Exhibit 99(a)(1)
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
of
The Chubb Series Trust
a Delaware Business Trust
Principal Place of Business:
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 00000
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
PAGE
ARTICLE I Name and Definitions
1. Name 1
2. Definitions 1
(a) By-Laws 1
(b) Certificate of Trust 1
(c) Classes 2
(d) Commission and Principal 2
(e) Declaration of Trust 2
(f) Delaware Act 2
(g) Interested Person 2
(h) Investment Manager 2
(i) 1940 Act 2
(j) Person 2
(k) Series 2
(1) Shareholder 2
(m) Shares 2
(n) Trust 2
(o) Trust Property 2
(p) Trustees 3
ARTICLE II Purpose of Trust 3
ARTICLE III Shares 3
1. Division of Beneficial Interest 3
2. Ownership of Shares 4
3. Transfer of Shares 4
4. Investments in the Trust 5
5. Status of Shares and Limitation of
Personal Liability 5
6. Establishment and Designation of Series 5
(a) Assets Held with Respect to a
Particular Series 5
(b) Liabilities Held with Respect to a
Particular Series 6
(c) Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions,
and Repurchases 6
(d) Equality 7
(e) Fractions 7
(f) Exchange Privilege 7
(g) Combination of Series 7
(h) Elimination of Series 7
7. Indemnification of Shareholders 7
ARTICLE IV Trustees 8
1. Number, Election, and Tenure 8
2. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc.
of a Trustee 8
3. Powers 8
4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust 12
5. Payment of Expenses by Shareholders 12
6. Ownership of Assets of the Trust 12
7. Service Contracts 13
8. Trustees and Officers as Shareholders 13
ARTICLE V Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings 14
1. Voting Powers, Meetings, Notice and Record Dates 14
2. Quorum and Required Vote 15
3. Record Dates 15
4. Additional Provisions 16
ARTICLE VI Net Asset Value, Distributions and
Redemptions 16
1. Determination of Net Asset Value,
Net Income and Distributions 16
2. Redemptions and Xxxxxxxxxxx 00
0
ARTICLE VII Compensation and Limitation of
Liability of Trustees 17
1. Compensation 17
2. Indemnification and Limitation of Liability 17
3. Trustee's Good Faith Act, Expert Advice,
No Bond or Surety 18
4. Insurance 18
ARTICLE VIII Miscellaneous 19
1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees 19
2. Termination of Trust or Series 19
3. Reorganization 19
4. Amendments 20
5. Filing of Copies, References, Headings 21
6. Applicable Law 21
7. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations 22
8. Business Trust Only 22
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AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
The Chubb Series Trust
THIS
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST is made and entered into as of date
set forth below by the Trustees named hereunder for the purpose of forming a
Delaware business trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth,
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby direct that the Certificate of Trust be
filed with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware and do
hereby declare that the Trustees will hold IN TRUST all case, securities, and
other assets which the Trust now possesses or may hereafter acquire from time to
time in any manner and manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms
and conditions for the benefit of the holders of Shares of this Trust.
ARTICLE I
Name and Definitions
SECTION 1. NAME. This Trust shall be known as Chubb Series Trust and the
Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other
name as they may from time to time determine.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by
the context or specifically provided:
(a) "By-Laws" shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to
time, which By-Laws are expressly herein incorporated by reference as part of
the "governing instrument" within the meaning of the
Delaware Act;
(b) "Certificate of Trust" means the certificate of trust, as amended or
restated from time to time, filed by the Trustees in the Office of the Secretary
of State of the State of
Delaware in accordance with the
Delaware Act;
(c) "Class" means a class of Shares of a Series of the Trust established in
accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof;
(d) "Commissions" and "Principal Underwriter" shall have the meanings given
them in the 1940 Act;
(e) "Declaration of Trust" means this
Agreement and Declaration of Trust,
as amended or restated from time to time;
(f) "
Delaware Act" means the
Delaware Business Trust Act 12 DEL C. Sections
3801 ET SEQ., as amended from time to time;
(g) "Interested Person" shall have the meaning given it in Section
29(a)(19) of the 1940 Act;
(h) "Manager" means a party furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to
any contract described in article IV, Section 7(a) hereof;
(i) "1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and
regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;
(j) "Person" means and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships,
trusts, associations, joint ventures, estates, and other entities, whether or
not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions
thereof, whether domestic or foreign;
(k) "Series" means each Series of Shares established and designated under
or in accordance with the provisions of Article III;
(l) "Shareholder" means a record owner of outstanding Shares;
(m) "Shares" means the shares of beneficial interest into which the
beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes
fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(n) "Trust" means the
Delaware Business Trust established under the
Delaware Act by this Declaration of Trust and the filing of the Certificate of
Trust in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;
(o) "Trust Property" means any and all property, real or personal, tangible
or intangible, which is from time to time owned or held by or for the account of
the Trust; and
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(p) "Trustees" means the persons who have signed this Declaration of Trust
and all other Persons who may from time to time be duly elected or appointed to
serve as Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof, in each case so long
as such Person shall continue in office in accordance with the terms of this
Declaration of Trust, and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall
refer to such Person or Persons in his or her or their capacity as trustees
hereunder.
ARTICLE II
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business
of a management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through one or
more Series investing primarily in securities, and to carry on such other
business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their
authority under this Declaration of Trust.
ARTICLE III
Shares
SECTION 1. DIVISION OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST. The beneficial interest in the
Trust shall be divided into one or more Series. Each-Series may be divided into
two or more Classes. Subject to the further provisions of this Article III and
any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, the Trustees shall have full power
and authority, in their sole discretion, and without obtaining any authorization
or vote of the Shareholders of any Series or Class thereof, (i) to divide the
beneficial interest in each Series of Class thereof into Shares, with or without
par value as the Trustees shall determine, (ii) to issue Shares without
limitation as to number (including fractional Shares), to such Persons and for
such amount and type of consideration, subject to any restriction set forth in
the By-Laws, including cash or securities, at such time or times and on such
terms as the Trustees may deem appropriate, (iii) to establish and designate and
to change in any manner any Series or Class thereof and to fix such
preferences, voting powers, rights, duties and privileges and business purpose
of each Series or Class thereof as the Trustees may from time to time determine,
which preferences, voting powers, rights, duties and privileges may be senior
or subordinate to (or in the case of business purpose, different from) any
existing Series or Class thereof and may be limited to specified property or
obligations of the Trust or profits and losses associated with specified
property or obligations of the Trust, (iv) to divide or combine the Shares of
any Series or Class thereof into a greater or lesser number without thereby
materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of the Shares or such
Series or Class in the assets held with respect to that Series, (v) to classify
or reclassify andy issued Shares of any
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Series or Class thereof into shares of one or more Series or Classes thereof and
(vi) to take such other action with respect to the Shares as the Trustees may
deem desirable.
Subject to the distinctions permitted among Classes of the same Series as
established by the Trustees consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act,
each Share of a Series of the Trust shall represent an equal beneficial interest
in the net assets of such Series, and each holder of Shares of a Series shall be
entitled to receive such holder's pro rata share of distributions of income and
capital gains, if any, made with respect to such Series. Upon redemption of the
Shares of any Series, the applicable Shareholder shall be paid solely out of the
funds and property of such Series of the Trust.
All references to Shares in this Declaration of Trust shall be deemed to be
Shares of any or all Series or Classes thereof, as the context may require. All
provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of
the Trust and each Class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.
All shares issued hereunder, including, without limitation, Shares issued
in connection with a dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares,
shall be fully paid and non-assessable. Except as otherwise provided by the
Trustees, Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to
any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust.
SECTION 2. OWNERSHIP OF SHARES. The Ownership of Shares shall be recorded
on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which
books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series (or Class).
No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the
Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such
rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the
transfer of Shares of each Series (or Class) and similar matters. The record
books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the
case may be, shall be conclusive as to the identity of the Shareholders of each
Series (or Class) and as to the number of Shares of each Series (or Class) held
from time to time by each Shareholder.
SECTION 3. TRANSFER OF SHARES. Except as otherwise provided by the
Trustees, Shares shall be transferable on the books of the Trust only by the
record holder thereof or by his duly authorized agent upon delivery to the
Trustees or the Trust's transfer agent of a duly executed instrument of
transfer, together with a Share Certificate if one is outstanding, and such
evidence of the genuiness of each such execution and authorization and of such
other matters as may be required by the Trustees. Upon such delivery, and
subject to any further requirements specified by the Trustees or contained in
the By-Laws, the transfer shall be recorded on the books of the Trust. Until a
transfer is so recorded, the Shareholder of record of Shares shall be deemed to
be the holder of such Shares for all purposes hereunder
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and neither the Trustees nor the Trust, nor any transfer agent or registrar or
any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust, shall be affected by any notice of
a proposed transfer.
SECTION 4. INVESTMENTS IN THE TRUST. Investments may be accepted by the
Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such
consideration as the Trustees from time to time may authorize.
SECTION 5. STATUS OF SHARES AND LIMITATION OF PERSONAL LIABILITY. Shares
shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this
instrument. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be
held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death,
incapacity, dissolution, termination, or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the
existence of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust, nor entitle the
representative of any such Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in
court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but entitles such
representative only to the rights of such Shareholder under this Trust.
Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the
Whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a participation or
division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares
constitute the Shareholders as partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor
any officer, employee, or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind
personally any Shareholders, nor, except as specifically provided herein, to
call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment
whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree
to pay.
SECTION 6. ESTABLISHMENT AND DESIGNATION OF SERIES. The establishment and
designation of any Series (or Class) of Shares shall be effective upon the
adoption by a majority of the then Trustees of a resolution that sets forth such
establishment and designation and the relative rights and preferences of such
Series (or Class), whether directly in such resolution or by reference to
another document including, without limitation, any registration statement of
Trust, or as otherwise provided in such resolution.
Shares of each Series (or Class) established pursuant to this Article III,
unless. Otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such series, shall
have the following relative rights and preferences:
(a) ASSETS HELD WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR SERIES. All consideration
received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a particular Series,
together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested,
all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source
derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the sale,
exchange or liquidation of such assets and any funds or payments derived from
any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall
irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, subject only
to the rights of creditors of such Series, and shall be so recorded upon the
books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings,
profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever
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source derived, including, without limitation, any proceeds derived from the
sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived
from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, ar
herein referred to as "assets held with respect to" that Series. In the event
that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds
or payments which are not readily identifiable as assets held with respect to
any particular Series (collectively "General Assets"), the Trustees shall
allocate such General Assets to, between or among any one or more of the Series
in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem
fair and equitable, and any General Assets so allocated to a particular Series
shall be held with respect to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all
purposes. Separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series and
the assets held with respect to each Series shall be held and accounted for
separately from the assets held with respect to all other Series and the General
Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series.
(b) LIABILITIES HELD WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR SERIES. The assets of the
Trust held with respect to each particular Series shall be charged against the
liabilities of the Trust held with respect to that Series and all expenses,
costs, charges, and reserves attributable to that Series. Any general
liabilities of the Trust which arc not readily identifiable as being held with
respect to any particular Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees
to and among any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as
the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. All liabilities,
expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series are herein
referred to as "liabilities held with respect to" that Series. Each allocation
of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, and reserves by the Trustees shall be
conclusive and binding upon the holders of all Series for all purposes. All
liabilities held with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable
against the assets held with respect to such Series only and not against the
assets of the Trust generally or against the assets held with respect to any
other Series. Notice of this contractual limitation on the liability of each
Series shall be set forth in the Certificate of Trust or in an amendment thereto
prior to the issuance of any Shares of a Series.
(c) DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, REDEMPTIONS, AND REPURCHASES. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this Declaration of Trust, including, without
limitation, Article VI, no dividend or distribution, including, without
limitation, any distribution paid upon termination of the Trust or of any Series
(or Class) with respect to, nor any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of
any Series (or Class) shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets
held with respect to such Series, nor shall any Shareholder or any particular
Series otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to
any other Series except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or
claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have
full discretion, to the extent not inconsistent with the 1940 Act, to determine
which items shall be treated as income and
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which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders.
(d) EQUALITY. All the Shares of each particular Series shall represent an
equal proportionate interest in the assets held with respect to that Series
(subject to the liabilities held with respect to that Series and such rights and
preferences as may have been established and designated with respect to Classes
of Shares within such Series), and each Share of any particular Series shall be
equal to each other Share of that Series.
(c) FRACTIONS. Any fractional Share of a Series shall carry proportionately
all the rights and obligations of a whole Share of that Series, including rights
with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions, redemption of
Shares and termination of the Trust.
(f) EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide
that the holders of Shares of any Series shall have the right to exchange said
Shares for Shares of one or more other Series of Shares in accordance with such
requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(g) COMBINATION OF SERIES. The Trustees shall have the authority, without
the approval of the Shareholders of any Series unless otherwise required by
applicable law, to combine the assets and liabilities held with respect to any
two or more Series into assets and liabilities held with respect to a single
Series.
(h) ELIMINATION OF SERIES. At any time that there are no Shares outstanding
of any particular Series (or Class) previously established and designated, the
Trustees may by resolution of a majority of the Trustees abolish that Series (or
Class) and rescind the establishment and designation thereof.
SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION OF SHAREHOLDERS. If any Shareholder or former
Shareholder shall be exposed to liability by reason of a claim or demand
relating to such Person being or having been a Shareholder, and not because of
such Person's acts or omissions, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or such
Person's heirs, executors, administrators, or other legal representatives or in
the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general
successor) shall be entitled to be held harmless from and indemnified out of the
assets of the Trust against all loss and expense arising from such claim or
demand, but only out of the assets held with respect to the particular Series of
Shares of which such Person is or was a Shareholder and from or in relation to
which such liability arose.
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ARTICLE IV
Trustees
SECTION 1. NUMBER, ELECTION AND TENURE. The number of Trustees shall
initially be one who shall be Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx. Hereafter, the number of
Trustees shall at all times be at least one and no more than fifteen as
determined, from time to time, by the Trustees pursuant to Section 3 of this
Article IV. Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust
until he or she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or incompetent by a court of
appropriate jurisdiction, or is removed, or, if sooner, until the next meeting
of Shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the
election and qualification of his or her successor. In the event that less than
the majority of the Trustees holding office have been elected by the
Shareholders, the Trustees then in office shall call a Shareholders' meeting for
the election of Trustees. Any Trustee may resign at any time by written
instrument signed by him and delivered to any office of the Trust or to a
meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless
specified to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly
provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no
Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period
following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account
of such removal. The Shareholders may elect Trustees at any meeting of
Shareholders called by the Trustees for that purpose. Any Trustee may be removed
at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of two-thirds or the outstanding Shares
of the Trust.
SECTION 2. EFFECT OF DEATH, RESIGNATION, ETC, OF A TRUSTEE. The death,
declination to serve, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity of one or
more Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke
any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.
Whenever there shall be fewer than the designated number of Trustees, until
additional Trustees are elected or appointed as provided herein to bring the
total number of Trustees equal to the designated number, the Trustees in office,
regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees
and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration
of Trust. As conclusive evidence of such vacancy, a written instrument
certifying the existence of such vacancy may be executed by an officer of the
Trust or by a majority of the Trustees. In the event of the death, declination,
resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of all the then Trustees within
a short period of time and without the opportunity for at least one Trustee
being able to appoint additional Trustees to replace those no longer serving,
the Trust's Manager(s) arc empowered to appoint new Trustees subject to the
provisions of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3. POWERS. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust,
the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and the Trustees
shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility
including the power to engage in securities transactions of all kinds on behalf
of the Trust. Without limiting the
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foregoing, the Trustees may: adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with this management
of the affairs of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that
such By-laws do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; enlarge or reduce
their number; remove any Trustee with or without cause at any time by written
instrument signed by a least two-thirds of the number of Trustees prior to such
removal shall become effective, and fill vacancies caused by enlargement of
their number or by the death, resignation or removal of a Trustee; elect and
remove, with or without cause, such officers and appoint and terminate such
agents as they consider appropriate; appoint from their own number and establish
and terminate one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees which
may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Trustees to the extent
that the Trustees determine; employ one or more custodians of the assets of the
Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit
all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling
of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank, retain a transfer agent or a
shareholder servicing agent, or both; provide for the issuance and distribution
of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more Principal Underwriters or
otherwise; redeem, repurchase and transfer Shares pursuant to applicable law;
set record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various
matters; declare and pay dividends and distributions to Shareholders of each
Series from the assets of such Series; and in general delegate such authority as
they consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the
Trustees and to any agent or employee of the Trust or to any such custodian,
transfer or Shareholder servicing agent, or Principal Underwriter. Any
determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees
in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this
Declaration of Trust, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to
the Trustees. Unless otherwise specified herein or in the By-Laws or required by
law, any action by the Trustees shall be deemed effective if approved or taken
by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of Trustees at which a quorum
of Trustees is present, within or without the State of Delaware.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have the power and
authority to cause the trust (or to act on behalf of the Trust):
(a) To invest and reinvest cash, to hold cash uninvested, and to subscribe
for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, pledge,
sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options on, lend or
otherwise deal in or dispose of contracts for the future acquisition or delivery
of fixed income or other securities, and securities of every nature and kind,
including, without limitation, all types of bonds, debentures, stocks,
negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of
indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial papers,
repurchase agreements, bankers' acceptances, and other securities of any kind,
issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all Persons, including
without limitation, states, territories, and possessions of the United States
and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality thereof, and foreign government or any political subdivision of
the U.S.
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Government or any foreign government, or any international instrumentality, or
by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation or organization
organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or
possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization organized under any
foreign law, or in "when issues" contracts for any such securities, to change
the investments of the assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights,
powers, and privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such
investments of every kind and description, including, without limitation, the
right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate
one or more Persons, to exercise any of said rights, powers, and privileges in
respect of any of said instruments;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, or write
options (including, options on futures contracts) with respect to or otherwise
deal in any property rights relating to any or all of the assets of the Trust or
any Series;
(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with
respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver
proxies or powers of attorney to such Person or Persons as the Trustees shall
deem proper, granting to such Person or Persons such power and discretion with
relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which in any
manner arise out of ownership or securities;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust,
whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in its own name or
in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or nominees or
otherwise;
(f) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization,
consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is
held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale
of property by such corporation or issuer; - and to pay calls or subscriptions
with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(g) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee,
depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any
security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or
trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with- relation to any
security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem
proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and
compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem
proper;
(h) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or
against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including, but not limited to,
claims for taxes;
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(i) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any
other combinations or associations;
(i) To borrow funds or other property in the name of the Trust exclusively
for Trust purposes and in connection therewith issue notes or other evidence of
indebtedness; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust Property or any part thereof
to secure any or all of such indebtedness;
(k) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations
or any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume
liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust Property or
any part thereof to secure any of or all of such obligations;
(l) To purchase any pay for entirely out of Trust Property such insurance
as the Trustees may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the
business, including, without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets
of the Trust or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio
investments, and insurance polices insuring the Shareholders, Trustees,
officers, employees, agents, investment advisers, principal underwriters, or
independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and
liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held
any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been
taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee, agent,
investment adviser, principal underwriter, or independent contractor, including
any action taken or independent contractor, including any action taken or
omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or no the Trust
would have the power o indemnify such Person against liability;
(m) To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus,
share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit
plans and trusts, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity
contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or
all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;
(n) To operate as and carry out the business of an investment company, and
exercise all the powers necessary or appropriate to the conduct of such
operations;
(o) To enter into contracts of any kind and description;
(p) To employ one or more banks, trust companies or companies that are
members of a national securities exchange or such other entities as the
Commission may permit as custodians of any assets of the Trust subject to any
conditions set forth in this Declaration or Trust or in the By-Laws;
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(q) To interpret the investment policies, practices, or limitations of any
Series of Class; and
(r) Subject to the 1940 Act, to engage in any other lawful act or activity
in which a business trust organized under the Delaware Act may engage.
The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before
the possible termination of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The Trust
shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or custom
in regard to investment by fiduciaries. The Trust shall not be required to
obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other
action hereunder.
SECTION 4. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES BY THE TRUST. The Trustees are authorized to
pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust, or partly
out of the principal and partly out of income, as they deem fair, all expenses,
fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the
Trust, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited
to, the Trustees' compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of
the Trust's officers, employees, investment adviser or manager, Principal
Underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, shareholder servicing
agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses
and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur, which
expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities shall be allocated in accordance
with Article III, Section 6 hereof.
SECTION 5. PAYMENT OF EXPENSES BY SHAREHOLDERS. The Trustees shall have the
power, as frequently as they may determine, to cause each Shareholder, or each
Shareholder of any particular Series, to pay directly, in advance or arrears,
for charges of the Trust's custodian or transfer. Shareholder servicing or
similar agent, an amount fixed from time to time by the Trustees, by setting off
such charges due from such Shareholder from declared but unpaid dividends owed
such Shareholder and/or by reducing the number of Shares in the account of such
Shareholder by that number of full and/or fractional Shares which represents the
outstanding amount of such charges due from such Shareholder.
SECTION 6. OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS OF THE TRUST. Title to all of the assets of
the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that
the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be
held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the
Trust, or in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the
Trustees may determine. The right, title and interest of the Trustees in the
Trust Property shall vest automatically in each Person who may hereafter become
a Trustee. Upon the resignation, removal or death of a Trustee, he or she shall
automatically cease to have any right, title or interest in any of the Trust
Property, and the right, title and interest of such Trustee in the Trust
Property shall vest automatically in the
12
remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective
whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered.
SECTION 7. SERVICE CONTRACTS.
(a) Subject to such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth
under federal and/or state law and in the By-Laws, including, without
limitation, the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act, the Trustees may, at
any time and from time to time, contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory,
management and/or administrative services for the Trust or for any Series (or
Class thereof) with any corporation, trust, association, or other organization;
and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may
determine, including, without Limitation, authority for the Manager or
administrator to delegate certain or all of its duties under such contracts to
qualified investment advisers and administrator and to determine from time to
time without prior consultation with the Trustees what investments shall be
purchased, held sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of the
Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust's investments,
or such other activities as may specifically be delegated to such party.
(b) The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time, contract
with any corporation, trust, association, or other organization, appointing it
exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or Principal Underwriter for the Shares of
one or more of the Series (or Classes) or other securities to be issued by the
Trust. Every such contract shall comply with such requirements and restrictions
as may be set forth under federal and/or state law and in the By-Laws,
including, without limitation, the requirements of Section 15 of the 1940 Act;
and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may
determine.
(c) The Trustees are also empowered, at any time and from time to time, to
contract with any corporations, trusts, associations or other organizations,
appointing it or them the custodian, transfer agent and/or Shareholder servicing
agent for the Trust or one or more of its Series. Every such contract shall
comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth under federal
and/or state law and in the By-Laws or Stipulated by resolution of the Trustees.
(d) Subject to applicable law, the Trustees are further empowered, at any
time and from time to time, to contract with any entity to provide such other
services to the Trust or one or more of the Series, as the Trustees determine to
be in the best interests of the Trust and the applicable Series.
(e) The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, trustees, or officers of the Trust is a
shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee employee,
Manager, adviser Principal Underwriter, distributor, or affiliate
or agent of or for
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any corporation, trust, association, or other organization, or
for any parent or affiliate of any organization with which an
advisory, management, or administration contract, or Principal
Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer, shareholder
servicing or other type of service contract may have been or may
hereafter be made, or that any such organization, or any parent
or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the
Trust, or that
(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other organization with
which an advisory, management, or administration contract or
Principal Underwriter's or distributor's contract, or transfer,
service contract may have been or may hereafter be made also has
an advisory, management, or administration contract, or Principal
Underwriter's or distributor's or other service contract with one
or more other corporations, trusts, associations, or other
organizations, or has other business or interests,
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any
Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the
same, or create any Liability or accountability to the trust or its
Shareholders, provided approval of each such contract is made pursuant to the
requirements of the 1940 Act.
SECTION 8. TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS AS SHAREHOLDERS. Any Trustee, officer or
agent of the Trust may acquire, own and dispose of Shares to the same extent as
if her were not a Trustee, officer or agent; and the Trustees may issue and sell
and cause to be issued and sold Shares to, and redeem such Shares from, any such
Person or any firm or company in which such Person is interested, subject only
to the general limitations contained herein or in the By-Laws relating to the
sale and redemption of such Shares.
ARTICLE V
Shareholders' Voting Powers and Meetings
SECTION 1. VOTING POWERS, MEETINGS, NOTICE, AND RECORD DATES. The
Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for the election or removal of
Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 1, and (ii) with respect to such
additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by applicable law,
this Declaration of Trust, the By-Laws or any registration of the Trust with the
Commission (or any successor agency) or any state, or as the Trustees may
consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote
as any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be
entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Declaration Shareholders, all Share of the Trust then entitled to be
required by the 1940 Act, Shares
14
shall be voted by individual Series; (ii) when the matter involves the
termination of a Series or any other action that the Trustees have determined
will affect only the interests of one or more Series, then only Shareholders of
such Series shall be entitled to vote thereon; and (iii) when the matter
involves any action that the Trustees have determined will affect only the
interests of one or more Classes, then only the Shareholder of such Class or
Classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. There shall be no cumulative voting
in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. A proxy
may be given in writing. The By-Laws may provide that proxies may also, or may
instead, be given by an electronic or telecommunications device or in any other
manner. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein or in the By-Laws, in the
event a proposal by anyone other than the officers or Trustees of the Trust is
submitted to a vote of the Shareholders of one or more Series or Classes thereof
or of the Trust, or in the event of any proxy contest or proxy solicitation or
proposal in opposition to any proposal by the officers or Trustees of the Trust,
Shares may be voted only in person or by written proxy at a meeting. Until
Shares are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may
take any action required by law, this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws to be
taken by the Shareholders. Meeting of the Shareholders shall be called and
notice thereof and record dates therefor shall be given and set as provided in
the By-Laws.
SECTION 2. QUORUM AND REQUIRED VOTE. Except when a larger quorum is
required by applicable law, by the By-Laws or by this Declaration of Trust,
thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Shares entitled to vote
shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholders' meeting. When any one or more
Series (or Classes) is to vote as a single Class separate from any other Shares,
thirty-three and one-third percent (33-1/3%) of the Shares of each such Series
(or Classes) entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum at a Shareholders'
meting of that Series (or Class). Except when a larger vote is required by any
provision of this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws or by applicable law, when
a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Shares voted shall decide
any questions and a plurality of the Shares voted shall elect a Trustee,
provided that where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust
requires that the holders of any Series shall vote as a Series (or that holders
of a Class shall vote as a Class), then a majority of the Shares of that Series
(or Class) voted on the matter (or a plurality with respect to the election of a
Trustee) shall decide that matter insofar as that Series (or Class) is
concerned.
SECTION 3. RECORD DATES. For the purpose of determining the Shareholders of
any Series (or Class) who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of
any other distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a date, which
shall be before the date for the payment of such dividend or such other payment,
as the record date for determining the Shareholders of such Series (or Class)
having the right to receive such dividend or distribution purposes close the
register or transfer books for one or more Series (or Classes) at any time prior
to the payment of a distribution. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as
precluding the Trustees from setting different record dates for different Series
(or Classes).
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SECTION 4. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. The By-Laws may include further
provisions for Shareholders' votes and meetings and related matters.
ARTICLE VI
Net Asset Value, Distributions and Redemptions
SECTION 1. DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, NET INCOME, AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Subject to applicable law and Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Trustees, in
their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set forth in the By-Laws or
in a duty adopted vote of the Trustees such bases and time for determining the
per Share or net asset value of the Shares of any Series or net income
attributable to the Shares of any Series, or the declaration and payment of
dividends and distributions on the Shares of any Series, as they may deem
necessary or desirable.
SECTION 2. REDEMPTIONS AND REPURCHASES.
(a) The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder
for redemption, upon the presentation of a proper instrument of transfer
together with a request directed to the Trust or a Person designated by the
Trust that the Trust purchase such Shares or in accordance with such other
procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize; and
the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof as determined by the
Trustees (or on their behalf), in accordance with any applicable provisions of
the By-Laws and applicable law. Unless extraordinary circumstances exist,
payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within
seven (7) days after the date on which the request is made in proper form. The
obligation set forth in this Section 2 is subject to the provisions that in the
event that any time the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is closed for
other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the rules and regulations or
an order of the Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange is
restricted or during any emergency which makes it impracticable for the Trust to
dispose of the investments of the applicable Series or to determine fairly the
value of the net assets held with respect to such Series or during any other
period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection of investors,
such obligations may be suspended or postponed by the Trustees. In the case of a
suspension of the right of redemption as provided herein, a Shareholder may
either withdraw the request for redemption or receive payment based on the net
assets value per share next determined after the termination of such suspension.
(b) The redemption price may in any case or cases be paid wholly or partly
in kind if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest
of the remaining Shareholders of the Series for which the Shares are being
redeemed. Subject to the foregoing, the fair value, selection and quantity of
securities or other property so paid
16
or delivered as all or part of the redemption price may be determined by or
under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any
delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for
delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.
(c) If the Trustees shall, at any time and in good faith, determine that
direct or indirect ownership of Shares of any Series has or may become
concentrated in any Person to an extent that would disqualify any Series as a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(or any successor statute thereto), then the Trustees shall have the power (but
not the obligation) by such means as they deem equitable (i) to call for the
redemption by any such Person of a number, or principal amount, of Shares
sufficient to maintain or bring the direct or indirect ownership of Shares into
conformity with the requirements for such qualification and (ii) to refuse to
transfer or issue Shares to any Person whose acquisition of the Shares in
question would result in such disqualification. Any such redemption shall be
effected at the redemption price and in the manner provided in this Article VI.
(d) The holders of Shares shall upon demand disclose to the Trustees in
writing such information with respect to direct and indirect ownership of Shares
as the Trustees deem necessary to comply with the provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor statute thereto), or to
comply with the requirements of any other taxing authority.
ARTICLE VII
Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Trustees
SECTION 1. COMPENSATION. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to
reasonable compensation from the Trust and they may fix the amount of such
compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any
Trustee for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other
services and payment for the same by the Trust.
SECTION 2. INDEMNIFICATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. A Trustee, when
acting in such capacity shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than
the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VII, for any
act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other
Trustee. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any
neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, Manager, or Principal
Underwriter of the Trust. The Trust shall indemnify each Person who is serving
or has served at the Trust's request as a director, officer, trustee, employee,
or agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a
shareholder, creditor, or otherwise to the extent and in the manner provided in
the By-Laws.
17
All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim
against the Trust of the Trustees shall look only to the assets of the
appropriate Series, or, if the Trustees have yet to establish Series, of the
Trust for payment under such credit, contract, or claim; and neither the
Trustees nor the Shareholders, nor any of the Trust's officers, employees, or
agents, whether past, present, or future, shall be personally liable, therefor.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and
every other act or thing whatsoever executed or done by or on behalf of the
Trust or the Trustees by any of them in connection with the Trust shall
conclusively be deemed to have been executed or done only in or with respect to
his or their capacity as Trustee or Trustees, and such Trustee or Trustees shall
not be personally liable thereon. At the Trustees' discretion, any note, bond,
contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued by the Trustees
or by any officer or officers may give notice that the Certificate of Trust is
on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware and that a
limitation on liability of Series exists and such note, bond, contract,
instrument, certificate or undertaking may, if the Trustees so determine, recite
that the same was executed or made on behalf of the Trust by a Trustee or
Trustees in such capacity and not individually and that the obligations of such
instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but
are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust or a Series thereof,
and may contain such further recital as such Person or Persons may deem
appropriate. The omission of any such notice or recital shall in no way operate
to bind any Trustees, officer, or Shareholders individually.
SECTION 3. TRUSTEE'S GOOD FAITH ACTION, EXPERT ADVICE, NO BOND OR SURETY.
The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be
binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to
any Shareholder solely for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the
office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of
fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with
respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be
under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice nor
for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give
any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
SECTION 4. INSURANCE. The Trustees shall be entitled and empowered to the
fullest extent permitted by law to purchase with Trust assets insurance for
liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be
paid by a Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust in connection with
any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he or she become involved by
virtue of his or her capacity or former capacity with the Trust.
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ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
SECTION 1. LIABILITY OF THIRD PERSONS DEALING WITH TRUSTEES. No Person
dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the
validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the
application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon
its order.
SECTION 2. TERMINATION OF TRUST OR SERIES.
(a) Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without
limitation of time. The Trust may be terminated at any time by vote of a
majority of the Shares of each Series entitled to vote, voting separately by
Series, or by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders. Any Series of
Shares or Class thereof may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of
the Shares of such Series or Class entitled to vote or by the Trustees by
written notice to the Shareholders of such Series or Class.
(b) Upon the requisite Shareholder vote or action by the Trustees to
terminate the Trust or any one or more Series of Shares or any Class thereof,
after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses, and
liabilities, whether due or accrued or anticipated, of the Trust or of the
particular Series or any Class thereof as may be determined by the Trustees, the
Trust shall in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider
appropriate reduce the remaining assets of the Trust or of the affected Series
or Class to distributable form in cash or Shares (if any Series remain) or other
securities, or any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds to the
Shareholders of the Series or Classes involved, ratably according to the number
of Shares of such Series or Class held by the several Shareholders of such
Series or Class on the date of distribution. Thereupon, the Trust or any
affected Series or Class shall terminate and the Trustees and the Trust shall be
discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties relating thereto or
arising therefrom, and the right, title, and interest of all parties with
respect to the Trust or such Series or Class shall be canceled and discharged.
(c) Upon termination of the Trust, following completion of winding up of
its business, the Trustees shall cause a certificate of cancellation of the
Trust's Certificate of Trust to be filed in accordance with the Delaware Act,
which certificate of cancellation may be signed by any one Trustee.
SECTION 3. REORGANIZATION.
(a) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without
Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by applicable law, (i)
cause the Trust to merge or consolidate with or into one or more trusts (or
series thereof to the extent permitted by
19
law), partnerships, associations, corporations or other business entities
(including trusts, partnerships, associations, corporations or other business
entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such merger or consolidation) so
long as the surviving or resulting entity is an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, that will succeed to or
assume the Trust's registration under the 1940 Act and that is formed,
organized, or existing under the laws of the United States or of a state,
commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, (ii) cause any one or
more Series of the Trust to merge or consolidate with or into any one or more
other Series of Trust, one or more trusts (or series thereof to the extent
permitted by law), partnerships, associations, corporations (iii) cause the
Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the
extent permitted by law or (iv) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of
Delaware. Any agreement of merger or consolidation or exchange or certificate or
merger may be signed by a majority of the Trustees and facsimile signatures
conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall be valid.
(b) Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f)
of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
this Declaration of Trust, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by
the Trustees in accordance with this Section 3 may effect any amendment to the
governing instrument of the Trust or effect the adoption of a new trust
instrument of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting trust in the
merger or consolidation.
(c) The Trustees may create one or more business trusts to which all or
any part of the assets, liabilities, profits, or losses of the Trust or any
Series of Class thereof may be transferred and may provide for the conversion of
Shares in the Trust or any Series of Class thereof into beneficial interests in
any such newly created trust or trusts or any series of classes thereof.
SECTION 4. AMENDMENTS. Except as specifically provided in this Section, the
Trustees may, without Shareholder vote, restate, amend, or otherwise supplement
this Declaration of Trust. Shareholders shall have the right to vote (i) on any
amendment that would affect their right to vote granted in Article V, Section 1
hereof, (ii) on any amendment to this Section 4 of Article VIII, (iii) on any
amendment that may be required by applicable law or by the Trust's registration
statement filed with the Commission and (iv) on any amendment submitted to them
by the Trustees. Any amendment required or permitted to be submitted to the
Shareholders that, as the Trustees determine, shall affect the Shareholders of
one or more Series shall be authorized by a vote of the Shareholders of each
Series affected and no vote of Shareholders of a Series not affected shall be
required. Notwithstanding anything else herein, no amendment hereof shall limit
the rights to insurance provided by Article VII, Section 4 with respect to any
acts or omissions of Persons covered thereby prior to such amendment nor shall
any such amendment limit the rights to indemnification referenced in Article
VII, Section 2 hereof as provided in the By-Laws with respect to any actions or
omissions of Persons covered thereby prior to such amendment.
20
The Trustees may, without Shareholder vote, restate, amend, or otherwise
supplement the Certificate of Trust as they deem necessary or desirable.
SECTION 5. FILING OF COPIES, REFERENCES, HEADINGS. The original or a copy
of this instrument and of each restatement and/or amendment hereto shall be kept
at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone
dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as
to whether or not any such restatements and/or amendments have been made and as
to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect
as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the
Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any such restatements and/or
amendments. In this instrument and in any such restatements and/or amendments,
references to this instrument, and all expressions such as "herein," "hereof,"
and "hereunder," shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or
affected by any such restatements and/or amendments. Headings are placed herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or
control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument.
Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural;
and the neuter, masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as
applicable. This instrument may be executed in any number f counterparts each of
which shall be deemed an original.
SECTION 6. APPLICABLE LAW.
(a) The Trust is created under, and this Declaration of Trust is to be
governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Delaware. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a business
trust, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust specifically
reserves the right to exercise any of the powers or privileges afforded to
business trusts or actions that may be engaged in by business trusts under the
Delaware Act, and the absence of a specific reference herein to any such power,
privilege, or action shall not imply that the Trust may not exercise such power
or privilege or take such actions.
(b) Notwithstanding the first sentence of Section 6(a) of this Article
VIII, there shall not be applicable to the Trust, the Trustees or this
Declaration of Trust (x) the provisions of Section 3540 of Title 12 of the
Delaware Code or (y) any provisions of the laws (statutory or common) of the
State of Delaware (other than the Delaware Act) pertaining to trusts that relate
to or regulate: (i) the filing with any court or governmental body or agency of
trustee accounts or schedules of trustee fees and charges, (ii) affirmative
requirements to post bonds for trustees, officers, agents, or employees of a
trust, (iii) the necessity for obtaining a court or other governmental approval
concerning the acquisition, holding, or disposition of real or personal
property, (iv) fees or other sums applicable to trustees, officers, agents or
employees of a trust, (v) the allocation of receipts and expenditures to income
or principal, (vi) restrictions or limitations on the permissible nature,
amount, or concentration of trust investments or requirements relating to the
titling, storage,
21
or other manner of holding of trust assets, or (vii) the establishment of
fiduciary or other standards or responsibilities or limitations on the acts or
powers or liabilities or authorities and powers of trustees that are
inconsistent with the limitations or liabilities or authorities and powers of
the Trustees set forth or referenced in this Declaration of Trust.
SECTION 7. PROVISIONS IN CONFLICT WITH LAW OR REGULATIONS.
(a) The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the
Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such
provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor
statute thereto), and the regulations thereunder, the Delaware Act or with other
applicable laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never
to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that
such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the
Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted
prior to such determination.
(b) If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall
attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner
affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the
Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 8. BUSINESS TRUST ONLY. It is the intention of the Trustees to
create a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. It is not the intention of
the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock
association, corporation, bailment, or any form of legal relationship other than
a business trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. Nothing in this Declaration of
Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with
the Trustees, partners, or members of a joint stock association.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustees named below do hereby make and enter into
this Declaration of Trust as of the 27th day of October 1993.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
-----------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Address: Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 00000
THE PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS OF THE TRUST IS:
Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxx 00000
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