EXHIBIT 99.1
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement is made and entered into as of
August 8, 2002 (this "Agreement"), by and among Xxxxx of Xxxx Limited, a Bermuda
corporation (the "Company"), and Acqua Wellington Private Placement Fund, Ltd.,
a company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Acqua
Wellington Opportunity I Limited, a company organized under the laws of the
Commonwealth of the Bahamas (individually, a "Purchaser," and collectively, the
"Purchasers").
WHEREAS, to induce the Purchasers to execute and deliver that certain
Purchase Agreement, dated August 5, 2002 (the "Purchase Agreement"), among the
Purchasers and the seller named therein and to purchase the Shares, the Company
has agreed to provide certain registration rights under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Shares.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties and
agreements contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and legal adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties, the
Company and the Purchasers hereby agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings given such terms in the Purchase Agreement. As used in this Agreement,
the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that
directly or indirectly controls or is controlled by or under common control with
such Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control," when used with
respect to any Person, means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to
direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms of "affiliated," "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings
correlative to the foregoing.
"Blackout Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(m).
"Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(m).
"Business Day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday and any day which
is a legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions in the state of New
York generally are authorized or required by law or other government actions to
close.
"Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Common Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Registrable Securities."
"Common Stock" means the Company's Common Stock, $0.10 par value.
"Effectiveness Date" means with respect to the Registration Statement
the earlier of (x) the 90th day following the Closing Date, and (y) the date
which is within five (5) Business Days of the date on which the Commission
informs the Company that the Commission (i) will not review the Registration
Statement or (ii) that the Company may request the acceleration of the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Filing Date" means the date that the Registration Statement is
required to be filed which date shall be within thirty (30) days following the
Closing Date.
"Holder" means the holder from time to time of Registrable Securities
including, without limitation, each Purchaser and its assignees permitted
hereunder.
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).
"Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).
"Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).
"NMS" shall mean the Nasdaq National Market.
"Person" means an individual or a corporation, partnership, trust,
incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability
company, joint stock company, government (or an agency or political subdivision
thereof) or other entity of any kind.
"Proceeding" means an action, claim, suit, investigation or proceeding
(including, without limitation, an investigation or partial proceeding, such as
a deposition), whether commenced or threatened.
"Prospectus" means the prospectus included in the Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that includes any
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated under the
Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with
respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable
Securities covered by the Registration Statement, and all other amendments and
supplements to the prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all
material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
"Registrable Securities" means the shares of Common Stock purchased by
the Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and upon any stock split,
stock dividend, recapitalization or
similar event with respect to such shares of Common Stock and any other
securities issued in exchange of or replacement of such shares of Common Stock
(collectively, the "Common Shares"); until in the case of any of the Common
Shares (i) a Registration Statement covering such Common Share has been declared
effective by the SEC and continues to be effective during the Effectiveness
Period; or (ii) such Common Share is sold in compliance with Rule 144 or may be
sold pursuant to Rule 144(k) after which time such Common Share shall not be a
Registrable Security.
"Registration Statement" means the registration statement, including
the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration statement or
Prospectus, including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto,
and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 158" means Rule 158 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same effect as such Rule.
"Rule 415" means Rule 415 promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the
Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar
rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission having substantially the
same effect as such Rule.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Special Counsel" means any special counsel to the Holder.
2. Registration.
On or prior to the Filing Date the Company shall cause to be prepared
and filed with the Commission a "shelf" Registration Statement covering all
Registrable Securities for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415. The Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (except if the
Company is not then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities
on Form S-3, in which case such registration shall be on another appropriate
form in accordance with the Securities Act and the rules promulgated thereunder)
and shall contain (except if otherwise directed by the Purchasers) the "Plan of
Distribution" substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto. The
Company shall (i) not permit any securities other than the Registrable
Securities to be included in the Registration Statement, other than the
securities described in Schedule 1 hereto, (ii) use its reasonable best efforts
to cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the
Securities Act (including filing with the Commission a request for acceleration
of effectiveness in accordance with Rule 12dl-2 promulgated under the Exchange
Act within five (5) Business Days of the date that the Company is notified
(orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that a
Registration Statement will not be "reviewed," or not be subject to further
review) as soon as possible after the filing thereof, but in any event prior to
the Effectiveness Date, and to keep such Registration Statement continuously
effective under the Securities Act until such date as is the earlier of (x) the
date when all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have
been sold or (y) the date on which the Registrable Securities may be sold
without any restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k) as determined by the counsel to
the Company pursuant to a written letter, addressed to the Company's transfer
agent to such effect (the "Effectiveness Period").
3. Registration Procedures; Company's Obligations.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Company shall:
(a) Cause to be prepared and filed with the Commission on or prior to
the Filing Date, a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (or if the Company is not
then eligible to register for resale the Registrable Securities on Form S-3 such
registration shall be on another appropriate form in accordance with the
Securities Act and the rules promulgated thereunder) in accordance with the
"Plan of Distribution" substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto
(except if otherwise directed by the Purchasers), and use its best efforts to
cause the Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as
provided herein; provided, however, that not less than three (3) Business Days
prior to the filing of the Registration Statement or any related Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto, the Company shall (i) furnish to the Holder
and any Special Counsel, copies of all such documents proposed to be filed
(excluding publicly available documents incorporated by reference in such
documents), which documents (other than those incorporated by reference) will be
subject to the timely review of such Special Counsel, and (ii) at the request of
the Holder cause the Company's officers and directors, counsel and independent
certified public accountants to respond to such inquiries as shall be necessary,
in the reasonable opinion of counsel to such Holder, to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act. The Company shall not
file the Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or any amendments or
supplements thereto to which the Holder or any Special Counsel shall reasonably
object in writing within three (3) Business Days of their receipt thereof.
(b) (i) Cause to be prepared and filed with the Commission such
amendments, including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement
as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement continuously effective as
to the applicable Registrable Securities for the Effectiveness Period in order
to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable
Securities; (ii) cause the related Prospectus to be amended or supplemented by
any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented or amended to be
filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force) promulgated
under the Securities Act; (iii) respond promptly to any comments received from
the Commission with respect to the Registration Statement or any amendment
thereto and promptly provide the Holder true and complete copies of all
correspondence from and to the Commission relating to the Registration
Statement; and (iv) comply in all material respects with the provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act with respect to the disposition of all
Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement during the
applicable period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the
Holders thereof set forth in the Registration Statement as so amended or in such
Prospectus as so supplemented.
(c) Notify the Holder of Registrable Securities to be sold and any
Special Counsel promptly (and, in the case of (i)(A) below, not less than three
(3) Business Days prior to such filing) and (if requested by any such Person)
confirm such notice in writing no later than three (3) Business Days following
the day (i)(A) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment to the Registration Statement is proposed to be filed; (B) when the
Commission notifies the Company whether there will be a "review" of such
Registration Statement and when the Commission comments in writing on such
Registration Statement and (C) with respect to the Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same
has become effective; (ii) of any request by the Commission or any other Federal
or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; (iii) of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement covering any or all of the Registrable Securities or the
initiation of any Proceedings for that purpose; (iv) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
or exemption from qualification of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in
any jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any Proceeding for such
purpose; and (v) of the occurrence of any event that makes any statement made in
the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that
requires any revisions to the Registration Statement, Prospectus or other
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
as the case may be, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
The Company shall promptly furnish to Special Counsel, without charge,
(i) any correspondence from the Commission or the Commission's staff to the
Company or its representatives relating to any Registration Statement and (ii)
promptly after the same is prepared and filed with the Commission, a copy of any
written response to the correspondence received from the Commission.
(d) Use its best efforts to avoid the issuance of, or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of, (i) any order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or (ii) any suspension of the qualification (or exemption
from qualification) of any of the Registrable Securities for sale in any U.S.
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable time.
(e) If requested by the Holder, (i) promptly incorporate in a
Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement
such information as the Company reasonably agrees should be included therein and
(ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has received
notification of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment.
(f) Furnish to the Holder and any Special Counsel, without charge, at
least one conformed copy of each Registration Statement and each amendment
thereto, including financial statements and schedules (other than documents
incorporated therein by reference which are publicly available), promptly after
the filing of such documents with the Commission.
(g) Promptly deliver to the Holder and any Special Counsel, without
charge, as many copies of the Registration Statement, Prospectus or Prospectuses
(including each form of prospectus) (other than documents incorporated therein
by reference which are publicly available) and each amendment or supplement
thereto as such Persons may reasonably request; and the Company hereby consents
to the use of such Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by the
selling Holder in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable
Securities covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Use its best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate with the
selling Holders and any Special Counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the securities
or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as the Holder
reasonably requests in writing, to keep each such registration or qualification
(or exemption therefrom) effective during the Effectiveness Period and to do any
and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in
such jurisdictions of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration
Statement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify
generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified
or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any
such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or subject the Company to any
tax in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) Cooperate with the Holder to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold pursuant
to a Registration Statement and to enable such Registrable Securities to be in
such denominations and registered in such names as the Holder may request at
least two (2) Business Days prior to any sale of Registrable Securities.
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 3(c)(v),
promptly prepare a supplement or amendment, including a post-effective
amendment, to the Registration Statement or a supplement to the related
Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference, and file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered, neither the Registration Statement nor such Prospectus will contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(k) Use its best efforts to cause all Registrable Securities relating
to such Registration Statement to be listed on the NMS and any other securities
exchange, quotation system, market or over-the-counter bulletin board, if any,
on which the same securities issued by the Company are then listed.
(l) Comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and make generally available to its security
holders earning statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the
Securities Act and Rule 158 not later than forty-five (45) days after the end of
any twelve (12) month period (or ninety (90) days after the end of any twelve
(12) month period if such period is a fiscal year) commencing on the first day
of the first fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of the
Registration Statement, which statement shall conform to the requirements of
Rule 158.
(m) If (i) there is material non-public information regarding the
Company which the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") reasonably
determines not to be in the Company's best interest to disclose and which the
Company is not otherwise required to disclose, or (ii) there is a significant
business opportunity (including, but not limited to, the acquisition or
disposition of assets (other than in the ordinary course of business) or any
merger, consolidation, tender offer or other similar transaction) available to
the Company which the Board reasonably determines not to be in the Company's
best interest to disclose and which the Company would be required to disclose
under the Registration Statement, then the Company may suspend effectiveness of
a registration statement and suspend the sale of Registrable Securities under a
Registration Statement for a period not to exceed twenty (20) consecutive days,
provided that the Company may not suspend its obligation for more than
forty-five (45) days in the aggregate (each, a "Blackout Period"); provided,
however, that no such suspension shall be permitted for consecutive twenty (20)
day periods, arising out of the same set of facts, circumstances or
transactions.
(n) Within two (2) Business Days after the Registration Statement which
includes the Registrable Securities is ordered effective by the Commission, the
Company shall deliver, and shall cause legal counsel for the Company to deliver,
to the transfer agent for such Registrable Securities (with copies to the Holder
whose Registrable Securities are included in such Registration Statement)
confirmation that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the
Commission in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.
4. Registration Procedures; Holder's Obligations.
In connection with the registration of the Registrable Securities, the
Holder shall:
(a) If the Registration Statement refers to the Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, have the right to
require (if such reference to the Holder by name or otherwise is not required by
the Securities Act or any similar federal statute then in force) the deletion of
the reference to the Holder in any amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to
be required.
(b) (i) Not sell any Registrable Securities under the Registration
Statement until it has received notice from the Company that such Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto have become effective as
contemplated by Section 3(c), (ii) comply with the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act as applicable to it in connection with sales
of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement and (iii)
furnish to the Company information regarding such Holder and the distribution of
such Registrable Securities as is required by law to be disclosed in the
Registration Statement, and the Company may exclude from such registration the
Registrable Securities of the Holder if it fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time prior to the filing of each Registration Statement,
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement.
(c) Upon receipt of a notice from the Company of the occurrence of any
event of the kind described in Section 3(c)(ii), 3(c)(iii), 3(c)(iv), 3(c)(v) or
3(m), forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable Securities under the
Registration Statement until the Holder's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented Prospectus and/or amended Registration Statement contemplated by
Section 3(j), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of
the applicable Prospectus may be resumed.
5. Registration Expenses.
All reasonable fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Company shall be borne by the Company
whether or not the Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective and
whether or not any Registrable Securities are sold pursuant to the Registration
Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing sentence shall
include, without limitation the following: (i) all registration and filing fees
(including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings
required to be made with the NMS and each other securities exchange or market on
which Registrable Securities are required hereunder to be listed, (B) with
respect to filings required to be made with the Commission, and (C) in
compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws), (ii) printing
expenses, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and (v) fees and expenses of all other
Persons retained by the Company in connection with the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, without limitation, the
Company's independent public accountants (including the expenses of any comfort
letters or costs associated with the delivery by independent public accountants
of a comfort letter or comfort letters). In addition, the Company shall be
responsible for all of its internal expenses incurred in connection with the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, and the
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing of the Registrable
Securities on any securities exchange as required hereunder.
6. Indemnification.
(a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company shall, notwithstanding
any termination of this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser,
its permitted assignees, officers, directors, agents, brokers (including brokers
who offer and sell Registrable Securities as principal as a result of a pledge
or any failure to perform under a margin call of Common Stock), investment
advisors and employees, each Person who controls any such Purchaser or permitted
assignee (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20
of the Exchange Act) and the officers, directors, agents and employees of each
such controlling Person, and the respective successors, assigns, estate and
personal representatives of each of the foregoing, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all claims, losses,
damages, liabilities, penalties, judgments, costs (including, without
limitation, costs of investigation) and expenses (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) (collectively, "Losses"), arising out
of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement, any Prospectus, as supplemented or
amended, if applicable, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged
omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form of prospectus or
supplement thereto, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made) not misleading, except (i) to the extent, but only to the extent, that
such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding
the Holder furnished in writing to the Company by the Holder expressly for use
therein, which information was reviewed and expressly approved by the Holder or
Special Counsel expressly for use in the Registration Statement, such Prospectus
or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) as
a result of the failure of the Holder to deliver a Prospectus, as amended or
supplemented, to a purchaser in connection with an offer or sale. The Company
shall notify the Holder promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any
Proceeding of which the Company is aware in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and
effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an Indemnified
Party and shall survive the transfer of the Registrable Securities by the
Holder.
(b) Indemnification by Purchasers. Each Purchaser and its permitted
assignees shall, severally and not jointly, notwithstanding any termination of
this Agreement, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its permitted assigns,
directors, officers, agents and employees, each Person who controls the Company
or permitted assignee (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents and
employees of each such controlling Person, and the respective successors,
assigns, estate and personal representatives of each of the foregoing, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as
incurred, arising out of or relating to any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Prospectus, as
supplemented or amended, if applicable, or arising out of or relating to any
omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus or form
of prospectus or supplement thereto, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made) not misleading, (i) to the extent, but only to the extent,
that such untrue statement or omission is contained in or omitted from any
information so furnished in writing by the Holder or the Special Counsel to the
Company specifically for inclusion therein and that such information was
reasonably relied upon by the Company for use in the Registration Statement,
such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement
thereto or (ii) to the extent that such information relates to the Holder or the
Holder's proposed method of distribution of Registrable Securities and was
reviewed and expressly approved in writing by the Holder expressly for use in
the Registration Statement, such Prospectus or such form of Prospectus or any
amendment or supplement thereto or (iii) to the extent such Loss results from
the failure of the Holder to deliver a Prospectus as amended or supplemented, to
a purchaser in connection with an offer or sale. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained herein, the Holder shall be liable under this Section 6(b)
for only that amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Holder as a
result of the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration
Statement. Each Purchaser shall notify the Company promptly of the institution,
threat or assertion of any Proceeding of which such Purchaser is aware in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of an Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of the
Registrable Securities by the Holder.
(c) Conduct of Indemnification Proceedings. If any Proceeding shall be
brought or asserted against any Person entitled to indemnity pursuant to Section
6(a) or 6(b) hereunder (an "Indemnified Party"), such Indemnified Party promptly
shall notify the Person from whom indemnity is sought (the "Indemnifying Party)
in writing, and the Indemnifying Party shall assume the defense thereof,
including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
Party and the payment of all fees and expenses incurred in connection with
defense thereof; provided, that the failure of any Indemnified Party to give
such notice shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations or
liabilities pursuant to this Agreement, except (and only) to the extent that it
shall be finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction (which
determination is not subject to appeal or further review) that such failure
shall have materially and adversely prejudiced the Indemnifying Party.
An Indemnified Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such
Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Party or Parties
unless: (1) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees and
expenses; or (2) the Indemnifying Party shall have failed promptly to assume the
defense of such Proceeding and to employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Party in any such Proceeding; or (3) the named parties to any such
Proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Party
and the Indemnifying Party, and such Indemnified Party shall have been advised
by counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnifying Party that a conflict of
interest is likely to exist if the same counsel were to
represent such Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party (in which case, if
such Indemnified Party notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that it elects
to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the
Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense thereof and
such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnifying Party). The
Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such Proceeding
effected without its written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld. No Indemnifying Party shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Party, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, effect any
settlement of any pending Proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Party
is a party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such Proceeding.
All reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnified Party (including
reasonable fees and expenses to the extent incurred in connection with
investigating or preparing to defend such Proceeding in a manner not
inconsistent with this Section) shall be paid to the Indemnified Party, as
incurred, within twenty (20) Business Days of written notice thereof to the
Indemnifying Party (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an
Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification hereunder; provided, that
the Indemnifying Party may require such Indemnified Party to undertake to
reimburse all such fees and expenses to the extent it is finally judicially
determined that such Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder or pursuant to applicable law).
(d) Contribution. If a claim for indemnification under Section 6(a) or
6(b) is unavailable to an Indemnified Party because of a failure or refusal of a
governmental authority to enforce such indemnification in accordance with its
terms (by reason of public policy or otherwise), then each Indemnifying Party,
in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount
paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses, in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Party in connection with the actions, statements or
omissions that resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party and Indemnified
Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any
action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact or omission or alleged omission of a material fact, has been taken
or made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or
Indemnified Party, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action, statement or
omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of any Losses shall
be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 6(c), any
reasonable attorneys' or other reasonable fees or expenses incurred by such
party in connection with any Proceeding to the extent such party would have been
indemnified for such fees or expenses if the indemnification provided for in
under Section 6(a) or 6(b) was available to such party in accordance with its
terms. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Holder
shall be liable or required to contribute under this Section 6(d) for only that
amount as does not exceed the net proceeds to the Holder as a result of the sale
of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.
The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account
the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section are
in addition to any liability that the Indemnifying Parties may have to the
Indemnified Parties.
7. Rule 144.
As long as the Holder owns Registrable Securities, the Company
covenants to timely file (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file
within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the
Company after the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act. As long as the Holder owns Registrable Securities, if the Company is not
required to file reports pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act,
it will prepare and furnish to the Holders and make publicly available in
accordance with Rule 144(c) promulgated under the Securities Act annual and
quarterly financial statements, together with a discussion and analysis of such
financial statements in form and substance substantially similar to those that
would otherwise be required to be included in reports required by Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as any other information required thereby,
in the time period that such filings would have been required to have been made
under the Exchange Act. The Company further covenants that it will take such
further action as the Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable the Holder to sell Common Shares without
registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions
provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. Upon the request of
any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of
a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
8. Miscellaneous.
(a) Remedies. The remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law. In the event of a breach by
the Company or by the Holder, of any of their obligations under this Agreement,
the Holder or the Company, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to
exercise all rights granted by law and under this Agreement, including recovery
of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this
Agreement. The Company and the Holder agree that monetary damages would not
provide adequate compensation for any losses incurred by reason of a breach by
it of any of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby further agrees that, in
the event of any action for specific performance in respect of such breach, it
shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b) No Inconsistent Agreements. Neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries has, as of the date hereof, entered into and there is currently not
in effect, nor shall the Company or any of its Affiliates, on or after the date
of this Agreement, enter into, any agreement with respect to its securities that
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, without the written consent of the Holder, the Company shall
not grant to any Person the right to request the Company to register any
securities of the Company under the Securities Act if the rights so granted
would prevent the Company with complying with all of its obligations hereunder.
(c) No Piggyback on Registrations. Neither the Company nor any of its
security holders (other than the Holders in such capacity pursuant hereto) may
include securities of the Company in the Registration Statement.
(d) Intentionally Omitted.
(e) Consent to Jurisdiction.
Both the Company and the Purchasers (i) hereby irrevocably
submit to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District
of Delaware and the courts of the State of Delaware located in New Castle county
for the purposes of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to
this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement and (ii) hereby waive, and agree not to
assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not
personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that the suit, action or
proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the venue of the suit,
action or proceeding is improper. Both the Company and the Purchasers consent to
process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding by mailing a copy
thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to it under this
Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and sufficient
service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this Section 8(e) shall affect
or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
(f) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement, including
the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or supplemented,
and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be
given, unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Company and the
Purchasers.
(g) Notices. Any and all notices or other communications or deliveries
required or permitted to be provided under this Agreement and the Purchase
Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given and effective on the
earlier of (i) the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is
delivered via facsimile at the facsimile number specified for notice prior to
5:00 p.m., eastern standard time, on a Business Day, (ii) the first Business Day
after the date of transmission, if such notice or communication is delivered via
facsimile at the facsimile number specified for notice later than 5:00 p.m.,
eastern time, on any date and earlier than 11:59 p.m., eastern time, on such
date, (iii) the Business Day following the date of mailing, if sent by
nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) actual receipt by the
party to whom such notice is required to be given.
(x) if to the Company:
Xxxxx of Xxxx Limited
0 Xxxxx xx Xxxx Xxxxx
Xx Xxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
with a copy to (which copy shall not
constitute notice):
Xxxxx & XxXxxxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
(y) if to the Purchasers:
Acqua Wellington Private Placement Fund, Ltd.
c/o Fortis Fund Services (Bahamas) Ltd.
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Centre
Xxxx Xxx Xxxxxx, X.X. Xxx XX-0000
Nassau, Bahamas
Attn: Xxxxxxx X.X. Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Acqua Wellington Opportunity I Limited
Shirlaw House
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
X.X. Xxx XX-00000
Nassau, Bahamas
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
with a copy to (which copy shall not constitute
notice):
Jenkens & Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx LLP
The Chrysler Building
000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Tel. No.: (000) 000-0000
Fax No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
or to such other address or addresses or facsimile number or numbers as any such
party may most recently have designated in writing to the other parties hereto
by such notice.
(h) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties and their successors and permitted assigns
and shall inure to the benefit of the Holder and its successors and assigns.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 8(h), neither the Purchasers nor the
Company may assign this Agreement or any of its respective rights or obligations
hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party.
(i) Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights of the Holder
hereunder, including the right to have the Company register for resale
Registrable Securities in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, shall be
assignable by each Holder to any transferee of the Holder of all or a portion of
the shares of Registrable Securities if: (i) the Holder agrees in writing with
the
transferee or assignee to assign such rights, and a copy of such agreement is
furnished to the Company within a reasonable time after such assignment, (ii)
the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer or assignment,
furnished with written notice of (a) the name and address of such transferee or
assignee, and (b) the securities with respect to which such registration rights
are being transferred or assigned, (iii) following such transfer or assignment
the further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignees is
restricted under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, (iv)
at or before the time the Company receives the written notice contemplated by
clause (ii) of this Section, the transferee or assignee agrees in writing with
the Company to be bound by all of the provisions of this Agreement, and (v) such
transfer shall be for no less than 50% of the Registrable Securities. In
addition, the Holder shall have the right to assign its rights hereunder to any
other Person with the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld. The rights to assignment shall apply to the Holder
(and to subsequent) successors and assigns. In the event of an assignment
pursuant to this Section 8(i), the Purchaser assigning its rights under this
Agreement shall pay all incremental costs and expenses incurred by the Company
in connection with filing a Registration Statement (or an amendment to the
Registration Statement) to register the shares of Registrable Securities
assigned to any assignee or transferee of such Purchaser.
(j) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. In
the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, such
signature shall create a valid binding obligation of the party executing (or on
whose behalf such signature is executed) the same with the same force and effect
as if such facsimile signature were the original thereof.
(k) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to principles
of conflicts of law thereof. This Agreement shall not be interpreted or
construed with any presumption against the party causing this Agreement to be
drafted.
(l) Cumulative Remedies. The remedies provided herein are cumulative
and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.
(m) Termination. This Agreement shall terminate on the date on which is
the earlier of (i) the date when the Registrable Securities covered by the
Registration Statement have been sold or (ii) the date on which all remaining
Registrable Securities may be sold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144(k)
of the Securities Act.
(n) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable in any
respect, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set
forth herein shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be
affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such term, provision,
covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that may be
hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(o) Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not
constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect
any of the provisions hereof.
(p) Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreement and the
exhibits thereto constitute the entire agreement of the parties related to the
subject matter hereof and supersede all prior contracts or agreement with
respect thereto whether oral or written.
(q) Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, each party to this
Agreement shall bear its respective costs and expenses incurred in connection
with the preparation, execution and performance of this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby, including, without limitation, all fees and
expenses of agents, representatives and counsel. The Purchasers shall pay (or
cause any Holder to pay) all fees and expenses of any Special Counsel.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Registration
Rights Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized persons as
of the date first indicated above.
XXXXX OF XXXX LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Title: CFO
------------------------
ACQUA WELLINGTON PRIVATE
PLACEMENT FUND, LTD.
By: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Title: Vice President
------------------------
ACQUA WELLINGTON OPPORTUNITY I LIMITED
By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
--------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
-------------------------
Title: Director
------------------------
EXHIBIT A
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the shares of common stock on behalf of the selling
stockholder. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions
at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices
related to the prevailing market prices, at varying prices determined at the
time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected at various
times in one or more of the following transactions, or in other kinds of
transactions:
o transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or on any national
securities exchange or U.S. inter-dealer system of a
registered national securities association on which our common
stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale;
o in the over-the-counter market;
o in private transactions and transactions otherwise than on
these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market;
o in connection with short sales of the shares;
o by pledge to secure or in payment of debt and other
obligations;
o through the writing of options, whether the options are listed
on an options exchange or otherwise;
o in connection with the writing of non-traded and
exchange-traded call options, in hedge transactions and in
settlement of other transactions in standardized or
over-the-counter options; or
o through a combination of any of the above transactions.
The selling stockholder and its successors, including its transferees,
pledgees or donees or their successors, may sell the common stock directly to
purchasers or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
selling stockholder or the purchasers. These discounts, concessions or
commissions as to any particular underwriter, broker-dealer or agent may be in
excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved.
In addition, any securities covered by this prospectus which qualify
for sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act may be sold under Rule 144
rather than pursuant to this prospectus.
We entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of the
selling stockholder to register our common stock under applicable federal and
state securities laws. The registration rights agreement provides for cross-
indemnification of the selling stockholder and us and our respective directors,
officers and controlling persons against specific liabilities in connection with
the offer and sale of the common stock, including liabilities under the
Securities Act. We will pay substantially all of the expenses incurred by the
selling stockholder incident to the offering and sale of the common stock.
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF NOTICE OF EFFECTIVENESS
OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Computershare Investor Services, LLC
0 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
Re: Xxxxx of Xxxx Limited
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are counsel to Xxxxx of Xxxx Limited, a Bermuda corporation (the
"COMPANY"), and have represented the Company in connection with that certain
Purchase Agreement (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), dated as of August 5, 2002 by and
between the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the "SELLER") and the purchasers (the "PURCHASERS"
and the "HOLDERS") named therein pursuant to which the Purchasers agreed to
purchase, and the Seller agreed to sell, shares (the "COMMON SHARES") of the
Company's Common Stock, $0.10 par value (the "COMMON STOCK"). Pursuant to the
Purchase Agreement, the Company has also entered into a Registration Rights
Agreement with the Purchasers (the "REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT"), dated as of
August 8, 2002, pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to
register the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Registration Rights
Agreement), including the Common Shares, under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 ACT"). In connection with the Company's obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement, on _________ __, 2002, the Company filed a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-________) (the "REGISTRATION
STATEMENT") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") relating to
the resale of the Registrable Securities which names the Holder as a selling
stockholder thereunder.
In connection with the foregoing, we advise you that a member of the
SEC's staff has advised us by telephone that the SEC has entered an order
declaring the Registration Statement effective under the 1933 Act at [ENTER TIME
OF EFFECTIVENESS] on [ENTER DATE OF EFFECTIVENESS] and we have no knowledge,
after telephonic inquiry of a member of the SEC's staff, that any stop order
suspending its effectiveness has been issued or that any proceedings for that
purpose are pending before, or threatened by, the SEC and, accordingly, the
Registrable Securities are available for resale under the 1933 Act in the manner
specified in, and pursuant to the terms of the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
By:
cc: Acqua Wellington Private Placement Fund, Ltd.
Acqua Wellington Opportunity I Limited
Xxxxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
SCHEDULE 1
The following securities may be included in the Registration Statement:
o Shares of Common Stock purchased by either Purchaser pursuant
to that certain Purchase Agreement, dated August 1, 2002,
between Acqua Wellington Private Placement Fund, Ltd. and the
seller named therein.
