Exhibit 5.7
(XXXXXXXX CHANCE LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP LETTERHEAD)
JTH/JDB/LVDW/B0689-13 10 July 2003
Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V.
Xx Xxxxxxxxx 0 OFFICIA I
1083 HJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V.
Xx Xxxxxxxxx 0 OFFICIA I
1083 HJ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
(together the "COMPANIES" and each a "COMPANY")
Ladies and Gentlemen,
XXXXX XXXXX TREASURY (EUROPE) B.V.
XXXXX XXXXX NETHERLANDS EUROPEAN HOLDINGS B.V.
GUARANTEE OF USD 400,000,000
9 3/4 % SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2012
ISSUED BY XXXXX XXXXX CAPITAL PTY LIMITED
I. GENERAL
We have acted as special Dutch legal counsel (xxxxxxxx) in The Netherlands to
the Companies in connection with:
(i) outstanding 9 3/4 % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Capital Pty Limited;
(ii) an e-mailed copy of an executed indenture dated as of 21 June 2002 and
made between Xxxxx Xxxxxx Capital Pty Limited, an Australian company (the
"ISSUER"), Xxxxx Xxxxx Company Limited and the guarantors named therein as
Subsidiary Guarantors and the Bank of New York as trustee regarding a note
issue by the Issuer (the "INDENTURE"); and
(iii) certain documents in relation thereto listed in the annex hereto (the
"ANNEX").
We understand that the registration under the United States Security Act of
1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT") of a proposed exchange offer (the
"EXCHANGE OFFER") of 9 3/4 % Series B Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 of
Xxxxx Xxxxx Capital Pty Limited guaranteed by the Companies (the "EXCHANGE
NOTES") has been sought, in connection with which a Form F-4 registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the Exchange Notes (the
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT") has been filed with the SEC on 9 August 2002 with File
No. 333-98141 and amended on 18 October 2002 and 3 December 2002.
This opinion is given solely in connection with the registration of the Exchange
Notes under the Securities Act. However, we hereby consent to the filing of this
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to us
under the heading "Legal Matters". In giving such consent, we do not thereby
admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act.
Unless the context requires otherwise, capitalised terms used herein without
definition shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in the Indenture,
Registration Statement and in the Annex.
Headings in this opinion are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the
interpretation hereof.
We have reviewed, but have not been involved in, structuring, drafting or
negotiating the Indenture, except to suggest amendments to sections 11.02 and
11.03 of the Indenture to the extent necessary for the purpose of this opinion.
In arriving at the opinions expressed below we have examined and relied upon the
documents referred to above and in the Annex and such other documents as we
deemed relevant.
The Indenture is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
As Dutch lawyers we are not qualified to assess the meaning and consequences of
the terms of the Indenture under any law other than Netherlands law; in
particular, we have made no investigation into the laws of the State of New York
as a basis for the opinion expressed hereinafter and do not express or imply an
opinion thereon. Accordingly, our review of the Indenture has been limited to
the terms of such documents as they appear on the face thereof without reference
to (i) the general body of law incorporated into or made applicable to the
Indenture by the choice of law clause contained therein or (ii) provisions and
regulations expressed to be applicable thereto, by reference, incorporation or
otherwise.
II. ASSUMPTIONS
In examining and in describing the documents listed above and in the Annex, and
in giving this opinion we have, with your permission, assumed:
-2-
POWER, CAPACITY AND AUTHORITY; INCORPORATION, EXISTENCE AND STANDING;
COMPLIANCE
(i) the power, capacity (corporate and other) and authority of all parties
(other than the Companies) to enter into the Indenture and to perform
their respective obligations thereunder, the legal capacity
(handelingsbekwaamheid) of all individuals who have signed or will sign
documents on which we have expressed reliance (including those individuals
acting on the Companies behalf and that the Indenture is or will be (where
appropriate) duly authorised, executed and delivered by all parties
thereto (other than the Companies) and create valid and legally binding
obligations for all such parties as a matter of applicable law (if other
than Netherlands law on which we opine);
(ii) that each party to any document (other than the Companies) is duly
incorporated and organised, validly existing and in good standing (where
such concept is legally relevant) under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation and of the jurisdiction of its principal place of business;
DOCUMENTS, ATTORNEYS
(iii) the genuineness of all signatures (including that of Xx. Xxxxx Xxxxxxx on
behalf of the Companies on the Indenture) on all documents or on the
originals thereof, the authenticity and completeness of all documents
submitted to us as originals and the conformity of conformed, (photo)copy,
e-mail, faxed or specimen documents to the originals thereof;
(iv) the absence of any arrangements between one or more of the parties to the
Indenture and/or other persons which modify or supersede any of the terms
of any of the Indenture;
CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
(v) that all matters confirmed and certified in the Corporate Documents are
true and accurate;
MISCELLANEOUS
(vi) that the Notes, the Exchange Notes and any other securities will only be
issued by the Issuer, and will be issued, offered and sold in the form set
out in, on the terms and in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture and that any Notes, Exchange Notes or securities will be
executed, authenticated and issued in the form scheduled to the Indenture
(if applicable); and
(vii) that any applicable law (other than those of The Netherlands on which we
opine) would not affect or qualify our opinion as set out below.
III. ASSUMPTIONS; REVIEW, INVESTIGATION, ETC.
We have not been concerned with investigating or verifying the accuracy of any
matters set out in the Indenture (except those matters on which we have
expressly given our opinion). To the extent that the accuracy of such matters
and of any matters stated in any of the other documents
-3-
listed above is relevant to the contents of this opinion, we have assumed, with
your permission, that they were true and accurate when made and remain true and
accurate.
The undersigned is not familiar with the operations of the Companies. Other than
to review the documents listed above and/or in the Annex, we have not examined
any contracts, instruments or other documents entered into by or affecting the
Companies or any of their corporate records, unless specifically stated
otherwise and, although we have made the enquiries referred to in Section 1.4
hereunder, we have not undertaken any investigations or made any other enquiries
or searches concerning the Companies.
Where an assumption is stated to be made in this opinion, we have not made any
investigation or enquiry with respect to the matters that are the subject of
such assumption and we express no views as to such matters.
IV. SCOPE OF OUR OPINION
We express no opinion as to any law other than the laws of The Netherlands in
force as at the date hereof and no opinion is given (or may be inferred or
implied):
(i) as to any law other than to the laws of The Netherlands in force as at the
date hereof as applied and interpreted according to present published
case-law of the Netherlands courts, administrative rulings, notices of and
communications with DNB and authoritative literature; and
(ii) as to enforceability of the Indenture.
V. OPINION PARAGRAPHS
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to the further qualifications set
out below and subject to any matters, documents or events not disclosed to us by
the parties concerned, having regard to such legal considerations as we deem
relevant, we are of the following opinion:
CORPORATE STATUS, POWER AND CAPACITY
1.1 Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. is registered as: (i) a private company
with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte
aansprakelijkheid), (ii) incorporated on 28 February 1994 and (iii)
validly existing under the laws of The Netherlands.
1.2 Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V. is registered as: (i) a
private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte
aansprakelijkheid), (ii) incorporated on 27 May 1994 and (iii) validly
existing under the laws of The Netherlands.
1.3 Each of the Companies has:
(a) corporate power and corporate capacity to enter into, to execute and
to deliver the Indenture and to undertake and to perform the obligations
expressed to be assumed by it therein; and
-4-
(b) not omitted to take any internal corporate action in connection with
its entering into of the Indenture, the absence of which may give it
the right to assert against contracting parties acting in good faith
that it has not validly entered into the Indenture.
1.4 The court registers of the Civil Law Section (Sector Civiel Recht) of the
court of first instance (Rechtbank) of Amsterdam and Zutphen have
confirmed to us by telephone (each in respect of the Company with its seat
in its area of jurisdiction) that the relevant Companies have not been
declared bankrupt (failliet) and have not been granted a suspension of
payments (surseance van betaling) at the time and date hereof.
The Chamber has confirmed to us by telephone (each in respect of the
Company with its seat in its area of jurisdiction) that at the time and
date hereof:
(a) neither of the Companies have registered a voluntary winding-up
resolution;
(b) the Chamber is not itself taking steps to have either of the
Companies dissolved;
(c) no order placing any assets of either of the Companies under
administration (onder bewindstelling) has been registered with them;
and
(d) no order has been made for the dissolution (ontbinding en
vereffening) of either of the Companies.
The searches and enquiries referred to above do not determine conclusively
whether or not the matters or events enquired after have occurred or not.
There is no formal register of judgements, declarations or orders referred
to in this Section 1.4.
2. EXECUTION AND VALIDITY OF OBLIGATIONS
The Indenture has been duly executed on behalf of the Companies.
3. CONFLICT WITH LAWS OR ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
In themselves, neither the execution and delivery by the Companies of the
Indenture, the undertaking, conflicts or will conflict with or result in a
breach of any provision of (or constitute a breach of or default under):
(i) the respective articles of association of the Companies; or
(ii) any law or generally applicable regulation of The Netherlands to
which the Companies are subject,
which would make the Indenture or parts thereof null and void or subject
the Indenture to avoidance or nullification in The Netherlands.
-5-
VI. MISCELLANEOUS
This opinion:
(a) expresses and describes Netherlands legal concepts in English and not in
their original Dutch terms; these concepts may not be identical to the
concepts described by the English translations; consequently this opinion
is issued and may only be relied upon on the express condition that it
shall be governed by and that all words and expressions used herein shall
be construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of The
Netherlands;
(b) speaks as of 10 July 2003, 10:00 hours, Amsterdam time;
(c) is addressed to you and is for your benefit;
(d) is strictly limited to the matters set forth herein and no opinion or
advice may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein;
(e) may not be used for any other purpose than in connection with the filing
of the Registration Statement; and
(f) may,subject only to our consent to file the same as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement as set out in `I. General' above, not be disclosed
to any other person, company, enterprise or institution.
Yours faithfully,
/s/ Xxx xxx Xxxx
--------------------
Xxx xxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Chance Limited Liability Partnership
-6-
ANNEX
CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
1. EXTRACTS
(a) a faxed copy of (i) an original official extract (uittreksel) dated 31
May 2002 from the Commercial Register of the Chamber of Commerce of
Amsterdam (the "CHAMBER") relating to the registration of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Treasury (Europe) B.V. under number 33256930 and confirmed to us by the
Chamber by telephone on 21 June 2002 to have remained unaltered since such
date and (ii) an original official extract (uittreksel) dated 6 August
2002 from the Chamber relating to the registration of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury
(Europe) B.V. under number 33256930 and confirmed to us by the Chamber by
telephone on 10 July 2003 to have remained unaltered since such date;
(b) a faxed copy of (i) an original official extract (uittreksel) dated 31
May 2002 from the Chamber relating to the registration of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Netherlands European Holdings B.V. under number 33259411 and confirmed to
us by the Chamber by telephone on 21 June 2002 to have remained unaltered
since such date and (ii) an original official extract (uittreksel) dated 6
August 2002 from the Chamber relating to the registration of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Netherlands European Holdings B.V. under number 33259411 and confirmed to
us by the Chamber by telephone on 10 July 2003 to have remained unaltered
since such date;
The documents referred under 1.(a) and 1.(b) are together referred to as the
"EXTRACTS" and each an "EXTRACT".
2. ARTICLES
(a) a photocopy of the articles of association (statuten) of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Treasury (Europe) B.V., as, according to the extracts referred to in 1.(a)
above, they stand since its incorporation on 28 February 1994; and
(b) a photocopy of the articles of association (statuten) of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Netherlands European Holdings B.V., as, according to the extracts referred
to in 1.(b) above, they stand since their last amendment on 28 July 1995.
3. BOARD RESOLUTIONS
(a) a faxed copy of an original written resolution by the Board of Managing
Directors of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. dated 12 June 2002 signed
by R.G.A. xx Xxxxxxxx for and on behalf of Equity Trust Co. N.V., X.X.
XxXxxxx, X.X. Xxxxx and X.X. Xxxxx (being all the members of the Board of
Managing Directors of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. according to the
extracts referred to in 1.(a) above), in which it is, inter alia, resolved
to approve the entering into and execution of the Indenture to which Xxxxx
Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. is expressed to be a party; and
(b) a faxed copy of an original written resolution by the Board of Managing
Directors of Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V. dated 12 June
2002 signed by R.G.A.
-7-
xx Xxxxxxxx for and on behalf of Equity Trust Co. N.V., X.X. XxXxxxx, X.X.
Xxxxx, X.X. Xxxxx and X.X. Xxxxxxx (being all the members of the Board of
Managing Directors of Xxxxx Xxxxx European Holdings B.V. according to the
extracts referred in 1.(b) above), in which it is, inter alia, resolved to
approve the entering into and execution of the Indenture to which Xxxxx
Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V. is expressed to be a party.
The documents referred to in 3.(a) through 3.(b) above are together referred to
as the "BOARD RESOLUTIONS".
4. MINUTES OF THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING
(a) an original copy of the minutes of an extraordinary meeting of the sole
shareholder of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. held on 12 June 2002
reflecting the approval of the sole shareholder of the execution and
performance of the Indenture to which Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V.
is expressed to be a party; and
(b) an original copy of the minutes of an extraordinary meeting of the
shareholders of Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V. held on 12
June 2002 reflecting the approval of the shareholders of the execution and
performance of the Indenture to which Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European
Holdings B.V. is expressed to be a party.
The documents referred to under 4.(a) and 4.(b) above are also referred to as
the "SHAREHOLDERS RESOLUTIONS".
5. POWERS OF ATTORNEY
(a) A power of attorney contained in the board resolutions referred to under
3.(a) above, authorising, inter alios, Xx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, acting
individually to execute (amongst other things) the Indenture on behalf of
Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V.; and
(b) A power of attorney contained in the board resolutions referred to under
3.(b) above, authorising, inter alios, Xx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, acting
individually to execute (amongst other things) the Indenture on behalf of
Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V.
The documents referred to under 5.(a) and 5.(b) above are together referred to
as the "POWERS OF ATTORNEYS" and each a "POWER OF ATTORNEY" and the attorneys
appointed therein the "Attorneys" and each an "ATTORNEY".
6. CERTIFICATES
(a) A certificate of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury (Europe) B.V. addressed to Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx LLP dated 10 July 2003 expressed to have been signed by Equity
Trust Co. N.V. and Xx. X. X. XxXxxxx on behalf of Xxxxx Xxxxx Treasury
(Europe) B.V. stating that at (a) the date of signing the Indenture and
(b) the date hereof (i) the documents referred to in 3.(a) and 4.(a) have
continued to be in full force and effect and that they have remained
unaltered since then, (ii).a. the Company did not have and does not have a
works council (ondernemingsraad) and/or a Dutch central works council
(centrale
-8-
ondernemingsraad) or similar body with jurisdiction over the transactions
as envisaged by the Indenture and (ii).b. there is nor was a legal
requirement to have the same as the Company did not and does not have
employees; and
(b) a certificate of Xxxxx Xxxxx Netherlands European Holdings B.V. addressed
to Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx LLP dated 10 July 2003 expressed to have been signed by
Equity Trust Co. N.V. and Xx. X.X. Xxxxxxx on behalf of Xxxxx Xxxxx
Netherlands European Holdings B.V. stating that at (a) the date of signing
the Indenture and (b) the date hereof (i) the documents referred to in
3.(b) and 4.(b) have continued to be in full force and effect and that
they have remained unaltered since then, (ii).a. the Company did not have
and does not have a works council (ondernemingsraad) and/or a Dutch
central works council (centrale ondernemingsraad) or similar body with
jurisdiction over the transactions as envisaged by the Indenture and
(ii).b. there is nor was a legal requirement to have the same as the
Company did not and does not have employees.
The documents referred to under 6.(a) and 6.(b) above are together referred to
as the "CERTIFICATES".
7. CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
The documents referred to under 1.(a) up to and including 6.(b) above are also
referred to as the "CORPORATE DOCUMENTS".
-9-
