CUSTODY AGREEMENT

Exhibit (j)

CUSTODY AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT, dated as of             , 2013, between PERMAL HEDGE STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO, a statutory trust organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and registered as a closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “40 Act”), having its principal office and place of business at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00^xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (the “Fund”) and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, a New York corporation authorized to do a banking business having its principal office and place of business at Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (“Custodian”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

that for and in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth the Fund and Custodian agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

1. “Authorized Person” shall be any person, whether or not an officer or employee of the Fund, duly authorized by the Fund’s board to execute any Certificate or to give any Oral Instruction with respect to one or more Accounts, such persons to be designated in a Certificate annexed hereto as Schedule I hereto or such other Certificate as may be received by Custodian from time to time.

2. “BNY Affiliate” shall mean any office, branch or majority owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.

3. “Board” shall mean the Fund’s board of trustees, or a duly authorized committee thereof.

4. “Book-Entry System” shall mean the Federal Reserve/Treasury book-entry system for receiving and delivering securities, its successors and nominees.

5. “Business Day” shall mean any day on which Custodian and relevant Depositories are open for business.

6. “Certificate” shall mean any notice, instruction, or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, which is actually received by Custodian by letter or facsimile transmission and signed on behalf of the Fund by an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

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7. “Composite Currency Unit” shall mean the Euro or any other composite currency unit consisting of the aggregate of specified amounts of specified currencies, as such unit may be constituted from time to time.

8. “Depository” shall include (a) the Book-Entry System, (b) the Depository Trust Company, (c) any other clearing agency or securities depository registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission identified to the Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

9. “Foreign Depository” shall mean (a) Euroclear, (b) Clearstream Banking, societe anonyme, (c) each Eligible Securities Depository as defined in Rule 17f-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, identified to the Fund from time to time, and (d) the respective successors and nominees of the foregoing.

9. “Hedge Fund Investments” shall mean investments by the Fund in private investment vehicles (including hedge funds).

10. “Instructions” shall mean communications delivered to the Custodian in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Agreement by S.W.I.F.T., tested telex, letter, facsimile transmission, or other method or system specified by Custodian as available for use in connection with the services hereunder.

11. “Oral Instructions” shall mean verbal instructions received by Custodian from an Authorized Person or from a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person.

12. “Securities” shall include, without limitation, any common stock and other equity securities, bonds, debentures and other debt securities, notes, mortgages or other obligations, and any instruments representing rights to receive, purchase, or subscribe for the same, or representing any other rights or interests therein (whether represented by a certificate or held in a Depository or by a Subcustodian).

13. “Subcustodian” shall mean a bank (including any branch thereof) or other financial institution (other than a Foreign Depository) located outside the U.S. which is utilized by Custodian in connection with the purchase, sale or custody of Securities hereunder and identified to the Fund from time to time, and their respective successors and nominees.

ARTICLE II

APPOINTMENT OF CUSTODIAN; ACCOUNTS;

REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, AND COVENANTS

1.(a) The Fund hereby appoints Custodian as custodian of all Securities and cash at any time delivered to Custodian during the term of this Agreement, and authorizes Custodian to hold Securities in registered form in its name or the name of its nominees. Custodian hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to establish and maintain one or more securities accounts and cash accounts for the Fund in which Custodian will hold Securities and cash as provided herein. Such accounts (each, an “Account”; collectively, the “Accounts”) shall be in the name of the Fund.

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Each Account will be held at the Custodian, or in such other bank or trust as specified by the Custodian, so long as any bank or trust in which the Fund assets are deposited is qualified to act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “‘40 Act”).

(b) Custodian may from time to time establish on its books and records such sub-accounts within each Account as the Fund and Custodian may agree upon (each a “Special Account”), and Custodian shall reflect therein such assets as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.

(c) Custodian may from time to time establish pursuant to a written agreement with and for the benefit of a broker, dealer, future commission merchant or other third party identified in a Certificate or Instructions such accounts on such terms and conditions as the Fund and Custodian shall agree, and Custodian shall transfer to such account such Securities and money as the Fund may specify in a Certificate or Instructions.

2. The Fund hereby represents and warrants, which representations and warranties shall be continuing and shall be deemed to be reaffirmed upon each delivery of a Certificate or each giving of Oral Instructions or Instructions by the Fund, that:

(a) It is duly organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder;

(b) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Fund and constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Fund, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, (ii) general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing;

(c) It is conducting its business in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations except for such violations or defaults of applicable laws and regulations as would not result in a material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of such Fund, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a “Material Adverse Effect”), and has obtained all regulatory licenses, approvals and consents necessary to carry on its business as now conducted except where the absence of such possession would not result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) It shall cause each Authorized Person, to safeguard and treat with extreme care any user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, agrees that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection therewith provide a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances, and acknowledges and agrees that Instructions may conclusively be presumed by Custodian to have been given by person(s) duly authorized, and may be acted upon as given;

(e) Its transmission or giving of Certificates, Instructions, or Oral Instructions pursuant to this Agreement shall at all times comply with the ‘40 Act;

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(f) It shall impose and maintain restrictions on the destinations to which cash may be disbursed by Instructions to ensure that each disbursement is for a proper purpose;

(g) (i) it has established and presently maintains policies and procedures requiring it, or its designated agents, to obtain and verify information about the identity of its customers and which are reasonably designed to ensure that it is not being used as a conduit for money laundering or other illicit purposes; and

(ii) it, or its designated agent(s), has verified the identity of each of its investors and made reasonable inquiries regarding the source of funds credited to such Account, and to the best of its knowledge, no transaction through any Account is prohibited by applicable law, regulation or rule; and

(i) It has the right to make the pledge and grant the security interest and security entitlement to Custodian contained in Section 1 of Article V hereof, free of any right of redemption or prior claim of any other person or entity, such pledge and such grants shall have a first priority subject to no setoffs, counterclaims, or other liens or grants prior to or on a parity therewith, and it shall take such additional steps as Custodian may require to assure such priority.

(j) With respect to Hedge Fund Investments:

(i) Custodian shall have full authority to receive, complete, execute and forward to the appropriate party any and all subscription documentation, and to take any other action deemed by Custodian necessary or desirable, on behalf of Fund with respect to the Fund’s purchase (subscription) and/or sale (redemption/repurchase) of any Hedge Fund Investments;

(ii) any and all responses, representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities in any subscription documentation with any issuer of a Hedge Fund Investment shall be provided by and on behalf of Fund as owner/investor/subscriber of the Hedge Fund Investment. The Fund represents that any and all responses, representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities in any subscription documentation with any issuer of a Hedge Fund Investment shall at all times be true, correct and complete, except where such failure would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and the Fund will promptly notify Custodian in writing if there is any material change in any such responses, representations or warranties or any material default under any such covenant; and

(iii) the Fund shall take no action to transfer any Hedge Fund Investment from the nominee name in which such investment is registered without the express written consent of Custodian, or take any other action that would cause Custodian’s first lien and security interest hereunder to be adversely affected;

3. The Fund hereby covenants that it shall from time to time complete and execute and deliver to Custodian upon Custodian’s request a Form FR U-1 (or successor form) whenever the Fund borrows from Custodian any money to be used for the purchase or carrying of margin stock as defined in Federal Reserve Regulation U.

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ARTICLE III

CUSTODY AND RELATED SERVICES

1. (a) Subject to the terms hereof, the Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to hold any Securities received by it from time to time for the Fund’s account. Custodian shall be entitled to utilize, subject to subsection (c) of this Section 1, Depositories, Subcustodians, and, subject to subsection (d) of this Section 1, Foreign Depositories, to the extent possible in connection with its performance hereunder. Securities and cash held in a Depository or Foreign Depository will be held subject to the rules, terms and conditions of such entity. Securities and cash held through Subcustodians shall be held subject to the terms and conditions of Custodian’s agreements with such Subcustodians. Subcustodians may be authorized to hold Securities in Foreign Depositories in which such Subcustodians participate. Unless otherwise required by local law or practice or a particular subcustodian agreement, Securities deposited with a Subcustodian, a Depositary or a Foreign Depository will be held in a commingled account, in the name of Custodian, holding only Securities held by Custodian as custodian for its customers. Custodian shall identify on its books and records the Securities and cash belonging to the Fund, whether held directly or indirectly through Depositories, Foreign Depositories, or Subcustodians. Custodian shall, directly or indirectly through Subcustodians, Depositories, or Foreign Depositories, endeavor, to the extent feasible, to hold Securities in the country or other jurisdiction in which the principal trading market for such Securities is located, where such Securities are to be presented for cancellation and/or payment and/or registration, or where such Securities are acquired. Custodian at any time may cease utilizing any Subcustodian and/or may replace a Subcustodian with a different Subcustodian (the “Replacement Subcustodian”).

(b) Unless Custodian has received a Certificate or Instructions to the contrary, Custodian shall hold Securities indirectly through a Subcustodian only if (i) the Securities are not subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors or operators, including a receiver or trustee in bankruptcy or similar authority, except for a claim of payment for the safe custody or administration of Securities on behalf of the Fund by such Subcustodian, and (ii) beneficial ownership of the Securities is freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration.

(c) With respect to each Depository, Custodian (i) shall exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in discharging its duties as a securities intermediary to obtain and thereafter maintain Securities or financial assets deposited or held in such Depository, and (ii) will provide, promptly upon request by the Fund, such reports as are available concerning the internal accounting controls and financial strength of Custodian.

(d) With respect to each Foreign Depository, Custodian shall exercise reasonable care, prudence, and diligence (i) to provide the Fund with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Foreign Depository, and (ii) to monitor such custody risks on a continuing basis and promptly notify the Fund of any material change in such risks. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that such analysis and monitoring shall be made on the basis of, and limited by, information gathered from Subcustodians or through publicly available information otherwise obtained by Custodian, and shall not include any evaluation of Country Risks. As used herein the term “Country Risks” shall mean with respect to any Foreign

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Depository: (a) the financial infrastructure of the country in which it is organized, (b) such country’s prevailing custody and settlement practices, (c) nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions, (d) such country’s regulation of the banking or securities industry, (e) currency controls, restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations, and (f) market conditions which affect the order execution of securities transactions or affect the value of securities. In the event a custody arrangement with a Foreign Depository no longer meets the requirements of Rule 17d-7 under the ’40 Act, the Fund will provide Instructions to Custodian to withdraw the Fund’s assets from the Foreign Depository and Custodian shall act to implement such Instructions as soon as reasonably practicable.

2. Custodian shall furnish the Fund with an advice of daily transactions (including a confirmation of each transfer of Securities) and a monthly summary of all transfers to or from the Accounts.

3. With respect to all Securities held hereunder, Custodian shall, unless otherwise instructed to the contrary:

(a) Receive all income and other payments and advise the Fund as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(b) Present for payment and receive the amount paid upon all Securities which may mature and advise the Fund as promptly as practicable of any such amounts due but not paid;

(c) As soon as practicable, forward to the Fund copies of all information or documents that it may actually receive from an issuer of Securities which the Custodian, acting in good faith, reasonably believes are intended for the beneficial owner of Securities;

(d) Execute, as custodian, any certificates of ownership, affidavits, declarations or other certificates under any tax laws now or hereafter in effect in connection with the collection of bond and note coupon as Custodian deems reasonably necessary (acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner);

(e) Hold directly or through a Depository, a Foreign Depository, or a Subcustodian all rights and similar Securities issued with respect to any Securities credited to an Account hereunder; and

(f) Endorse for collection checks, drafts or other negotiable instruments.

4. (a) Custodian shall provide the Fund with notice as soon as reasonably practicable following Custodian’s actual notice of any such rights or discretionary actions with respect to Securities held hereunder, and of the date or dates by when such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken, provided that Custodian has actually received, from the issuer or the relevant Depository (with respect to Securities issued in the United States) or from the relevant Subcustodian, Foreign Depository, or a nationally or internationally recognized bond or corporate action service to which Custodian subscribes, timely notice of such rights or discretionary corporate action or of the date or dates such rights must be exercised or such action must be taken. Absent actual receipt of such notice, Custodian shall have no liability for failing to so notify the Fund.

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(b) Whenever Securities (including, but not limited to, warrants, options, tenders, options to tender or non-mandatory puts or calls) confer discretionary rights on the Fund or provide for discretionary action or alternative courses of action by the Fund, the Fund shall be responsible for making any decisions relating thereto and for directing Custodian to act. In order for Custodian to act, it must receive the Fund’s Certificate or Instructions at Custodian’s offices, addressed as Custodian may from time to time request, not later than noon (New York time) at least two (2) Business Days prior to the last scheduled date to act with respect to such Securities (or such earlier date or time as Custodian may specify to the Fund). Absent Custodian’s timely receipt of such Certificate or Instructions, Custodian shall not be liable for failure to take any action relating to or to exercise any rights conferred by such Securities.

5. All voting rights with respect to Securities, however registered, shall be exercised by the Fund or its designee.

6. Custodian shall promptly advise the Fund upon its notification of the partial redemption, partial payment or other action affecting less than all Securities of the relevant class. If Custodian, any Subcustodian, any Depository, or any Foreign Depository holds any Securities in which the Fund has an interest as part of a fungible mass, Custodian, such Subcustodian, Depository, or Foreign Depository may select the Securities to participate in such partial redemption, partial payment or other action in any non-discriminatory manner that it customarily uses to make such selection.

7. Custodian shall not under any circumstances accept bearer interest coupons which have been stripped from United States federal, state or local government or agency securities unless explicitly agreed to by Custodian in writing.

8. The Fund shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other governmental charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto (“Taxes”), with respect to any cash or Securities held on behalf of the Fund or any transaction related thereto. The Fund shall indemnify Custodian and each Subcustodian for the amount of any Tax that Custodian, any such Subcustodian or any other withholding agent is required under applicable laws (whether by assessment or otherwise) to pay on behalf of, or in respect of income earned by or payments or distributions made to or for the account of the Fund (including any payment of Tax required by reason of an earlier failure to withhold); provided that Custodian shall not be indemnified against any such Tax to the extent that it arises solely due to the negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of Custodian. Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or other withholding agent to, withhold the amount of any Tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution made with respect to any Security and any proceeds or income from the sale, loan or other transfer of any Security. In the event that Custodian or any Subcustodian is required under applicable law to pay any Tax on behalf of the Fund, Custodian is hereby authorized to withdraw cash from any cash account in the amount required to pay such Tax and to use such cash, or to remit such cash to the appropriate Subcustodian or other withholding agent, for the timely payment of such Tax in the manner required by applicable law. If the aggregate amount of cash in all cash accounts is not sufficient

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to pay such Tax, Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund of the additional amount of cash (in the appropriate currency) required, and the Fund shall directly deposit such additional amount in the appropriate cash account promptly after receipt of such notice, for use by Custodian as specified herein. In the event that Custodian reasonably believes that Fund is eligible, pursuant to applicable law or to the provisions of any tax treaty, for a reduced rate of, or exemption from, any Tax which is otherwise required to be withheld or paid on behalf of the Fund under any applicable law, Custodian shall, or shall instruct the applicable Subcustodian or withholding agent to, either withhold or pay such Tax at such reduced rate or refrain from withholding or paying such Tax, as appropriate; provided that Custodian shall have received from the Fund all documentary evidence of residence or other qualification for such reduced rate or exemption required to be received under such applicable law or treaty. The Fund hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Custodian and each Subcustodian in respect of any liability arising from any underwithholding or underpayment of any Tax which results from the inaccuracy or invalidity of any such forms or other documentation received from the Fund, and such obligation to indemnify shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement); provided that Custodian shall not be indemnified against any such liability to the extent that it arises solely due to the negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of Custodian.

9.(a) For the purpose of settling Securities and foreign exchange transactions, the Fund shall provide Custodian with sufficient immediately available funds for all transactions by such time and date as conditions in the relevant market dictate. As used herein, “sufficient immediately available funds” shall mean either (i) sufficient cash denominated in U.S. dollars to purchase the necessary foreign currency, or (ii) sufficient applicable foreign currency, to settle the transaction. Custodian shall provide the Fund with immediately available funds each day which result from the actual settlement of all sale transactions, based upon advices received by Custodian from Subcustodians, Depositories, and Foreign Depositories. Such funds shall be in U.S. dollars or such other currency as the Fund may specify to Custodian.

(b) Any foreign exchange transaction effected by Custodian in connection with this Agreement may be entered with Custodian or a BNY Affiliate acting as principal or otherwise through customary banking channels on terms to be agreed upon between the parties. The Fund may issue a standing Certificate or Instructions with respect to foreign exchange transactions, but Custodian may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange facility made available to the Fund. The Fund shall bear all risks of investing in Securities or holding cash denominated in a foreign currency.

10. With respect to Securities issued in the United States, the Shareholders Communications Act of 1985 (the “Act”) requires Custodian to disclose to the issuers, upon their request, the name, address and securities position of its customers who are (a) the “beneficial owners” (as defined in the Act) of the issuer’s securities, if the beneficial owner does not object to such disclosure, or (b) acting as a “respondent bank” (as defined in the Act) with respect to the securities. (Under the Act, “respondent banks” do not have the option of objecting to such disclosure upon the issuers’ request.) The Act defines a “beneficial owner” as any person who has, or shares, the power to vote a security (pursuant to an agreement or otherwise), or who directs the voting of a security. The Act defines a “respondent bank” as any bank, association or other entity that exercises fiduciary powers which holds securities on behalf of beneficial owners and deposits such securities for safekeeping with a bank, such as Custodian. Under the Act, The Fund is either the “beneficial owner” or a “respondent bank.”

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x The Fund is the “beneficial owner,” as defined in the Act, of the Securities issued in the United States to be held by Custodian hereunder.

¨ The Fund is not the beneficial owner of the Securities to be held by Custodian, but is acting as a “respondent bank,” as

defined in the Act, with respect to the Securities to be held by Custodian hereunder.

IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, CUSTODIAN SHALL ASSUME THAT THE FUND IS THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF THE SECURITIES ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES.

For beneficial owners of the Securities only:

x The Fund objects

¨ The Fund does not object

to the disclosure of its name, address and securities position to any issuer which requests such information pursuant to the Act for the specific purpose of direct communications between such issuer and The Fund.

IF NO BOX IS CHECKED, CUSTODIAN SHALL RELEASE SUCH INFORMATION UNTIL IT RECEIVES A CONTRARY WRITTEN INSTRUCTION FROM THE FUND.

With respect to Securities issued outside of the United States, information shall be released to issuers only if required by law or regulation of the particular country in which the Securities are located.

ARTICLE IV

PURCHASE, SALE AND REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES;

CREDITS TO ACCOUNT

1.(a) Promptly after each purchase or sale of Securities by the Fund, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions, or with respect to a purchase or sale of a

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Security generally required to be settled on the same day the purchase or sale is made, Oral Instructions specifying all information Custodian may reasonably request to settle such purchase or sale. Custodian shall account for all purchases and sales of Securities on the actual settlement date unless otherwise agreed by Custodian.

(b) With respect to purchases and sales of Hedge Fund Investments, upon the Written Instructions of an Authorized Person, Custodian (or its nominee) will as agent for the Fund subscribe for and redeem shares, units or other interests and complete, execute and submit all relevant subscription and redemption documentation required by the relevant issuer (or its administrator); provided that: (i) any Written Instructions given to Custodian hereunder shall be in accordance with Custodian’s procedures communicated to the Fund from time to time; and (ii) the Fund’s delivery to Custodian of any such Written Instructions to purchase Hedge Fund Investments shall constitute the Fund’s representation and warranty that the Fund has reviewed and understands the terms of the relevant offering memorandum or subscription agreement (or similar document) and other document(s) related thereto and agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions thereof (including all responses, representations and warranties to which the Fund will be bound as the owner of such Hedge Fund Investment). The Fund acknowledges that the decision to invest in Hedge Fund Investments rests solely with the Fund and/or its investment adviser and under no circumstances shall Custodian have or be required to have any authority to supervise, monitor or control the Fund’s investments in Hedge Fund Investments, or any other securities or assets of the Fund, nor shall Custodian otherwise provide any investment advisory services to Fund or have any liability related to the foregoing.

2. The Fund understands that when Custodian is instructed to deliver Securities against payment, delivery of such Securities and receipt of payment therefor may not be completed simultaneously. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, settlements, payments and deliveries of Securities may be effected by Custodian or any Subcustodian in accordance with the customary or established securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the jurisdiction in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivery to a purchaser or dealer therefor (or agent) against receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Securities, so long as the Custodian shall in good faith determine that such securities trading or securities processing practices and procedures are customary in the applicable jurisdiction and do not result in a violation of U.S. law. Subject to the foregoing, the Fund assumes responsibility for all risks, including, without limitation, credit risks, involved in connection with such deliveries of Securities.

3. Custodian may, as a matter of bookkeeping convenience or by separate agreement with the Fund, credit the Account with the proceeds from the sale, redemption or other disposition of Securities or interest, dividends or other distributions payable on Securities prior to its actual receipt of final payment therefor. All such credits shall be conditional until Custodian’s actual receipt of final payment and may be reversed by Custodian to the extent that final payment is not received. Payment with respect to a transaction will not be “final” until Custodian shall have received immediately available funds which under applicable local law, rule and/or practice are irreversible and not subject to any security interest, levy or other encumbrance, and which are specifically applicable to such transaction.

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ARTICLE V

OVERDRAFTS OR INDEBTEDNESS

1. If Custodian should in its sole discretion advance funds on behalf of the Fund which results in an overdraft (including, without limitation, any day-light overdraft) because the money held by Custodian in an Account for the Fund shall be insufficient to pay the total amount payable upon a purchase of Securities specifically allocated to the Fund, as set forth in a Certificate, Instructions or Oral Instructions, or if an overdraft arises in the separate account of the Fund for some other reason, including, without limitation, because of a reversal of a conditional credit or the purchase of any currency, or if the Fund is for any other reason indebted to Custodian with respect to the Fund, such overdraft or indebtedness shall be deemed to be a loan made by Custodian to the Fund payable on demand and shall bear interest from the date incurred at a rate per annum ordinarily charged by Custodian to its institutional customers, as such rate may be adjusted from time to time. In addition, the Fund hereby agrees that Custodian shall to the maximum extent permitted by law have a continuing lien, security interest, and security entitlement in and to any property, including, without limitation, any investment property or any financial asset, of the Fund at any time held by Custodian for the benefit of the Fund or in which the Fund may have an interest which is then in Custodian’s possession or control or in possession or control of any third party acting in Custodian’s behalf. The Fund authorizes Custodian, in its sole discretion, to charge any such overdraft or indebtedness together with interest due thereon against any balance of account standing to the Fund’s credit on Custodian’s books; provided, however, the Custodian shall have provided the Fund three (3) days’ prior written notice with respect thereto.

2. If the Fund borrows money from any bank (including Custodian if the borrowing is pursuant to a separate agreement) for investment or for temporary or emergency purposes using Securities held by Custodian hereunder as collateral for such borrowings, the Fund shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate specifying with respect to each such borrowing: (a) the name of the bank, (b) the amount of the borrowing, (c) the time and date, if known, on which the loan is to be entered into, (d) the total amount payable to the Fund on the borrowing date, (e) the Securities to be delivered as collateral for such loan, including the name of the issuer, the title and the number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities, and (f) a statement specifying whether such loan is for investment purposes or for temporary or emergency purposes. Custodian shall deliver on the borrowing date specified in a Certificate the specified collateral against payment by the lending bank of the total amount of the loan payable, provided that the same conforms to the total amount payable as set forth in the Certificate. Custodian may, at the option of the lending bank, keep such collateral in its possession, but such collateral shall be subject to all rights therein given the lending bank by virtue of any promissory note or loan agreement. Custodian shall deliver such Securities as additional collateral as may be specified in a Certificate to collateralize further any transaction described in this Section. The Fund shall cause all Securities released from collateral status to be returned directly to Custodian, and Custodian shall receive from time to time such return of collateral as may be tendered to it. In the event that the Fund fails to specify in a Certificate the name of the issuer, the title and number of shares or the principal amount of any particular Securities to be delivered as collateral by Custodian, Custodian shall not be under any obligation to deliver any Securities.

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ARTICLE VI

SALE AND REPURCHASE OF SHARES

1. Whenever the Fund shall sell any interests or shares issued by the Fund (“Shares”) it shall deliver to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions specifying the amount of money and/or Securities to be received by Custodian for the sale of such Shares and specifically allocated to an Account for the Fund.

2. Upon receipt of such money, Custodian shall credit such money to an Account in the name of the Fund.

3. Except as provided hereinafter, whenever the Fund desires Custodian to make payment out of the money held by Custodian hereunder in connection with a repurchase of any Shares, it shall furnish to Custodian (a) a resolution or other authorization by or on behalf of the Board directing the Fund’s transfer agent to repurchase the Shares, and (b) a Certificate or Instructions specifying the total amount to be paid for such Shares. Custodian shall make payment of such total amount to the transfer agent specified in such Certificate or Instructions out of the money held in an Account.

ARTICLE VII

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS OR DISTRIBUTIONS

1. Whenever the Fund shall determine to pay a dividend or distribution on Shares it shall furnish to Custodian Instructions or a Certificate setting forth the date of the declaration of such dividend or distribution, the total amount payable, and the payment date.

2. Upon the payment date specified in such Instructions or Certificate, Custodian shall pay out of the money held for the account of the Fund the total amount payable to the dividend agent of the Fund specified therein.

ARTICLE VIII

CONCERNING CUSTODIAN

1.(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Custodian shall not be liable for any costs, expenses, damages, liabilities or claims, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees (collectively, “Losses”), incurred by or asserted against the Fund, except those Losses arising out of the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of Custodian. Custodian shall have no liability whatsoever for the action or inaction of any Depository, Foreign Depository or issuer of Securities. Subject to Section 1(b) below, Custodian’s responsibility with respect to any Securities or cash held by a Subcustodian is limited to (a) the failure on the part of Custodian to exercise due care in accordance with reasonable commercial standards in the selection, retention and monitoring of such Subcustodian, other than those the Custodian uses solely pursuant to direction by the Fund, and (b) the Subcustodian’s negligence, willful default or fraud where the Subcustodian is a BNYM Affiliate. With respect to any Losses incurred by the Fund as a result of the acts or the failure to act by any Subcustodian (other than a BNYM Affiliate), Custodian shall take appropriate action to recover such Losses from such Subcustodian; and (without prejudice to Custodian’s responsibility in the previous sentence) Custodian’s responsibility and

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liability to the Fund shall be limited to amounts so received from such Subcustodian (exclusive of costs and expenses incurred by Custodian). Upon written request and where legally permissible, Custodian will transfer such action to the Fund. In no event shall Custodian be liable to the Fund or any third party for special, indirect or consequential damages, arising in connection with this Agreement.

(b) Custodian may enter into subcontracts, agreements and understandings with any BNY Affiliate, whenever and on such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate to perform its services hereunder; subject to delivery of prior written notice to the Fund. Custodian will provide notice to the Fund when it enters into such subcontracts, agreements or understandings, none of which shall discharge Custodian from its obligations hereunder.

(c) The Fund agrees to indemnify Custodian and hold Custodian harmless from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against Custodian by reason of or as a result of any action or inaction, or arising out of Custodian’s performance hereunder(including without limitation, any breach of or default under any of the representations, warranties or covenants made in any subscription documentation with any issuer of Hedge Fund Investments), including reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by Custodian in a successful defense of claims by the Fund; provided however, that the Fund shall not indemnify Custodian for those Losses arising out of Custodian’s own negligence, fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of the Fund, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

(d) Custodian agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and its affiliates from and against any and all Losses sustained or incurred by or asserted against the Fund or its affiliates to the extent such Losses arise as a result of a breach of Custodian’s duty of care hereunder; provided, however, that Custodian shall not indemnify the Fund or its affiliates for those Losses arising out of the Fund’s or its affiliates’ own negligence, fraud, bad faith or willful misconduct. This indemnity shall be a continuing obligation of Custodian, its successors and assigns, notwithstanding the termination of this Agreement.

2. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Custodian shall be under no obligation to inquire into, and shall not be liable for:

(a) Any Losses incurred by the Fund or any other person as a result of the receipt or acceptance of fraudulent, forged or invalid Securities, or Securities which are otherwise not freely transferable or deliverable without encumbrance in any relevant market;

(b) Any action by the Fund or by any issuer of a Hedge Fund Investment (or its administrator) that suspends, prevents or otherwise limits the purchase, redemption or other liquidation of the Hedge Fund Investment (including, without limitation, any action taken by any issuer to suspend or curtail redemptions or to make distributions in kind, including distributions of illiquid investments).

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(c) The validity of the issue of any Securities purchased, sold, or written by or for the Fund, the legality of the purchase, sale or writing thereof, or the propriety of the amount paid or received therefor;

(d) The legality of the sale or repurchase of any Shares, or the propriety of the amount to be received or paid therefor;

(e) The legality of the declaration or payment of any dividend or distribution by the Fund;

(f) The legality of any borrowing by the Fund;

(g) The legality of any loan of portfolio Securities, nor shall Custodian be under any duty or obligation to see to it that any cash or collateral delivered to it by a broker, dealer or financial institution or held by it at any time as a result of such loan of portfolio Securities is adequate security for the Fund against any loss it might sustain as a result of such loan, which duty or obligation shall be the sole responsibility of the Fund. In addition, Custodian shall be under no duty or obligation to see that any broker, dealer or financial institution to which portfolio Securities of the Fund are lent makes payment to it of any dividends or interest which are payable to or for the account of the Fund during the period of such loan or at the termination of such loan, provided, however that Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund in the event that such dividends or interest are not paid and received when due;

(h) The sufficiency or value of any amounts of money and/or Securities held in any Special Account in connection with transactions by the Fund; whether any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member makes payment to the Fund of any variation margin payment or similar payment which the Fund may be entitled to receive from such broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member, or whether any payment received by Custodian from any broker, dealer, futures commission merchant or clearing member is the amount the Fund is entitled to receive, or to notify the Fund of Custodian’s receipt or non-receipt of any such payment; or

(i) Whether any Securities at any time delivered to, or held by it or by any Subcustodian, for the account of the Fund are such as properly may be held by the Fund under the provisions of its then current prospectus and statement of additional information, or to ascertain whether any transactions by the Fund, whether or not involving Custodian, are such transactions as may properly be engaged in by the Fund.

3. Custodian may, with respect to questions of law specifically regarding an Account, obtain the advice of counsel and shall be fully protected with respect to anything done or omitted by it in good faith in conformity with such advice; provided that, in the event of a conflict between directions or advice or Instructions that Custodian receives from the Fund and the advice Custodian receives from counsel, Custodian may rely upon, follow and be protected with respect to anything done or omitted to be done in conformity with such advice of counsel if Custodian has, if reasonably practicable under the circumstances, first discussed the matter with the Fund and/or counsel of the Fund’s choosing and the conflict is not resolved in a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.

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4. Custodian shall be under no obligation to take action to collect any amount payable on Securities in default, or if payment is refused after due demand and presentment.

5. Custodian shall have no duty or responsibility to inquire into, make recommendations, supervise, or determine the suitability of any transactions affecting any Account.

6. The Fund shall pay to Custodian the fees and charges as may be specifically agreed upon from time to time and such other fees and charges at Custodian’s standard rates for such services as may be applicable. The Fund shall reimburse Custodian for all costs associated with the conversion of the Fund’s Securities hereunder and the transfer of Securities and records kept in connection with this Agreement. The Fund shall also reimburse Custodian for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses which are a normal incident of the services provided hereunder.

7. Custodian has the right to debit any cash account for any amount payable by the Fund in connection with any and all obligations of the Fund to Custodian. In addition to the rights of Custodian under applicable law and other agreements, at any time when the Fund shall not have honored any of its obligations to Custodian, Custodian shall have the right to retain or set-off, against such obligations of the Fund, any Securities or cash Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may directly or indirectly hold for the account of the Fund, and any obligations (whether matured or unmatured) that Custodian or a BNY Affiliate may have to the Fund in any currency or Composite Currency Unit. Custodian will provide notice to the Fund as promptly as practical under the circumstances in the event it intends to exercise such retention or set-off rights. Any such asset of, or obligation to, the Fund may be transferred to Custodian and any BNY Affiliate in order to effect the above rights.

8. The Fund agrees to forward to Custodian a Certificate or Instructions confirming Oral Instructions by the close of business of the same day that such Oral Instructions are given to Custodian. The Fund agrees that the fact that such confirming Certificate or Instructions are not received or that a contrary Certificate or contrary Instructions are received by Custodian shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of transactions authorized by such Oral Instructions and effected by Custodian. If the Fund elects to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications system offered by Custodian, the Fund’s use thereof shall be subject to the Terms and Conditions attached as Appendix I hereto. If Custodian receives Instructions which appear on their face to have been transmitted by an Authorized Person via (i) computer facsimile, email, the Internet or other insecure electronic method, or (ii) secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys, the Fund understands and agrees that Custodian cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that Custodian shall conclusively presume that such Written Instructions have been sent by an Authorized Person, and the Fund shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Persons transmit such Instructions to Custodian. If the Fund elects (with Custodian’s prior consent) to transmit Instructions through an on-line communications service owned or operated by a third party, the Fund agrees that Custodian shall not be responsible or liable for the reliability or availability of any such service.

9. The books and records pertaining to the Fund which are in possession of Custodian shall be the property of the Fund. Such books and records shall be prepared and maintained as

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required by the ‘40 Act and the rules thereunder. The Fund, or its authorized representatives, shall have access to such books and records during Custodian’s normal business hours. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, copies of any such books and records shall be provided by Custodian to the Fund or its authorized representative. Upon the reasonable request of the Fund, Custodian shall provide in hard copy or on computer disc any records included in any such delivery which are maintained by Custodian on a computer disc, or are similarly maintained. Custodian shall provide information reasonably requested by the Fund regarding Sub-Custodians, as soon as reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

10. The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by the Custodian on the system of internal accounting control of a Depository, and with such reports on its own system of internal accounting control as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time.

11. Custodian represents that it has business continuity, disaster recovery, and backup procedures that are reasonably designed to comply with applicable requirements set forth by its primary regulatory oversight agency or other applicable federal law. Custodian shall enter into and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provisions for emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to mitigate against the loss of data or service interruptions to the extent appropriate equipment is available. In the event of equipment failures, Custodian shall, at no additional expense to the Fund, take reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions. Custodian shall have no liability with respect to the loss of data or service interruptions caused by equipment failure provided such loss or interruption is not caused by Custodian’s own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct with respect to its duties under this Agreement.

12. Custodian will take reasonable precautions to ensure the security of Fund records and information, protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of such records or information, and protect against unauthorized access to or use of such records or information that would result in substantial harm or inconvenience to the Fund and will maintain reasonable procedures to detect and respond to any internal or external security breaches. Custodian will monitor and review its procedures periodically and revise them, as necessary, to ensure they appropriately address any reasonably foreseeable risks.

13. It is understood that Custodian is authorized (acting reasonably and in good faith) to supply any information regarding the Accounts which is required by any law, regulation or rule now or hereafter in effect. Custodian agrees to treat as confidential information all accounting information and other business records of the Fund, including any information relating to the Fund’s investments, disclosed to Custodian in connection with its provision of services pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (all such information, the “Confidential Information”) and Custodian shall not disclose the Confidential Information to any other person, except to (i) its employees, BNYM Affiliates, delegees, agents and other service providers to the Fund in connection with Custodian’s provision of services hereunder, (ii) its and the Fund’s respective regulators, examiners, internal and external accountants, auditors, and counsel, or (iii) any other person when required by a court order or legal process, or whenever advised by its counsel that it would be liable for a failure to make such disclosure. Custodian shall instruct its employees, regulators, examiners, internal and external accountants, auditors, and counsel, and instruct any BNYM Affiliate, delegee or agent to instruct its employees, regulators, examiners, internal and

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external accountants, auditors, and counsel, who may be afforded access to Confidential Information of such obligations of confidentiality, and shall not use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than the provision of services hereunder. Confidential Information shall not include any information that (i) is or becomes public knowledge through no act or omission of the receiving person, (ii) is publicly disclosed by the Fund, or (iii) is otherwise obtained from third parties not known by Custodian to be bound by a duty of confidentiality.

14. Custodian shall have no duties or responsibilities whatsoever except such duties and responsibilities as are specifically set forth in this Agreement, and no covenant or obligation shall be implied against Custodian in connection with this Agreement.

ARTICLE IX

TERMINATION

1. This Agreement shall be for an initial term ending on the first anniversary of the date first above written, and shall continue for successive one year periods thereafter, except that the term of this Agreement may at any time be terminated by either of the parties hereto by giving to the other party a notice in writing specifying the date of such termination, which shall be not less than sixty (60) days after the date of giving of such notice. In the event such notice is given by the Fund, it shall be accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, electing to terminate this Agreement and designating a successor custodian or custodians, each of which shall be a bank or trust company eligible to serve as a custodian of an investment company under the ’40 Act. In the event such notice is given by Custodian, the Fund shall, on or before the termination date, deliver to Custodian a copy of a resolution of the board of the Fund, certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, designating a successor custodian or custodians. In the event that no notice designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the ‘40 Act, doing business in New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $250,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of the Fund and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of the Fund, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of the Fund held in any securities system or at the Fund’s transfer agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement. Upon the date set forth in such notice this Agreement shall terminate, and Custodian shall upon receipt of a notice of acceptance by the successor custodian on that date deliver directly to the successor custodian all Securities and money then owned by the Fund and held by it as Custodian, after deducting all fees, expenses and other amounts for the payment or reimbursement of which it shall then be entitled.

2. If a successor custodian is not designated by the Fund or Custodian in accordance with the preceding Section, the Fund shall upon the date specified in the notice of termination of this Agreement and upon the delivery by Custodian of all Securities (other than Securities which cannot be delivered to the Fund) and money then owned by the Fund be deemed to be its own custodian and Custodian shall thereby be relieved of all duties and responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement, other than the duty with respect to Securities which cannot be delivered to the Fund to hold such Securities hereunder in accordance with this Agreement.

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

1. The Fund agrees to furnish to Custodian a new Certificate of Authorized Persons in the event of any change in the then present Authorized Persons. Until such new Certificate is received, Custodian shall be fully protected in acting upon Certificates or Oral Instructions of such present Authorized Persons.

2. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to Custodian, shall be sufficiently given if addressed to Custodian and received by it at its offices at Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other place as Custodian may from time to time designate in writing.

3. Any notice or other instrument in writing, authorized or required by this Agreement to be given to the Fund shall be sufficiently given if addressed to the Fund and received by it at its offices at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00^xx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, or at such other place as the Fund may from time to time designate in writing.

4. Each and every right granted to either party hereunder or under any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time. No failure on the part of either party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right will operate as a waiver thereof, nor will any single or partial exercise by either party of any right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right.

5. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any exclusive jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected thereby. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement executed by both parties, except that any amendment to the Schedule I hereto need be signed only by the Fund and any amendment to Appendix I hereto need be signed only by Custodian. This Agreement shall extend to and shall be binding upon the parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other.

6. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof. The Fund and Custodian hereby consent to the jurisdiction of a state or federal court situated in New York City, New York in connection with any dispute arising hereunder. Each of the Fund and Custodian hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Fund and Custodian each hereby irrevocably waives any and all rights to trial by jury in any legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

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7. The Fund hereby acknowledges that Custodian is subject to federal laws, including its Customer Identification Program (CIP) requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act and its implementing regulations, pursuant to which Custodian must obtain, verify and record information that allows Custodian to identify the Fund. Accordingly, prior to opening an Account hereunder Custodian will ask the Fund to provide certain information including, but not limited to, the Fund’s name, physical address, tax identification number and other information that will help Custodian to identify and verify the Fund’s identity such as organizational documents, certificate of good standing, license to do business, or other pertinent identifying information. The Fund agrees that Custodian cannot open an Account hereunder unless and until Custodian verifies the Fund’s identity in accordance with its CIP.

8. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one instrument.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund and Custodian have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers, thereunto duly authorized, as of the day and year first above written.

PERMAL HEDGE STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO

By:

Title:

Tax Identification No:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

By:

Title:

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SCHEDULE I

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORIZED PERSONS

(The Fund - Oral and Written Instructions)

The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the duly elected and acting                     of Permal Hedge Fund Strategies Portfolio (the “Fund”), and further certifies that the following officers or employees of the Fund have been duly authorized in conformity with the Fund’s Declaration of Trust and By-Laws to deliver Certificates and Oral Instructions to The Bank of New York Mellon (“Custodian”) pursuant to the Custody Agreement between the Fund and Custodian dated                     , and that the signatures appearing opposite their names are true and correct:

Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature
Name		Title		Signature

This certificate supersedes any certificate of Authorized Persons you may currently have on file.

[seal]					By:
								Title:
Date:

APPENDIX I

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

ON-LINE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (THE “SYSTEM”)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. License; Use. Upon delivery to an Authorized Person or a person reasonably believed by Custodian to be an Authorized Person, of software enabling the Fund to obtain access to the System (the “Software”), Custodian grants to the Fund a personal, nontransferable and nonexclusive license to use the Software solely for the purpose of transmitting Written Instructions, receiving reports, making inquiries or otherwise communicating with Custodian in connection with the Account(s). The Fund shall use the Software solely for its own internal and proper business purposes and not in the operation of a service bureau. Except as set forth herein, no license or right of any kind is granted to the Fund with respect to the Software. The Fund acknowledges that Custodian and its suppliers retain and have title and exclusive proprietary rights to the Software, including any trade secrets or other ideas, concepts, know-how, methodologies, or information incorporated therein and the exclusive rights to any copyrights, trademarks and patents (including registrations and applications for registration of either), or other statutory or legal protections available in respect thereof. The Fund further acknowledges that all or a part of the Software may be copyrighted or trademarked (or a registration or claim made therefor) by Custodian or its suppliers. The Fund shall not take any action with respect to the Software inconsistent with the foregoing acknowledgments, nor shall the Fund attempt to decompile, reverse engineer or modify the Software. The Fund may not copy, sell, lease or provide, directly or indirectly, any of the Software or any portion thereof to any other person or entity without Custodian’s prior written consent. The Fund may not remove any statutory copyright notice or other notice included in the Software or on any media containing the Software. The Fund shall reproduce any such notice on any reproduction of the Software and shall add any statutory copyright notice or other notice to the Software or media upon Custodian’s request.

2. Equipment. The Fund shall obtain and maintain at its own cost and expense all equipment and services, including but not limited to communications services, necessary for it to utilize the Software and obtain access to the System, and Custodian shall not be responsible for the reliability or availability of any such equipment or services.

3. Proprietary Information. The Software, any data base and any proprietary data, processes, information and documentation made available to the Fund (other than which are or become part of the public domain or are legally required to be made available to the public) (collectively, the “Information”), are the exclusive and confidential property of Custodian or its suppliers. The Fund shall keep the Information

confidential by using the same care and discretion that the Fund uses with respect to its own confidential property and trade secrets, but not less than reasonable care. Upon termination of the Agreement or the Software license granted herein for any reason, the Fund shall return to Custodian any and all copies of the Information which are in its possession or under its control.

4. Modifications. Custodian reserves the right to modify the Software from time to time and the Fund shall install new releases of the Software as Custodian may direct. The Fund agrees not to modify or attempt to modify the Software without Custodian’s prior written consent. The Fund acknowledges that any modifications to the Software, whether by the Fund or Custodian and whether with or without Custodian’s consent, shall become the property of Custodian.

5. NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES. CUSTODIAN AND ITS MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS MAKE NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE SOFTWARE, SERVICES OR ANY DATABASE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE FUND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE SOFTWARE, SERVICES AND ANY DATABASE ARE PROVIDED “AS IS.” IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL, WHICH THE FUND MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE, SERVICES OR ANY DATABASE, EVEN IF CUSTODIAN OR SUCH SUPPLIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN NO EVENT SHALL CUSTODIAN OR ANY SUPPLIER BE LIABLE FOR ACTS OF GOD, MACHINE OR COMPUTER BREAKDOWN OR MALFUNCTION, INTERRUPTION OR MALFUNCTION OF COMMUNICATION FACILITIES, LABOR DIFFICULTIES OR ANY OTHER SIMILAR OR DISSIMILAR CAUSE BEYOND THEIR REASONABLE CONTROL.

6. Security; Reliance; Unauthorized Use. The Fund will cause all persons utilizing the Software and System to treat all applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and authentication keys with extreme care, and it will establish internal control and safekeeping procedures to restrict the availability of the same to persons duly authorized to give Instructions. Custodian is hereby irrevocably authorized to act in accordance with and rely on Instructions received by it through the System. The Fund acknowledges that it is its sole responsibility to assure that only persons duly authorized use the System and that Custodian shall neither be responsible nor liable for any unauthorized use thereof.

7. System Acknowledgments. Custodian shall acknowledge through the System its receipt of each transmission communicated through the System, and in the absence of such acknowledgment Custodian shall not be liable for any failure to act in accordance with such transmission and the Fund may not claim that such transmission was received by Custodian.

8. EXPORT RESTRICTIONS. EXPORT OF THE SOFTWARE IS PROHIBITED BY UNITED STATES LAW. THE FUND MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES RESELL, DIVERT, TRANSFER, TRANSSHIP OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF THE SOFTWARE (IN ANY FORM) IN OR TO ANY OTHER COUNTRY. IF CUSTODIAN DELIVERED THE SOFTWARE TO THE FUND OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES, THE SOFTWARE WAS EXPORTED FROM THE UNITED STATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EXPORTER ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS. DIVERSION CONTRARY TO U.S. LAW IS PROHIBITED. The Fund hereby authorizes Custodian to report its name and address to government agencies to which Custodian is required to provide such information by law.

9. ENCRYPTION. The Fund acknowledges and agrees that encryption may not be available for every communication through the System, or for all data. The Fund agrees that Custodian may deactivate any encryption features at any time, without notice or liability to the Fund, for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or troubleshooting the System or the Software.