AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Β
EXECUTION
VERSION
Β
AMENDED
AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
by
and
among
Β
Β
AND
Β
CITIBANK,
N.A.,
as
Depositary,
Β
AND
Β
THE
HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES ISSUED HEREUNDER
Dated
as
of February 14, 2006
Β
TABLE
OF
CONTENTS
Β
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS | Β | Β | ||
Β | Section 1.1 | Β | "ADS Record Date"Β |
3
|
Β | Section 1.2 | Β | "Affiliate"Β |
3
|
Β | Section 1.3 | Β | "Agent"Β |
3
|
Β | Section 1.4Β | Β | "American Depositary Receipt(s)", "ADRs" and "Receipt(s)" |
3
|
Β |
Section
1.5
|
Β |
"American
Depositary Share(s)"
and
"ADS(s)"
|
3
|
Β |
Section
1.6
|
Β |
"Applicant"
|
3
|
Β | Section 1.7 | Β |
"Beneficial
Owner"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.8 | Β |
"Certificated
ADS(s)"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.9 | Β |
"Commission"Β
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.10 | Β |
"Company"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.11 | Β |
"CREST"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.12 | Β |
"Custodian"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.13 | Β |
"Deliver"Β and
"Delivery"
|
4
|
Β | Section 1.14 | Β |
4
|
|
Β | Section 1.15 | Β |
"Depositary"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.16 | Β |
"Deposited
Securities"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.17 | Β |
"Dollars"Β and
"$"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.18 | Β |
"DTC"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.19 | Β |
"DTC
Participant
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.20 | Β |
"Exchange
Act"Β
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.21 | Β |
"Foreign
Currency"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.22 | Β |
"Full
Entitlement ADR(s)",Β "Full
Entitlement ADS(s)"Β and
"Full
Entitlement
Share(s)"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.23 | Β | "Holder(s)" |
5
|
Β | Section 1.24 | Β |
"indemnified
person"Β and
"indemnifying
person"
|
5
|
Β | Section 1.25 | Β | "Original Deposit Agreement" |
5
|
Β | Section 1.26 | Β |
"Original
Depositary"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.27 | Β |
"Partial
Entitlement ADR(s)",Β "Partial
Entitlement ADS(s)"Β and
"Partial
Entitlement
Share(s)"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.28 | Β |
"Pre-Release
Transaction"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.29 | Β |
"Principal
Office"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.30 | Β |
"Registrar"Β
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.31 | Β |
"Restricted
Securities"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.32 | Β |
"Restricted
ADR(s)", "Restricted ADS(s)" and "Restricted Shares"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.33 | Β |
"Securities
Act"
|
6
|
Β | Section 1.34 | Β |
"Share
Xxxxxxxxx"
|
0
|
Β | Section 1.35 | Β |
"Shares"Β
|
7
|
Β | Section 1.36 | Β |
"Uncertificated
ADS(s)"
|
7
|
Β | Section 1.37 | Β |
"United
States"Β and
"U.S"
|
7
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
II APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF SHARES;
EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
|
7
|
|||
Β | Section 2.1 | Β |
Appointment
of Depositary
|
7
|
Β | Section 2.2 | Β |
Form
and Transferability of ADSs and ADRs
|
7
|
Β
Β
Β |
Section
2.3
|
Β |
Deposit
with Custodian
|
9
|
Β | Section 2.4 | Β | Registration and Safekeeping of Deposited Securities |
11
|
Β | Section 2.5 | Β | Issuance of ADSs |
11
|
Β | Section 2.6 | Β |
Transfer,
Combination and Split-up of ADRs
|
11
|
Β | Section 2.7 | Β |
Surrender
of ADSs and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities
|
12
|
Β | Section 2.8 | Β |
Limitations
on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of ADSs; Suspension
of Delivery, Transfer, etc
|
14
|
Β | Section 2.9 | Β |
Lost
ADRs, etcΒ
|
14
|
Β | Section 2.10 | Β |
Cancellation
and Destruction of Surrendered ADRs; Maintenance ofΒ Records
|
15
|
Β | Section 2.11 | Β | Partial Entitlement ADSs |
15
|
Β | Section 2.12 | Β |
Certificated/Uncertificated
ADSs
|
16
|
Β | Section 2.13 | Β |
Restricted
ADSs
|
17
|
Β | Section 2.14 | Β |
Escheatment
|
18
|
Β | Section 2.15 | Β |
Change
in ADS to Share Ratio
|
18
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | |
ARTICLE
III CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ADSs
|
19
|
|||
Β | Section 3.1 | Β |
Proofs,
Certificates and Other Information
|
19
|
Β | Section 3.2 | Β |
Liability
for Taxes and Other Charges
|
19
|
Β | Section 3.3 | Β |
Representations
and Warranties on Deposit of Shares
|
20
|
Β | Section 3.4 | Β |
Compliance
with Information RequestsΒ
|
20
|
Β | Section 3.5 | Β |
Ownership
Restrictions
|
21
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | |
ARTICLE
IV THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
|
21
|
|||
Β | Section 4.1 | Β |
Cash
Distributions
|
21
|
Β | Section 4.2 | Β |
Distribution
in Shares
|
21
|
Β | Section 4.3 | Β |
Elective
Distributions in Cash or Shares
|
22
|
Β | Section 4.4 | Β |
Distribution
of Rights to Purchase Additional ADSs
|
23
|
Β | Section 4.5 | Β |
Distributions
Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares
|
24
|
Β | Section 4.6 | Β |
Distributions
with Respect to Deposited Securities in Bearer Form
|
25
|
Β | Section 4.7 | Β |
Redemption
|
25
|
Β | Section 4.8 | Β |
Conversion
of Foreign Currency
|
26
|
Β | Section 4.9 | Β |
Fixing
of ADS Record Date
|
27
|
Β | Section 4.10 | Β |
Voting
of Deposited Securities
|
27
|
Β | Section 4.11 | Β |
Changes
Affecting Deposited Securities
|
28
|
Β | Section 4.12 | Β |
Available
Information
|
29
|
Β | Section 4.13 | Β |
Reports
|
29
|
Β | Section 4.14 | Β |
List
of Holders
|
29
|
Β | Section 4.15 | Β |
Taxation
|
30
|
Β | Β | Β | ||
ARTICLE
V THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
|
31
|
|||
Β | Section 5.1 | Β |
Maintenance
of Office and Transfer Books by the Xxxxxxxxx
|
00
|
Β | Section 5.2 | Β |
Exoneration
|
32
|
Β | Section 5.3 | Β |
Standard
of Care
|
32
|
Β | Section 5.4 | Β |
Resignation
and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary
|
33
|
Β
Β |
Section
5.5
|
Β |
The
Custodian
|
34
|
Β |
Section
5.6
|
Β |
Notices
and Reports
|
34
|
Β |
Section
5.7
|
Β |
Issuance
of Additional Shares
|
35
|
Β |
Section
5.8
|
Β |
Indemnification
|
36
|
Β |
Section
5.9
|
Β |
Fees
and Charges of Depositary
|
37
|
Β |
Section
5.10
|
Β |
Pre-Release
Transactions
|
38
|
Β |
Section
5.11
|
Β |
Restricted
Securities Owners
|
38
|
Β | Β | Β | Β |
Β
|
ARTICLE
VI AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
|
39
|
|||
Β |
Section
6.1
|
Β |
Amendment/Supplement
|
39
|
Β |
Section
6.2
|
Β |
Termination
|
39
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
ARTICLE
VII MISCELLANEOUS
|
40
|
|||
Β |
Section
7.1
|
Β |
Counterparts
|
40
|
Β |
Section
7.2
|
Β |
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries
|
40
|
Β |
Section
7.3
|
Β |
Severability
|
41
|
Β |
Section
7.4
|
Β |
Holders
and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect
|
41
|
Β |
Section
7.5
|
Β |
Notices
|
41
|
Β |
Section
7.6
|
Β |
Governing
Law and Jurisdiction
|
42
|
Β |
Section
7.7
|
Β |
Assignment
|
43
|
Β |
Section
7.8
|
Β |
Compliance
with U.S. Securities Laws
|
43
|
Β |
Section
7.9
|
Β |
References
to the Laws of the United Kingdom
|
44
|
Β |
Section
7.10
|
Β |
Titles
and References
|
44
|
Β |
Section
7.11
|
Β |
Amendment
and Restatement
|
45
|
Β | Β | Β | Β | |
EXHIBITS
|
Β | Β | ||
Β | Β | Β |
Form
of ADR
|
A-1
|
Β | Β | Β |
Fee
Schedule
|
B-1
|
Β
Β
AMENDED
AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β AMENDED
AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated
as
of February 14, 2006, by and among (i) UNILEVER PLC, a company incorporated
under the laws of England and
its
successors (the "Company"), (ii) CITIBANK, N.A.,
a
national banking association organized under the laws of the United States
of
America acting in its capacity as depositary, and any successor depositary
hereunder (the "Depositary"), and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of
American Depositary Shares issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as
hereinafter defined).
WITNESSETH
THAT:
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
the
Company and Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of New York (the "Original
Depositary") previously entered into a Deposit Agreement, dated as of October
12, 1989 which was amended as of May 10, 1999 (as so amended, the "Original
Deposit Agreement"); and
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
the
Company desires to amend and restate the Original Deposit Agreement and
establish with the Depositary an ADR facility to provide inter
alia for
the
deposit of the Shares
(as hereinafter defined) and the creation of American Depositary Shares
representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of
American Depositary Receipts (as hereinafter defined) evidencing certain
American Depositary Shares; and
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
the
Depositary is willing to act as the Depositary for such ADR facility upon the
terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined);
and
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
any
American Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit
Agreement are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit
A
attached
hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter
provided in this Deposit Agreement; and
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
the
Shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the American Depositary
Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are listed
for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.; and
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β WHEREAS,
the
Board
of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly
approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this
Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on
behalf of the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β NOW,
THEREFORE, for
good
and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which
are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Β
2
ARTICLE
I
DEFINITIONS
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β All
capitalized terms
used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below,
unless otherwise clearly indicated:
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.1
"ADS
Record Date"
shall
have the meaning given to such term in Section
4.9.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.2
"Affiliate"
shall
have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission (as hereinafter
defined) under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act (as hereinafter
defined), or under any successor regulation thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.3
"Agent"
shall
have the meaning given to such term in Section 7.6.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.4
"American
Depositary Receipt(s)",Β "ADR
s
"
andΒ "Receipt(s)"Β shall
mean the certificate(s) issued by the Depositary to evidence the American
Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement in the form
of Certificated ADS(s) (as hereinafter defined), as such ADRs may be amended
from time to time in accordance with the provisions
of this Deposit Agreement. An ADR may evidence any number of ADSs and may,
in
the
case
of ADSs held through a central depository such as DTC (as hereinafter defined),
be in the form of a "Balance Certificate." The American depositary receipts
issued and outstanding under the terms of the Original Deposit Agreement shall,
notwithstanding anything else contained therein or herein, from and after the
date hereof, be treated as ADRs issued hereunder and shall, from and after
the
date hereof, be subject to the terms hereof in all respects.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.5
"American
Depositary Share(s)"Β and
"ADS
s"
shall
mean the rights and interests in the Deposited Securities (as hereinafter
defined) granted to the Holders and Beneficial Owners pursuant to the terms
and
conditions of this Deposit Agreement and, if issued as
Certificated ADS(s), the ADR(s) issued to evidence such ADSs. ADS(s) may be
issued under the
terms
of this Deposit Agreement in the form of (a) Certificated ADS(s), in which
case
the ADS(s)
are evidenced by ADR(s), or (b) Uncertificated ADS(s) (as hereinafter defined),
in which case the ADS(s) are not evidenced by ADR(s) but are reflected on the
direct registration system
maintained by the Depositary for such purposes under the terms of Section 2.12.
Unless otherwise
specified in this Deposit Agreement or in any ADR, or unless the context
otherwise requires, any reference to the terms ADS(s) or American Depositary
Shares shall include Certificated ADS(s) and Uncertificated ADS(s), individually
or collectively, as the context may require. Each ADS shall represent four
(4)
Shares until (i) there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities
referred to in Section 4.2 or a change in Deposited Securities referred to
in
Section 4.11 with respect to which additional ADSs are not issued or (ii) there
shall occur a change in the ADS-to-Share ratio in accordance with the terms
of
Section 2.15, and thereafter each ADS shall represent the Deposited Securities
determined in accordance with the terms of such
Sections. American depositary shares outstanding under the Original Deposit
Agreement as of
the
date hereof shall, from and after the date hereof, for all purposes be treated
as American Depositary Shares issued and outstanding hereunder and shall, from
and after the date hereof, be subject
to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement in
Β
3
all
respects, except that any
amendment of the Original Deposit Agreement effected by the terms of this
Deposit Agreement which prejudices any substantial existing right of "Holders"
(as defined in the Original Deposit Agreement) shall not become effective as
to
"Holders" of American depositary shares issued under the Original Deposit
Agreement until the expiration of three (3) months after notice of the
amendments effected by this Deposit Agreement shall have been given to the
"Holders" of American depositary shares outstanding under the Original Deposit
Agreement as of the date hereof
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.6
"Applicant"Β shall
have the meaning given to such term in Section 5.10.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.7
"Beneficial
Owner"Β shall
mean, as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest deriving
from the ownership of such ADS. A Beneficial Owner of ADSs may or may not be
the
Holder of such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner shall be able to exercise
any right or receive any benefit hereunder solely through the person who is
the
Holder of
the
ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owner. Unless otherwise identified to the
Depositary, a Holder
shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of all the ADSs registered in
his/her/its name.
Persons who own beneficial interests in the American depositary shares issued
under the terms
of
the Original Deposit Agreement and outstanding as of the date hereof shall,
from
and after the date hereof, be treated as Beneficial Owners of ADS(s) under
the
terms hereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.8
"Certificated
ADS(s)"Β shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.9
"Commission"Β shall
mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any
successor governmental agency thereto in the United States.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.10
"Company"Β shall
mean Unilever PLC, a company incorporated under the laws of England, and its
successors.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.11
"CREST"Β shall
mean Crest Co., a company which provides the book-entry
settlement system for equity securities in the United Kingdom, and any successor
entity thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.12
"Custodian"Β shall
mean, as of the date hereof, Citibank, N.A.,
London Branch, having its principal office at 00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxx XX000XX, Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any
other entity
that may be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5
as
successor, substitute or additional custodian hereunder. The term "Custodian"
shall mean any Custodian individually or all Custodians collectively, as the
context requires.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.13
"Deliver"Β and
"Delivery"
shall
mean, when used in respect of ADSs, Deposited Securities and Shares, either
(i)
the physical delivery of the certificate(s) representing such securities, or
(ii) the electronic delivery of such securities by means of book-entry transfer,
as
applicable.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.14
"Deposit
Agreement"Β shall
mean this Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement and all exhibits hereto, as
the
same may from time to time be amended and supplemented from time to time in
accordance with its terms.
Β
4
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section 1.15 "Depositary"Β shall mean Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.16
"Deposited
Securities"Β shall
mean Shares at anytime deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all
other securities, property and cash held by the Depositary or the Custodian
in
respect thereof, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section
4.8.
Notwithstanding anything else contained herein, the securities, property and
cash delivered to the Custodian in respect of American depositary shares
outstanding as of the date hereof under the Original Deposit Agreement and
defined as "Deposited Securities" thereunder shall, for all purposes from and
after the date hereof, be considered to be, and treated as, Deposited Securities
hereunder in all respects. The collateral delivered in connection with
Pre-Release Transactions described in Section 5.10 shall not constitute
Deposited Securities.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.17
"Dollars"
and
"$"
shall
refer to the lawful currency of the United States.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.18
"DTC"Β shall
mean The Depository Trust Company, a national clearinghouse and the central
book-entry settlement system for securities traded in the United States and,
as
such, the custodian for the securities of DTC Participants (as hereinafter
defined) maintained in DTC, and any successor thereto.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.19
"DTC
Participant"Β shall
mean any financial institution (or any nominee of
such
institution) having one or more participant accounts with DTC for receiving,
holding and delivering
securities and cash held in DTC.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.20
"Exchange
Act"Β shall
mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as
amended from time to time.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.21
"Foreign
Currency"Β shall
mean any currency other than Dollars.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.22
"Full
Entitlement ADR(s)",Β "Full
Entitlement ADS(s)"Β and
"FullΒ Entitlement
Share(s)"
shall
have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2.11.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.23
"Holders"
shall
mean the person(s) in whose name ADSs are registered on
the
books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose.
A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. If a Holder is not the Beneficial
Owner of the ADSs registered
in its name, such person shall be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to have
all requisite authority to act on behalf of the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs
registered in its name. The "Holders" (as defined in the Original Deposit
Agreement) of American depositary shares issued under the terms of the Original
Deposit Agreement and outstanding as of the date hereof shall from and after
the
date hereof, become Holders under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.24
"indemnified
person"
and
"indemnifying
person"
shall
have the respective
meanings set forth in Section 5.8.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.25
"Original
Deposit Agreement"Β shall
mean the deposit agreement, dated as of October 12, 1989, among the Company,
Xxxxxx Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Depositary, and all Holders as
defined therein of American depositary shares evidenced by
Β
5
American
depositary receipts issued thereunder as amended by Amendment No. 1 to deposit
agreement dated as of May 10, 1999.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.26
"Original
Depositary"Β shall
have the meaning given to such term in the preambles
to this Deposit Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.27
"Partial
Entitlement ADR(s)",
"Partial
Entitlement ADS(s)"
and
"Partial
Entitlement Share(s)"
shall
have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2.11.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.28
"Pre-Release
Transaction"Β shall
have the meaning set forth in Section
5.10.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.29
"Principal
Office"Β shall
mean, when used with respect to the Depositary, the principal office of the
Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business
shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located
at 000 Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, X.X.X.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.30
"Registrar"Β shall
mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having
an
office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be
appointed by the Depositary to register issuances, transfers and cancellations
of ADSs as herein provided, and
shall
include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary for such purposes.
Registrars (other
than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary.
Registrars and co-registrars may be appointed or removed from appointment by
the
Depositary only in accordance with the terms of Section 5.1. Each Registrar
(other than the Depositary) appointed pursuant to this Deposit Agreement shall
be required to give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such
appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.31
"Restricted
Securities"Β shall
mean Shares, Deposited Securities or ADSs which
(i)
have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its
Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public
offering and are subject to resale limitations
under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, or (ii) are held by
an
officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate
of the Company, or (iii) are subject
to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States,
the United Kingdom,
or under a shareholder agreement or the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the Company or under the regulations of an applicable securities exchange
unless, in each case, such Shares, Deposited Securities or ADSs are being
transferred or sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a
transaction (a) covered by an effective resale registration statement, or (b)
exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and the Shares,
Deposited Securities or ADSs are not, when held by such person(s), Restricted
Securities.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.32
"Restricted
ADR(s)", "Restricted ADS(s)" and "Restricted Shares"Β shall
have the respective meanings set forth in Section 2.13.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.33
"Securities
Act"Β shall
mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended
from time to time.
Β
6
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.34
"Share
Registrar"Β shall
mean Computershare Investor Services PLC or any other institution organized
under the laws of the United Kingdom and appointed by the Company to carry
out
the duties of registrar for the Shares, and any successor thereto.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.35
"Shares"Β shall
mean the Company's ordinary shares, nominal value 1.4 xxxxx
per
share, validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and may, if the Depositary
so agrees
after consultation with the Company, include evidence of the right to receive
Shares; providedΒ thatΒ in
no
event shall Shares include evidence of the right to receive Shares with respect
to
which
the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which preemptive
rights, if applicable,
have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; providedΒ further,
however,
that,
if there shall occur any change in nominal value, split-up, consolidation,
reclassification, exchange,
conversion or any other event described in Section 4.11 in respect of the Shares
of the Company,
the term "Shares" shall thereafter, to the maximum extent permitted by law,
represent the successor securities resulting from such event.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.36
"Uncertificated
ADS(s)"
shall
have the meaning set forth in Section 2.12.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
1.37
"United
States"Β and
"U.S."
shall
have the meaning assigned to it in Regulation
S as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act.
Β
ARTICLE
II
APPOINTMENT
OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPTS;
DEPOSIT
OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND
DELIVERY,
TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.1
Appointment
of Depositary.
The
Company hereby appoints the Depositary
as depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs
the
Depositary
to act in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Deposit
Agreement
and the applicable ADRs. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance
of
any
ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Deposit
Agreement or by continuing to hold, from and after the date hereof any American
depositary shares issued and outstanding under the Original Deposit Agreement,
shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms
of
this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADRs, and (b) appoint the Depositary
its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and
to
take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement and the
applicable ADRs, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with
applicable law and
to
take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary
or
appropriate
to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADRs,
the
taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and
appropriateness thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.2
Form
and Transferability of ADSs and ADRs.
Β
7
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Form.Β Certificated
ADSs shall be evidenced by definitive ADRs which shall be engraved, printed,
lithographed or produced in such other manner as may be agreed upon by the
Company
and the Depositary. ADRs may be issued under this Deposit Agreement in
denominations of any whole number of ADSs. The ADRs shall be substantially
in
the form set forth
in
Exhibit
A
to this
Deposit Agreement, with any appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions,
in each case as otherwise contemplated by this Deposit Agreement or required
by
law.
ADRs
shall be (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly
authorized
signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile
signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered
in the books maintained by the Registrar
for the registration of issuances and transfers of ADSs. No ADR and no
Certificated ADS evidenced thereby shall be entitled to any benefits under
this
Deposit Agreement or be valid
or
enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless such
ADR shall
have been so dated, signed, countersigned and registered (other than an American
depositary
receipt issued and outstanding as of the date hereof under the terms of the
Original Deposit
Agreement which has become subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement in
all
respects).
ADRs bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the
Depositary or
the
Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly-authorized signatory of
the
Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary,
notwithstanding the fact that such signatory
has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such ADR by the
Depositary. The ADRs shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP
number that was, is or may be assigned to any depositary receipts previously
or
subsequently issued pursuant to any other
arrangement between the Depositary (or any other depositary) and the Company
and
which are
not
ADRs outstanding hereunder.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
Legends.Β The
ADRs
may, upon the written request of the Company or with the prior
written consent of the Company, be endorsed with, or have incorporated in the
text thereof, such
legends or recitals not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit
Agreement as (i) may be
necessary to enable the Depositary or the Company to perform their respective
obligations hereunder,
(ii) may be required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or
with
the rules and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs
may be traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect
thereto, (iii) may be necessary to indicate any special limitations or
restrictions to which any particular ADRs or ADSs are subject by
reason
of the date of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise, or (iv) may
be
required
by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held. Holders and Beneficial
Owners shall
be
deemed, for all purposes, to have notice of, and to be bound by, the terms
and
conditions of
the
legends set forth, in the case of Holders, on the ADR registered in the name
of
the applicable Holders or, in the case of Beneficial Owners, on the ADR
representing the ADSs owned
by
such Beneficial Owners.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (c)
Title.Β Subject
to the limitations contained herein and in the ADR, title to an ADR (and
to
each Certificated ADS evidenced thereby) shall be transferable upon the same
terms as a certificated
security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that, in the case
of
Certificated
ADSs, such ADR has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper
instruments
of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and
the
Company
may deem and treat the Holder of an ADS (that is, the person in whose name
an
ADS is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof
for all purposes. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have any
obligation nor be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or
any
ADR
Β
8
to
any
holder or any beneficial owner of an ADR or ADS
unless such holder is the Holder registered on the books of the Depositary
or,
in the case of a
beneficial owner, such beneficial owner, or the beneficial owner's
representative, is the Holder registered
on the books of the Depositary.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (d)
Book-Entry
Systems.Β The
Depositary shall make arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC.
A
single ADR in the form of a "Balance Certificate" will evidence
all ADSs held through DTC and will be registered in the name of the nominee
for
DTC (currently
"Cede & Co.") and
will
provide that it represents the aggregate number of ADSs from time
to
time indicated in the records of the Depositary as being issued hereunder and
that the aggregate
number of ADSs represented thereby may from time to time be increased or
decreased by making adjustments on such records of the Depositary and of DTC
or
its nominee as hereinafter
provided. As such, the nominee for DTC will be the only "Holder" of the ADR
evidencing all ADSs held through DTC. Citibank, N.A. (or such other entity
as is
appointed by DTC or its nominee) may hold such "Balance Certificate" as
custodian for DTC. Each Beneficial
Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely upon the procedures of DTC and the
DTC
Participants to exercise or be entitled to any rights attributable to such
ADSs.
The DTC Participants
shall for all purposes be deemed to have all requisite power and authority
to
act on behalf
of
the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs held in the DTC Participants' respective
accounts in DTC and the Depositary shall for all purposes be authorized to
rely
upon any instructions and information
given to it by DTC Participants on behalf of Beneficial Owners of ADSs. So
long
as ADSs
are
held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial
interests in the ADR registered in the name of the nominee for DTC will be
shown
on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records
maintained by (i) DTC or its nominee (with respect to the interests of DTC
Participants), or (ii) DTC Participants or their nominees
(with respect to the interests of clients of DTC Participants).
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.3
Deposit
with Custodian.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares
(other than Restricted Securities) may be deposited by any person (including
the
Depositary in its individual capacity but subject, however,
in the case of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7)
at
any time,
whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Share Registrar, if
any,
are closed, by
Delivery of such Shares to the Custodian. Every deposit of Shares shall be
accompanied by the
following: (A) (i)
in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form,
appropriate
instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to the Custodian,
(ii)
in the
case of Shares represented by certificates in bearer form, the
requisite coupons and talons pertaining thereto, and (iii)
in the case of Shares delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation
of
such
book-entry transfer to the Custodian or that irrevocable instructions have
been
given to cause such Shares to be so transferred, (B) such certifications and
payments (including, without limitation, the Depositary's fees and related
charges) and evidence of such payments (including, without
limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such Shares by way of receipt) as
may
be required
by the Depositary or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this
Deposit Agreement and applicable law, (C) if the Depositary so requires, a
written order directing the Depositary
to issue and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person(s) stated
in
such order the
number of ADSs representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory
to the Depositary (which may be an opinion of counsel) that all necessary
approvals have been granted by, or there has been compliance with the rules
and
regulations of, any applicable
9
governmental
agency in the United Kingdom, and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an
agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the
Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by the person in whose name
the
Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right
to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect
of
such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement
as
shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares
are registered
in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a
proxy or proxies
entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of such Shares
for
any and all purposes
until such Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary,
the
Custodian
or any nominee.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Without
limiting any
other provision of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall instruct the
Custodian not to, and the Depositary shall not knowingly, accept for deposit
(a)
any Restricted Securities (except as contemplated by Section 2.13), (b) any
fractional Shares or fractional Deposited Securities or (c) a number of Shares
or Deposited Securities which upon application
of the ADS to Shares ratio would give rise to fractional ADSs. No Shares shall
be accepted
for deposit unless accompanied by evidence, if any is required by the
Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian
that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing
such Shares under the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom
and any necessary approval has been granted by any applicable governmental
body
in the
United Kingdom, if any. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights
to receive
Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar,
transfer agent,
clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records
in
respect of the
Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific
guarantees of ownership of Shares furnished by the Company or any such
custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing
agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect
of the Shares.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Without
limitation of
the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under
this
Deposit Agreement (A) any Shares or other securities required to be registered
under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless in compliance with the terms
of Section 2.13 or unless
a
registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited
Securities, or (B) any
Shares or other securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions
of
the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company. For purposes of the foregoing
sentence,
the Depositary shall be entitled to rely upon representations and warranties
made or deemed made pursuant to this Deposit Agreement and shall not be required
to make any further investigation. The Depositary will comply with written
instructions of the Company (timely received by the Depositary) not to accept
for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times
and under such circumstances as may reasonably be specified in such instructions
in order to facilitate the Company's compliance with the securities laws of
the
United States.
10
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.4
Registration
and Safekeeping of Deposited Securities.
The
Depositary shall
instruct the Custodian upon each Delivery of (i) certificates representing
registered Shares or
(ii)
certificates representing other securities being deposited hereunder with the
Custodian as Deposited
Securities, together with the other documents above specified, to, if
applicable, present such certificate(s), together with the appropriate
instrument(s) of transfer or endorsement,
duly stamped, to the Share Registrar, or other applicable registrar, if any,
for
transfer and registration of the Shares or other securities (as soon as transfer
and registration can be
accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made)
in
the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited
Securities shall be held by the Depositary
or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a
nominee in each
case
on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as
the
Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.5
Issuance
of ADSs.Β The
Depositary has made arrangements with the Custodian for the Custodian to confirm
to the Depositary upon a deposit of Shares (i) that a deposit of Shares has
been
made pursuant to Section 2.3, (ii) that such Deposited Securities have been
recorded in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either
on
the shareholders'
register maintained by or on behalf of the Company by the Share Registrar if
registered
Shares have been deposited or, if deposit is made by book-entry transfer,
confirmation of
such
transfer in the books of CREST, (iii) that all required documents have been
received, and (iv)
the
person(s) to whom or upon whose order ADSs are deliverable in respect thereof
and the number
of
ADSs to be so delivered. Such notification may be made by letter, cable, telex,
SWIFT
message or, at the risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by
facsimile or other
means of electronic transmission. Upon receiving such notice from the Custodian,
the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement
and applicable law, shall
issue the ADSs representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of
the
person(s) named
in
the notice delivered to the Depositary and, if applicable, shall execute and
deliver at its Principal Office Receipt(s) registered in the name(s) requested
by such person(s) and evidencing the
aggregate number of ADSs to which such person(s) are entitled, but, in each
case, only upon payment
to the Depositary of the charges of the Depositary for accepting such deposit,
issuing such
ADSs
(as set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit
B
hereto)
and all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with
such
deposit and the transfer of such Shares and the issuance
of such ADSs. The Depositary shall only issue ADSs in whole numbers and deliver,
if applicable,
ADR(s) evidencing whole numbers of ADSs. Nothing in this Section 2.5 shall
prohibit any Pre-Release Transaction upon the terms set forth in this Deposit
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.6
Transfer,
Combination and Split-up of ADRs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Transfer.
In
connection with any requested transfer of ADRs, the Registrar shall register
the transfer of such ADRs (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books
maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall (x) cancel such ADRs and
execute new ADRs
in
the name of the transferee evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as
those
evidenced by the ADRs canceled by the Depositary, (y) cause the Registrar to
countersign such new ADRs and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order
of
the transferee entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been
satisfied: (i) the ADRs submitted for transfer have been duly Delivered by
the
Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at
its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) the
surrendered ADRs have been properly endorsed or are
11
accompanied
by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance
with standard securities industry practice), (iii)
the
surrendered ADRs have been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State
of
New York
or
of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges
(as are set forth in Section
5.9 and Exhibit
BΒ hereto)
have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of the applicable ADRs, of this Deposit Agreement and
of
applicable law, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
Combination
&Β Split
Up.
In
connection with any requested combination or split-up of ADRs, the Registrar
shall register the split-up or combination of such ADRs (and of the ADSs
represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary
shall (x) cancel such ADRs and execute new ADRs for the number of ADSs
requested, but in the aggregate
not exceeding the number of ADSs evidenced by the ADRs cancelled by the
Depositary,
(y) cause the Registrar to countersign such new ADRs and (z) Deliver such new
ADRs
to
or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following conditions
has
been satisfied:
(i) the ADRs submitted for combination or split-up have been duly Delivered
by
the Holder
(or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination thereof,
and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges
(as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit
BΒ hereto)
have been paid, subject,
however, in each
case, to
the
terms and conditions of the applicable ADRs, of this Deposit Agreement and
of
applicable law, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (c)
Co-Transfer
Agents.
The
Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents
for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of ADRs
at
designated transfer
offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a
co-transfer agent may require
evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements
by Holders or persons entitled to such ADRs and will be entitled to protection
and indemnity to the same
extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes
appointed by the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section
2.6 (other than the
Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary accepting such
appointment and agreeing
to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement. Co-transfer
agents may be
appointed or removed from appointment by the Depositary upon consultation with
the Company.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.7
Surrender
of ADSs and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
The
Holder
of
ADSs shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) of
the
Deposited
Securities at the time represented by the ADSs upon satisfaction of each of
the
following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly-authorized attorney of the
Holder) has duly Delivered ADSs to the Depositary at its Principal Office (and
if applicable, the ADRs evidencing such ADSs) for the purpose of withdrawal
of
the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if applicable and so required
by the Depositary, the ADRs Delivered to the Depositary for such purpose
have been properly endorsed in blank or are accompanied by proper instruments
of
transfer
in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities
industry practice),
(iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed
and
delivered
to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the
Deposited
Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or
12
upon
the
written order of the person(s) designated
in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges
(as are set forth in Section 5.9 and
Exhibit
B)
have
been
paid, subject,
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of the ADRs
evidencing the surrendered ADSs, of this Deposit Agreement, of the Company's
Memorandum
and Articles of Association and of any applicable laws and the rules of CREST,
and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case
as
in effect at the time
thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
satisfaction of
each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel
the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the ADRs evidencing the ADSs
so
Delivered),
(ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so
Delivered on the
books
maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver
(without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited
Securities represented by the
ADSs
so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the
Deposited Securities,
or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (as applicable), as the case
may
be, to or upon
the
written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the
Depositary for such
purpose, subject
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, of the ADRs evidencing the
ADSs
so cancelled, of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company,
of
any applicable laws and of the rules of CREST, and to the terms and conditions
of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the
time
thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary shall
not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the
case
of the Delivery to it of ADSs representing a number other than a whole number
of
Shares,
the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares
to be Delivered
in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the
Depositary, either
(i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing
any remaining
fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share
represented by the ADSs
so
surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees
and
charges of,
and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person
surrendering the
ADSs.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything else contained in any ADR or this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary
may make delivery to Holders surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited
Securities
at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash
distributions, or
(ii)
any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which
are
at the time held
by
the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs
surrendered
for cancellation and withdrawal. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder
so surrendering
ADSs, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the
Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property
(other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited
Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary
for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall
be
given by
letter
or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or
facsimile transmission.
Β
13
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.8
Limitations
on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of ADSs; Suspension of Delivery,
Transfer, etc.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Additional
Requirements.Β As
a
condition precedent to the execution and delivery,
registration of issuance, transfer, split-up, combination or surrender, of
any
ADS, the delivery
of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities,
the
Depositary,
the Company or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of
Shares or
the
presenter of ADSs or ADRs of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or
other governmental
charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto
(including any
such
tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn)
and
payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in
Section 5.9 and Exhibit
B,
(ii)
the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness
of
any signature
or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1, and (iii) compliance with
(A)
any laws
or
governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of ADRs or
ADSs
or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities, (B) the provisions of the
Company's Memorandum and Articles
of Association as in effect from time to time and applicable resolutions or
regulations adopted
by the Company's board of directors, and (C) such reasonable regulations as
the
Depositary
and the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of the
representative ADR,
if
applicable, this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
Additional
Limitations.Β The
issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally
or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the deposit of
particular Shares
may be refused, or the registration of transfer of ADSs in particular instances
may be refused,
or the registration of transfers of ADSs generally may be suspended, during
any
period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar
or
the Share Registrar are closed
or
if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the
Company, in
good
faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or
regulation, any
government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on
which the ADSs
or
Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or the
representative ADR(s), if applicable, or under any provision of, or governing,
the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company
or for any other reason, subject,
in all cases, to Section 7.8.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (c)
Regulatory
Restrictions.
Notwithstanding
any provision of this Deposit Agreement
or any ADR(s) to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding
ADSs to withdraw
the Deposited Securities associated therewith at any time subject only to (i)
temporary delays
caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the
deposit of Shares
in
connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends,
(ii) the payment
of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign
laws or governmental
regulations relating to the ADRs or to the withdrawal of the Deposited
Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by
Instruction I.A.(l) of
the
General Instructions
to Form F-6 under the Securities Act (as such General Instructions may be
amended from time to time).
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.9
Lost
ADRs, etc.
In
case
any ADR shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen, the Depositary shall
execute and deliver a new ADR of like tenor at the expense of the Holder
(a) in
the case of a mutilated ADR, in
exchange of and substitution for such mutilated
Β
14
ADR
and
upon cancellation thereof, or (b) in
the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen ADR, in
lieu
of
and in
substitution for such destroyed, lost, or stolen ADR, after the Holder thereof
(i) has submitted to the Depositary a written request for such exchange and
substitution before the Depositary has notice that the ADR has been acquired
by
a bona fide purchaser, (ii) has provided such
security or indemnity (including an indemnity bond) as may be required by the
Depositary to save it and any of its agents harmless, and (iii) has satisfied
any other reasonable requirements imposed
by the Depositary, including, without limitation, evidence satisfactory to
the
Depositary of
such
destruction, loss or theft of such ADR, the authenticity thereof and the
Holder's ownership thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.10
Cancellation
and Destruction of Surrendered ADRs; Maintenance ofΒ Records.
All
ADRs
surrendered to the Depositary shall be canceled by the Depositary. Canceled
ADRs
shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid
or enforceable
against the Depositary or Company for any purpose. The Depositary is authorized
to destroy
ADRs so canceled, provided the Depositary maintains a record of all destroyed
ADRs. Any
ADSs
held in book-entry form (i.e.,
through accounts at DTC) shall be deemed canceled when the Depositary causes
the
number of ADSs evidenced by the Balance Certificate to be reduced
by the number of ADSs surrendered (without the need to physically destroy the
Balance Certificate).
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.11
Partial
Entitlement ADSs.Β In
the
event any Shares are deposited which (i) entitle the holders thereof to receive
a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the
Shares then on deposit or (ii) are not fully fungible (including, without
limitation, as to settlement or trading) with the Shares then on deposit (the
Shares then on deposit collectively, "Full
Entitlement Shares"
and
the
Shares with different entitlement, "Partial
Entitlement Shares"),
the
Depositary shall (i) cause the Custodian to hold Partial Entitlement Shares
separate and distinct from Full Entitlement Shares, and (ii) subject to the
terms of this Deposit
Agreement, issue ADSs representing Partial Entitlement Shares which are separate
and distinct
from the ADSs representing Full Entitlement Shares, by means of separate CUSIP
numbering and legending (if necessary) and, if applicable, by issuing ADRs
evidencing such ADSs
with
applicable notations thereon ("Partial
Entitlement ADSs/ADRs"
and
"Full
Entitlement
ADSs/ADRs",
respectively).
If and when Partial Entitlement Shares become Full Entitlement
Shares, the Depositary shall (a) give notice thereof to Holders of Partial
Entitlement ADSs and give Holders of Partial Entitlement ADRs the opportunity
to
exchange such Partial Entitlement ADRs for Full Entitlement ADRs, (b) cause
the
Custodian to transfer the Partial Entitlement Shares into the account of the
Full Entitlement Shares, and (c) take such actions as are necessary to remove
the distinctions between (i) the Partial Entitlement ADRs and ADSs, on
the
one
hand, and (ii) the Full Entitlement ADRs and ADSs on the other. Holders and
Beneficial Owners
of
Partial Entitlement ADSs shall only be entitled to the entitlements of Partial
Entitlement
Shares. Holders and Beneficial Owners of Full Entitlement ADSs shall be entitled
only to the entitlements of Full Entitlement Shares. All provisions and
conditions of this Deposit Agreement
shall apply to Partial Entitlement ADRs and ADSs to the same extent as Full
Entitlement
ADRs and ADSs, except as contemplated by this Section 2.11. The Depositary
is
authorized
to take any and all other actions as may be necessary (including, without
limitation, making
the necessary notations on ADRs) to give effect to the terms of this Section
2.11. Prior to
the
issuance of any Shares that are Partial Entitlement Shares, the Company agrees
to give timely
written notice to the Depositary in advance of such issuance and agrees to
assist the
Depositary with the establishment
15
of
procedures enabling the identification of Partial Entitlement Shares upon
Delivery to the Custodian.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.12
Certificated/Uncertificated
ADSs.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may, at any time
and from time to time, issue ADSs that are not evidenced by ADRs (such ADSs,
the
"Uncertificated
ADS(s)"
and
the
ADS(s) evidenced
by ADR(s), the "Certificated
ADS(s)").
When
issuing and maintaining Uncertificated ADS(s) under this Deposit Agreement,
the
Depositary shall at all times be subject to (i) the standards applicable to
registrars and transfer agents maintaining direct registration systems for
equity securities in New York and issuing uncertificated securities under New
York law, and (ii) the terms of New York law applicable to uncertificated equity
securities. Uncertificated ADSs
shall not be represented by any instruments but shall be evidenced by
registration in the books
of
the Depositary maintained for such purpose. Holders of Uncertificated ADSs,
that
are not
subject to any registered pledges, liens, restrictions or adverse claims of
which the Depositary has notice at such time, shall at all times have the right
to exchange the Uncertificated ADS(s) for Certificated ADS(s) of the same type
and class, subject in each case to applicable laws and any rules and regulations
the Depositary may have established in respect of the Uncertificated ADSs.
Holders of Certificated ADSs shall, if the Depositary maintains a direct
registration system for the ADSs, have the right to exchange the Certificated
ADSs for Uncertificated ADSs upon (i) the due surrender of the Certificated
ADS(s) to the Depositary for such purpose and (ii) the presentation of a written
request to that effect to the Depositary, subject in each case to (a) all liens
and restrictions noted on the ADR evidencing the Certificated ADS(s) and all
adverse claims of which the Depositary then has notice, (b) the terms of this
Deposit Agreement and the rules and regulations that the Depositary may
establish for such purposes hereunder, (c) applicable law, and (d) payment
of
the Depositary fees and expenses applicable to such exchange of Certificated
ADS(s) for Uncertificated ADS(s). Uncertificated ADSs shall in all respects
be
identical to Certificated ADS(s) of the same type and class, except that (i)
no
ADR(s) shall be, or shall need to be, issued to evidence Uncertificated ADS(s),
(ii) Uncertificated ADS(s) shall, subject to the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, be transferable upon the same terms and conditions as uncertificated
securities under New York law, (iii) the ownership
of Uncertificated ADS(s) shall be recorded on the books of the Depositary
maintained for
such
purpose and evidence of such ownership shall be reflected in periodic statements
provided by the Depositary to the Holder(s) in accordance with applicable New
York law, (iv)
the
Depositary may from time to time, upon notice to the Holders of Uncertificated
ADSs affected
thereby, establish rules and regulations, and amend or supplement existing
rules
and regulations, as may be deemed reasonably necessary to maintain
Uncertificated ADS(s) on behalf of Holders, provided that (a) such rules and
regulations do not conflict with the terms of this Deposit Agreement and
applicable law, and (b) the terms of such rules and regulations are readily
available to Holders upon request, (v) the Uncertificated ADS(s) shall not
be
entitled to any
benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose
against the Depositary
or the Company unless such Uncertificated ADS(s) is/are registered on the books
of the Depositary maintained for such purpose, (vi) the Depositary may, in
connection with any deposit of Shares resulting in the issuance of
Uncertificated ADSs and with any transfer, pledge, release and cancellation
of
Uncertificated ADSs, require the prior receipt of such documentation as the
Depositary may deem reasonably appropriate, and (vii) upon termination of this
Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not require Holders of Uncertificated
ADSs to affirmatively
16
instruct
the Depositary before remitting proceeds from the sale of the Deposited
Securities represented by such Holders' Uncertificated ADSs under the terms
of
Section 6.2 of this Deposit Agreement. When issuing ADSs under the terms of
this
Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, issuances pursuant to Sections
2.5, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.11, the Depositary may in its discretion determine
to issue Uncertificated ADSs rather than Certificated ADSs, unless otherwise
specifically instructed by the applicable Holder to issue Certificated ADSs.
All
provisions and conditions of this Deposit Agreement shall apply to
Uncertificated ADSs to the same
extent as to Certificated ADSs, except as contemplated by this Section 2.12.
The
Depositary
is authorized and directed to take any and all actions and establish any and
all
procedures
deemed reasonably necessary to give effect to the terms of this Section 2.12.
Any references
in this Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s) to the terms "American Depositary
Share(s)"
or "ADS(s)" shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include Certificated
ADS(s) and
Uncertificated ADS(s). Except as set forth in this Section 2.12 and except
as
required by applicable law, the Uncertificated ADSs shall be treated as ADSs
issued and outstanding under the
terms
of this Deposit Agreement. In the event that, in determining the rights and
obligations of
parties hereto with respect to any Uncertificated ADSs, any conflict arises
between (a) the terms of this Deposit Agreement (other than this Section 2.12)
and (b) the terms of this Section 2.12, the terms and conditions set forth
in
this Section 2.12 shall be controlling and shall govern the rights and
obligations of the parties to this Deposit Agreement pertaining to the
Uncertificated
ADSs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.13
Restricted
ADSs.Β The
Depositary shall, at the request and expense of the Company,
establish procedures enabling the deposit hereunder of Shares that are
Restricted Securities
in order to enable the holder of such Shares to hold its ownership interests
in
such Restricted
Shares in the form of ADSs issued under the terms hereof (such Shares,
"Restricted
Shares").
Upon
receipt of a written request from the Company to accept Restricted Shares for
deposit hereunder, the Depositary agrees to establish procedures permitting
the
deposit of such Restricted Shares and the issuance of ADSs representing such
deposited Restricted Shares (such ADSs,
the
"Restricted
ADSs,"
and the
ADRs evidencing such Restricted ADSs, the "RestrictedΒ ADRs").
The
Company shall assist the Depositary in the establishment of such procedures
and
agrees that it shall take all steps necessary and satisfactory to the Depositary
to ensure that the establishment of such procedures does not violate the
provisions of the Securities Act or any other
applicable laws. The depositors of such Restricted Shares and the holders of
the
Restricted ADSs
may
be required prior to the deposit of such Restricted Shares, the transfer of
the
Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby or the withdrawal
of
the Restricted Shares represented by Restricted ADSs to provide such written
certifications or agreements as the
Depositary or the Company may require. The Company shall provide to the
Depositary in writing
the legend(s) to be affixed to the Restricted ADRs, which legends shall (i)
be
in a form reasonably
satisfactory to the Depositary and (ii) contain the specific circumstances
under
which the
Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs represented thereby may be transferred
or the Restricted
Shares withdrawn. The Restricted ADSs issued upon the deposit of Restricted
Shares shall
be
separately identified on the books of the Depositary and the Restricted Shares
so deposited shall be held separate and distinct from the other Deposited
Securities held hereunder. The
Restricted Shares and the Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for Pre-Release
Transactions.
The Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for inclusion in any book-entry
settlement
system, including, without limitation, DTC, and shall not in any way be fungible
with
17
the
ADSs
issued under the terms hereof that are not Restricted ADSs. The Restricted
ADRs
and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be transferable only by the
Holder thereof upon delivery to the Depositary of (i) all documentation
otherwise contemplated by this Deposit Agreement and (ii) an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Depositary setting forth, inter
alia, the
conditions upon which the Restricted ADR presented is, and the Restricted ADSs
evidenced thereby are, transferable by the Holder thereof under applicable
securities laws and the transfer restrictions contained in the legend set forth
on the Restricted ADR presented for transfer. Except as set forth in this
Section 2.13 and except as required by applicable law, the Restricted ADRs
and
the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be treated as ADRs and ADSs issued
and outstanding under the terms of this Deposit Agreement. In the event that,
in
determining the rights
and obligations of parties hereto with respect to any Restricted ADSs, any
conflict arises between (a) the terms of this Deposit Agreement (other than
this
Section 2.13) and (b) the terms of (i) this Section 2.13 or (ii) the applicable
Restricted ADR, the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 2.13 and
of
the Restricted ADR shall be controlling and shall govern the rights and
obligations of the parties to this Deposit Agreement pertaining to the deposited
Restricted Shares, the Restricted ADSs and Restricted ADRs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
the Restricted
ADRs, the Restricted ADSs and the Restricted Shares cease to be Restricted
Securities, the Depositary, upon receipt of (x) an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Depositary
setting forth, inter
alia, that
the
Restricted ADRs, the Restricted ADSs and the Restricted Shares are not as of
such time Restricted Securities, and (y) instructions from the Company to remove
the restrictions applicable to the Restricted ADRs, the Restricted ADSs and
the
Restricted Shares, shall (i) eliminate the distinctions and separations between
the applicable Restricted Shares held on deposit under this Section 2.13 and
the
other Shares held on deposit under the terms of this Deposit Agreement that
are
not Restricted Shares, (ii) treat the newly unrestricted
ADRs and ADSs on the same terms as, and fully fungible with, the other ADRs
and
ADSs
issued and outstanding under the terms of this Deposit Agreement that are not
Restricted ADRs or Restricted ADSs, (iii) take all actions necessary to remove
any distinctions, limitations and restrictions previously existing under this
Section 2.13 between the applicable Restricted ADRs and Restricted ADSs,
respectively, on the one hand, and the other ADRs and ADSs that are not
Restricted ADRs or Restricted ADSs, respectively, on the other hand, including,
without limitation,
by making the newly-unrestricted ADSs eligible for Pre-Release Transactions
and
for inclusion
in the applicable book-entry settlement systems.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.14
Escheatment.
In
the
event any unclaimed property relating to the ADSs, for
any
reason, is in the possession of Depositary and has not been claimed by the
Holder thereof or
cannot
be delivered to the Holder thereof through usual channels, the Depositary shall,
upon expiration of any applicable statutory period relating to abandoned
property laws, escheat such unclaimed property to the relevant authorities
in
accordance with the laws of each of the relevant States of the United
States.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
2.15
Change
in ADS to Share Ratio.Β The
Company may, at any time and from
time
to time, change the number of Shares which each ADS represents from the initial
ratio of
four
(4) Shares per ADSs to any other ratio. In effectuation of any such a change
of
ratio, the Company
shall provide timely notice to the Depositary in advance of such change and
the
Depositary shall, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement and with the
Company's reasonable
assistance, (i) amend this Deposit Agreement and the form of ADR contained
in
Exhibit
A
hereto,
(ii) amend the
Β
18
Β
Registration
Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission in connection with this
Deposit Agreement, (iii) call for the surrender of outstanding
ADRs to be exchanged for new ADRs, (iv) issue such new ADRs in exchange for
outstanding
ADRs called for surrender and (v) take such other actions as reasonably
requested by the
Company.
ARTICLE
III
CERTAIN
OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND
BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ADSs
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
3.1
Proofs,
Certificates and Other Information.
Any
person presenting Shares
for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required, and every
Holder and Beneficial
Owner agrees, from time to time to (A) provide to the Depositary and the
Custodian such proof of (i) citizenship or residence, (ii) taxpayer status,
(iii) payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, (iv)
exchange control approval, (v) legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and
Deposited Securities, and (vi) compliance with applicable laws, the terms of
this Deposit
Agreement or the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs and the provisions of, or the
provision governing,
the Deposited Securities, and (B) to execute such certifications and to make
such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information
and
documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for
deposit, such information relating to the registration
on the books of the Company or of the Share Registrar) as the Depositary or
the
Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require
by written request
to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under this Deposit Agreement
and the applicable
ADR(s). The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the
execution or
delivery or registration of transfer of any ADR or ADS or the distribution
or
sale of any dividend
or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not
limited by the terms
of
Section 7.8, the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other
information
is filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations are made,
or such other
documentation or information provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the
Registrar's and
the
Company's satisfaction. The Depositary shall provide the Company, in a timely
manner, with
copies or originals if necessary and appropriate of (i) any such proofs of
citizenship or residence,
taxpayer status, or exchange control approval which it receives from Holders
and
Beneficial
Owners, and (ii) any other information or documents which the Company may
reasonably request and which the Depositary shall request and receive from
any
Holder or Beneficial Owner or any person presenting Shares for deposit or ADSs
for cancellation, transfer or
withdrawal. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to (i) obtain any
information for the Company
if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners, or (ii) verify or vouch
for
the accuracy
of the information so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
3.2
Liability
for Taxes and Other Charges.
Any
tax
or other governmental charge
payable by the Custodian or by the Depositary with respect to any ADR or any
Deposited Securities or ADSs shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial
Owners to the Depositary.
The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from
any
distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the
account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited
Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such
taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, and the
Holder
Β
19
and
the
Beneficial Owner shall remain liable for any deficiency.
The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares and the Depositary may refuse
to
issue
ADSs, to deliver ADRs, register the transfer of ADSs, register the split-up
or
combination of
ADRs
and (subject to Section 7.8) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until
payment in full
of
such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner agrees
to
indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents,
officers, employees and Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from,
any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties
thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial
Owner.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
3.3
Representations
and Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Each
person depositing
Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and
warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized,
validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid, non-assessable and legally obtained and held by such person, (ii)
all preemptive
(and similar) rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly
waived or exercised,
(iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do, (iv) the
Shares presented
for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest,
charge, mortgage
or adverse claim, (v) the Shares presented for deposit are not, and the ADSs
issuable upon
such
deposit will not be, Restricted Securities (except as contemplated in Section
2.13), and (vi) the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of
any
rights or entitlements. Such representations
and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance
and
cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs. If any
such representations
or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be
authorized,
at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all
actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
3.4
Compliance
with Information Requests.
Notwithstanding
any other provision
of this Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s), each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees
to
comply
with requests from the Company pursuant to applicable law (including, without
limitation, the provisions of Section 212 of Part VI of the Companies Xxx 0000
of England, as amended or reenacted from time to time), the rules and
requirements of the London Stock Exchange
or the New York Stock Exchange, and any other stock exchange on which the Shares
or
ADSs
are, or will be, registered, traded or listed or the Memorandum and Articles
of
Association of the Company or resolutions and regulations of the Company's
board
of directors, which
are
made to provide or obtain (i) information, inter
alia, as
to the
capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares as
the
case may be) and regarding the identity
of any other person(s) interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest
and various
other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at
the
time of such
request and (ii) information for purposes of blocking transfer, voting, the
exercising of other rights, to enforce disclosure requirements, or to limit
any
ownership or enforce compliance with such
request. The Depositary agrees to use its reasonable efforts to forward, upon
the request of the
Company and at the Company's expense, any such request from the Company to
the
Holders and to forward to the Company any such responses to such requests
received by the Depositary. Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with
all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations, to respond to any
such disclosure requests and to cooperate with the Depositary with respect
to
enforcement of the foregoing.
Β
20
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
3.5
Ownership
Restrictions.
Notwithstanding
any other provision in this Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Company may
restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership
of Shares exceeding limits imposed by applicable law or the Memorandum and
Articles of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such
manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of the ADSs where such transfer may
result in the total
number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial
Owner to
exceed
any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to
applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the
ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits
set
forth in the preceding sentence, including, but not limited to, the imposition
of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting
rights or mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial
Owner of the Shares
represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of
such limitations,
if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the
Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company.
ARTICLE
IV
THE
DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.1
Cash
Distributions.
Whenever
the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of the receipt of any
cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited
Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Deposited Securities
or
any other entitlements
held in respect of Deposited Securities under the terms hereof, the Depositary
will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign
Currency can in the judgment
of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.8) be converted on a practicable basis
into Dollars
transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted
such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms
described in Section 4.8), (ii)
if
applicable,
establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and
(iii)
distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees
and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld)
to
the Holders entitled thereto as
of the
ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record
Date.
The
Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed
without attributing
to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall
be held by
the
Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and
become part of the
next
sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs outstanding
at the time
of
the next distribution. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is
required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash
distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of
taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders
on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced
accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the
Custodian or
the
Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof
by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon
request.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.2
Distribution
in Shares.Β If
any
distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free
distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited
with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the
Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of
confirmation of such deposit from the
21
Custodian,
the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described
in
Section 4.9 and either (i) the Depositary shall, subject to Section 5.9,
distribute to the
Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held
as of
the ADS Record
Date, additional ADSs, which represent in the aggregate the number of Shares
received as
such
dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit
Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges
of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes), or (ii) if
additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after
the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also
represent rights and interests in the additional integral number of Shares
distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the
applicable fees and charges of, and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional
ADSs, the Depositary
shall sell the number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by
the
aggregate
of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms described
in
Section 4.1. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution
in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental
charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in
the
fulfillment of its obligation under Section 5.7, has furnished an
opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the
Securities Act or other
laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement
has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion
of
such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such
amounts and in such manner, including by public or
private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the
Depositary shall distribute
the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of (a) taxes and (b) fees
and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled
thereto upon the terms described
in Section 4.1. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance
of such property
in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.3
Elective
Distributions in Cash or Shares.Β Whenever
the Company intends
to make a distribution payable at the election of the holders of Shares in
cash
or in additional Shares, the Company shall give timely notice thereof to the
Depositary prior to the proposed
distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to
be
made available
to Holders of ADSs. Upon timely receipt of notice indicating that the Company
wishes such
elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary
shall consult with
the
Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its
determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such
elective distribution available
to the Holders of ADSs. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution
available to
Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that the elective
distribution be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have
determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the
Depositary shall have received reasonably satisfactory documentation within
the
terms of Section 5.7. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary
shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis
of the same determination as is made in the United Kingdom in respect of the
Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash upon the terms described
in Section 4.1 or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon
the terms described in Section 4.2. If the above conditions are satisfied,
the
Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section
4.9) and establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the
proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall provide
reasonable
Β
22
Β
assistance
to the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary.
If a
Holder elects to receive the proposed distribution (x) in cash, the distribution
shall be made upon the terms described in Section 4.1, or (y) in ADSs, the
distribution shall be made upon the terms described in Section 4.2. Nothing
herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method
to
receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be
no
assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given
the
opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions
as the holders of Shares.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.4
Distribution
of Rights to Purchase Additional ADSs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Distribution
to ADS Holders.
Whenever
the Company intends to distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities
rights to subscribe for additional Shares, the Company shall give timely notice
thereof to the Depositary prior to the proposed distribution stating
whether
or not it wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon
timely receipt
of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available
to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine,
and the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it
is
lawful and reasonably practicable to make
such
rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available
to Holders
only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such rights be made
available to Holders,
(ii) the Depositary shall have received reasonably satisfactory documentation
within the terms of Section 5.7, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined
that such distribution of rights is reasonably practicable. In the event any
of
the conditions set forth above are not satisfied
or if the Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders
of
ADSs, the
Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section
4.4(b) below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the
Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in
Section 4.9) and establish procedures to (x) distribute rights
to
purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or otherwise), (y) to enable
the
Holders
to exercise such rights (upon payment of the subscription price and of the
applicable (a) fees
and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes), and (z)
to
deliver ADSs
upon
the valid exercise of such rights. The Company shall provide reasonable
assistance to
the
Depositary to the extent necessary in establishing such procedures. Nothing
herein shall obligate
the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise rights
to
subscribe for
Shares (rather than ADSs).
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
Sale
of Rights.
If
(i)
the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make
the
rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made available
to
Holders, (ii)
the
Depositary fails to receive reasonably satisfactory documentation within the
terms of Section 5.7 or determines it is not reasonably practicable to make
the
rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not
exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine
whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a
riskless principal capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public
or private sale) as it may deem practicable. The Company shall provide
reasonable assistance to the Depositary to the extent necessary to determine
such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert
and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable (a) fees and charges
of,
and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) upon the terms set
forth
in Section 4.1.
Β
23
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (c)
Lapse
of Rights.
If
the
Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders
upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) or to arrange for the sale of the
rights upon the
terms
described in Section 4.4 (b),
the
Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if registration (under the
Securities
Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any
rights relate may be required in order for the Company to offer such rights
or
such securities to Holders and
to
sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not
distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration
statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such
offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary
opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the
Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed,
in
each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the
offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt
from, or do not require registration under, the provisions
of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary shall
not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful
or
practicable to make any rights available to Holders in general or any Holders
in
particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection
with the sale or exercise
of any rights, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders
on
behalf of the Company in connection with any rights distribution.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
the event that the
Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and
does
withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on
account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the
Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced
accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution
in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject
to
any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to
withhold,
the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including
Shares and rights
to
subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public
or
private sale,
as
the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or
charges.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β There
can be no
assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be
given
the
opportunity to receive or exercise rights on the same terms and conditions
as
the holders
of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate
the
Company to
file
any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other
securities to be acquired
upon the exercise of such rights.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.5
Distributions
Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Whenever
the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities
property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the
Company shall give timely notice thereof in advance of such distribution to
the
Depositary and shall indicate
whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon
receipt of
a
notice indicating that the Company wishes such distribution be made to Holders
of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company, and the Company shall
provide reasonable assistance to the Depositary, to determine whether such
distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The
Β
24
Β
Depositary
shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested
the
Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall
have
received reasonably satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section
5.7,
and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is
reasonably practicable.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
Upon
receipt of reasonably satisfactory documentation and the request of the
Company
to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite
determinations
set forth in (a) above, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received
to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date established for such
distribution pursuant to Section 4.9, in proportion to the number of ADSs held
by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable
for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the
applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary,
and
(ii)
net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of
the
property so
distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public
or private sale)
as
the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including
applicable
interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the
distribution.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (c)
If
(i)
the Company does not request the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders
or requests not to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary does
not receive reasonably satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section
5.7, or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such
distribution is not reasonably practicable, the Depositary shall
sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such
place or places and upon such terms as it may deem practicable and shall (i)
cause the proceeds of such sale, if in a Foreign
Currency, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of
such
sale and conversion
received by the Depositary (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred
by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date
upon
the terms
of
Section 4.1. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary
may dispose
of such property for the account of the Holders in any way it deems reasonably
practicable
under the circumstances.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.6
Distributions
with Respect to Deposited Securities in Bearer Form.
Subject
to the terms of this Article IV, distributions of cash, Shares, rights or of
any
other type in respect
of Deposited Securities that are held by the Depositary in bearer form shall
be
made to the
Depositary for the account of the respective Holders of ADS(s) with respect
to
which any such
distribution is made upon due presentation by the Depositary or the Custodian
to
the Company
of any relevant coupons, talons or certificates. The Depositary or the Custodian
shall promptly
present such coupons, talons or certificates, as the case may be, in connection
with any such distribution.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.7
Redemption.Β If
the
Company intends to exercise any right of redemption in respect of any of the
Deposited Securities, the Company shall give timely notice thereof to the
Depositary prior to the intended date of redemption which notice shall set
forth
the particulars of the proposed redemption. Upon timely receipt of (i) such
notice and (ii) reasonably satisfactory documentation given by the Company
to
the Depositary within the terms of Section 5.7, and only if the Depositary
shall
have determined that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary
shall provide to each Holder a notice setting forth the intended exercise by
the
Company of the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the
Company's notice to
the
Depositary.
Β
25
The
Depositary shall instruct the Custodian to present to the Company the
Deposited
Securities in respect of which redemption rights are being exercised against
payment of the applicable redemption price. Upon receipt of confirmation from
the Custodian that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing
the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer,
and distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges
of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (b) taxes) and retire
ADSs
and cancel
ADRs, if applicable, upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof and the
terms
set forth
in
Sections 4.1 and 6.2. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are
redeemed, the ADSs
to
be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined
by the Depositary.
The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent of the per share
amount
received by the Depositary (adjusted to reflect the ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio)
upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by ADSs (subject
to
the terms of Section 4.8 and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied
by the number of Shares represented by each ADS redeemed.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.8
Conversion
of Foreign Currency.Β Whenever
the Depositary or the Custodian
shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions
or
the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, which in
the
judgment of the Depositary can at such time be converted on a practicable basis,
by sale or in any other manner that it may determine
in accordance with applicable law, into Dollars transferable to the United
States and distributable
to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be
converted,
by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency
into
Dollars,
and shall distribute such Dollars (net of any applicable fees, any reasonable
and customary
expenses incurred in such conversion and any expenses incurred on behalf of
the
Holders
in complying with currency exchange control or other governmental requirements)
in accordance
with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the
Depositary
shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders
thereof to such
Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such
warrants and/or instruments
upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for
interest thereon.
Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis
without regard
to
any distinctions among Holders on account of any application of exchange
restrictions or
otherwise.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
such conversion or
distribution generally or with regard to a particular Holder can be effected
only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the
Depositary shall have authority to file such application for approval or
license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
In no event, however, shall the Depositary be obligated to make such a
filing.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
at any time the
Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign
Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion
received by the
Depositary is not practicable or lawful or if any approval or license of any
governmental authority
or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and
distribution is denied or, in the opinion of the Depositary, not obtainable
at a
reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the Depositary shall notify
the
Holders to that effect and may, in its discretion, (i) make such conversion
and
distribution in Dollars to the Holders for whom such conversion, transfer and
distribution is lawful and practicable, (ii) distribute the Foreign Currency
(or
an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency)
to Holders for whom this is lawful and practicable or
26
(iii)
hold (or cause the Custodian to hold) such Foreign Currency (without liability
for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to
receive the same.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.9
Fixing
of ADS Record Date.Β Whenever
the Depositary shall receive notice
of
the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders
of
Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash,
Shares, rights, or other distribution),
or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of
Shares that
are
represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of
any
meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or
other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary
or convenient in connection with the
giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the
Depositary shall fix a record
date (the "ADS
Record Date")
for the
determination of the Holders of ADS(s) who shall be
entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise
of
voting rights at any such
meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or
solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders
with respect to such changed number of
Shares
represented by each ADS. If the ADSs shall be listed on any securities exchange,
then such
record date shall be fixed in compliance with any applicable rules of such
securities exchange.
The Depositary shall make reasonable efforts to establish the ADS Record Date
as
closely
as possible to the applicable record date for the Deposited Securities (if
any)
set by the Company
in England. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Section 4.1 through
4.8 and
to
the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders
of
ADSs at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be
entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to
receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.10
Voting
of Deposited Securities.Β As
soon
as practicable after receipt of notice
of
any meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote,
or of solicitation
of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary
shall fix the
ADS
Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy
in
accordance
with Section 4.9. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing
in a timely
manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the
request shall not
have
been received by the Depositary at least thirty (30) days prior to the date
of
such vote or meeting),
at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist,
distribute to Holders
as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent
or proxy,
(b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record
Date
will be entitled,
subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the
Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of
or
the provisions governing the Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any,
shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the
Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if
any,
pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADSs, and
(c) a brief statement
as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given, (including
an
express indication
that instructions may be deemed to have been given in accordance with the last
sentence
of the paragraph below if no instructions are received by the Depositary prior
to the deadline
set for such purposes) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a
person designated by the Company to vote the Shares or other Deposited
Securities represented by such Holder's
ADSs in his or her discretion. Voting instructions may be given only in respect
of a
number
of ADSs
27
representing
an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt
from a Holder of ADSs as of the ADS Record Date of voting instructions in the
manner specified
by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and
permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the
Memorandum and Articles of
Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities,
to
vote, or cause the
Custodian to vote, the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented
by such Holder's
ADSs in accordance with such voting instructions.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Neither
the
Depositary nor the Custodian shall under any circumstances exercise any
discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall
vote,
attempt to exercise
the right to vote, or in any way make use of the Deposited Securities
represented by ADSs,
except pursuant to and in accordance with the voting instructions timely
received from Holders
as of the ADS Record Date or as otherwise contemplated therein. If the
Depositary does not
receive instructions from a Holder as of the ADS Record Date on or before the
date established
by the Depositary for such purpose, such Holder shall be deemed, and the
Depositary shall
deem such Holder, to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary
proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote the Deposited Securities
held by such Holder, and the Depositary
shall give such discretionary proxy to such person; provided,Β however,Β that
no
such discretionary
proxy shall be given by the Depositary with respect to any matter to be voted
upon as
to
which the Company informs the Depositary that (i) the Company does not wish
such
proxy to be given, (ii) substantial opposition exists, or (iii) the rights
of
holders of Deposited Securities may be adversely affected. Notwithstanding
anything else contained herein, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing
by the Company, represent, or cause the Custodian to represent all
Deposited Securities (whether or not voting instructions have been received
in
respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS Record Date)
for
the sole purpose of establishing
quorum at a meeting of shareholders. On the business day following the date
fixed by
the
Depositary as the last date for delivery of voting instructions, the Depositary
shall give notice
to
the Company of the voting instructions received the Depositary from the Holders
as of the close of business as of such fixed date.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything contained in this Deposit Agreement or any ADR to the contrary,
the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect
to
any meeting,
or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of Deposited Securities
if
the taking of such
action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions
reasonably necessary
to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing
to the Deposited
Securities and to deliver to the Depositary, if reasonably requested by the
Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be
taken to enable such vote.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β There
can be no
assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive
the
notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return
voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.11
Changes
Affecting Deposited Securities.Β Upon
any
change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any
other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization,
reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company
or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the
Depositary or the
Β
28
Β
Custodian
in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect
of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated
as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and the ADRs shall,
subject to the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence
ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. In
effectuation of any such change, split up, cancellation, consolidation or other
reclassification of Deposited Securities, recapitalization, reorganization,
merger
or
consolidation or sale of assets, the Depositary may, with the Company's
approval, and shall,
if
the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of this Deposit Agreement
and
receipt of an opinion of counsel to the Company reasonably satisfactory to
the
Depositary that such actions are not in violation of any applicable laws or
regulations, (i) execute and deliver additional ADRs in the case of a stock
dividend on the Shares, (ii) amend this Deposit Agreement
and the form of ADR contained in Exhibit
A
hereto,
(iii) amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission
in connection with this Deposit Agreement, (iv)
call
for the surrender of outstanding ADRs to be exchanged for new ADRs, (v) issue
such new
ADRs
in exchange for outstanding ADRs called for surrender and (vi) take such other
actions
as reasonably requested by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the
event that
any
security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders,
the
Depositary
may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject
to
receipt
of an opinion of Company's counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary
that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations,
sell
such securities at public or private
sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and
may
allocate the
net
proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred
by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise
entitled to such securities upon
an
averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among
such Holders
and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in
the
case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1. The Depositary
shall not be responsible for (i)
any
failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities
available to Holders
in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure
or
loss incurred
in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such
securities.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.12
Available
Information.Β The
Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the
Commission.
These reports and documents can be retrieved from the Commission's website
(xxx.xxx.xxx)
and can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission located as of the date of this Deposit Agreement at 000 X Xxxxxx,
X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X. 00000.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.13
Reports.Β The
Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Principal
Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials,
received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the
Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited
Securities and (b) made generally available
to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Depositary
shall
also provide
to Holders copies of such reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to
Section 5.6.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.14
List
of Holders.
The
Depositary is authorized to, and shall at the Company's request, from time
to
time provide to the Company, the Shares Registrar and any
Β
29
Β
other
agent of the Company designated by the Company in writing (irrespective of
their
nationality, residency, or regulatory regime) in electronic or print format
the
information contained in the register of ADSs. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner
of ADSs upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) shall be deemed
to
have consented to the Depositary providing such information to such
persons.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
4.15
Taxation.
The
Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company
or
its agents such information from its records as the Company may reasonably
request to enable the Company or its agents to file the necessary tax reports
with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or
the
Company and its agents
may file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes
on dividends and
on
other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax
treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. In accordance with
instructions from the Company and to the extent practicable, the Depositary
or
the Custodian will take reasonable administrative actions to obtain tax refunds,
reduced withholding of tax at source on dividends and other benefits under
applicable tax treaties or laws with respect to dividends and other
distributions on the Deposited Securities. As a condition to receiving such
benefits, Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs may be required from time to
time, and in a timely manner, to file such proof of taxpayer status, residence
and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and
to
make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information
or
documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper
to
fulfill the Depositary's
or the Custodian's obligations under applicable law. The Holders and Beneficial
Owners
shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their
respective directors, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each
of
them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to
taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of
taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
the Company (or
any of its agents) withholds from any distribution any amount on account of
taxes or governmental charges, or pays any other tax in respect of such
distribution (i.e., stamp
duty tax, capital gains or other similar tax), the Company shall (and shall
cause such agent
to)
remit promptly to the Depositary information about such taxes or governmental
charges withheld
or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to
the
applicable governmental
authority) therefor, in each case, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the
Depositary.
The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders
any
taxes withheld
by it or the Custodian, and, if such information is provided to it by the
Company, any taxes
withheld by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required
to provide
the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents)
of any taxes
withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the
evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary or the Custodian, as
applicable. Neither the Depositary
nor the Custodian shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial
Owner to obtain
the benefits of credits on the basis of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder's
or Beneficial
Owner's income tax liability.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary is
under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any
information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur
any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and
Beneficial Owners on account of their
30
ownership
of the ADSs, including without limitation, tax consequences resulting from
the
Company (or any of its subsidiaries) being treated as a "Foreign Personal
Holding Company," or as a "Passive Foreign Investment Company" (in each case
as
defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder)
or otherwise.
ARTICLE
V
THE
DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.1
Maintenance
of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar.
Until
termination
of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Registrar shall
maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and
facilities for the issuance and delivery
of ADSs, the acceptance for surrender of ADS(s) for the purpose of withdrawal
of
Deposited
Securities, the registration of issuances, cancellations, transfers,
combinations and split-ups of ADS(s) and, if applicable, to countersign ADRs
evidencing the ADSs so issued, transferred, combined or split-up, in each case
in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Registrar shall
keep books for the registration of ADSs which at all reasonable times shall
be
open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such ADSs, provided
that such
inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of
communicating with
Holders of such ADSs in the interest of a business or object other than the
business of the Company or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the
ADSs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β At
the expense of the
Company, the Company shall have the right to inspect transfer and registration
records of the Depositary or its agent, take copies thereof and require the
Depositary or
its
agent, the Registrar and any co-transfer agents or co-registrars to supply
copies of such portions
of such records as the Company may request. The Depositary may perform its
obligations
under this Section through any agent appointed by it, provided that the
Depositary shall notify the Company of such appointment and shall remain
responsible for the performance of
such
obligations as if no agent were appointed.
The
Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the ADSs, at any time
or
from time
to
time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection
with
the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request
of
the Company subject, in all cases, to Section 7.8.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
any ADSs are
listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the
United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar
or
one or more co-registrars for registration of issuances, cancellations,
transfers, combinations and split-ups of ADSs and, if applicable, to countersign
ADRs evidencing the ADSs so issued, transferred, combined
or split-up, in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems.
Such Registrar
or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by
the
Depositary.
Registrars and co-registrars may be appointed or removed from appointment by
the
Depositary
upon consultation with the Company.
31
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.2
Exoneration.
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company shall be obligated to
do or
perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit
Agreement or incur any liability (i) if the Depositary or the Company shall
be
prevented or forbidden from, or delayed
in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation
of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country, or of any other
governmental authority or regulatory
authority or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil
penalties or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company or any provision of or provision
governing any Deposited Securities,
or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control
(including,
without limitation, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions,
work
stoppage, strikes, civil unrest, acts of terrorism, revolutions, rebellions,
explosions and computer failure),
(ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion
provided for in this Deposit
Agreement or in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company or
provisions of or provisions governing Deposited Securities, (iii) for any action
or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel,
accountants, any person presenting
Shares for deposit, any Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized
representative thereof,
or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such
advice or information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner
to
benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made
available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of
this
Deposit Agreement, made available to Holders of ADSs,
or
(v) for any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of
this Deposit
Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary, its
controlling persons and its agents, any Custodian and the Company, its
Affiliates, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be
protected in acting upon any
written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine and
to
have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β No
disclaimer of
liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this
Deposit
Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.3Standard
of Care.Β The
Company and the Depositary assume no obligation and shall not be subject to
any
liability under this Deposit Agreement or any ADRs to any Holder(s) or
Beneficial Owner(s), except that the Company and the Depositary agree to perform
their respective obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement
or
the applicable ADRs without negligence or bad faith.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Without
limitation of
the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their
respective Affiliates, controlling persons, or agents, shall be under any
obligation to appear in,
prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any
Deposited Securities or
in
respect of the ADSs, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including
fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may
be
required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect
to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to
the
Depositary).
Β
32
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary and
its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions
to
vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is
cast or
the
effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith
and in accordance
with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any
liability
for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful
or
reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it
by
the Company for distribution to the
Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment
risk associated with
acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth
of
the Deposited Securities
or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares
or Deposited
Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any
rights to lapse upon
the
terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice
from the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.4
Resignation
and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment ofΒ Successor
Depositary.
The
Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement
by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation
to
be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the
Company (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions
contemplated in Section 6.2), or (ii) the appointment by the Company of a
successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter
provided.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary may at
any time be removed by the Company as Depositary under this Deposit
Agreement by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective
on
the later of (i) the 30th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary
(whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated
in
Section 6.2), or
(ii)
upon the appointment by the Company
of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter
provided.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
connection with
any removal of the Depositary by the Company, the Company and its Affiliates
shall not have any liability to the Depositary or its Affiliates, except in
the
case of the Company,
to the extent of the Company's obligations under Sections 5.8, 5.9 and 7.6,
and
the Depositary agrees that it will not charge the Company or its Affiliates,
any
Holder or any Beneficial
Owner any fees, charges or additional expenses in connection with its removal
as
Depositary, provided that the Depositary shall still be entitled to collect
fees
to which it is entitled pursuant to Section 5.9 hereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
case at any time
the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company
shall use its reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which
shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan,
the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be required by the
Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an
instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such
successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by
applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties
and obligations of its predecessor (other than as contemplated in Sections
5.8
and 5.9). The
predecessor depositary, upon
payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company shall,
(i)
execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights
and
powers of such predecessor hereunder
(other than as contemplated in Sections 5.8 and 5.9),
(ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the
Deposited
33
Securities
to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders
of
all outstanding ADSs and such other information relating
to ADSs and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such
successor
depositary shall promptly provide notice of its appointment to such
Holders.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Any
corporation into
or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be
the
successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document
or
any further act.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.5
The
Custodian.
The
Depositary has initially appointed Citibank, N.A., London
Branch as Custodian for the purpose of this Deposit Agreement. The Custodian
or
its successors
in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the
direction of the Depositary for the Shares for which the Custodian acts as
custodian and shall be responsible solely
to
it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with
respect to any
Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed
hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian that
is
organized under the laws of the United
Kingdom. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian
to
deliver the
Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained
by it
as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may
request, to the Custodian designated
by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that
it is appropriate
to do so, it may appoint an additional custodian with respect to any Deposited
Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities
and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian
hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. Immediately upon any such
change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders
of
ADSs, each other Custodian and the Company.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
the appointment
of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless
otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the
Deposited Securities without any further act or writing, and shall be subject
to
the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed
shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and
deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to
such
Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of
such
successor depositary.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.6
Notices
and Reports.
On
or
before the first date on which the Company gives
notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or
other Deposited Securities,
or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action
by
such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect
of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect
of
Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the
Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in the English language but
otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other
Deposited Securities. The
Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in
English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company that may be relevant or pertain
to
such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.
34
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company will also
transmit to the Depositary (a) an English language version of the other notices,
reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company
to
holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) the English-language
versions of the
Company's annual and semi-annual reports prepared in accordance with the
applicable requirements
of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company
and
at
the Company's expense, to provide copies thereof to all Holders or make such
notices, reports
and other communications available to all Holders on a basis similar to that
for
holders of Shares
or
other Deposited Securities or on such other basis as the Company may advise
the
Depositary
or as may be required by any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange
requirement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary will,
at the expense of the Company, make available a copy of any such notices,
reports or communications issued by the Company to holders of its Shares or
other Deposited
Securities and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of
the
ADSs at the Depositary's Principal Office, at the office of the Custodian and
at
any other designated transfer
office.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.7
Issuance
of Additional Shares.
The
Company agrees that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an
issuance, sale or distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering
of rights to subscribe for Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an
issuance of securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an
issuance of rights to subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable
for Shares, (v) an elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi)
a
redemption of Deposited Securities, (vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited
Securities, or solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited
Securities, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger or
consolidation or transfer of assets, or (viii) any reclassification,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets which
affects the Deposited Securities, it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take
all
reasonable steps necessary to ensure that the proposed transaction does not
violate the registration provisions of the
Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation,
the
Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act and the securities laws of the states
of the U.S.).
In
support of the foregoing and in connection with any such transactions, the
Company will
furnish to the Depositary if applicable and if reasonably requested by the
Depositary (a) a written
opinion of U.S. counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary) stating
whether such transaction (1) requires a registration statement under the
Securities Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act and (b) an opinion of English counsel
(reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary) stating that (1) making the
transaction available
to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the laws or regulations of
the
United Kingdom
and (2) all requisite regulatory consents and approvals have been obtained
in
the United
Kingdom. If the filing of a registration statement under the Securities Act
is
required, the Depositary
shall not have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall
have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration
statement has been declared effective or has otherwise become effective. If,
being advised by counsel, the Company determines that a transaction is required
to be registered under the Securities Act, the Company will either (i) register
such transaction to the extent necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the
transaction to avoid the registration requirements of the Securities Act or
(iii) direct the Depositary to take specific measures, in each case as
contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to prevent such transaction from
violating the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Company
agrees with the Depositary that
35
neither
the Company nor any of its Affiliates will at any
time
(i) deposit any Shares or other Deposited Securities, either upon original
issuance or upon
a
sale of Shares or other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired
by
the Company
or by any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe
for such Shares,
securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to subscribe
for such securities,
unless such transaction and the securities issuable in such transaction do
not
violate the registration provisions of the Securities Act, or any other
applicable laws (including, without limitation, the Investment Company Act
of
1940, as amended, the Exchange Act and the securities
laws of the states of the U.S.).
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit
Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration
statement in respect of any proposed transaction.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company
represents to the Depositary that the Company has obtained an agreement
from
Unilever N.V.,
all
the provisions of which are still in effect, to the effect that neither
Unilever
N.V. nor any company controlled by Unilever N.V.,
will at any time deposit or cause to be
deposited any Shares, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares
previously issued and
acquired by such person, unless a registration statement is in effect as to
such
Shares under the
Securities Act or unless registration of such issuance or sale of such Shares
shall not be required
under such Securities Act.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company reserves
full discretion as to whether in the future it may or may not register
under the Securities Act for purposes of offering and selling in the U.S. any
Shares or any
other
securities, including any Shares or other securities which may be the subject
of
subscription
or purchase rights pertaining to Deposited Securities at the time deposited
under this Deposit Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.8
Indemnification.Β The
Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company and its
Affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents
against, and hold each of
them
harmless from, any direct loss, liability, tax, charge or expense of any kind
whatsoever (including,
but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may
arise
out of
(i)
acts performed or omitted by the Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar,
co-transfer agent, co-registrar and any of their respective directors, officers
and employees under the terms hereof due to the negligence or bad faith of
the
Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar and
any of their respective directors, officers and employees, (ii) the breach
of
the terms of this Deposit Agreement by the Depositary, the Custodian, any
Registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar and any of their respective
directors, officers and employees, or (iii) the negligence or bad faith of
the
Depositary in the appointment of any agent hereunder.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company agrees to
indemnify the Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar, co-transfer agent,
co-registrar and any of their respective directors, officers and employees
against, and hold each of them harmless from, any direct loss, liability, tax,
charge or expense of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, the
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise (a) out of or in
connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or
withdrawal
of ADRs, ADSs, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be,
(b) out
of or
as a result of any offering documents in respect thereof, (c) out of acts
performed or omitted, including, but not
Β
36
limited
to, any delivery by the Depositary on behalf of the Company of information
prepared or approved by the Company, in compliance with the terms of this
Deposit Agreement, the ADRs, the ADSs, the Shares, or any Deposited Securities,
in any such case
by
the Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar
and any of their
respective directors, officers and employees, or (d) out of the breach by the
Company or any of its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees and agents of the terms of this Deposit Agreement, except, in any
such
case of (a) through (d) above, to the extent that
such
direct loss, liability, tax, charge or expense was in any way caused by (i)
the
negligence or bad faith of the Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar,
co-transfer agent, co-registrar and any
of
their respective directors, officers and employees, (ii) a breach of the terms
of this Deposit Agreement
by the Depositary, the Custodian, any Registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar
and any
of
their respective directors, officers and employees, or (iii) any delivery by
the
Depositary, the
Custodian, any Registrar, co-transfer agent, co-registrar and any of their
respective directors, officers and employees of information not prepared or
approved by the Company.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
obligations set
forth in this Section shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement
and
the succession or substitution of any party hereto.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Any
person seeking
indemnification hereunder (an "indemnified
person")
shall
notify the person
from whom it is seeking indemnification (the "indemnifying
person")
of
the
commencement
of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person
becomes
aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification
shall not
affect such indemnified person's rights to seek indemnification except to the
extent the indemnifying
person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good
faith
with the indemnifying person as to the conduct of the defense of such action
or
claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be
reasonable in the circumstances. No indemnified
person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to
an
indemnity
hereunder without the consent of the indemnifying person, which consent shall
not be unreasonably
withheld.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.9
Fees
and Charges of Depositary.Β The
Company, the Holders, the Beneficial
Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation
and
withdrawal
of Deposited Securities shall be required to pay to the Depositary the
Depositary's fees
and
related charges identified as payable by them respectively in the Fee Schedule
attached hereto
as
Exhibit
B.
All
fees
and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by
agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees
and
charges
payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in
Section 6.1.
The
Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule
to
anyone upon request.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company agrees to
promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees and charges and to reimburse
the
Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company
may
agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such
charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between
the Company and the Depositary. Unless otherwise agreed, the Depositary shall
present its statement for such expenses and fees or charges to the Company
once
every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole
account of the Depositary.
37
The
right
of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided
above
shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary,
upon the resignation
or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4, such right shall
extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness
of such resignation or removal.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.10
Pre-Release
Transactions.Β Subject
to the further terms and provisions of this Section 5.10, the Depositary, its
Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf, may own and
deal
in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. In
its
capacity as
Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided,
however,
that
the
Depositary
may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 and
(ii) deliver
Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities
pursuant to Section 2.7, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but
for which Shares may not have
been
received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release
Transaction").
The
Depositary may receive
ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under
(ii) above.
Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) subject to a written agreement
whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant")
to
whom
ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that
at
the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns
the
Shares or ADSs
that
are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x)
agrees to indicate
the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such
Shares or
ADSs
in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the
Depositary or the
Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the
Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs, and (z) agrees to any additional
restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at
all
times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government
securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c)
terminable
by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days' notice and (d)
subject to such
further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate.
The Depositary
will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release
Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding
(without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however,
that the Depositary reserves the right
to
change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems
appropriate.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary may
also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in
Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case-by-case basis as it
deems
appropriate.
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by
it in
conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above,
but
not the earnings thereon,
shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the
Applicant).
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
5.11
Restricted
Securities Owners.
The
Company agrees to advise in writing each
of
the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted
Securities
that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder (except
under the circumstances contemplated in Section 2.13) and, to the extent
practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that
such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder (except under
the
circumstances contemplated in Section 2.13).
Β
38
Β
ARTICLE
VI
Β
AMENDMENT
AND TERMINATION
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
6.1
Amendment/Supplement.Β Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Section 6.1 and applicable law, the ADRs
outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form
of ADR attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time
and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between
the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary
or
desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Any amendment or supplement which
shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection
with foreign
exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery
and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any
substantial existing right of
Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to
outstanding ADSs until
the
expiration of thirty (30) days after notice of such amendment or supplement
shall have been
given to the Holders of outstanding ADSs. The parties hereto agree that any
amendments or
supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and
the
Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the
Securities Act or (b)
the
ADSs to be settled solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in
either such case impose
or
increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to
materially prejudice
any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and
Beneficial Owner
at
the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed,
by
continuing to hold such ADSs, to consent and agree to such amendment or
supplement and to be bound by this Deposit Agreement and the ADR, if applicable,
as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or
supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender
such ADS and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby,
except in order
to
comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any
governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would
require an amendment
of, or supplement to, this Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith,
the
Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement this Deposit Agreement and
any ADRs at
any
time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment
or supplement
to this Deposit Agreement and any ADRs in such circumstances may become
effective
before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within
any other
period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or
regulations.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
6.2
Termination.Β The
Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate
this Deposit Agreement by providing notice of such termination to the Holders
of
all ADSs then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed
in
such notice
for such termination. If ninety (90) days shall have expired after the
Depositary shall have delivered
to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or if thirty (30)
days shall have expired after the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary
a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a
successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment
as provided in Section 5.4, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement
by providing notice of such termination to the Holders of all ADSs then
outstanding
at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On
and
after the date
of
termination of this Deposit Agreement, each Holder of ADS(s) will, upon
surrender of such
ADS(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the
charges of the
Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred
39
to
in
Section 2.7 and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth,
and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled
to
Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities
represented
by such ADSs. If any ADSs shall remain outstanding after the date of termination
of this
Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration
of transfers of ADSs, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of
dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall
not
give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit
Agreement, except
that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions
pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in this
Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject
to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.7, together with
any
dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net
proceeds
of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for ADSs surrendered
to
the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case,
the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of an ADS, any expenses for
the
account of the Holder in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable
taxes
or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of
six
(6) months from the date of the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may
thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with
any
other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without
liability
for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose ADSs have not
theretofore been surrendered.
After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations
under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the ADSs and the Deposited
Securities, except to account
for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the
case
may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs,
any expenses for the account of
the
Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement
and
any applicable
taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this
Deposit Agreement,
the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit
Agreement except
for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8, 5.9 and 7.6 and the
Depositary agrees
that it will not charge the Company or its Affiliates any fees, charges or
additional expenses
in connection with such termination, provided that the Depositary shall still
be
entitled to collect (i) fees to which it is entitled pursuant to Section 5.9
hereof and (ii) fees to which it is entitled
as agreed between the Company and the Depositary from time to time. The
obligations of
the
Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 7.6 shall survive the termination of this
Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE
VII
Β
MISCELLANEOUS
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.1
Counterparts.Β This
Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of such
counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of
this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be
open
to inspection by any Holder during business hours.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.2
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
This
Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive
benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not be deemed
to
give any
40
legal
or
equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to
the
extent specifically
set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall
be
deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties nor
establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties
hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary
and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with
the
Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be
engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company
or
the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained
in this Deposit Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary
or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing
or
maintaining
such relationships, or (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates
to
disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made
or
payment received in such transactions or relationships.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.3
Severability.
In
case
any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit
Agreement or in the ADRs should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed
thereby.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.4
Holders
and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect.
The
Holders
and Beneficial Owners from time to time of ADSs shall be parties to this Deposit
Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and
of
any ADR by acceptance
thereof or any beneficial interest therein.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.5
Notices.
Any
and
all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to
have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, air courier or cable,
telex or facsimile
transmission, confirmed by letter personally delivered or sent by mail or air
courier, addressed
to Unilever PLC, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX, Xxxxxxx,
Attention:Β Company
Secretary (fax number: 00-000-000-0000) or to any other address which
the
Company may specify in writing to the Depositary.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Any
and all notices
to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given
if
personally delivered or sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex or facsimile
transmission, confirmed by letter personally delivered or sent by mail or air
courier, addressed to Citibank, N.A., 000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, U.S.A.,
Attention:Β Depositary
Receipts Department (fax number: 000-000-0000), or to any other address which
the Depositary may
specify in writing to the Company.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Any
and all notices
to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if (a)
personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission
(provided such cable, telex or facsimile transmission is confirmed by letter),
addressed to such Holder at the address
of such Holder as it appears on the books of the Depositary or, if such Holder
shall have filed
with the Depositary a request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed
to
some other address, at the address specified in such request, or (b) if a Holder
shall have designated such means
of
notification as an acceptable means of notification under the terms of this
Deposit Agreement,
by means of electronic messaging addressed for delivery to the e-mail address
designated
by the Holder for such purpose. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice
to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement. Failure to
notify a Holder or any
defect
in the notification
to
a
Holder
41
shall
not
affect the sufficiency of notification to other Holders
or to the Beneficial Owners of ADSs held by such other Holders.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Delivery
of a notice
to (i) the Company or the Depositary sent by mail, air courier or cable,
telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time
when
a duly addressed
letter containing the
same
is received, and (ii) the Holder sent by mail, air courier or cable,
telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time
when
a duly addressed
letter containing
the
same
(or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile
transmission)
is
deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an
air
courier service, without regard for the actual receipt or time of actual receipt
thereof by a Holder.
The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex or
facsimile transmission
received by it from any Holder, the Custodian, the Depositary, or the Company,
notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not
be
subsequently confirmed by letter.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Delivery
of a notice
by means of electronic messaging shall be deemed to be effective at the
time
of the initiation of the transmission by the sender (as shown on the sender's
records), notwithstanding
that the intended recipient retrieves the message at a later date, fails to
retrieve such message, or fails to receive such notice on account of its failure
to maintain the
designated e-mail
address, its failure to designate a substitute e-mail address or for any other
reason.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.6
Governing
Law and Jurisdiction.
This
Deposit Agreement and the ADRs shall be interpreted in accordance with, and
all
rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be
governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference
to its principles of choice of law. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Deposit Agreement,
any ADR or any present or future provisions of the laws of the State of New
York, the
rights of holders of Shares and of any other Deposited Securities and the
obligations and duties of the Company in respect of the holders of Shares and
other Deposited Securities, as such,
shall be governed by the laws of the United Kingdom (or, if applicable, such
other laws as may
govern the Deposited Securities).
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Except
as set forth
in the following paragraph of this Section 7.6, the Company and the Depositary
agree that the federal or state courts in the City of New York shall have
jurisdiction to
hear
and determine any suit, action or proceeding and to settle any dispute between
them that may
arise
out of or in connection
with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably
submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company hereby
irrevocably
designates, appoints and empowers Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq. (the "Agent")Β now
at
Unilever
United States, Inc., 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX 00000, as its
authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its behalf, and on behalf
of
its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of any and all legal
process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in any suit, action
or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or state court
as
described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of this Section
7.6. If for any
reason the Agent shall cease to be available to act as such, the Company agrees
to designate a new agent in New York on the terms and for the purposes of this
Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory
to the Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents
and
agrees to the
service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any
suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy
thereof upon the Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Agent shall
for
any reason prove to
42
be
ineffective or such Agent shall fail to accept or acknowledge such service),
with a copy mailed to the Company by registered
or certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section
7.5.
The Company
agrees that the failure of the Agent to give any notice of such service to
it
shall not impair
or
affect in any way the validity of such service or any judgment rendered in
any
action or proceeding
based thereon.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
the
foregoing, the Depositary and the Company unconditionally agree that
in
the event that a Holder or Beneficial Owner brings a suit, action or proceeding
against (a) the
Company, (b) the Depositary in its capacity as Depositary under this Deposit
Agreement or (c)
against both the Company and the Depositary, in any such case, in any state
or
federal court of
the
United States, and the Depositary or the Company have any claim, for
indemnification or otherwise,
against each other arising out of the subject matter of such suit, action or
proceeding, then
the
Company and the Depositary may pursue such claim against each other in the
state
or federal
court in the United States in which such suit, action, or proceeding is pending
and, for such purposes, the Company and the Depositary irrevocably submit to
the
non-exclusive jurisdiction
of such courts. The Company agrees that service of process upon the Agent in
the
manner
set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be effective service upon it for
any
suit, action or
proceeding brought against it as described in this paragraph.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company
irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law,
any
objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any
actions, suits or
proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby
further irrevocably
and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court
that any
such
action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an
inconvenient
forum.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company
irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law,
and
agrees not to plead or claim, any right of immunity from legal action, suit
or
proceeding,
from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service
of
process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid
of
execution or judgment,
from execution of judgment, or from any other legal process or proceeding for
the giving
of
any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, and consents to such relief
and enforcement against it, its assets and its revenues in any jurisdiction,
in
each case with respect to any
matter arising out of, or in connection with, this Deposit Agreement, any ADR
or
the Deposited
Securities.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β No
disclaimer of
liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this
Deposit
Agreement. The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination
of
this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.7
Assignment.Β Subject
to the provisions of Section 5.4, this Deposit Agreement
may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.8
Compliance
with U.S.Β Securities
Laws.
Notwithstanding
anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery
of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary
except as would be permitted by Instruction
I.A.(1)
of
43
of
the
General Instructions to Form F-6, as amended from time to time, under the
Securities Act.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.9Β References
to the Laws of the United Kingdom.Β Any
summary of the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom (including laws of
England) and of the terms of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of
Association set forth in this Deposit Agreement have been
provided by the Company solely for the convenience of Holders, Beneficial Owners
and the Depositary.
While such summaries are believed by the Company to be accurate as of the date
of this
Deposit Agreement, (i) they are summaries and as such may not include all
aspects of the materials
summarized applicable to a Holder or Beneficial Owner, and (ii) these laws
and
regulations
and the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association may change after the
date
of
this Deposit Agreement. Neither the Depositary nor the Company has any
obligation under
the
terms of this Deposit Agreement to update any such summaries.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.10
Titles
and References.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (a)
Deposit
Agreement.Β All
references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, articles, sections,
subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, articles, sections,
subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement unless expressly
provided otherwise.
The words "Deposit Agreement", "herein", "hereof', "hereby", "hereunder", and
words
of
similar import refer to this Deposit Agreement as a whole, as amended and
supplemented, as in effect at the relevant time between the Company, the
Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any
particular subdivision unless expressly so
limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed
to
include any other
gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural
and vice
versa
unless
the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement
are
included
for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language
contained in this
Deposit Agreement. References to "applicable laws and regulations" shall refer
to laws and regulations
applicable to ADRs, ADSs or Deposited Securities as in effect at the relevant
time of determination,
unless otherwise required by law or regulation.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (b)
ADRs.Β All
references in any ADR(s) to paragraphs, exhibits, articles, sections,
subsections,
and other subdivisions refer to the paragraphs, exhibits, articles, sections,
subsections and other subdivisions of the ADR(s) in question unless expressly
provided otherwise.
The words "the Receipt", "the ADR", "herein", "hereof', "hereby", "hereunder",
and words
of
similar import used in any ADR refer to the ADR as a whole and as in effect
at
the relevant
time, and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.
Pronouns in masculine,
feminine and neuter gender in any ADR shall be construed to include any other
gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural
and vice
versa unless
the context otherwise requires. Titles to paragraphs of any ADR are included
for
convenience
only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in the ADR.
References to "applicable laws and regulations" shall refer to laws and
regulations applicable to ADRs, ADSs or Deposited Securities as in effect at
the
relevant time of determination, unless otherwise
required by law or regulation.
Β
44
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Section
7.11
Amendment
and Restatement.Β The
Depositary shall arrange to have new
ADRs
printed that reflect the form of ADR attached to this Deposit Agreement as
promptly as reasonably practicable following effectiveness of this Deposit
Agreement. All ADRs issued hereunder
after the date hereof, whether upon the deposit of Shares or other Deposited
Securities or
upon
the transfer, combination or split-up of existing ADRs, shall be substantially
in the form of
the
specimen ADR attached as Exhibit
AΒ hereto.
However, American depositary receipts issued
prior to the date hereof under the terms of the Original Deposit Agreement
and
outstanding as of the date hereof, which do not reflect the form of ADR attached
hereto as Exhibit
A,
do not
need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until such time
as
the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under this Deposit
Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions
deemed necessary to effect the
foregoing.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company hereby
instructs the Depositary to (i) promptly send notice of the execution
of this Deposit Agreement to all holders of American depositary shares
outstanding under the Original Deposit Agreement as of the date hereof and
(ii)
inform holders of American depositary shares issued as "certificated American
depositary shares" and outstanding under the Original Deposit Agreement as
of
the date hereof that they have the opportunity, but are not required,
to exchange their American depositary receipts for one or more ADR(s) issued
pursuant
to this Deposit Agreement.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Holders
and
Beneficial Owners of American depositary shares issued pursuant to the Original
Deposit Agreement and outstanding as of the date hereof, shall, from and after
the date hereof, be deemed Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued pursuant
and be subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement
in
all respects, irrespective of whether such Holders exchange their American
depositary receipts issued under the Original Deposit Agreement for one or
more
ADR(s) issued pursuant to this Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that any
term of this Deposit Agreement that prejudices any substantial existing right
of
holders or beneficial owners of American depositary shares issued under the
Original Deposit Agreement
shall not become effective as to Holders and Beneficial Owners until three
(3)
months after notice of the amendments effectuated by this Deposit Agreement
shall have been given to holders of ADSs outstanding as of the date
hereof.
Β
45
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF,
Unilever PLC and Citibank, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as
of
the day and year first above set forth
and
all
Holders and Beneficial Owners
shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of ADSs issued in accordance
with the
terms
hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.
Β | Β | Β |
Β | ||
Β Β |
Β Β |
Β Β |
By:Β Β | /s/Β Xxxxxxx XxxxxxΒ | |
Β |
Name:
XXXXXXX XXXXXX
|
|
Β |
Title:
DEPUTY SECRETARY
|
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
CITIBANK,
N.A.
|
|
Β Β |
Β Β |
Β Β |
By:Β Β | Β | |
Β |
Name: |
|
Β | Title: |
Β
46
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β IN
WITNESS
WHEREOF,
Unilever PLC and Citibank, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as
of
the day and year first above set forth
and
all
Holders and Beneficial Owners
shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of ADSs issued in accordance
with the
terms
hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.
Β | Β | Β |
Β | ||
Β Β |
Β Β |
Β Β |
By:Β Β | Β | |
Β |
Name: |
|
Β | Title: |
Β | Β | Β |
Β |
CITIBANK,
N.A.
|
|
Β Β |
Β Β |
Β Β |
By:Β Β | /s/Β Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Β |
Name: XXXXX X. XXXXXXX |
|
Β |
Title:
VICE PRESIDENT
|
Β
46
Β
EXHIBIT
A
Β
[FORM
OF ADR]
Β
Β Number
__________
|
Β CUSIP
NUMBER: __________
|
Β | Β |
Β
Β | American Depositary Shares (each American Depositary Share representing four (4) fully paid ordinary shares, each nominal value of 1.4 xxxxx per share, of Unilever PLC) |
Β
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN
DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED
ORDINARY SHARES
of
(Incorporated
under the laws of England)
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β CITIBANK,
N.A.,
a
national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that
_________________ is
the
owner of ________________ American
Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing
deposited ordinary shares, each of nominal value of 1.4 xxxxx per share
(including evidence of rights to receive such ordinary shares, the "Shares"),
of
Unilever PLC, a corporation
incorporated under the laws of England (the "Company"). As of the date of the
Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents four (4) Shares
deposited under the Deposit Agreement with the Custodian, which at the date
of
execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A., London
Branch (the "Custodian"). The ADS(s)-to-Share(s) ratio is subject to amendment
as provided in Articles II, IV and VI of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's
Principal Office is located at 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000,
X.X.X.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (1)
The
Deposit Agreement.Β This
American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts
("ADRs"), all
issued and to be issued upon the terms and
A-1
conditions
set forth in the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of February
14, 2006 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Deposit
Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and
Beneficial Owners from time to time of ADSs. The Deposit Agreement sets forth
the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners
of
ADSs and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares
deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from
time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such
Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities").
Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the
Depositary and with the Custodian. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon
acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with
the
terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes
to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the Deposit Agreement and
applicable ADR(s), and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with
full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions
contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to adopt any
and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such
action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or
appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the
applicable ADR(s), the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant
of the necessity and appropriateness thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
statements made
on the face and reverse of this ADR are summaries of certain provisions
of the Deposit Agreement and the Memorandum and Articles of Association of
the
Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement)
and
are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement
and Memorandum and Articles of
Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used
herein which are not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit
Agreement. The
Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth
of
the Deposited Securities.
The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC.
Each
Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC
and
the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable
to
such ADSs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (2)
Withdrawal
of Deposited Securities.Β The
Holder of this ADR (and of the ADSs evidenced
hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office)
of
the Deposited
Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby upon
satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly
authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly
Delivered to the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby
(and, if applicable,
this ADR) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented
thereby, (ii) if applicable and so required by the Depositary, this ADR has
been
properly endorsed
in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including
signature
guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii)
if
so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered
to the Depositary a written
order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn
to be Delivered
to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and
(iv)
all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary
and
all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section
5.9
of, and Exhibit
B
to, the
Deposit Agreement)
have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of this ADR,
of
the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Memorandum and Articles
Β
A-2
of
Association, of
any
applicable laws and the rules of CREST, and to any provisions of or governing
the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time
thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
satisfaction of
each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the
ADSs
Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs so
Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the
ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall
direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's
designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the
ADSs
so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the
Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (as
applicable), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s)
designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such
purpose, subject
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this ADR, of the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company, of any
applicable laws and the rules of CREST, and to the terms and conditions of
or
governing the Deposited
Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary shall
not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the
case
of Delivery to it of ADSs representing a number other than a whole number of
Shares, the
Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares
to be
Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion
of
the Depositary, either (i) return
to
the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining
fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share
represented by the ADSs so surrendered
and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges
of,
and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person
surrendering the ADSs.
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement,
the Depositary
may make delivery to Holders surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited
Securities
at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash
distributions, or
(ii)
any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which
are
at the time held
by
the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs
surrendered
for cancellation and withdrawal. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder
so surrendering
ADSs represented by this ADR, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary
shall
direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or
other property (other
than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities
represented by such
ADSs
to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such
direction
shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder,
by
cable, telex
or
facsimile transmission.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (3)
Transfer,
Combination and Split-Up of ADRs.Β In
connection with the requested
transfer of this ADR, the Registrar shall register the transfer of this ADR
(and
of the ADSs
represented hereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary
shall (x)
cancel this ADR and execute new ADRs in the name of the transferee evidencing
the same aggregate
number of ADSs as those evidenced by this ADR when canceled, (y) cause the
Registrar
to countersign such new ADRs, and (z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the
order
of the
transferee entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been
satisfied: (i) this ADR
submitted for transfer has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly
authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office
for
the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this ADR has been properly
A-3
endorsed
or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature
guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry
practice), (iii) this ADR has been duly stamped (if required by the laws of
the
State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes
and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit
B
to, the
Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions of this ADR, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable
law, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
connection with
the requested combination or split-up of this ADR, the Registrar shall
register
the split-up or combination of this ADR (and of the ADSs represented hereby)
on
the books
maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall (x) cancel this ADR and
execute new
ADRs
for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number
of ADSs evidenced by this ADR (when canceled), (y) cause the Registrar to
countersign such new ADRs,
and
(z) Deliver such new ADRs to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each
of
the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this ADR submitted for
combination or split-up has been
duly
Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to
the
Depositary
at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination
hereof, and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred
by,
the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set
forth in Section 5.9 of, and Exhibit
BΒ to,
the
Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to
the
terms and conditions
of this ADR, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law, in each case as
in
effect at the time thereof.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (4)
Pre-Conditions
to Registration, Transfer, Etc.
As
a
condition precedent to the execution and delivery, the registration of issuance,
transfer, split-up, combination or surrender, of
any
ADR, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any
Deposited Securities,
the Depositary, the Company or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the
depositor
of Shares or the presenter of ADSs or ADRs of a sum sufficient to reimburse
it
for any tax
or
other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with
respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares
being deposited or withdrawn) and
payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in
the
Deposit Agreement and in this ADR, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory
to
it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters
contemplated by Section 3.1 of the Deposit Agreement,
and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating
to
the execution
and delivery of ADRs or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities,
(B)
the provisions
of the Company's Memorandum and Articles of Association as in effect from time
to time
and
applicable resolutions or regulations adopted by the Company's board of
directors, and (C)
such
reasonable regulations as the Depositary and the Company may establish
consistent with the provisions of this ADR and the Deposit Agreement and
applicable law.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
issuance of ADSs
against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular
Shares may be suspended, or the deposit of particular Shares may be refused,
or
the registration
of transfers of ADSs in particular instances may be refused, or the registration
of transfer of ADSs generally may be suspended, during any period when the
transfer books of the Company,
the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar are closed or if any such
action is
deemed
necessary
A-4
or
advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from
time to time because of any requirement of law or regulation, any government
or
governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the ADSs
or
Shares are listed,
or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, or under any
provision of, or
governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders
of
the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to paragraph
(24).
Notwithstanding
any provision of the
Deposit Agreement or this ADR to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender
outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities associated therewith
at
any time subject only to (i)
temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or
the
Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders'
meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar
charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign
laws or governmental regulations relating to the ADRs or ADSs to the withdrawal
of the Deposited
Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by
Instruction I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 under the Securities
Act (as such General Instructions
may be amended from time to time).
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (5)
Compliance
With Information Requests.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of
the
Deposit Agreement or this ADR, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs
represented hereby agrees to comply with requests from the Company pursuant
to
applicable law (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 212
of
Part VI of the Companies Xxx 0000 of England, as amended or reenacted from
time
to time), the rules and requirements of the London
Stock Exchange or the New York Stock Exchange, and of any other stock exchange
on which
Shares or ADSs are, or will be, registered, traded or listed, or the Memorandum
and Articles
of Association of the Company or resolutions and regulations of the Company's
board of
directors, which are made to provide or obtain (i) information, inter
alia, as
to the
capacity in which
such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares as the case may be) and
regarding the identity of any other person(s) interested in such ADSs and the
nature of such interest
and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial
Owners at the time of such request and (ii) information for purposes of blocking
transfer, voting, the exercising
of other rights, to enforce disclosure requirements, or to limit any ownership
or enforce
compliance with such request.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (6)
Ownership
Restrictions.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of this ADR or of the
Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such
transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed by
applicable law or the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict,
in
such
manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result
in the total
number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial
Owner to
exceed
any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to
applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the
ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits
set
forth in the preceding sentence, including, but not limited to, the imposition
of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of
voting
rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial
Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial
Owner in excess of such limitations,
if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the
Memorandum
and Articles of Association of the Company.
Β
A-5
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (7)
Liability
of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges.
Any
tax
or other governmental charge payable by the Custodian or by the Depositary
with
respect to any ADR or any
Deposited Securities or ADSs shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial
Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary
may
withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited
Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner
any
or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale
proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties)
or charges, and the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof shall remain liable
for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares and the
Depositary may refuse to issue
ADSs, to deliver ADRs, register the transfer of ADSs, register the split-up
or
combination of
ADRs
and (subject to paragraph (24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities
until payment
in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder
and
Beneficial Owner
agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, and any of
their
agents, officers, employees and Affiliates for, and to hold each of them
harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest
and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained
for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (8)
Representations
and Warranties of Depositors.
Each
person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby
to
represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and the certificates therefor are
duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid,
non-assessable and legally obtained and held by such person, (ii) all preemptive
(and similar)
rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or
exercised, (iii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do,
(iv) the Shares presented for deposit are free
and
clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse
claim, (v) the Shares presented for deposit are not, and the ADSs issuable
upon
such deposit will not be, Restricted
Securities (except as contemplated in Section 2.13 of the Deposit Agreement),
and (vi)
the
Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or
entitlements. Such representations
and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares, the issuance
and
cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs. If any
such representations
or warranties are false in any way, the Company and the Depositary shall be
authorized,
at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all
actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (9)
Filing
Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any
person presenting Shares
for deposit, and any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required, and every
Holder and
Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to (A) provide to the Depositary
and
the Custodian such proof of (i) citizenship or residence, (ii) taxpayer status,
(iii) payment of all applicable
taxes or other governmental charges, (iv) exchange control approval, (v) legal
or beneficial
ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, and (vi) compliance with applicable
laws, the terms of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR and the provisions of,
or
provisions governing, the Deposited Securities, and (B) to execute such
certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide
such other information and documentation (or, in the case of Shares in
registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the
registration
on the books of the Company or of the Share Registrar) as the Depositary or
the
Custodian
may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written
request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the
A-6
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Deposit
Agreement and
this
ADR. The
Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or
delivery or
registration of transfer of any ADR or ADS or the distribution or sale of any
dividend or other distribution
of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by paragraph
(24),
the
delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information
is
filed or such certifications are executed, or such representations are made
or
such information and documentation
are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the
Company's satisfaction.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (10)
Charges
of Depositary.
The
Depositary shall charge the following fees:
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (i)
|
Issuance
Fee:Β to
any person depositing Shares or to whom ADSs are issued
upon the deposit of Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per
100
ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit
Agreement; and
|
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (ii)
|
Cancellation
Fee:
to
any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal
of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per
100
ADSs (or portion thereof) so
surrendered.
|
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
addition, Holders,
Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares and personsΒ surrendering
ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required
to
pay
the
following charges
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (i)
|
taxes
(including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental
charges;
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (ii)
|
such
registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the
registration
of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and
applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities
to or
from
the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon
the
making
of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (iii)
|
such
cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as
are
expressly
provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person
depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners
of ADSs;
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (iv)
|
the
expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion
of
foreign currency;
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (v)
|
such
fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection
with
compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory
requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and
ADRs;
and
|
Β | Β |
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (vi)
|
the
fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian, or
any
nominee
in connection with the delivery or servicing of Deposited
Securities.
|
Β
A-7
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (vi)
|
Β
the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian,
or any
nominee
in connection with the delivery or servicing of Deposited
Securities.
|
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Any
other charges and
expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid
by
the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees
and
charges
may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the
Depositary
and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or
Beneficial Owners,
only in the manner contemplated by paragraph (22) of this ADR and as
contemplated in the
Deposit Agreement. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its
latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the
Custodian are for the sole account
of the Depositary.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (11)
Title
to ADRs.
It
is a
condition of this ADR, and every successive Holder of this ADR
by
accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this ADR (and
to each Certificated ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable upon the same
terms as a certificated security
under the laws of the State of New York, provided that, this ADR has been
properly endorsed
or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice
to the contrary,
the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this ADR (that
is, the
person in whose name this ADR is registered on the books of the Depositary)
as
the absolute owner
thereof for all purposes. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall have
any
obligation
nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to
any
holder of
this
ADR or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the Holder of this ADR
registered on the
books
of the Depositary or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner
or the Beneficial
Owner's representative is the Holder registered on the books of the
Depositary.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (12)
Validity
of ADR.Β The
Holder(s) of this ADR (and the ADSs represented hereby) shall
not
be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement, nor shall this ADR
be
valid or enforceable
for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company, unless this ADR has
been
(i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly-authorized
signatory of the Depositary,
(iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly-authorized
signatory
of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar
for the registration
of issuances and transfers of ADSs. An ADR bearing the facsimile signature
of a
duly-authorized
signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature
was a
duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may
be, shall bind the Depositary,
notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized
prior to the
delivery of such ADR by the Depositary.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (13)
Available
Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books.
The
Company is
subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and
accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and
documents can be retrieved from the
Commission's website (xxx.xxx.xxx)
and can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission located at 000 X Xxxxxx, X.X., Xxxxxxxxxx, X.X.
00000. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its
Principal Office
any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials,
received from the Company which are
A-8
both
(a)
received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them
as
the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to
the
holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Registrar shall keep books for the registration of ADSs which at all reasonable
times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such
ADSs, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge,
for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such ADSs in the interest
of a
business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter
related to the Deposit Agreement or the ADSs.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Depositary is
authorized to, and shall at the Company's request, from time to time
provide to the Company, the Share Registrar and any other agent of the Company
designated
by the Company in writing (irrespective of their nationality, residency, or
regulatory regime)
in electronic or print format the information contained in the register of
ADSs.
Every Holder
and Beneficial Owner of ADSs upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest
therein) shall
be
deemed to have consented to the Depositary providing such information to such
persons.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Registrar may
close the transfer books with respect to the ADSs, at any time or from
time
to
time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection
with
the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request
of
the Company subject, in all cases, to paragraph (24).
Β
Dated:
Β
CITIBANK, N.A. | Β | CITIBANK, N.A. | ||
Transfer Agent and Registrar | Β | asΒ Depositary | ||
Β | Β | Β | Β | Β |
By:Β | Β | Β | Β By: | Β |
Β |
Authorized Signatory |
Β | Β |
Authorized
Signatory
|
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
address of the
Principal Office of the Depositary is 000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx,
Xxx
Xxxx 00000, X.X.X.
Β
A-9
[FORM
OF REVERSE OF ADR]
Β
SUMMARY
OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
Β
OF
THE
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (14)
Dividends
and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc.Β Whenever
the Depositary receives
confirmation from the Custodian of the receipt of any cash dividend or other
cash distribution
on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Deposited
Securities
or any other entitlements held in respect of Deposited Securities under the
terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of
receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can, in the judgment
of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement),
be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United
States, promptly
convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds
into Dollars (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable,
establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9 of the
Deposit Agreement, and (iii) distribute promptly the amount thus received (net
of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the
ADS
Record
Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date. The
Depositary
shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without
attributing to
any
Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be
held
by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added
to
and become part of the next
sum
received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs outstanding
at
the time of
the
next distribution. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required
to withhold and
does
withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any
Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental
charges, the amount distributed
to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced
accordingly.
Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the
Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of payment thereof
by the Company
shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
any
distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free
distribution
of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the
Custodian and
registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian
or
their respective
nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian,
the
Depositary
shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the
ADS Record Date and either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders
as
of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS
Record Date, additional ADSs, which
represent in the aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend,
or
free distribution,
subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation,
(a) the applicable
fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes),
or
(ii) if additional
ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS
Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent
rights and interests in the additional integral number of Shares distributed
upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable
fees and charges of, and expenses
A-10
incurred
by, the Depositary, and
(b)
taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares
or
ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of such fractions and
distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the Deposit
Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β In
the event that the
Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares)
is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is
obligated to withhold,
or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit
Agreement, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares
must
be registered under the Securities
Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such
registration statement
has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion
of
such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such
amounts and in such manner, including
by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable,
and the Depositary
shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of (a)
taxes
and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to
Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary
shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance
with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
timely
receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution
to be made available to Holders of ADSs upon the terms described in the Deposit
Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall determine whether such
distribution is lawful and
reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Deposit
Agreement, establish an ADS Record Date according to paragraph (16) and
establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the
proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to
receive the distribution in cash, the distribution shall be made as in the
case
of a distribution in cash upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement.
If
the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the
distribution shall be made as in the case of a distribution in Shares upon
the
terms described in the Deposit Agreement.
If such elective distribution is not reasonably practicable or if the Depositary
did not receive
reasonably satisfactory documentation set forth in the Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to Holders, on
the
basis of the same determination as
is
made in the United Kingdom in respect of the Shares for which no election is
made, either (x)
cash
or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case, upon
the terms described
in the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall
obligate the
Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the
elective distribution
in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof
will be
given
the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and
conditions as the holders of Shares.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
timely
receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes
rights
to
subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the
Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall determine, whether it
is
lawful and reasonably practicable
to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such
rights available
to any Holders only if (i) the Company shall have timely requested that such
rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received
the
documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary
shall have determined that such distribution of rights is reasonably
practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the
Depositary shall sell the rights as
A-11
described
below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied,
the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described
in
the Deposit
Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to distribute rights to purchase
additional ADSs (by means of warrants or otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders
to exercise the rights (upon payment of the subscription price and of the
applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary
and
(b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such
rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary
to make available
to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares (rather
than
ADSs). If
(i)
the Company does not timely request the Depositary to make the rights available
to Holders or
if the
Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders, (ii) the
Depositary fails
to
receive the documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines it
is
not reasonably
practicable to make the rights available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made
available are
not
exercised and appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine
whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a
riskless principal capacity, at such place
and
upon such terms (including public or private sale) as it may deem practicable.
The Depositary
shall, upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of
applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary
and
(b) taxes) upon the terms hereof
and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights
available to Holders
or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above, the
Depositary shall
allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i)
any
failure to determine that it may be lawful or practicable to make such rights
available to Holders in general or
any
Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred
in
connection with
such
sale or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders
on behalf of
the
Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration
(under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the
securities to which any rights relate may be required in order for the Company
to offer such rights or such securities
to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary
will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a
registration statement under the Securities
Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless
the Company
furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United
States and
counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would
be
distributed,
in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that
the
offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt
from, or do not require registration
under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In
the
event that
the
Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and
does
withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on
account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the
Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited
Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary
determines that
any
distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor)
is
subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is
obligated to withhold, the Depositary
may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights
to
subscribe
therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private
sale, as the
Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or
charges.
A-12
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β There
can be
no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given
the opportunity to receive or exercise rights on the same terms and conditions
as the holders
of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit
Agreement shall
obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights
or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such
rights.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Upon
receipt
of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash,
Shares
or
rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made available to Holders of ADSs,
the Depositary
and the Company shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful
and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution
unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such
distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received reasonably
satisfactory documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii)
the
Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably
practicable. Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Deposit
Agreement, the Depositary
shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the
ADS Record
Date established for such distribution pursuant to Section 4.9 of the Deposit
Agreement, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and
in
such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such
distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and
charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and
(ii)
net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of
the
property so
distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public
or private sale)
as
the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including
applicable
interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the
distribution.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β If
the
conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such
property to
be
sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms
as
it may deem practicable and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale (if in
a
Foreign Currency) to be converted
into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such sale and conversion
received by the
Depositary (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred
by,
the Depositary
and (b) taxes) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon the terms hereof
and of the
Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the
Depositary may dispose
of such property for the account of the Holders in any way it deems reasonably
practicable
under the circumstances.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (15)
Redemption.Β Upon
timely receipt of notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right
of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and upon
determining that such proposed redemption is practicable and upon receipt of
reasonably satisfactory documentation required by the Deposit Agreement, the
Depositary shall provide to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's
intention to exercise the redemption rights and any
other
particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt
of
confirmation
from the Custodian that the redemption has taken place and that funds
representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall
convert, transfer and distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and
charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (b) taxes), retire
ADSs and cancel ADRs, if applicable, upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders
thereof upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding
Deposited Securities
are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata
basis, as
may be
determined by the
A-13
Depositary.
The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent
of the per share amount received by the Depositary (adjusted to reflect the
ADS(s)-to--Share(s) ratio) upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities
represented by ADSs (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the
applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and
taxes) multiplied by the number of Shares represented by each ADS
redeemed.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (16)
Fixing
of ADS Record Date.
Whenever
the Depositary shall receive notice of the
fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of
Deposited Securities
entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other
distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in
the
number of Shares that
are
represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of
any
meeting
of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other
Deposited Securities,
or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection
with the
giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the
Depositary shall fix a record
date (the "ADS
Record Date")
for the
determination of the Holders of ADSs who shall be entitled to receive such
distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any
such
meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or
solicitation or to otherwise
take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed
number of
Shares
represented by each ADS. If the ADSs shall be listed on any securities exchange,
then such
record date shall be fixed in compliance with any applicable rules of such
securities exchange.
The Depositary shall make reasonable efforts to establish the ADS Record Date
as
closely
as possible to the applicable record date for the Deposited Securities (if
any)
set by the Company
in England. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this
ADR
and the
Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of ADSs at the close of business in New
York
on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to
give
such voting instructions, to
receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (17)
Voting
of Deposited Securities.
As
soon
as practicable after receipt of notice of any
meeting at which the holders of Deposited Securities are entitled to vote,
or of
solicitation of consents
or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the
ADS Record
Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy in
accordance with Section
4.9 of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company
in writing
in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further
action if the request
shall not have been received by the Depositary at least thirty (30) days prior
to the date of such
vote
or meeting), at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions
exist, distribute
to Holders as of the ADS Record Date: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation
of consent or proxy, (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business
on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the
provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association
of the Company and the provisions of or the provisions governing the Deposited
Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part
by
the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting
rights, if
any,
pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADSs, and
(c) a brief statement
as to the manner in which such voting instructions may be given, (including
an
express indication that instructions may be deemed to have been given in
accordance with the last sentence
of the paragraph below if no instructions are received by the Depositary prior
to the
deadline
set for such purposes) to the
Β
A-14
Depositary
to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated
by the Company to vote the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented
by
such Holder's
ADSs in his or her discretion. Voting instructions may be given only in respect
of a number
of
ADSs representing an integral number of Deposited Securities. Upon the timely
receipt
from a Holder of ADSs as of the ADS Record Date of voting instructions in the
manner specified
by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and
permitted under
applicable law, the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and
Articles of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited
Securities, to vote, or cause the Custodian
to vote, the Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by such
Holder's ADSs
in
accordance with such voting instructions.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Neither
the
Depositary nor the Custodian shall under any circumstances exercise any
discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall
vote,
attempt to exercise
the right to vote, or in any way make use of the Deposited Securities
represented by ADSs,
except pursuant to and in accordance with the voting instructions timely
received from Holders
as of the ADS Record Date or as otherwise contemplated therein. If the
Depositary does not
receive instructions from a Holder as of the ADS Record Date on or before the
date established by the Depositary for such purpose, such Holder shall be
deemed, and the Depositary shall
deem such Holder, to have instructed the Depositary to give a discretionary
proxy to a person
designated by the Company to vote the Deposited Securities held by such Holder,
and the Depositary
shall give such discretionary proxy to such person; provided,Β however,Β that
no
such discretionary
proxy shall be given by the Depositary with respect to any matter to be voted
upon as
to
which the Company informs the Depositary that (i) the Company does not wish
such
proxy to
be
given, (ii) substantial opposition exists, or (iii) the rights of holders of
Deposited Securities may
be
adversely affected. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit
Agreement or
in
this ADR, the Depositary shall, if so requested in writing by the Company,
represent, or cause
the
Custodian to represent all Deposited Securities (whether or not voting
instructions have been
received in respect of such Deposited Securities from Holders as of the ADS
Record Date) for
the
sole purpose of establishing quorum at a meeting of shareholders. On the
business day following
the date fixed by the Depositary as the last date for delivery of voting
instructions, the Depositary
shall give notice to the Company of the voting instructions received by the
Depositary
from the Holders as of the close of business as of such fixed date.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR to the contrary,
the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect
to
any meeting,
or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of Deposited Securities
if
the taking of such
action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions
reasonably necessary
to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing
to the Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary, if reasonably
requested by the Depositary, an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions
requested to be taken to enable such vote.
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β There
can be
no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive
the
notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return
voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Β
A-15
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (18)
Changes
Affecting Deposited Securities.Β Upon
any
change in nominal or par value,
split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited
Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale of assets affecting the
Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by
the
Depositary or the
Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise
in
respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law,
be
treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the ADRs
shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law,
evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities.
In
effectuation of any such change, split up, cancellation, consolidation or other
reclassification of Deposited Securities, recapitalization, reorganization,
merger or consolidation
or sale of assets, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall,
if the
Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and
receipt of an opinion of counsel to the Company reasonably satisfactory to
the
Depositary that such actions are not in violation of any applicable laws or
regulations, (i) execute and deliver additional ADRs in the case of a stock
dividend on the Shares, (ii) amend the Deposit Agreement and the form of ADR
contained in Exhibit
A
thereto,
(iii) amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as filed with the Commission
in connection with the Deposit Agreement, (iv) call for the surrender
of outstanding ADRs to be exchanged for new ADRs, (v) issue such new ADRs in
exchange
for outstanding ADRs called for surrender and (vi) take such other actions
as
reasonably
requested by the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
any
security
so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the
Depositary may, with
the
Company's approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt
of
reasonably
satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell
such securities
at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it
may
deem proper
and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges
of,
and expenses
incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders
otherwise entitled
to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent
practicable as in
the
case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
The
Depositary shall
not
be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or
feasible to make such
securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular,
(ii)
any foreign exchange
exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability
to the purchaser
of such securities.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (19)
Exoneration.
Neither
the Depositary nor the Company shall be obligated to do or perform
any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement
or
incur any liability
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from,
or
delayed in, doing
or
performing any act or thing required by the terms of the Deposit Agreement
and
this ADR,
by
reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United
States, the
United Kingdom or any other country, or of any other governmental authority
or
regulatory authority
or stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties
or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Memorandum
and Articles of Association of
the
Company or any provision of or provision governing any Deposited Securities,
or
by reason
of
any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control (including,
without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, acts of terrorism, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and
computer failure), (ii) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise,
any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Memorandum and
Articles of Association
A-16
of
the
Company or provisions of or provisions governing Deposited Securities, (iii)
for
any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal
counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder,
any
Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other person
believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information,
(iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any
distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to
holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADSs, or (v) for any consequential
or
punitive damages
for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary, its
controlling persons
and its agents, any Custodian and the Company, its Affiliates, its controlling
persons and its
agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice,
request or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed
or presented by the proper party or
parties. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by
any
provision of the Deposit
Agreement or this ADR.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (20)
Standard
of Care.
The
Company and the Depositary assume no obligation and shall not be subject to
any
liability under the Deposit Agreement or this ADR to any Holder(s) or Beneficial
Owner(s), except that the Company and the Depositary agree to perform their
respective obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement and
this
ADR without negligence
or bad faith. Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary,
nor
the Company,
nor any of their respective Affiliates, controlling persons, or agents, shall
be
under any
obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other
proceeding in respect of any
Deposited Securities or in respect of the ADSs, which in its opinion may involve
it in expense
or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including
fees and disbursements
of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required (and no
Custodian
shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings,
the
responsibility
of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary). The Depositary and its agents
shall
not
be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the
Deposited Securities,
or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided
that any such
action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of the
Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that
any distribution
or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any
information submitted
to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy
of
any translation
thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the
Deposited Securities,
for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax
consequences that may
result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the
credit-worthiness
of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the
Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the
Company.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (21)
Resignation
and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of SuccessorΒ Depositary.
The
Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement
by
written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to
be
effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the
Company, or (ii) upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its
acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company as Depositary under
the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be
effective on the later of
Β
A-17
Β
(i)
the
30th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the appointment
of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided
in
the Deposit Agreement.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed,
the Company
shall use its reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which
shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan,
the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver
to
its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its
appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary,
without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall
become fully
vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor.
The predecessor
depositary, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the
Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such
successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as
contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver
all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor,
and
(iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding ADSs
and such
other information relating to ADSs and Holders thereof as the successor may
reasonably request.
Any such successor depositary shall promptly provide notice of its appointment
to such Holders.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated
shall
be
the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document
or any further
act.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (22)
Amendment/Supplement.Β Subject
to the terms and conditions of this paragraph 22, the Deposit Agreement and
applicable law, this ADR and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at
any
time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement
between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem
necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or
Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase
any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange
control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and
other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any
substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however,
become effective as to outstanding ADSs until the expiration of thirty (30)
days
after notice of such
amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding
ADSs. The parties
hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably
necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the
ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs
to be
settled solely in electronic book-entry form and
(ii)
do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne
by
Holders, shall
be
deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or
Beneficial Owners.
Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so
becomes
effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS(s), to consent and
agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement
and this ADR as amended
or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair
the right
of
the Holder to surrender such ADS and receive therefor the Deposited Securities
represented
thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable
law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws,
rules or regulations which would require an amendment of, or supplement to,
the
Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary
may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this ADR at any time in
accordance with such changed laws, rules or
regulations. Such amendment or
A-18
supplement
to the Deposit Agreement and this ADR in such circumstances
may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given
to
Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with
such
laws, or rules or
regulations.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (23)
Termination.Β The
Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate
the Deposit Agreement by providing notice of such termination to the Holders
of
all ADSs then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed
in
such notice
for such termination. If ninety (90) days shall have expired after the
Depositary shall have delivered
to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or if thirty (30)
days shall have
expired after the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written
notice of the removal
of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have
been
appointed and accepted its appointment as provided herein and in the Deposit
Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by providing
notice of such termination to the Holders
of all ADSs then outstanding at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed
for such termination.
On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder of
ADS(s) will, upon surrender of such ADS(s) at the Principal Office of the
Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender
of ADSs referred to in paragraph (2) and in the Deposit Agreement and subject
to
the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any
applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or
upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such ADS.
If any ADSs shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the
Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration
of transfers of ADSs, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of
dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or
perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary
shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to
Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement,
and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions
and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends
or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of
the
sale
of any rights or other property, in exchange for ADSs surrendered to the
Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case,
the
charges of the Depositary for the
surrender of an ADS, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance
with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes
or governmental charges
or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six (6) months from the
date of termination
of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities
then
held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such
sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated
account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders
whose ADSs have not theretofore been surrendered.
After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations
under
the
Deposit Agreement with respect to the ADSs and the Deposited Securities, except
to account
for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the
case
may be, in each
case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs, any expenses
for
the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Deposit Agreement and any applicable
taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the
Deposit Agreement,
the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement
except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
A-19
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (24)
Compliance
with U.S. Securities Laws.
Notwithstanding
any provisions in this ADR or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the
withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the
Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by
Instruction I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6, as amended
from
time to time, under the Securities Act.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β (25)
Certain
Rights of the Depositary; Limitations.
Subject
to the further terms and provisions
of this paragraph (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on
their own behalf, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company
and
its Affiliates and in ADSs.
The
Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from
the
Company,
any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing
agency or
other
entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
Such evidence
of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership
of Shares. In
its
capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs;
provided,
however,
that
the
Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section
2.3 of the
Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for
withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit
Agreement, including ADSs which were
issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each
such transaction
a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares
under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such
Pre-Release Transaction
will be (a) subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the
"Applicant")
to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time
of
the Pre-Release
Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are
to be
delivered
by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate
the
Depositary
as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs
in trust
for
the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or
the
Custodian,
(y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian,
as
applicable,
such Shares or ADSs, and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or
requirements that
the
Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash,
U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems
appropriate, (c) terminable
by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days' notice and (d)
subject to such
further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate.
The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in
such Pre-Release Transactions
at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving
effect
to
ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided,Β however,
that the
Depositary reserves the right
to
change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The
Depositary may
also
set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release
Transactions
with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The
Depositary
may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction
with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the
earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than
the
Applicant).
A-20
(ASSIGNMENT
AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
Β
FOR
VALUE
RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
_____________________________________
whose taxpayer identification number is _____________________________
and whose address including postal zip code is ___________,
the
within ADR and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing _____________________________
attorney-in-fact to transfer said ADS on the books of the Depositary
with full power of substitution in the premises.
Β
Β
Β Date: |
Name:
|
|
Β | Β |
By: Title:
|
Β
Β |
NOTICE:Β The
signature of the Holder to this assignment must correspond with
the name
asΒ written upon the face of the within instrument in every
particular, without alteration or enlargement or
any change whatsoever.
|
Β
Β |
If
the endorsement be executed by an attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, the person executing the endorsement must
give
his/her full title in such capacity and proper evidence of authority
to
act in such capacity, if not on file with the
Depositary, must be forwarded with this
ADR.
|
Β
______________________________
SIGNATURE
GUARANTEED
Β
Β |
All
endorsements or assignments of ADRs must be guaranteed
by a member of a Medallion Signature Program
approved by the Securities Transfer Association,
Inc.
|
Β
Legends
Β
[The
ADRs issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall
bear
the following legend on the face of the ADR: "This ADR evidences ADSs
representing 'partial entitlement' [type of shares] of [Company] and as such
do
not entitle
the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other [type of shares]
Shares
(which are 'full entitlement' [type of shares] Shares) issued and outstanding
at
such
time. The ADSs represented by this ADR shall entitle holders to distributions
and
entitlements identical to other ADSs when the [type of shares] Shares
represented
by such ADSs become 'full entitlement' [type of shares]
Shares."]
A-21
EXHIBIT
B
Β
FEE
SCHEDULE
Β
DEPOSITARY
FEES AND RELATED CHARGES
Β
All
capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
I.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Depositary
Fees
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β The
Company, the
Holders, the Beneficial Owners and the persons depositing Shares or surrendering
ADSs for cancellation agree to pay the following fees of the
Depositary:
Β
Service
|
Β |
Rate
|
Β |
By
Whom Paid
|
(1)
Issuance
of ADSs upon deposit
of Shares.
|
Β |
Up
to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction
thereof) issued.
|
Β |
Person
depositing Shares or person
receiving ADSs.
|
(2)
Delivery
of Deposited Securities
against surrender
of ADSs.
|
Β |
Up
to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction
thereof) surrendered.
|
Β |
Person
surrendering ADSs for purpose
of withdrawal of Deposited
Securities or person to whom
Deposited Securities are delivered.
|
II.Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Charges
Β
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Holders,
Beneficial
Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering
ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities
shall
be
responsible for the following charges:
(i)
|
taxes
(including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental
charges;
|
Β | Β |
(ii)
|
such
registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the
registration of Shares or
other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable
to
transfers of Shares or other
Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the
Depositary
or any nominees
upon the making of deposits and withdrawals,
respectively;
|
Β | Β |
(iii)
|
such
cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as
are
expressly provided
in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing
or
withdrawing
Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
|
Β | Β |
(iv)
|
the
expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion
of
foreign currency;
|
Β | Β |
B-1
(v)
|
such
fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection
with
compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory
requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and
ADRs;
and
|
Β | Β |
(vi)Β Β Β Β Β Β Β
|
the
fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the Custodian or
any nominee
in connection with the servicing or delivery of Deposited
Securities.
|
Β
B-2