permit or file such report itself or on behalf of the Holders within the time required under such laws. In this connection, the Company has undertaken in the Deposit Agreement to the extent reasonably practicable to take such action as may be required in obtaining or filing the same. The Depositary shall not be obliged to distribute ADSs representing such Shares, Shares, other securities or other property to be deposited under these Conditions or make any offer of any such rights or sell any securities corresponding to any such rights with respect to which (as notified to the Depositary by the Company) such authorisation, consent, registration or permit or such report has not been obtained or filed, as the case may be, and shall have no duties to obtain any such authorisation, |
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consent, registration or permit, or to file any such report. The Depositary shall, where assistance is reasonably requested by the Company, assist the Company, at the Company’s expense, to obtain any authorisation, consent, registration or permit, or to file any report to a governmental or administrative authority, required to be obtained or filed by the Company pursuant to this clause, provided that the Depositary shall in no circumstances take any action pursuant to this clause which is in conflict with market practice or is in a capacity other than its capacity as Depositary. | ||
12. | Voting Rights | |
12.1 | Subject to Condition 1.10, Holders will have the right to instruct the Depositary with regard to the exercise of voting rights with respect to the Deposited Shares subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Condition 12 and Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement. The Company has agreed to notify the Depositary of any resolution to be proposed at a General Meeting of the Company and the Depositary will vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Shares in the manner set out in this Condition 12 and Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement. | |
The Company agrees with the Depositary that it will promptly provide to the Depositary sufficient copies (but not more than 10 copies), as the Depositary may reasonably request, of notices of meetings of the shareholders of the Company and the agenda therefore as well as written requests containing voting instructions by which each Holder may give instructions to the Depositary to vote for or against, or abstain from voting on, each and any resolution specified in the agenda for the meeting. Based on the notices, agenda and requests provided by the Company, which the Depositary shall prepare and send corresponding notices to any person who is a Holder on the record date established by the Depositary for that purpose (which shall be the same as the corresponding record date set by the Company or the holders of Shares or as near as practicable thereto) as soon as practicable after receipt of the same by the Depositary in accordance with Condition 22. The Company has also agreed to provide to the Depositary appropriate proxy forms to enable the Depositary to procure the appointment of a representative to attend the relevant meeting and vote on behalf of the registered owner of the Deposited Shares. | ||
12.2 | In order for each voting instruction to be valid, the voting instructions form must be completed and duly signed by the respective Holder in accordance with the written request containing voting instructions and returned to the Depositary by such record date as the Depositary may specify. | |
12.3 | The Depositary will exercise or cause to be exercised the voting rights in respect of the Deposited Shares so that a portion of the Deposited Shares will be voted for and a portion of the Deposited Shares will be voted against any resolution specified in the agenda for the relevant meeting in accordance with the voting instructions it has received from Holders. | |
12.4 | If the Depositary is advised in the opinion referred to in Condition 12.7 below that it is not permitted by Russian law to exercise the voting rights in respect of the Deposited Shares differently (so that a portion of the Deposited Shares may be voted for a resolution and a portion of the Deposited Shares may be voted against a resolution) the |
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Depositary shall, if the opinion requested under Condition 12.7 below confirms it to be permissible under Russian law, calculate from the voting instructions that it has received from all Holders (x) the aggregate number of votes in favour of a particular resolution and (y) the aggregate number of votes opposed to such resolution and cast or cause to be cast in favour of or opposed to such resolution the number of votes representing the net positive difference between such aggregate number of votes in favour of such resolution and such aggregate number of votes opposed to such resolution. |
12.5 | The Depositary will only endeavour to vote or cause to be voted the votes attaching to Deposited Shares in respect of which voting instructions have been received. If no voting instructions are received by the Depositary from a Holder (either because no voting instructions are returned to the Depositary by such Holder or because the voting instructions are incomplete, illegible or unclear) with respect to any or all of the Deposited Shares represented by such Holder’s ADSs on or before the record date specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall have no obligation to, and shall not, exercise any voting rights attaching to such Deposited Shares. | |
12.6 | If the Depositary is advised in the opinion referred to in Condition 12.7 below that it is not permissible under Russian law or the Depositary determines that it is not possible to vote or cause to be voted such Deposited Shares in accordance with Conditions 12.3, 12.4 or 12.5 the Depositary shall not vote or cause to be voted such Deposited Shares. | |
12.7 | Where the Depositary is to vote in respect of any resolution in the manner described in Conditions 12.3, 12.4 or 12.5 above the Depositary shall appoint the Custodian or any other person designated by the Depositary as a representative of the registered owner of the Deposited Shares to attend such meeting and vote the Deposited Shares in the manner required by this Condition 12. The Depositary shall not be required to take any action required by this Condition 12 if (i) it reasonably requests, within a reasonable time of receipt by it of a notice of any meeting from the Company, that the Company procures that the Depositary receives an opinion from the Company’s legal counsel (such counsel being reasonably acceptable to the Depositary) at the expense of the Company to the effect that votes cast under the voting arrangements contemplated in this Condition 12 and Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement are valid and binding on the Company under Russian law and the statutes of the Company and that the Depositary is permitted under Russian law to exercise votes in accordance with the provisions of this Condition 12 but that in doing so the Depositary will not be deemed to be exercising voting discretion and (ii) it has not received that opinion. | |
12.8 | By continuing to hold ADSs, all Holders shall be deemed to have agreed to the provisions of this Condition 12 and Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement as each may be amended from time to time in order to comply with applicable Russian law. | |
12.9 | The Depositary shall not, and the Depositary shall ensure the Custodian and its nominees do not, vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Deposited Shares, other than in accordance with instructions given in accordance with this Condition 12. | |
12.10 | Notwithstanding any other term of this Condition 12 or Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement, prior to the Depositary being notified in writing by the Company that a Placement Report (Notification) in respect of new Shares deposited into a Facility has |
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been registered, or filed as the case may be, with the FSFM, the Depositary shall have no obligation to take any action pursuant to this Condition 12 or Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement to procure the exercise of votes arising in relation to such Shares. |
13. | Recovery of Taxes, Duties and Other Charges, and Fees and Expenses due to the Depositary | |
The Depositary shall not be liable for any taxes, duties, charges, costs or expenses which may become payable in respect of the Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property or the ADSs, whether under any present or future fiscal or other laws or regulations, and such part thereof as is proportionate or referable to an ADS (the “Charges”) shall be payable by the Holder thereof to the Depositary at any time on request or may be deducted from any amount due or becoming due on such ADS in respect of any dividend or other distribution. In default thereof, the Depositary may sell (whether by way of public or private sale and otherwise at its discretion, subject to all applicable laws and regulations) for the account of the Holder an appropriate number of Deposited Shares or amount of other Deposited Property and will discharge out of the proceeds of such sale any Charges, and any fees or expenses due to the Depositary from the Holder pursuant to Condition 16, and subsequently pay any surplus to the Holder. Any request by the Depositary for the payment of Charges shall be made by giving notice pursuant to Condition 22. | ||
14. | Liability | |
14.1 | In acting hereunder the Depositary shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions and, other than holding the Deposited Property for the benefit of Holders as bare trustee, does not assume any relationship of trust for or with the Holders or owners of ADSs or any other person. | |
14.2 | Neither the Depositary, the Custodian, the Company, any Agent, nor any of their agents, officers, directors or employees shall incur any liability to any other of them or to any Holder or owner of an ADS or any other person with an interest in any ADSs if, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of Russia or any other country or of any relevant governmental authority, or by reason of the interpretation or application of any such present or future law or regulation or any change therein, or by reason of any other circumstances beyond their control, or in the case of the Depositary, the Custodian, any Agent or any of their agents, officers, directors or employees, by reason of any provision, present or future, of the constitutive documents of the Company, any of them shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from doing or performing any act or thing which the terms of the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions provide shall or may be done or performed; nor shall any of them incur any liability to any Holder or owner of ADSs or any other person with an interest in any ADSs by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any voting rights attached to the Deposited Shares or any of them or any other discretion or power provided for in the Deposit Agreement. Any such party may rely on, and shall be protected in acting upon, any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been duly |
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signed or presented (including a translation which is made by a translator believed by it to be competent or which appears to be authentic). | ||
14.3 | Neither the Depositary nor any Agent shall be liable (except for its own wilful default, negligence or bad faith or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees) to the Company or any Holder or owner of ADSs or any other person, by reason of having accepted as valid or not having rejected any certificate for Shares or ADSs or any signature on any transfer or instruction purporting to be such and subsequently found to be forged or not authentic or for its failure to perform any obligations under the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions. | |
14.4 | The Depositary and its agents may engage or be interested in any financial or other business transactions with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in relation to the Deposited Property (including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the conversion of any part of the Deposited Property from one currency to another), may at any time hold or be interested in ADSs for its own account, and shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual fees, commissions and other charges for business transacted and acts done by it as a bank, and not in the capacity of Depositary, in relation to matters arising under the Deposit Agreement (including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, charges on the conversion of any part of the Deposited Property from one currency to another and on any sales of property) without accounting to Holders or any other person for any profit arising therefrom. | |
14.5 | The Depositary shall endeavour to effect any such sale as is referred to or contemplated in Conditions 5, 6, 7, 10, 13 or 20 or any such conversion as is referred to in Condition 8 in accordance with the Depositary’s normal practices and procedures but shall have no liability (in the absence of its own wilful default, negligence or bad faith or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees) with respect to the terms of such sale or conversion or if such sale or conversion shall not be reasonably practicable. | |
14.6 | The Depositary shall not be required or obliged to monitor, supervise or enforce the observance and performance by the Company of its obligations under or in connection with the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions. | |
14.7 | The Depositary shall have no responsibility whatsoever to the Company, any Holders or any owner of ADSs or any other person as regards any deficiency which might arise because the Depositary is subject to any tax in respect of the Deposited Property or any part thereof or any income therefrom or any proceeds thereof. | |
14.8 | In connection with any proposed modification, waiver, authorisation or determination permitted by the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not, except as otherwise expressly provided in Condition 21, be obliged to have regard to the consequence thereof for the Holders or the owners of ADSs or any other person. | |
14.9 | Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions, the Depositary may refrain from doing anything which could or might, in its opinion, be contrary to any law of any jurisdiction or any directive or regulation of any agency or state or which would or might otherwise render it liable to any person and the Depositary |
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may do anything which is, in its opinion, necessary to comply with any such law, directive or regulation. |
14.10 | The Depositary may, in relation to the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions, act or take no action on the advice or opinion of, or any certificate or information obtained from, any reputable lawyer, valuer, accountant, banker, broker, securities company or other expert whether obtained by the Company, the Depositary or otherwise, and (subject to Condition 14.13 below) shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or liability occasioned by so acting or refraining from acting or relying on information from persons presenting Shares for deposit or ADSs for surrender or requesting transfers thereof. | |
14.11 | Any such advice, opinion, certificate or information (as discussed in Condition 14.10 above) may be sent or obtained by letter, telex, facsimile transmission, telegram or cable and (subject to Condition 14.13 below) the Depositary shall not be liable for acting on any advice, opinion, certificate or information purported to be conveyed by any such letter, telex or facsimile transmission although (without the Depositary’s knowledge) the same shall contain some error or shall not be authentic. | |
14.12 | The Depositary may call for and shall be at liberty to accept as sufficient evidence of any fact or matter or the expediency of any transaction or thing, a certificate, letter or other communication, whether oral or written, signed or otherwise communicated on behalf of the Company by a chief executive officer of the Company (or person of similar position) or by a person duly authorised by a chief executive officer of the Company (or person of similar position) or such other certificate from persons specified in Condition 14.10 above which the Depositary considers appropriate and the Depositary shall not be bound in any such case to call for further evidence or be responsible for any loss or liability that may be occasioned by the Depositary acting on such certificate. | |
14.13 | The Depositary shall have no obligation under the Deposit Agreement except to perform its obligations as are specifically set out therein without wilful default, negligence or bad faith. | |
14.14 | The Depositary may delegate by power of attorney or otherwise to any person or persons or fluctuating body of persons, whether being a joint Depositary of the Deposit Agreement or not and not being a person to whom the Company may reasonably object, all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in the Depositary by the Deposit Agreement and such delegation may be made upon such terms and subject to such conditions, including power to sub-delegate and subject to such regulations as the Depositary may in the interests of the Holders think fit, provided that no objection from the Company to any such delegation as aforesaid may be made to a person whose financial statements are consolidated with those of the Depositary’s ultimate holding company. Any delegation by the Depositary shall be on the basis that the Depositary is acting on behalf of the Holders and the Company in making such delegation. The Company shall not in any circumstances and the Depositary shall not (provided that it shall have exercised reasonable care in the selection of such delegate) be bound to supervise the proceedings or be in any way responsible for any loss, liability, cost, claim, action, demand or expense incurred by reason of any misconduct or default on the part of any such delegate or sub-delegate. However, the Depositary shall, if practicable and if |
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so requested by the Company, pursue (at the Company’s expense and subject to receipt by the Depositary of such indemnity and security for costs as the Depositary may reasonably require) any legal action it may have against such delegate or sub-delegate arising out of any such loss caused by reason of any such misconduct or default. The Depositary shall, within a reasonable time of any such delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof, give notice thereof to the Company. Any delegation under this Condition which includes the power to sub-delegate shall provide that the delegate shall, within a specified time of any sub-delegation or amendment, extension or termination thereof, give notice thereof to the Company and the Depositary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary shall provide a prior written notice of any such delegation, or sub-delegation or any renewal, extension or termination thereof, unless either (i) such delegation, sub-delegation, renewal, extension or termination is in the usual course of business of the Depositary; or (ii) such delegation, sub-delegation, renewal, extension or termination is to a subsidiary or affiliate of the Depositary. | ||
14.15 | The Depositary may, in the performance of its obligations hereunder, instead of acting personally, employ and pay an agent, whether a solicitor or other person, to transact or concur in transacting any business and do or concur in doing all acts required to be done by such party, including the receipt and payment of money. | |
14.16 | The Depositary shall be at liberty to hold or to deposit the Deposit Agreement and any deed or document relating thereto in any part of the world with any reputable banking company or companies (including itself) whose business includes undertaking the safe custody of deeds or documents or with any lawyer or firm of lawyers of good repute, and the Depositary shall not (in the case of deposit with itself, in the absence of its own negligence, wilful default, or bad faith or that of its agents, directors, officers or employees) be responsible for any losses, liability or expenses incurred in connection with any such deposit. | |
14.17 | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions, the Depositary shall not be liable in respect of any loss or damage which arises out of or in connection with its performance or non-performance or the exercise or attempted exercise of, or the failure to exercise any of, its powers or discretions under the Deposit Agreement except to the extent that such loss or damage arises from the wilful default, negligence or bad faith of the Depositary or that of its agents, officers, directors or employees. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, in no circumstances shall the Depositary have any liability for any act or omission of any securities depository, clearing agency or settlement system in connection with or arising out of book-entry settlement of Deposited Shares or otherwise. | |
14.18 | No provision of the Deposit Agreement or these Conditions shall require the Depositary to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity and security against such risk of liability is not assured to it. | |
14.19 | For the avoidance of doubt, the Depositary shall be under no obligation to check, monitor or enforce compliance with any ownership restrictions in respect of ADSs or |
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Shares under any applicable Russian law as the same may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding the generality of Condition 3, the Depositary shall refuse to register any transfer of ADSs or any deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs if notified by the Company, or the Depositary becomes aware of the fact, that such transfer or issuance would result in a violation of the limitations set forth above. |
14.20 | Notwithstanding any provision of the Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary is authorised to destroy such documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of the Deposit Agreement and at such times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary, provided that the Company does not (i) request the Depositary to retain such documentation for such further period of time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, (ii) direct the Depositary to return all such documentation to the Company or, (iii) direct the Depositary to ensure delivery or transmission of such documentation to a successor depositary appointed in accordance with the terms of Clause 11 of the Deposit Agreement. | |
14.21 | No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement. | |
15. | Issue and Delivery of Replacement ADSs and Exchange of ADSs | |
Subject to the payment of the relevant fees, taxes, duties, charges, costs and expenses and such terms as to evidence and indemnity as the Depositary may require, replacement ADSs will be issued by the Depositary and will be delivered in exchange for or replacement of outstanding lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed ADSs upon surrender thereof (except in the case of the destruction, loss or theft) at the specified office of the Depositary or (at the request, risk and expense of the Holder) at the specified office of any Agent. | ||
16. | Depositary’s Fees, Costs and Expenses | |
16.1 | The Depositary shall be entitled to charge the following remuneration and receive the following remuneration and reimbursement (such remuneration and reimbursement being payable on demand) from the Holders in respect of its services under the Deposit Agreement: |
(i) | for the issue of ADSs or the cancellation of ADSs upon the withdrawal of Deposited Property: U.S.$5.00 or less per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued or cancelled; | ||
(ii) | for issuing ADS certificates in definitive registered form in replacement for mutilated, defaced, lost, stolen or destroyed ADS certificates: a sum per ADS certificate which is determined by the Depositary to be a reasonable charge to reflect the work, costs and expenses involved; | ||
(iii) | for issuing ADS certificates in definitive registered form (other than pursuant to (ii) above): the greater of U.S.$1.50 per ADS certificate (plus printing costs) or such other sum per ADS certificate which is determined by the Depositary to be a reasonable charge to reflect the work plus costs (including but not limited to printing costs) and expenses involved; |
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(iv) | for receiving and paying any cash dividend or other cash distribution on or in respect of the Deposited Shares: a fee of U.S.$0.02 or less per ADS for each such dividend or distribution; | ||
(v) | in respect of any issue of rights or distribution of Shares (whether or not evidenced by ADSs) or other securities or other property (other than cash) upon exercise of any rights, any free distribution, stock dividend or other distribution: U.S.$5.00 or less per 100 outstanding ADSs (or portion thereof) for each such issue of rights, dividend or distribution; | ||
(vi) | a fee of U.S.$0.02 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) per calendar year for depositary services which shall be payable as provided in paragraph (viii) below, provided however that this fee may be increased to U.S.$0.04 or less per ADS (or portion thereof) if no cash dividend was paid by the Company on Deposited Shares in that calendar year; | ||
(vii) | for any inspections by the Depositary (or the Custodian or their respective agents) of the register of shareholders of the Company: a fee of U.S.$0.01 per ADS per annum, which shall be payable as provided in paragraph (viii) below; and | ||
(viii) | any other charge payable by the Depositary, any of the Depositary’s agents, including the Custodian, or the agents of the Depositary’s agents, in connection with the servicing of Deposited Shares or other Deposited Property (which charge shall be assessed against Holders as of the date or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders for such charge or deducting such charge from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions), |
together with all expenses (including currency conversion expenses), transfer and registration fees, taxes, duties and charges payable by the Depositary, any Agent or the Custodian, or any of their agents, in connection with any of the above. | ||
16.2 | The Depositary is entitled to receive from the Company the fees, taxes, duties, charges costs and expenses as specified in a separate agreement between the Company and the Depositary. | |
17. | Agents | |
17.1 | The Depositary shall be entitled to appoint one or more agents (the “Agents”) for the purpose, inter alia, of making distributions to the Holders. | |
17.2 | Notice of appointment or removal of any Agent or of any change in the specified office of the Depositary or any Agent will be duly given by the Depositary to the Holders. | |
18. | The Custodian | |
The Depositary has agreed with the Custodian that the Custodian will receive and hold (or appoint agents approved by the Depositary to receive and hold) all Deposited Property for the account and to the order of the Depositary in accordance with the |
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applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement which include a requirement to segregate the Deposited Property from the other property of, or held by, the Custodian PROVIDED THAT the Custodian shall not be obliged to segregate cash comprised in the Deposited Property from cash otherwise held by the Custodian. The Custodian shall be responsible solely to the Depositary PROVIDED THAT, if and so long as the Depositary and the Custodian are the same legal entity, references to them separately in these Conditions and the Deposit Agreement are for convenience only and that legal entity shall be responsible for discharging both functions directly to the Holders and the Company. The Custodian may resign or be removed by the Depositary by giving prior notice, except that if a replacement Custodian is appointed which is a branch or affiliate of the Depositary, the Custodian’s resignation or discharge may take effect immediately on the appointment of such replacement Custodian. Upon the removal of or receiving notice of the resignation of the Custodian, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a successor Custodian (approved (i) by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (ii) by the relevant authority in Russia, if any), which shall, upon acceptance of such appointment, and the expiry of any applicable notice period, become the Custodian. The Depositary in its discretion (and with the approval (i) by the Company, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and (ii) by the relevant authority in Russia, if any) may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians which shall, upon acceptance of such appointment, become the Custodian under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall notify Holders, immediately upon such change taking effect, of such change in accordance with Condition 22. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary may temporarily deposit the Deposited Property in a manner or a place other than as therein specified; PROVIDED THAT, in the case of such temporary deposit in another place, the Company shall have consented to such deposit, and such consent of the Company shall have been delivered to the Custodian. In case of transportation of the Deposited Property under this Condition, the Depositary shall obtain appropriate insurance at the expense of the Company if and to the extent that the obtaining of such insurance is reasonably practicable and the premiums payable are of a reasonable amount. | ||
19. | Resignation and Termination of Appointment of the Depositary | |
19.1 | The Company may terminate the appointment of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by giving at least 120 days’ prior notice in writing to the Depositary and the Custodian, and the Depositary may resign as Depositary by giving at least 120 days’ prior notice in writing to the Company and the Custodian. Within 30 days after the giving of either such notice, notice thereof shall be duly given by the Depositary to the Holders in accordance with Condition 22. | |
The termination of the appointment or the resignation of the Depositary shall take effect on the date specified in such notice; PROVIDED THAT no such termination of appointment or resignation shall take effect until the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary under the Deposit Agreement and the acceptance of such appointment to act in accordance with the terms thereof and of these Conditions, by the successor depositary. The Company has undertaken in the Deposit Agreement to use its reasonable endeavours to procure the appointment of a successor depositary with effect from the date of termination specified in such notice as soon as reasonably possible |
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following notice of such termination or resignation. Upon any such appointment and acceptance, notice thereof shall be duly given by the Depositary to the Holders in accordance with Condition 22. |
19.2 | Upon the termination of appointment or resignation of the Depositary and against payment of all fees and expenses due to the Depositary from the Company under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall deliver to its successor as depositary sufficient information and records to enable such successor efficiently to perform its obligations under the Deposit Agreement and shall deliver and pay to such successor depositary all property and cash held by it under the Deposit Agreement. The Deposit Agreement provides that, upon the date when such termination of appointment or resignation takes effect, the Custodian shall be deemed to be the Custodian thereunder for such successor depositary and shall hold the Deposited Property for such successor depositary, and the Depositary shall thereafter have no obligation under the Deposit Agreement or the Conditions (other than liabilities accrued prior to the date of termination of appointment or resignation or any liabilities stipulated in relevant laws or regulations). | |
20. | Termination of Deposit Agreement | |
20.1 | Either the Company or the Depositary but, in the case of the Depositary, only if the Company has failed to appoint a replacement Depositary within 90 days of the date on which the Depositary has given notice pursuant to Condition 19 that it wishes to resign, may terminate the Deposit Agreement by giving 90 days’ prior notice to the other and to the Custodian. Within 30 days after the giving of such notice, notice of such termination shall be duly given by the Depositary to Holders of all ADSs then outstanding in accordance with Condition 22. If by the date on which the termination is due to take effect the Company has notified the Depositary that it has appointed a successor Depositary and such successor Depositary has accepted such appointment: (i) the Deposit Agreement shall not be terminated; (ii) Conditions 20.2 and 20.3 shall not apply; (iii) a notice of such appointment and acceptance of the successor Depositary shall be given by the Depositary to the Holders as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt by the Depositary of the notification from the Company; and (iv) the appointment of the Depositary shall terminate on the date which the Depositary notifies the Company to be the first date on which it is reasonably practicable for such appointment to terminate, and upon such termination the provisions of Condition 19.2 shall apply. | |
20.2 | During the period beginning on the date of the giving of such notice by the Depositary to the Holders and ending on the date on which such termination takes effect, each Holder shall be entitled to obtain delivery of the Deposited Property relative to each ADS held by it, subject to the provisions of Condition 1.1 and upon compliance with Condition 1, payment by the Holder of the charge specified in Condition 16.1(i) and Clause 10.1.1(a) of the Deposit Agreement for such delivery and surrender, and payment by the Holder of any sums payable by the Depositary and/or any other expenses incurred by the Depositary (together with all amounts which the Depositary is obliged to pay to the Custodian) in connection with such delivery and surrender, and otherwise in accordance with the Deposit Agreement. |
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20.3 | If any ADSs remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary shall as soon as reasonably practicable sell the Deposited Property then held by it under the Deposit Agreement and shall not register transfers, shall not pass on dividends or distributions or take any other action, except that it will deliver the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, pro rata to Holders of ADSs which have not previously been so surrendered by reference to that proportion of the Deposited Property which is represented by the ADSs of which they are the Holders. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions, except its obligation to account to Holders for such net proceeds of sale and other cash comprising the Deposited Property without interest. | |
21. | Amendment of Deposit Agreement and Conditions | |
All and any of the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions (other than this Condition 21) may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Notice of any amendment of these Conditions (except to correct a manifest error) shall be duly given to the Holders by the Depositary, and any amendment (except as aforesaid) which shall increase or impose fees payable by Holders or which shall otherwise, in the opinion of the Depositary, be materially prejudicial to the interests of the Holders (as a class) shall not become effective so as to impose any obligation on the Holders until the expiration of three months after such notice shall have been given. During such period of three months, each Holder shall be entitled to obtain, subject to and upon compliance with Condition 1, delivery of the Deposited Property relative to each ADS held by it upon surrender thereof, payment of the charge specified in Condition 16.1(i) for such delivery and surrender and otherwise in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and these Conditions. Each Holder at the time when such amendment so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold an ADS, to approve such amendment and to be bound by the terms thereof in so far as they affect the rights of the Holders. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of any Holder to receive, subject to and upon compliance with Condition 1, the Deposited Property attributable to the relevant ADS. | ||
For the purposes of this Condition 21, an amendment shall not be regarded as being materially prejudicial to the interests of Holders if its principal effect is to permit the creation of ADSs in respect of additional Shares to be held by the Depositary which are or will become fully consolidated as a single series with the other Deposited Shares PROVIDED THAT temporary ADSs will represent such Shares until they are so consolidated. | ||
22. | Notices | |
22.1 | Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be duly given if personally delivered, or sent by mail (if domestic, first class, if overseas, first class airmail) or air courier, or by telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter sent by mail or air courier, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for ADSs of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary |
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a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. |
22.2 | Delivery of a notice sent by mail or air courier shall be effective three days (in the case of domestic mail or air courier) or seven days (in the case of overseas mail) after despatch, and any notice sent by telex transmission, as provided in this Condition, shall be effective when the sender receives the answerback from the addressee at the end of the telex and any notice sent by facsimile transmission, as provided in this Condition, shall be effective when the intended recipient has confirmed by telephone to the transmitter thereof that the recipient has received such facsimile in complete and legible form. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any telex or facsimile transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed as aforesaid. | |
23. | Available Information | |
The Company has undertaken in the Deposit Agreement to publish information in English required to maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act on the Company’s Internet web site or through an electronic information delivery system generally available to the public in the Company’s primary trading market. The Company’s Internet web site address is xxx.xxxxxxxx.xx. | ||
24. | Copies of Company Notices | |
The Company has undertaken in the Deposit Agreement to transmit to the Custodian and the Depositary on or before the day when the Company first gives notice by mail, to holders of any Shares or other Deposited Property, whether in relation to the taking of any action in respect thereof or in respect of any dividend or other distribution thereon or of any meeting or adjourned meeting of such holders or otherwise, such number of copies of such notice and any other material (which contains information having a material bearing on the interests of the Holders) sent by mail to such holders by the Company (or such number of English translations of the originals if the originals were prepared in a language other than English) in connection therewith as the Depositary may reasonably request. If such notice is not furnished to the Depositary in English, either by the Company or the Custodian, the Depositary shall, at the Company’s expense, arrange for an English translation thereof (which may be in such summarised form as the Depositary may deem adequate to provide sufficient information) to be prepared. Except as provided below, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable after receiving notice of such transmission or (where appropriate) upon completion of translation thereof, give due notice to the Holders which notice may be given together with a notice pursuant to Condition 9.1, and shall make the same available to Holders in such manner as it may determine. | ||
25. | Moneys held by the Depositary | |
The Depositary shall be entitled to deal with moneys paid to it by the Company for the purposes of the Deposit Agreement in the same manner as other moneys paid to it as a banker by its customers and shall not be liable to account to the Company or any Holder |
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or any other person for any interest thereon, except as otherwise agreed and shall not be
obliged to segregate such moneys from other moneys belonging to the Depositary.
26. | Severability | |
If any one or more of the provisions contained in the Deposit Agreement or in these Conditions shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained therein or herein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or otherwise disturbed thereby. | ||
27. | Governing Law | |
27.1 | The Deposit Agreement, the Master ADR and the ADSs are governed by, and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with law of England and Wales. The rights and obligations attaching to the Deposited Shares will be governed by Russian law. The Company has also agreed in the Deposit Agreement, and the Deed Poll to finally resolve Disputes by arbitration under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration. | |
27.2 | Any dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with these Conditions, whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (a “Dispute”) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration and not litigation. In such case, the dispute shall be referred to arbitration under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (the “Rules”) which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Condition 27. Judgement upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. | |
27.3 | The Depositary and the Holders agree that: |
i. | The number of arbitrators shall be three. Two of the arbitrators shall be nominated by the Depositary, and the claiming Holders, respectively, in the Request for Arbitration and the Response, and the third, who shall be the Chairman of the tribunal, shall be nominated by the two nominated arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the last of their appointments. In the event of a failure to nominate an arbitrator by the Depositary or the relevant Holders or a failure to agree the Chairman of the tribunal, the London Court of International Arbitration shall, at the written request of the Depositary or the relevant Holders, make such appointments forthwith; | ||
ii. | The place of the arbitration shall be London, England; | ||
iii. | The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English; and | ||
iv. | The decision and award of the arbitration shall be final and binding from the day it is made. |
27.4 | If any Dispute raises issues which are substantially the same as or connected with issues raised in a Dispute which has already been referred to arbitration (an “Existing Dispute”), or arises out of substantially the same facts as are the subject of an Existing Dispute, or a dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with the |
- 56 -
Deposit Agreement or the Deed Poll, whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (in any such case a “Related Dispute”), the arbitrators appointed or to be appointed in respect of any such Existing Dispute shall also be appointed as the arbitrators in respect of any Related Dispute, save where the arbitrators consider that such appointment would be inappropriate. |
27.5 | Upon the request of one of the parties to a Dispute or Related Dispute or the Depositary or a Holder which itself wishes to be joined in any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to a Dispute or Related Dispute, the arbitrators may join any party to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to that Dispute or Related Dispute and may make a single, final award determining all Disputes or Related Disputes between them. Each of the Depositary and the Holders hereby consents to be joined to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to any dispute at the request of a party to that Dispute or Related Dispute, and to accept joinder of any party requesting to be joined under this Condition 27.5. | |
27.6 | Where, pursuant to the above provisions, the same arbitrators have been appointed in relation to an Existing Dispute and one or more Related Disputes, the arbitrators may, with the agreement of all the parties concerned or upon the application of one of the parties, being a party to each of the Disputes, order that the whole or part of the matters at issue shall be heard together upon such terms or conditions as the arbitrators think fit. The arbitrators shall have power to make such directions and any provisional, interim or partial awards as they consider just and desirable. | |
27.7 | Nothing in these dispute resolution provisions shall be construed as preventing either party from seeking conservatory or similar interim relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. | |
27.8 | Any award of the tribunal of arbitrators shall be binding from the day it is made, and the Depositary and the Holders agree to waive any right to appeal to any court of law, insofar as such waiver may be validly made. | |
27.9 | In the event that the Depositary is made a party to or is otherwise required to participate in any litigation, arbitration or proceeding (whether judicial or administrative) which arises from or is related to or is based upon any act or failure to act by the Company, or which contains allegations to such effect, upon notice from the Depositary, the Company has agreed to fully cooperate with the Depositary in connection with such litigation, arbitration or proceeding and shall not resist being joined to any such legal actions if the Depositary so requests. | |
27.10 | Without prejudice to the powers of the arbitrators provided in the Rules, statute or otherwise, the arbitrators shall have power at any time, following the written request (with reasons) of any party at any time, and after due consideration of any written and/or oral response(s) to such request made within such time periods as the arbitrators shall determine, to make an award in favour of the claimant(s) (or the respondent(s) if a counterclaim) in respect of any claims (or counterclaims), if it appears to the arbitrators that there is no reasonably arguable defence to those claims (or counterclaims), either at all or except as to the amount of any damages or other sum to be awarded. |
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27.11 | The parties agree that in no circumstances will they request the arbitrators to, and the arbitrators shall have no authority to, exercise any power to award damages which are not calculated by reference to the relevant party’s actual costs, or to award any loss of profit whatsoever or any consequential, special or punitive damages. | |
27.12 | The Deposit Agreement may be executed in the form of both an English language document and a document translated into Russian, but in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the terms or interpretation of the English language form and the Russian form, the terms and interpretation of the English language form shall prevail and shall be regarded as definitive. |
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DEPOSITARY
The Bank of New York Mellon
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx 00000
CUSTODIAN
ING Bank (Eurasia) XXX
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00
Xxxxxx 000000
The Russian Federation
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00
Xxxxxx 000000
The Russian Federation
and/or such other Depositary and/or such other Custodian or Custodians and/or such other or further
Agent or Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed or nominated
and notified to the Holders.
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SCHEDULE 2
Form of Master ADR
THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT CERTIFICATE, AGREES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF JSC “RUSHYDRO” AND THE DEPOSITARY NAMED
BELOW THAT THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT AT ANY TIME BE
OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED TO ANY PERSON LOCATED IN RUSSIA, RESIDENTS OF
RUSSIA, OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, SUCH PERSONS UNLESS AND TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE
PERMITTED UNDER RUSSIAN LAW.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE SHARES DEPOSITED HEREUNDER WILL BE REGISTERED ON THE SHARE REGISTER
MAINTAINED BY THE RUSSIAN SHARE REGISTRAR OF THE COMPANY IN THE NAME OF THE BANK OF NEW YORK AS
DEPOSITARY, OR ITS NOMINEE, OR OF THE CUSTODIAN, OR ITS NOMINEE. HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
SHOULD BE AWARE, HOWEVER, THAT RUSSIA’S SYSTEM OF SHARE REGISTRATION AND CUSTODY CREATES RISKS OF
LOSS THAT ARE NOT NORMALLY ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTMENTS IN OTHER SECURITIES MARKETS. THE DEPOSITARY
WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR THE UNAVAILABILITY OF DEPOSITED PROPERTY OR FOR THE FAILURE TO MAKE ANY
DISTRIBUTION OF CASH OR PROPERTY WITH RESPECT THERETO AS A RESULT OF SUCH UNAVAILABILITY.
[UNTIL THE RECEIPT BY THE DEPOSITARY OF WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE COMPANY CONFIRMING THE REGISTRATION
OR FILING, AS THE CASE MAY BE, OF A PLACEMENT REPORT (NOTIFICATION) WITH THE RUSSIAN FEDERAL
SERVICE FOR FINANCIAL MARKETS IN RESPECT OF NEWLY ISSUED SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY, SUCH NEWLY
ISSUED SHARES SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO A TEMPORARY FACILITY FOR TEMPORARY ADSS, AND HOLDERS’ RIGHTS
OF WITHDRAWAL AND VOTING SHALL BE LIMITED AS SET OUT IN CONDITION 1.]2
THE DEPOSITARY HAS BEEN ADVISED BY RUSSIAN COUNSEL THAT COURTS IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION ARE NOT
REQUIRED TO RECOGNISE OR ENFORCE JUDGMENTS OBTAINED IN THE COURTS OF ENGLAND.
Unless this American Depositary Receipt (“ADR”) is presented by an authorised representative of The
Depository Trust Company a New York Corporation (“DTC”), to the agent authorised by JSC “RUSHYDRO”,
a Russian joint stock company, for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any ADR
issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an
authorised representative of DTC (and any payment hereunder is made to Cede & Co. or to such other
entity as is requested by an authorised representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL in as much as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co. has an interest herein.
2 | Include if ADSs are issued in respect of new Shares. |
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PORTAL : [•]
CUSIP No: [•]
ISIN No: [•]
CUSIP No: [•]
ISIN No: [•]
JSC “RUSHYDRO”
(incorporated as an open joint stock company under the laws of Russia)
(incorporated as an open joint stock company under the laws of Russia)
MASTER AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
initially representing [•] registered ordinary shares
of JSC “RUSHYDRO”
each having a par value of RUB 1 (the “Shares”)
of JSC “RUSHYDRO”
each having a par value of RUB 1 (the “Shares”)
THIS IS TO CERTIFY (1) that pursuant to a Deposit Agreement dated [•] 200[•] (the “Deposit
Agreement”) between JSC “RUSHYDRO” (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon (the
"Depositary”) there have been deposited with the Depositary, or with a custodian (the “Custodian”)
duly appointed by the Depositary, certificates which name the Depositary or its nominee or the
Custodian or its nominee as holder in respect of the Deposited Shares and (2) that Cede & Co. of 00
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 (the “Holder”) is, at the date hereof, entered in the Register
maintained by the Depositary (the “Register”) as holder of the number of American Depositary Shares
(“ADSs”) shown from time to time in the Register and is entitled upon compliance with the
Conditions endorsed hereon (the “Conditions”) and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, to the
benefit of the Conditions and at the option of the Holder (a) to have the Depositary deliver at the
office of the Custodian in Moscow, Russia to a person specified by the Holder hereof (i)
appropriate documentation (including a certificate or certificates, if any) necessary to transfer
the Shares registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee to the Holder and (ii) any other
Deposited Property, or (b) to have such documentation and any other Deposited Property forwarded at
the risk and expense of the Holder, for delivery at the specified office of the Depositary or of
such agent located in Moscow, Russia or in such other place as from time to time permitted by
applicable law. The words “Deposited Property” shall mean such number of Shares represented hereby
and all and any rights, interests and other securities, property and cash for the time being held
by the Custodian or the Depositary or their respective agents and attributable to such number of
Shares pursuant to the terms of the Conditions and the Deposit Agreement, together with any right
of the Depositary or the Custodian to receive such Shares or any such rights, interests and
securities, property and cash as aforesaid other than any right of the Depositary or the Custodian
against any Pre-Releasee to receive any Shares, or ADSs pursuant to the contract governing the
Pre-Release. Capitalised terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given to them
in the Deposit Agreement.
Any increase or decrease in the number of ADSs represented hereby from that initially notified to
the Holder will promptly be notified to the Holder by the Depositary.
This Master ADR is evidence of entitlement only. Title to this Master ADR passes only upon due
registration in the Register and only the duly registered holder is entitled to payments in respect
thereof. All rights of the Holder of this Master ADR are expressly subject to the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement herein mentioned (pursuant to which this Master ADR is issued) and to the
Conditions endorsed hereon, all of which form a part of the contract
- 61 -
evidenced by this Master ADR and to all of which the Holder hereof assents by accepting this Master
ADR.
This Master ADR will only be exchanged for certificates in definitive registered form representing
ADSs in the circumstances described in (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) below in whole but not in part and
until exchanged in full is subject to the Conditions and the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary
hereby irrevocably undertakes to deliver certificates in definitive registered form in exchange for
this Master ADR to the relevant holder in the event that:
(i) | DTC or any successor to DTC advises the Company in writing at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 calendar days; or | ||
(ii) | DTC or any successor ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or | ||
(iii) | DTC is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of holiday, statutory or otherwise) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or does in fact do so and no alternative clearing system satisfactory to the Depositary is available within 45 days; or | ||
(iv) | the Depositary has determined that, on the occasion of the next payment in respect of the Master ADR, the Depositary or its agent would be required to make any deduction or withholding from any payment in respect of the Master ADR which would not be required were the ADS in definitive registered form, provided that the Depositary shall have no obligation to so determine or to attempt to so determine, |
within 60 days of the occurrence of the relevant event. Any such exchange shall be at the expense
of the relevant Holder.
Upon any exchange of this Master ADR for ADSs in definitive registered form, or any distribution of
ADSs pursuant to Conditions 5, 7, and 10 or any reduction in the number of ADSs represented hereby
following any withdrawal of Deposited Property pursuant to Condition 1 the relevant details will be
entered by the Depositary on the Register maintained by the Depositary (which shall be maintained
at all times outside the United Kingdom and Russia whereupon the number of ADSs represented by this
Master ADR will be reduced or increased (as the case may be) accordingly. If the number of ADSs
represented by this Master ADR is reduced to zero this Master ADR shall continue in existence until
the obligations of the Company under the Deposit Agreement and the obligations of the Depositary
pursuant to the Deposit Agreement and the Conditions have terminated.
Payments, Distributions and Voting Rights
Payments of cash dividends and other amounts (including cash distributions) in respect of the ADSs
represented by this Master ADR will be made by the Depositary through DTC on behalf of persons
entitled thereto upon receipt of funds therefor from the Company. Any free distribution or rights
issue of Shares to the Depositary on behalf of the Holders will result in the record of the
Depositary being adjusted to reflect the enlarged number of ADSs represented by this Master ADR.
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Holders of ADSs will have voting rights in respect of the underlying shares as set out in Condition
12 and Clause 5 of the Deposit Agreement. Voting rights will be exercised by the Depositary only
upon receipt of written instructions in accordance with the Conditions and the Deposit Agreement
and if permitted by law, which if the Depositary so reasonably requests, shall be subject to an
opinion being given by the Company’s legal counsel, such counsel being reasonably satisfactory to
the Depositary, that the Depositary can do so. In the absence of an opinion from legal counsel as
aforesaid, the Depositary shall not exercise any voting rights and shall have no liability to the
Company or any Holder for any action taken or not taken as the case may be.
Surrender of ADSs
Any requirement in the Conditions relating to the surrender of an ADS to the Depositary will be
satisfied by the production by DTC on behalf of a person entitled to an interest therein, of such
evidence of entitlement of such person as the Depositary may reasonably require, which is expected
to be a certificate or other documents issued by DTC. The delivery or production of any such
evidence shall be sufficient evidence, in favour of the Depositary, any Agent and the Custodian of
the title of such person to receive (or to issue instructions for the receipt of) all moneys or
other property payable or distributable in respect of the Deposited Property represented by such
ADSs.
Notices
For as long as this Master ADR is registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, notices to Holders
may be given by the Depositary by delivery of the relevant notice to DTC, for communication to
Holders in substitution for publications required by Condition 22.
Available Information
The Company has undertaken in the Deposit Agreement to publish information in English required to
maintain the exemption from registration under Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act on the
Company’s Internet web site or through an electronic information delivery system generally
available to the public in the Company’s primary trading market. The Company’s Internet web site
address is xxx.xxxxxxxx.xx.
This Master ADR shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.
Dated [•] 200[•]
Dated [•] 200[•]
By: |
||||
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
[as set out in Schedule 1]
[as set out in Schedule 1]
- 64 -
DEPOSITARY
The Bank of New York Mellon
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx 00000
CUSTODIAN
ING Bank (Eurasia) XXX
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00
Xxxxxx 000000
The Russian Federation
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx 00
Xxxxxx 000000
The Russian Federation
and/or such other Depositary and/or such other Custodian or Custodians and/or such other or further
Agent or Agents and/or specified offices as may from time to time be duly appointed or nominated
and notified to the Holders.
- 65 -
EXHIBIT A
Deed Poll
Deed Poll
THIS DEED POLL is made on [•] 200[ ] by JSC “RusHydro”, an open joint stock company
incorporated under the laws of Russia, (the “Company”) in favour of Holders, owners of ADSs and
prospective purchasers (each term as defined below).
WHEREAS:
WHEREAS:
(A) | The Company has entered into a Deposit Agreement dated [•] 200[ ] with The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Depositary”) relating to American Depositary Shares of the Company in respect of which an American Depositary Receipt has been issued (such agreement, as amended or varied, being hereinafter referred to as the “Deposit Agreement”). | |
(B) | The Company further intends to allow Holders to enforce certain specified obligations of the Company under the Deposit Agreement as if they were originally parties to the Deposit Agreement. |
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH AS FOLLOWS and is made by way of deed poll:
1. | The following expressions shall have the following meanings: | |
“ADSs” means the registered American Depositary Receipts issued under the Deposit Agreement which are from time to time outstanding and (except for where the context indicates otherwise) includes the Master ADR issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, and any temporary ADS which may be issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement from time to time; | ||
“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company; | ||
“Holder” means the person recorded in the Register as a holder for the time being of an ADS; | ||
“Master ADR” means the Master ADR issued substantially in the form set out in Schedule 2 to the Deposit Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time pursuant to the Deposit Agreement, and any temporary master ADR which may represent ADSs issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement from time to time; | ||
“owner of ADSs” means, in respect of any ADSs represented by the Master ADR, such person whose name appears in the records of DTC as the owner of a particular amount of ADSs, and in respect of any other ADS, the Holder thereof; | ||
“prospective purchaser” means a prospective purchaser of an ADS or interest therein designated as such a Holder or a beneficial owner of ADSs; | ||
“Register” means the register of Holders referred to in Clause 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement; and |
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“Shares” means fully paid registered ordinary shares of the Company each having a par value of RUB 1 per share and other Deposited Property (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) comprising securities (as defined in the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended). | ||
2. | The Company agrees that, if the Company fails to perform any obligation imposed upon it by the provisions of Clauses 2.5, 7 or 8.5 of the Deposit Agreement, any Holder may enforce the relevant provisions of the Deposit Agreement as if it were a party to the Deposit Agreement and was the “Depositary” in respect of that number of Deposited Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) to which the ADSs of which he is a Holder relate. The Company further undertakes to indemnify the Holder for any loss arising from or incurred in connection with or otherwise relating to the enforcement by such Holder of any such provisions. | |
3. | This Deed Poll shall be governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with law of England and Wales. | |
4. | Any dispute, controversy or claim which may arise out of or in connection with this Deed Poll whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (a “Dispute”) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration under the Rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (the “Rules”), which Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Deed Poll. Judgement upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. | |
5. | The Company agrees that: |
i. | The number of arbitrators shall be three. Two of the arbitrators shall be nominated by the Company, and the claiming Holders, respectively, in the Request for Arbitration and the Response, and the third, who shall be the Chairman of the tribunal, shall be nominated by the two nominated arbitrators within 30 calendar days of the last of their appointments. In the event of a failure to nominate an arbitrator by the Company or the relevant Holders or a failure to agree the Chairman of the tribunal, the London Court of International Arbitration shall, at the written request of the Company or the relevant Holders, make such appointments forthwith; | ||
ii. | The seat of arbitration shall be London, England; | ||
iii. | The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English; and | ||
iv. | The award of the arbitration shall be final and binding from the day it is made. |
6. | If any Dispute raises issues which are substantially the same as or connected with issues raised in a Dispute which has already been referred to arbitration (an “Existing Dispute”), or arises out of substantially the same facts as are the subject of an Existing Dispute, or a dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with the a dispute, controversy or claim, arising out of or in connection with the Conditions or the Deed Poll, whether in tort, contract, statute or otherwise, including any question regarding its existence, validity, interpretation, breach or termination (in any such case a |
- 67 -
“Related Dispute”), the arbitrators appointed or to be appointed in respect of any such Existing Dispute shall also be appointed as the arbitrators in respect of any Related Dispute, save where the arbitrators consider such appointment to be inappropriate. | ||
7. | The arbitrators, upon the request of one of the parties to a Dispute or Related Dispute or any of the Holders or the Company which itself wishes to be joined in any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to a Dispute or Related Dispute, may join any party to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to that Dispute or Related Dispute and may make a single, final award determining all Disputes or Related Disputes between them. The Company hereby consents to be joined to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to any dispute at the request of a party to that Dispute or Related Dispute, and to accept joinder of any party requesting to be joined under this clause 7. | |
8. | Where, pursuant to the above provisions, the same arbitrators have been appointed in relation to an Existing Dispute and one or more Related Disputes, the arbitrators may, with the agreement of all the parties concerned or upon the application of one of the parties, being a party to each of the Disputes, order that the whole or part of the matters at issue shall be heard together upon such terms or conditions as the arbitrators think fit. The arbitrators shall have power to make such directions and any provisional, interim or partial awards as they consider just and desirable. | |
9. | Nothing in these dispute resolution provisions shall be construed as preventing any party from seeking conservatory or similar interim relief in any court of competent jurisdiction. | |
10. | Without prejudice to the powers of the arbitrators provided in the Rules, statute or otherwise, the arbitrators shall have power at any time, following the written request (with reasons) of any party at any time, and after due consideration of any written and/or oral response(s) to such request made within such time periods as the arbitrators shall determine, to make an award in favour of the claimant(s) (or the respondent(s) if a counterclaim) in respect of any claims (or counterclaims) if it appears to the arbitrators that there is no reasonably arguable defence to those claims (or counterclaims), either at all or except as to the amount of any damages or other sum to be awarded. | |
11. | Any award of the tribunal of arbitrators shall be binding from the day it is made, and the Company and the Holders agree to waive any right to appeal to any court of law, insofar as such waiver may be validly made. | |
12. | The parties agree that in no circumstances will they request the arbitrators to, and the arbitrators shall have no authority to, exercise any power to award damages which are not calculated by reference to the relevant party’s actual costs, or to award any loss of profit whatsoever or any consequential, special or punitive damages. | |
13. | This Deed Poll may be executed in the form of both an English language document and a document translated into Russian, but in the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the terms or interpretation of the English language form and the Russian form, the terms and interpretation of the English language form shall prevail and shall be regarded as definitive. |
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EXECUTED as a deed under seal by | ||||
JSC “RUSHYDRO” |
||||
acting by:
|
||||
Print Name: |
||||
in the presence of: |
||||
Print Witness Name: |
||||
Witness Address: |
||||
Witness Occupation: |
||||
- 69 -
JSC “RUSHYDRO”
By:
Print Name:
Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
By:
Print Name:
Title:
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