Exhibit 2.8
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CONFORMED COPY |
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EUR 1,400,000,000
FACILITY AGREEMENT |
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Dated 17 DECEMBER 2004
AND AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 1 MARCH 2005 |
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for
LEGRAND S.A.S.
and certain of its Subsidiaries
arranged by
BNP PARIBAS
and
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC
with
BNP PARIBAS
acting as Facility Agent
and
BNP PARIBAS
acting as Security Agent |
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CONFORMED COPY
CONTENTS
CONFORMED COPY
Schedule
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THIS AGREEMENT is dated 17 December
2004 and is amended and restated on the Effective Date under (and as defined in) a supplemental agreement entered into between the parties hereto on 1 March 2005. |
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(1) |
XXXXXXX X.X., a company (société anonyme)
incorporated in France having its registered office at 000 xxxxxx xx
Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, and with registered
number 758 501 001 R.C.S. Limoges (the Company); |
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(2) |
LEGRAND HOLDING, a company (société anonyme)
incorporated in France, having its registered office at 000 xxxxxx xx
Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, and with registered
number 421 259 615 R.C.S. Limoges (Holdco); |
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(3) |
THE SUBSIDIARIES of Holdco listed
in Part 1 of Schedule 1 as original borrowers (the Original Borrowers); |
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(4) |
THE SUBSIDIARIES of Holdco listed
in Part 1 Schedule 1 as original guarantors (the Original Guarantors); |
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(5) |
BNP PARIBAS and THE ROYAL BANK
OF SCOTLAND PLC as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners (whether
acting individually or together, the Mandated Lead Arranger); |
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(6) |
BNP PARIBAS and THE ROYAL BANK
OF SCOTLAND PLC as underwriters (whether acting individually or
together, the Underwriter); |
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(7) |
BNP PARIBAS as facility agent of
the other Finance Parties (the Facility Agent); |
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(8) |
BNP PARIBAS as security agent of
the other Finance Parties (the Security Agent); |
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(9) |
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as
closing agent (the Closing Agent); and |
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(10) |
THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed
in Part 2 of Schedule 1 as lenders (the Original Lenders). |
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1. |
DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION |
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Accession Letter means a document
substantially in the form set out in Schedule 6 (Form of Accession Letter). |
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Accounting Date means each 31 March,
30 June, 30 September and 31 December, except as adjusted to ensure that
those dates fall on the same day of the week or otherwise with the consent
of the Facility Agent. |
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Accounting Period means a period
of approximately one year ending on an Accounting Date. |
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Accounting Quarter means
each period ending on the last day of March, June, September and December
in a Financial Year. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Accounts means each set of financial
statements required to be prepared by a member of the Group and supplied
to the Facility Agent under this Agreement. |
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Additional Borrower means a company
which becomes an Additional Borrower in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes
to the Obligors). |
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Additional Guarantor means a company
which becomes an Additional Guarantor in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes
to the Obligors). |
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Additional Obligor means an Additional
Borrower or an Additional Guarantor. |
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Administrative Party means a Mandated
Lead Arranger, the Facility Agent, the Security Agent or the Closing
Agent. |
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Affiliate means, in relation to any
person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person
or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company. |
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Agent means the Facility Agent or
the Security Agent as appropriate. |
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Approved Accounting Principles means
French GAAP or IFRS, reconciled with US GAAP. |
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Authorisation means an authorisation,
consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation
or registration. |
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Availability Period means: |
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(a) |
in relation to Tranche A, the period from
and including the date of this Agreement up to and including the date
falling 30 days from the date of this Agreement; |
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(b) |
in relation to Tranche B, the period from
the date of this Agreement up to including the date falling one year
from the date of this Agreement: and |
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(c) |
in relation to Facility B, the period from
and including the date of this Agreement until the date falling one month
prior to the Termination Date. |
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Available Commitment means, in relation
to a Facility, a Lender's Commitment under that Facility minus: |
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(a) |
the Base Currency Amount of its participation
in any outstanding Loans under that Facility; and |
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(b) |
in relation to any proposed Utilisation,
the Base Currency Amount of its participation in any Loans that are due
to be made under that Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation
Date, other than, in relation to Facility B only, that Lender's participation
in any Facility B Loans that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before
the proposed Utilisation Date. |
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Available Facility means, in relation
to a Facility, the aggregate for the time being of each Lender's Available
Commitment in respect of that Facility. |
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Base Currency means euro. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Base Currency Amount means, in relation
to a Loan, the amount specified in the Utilisation Request delivered
by a Borrower for that Loan (or, if the amount requested is not denominated
in the Base Currency, that amount converted into the Base Currency at
the Facility Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange on the date which is three
Business Days before the Utilisation Date or, if later, on the date the
Facility Agent receives the Utilisation Request) adjusted to reflect
any repayment (other than, in relation to Facility A, a repayment arising
from a change of currency), prepayment, consolidation or division of
the Loan. |
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Borrower means an Original Borrower
or an Additional Borrower unless it has ceased to be a Borrower in accordance
with Clause 25 (Changes to the Obligors). |
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Break Costs means the amount
by which: |
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(a) |
the interest (excluding the Margin and the
Mandatory Cost) which a Lender should have received for the period from
the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a Loan
or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect
of that Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received
been paid on the last day of that Interest Period; |
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(b) |
the amount which that Lender would be able
to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid
Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank in the Relevant Interbank
Market for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or
recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period. |
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Business Day means a day (other than
a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in
London, Paris, and: |
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(a) |
(in relation to any date for payment or
purchase of a currency other than euro) the principal financial centre
of the country of that currency; or |
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(b) |
(in relation to any date for payment or
purchase of euro) any TARGET Day. |
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Certain Funds Period means the period,
not exceeding 30 days, starting on the date of this Agreement and ending
the date of the first Utilisation Date. |
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Change of Control has the meaning
given to it in Clause 8.2. |
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Code means the United States Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. |
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Commitment means a Facility A Commitment
or a Facility B Commitment. |
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Companies means the Company
and Holdco. |
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Compliance Certificate means a certificate
substantially in the form set out in Schedule 8 (Form of Compliance Certificate). |
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Default means an Event of Default
or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 23 (Events of Default)
which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice,
the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any combination
of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default. |
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Derivative Instrument means any forward
rate agreement, option, swap, cap, floor, any combination or hybrid of
the foregoing and any other financial derivative agreement. |
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Dutch Banking Act means the Dutch
Act on the Supervision of the Credit System 1992 (Wet toezicht kredietwezen
1992), including the Dutch Exemption Regulation. |
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Dutch Borrower means a Borrower incorporated
in the Netherlands. |
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Dutch Civil Code means the Burgerlijk
Wetboek. |
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Dutch Exemption Regulation means
the Exemption Regulation of the Minister of Finance (Vrijstellingsregeling
Wtk 1992). |
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Dutch Guarantor means a Guarantor
incorporated in the Netherlands. |
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Dutch Obligor means an Obligor incorporated
in the Netherlands. |
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Environmental Approval means any
authorisation required by Environmental Law. |
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Environmental Claim means any claim
by any person in connection with: |
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(a) |
a breach, or alleged breach, of Environmental
Law; |
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(b) |
any accident, fire, explosion or other event
of any type involving an emission or substance which is capable of causing
harm to any living organism or the environment; or |
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(c) |
any other environmental contamination. |
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Environmental Law means any law or
regulation concerning: |
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(a) |
the protection of health; |
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(c) |
the conditions of the workplace; or |
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(d) |
any emission or substance which is capable
of causing harm to any living organism or the environment. |
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EURIBOR means, in relation to any
Loan in euro: |
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(a) |
the applicable Screen Rate; or |
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(b) |
(if no Screen Rate is available for the
Interest Period of that Loan) the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded
upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Facility Agent at
its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in the European
interbank market, |
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as of the Specified Time on the Quotation
Day for the offering of deposits in euro for a period comparable to the
Interest Period of the relevant Loan. |
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euro, EUR or € means the single
currency of the Participating Member States. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Event of Default means any event
or circumstance specified as such in Clause 23 (Events of Default). |
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Existing Facilities means the facilities
made available under the senior credit agreement dated 26 July 2002 and
amended and restated on 5 December 2002 as amended on 15 September, 2003
and on 12 November 2004 entered into between, among others, (i) Xxxxxxx
S.A.S. (formerly FIMAF S.A.S.), (ii) Lumina Financing 1 S.à.x.x.,
(iii) Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, Xxxxxx Brothers International
(Europe), The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Mandated Lead Arrangers,
and (iv) The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Facility Agent and Security
Agent. |
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Facility means Facility A or Facility
B. |
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Facility A means the term loan facility
made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2 (The Facilities). |
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Facility A Commitment means: |
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(a) |
in relation to an Original Lender, the amount
in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading Facility
A Commitment in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) and the amount
of any other Facility A Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement;
and |
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(b) |
in relation to any other Lender, the amount
in the Base Currency of any Facility A Commitment transferred to it under
this Agreement, |
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to the extent not cancelled, reduced or
transferred by it under this Agreement. |
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Facility A Loan means a loan made
or to be made under Facility A or the principal amount outstanding for
the time being of that loan. |
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Facility A Repayment Date means each
of the dates set out on Clauses 7.1 (Repayment of Facility A Loans) and
the Termination Date. |
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Facility Agent's Spot Rate
of Exchange means the Facility Agent's spot rate of exchange for
the purchase of the relevant currency with the Base Currency in the
Paris foreign exchange market or about 11:00 a.m. on a particular day. |
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Facility B means the revolving loan
facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 2
(The Facilities). |
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Facility B Commitment means: |
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(a) |
in relation to an Original Lender, the amount
in the Base Currency set opposite its name under the heading Facility
B Commitment in Part 2 of Schedule 1 (The Original Parties) and the amount
of any other Facility B Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement;
and |
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(b) |
in relation to any other Lender, the amount
in the Base Currency of any Facility B Commitment transferred to it under
this Agreement, |
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to the extent not cancelled, reduced or
transferred by it under this Agreement. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Facility B Loan means a loan made
or to be made under Facility B or the principal amount outstanding for
the time being of that loan. |
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Facility Office means the permanent
establishment to which payments under this Agreement will be effectively
connected and which is notified by a Lender to the Facility Agent in
writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that
date, by not less than five Business Days' written notice) as the office
or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement. |
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Fee Letter means any letter or letters
dated on or about the date of this Agreement between one or more Administrative
Parties and the Companies (or the Facility Agent and the Companies) setting
out any of the fees referred to in Clause 12 (Fees). |
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Finance Document means this Agreement,
any Fee Letter, any Accession Letter, any Resignation Letter, the Security
Document, the Intercreditor Deed and any other document designated as
such by the Facility Agent and the Company. |
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Finance Party means an Administrative
Party or a Lender. |
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Financial Indebtedness means (without
double counting) any indebtedness in relation to or arising under or
in connection with: |
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(a) |
any money borrowed (including any overdraft); |
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(b) |
any debenture, bond (other than a performance
bond issued in the ordinary course of trading by one Group Company in
relation to the obligations of another Group Company), note or loan stock
or other similar instrument; |
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(c) |
any acceptance or documentary credit; |
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(d) |
any receivable sold or discounted (otherwise
than on a non-recourse basis) up to the amount of the recourse; |
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(e) |
the purchase price of any asset or service
to the extent payable by a Group Company after the time of sale or delivery
to a Group Company, where the deferred payment is: |
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(i) |
arranged as a method of raising finance;
or |
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(ii) |
paid more than six months after the sale
or delivery date; |
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(f) |
the sale price of any asset or service to
the extent paid to a Group Company before the time of sale or delivery
by the Group Company liable to effect that sale or delivery, where the
advance payment is arranged as a method of raising finance; |
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(g) |
any lease, hire purchase agreement, credit
sale or conditional sale agreement in each case which would be treated
as financial liabilities in accordance with Approved Accounting Principles; |
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(h) |
the aggregate amount of any forward rate
agreement, option, swap, cap, floor, any combination or hybrid of the
foregoing and any other financial derivative agreement to the extent
treated as liabilities under the Approved Accounting Principles; for
the avoidance of doubt, Derivative Instruments related to the TSDIs are
excluded. |
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(i) |
any amount payable by any Group company
in relation to the redemption or repurchase of any share capital or other
securities issued by it or any other Group Company, other than amounts
payable to an Obligor; |
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(j) |
any amount raised under any other transaction
having the commercial effect of a borrowing; |
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(k) |
any guarantee of indebtedness of any person
of a type referred to in paragraphs (a) to (i) (inclusive) above; or |
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(l) |
any indebtedness of any person of a type
referred to in paragraphs (a) to (j) (inclusive) above as to which a
Group Company has provided security over its assets (regardless of whether
such Group Company assumes the obligations of such person in relation
to such indebtedness). |
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Financial Year means the period of
12 months ending on 31 December in each year. |
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French GAAP means generally accepted
accounting principles in the Republic of France. |
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Funds Flow Statement means the statement
in the agreed form prepared by the Company showing all payments to and/or
by members of the Group in connection with the transactions contemplated
in the Finance Documents and the flow of funds occurring on and immediately
before and after the first Utilisation Date. |
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GPF means GP Financière
New Sub 1 S.C.S. a company incorporated in Luxembourg with registered
number B90-159; |
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Group means Holdco and its Subsidiaries
for the time being. |
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Group Company means a
member of the Group. |
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Guarantee means a guarantee given
by an Original Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor in accordance with
Clause 18 (Guarantee). |
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Guarantor means an Original Guarantor
or an Additional Guarantor, unless it has ceased to be a Guarantor in
accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Obligors). |
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Hedging Agreements means
Derivative Instruments entered into with one or more hedging lenders
for the purpose of managing or hedging currency and/or interest rate
risk in relation to the Facilities, the Existing Facilities, the TSDIs
and the Long Term Notes. |
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High Yield Notes means the senior
notes denominated in Euros and/or US Dollars, issued by Holdco on 12
February 2003 under an indenture dated 12 February 2003. |
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High Yield Notes Debt means
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the High Yield Notes or High Yield
Notes Funding Loans; |
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High Yield Notes Funding
Loans Assignment Agreement means the agreement dated 12 February
2003 between Holdco and the trustee in respect of the High Yield Notes,
whereby Holdco assigned by way of security or pledge to the trustee
in respect of the High Yield Notes (for and on behalf of the holders
of the High Yield Notes) its right to receive payment under certain
circumstances in respect of a portion of the High Yield Notes Funding
Loans. |
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High Yield Notes Funding Loans means
the unsecured or loans denominated in Euros and/or US Dollars issued
by Xxxxxxx S.A.S. on (or about) the date High Yield Notes were issued
and subscribed for by Holdco. |
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Holding Company means, in relation
to a company or corporation, any other company or corporation in respect
of which it is a Subsidiary. |
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IFRS means the international financial
reporting standards promulgated from time to time by the International
Accounting Standards Board. |
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Information Memorandum means the
document in the form approved by the Companies concerning the Group which,
at the Companies' request and on their behalf, was prepared in relation
to this transaction and distributed by the Mandated Lead Arrangers to
selected financial institutions in connection with syndication. |
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Intercreditor Deed means an intercreditor
deed dated 17 December 2004 entered into between, among others, (i) Lumina
Parent S.à x.x. as Parent, (ii) Lumina Participation S.à x.x.,
(iii) Holdco, (iv) GPF, (v) BNP Paribas as Facility Agent and Security
Agent, (vi) the Lenders, (vii) the High Yield Notes Funding Bondholders
as listed therein and (viii) Bank of New York as trustee for the holders
of the High Yield Notes. |
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Interest Period means, in relation
to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 10 (Interest
Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in
accordance with Clause 9.4 (Default interest). |
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Xxxxxxx S.A.S. means Xxxxxxx S.A.S.,
a French société par actions simplifiée having
its registered office at 000 xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx de Tassigny,
87000 Limoges and with registered number 421 391 269 R.C.S. Paris. |
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(a) |
any Original Lender; and |
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(b) |
any bank or financial institution which
has become a Party in accordance with Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders), |
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which in each case has not ceased to be
a Party in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
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LIBOR means, in relation to any Loan: |
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(a) |
the applicable Screen Rate; or |
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(b) |
(if no Screen Rate is available for the
currency or Interest Period of that Loan) the arithmetic mean of the
rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Facility
Agent at its request quoted by the Reference Banks to leading banks in
the London interbank market, |
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as of the Specified Time on the Quotation
Day for the offering of deposits in the currency of that Loan and for
a period comparable to the Interest Period for that Loan. |
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Loan means a Facility A Loan or a
Facility B Loan. |
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Long Term Notes means the 8.5 per
cent. debentures in the principal amount of $ 400,000,000 issued
by the Company on 14 February 1995 and due 15 February 2025. |
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Lumina Financing 1 S.à.x.x. means
a company incorporated in Luxembourg with registered number B-883636. |
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Major Default means each of the events
of default set out in Clauses 23.1 (Non-payment), 23.6 (Insolvency),
23.7 (Insolvency proceedings), 23.8 (Creditors' process) and 23.10 (Analogous
proceedings). |
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Major Representation means each of
the representations set out in Clauses 19.1 (Status), 19.2 (Binding obligations)
and 19.4 (Power and authority). |
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(a) |
if there are no Loans then outstanding,
a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 66⅔ per
cent. of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been
reduced to zero, aggregated more than 66⅔ per cent. of the Total
Commitments immediately prior to the reduction); or |
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(b) |
at any other time, a Lender or Lenders whose
participations in the Loans then outstanding aggregate more than 66⅔ per
cent. of all the Loans then outstanding. |
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Mandatory Cost means the percentage
rate per annum calculated by the Facility Agent in accordance with Schedule
4 (Mandatory Cost formulae). |
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Margin means the rate calculated
in accordance with Clause 9.3 (Margin). |
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Material Adverse Effect means any
material adverse effect to : |
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(a) |
the business or financial condition of Holdco
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and |
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(b) |
the ability of any Obligor to perform or
comply with any of its payment obligations under a Finance Document or
the financial covenants set out in Clause 21 (Financial Covenants) under this Agreement. |
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Material Subsidiaries means each
Obligor and any Subsidiary of the Company which has consolidated turnover
or Consolidated EBITDA representing five per cent. or more of the consolidated
turnover or Consolidated EBITDA of the Group, calculated on a consolidated
basis. |
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Month means a period starting on
one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding
day in the next calendar month, except that: |
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(a) |
(subject to paragraph (c) below) if the
numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall
end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period
is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding
Business Day; |
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(b) |
if there is no numerically corresponding
day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period
shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month; and |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(c) |
if an Interest Period begins on the last
Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the
last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period
is to end. |
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The above rules will only apply to the last
Month of any period. |
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Multiemployer Plan means a "multiemployer
plan" within the meaning of section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA. |
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Net Proceeds means the aggregate
cash consideration received by any Group Company in relation to the disposal
of all or any part of the assets of any Group Company but after deducting: |
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(a) |
all Taxes paid or Taxes reasonably estimated
to be payable; |
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(b) |
fees, costs and expenses reasonably incurred
by continuing Group Companies in connection with that disposal; |
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(c) |
amounts due to third party minority shareholders; |
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(d) |
the amount of any reserve established in
accordance with Approved Accounting Principles against any liabilities
of continuing Group Companies associated with such disposal, provided
that the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than
a payment in respect of such liability) shall be deemed to be Net Proceeds;
and |
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(e) |
the amount of any Financial Indebtedness
(other than Financial Indebtedness under the Finance Documents) secured
by a Security on the assets disposed of the extent that the contract
evidencing such Financial Indebtedness requires such Financial Indebtedness
to be repaid upon consummation of such disposal (provided that such Financial
Indebtedness and Security were permitted under the terms of this Agreement). |
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Obligor means a Borrower, a Guarantor
or Holdco. |
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Optional Currency means Sterling
or US Dollars or a currency (other than the Base Currency), which complies
with the conditions set out in Clause 4.4 (Conditions relating to Optional
Currencies). |
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Original Equity Investors means one
or more of Kohlberg Kravis Xxxxxxx & Co. LP, Xxxxxx Investissement,
and any affiliated entity thereof and any funds advised or managed directly
or indirectly by any of them. |
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Original Financial Statements means: |
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(a) |
in relation to Holdco, the audited consolidated
financial statements of the Group for the Financial Year ended 31 December
2003; and |
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(b) |
in relation to each Original Obligor other
than Holdco, its financial statements (audited where applicable) for
its Financial Year ended 31 December 2003. |
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Original Guarantors means Xxxxxxx
S.A.S. and any Subsidiary of Xxxxxxx S.A.S. listed in Part 1 of Schedule
1 as an original guarantor. |
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Original Obligor means an Original
Borrower, an Original Guarantor or Holdco. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Participating Member State means
any member state of the European Communities that adopts or has adopted
the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the
European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union. |
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Party means a party to this Agreement. |
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Professional Market Party means a
professional market party (professionele marktpartij) under the
Dutch Exemption Regulation. |
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Qualifying Lender has the meaning
given to it in Clause 13 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities). |
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Quotation Day means, in relation
to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined: |
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(a) |
(if the currency is sterling) the first
day of that period; |
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(b) |
(if the currency is euro) two TARGET Days
before the first day of that period; or |
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(c) |
(for any other currency) two Business Days
before the first day of that period, |
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unless market practice differs in the Relevant
Interbank Market for a currency, in which case the Quotation Day for
that currency will be determined by the Facility Agent in accordance
with market practice in the Relevant Interbank Market (and if quotations
would normally be given by leading banks in the Relevant Interbank Market
on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days). |
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Reference Banks means, in relation
to EURIBOR, the principal office in Paris of BNP Paribas, Société Générale
and Calyon and, in relation to LIBOR, the principal London offices of
Barclays Bank plc, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and HSBC Bank plc or
such other banks as may be appointed by the Facility Agent in consultation
with the Company. |
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Relevant Interbank Market means in
relation to euro, the European interbank market and, in relation to any
other currency, the London interbank market. |
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Repayment Instalment means the repayment
instalments set out in Clause 7.1 (Repayment of Facility A Loans) |
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Repeating Representations means all
the representations set out in Clause 19 except those set out in Clauses
19.7 (Deduction of Tax), 19.8 (No filing or stamp taxes), 19.10 (No misleading
information), 19.11 (Financial statements), 19.13 (No proceedings pending
or threatened) and 19.15 (Material Adverse Effect). |
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Resignation Letter means a letter
substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Resignation
Letter). |
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Rollover Loan means one or more Facility
B Loans: |
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(a) |
made or to be made on the same day that
a maturing Facility B Loan is due to be repaid; |
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(b) |
the aggregate amount of which is equal to
or less than the maturing Facility B Loan; |
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(c) |
in the same currency as the maturing Facility
B Loan (unless it arose as a result of the operation of Clause 6.2 (Unavailability
of a currency)); and |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(d) |
made or to be made to the same Borrower
for the purpose of refinancing a maturing Facility B Loan. |
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(a) |
in relation to LIBOR, the British Bankers
Association Interest Settlement Rate for the relevant currency and period;
and |
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(b) |
in relation to EURIBOR, the percentage rate
per annum determined by the Banking Federation of the European Union
for the relevant period, |
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displayed on the appropriate page of the
Telerate screen. If the agreed page is replaced or service ceases to
be available, the Facility Agent may specify another page or service
displaying the appropriate rate after consultation with the Company and
the Lenders. |
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Security means a mortgage, charge,
pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any
person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect. |
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Security Document means a pledge
of financial instruments account to be granted by Xxxxxxx S.A.S. in favour
of the Finance Parties in relation to the shares it holds in the Company
(less 116,007 shares required for the purposes of share purchase plans). |
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Selection Notice means a notice substantially
in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 3 (Requests) given in accordance
with Clause 10 (Interest Periods) in relation to Facility A. |
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Senior Funding Bonds means the bonds
issued by Xxxxxxx S.A.S. and subscribed for by Lumina Financing 1 S.à.x.x.
on 10 December 2002 in an aggregate principal amount of EUR 1,335,000,000. |
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Specified Time means a time determined
in accordance with Schedule 10 (Timetables). |
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Sterling or £ means the lawful
currency of the United Kingdom. |
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Subordinated Shareholder
PIK Bonds means the subordinated shareholder PIK bonds in an amount
of EUR 1,164,549,839 issued by Legrand Holding on 12 February 2003
and subscribed by GPF. |
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Subsidiary means, in relation to
any company, another company which is controlled by it within the meaning
of article L.233-3 of the French Code de Commerce. |
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Syndication Date means
the date on which the Facility Agent notifies the Company that primary
syndication of the Facilities has been or is to be completed. |
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TSDIs means the four series of subordinated
perpetual notes (titres subordonnés à durée indéterminée)
issued by the Company (i) in December 1990 in an amount of FRF 3,000,000,000
bearing interest at PIBOR plus 0.65 per cent. per annum, (ii) in March
1992 in an amount of FRF 1,625,000,000 bearing interest at PIBOR plus
0.75 per cent. per annum, (iii) in March 1992 in an amount of FRF 275,000,000
bearing interest at 9.801 per cent. per annum and (iv) in March 1992
in an amount of FRF 100,000,000 bearing interest at 9.801 per cent. per
annum, in each case as subsequently repackaged and concerning series
(i) and (ii) as restructured in December 1995. |
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TARGET means Trans-European Automated
Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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TARGET Day means any day on which
TARGET is open for the settlement of payments in euro. |
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Tax means any tax, levy, impost,
duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any
penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or
any delay in paying any of the same). |
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Termination Date means, in relation
to Facility A and Facility B, the date falling five years after the date
of this Agreement. |
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Total Commitments means the aggregate
of the Total Facility A Commitments and the Total Facility B Commitments,
being EUR 1,400,000,000 at the date of this Agreement. |
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Total Facility A Commitments means
the aggregate of the Facility A Commitments, being EUR 700,000,000 at
the date of this Agreement. |
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Total Facility B Commitments means
the aggregate of the Facility B Commitments, being EUR 700,000,000 at
the date of this Agreement. |
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Tranche A means the aggregate amount
of EUR 700,000,000 to be drawn under Facility A in accordance with
Clause 2. |
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Tranche B means the aggregate amount
of EUR 365,000,000 to be drawn under Facility A in accordance with
Clause 2. |
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Transfer Agreement means an agreement
substantially in the form set out in Schedule 5 (Form of Transfer Agreement)
or any other form agreed between the Facility Agent and the Company. |
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Transfer Date means, in relation
to a transfer, the later of: |
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(a) |
the proposed Transfer Date specified in
the Transfer Agreement; and |
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(b) |
the date on which the Facility Agent executes
the Transfer Agreement. |
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Unpaid Sum means any sum due and
payable but unpaid by a Borrower under the Finance Documents. |
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U.S. Debtor means an Obligor that
is incorporated or organised under the laws of the United States of America
or any State of the United States of America (including the District
of Columbia) or that resides or has a domicile, a place of business or
property in the United States of America. |
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US Dollars or USD means the
lawful currency of the United States of America. |
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US GAAP means accounting principles,
standards and practice generally accepted from time to time in the United
States of America. |
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Utilisation means a utilisation of
a Facility. |
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Utilisation Date means the date of
a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan is to be made. |
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Utilisation Request means a notice
substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 3 (Requests). |
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CONFORMED COPY
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VAT means value added tax. |
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(a) |
Unless a contrary indication
appears, any reference in this Agreement to: |
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(i) |
the Facility Agent, the Mandated
Lead Arranger, the Underwriter, the Security Agent,
the Closing Agent, any Finance Party, any Lender,
any Obligor or any Party shall be construed so as to
include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees
and Mandated Lead Arranger shall include any entity appointed as mandated
lead arranger prior to the Syndication Date with the consent of the
Mandated Lead Arrangers; |
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(ii) |
assets includes present and future
properties, revenues and rights of every description; |
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(iii) |
corporate reconstruction includes
in relation to any company any contribution of part of its business in
consideration of shares (apport partiel d'actifs) and any demerger
(scission) implemented in accordance with articles L.236-1 to L.236-24
of the French Code de Commerce; |
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(iv) |
a Finance Document or any other agreement
or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement
or instrument as amended or novated; |
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(v) |
gross negligence means faute lourde; |
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(vi) |
a guarantee includes any cautionnement, aval and
any garantie which is independent from the debt to which it relates; |
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(vii) |
a document being "in agreed form" means
in a form agreed between the Company and (as the case may be) the Closing
Agent or the Facility Agent; |
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(viii) |
indebtedness includes any obligation
(whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment
of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent; |
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(ix) |
merger includes any fusion implemented
in accordance with articles L.236-1 to L.236-24 of the French Code
de Commerce; |
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(x) |
a person includes any person, firm,
company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any grouping
(whether or not having separate legal personality) or two or more of
the foregoing; |
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(xi) |
a regulation includes any regulation,
rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having
the force of law but if not having the force of law which is generally
complied with by those to whom it is addressed) of any governmental,
intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or regulatory,
self-regulatory or other authority or organisation; |
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(xii) |
a security interest includes any
type of security (sûreté réelle) and transfer
by way of security; |
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(xiii) |
trustee, fiduciary and fiduciary duty has
in each case the meaning given to such term under any applicable law; |
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(xiv) |
wilful misconduct means dol; |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(xv) |
a provision of law is a reference to that
provision as amended or re-enacted; |
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(xvi) |
unless a contrary indication appears, a
time of day is a reference to Paris time. |
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(b) |
Section, Clause and Schedule headings are
for ease of reference only. |
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(c) |
Unless a contrary indication appears, a
term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under
or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that
Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement. |
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(d) |
A Default (other than an Event of Default)
is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived and an Event
of Default is continuing if it has not been remedied or waived. |
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In this Agreement, where it relates to a
Dutch entity, a reference to: |
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(a) |
a necessary action to authorise where
applicable, includes without limitation: |
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(i) |
any action required to comply with the Works
Councils Act of the Netherlands (Wet op de ondernemingsraden);
and |
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(ii) |
obtaining an unconditional positive advice
(advies) from the competent works council(s) (if any), or, if
such advice is not unconditional, confirmation by the relevant Dutch
Obligor that (i) the conditions set by the competent works council(s)
are and will be complied with, and (ii) such compliance will not have
a Material Adverse Effect; |
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(b) |
financial assistance means any act
contemplated by: |
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(i) |
(for a besloten vennootschap) Article
2:207(c) of the Dutch Civil Code; and |
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(ii) |
(for a naamloze vennootschap) Article
2:98(c) of the Dutch Civil Code; |
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(c) |
gross negligence means grove xxxxxx; |
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(d) |
negligence means xxxxxx; |
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(e) |
a security interest includes any mortgage
(hypotheek), pledge (pandrecht), retention of title arrangement
(eigendomsvoorbehoud), privilege (voorrecht), right of
retention (recht van retentie), right to reclaim goods (recht
van reclame), and, in general, any right in rem (beperkte
recht), created for the purpose of granting security (goederenrechtelijk
zekerheidsrecht); |
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(f) |
wilful misconduct means opzet; |
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(g) |
(i) a winding-up, administration or dissolution (and
any of those terms) includes a Dutch entity being declared bankrupt (failliet
verklaard) or dissolved (ontbonden); |
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(ii) |
a moratorium includes surséance
van betaling and granted a moratorium includes surséance
verleend; |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(iii) |
any step or procedure taken
in connection with insolvency proceedings includes a Dutch entity having
filed a notice under section 36 (2) of the Tax Collection Act of the
Netherlands (Invorderingswet 1990) or Section 16d (2) of
the Social Insurance Co-ordination Act of the Netherlands (Coördinatiewet
Sociale Verzekeringen); |
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(iv) |
an administrator includes a bewindvoerder;
and |
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(v) |
an attachment includes a beslag. |
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Subject to the terms of this Agreement,
the Lenders make available: |
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(a) |
to the Borrowers, a multicurrency term loan
facility in a maximum aggregate amount equal to Tranche A, |
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(b) |
to the Company, a multicurrency term loan
facility in a maximum aggregate amount equal to Tranche B, |
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(i) |
the aggregate amount of Tranche A equal
to the aggregate amount of the Total Facility A Commitments may be drawn; |
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(ii) |
no utilisation of Tranche B will be made
unless the equivalent amount under Tranche A has been or is, on the same
date, repaid; and |
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(iii) |
the total amount to be drawn under Tranche
A and/or Tranche B, shall not exceed the aggregate amount of the Total
Facility A Commitments; and |
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(c) |
to the Borrowers, a multicurrency revolving
loan facility in a maximum aggregate amount equal to the Total Facility
B Commitments. |
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2.2 |
Finance Parties’ rights and obligations |
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(a) |
The obligations of each Finance Party under
the Finance Documents are several (conjointes et non solidaires).
Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance
Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Finance Party
under the Finance Documents. No Finance Party is responsible for the
obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents. |
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(b) |
The rights of each Finance Party under or
in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent
rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance
Party from a Borrower shall be a separate and independent debt. |
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(c) |
A Finance Party may, except as otherwise
stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under
the Finance Documents. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(a) |
Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed
by it under Facility A: |
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(i) |
in relation to Tranche A, to refinance the
Existing Facilities, to redeem indirectly the Senior Funding Bonds, including
accrued interest, breakage costs and expenses in relation to the Senior
Funding Bonds and the Existing Facilities and in respect of the establishment
of the Facilities; and |
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(ii) |
in relation to Tranche B, to finance a distribution
of dividends or reserves by the Company, provided that the equivalent
amount under Tranche A has been or is, on the same date, repaid. |
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(b) |
Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed
by it under Facility B: |
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(i) |
to finance working capital and other general
corporate purpose of the Group including (without limitation) refinancing
of the Existing Facilities; and |
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(ii) |
to finance acquisitions. |
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No Finance Party is bound to monitor or
verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement. |
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4. |
CONDITIONS OF UTILISATION |
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4.1 |
Initial conditions precedent |
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No Borrower may deliver a Utilisation Request
unless: |
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(a) |
The Closing Agent has, on or before the
date of this Agreement, received all of the documents and other evidence
listed in Part 1 of Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent) in form and substance
satisfactory to the Closing Agent (acting reasonably); |
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(b) |
Subject to Clause 4.3, the Closing Agent
has, on or before the first Utilisation Date, received all of the documents
and other evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent)
in form and substance satisfactory to the Closing Agent (acting reasonably).
The Closing Agent shall notify the Facility Agent, the Company and the
Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. |
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4.2 |
Further conditions precedent |
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(a) |
Subject to Clause 4.6 (Certain Funds Period),
the Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 5.4 (Lenders'
participation) if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed
Utilisation Date: |
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(i) |
in the case of a Rollover Loan, no Event
of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan and,
in the case of any other Loan, no Default is continuing or would result
from the proposed Loan; and |
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(ii) |
the Repeating Representations to be made
by each Obligor are true in all material respects. |
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CONFORMED COPY
(b) |
The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 6.3 (Change of currency) if, on the first day of an Interest Period, no Default is continuing or would result from the change of currency and the Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor are true in all material respects. |
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4.3 |
Condition subsequent relating to Security securing the Existing Facilities |
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Subject to Clause 3 (c) Schedule 2Part 2, the Facility Agent will receive from the Company, as soon as practicable after the first Utilisation Date, evidence that all releases of Security in favour of third parties securing the Existing Facilities granted by any Group Companies, which have not been registered on the first Utilisation Date, have been registered. |
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4.4 |
Conditions relating to Optional Currencies |
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(a) |
A currency will constitute an Optional Currency in relation to a Loan if: |
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(i) |
it is readily available in the amount required and freely convertible into the Base Currency in the Relevant Interbank Market on the Quotation Day and the Utilisation Date for that Loan; and |
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(ii) |
it is Sterling or US Dollars or has been approved by the Facility Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders) on or prior to receipt by the Facility Agent of the relevant Utilisation Request or Selection Notice for that Loan. |
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(b) |
If the Facility Agent has received a written request from the Company for a currency to be approved under paragraph (a)(ii) above, the Facility Agent will confirm to the Company by the Specified Time: |
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(i) |
whether or not the Lenders have granted their approval; and |
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(ii) |
if approval has been granted, the minimum amount (and, if required, integral multiples) for any subsequent Utilisation in that currency. |
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4.5 |
Maximum number of Loans |
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(a) |
A Borrower may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Utilisation: |
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(i) |
15 or more Facility A Loans would be outstanding; or |
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(ii) |
15 or more Facility B Loans would be outstanding. |
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(b) |
Any Loan made by a single Lender under Clause 6.3 (Change of currency) shall not be taken into account in this Clause 4.5. |
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Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, neither the Facility Agent nor any of the Lenders will, during the Certain Funds Period, refuse to make any Loan under the Facilities for the purpose of refinancing the Existing Facilities unless: |
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(a) |
any Major Representation is inaccurate in any material respect; or |
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(b) |
any Major Default is outstanding or would result from the making of that Loan; or |
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(c) |
a Change of Control occurs; or |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(d) |
it is unlawful for the Facility Agent or that Lender to make a Loan. |
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5.1 |
Delivery of a Utilisation Request |
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A Borrower may utilise a Facility by delivery to the Facility Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time. |
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5.2 |
Completion of a Utilisation Request |
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(a) |
Each Utilisation Request is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless: |
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(i) |
it identifies the Facility to be utilised; |
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(ii) |
the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period applicable to that Facility; |
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(iii) |
the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 2.1 (The Facilities) and 5.3 (Currency and amount); and |
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(iv) |
the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 10 (Interest Periods). |
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(b) |
Only one Loan may be requested in each Utilisation Request. |
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(a) |
The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be the Base Currency or an Optional Currency. |
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(b) |
The amount of the proposed Loan must be: |
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(i) |
if the currency selected is the Base Currency, a minimum of EUR 10,000,000 for Facility A and a minimum of EUR 10,000,000 for Facility B or in either case, if less, the Available Facility; or |
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(ii) |
if the currency selected is an Optional Currency, the minimum amount of a Loan in Sterling will be £ 7,500,000, the minimum amount of on Loan in US Dollars will be USD 10,000,000 and, if in any other Optional Currency, the minimum amount (and if required, integral multiple) specified by the Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(ii) of Clause 4.4 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) or if less, the Available Facility; and |
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(iii) |
in any event such that its Base Currency Amount is less than or equal to the Available Facility. |
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5.4 |
Lenders' participation |
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(a) |
If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office. |
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(b) |
The amount of each Lender's participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan. |
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(c) |
The Facility Agent shall determine the Base Currency Amount of each Loan which is to be made in an Optional Currency and shall notify each Lender of the amount, currency and the Base Currency Amount of each Loan and the amount of its participation in that Loan, in each case by the Specified Time. |
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6.1 |
Selection of currency |
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(a) |
A Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) shall select the currency of a Loan: |
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(i) |
(in the case of an initial Utilisation) in a Utilisation Request; and |
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(ii) |
(afterwards in relation to a Facility A Loan made to it) in a Selection Notice. |
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(b) |
If a Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) fails to issue a Selection Notice in relation to a Facility A Loan, the Loan will remain denominated for its next Interest Period in the same currency in which it is then outstanding. |
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(c) |
If a Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) issues a Selection Notice requesting a change of currency and the first day of the requested Interest Period is not a Business Day for the new currency, the Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders and the Loan will remain in the existing currency (with the shortest Interest Period permitted under this Agreement) until the next day which is a Business Day for both currencies, on which the shortest Interest Period will begin. |
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6.2 |
Unavailability of a currency |
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If before the Specified Time on any Quotation Day: |
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(a) |
a Lender notifies the Facility Agent that the Optional Currency requested is not readily available to it in the amount required; or |
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(b) |
a Lender notifies the Facility Agent that compliance with its obligation to participate in a Loan in the proposed Optional Currency would contravene a law or regulation applicable to it, |
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the Facility Agent will give notice to the relevant Borrower to that effect by the Specified Time on that day. In this event, any Lender that gives notice pursuant to this Clause 6.2 will be required to participate in the Loan in the Base Currency (in an amount equal to that Lender's proportion of the Base Currency Amount or, in respect of a Rollover Loan, an amount equal to that Lender's proportion of the Base Currency Amount of the Rollover Loan that is due to be made) and its participation will be treated as a separate Loan denominated in the Base Currency during that Interest Period. |
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(a) |
If a Facility A Loan is to be denominated in different currencies during two successive Interest Periods: |
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(i) |
if the currency for the second Interest Period is an Optional Currency, the amount of the Loan in that Optional Currency will be calculated by the Facility Agent as the amount of that Optional Currency equal to the Base Currency Amount of the Loan at the Facility Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange at the Specified Time; |
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(ii) |
if the currency for the second Interest Period is the Base Currency, the amount of the Loan will be equal to the Base Currency Amount; |
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(iii) |
(unless the Facility Agent and the Borrower agree otherwise in accordance with paragraph (b) below) the Borrower that has borrowed the Loan shall repay it on the last day of the first Interest Period in the currency in which it was denominated for that Interest Period; and |
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(iv) |
(subject to Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent)) the Lenders shall re-advance the Loan in the new currency in accordance with Clause 6.5 (Facility Agent's calculations). |
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(b) |
If the Facility Agent and the Borrower that has borrowed the Facility A Loan agree, the Facility Agent shall: |
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(i) |
apply the amount paid to it by the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (a)(iv) above (or so much of that amount as is necessary) in or towards purchase of an amount in the currency in which the Facility A Loan is outstanding for the first Interest Period; and |
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(ii) |
use the amount it purchases in or towards satisfaction of the relevant Borrower's obligations under paragraph (a)(iii) above. |
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(c) |
If the amount purchased by the Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (b)(i) above is less than the amount required to be repaid by the relevant Borrower, the Facility Agent shall promptly notify that Borrower and that Borrower shall, on the last day of the first Interest Period, pay an amount to the Facility Agent (in the currency of the outstanding Facility A Loan for the first Interest Period) equal to the difference. |
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(d) |
If any part of the amount paid to the Facility Agent by the Lenders pursuant to paragraph (a)(iv) above is not needed to purchase the amount required to be repaid by the relevant Borrower, the Facility Agent shall promptly notify that Borrower and pay that Borrower, on the last day of the first Interest Period that part of that amount (in the new currency). |
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6.4 |
Same Optional Currency during successive Interest Periods |
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(a) |
If a Facility A Loan is to be denominated in the same Optional Currency during two successive Interest Periods, the Facility Agent shall calculate the amount of the Facility A Loan in the Optional Currency for the second of those Interest Periods (by calculating the amount of Optional Currency equal to the Base Currency Amount of that Facility A Loan at the Facility Agent's Spot Rate of Exchange at the Specified Time) and (subject to paragraph (b) below): |
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(i) |
if the amount calculated is less than the existing amount of that Facility A Loan in the Optional Currency during the first Interest Period, promptly notify the Borrower that has borrowed that Facility A Loan and that Borrower shall pay, on the last day of the first Interest Period, an amount equal to the difference; or |
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(ii) |
if the amount calculated is more than the existing amount of that Facility A Loan in the Optional Currency during the first Interest Period, promptly notify each Lender and, if no Event of Default is continuing, each Lender shall, on the last day of the first Interest Period, pay its participation in an amount equal to the difference. |
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(b) |
If the calculation made by the Facility Agent pursuant to paragraph (a) above shows that the amount of the Facility A Loan in the Optional Currency for the second of those Interest Periods converted into the Base Currency at the Facility Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange at the Specified Time has increased or decreased by less than 5 per cent. compared to its Base Currency Amount, no notification shall be made by the Facility Agent and no payment shall be required under paragraph (a) above. |
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6.5 |
Facility Agent's calculations |
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(a) |
All calculations made by the Facility Agent pursuant to this Clause 6 will take into account any repayment, prepayment, consolidation or division of Facility A Loans to be made on the last day of the first Interest Period. |
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(b) |
Each Lender's participation in a Loan will, subject to paragraph (a) above, be determined in accordance with paragraph (b) of Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation). |
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7.1 |
Repayment of Facility A Loans |
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(a) |
The Borrowers of the Facility A Loans shall repay the Facility A Loan in semi-annual instalments. Each such instalment will fall due for repayment on each date specified in column (1) below. The amount in total which must be repaid on each such date is specified opposite that date in column (2) below. Any balance of the aggregate Loans remaining outstanding on the Termination Date shall be repaid in full on that date: |
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(1) Date |
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(2) Amount |
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17 December 2005 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 June 2006 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 December 2006 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 June 2007 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 December 2007 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 June 2008 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 December 2008 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 June 2009 |
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77,777,777 |
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17 December 2009 |
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77,777,784 |
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(b) |
No Borrower may reborrow any part of Facility A which is repaid. |
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7.2 |
Repayment of Facility B Loans |
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Each Borrower which has drawn a Facility B Loan shall repay that Loan on the last day of its Interest Period. |
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8. |
PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION |
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If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund or maintain its participation in any Loan: |
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(a) |
that Lender shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
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(b) |
upon the Facility Agent notifying the Company, the Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and |
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(c) |
each Borrower shall repay that Lender's participation in the Loans made to that Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Loan occurring after the Facility Agent has notified the Company or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Facility Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law). |
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(a) |
If any person or group of persons acting in concert (in each case other than the Original Equity Investors) gains control of the Company, Xxxxxxx S.A.S. and/or Holdco or if the Company, Xxxxxxx S.A.S. or Holdco permits to be sold all or substantially all of the assets or the business of the Group: |
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(i) |
the Company shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
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(ii) |
a Lender shall not be obliged to fund a Utilisation (except for a Rollover Loan); and |
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(iii) |
if the Majority Lenders so require, the Facility Agent shall, by not less than 30 days notice to the Company, cancel the Total Commitments and declare all outstanding Loans, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents immediately due and payable, whereupon the Total Commitments will be cancelled and all such outstanding amounts will become immediately due and payable. |
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(b) |
For the purpose of paragraph (a) above "acting in concert" has the meaning given in Article L.233-10 of the French Code de Commerce. |
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(c) |
For the purpose of paragraph (a) above "control" has the meaning given in article L. 233-3 of the French Code de Commerce. |
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8.3 |
Voluntary cancellation |
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The Company may, if it gives the Facility Agent not less than 5 Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount of EUR 10,000,000) of an Available Facility. Any cancellation under this Clause 8.3 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under that Facility. |
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8.4 |
Automatic cancellation |
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The Commitments of each Lender under each Facility will be automatically cancelled at the close of business in Paris on the last day of the Availability Period for that Facility to the extent undrawn at that date. |
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8.5 |
Voluntary prepayment of Facility A Loans |
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(a) |
A Borrower to which a Facility A Loan has been made may, if it gives the Facility Agent not less than 5 Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of any Facility A Loan (but, if in part, being an amount that reduces the Base Currency Amount of the Facility A Loan by a minimum amount of EUR 10,000,000). |
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(b) |
A Facility A Loan may only be prepaid after the last day of the Availability Period (or, if earlier, the day on which the applicable Available Facility is zero). |
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(c) |
Any prepayment under this Clause 8.5 shall satisfy the obligations under Clause 7.1 (Repayment of Facility A Loans) in such order as the Company may select. |
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8.6 |
Voluntary Prepayment of Facility B Loans |
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The Borrower to which a Facility B Loan has been made may, if it gives the Facility Agent not less than five Business Days' (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Facility B Loan (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the Base Currency Amount of the Facility B Loan by a minimum amount of EUR 10,000,000). |
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8.7 |
Right of repayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender |
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(i) |
any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under paragraph (c) of Clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up) or under an equivalent provision of any Finance Document; or |
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(ii) |
any Lender claims indemnification from the Company under Clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) or Clause 14.1 (Increased costs), |
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the Company may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement or indemnification continues, give the Facility Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender's participation in the Loans. |
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(b) |
On receipt of a notice referred to in paragraph (a) above, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero. |
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(c) |
On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Company has given notice under paragraph (a) above (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Company in that notice), each Borrower to which a Loan is outstanding shall repay that Lender's participation in that Loan. |
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8.8 |
Mandatory prepayment and cancellation in relation to a single Lender |
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If it becomes unlawful for a Borrower to perform any of its obligations to any Lender under paragraph (c) of Clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up) or under an equivalent provision of any Finance Document, |
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(a) |
the Company shall promptly notify the Facility Agent upon becoming aware of that event; |
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(b) |
upon the Facility Agent notifying that Lender, its Commitment will be immediately cancelled; and |
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(c) |
that Borrower shall repay that Lender's participation in the Loans made to that Borrower on the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Company has given notice under paragraph (a) above or, if earlier, the date specified by that Lender in a notice delivered to the Facility Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law). |
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8.9 |
Disposal of Material Subsidiaries |
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(a) |
If any Group Company sells a Material Subsidiary, 50% of the Net Proceeds will be applied in prepayment of the Facilities. |
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(b) |
Net Proceeds need not be so applied if they are applied or contracted to be applied and are (where contracted) so applied in the acquisition of businesses or companies with activities which are similar or complementary to the activities of the Group within a period of 365 days. |
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(a) |
Any notice of cancellation or prepayment given by any Party under this Clause 8 shall be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment. |
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(b) |
Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty. |
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(c) |
Any prepayment pursuant to paragraphs 8.2 or 8.9 shall be applied against the relevant Facility or all the Facilities and in such order as the Company may select. |
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(d) |
No Borrower may reborrow any part of Facility A which is prepaid otherwise than in accordance with Clause 2.1(a)(ii). |
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(e) |
Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of Facility B which is prepaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. |
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(f) |
The Borrowers shall not repay or prepay all or any part of the Loans or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement. |
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(g) |
No amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated. |
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(h) |
If the Facility Agent receives a notice under this Clause 8 it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice to either the Company or the affected Lender, as appropriate. |
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9.1 |
Calculation of interest |
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The rate of interest on each Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable: |
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(b) |
EURIBOR or, in relation to any Loan in an Optional Currency, LIBOR; and |
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(c) |
Mandatory Cost, if any. |
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The Borrower to which a Loan has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the dates falling at six monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period). |
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(a) |
The Company must supply to the Facility Agent a Compliance Certificate within 90 days of the end of each quarterly Accounting Period, beginning with the first quarterly Accounting Period ending on 30 June 2005. |
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(b) |
A Compliance Certificate must specify the ratio of Consolidated Net Debt to Consolidated MaintainableEBITDA for the last Accounting Period ending on the most recent Accounting Date and be signed by the Chief Financial Officer or the Chief Executive Officer of Holdco. |
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(c) |
Subject to paragraphs (d) and (e) below, the Margin in respect of Facility A and Facility B will be (i) for Interest Periods ending on or before 30 June 2005, 0.60 per cent. per annum and (ii) for any other Interest Periods determined by reference to the table below and the information set out in the relevant Compliance Certificate with effect from two days after receipt of that Compliance Certificate. |
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(1) Margin Ratio |
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(2) Margin (per annum) |
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Equal to or greater than 3.75 |
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1.10% |
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Equal to or greater than 3.50 but less than 3.75 |
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0.90% |
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Equal to or greater than 3.25 but less than 3.50 |
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0.70% |
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Equal to or greater than 3.00 but less than 3.25 |
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0.65% |
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Equal to or greater than 2.75 but less than 3.00 |
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0.55% |
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Equal to or greater than 2.50 but less than 2.75 |
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0.50% |
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(1) Margin Ratio |
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(2) Margin (per annum) |
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Equal to or greater than 2.25 but less than 2.50 |
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0.45% |
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Equal to or greater than 2.00 but less than 2.25 |
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0.40% |
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Equal to or greater than 1.75 but less than 2.00 |
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0.35% |
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Less than 1.75 |
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0.30% |
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(i) |
the Company is in default of its obligation under this Agreement to provide a Compliance Certificate; or |
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(ii) |
an Event Default is outstanding, |
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the applicable Margin in respect of Facility A and Facility B will be the highest applicable rate for the relevant Facility set out in the table in paragraph (c) above. |
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(e) |
If the Margin has been reduced or increased under this Subclause in reliance on a Compliance Certificate but the audited Accounts of the Group for the period covered by the relevant Compliance Certificate do not confirm the basis for the reduction or increase, the reduction or increase will be reversed with retrospective effect. The applicable Margin will instead be that calculated by reference to the audited Accounts. If, in this event, any amount of interest has been paid by the Company on the basis of the relevant Compliance Certificate, the Company must immediately pay to the Facility Agent any shortfall in that amount as compared to that which would have been paid to the Lenders if the applicable Margin had been calculated by reference to the relevant
audited Accounts. Any increase in Margin that was not justified when calculated by reference to the relevant audited Accounts (the Undue Interest) will be deducted from the next following interest payment or (if the Margin for that next following payment would be negative as a result of that deduction) the next following interest payments. |
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(f) |
Upon total repayment of the Loans by the Borrowers, any portion of Undue Interest which has not been deducted in accordance with the foregoing shall be deducted from the principal amount of the Loans repayable by the Borrowers. The Facility Agent shall use reasonable efforts to obtain the reimbursement of the portion of the Undue Interest that has been paid to a Lender that has ceased to be a Lender at the date of the adjustment. |
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(a) |
If a Borrower fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue to the fullest extent permitted by law on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to paragraph (b) below, is one per cent higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Facility Agent (acting reasonably). Any interest accruing under this Clause 9.4 shall be immediately payable by the Borrower on demand by the Facility Agent. |
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(b) |
If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan: |
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(i) |
the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and |
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(ii) |
the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be one per cent. higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due. |
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(c) |
Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount only if, within the meaning of Article 1154 of the French Code Civil, such interest is due for a period of at least one year, but will remain immediately due and payable. |
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9.5 |
Notification of rates of interest |
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The Facility Agent shall promptly notify the Lenders and the relevant Borrower of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement. |
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9.6 |
Effective Global Rate (Taux Effectif Global) |
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For the purposes of Articles L.313-1 and seq, R.313-1 and R.313-2 of the Code de la Consommation and Articles L.313-4 to L.313-5 of the Code Monétaire et Financier, the Parties acknowledge that by virtue of certain characteristics of the Facility (and in particular the variable interest rate applicable to Loans and the Borrower's right to select the currency and the duration of the Interest Period of each Loan) the taux effectif global cannot be calculated at the date of this Agreement. However, the Original Borrowers acknowledge that they have received from the Facility Agent a letter containing an indicative calculation of the taux effectif global, based on figured examples calculated on assumptions as to the taux de
période and durée de période set out in the letter in the form set out in Schedule 9. The Parties acknowledge that that letter forms part of this Agreement. |
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10.1 |
Selection of Interest Periods |
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(a) |
A Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) may select an Interest Period for a Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Loan or (if the Loan has already been borrowed) in a Selection Notice. |
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(b) |
Each Selection Notice for a Facility A Loan is irrevocable and must be delivered to the Facility Agent by the Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) to which that Facility A Loan was made not later than the Specified Time. |
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(c) |
Until the earlier of the Syndication Date and three months after the first Utilisation Date, the duration of each Interest Period shall be one month or such other period (not exceeding one month) so as to ensure that the Interest Periods for all Loans then outstanding end on the same date or such other period (not exceeding six months) as may be agreed between the Company and the Facility Agent. |
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(d) |
If a Borrower (or the Company) fails to deliver a Selection Notice to the Facility Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above, the relevant Interest Period will, subject to Clause 10.2 (Changes to Interest Periods), be three Months. |
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(e) |
Subject to this Clause 10, a Borrower (or
the Company) may select an Interest Period of 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 Months
or any other period agreed between the Company and the Facility Agent
(acting on the instructions of all the Lenders). In addition a Borrower
(or the Company on its behalf) may select an Interest Period of (in relation
to Facility A) a period of less than one Month, if necessary to ensure
that there are sufficient Facility A Loans (with an aggregate Base Currency
Amount equal to or greater than the Repayment Instalment) which have
an Interest Period ending on a Facility A Repayment Date for the Borrowers
to make the Repayment Instalment due on that date. |
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(f) |
An Interest Period for a Loan shall not
extend beyond the Termination Date applicable to its Facility. |
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(g) |
Each Interest Period for a Facility A Loan
shall start on the Utilisation Date or (if already made) on the last
day of its preceding Interest Period. |
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(h) |
A Facility B Loan has one Interest Period
only. |
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10.2 |
Changes to Interest Periods |
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(a) |
Prior to determining the interest rate for
a Facility A Loan, the Facility Agent may shorten an Interest Period
for any Facility A Loan to ensure there are sufficient Facility A Loans
(with an aggregate Base Currency Amount equal to or greater than the
Repayment Instalment) which have an Interest Period ending on a Facility
A Repayment Date for the Borrowers to make the Repayment Instalment due
on that date. |
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(b) |
If the Facility Agent makes any of the changes
to an Interest Period referred to in this Clause 10.2, it shall promptly
notify the Company and the Lenders. |
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If an Interest Period would otherwise end
on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead
end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one)
or the preceding Business Day (if there is not). |
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10.4 |
Consolidation and division of Facility
A Loans |
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(a) |
Subject to paragraph (b) below, if two or
more Interest Periods: |
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(i) |
relate to Facility A Loans in the same currency; |
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(ii) |
end on the same date; and |
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(iii) |
are made to the same Borrower, |
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those Facility A Loans will, unless that
Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) specifies to the contrary in
the Selection Notice for the next Interest Period, be consolidated into,
and treated as, a single Facility A Loan on the last day of the Interest
Period. |
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(b) |
Subject to Clause 4.5 (Maximum number of
Loans) and Clause 5.3 (Currency and amount), if a Borrower (or the Company
on its behalf) requests in a Selection Notice that a Facility A Loan
be divided into two or more Facility A Loans, that Facility A Loan will,
on the last day of its Interest Period, be so divided with Base Currency
Amounts specified in that Selection Notice, being an aggregate Base Currency
Amount equal to the Base Currency Amount of the Facility A Loan immediately
before its division. |
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11. |
CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST |
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11.1 |
Absence of quotations |
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Subject to Clause 11.2 (Market disruption),
if EURIBOR or, if applicable, LIBOR is to be determined by reference
to the Reference Banks but a Reference Bank does not supply a quotation
by the Specified Time on the Quotation Day, the applicable EURIBOR or
LIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining
Reference Banks. |
(a) |
If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation
to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each
Lender's share of that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the rate
per annum which is the sum of: |
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(ii) |
the rate notified to the Facility Agent
by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event before interest
is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period, to be that which
expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding
its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably
select; and |
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(iii) |
the Mandatory Cost, if any, applicable to
that Lender's participation in the Loan. |
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(b) |
In this Agreement Market Disruption Event means: |
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(i) |
at or about noon on the Quotation Day for
the relevant Interest Period the Screen Rate is not available and none
or only one of the Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Facility Agent
to determine EURIBOR or, if applicable, LIBOR for the relevant currency
and Interest Period; or |
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(ii) |
before close of business in Paris and London
on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Facility Agent
receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations
in a Loan exceed 35 per cent. of that Loan) that the cost to it of obtaining
matching deposits in the Relevant Interbank Market would be in excess
of EURIBOR or, if applicable, LIBOR. |
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11.3 |
Alternative basis of interest or funding |
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(a) |
If a Market Disruption Event occurs and
the Facility Agent or the Company so requires, the Facility Agent and
the Company shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than
thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining
the rate of interest. |
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(b) |
Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to
paragraph (a) above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders
and the Company, be binding on all Parties. |
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(a) |
Each Borrower shall, within three Business
Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break
Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid
by that Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period
for that Loan or Unpaid Sum. |
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(b) |
Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably
practicable after a demand by the Facility Agent, provide a certificate
confirming the amount and basis of calculation of its Break Costs for
any Interest Period in which they accrue. |
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(a) |
No commitment fee will be payable under
Facility A. |
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(b) |
The Company shall pay to the Facility Agent
(for the account of each Lender) a fee in the Base Currency computed
at the rate of 40 per cent. of the applicable Margin on that Lender's
Available Commitment under Facility B for the Availability Period applicable
to Facility B. |
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(c) |
The accrued commitment fee is payable on
the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during
the relevant Availability Period, on the last day of the Availability
Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant
Lender's Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective. |
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The Company shall pay to the Mandated Lead
Arrangers an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in
a Fee Letter. |
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The Company shall pay to the Facility Agent
(for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed
in a Fee Letter. |
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13. |
TAX GROSS UP AND INDEMNITIES |
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Protected Party means a Finance Party
which is or will be subject to any liability, or required to make any
payment, for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable
(or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable)
under a Finance Document. |
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Qualifying Lender means a Lender
which: |
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(i) |
has its Facility Office in France; |
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(ii) |
fulfils the conditions imposed by French
Law taking into account, as the case may be, any double taxation agreement
in force on the date (subject to the completion of any necessary procedural
formalities), in order for a payment not to be subject to (or as the
case may be, to be exempt from) any Tax Deduction; or |
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(iii) |
with respect to payments from a U.S. Obligor: |
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(b) |
is entitled to receive payments of interest
under the Finance Documents without deduction or withholding of any tax
in the United States. |
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Tax Credit means a credit against,
relief or remission for, or repayment of any Tax. |
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Tax Deduction means a deduction or
withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document. |
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Tax Payment means an increased payment
made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under Clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up)
or a payment under Clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity). |
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Treaty Lender means a Lender which
is entitled to a payment under a double taxation agreement (subject to
the completion of any necessary procedural formalities) without a Tax
Deduction. |
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U.S. Obligor means a Borrower that
is incorporated or organized under the laws of the United States of America
or any State of the United States of America (including the District
of Columbia) or any Guarantor making a payment on behalf of such Borrower. |
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U.S. Person has the meaning given
to it in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code. |
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(c) |
Unless a contrary indication appears, in
this Clause 13 a reference to determines or determined means
a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making
the determination. |
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(a) |
Each Borrower shall make all payments to
be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required
by law. |
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(b) |
The Company shall promptly upon becoming
aware that a Borrower must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any
change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Facility
Agent accordingly. Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Facility Agent
on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender.
If the Facility Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall
notify the Company and that Borrower. |
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(c) |
If a Tax Deduction is required by law to
be made by a Borrower, the amount of the payment due from that Borrower
shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction)
leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no
Tax Deduction had been required. |
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(d) |
A Borrower is not required to make an increased
payment to a Lender under paragraph (c) above for a Tax Deduction in
respect of tax imposed by France or, in the case of a U.S. Obligor, the
United States from a payment of interest on a Loan, if on the date on
which the payment falls due: |
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(i) |
the payment could have been made to the
relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if it was a Qualifying Lender,
but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying
Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became
a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration,
or application of) any law or double taxation agreement, or any published
practice or concession of any relevant taxing authority; or |
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(ii) |
the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender or,
in the case of a payment by a U.S. Obligor, any Lender and (x) the Borrower
making the payment is able to demonstrate that the payment could have
been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied
with its obligations under paragraph (g) below, or (y) such Lender failed
to comply with its obligations under Clause 13.7 (U.S. Tax forms). |
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(e) |
If a Borrower is required to make a Tax
Deduction, that Borrower shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment
required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed
and in the minimum amount required by law. |
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(f) |
Within thirty days of making either a Tax
Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction,
the Borrower making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Facility
Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment evidence reasonably
satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made
or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing
authority. |
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(g) |
A Treaty Lender and each Obligor which makes
a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in
completing any procedural formalities necessary for that Obligor to obtain
authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction. |
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(a) |
The Company shall to the extent permitted
by the laws of the Republic of France (within three Business Days of
demand by the Facility Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal
to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party reasonably
determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for
or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance
Document. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above shall not apply: |
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(i) |
with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance
Party: |
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(A) |
under the law of the jurisdiction in which
that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction
(or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident
for tax purposes; or |
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(B) |
under the law of the jurisdiction in which
that Finance Party's Facility Office is located in respect of amounts
received or receivable in that jurisdiction, |
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if that Tax is imposed on or calculated
by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum
deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or |
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(ii) |
to the extent a loss, liability or cost: |
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(A) |
is compensated for by an increased payment
under Clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up); or |
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(B) |
would have been compensated for by an increased
payment under Clause13.2 (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely
because one of the exclusions in paragraph (d) of Clause 13.2 (Tax gross-up)
applied. |
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(c) |
A Protected Party making, or intending to
make a claim under paragraph (a) above shall promptly notify the Facility
Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim,
following which the Facility Agent shall notify the Company. |
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(d) |
A Protected Party shall, on receiving a
payment from an Obligor under this Clause 13.3, notify the Facility Agent. |
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If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the
relevant Finance Party determines that: |
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(a) |
a Tax Credit is attributable to that Tax
Payment; and |
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(b) |
that Finance Party has obtained, utilised
and retained that Tax Credit, |
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the Finance Party shall pay an amount to
the Obligor which that Finance Party reasonably determines will leave
it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have
been in had the Tax Payment not been made by the Obligor. |
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The Company shall pay and, within three
Business Days of demand, indemnify each Finance Party against any cost,
loss or liability that Finance Party incurs in relation to all stamp
duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any
Finance Document. |
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(a) |
All amounts set out, or expressed to be
payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which
(in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for VAT purposes shall
be deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on such supply,
and accordingly, subject to paragraph (c) below, if VAT is chargeable
on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance
Document and such Finance Party responsible for the collection of VAT,
that Party shall pay to the Finance Party (in addition to and at the
same time as paying the consideration) an amount equal to the amount
of the VAT (and such Finance Party shall promptly provide an appropriate
VAT invoice to such Party). |
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(b) |
If VAT is chargeable on any supply made
by any Finance Party (the Supplier) to any other Finance Party
(the Recipient) under a Finance Document, and any Party (the Relevant
Party) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an
amount equal to the consideration for such supply to the Supplier (rather
than being required to reimburse the Recipient in respect of that consideration),
such Party shall also pay to the Supplier (in addition to and at the
same time as paying such amount) an amount equal to the amount of such
VAT. The Recipient will promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount
equal to any credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority which
it reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply. |
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(c) |
Where a Finance Document requires any Party
to reimburse a Finance Party for any costs or expenses, that Party shall
also at the same time pay and indemnify the Finance Party against all
VAT incurred by the Finance Party in respect of the costs or expenses
to the extent that the Finance Party reasonably determines that neither
it nor any other member of any group of which it is a member for VAT
purposes is entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority
in respect of the VAT. |
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(a) |
Except as provided below, each Lender that
is a Qualifying Lender with respect to payments from a U.S. Obligor must,
as soon as practicable after the date it becomes a Party or (if after)
the date the U.S. Obligor becomes a Party, and in any event before the
due date for any payment of interest due under the Finance Documents
from any U.S. Obligor, supply to the Facility Agent and each U.S. Obligor
any U.S. Internal Revenue Service forms that are necessary to enable
that U.S. Obligor to make payments to that Lender under the Finance
Documents without any deduction or withholding in respect of any Tax
in the United States of America. |
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(b) |
A Lender is not obliged to supply any form
under paragraph (a) above if it is unable to do so by reason of any change
after the date of this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration
or application of) any law or regulation or any published practice of
the United States of America. |
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(a) |
Subject to Clause 14.3 (Exceptions) the
Company shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Facility
Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased
Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result
of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation,
administration or application of) any law or regulation or (ii) compliance
with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement. |
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(b) |
In this Agreement Increased Costs means: |
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(i) |
a reduction in the rate of return from the
Facility or on a Finance Party's (or its Affiliate's) overall capital; |
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(ii) |
an additional or increased cost; or |
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(iii) |
a reduction of any amount due and payable
under any Finance Document, |
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which is incurred or suffered by a Finance
Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable
to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or funding or
performing its obligations under any Finance Document. |
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14.2 |
Increased cost claims |
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(a) |
A Finance Party intending to make a claim
pursuant to Clause 14.1 (Increased costs) shall notify the Facility Agent
of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Facility Agent
shall promptly notify the Company. |
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(b) |
Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable
after a demand by the Facility Agent, provide a certificate confirming
the amount and basis of calculation of its Increased Costs with supporting
details. |
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Clause 14.1 (Increased costs) does not apply
to the extent any Increased Cost is: |
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(a) |
attributable to a Tax Deduction required
by law to be made by an Obligor; |
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(b) |
compensated for by Clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity)
(or would have been compensated for under Clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity)
but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in paragraph
(b) of Clause 13.3 (Tax indemnity) applied); |
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(c) |
compensated for by the payment of the Mandatory
Cost; or |
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(d) |
attributable to the wilful breach by the
relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation or
the gross negligence of any of them. |
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(a) |
If any sum due from a Borrower under the
Finance Documents (a Sum), or any order, judgment or award given
or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the First
Currency) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the Second
Currency) for the purpose of: |
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(i) |
making or filing a claim or proof against
the Borrower; |
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(ii) |
obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment
or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings, |
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that Borrower shall as an independent obligation
within three Business Days of demand, indemnify to the extent permitted
by law each Finance Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss
or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including
any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that
Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate
or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt
of that Sum. |
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(b) |
Each Borrower waives any right it may have
in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in
a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed
to be payable. |
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The Company shall (or Holdco shall procure
that an Obligor will), within three Business Days of demand together
with supporting documentation, indemnify each Finance Party against any
reasonable cost, loss or liability incurred by that Finance Party as
a result of: |
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(a) |
the occurrence of any Event of Default; |
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(b) |
a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount
due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation,
any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 29 (Sharing
Among the Finance Parties); |
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(c) |
funding, or making arrangements to fund,
its participation in a Loan requested by a Borrower in a Utilisation
Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of
the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or
negligence by that Finance Party alone); or |
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(d) |
a Loan (or part of a Loan) not being prepaid
in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by a Borrower or the
Company. |
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15.3 |
Indemnity to the Facility Agent |
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The Company shall promptly upon receipt
of a demand together with supporting documentation indemnify the Facility
Agent against any reasonable cost, loss or liability incurred by the
Facility Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of: |
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(a) |
investigating any event which it reasonably
believes is a Default; or |
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(b) |
entering into or performing any foreign
exchange contract for the purposes of paragraph (b) of Clause 6.3 (Change
of currency); or |
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(c) |
acting or relying on any notice, request
or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and
appropriately authorised. |
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16. |
MITIGATION BY THE LENDERS |
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(a) |
Each Finance Party shall, in consultation
with the Company, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances
which arise and which would result in any amount becoming payable under
or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 8.1 (Illegality),
Clause 13 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities), Clause 14 (Increased Costs)
or paragraph 1 of Schedule 4 (Mandatory Cost formulae) including (but
not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance
Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not in any way
limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents. |
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16.2 |
Limitation of liability |
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(a) |
The Company shall indemnify each Finance
Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance
Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 16.1 (Mitigation). |
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(b) |
A Finance Party is not obliged to take any
steps under Clause16.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance
Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it. |
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17.1 |
Transaction expenses |
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The Company shall promptly on demand pay
any of the Administrative Parties the amount of all costs and expenses
(including legal fees up to the cap separately agreed) reasonably incurred
by any of them in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing,
execution and syndication of: |
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(a) |
this Agreement and any other Finance Documents
referred to in this Agreement; and |
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(b) |
any other Finance Documents executed after
the date of this Agreement. |
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If (a) an Obligor requests an amendment,
waiver or consent or (b) an amendment is required pursuant to Clause
30.9 (Change of currency), the Company shall, within three Business Days
of demand together with supporting documentation, reimburse each Administrative
Party for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees)
reasonably incurred by each Administrative Party in responding to, evaluating,
negotiating or complying with that request or requirement. |
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The Company shall, within three Business
Days of demand, pay to each Finance Party the amount of all costs and
expenses (including legal fees) incurred by that Finance Party in connection
with the enforcement of, or the preservation of any rights under, any
Finance Document. |
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Each Guarantor jointly and severally, as caution
solidaire, and irrevocably and unconditionally: |
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(a) |
guarantees to each Finance Party the payment
and repayment by each Obligor of any and all sums of principal, interest,
fees, expenses, costs and ancillary charges which are or may become due
by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents; and |
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(b) |
undertakes with each Finance Party that,
whenever an Obligor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection
with any Finance Document, it must immediately on demand by the Facility
Agent pay that amount as if it were the principal obligor in respect
of such amount. |
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Each Guarantor agrees to make
such payments or repayments to the Facility Agent, on the dates and in
the currencies in which sums are or may become due in accordance with
the provisions of any Finance Document, whether on the contractual date
or earlier in the case of a Default for any reason whatsoever. |
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18.2 |
Continuing guarantee |
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This guarantee is a continuing guarantee
and will extend to the ultimate balance of all sums payable by any Obligor
under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or
discharge in whole or in part. |
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(a) |
If any discharge (whether in respect of
the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations
or otherwise) or arrangement is made in whole or in part on the faith
of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must
be restored on insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise without
limitation, the liability of each Guarantor under this Clause will continue
or be reinstated as if the discharge or arrangement had not occurred. |
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(b) |
Each Finance Party may concede or compromise any claim that any payment, security or other disposition is liable to avoidance or restoration. |
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(a) |
Each Guarantor expressly agrees that its obligations under this Clause will continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any extension of time, renewal, amendment or modification of any of the clauses, terms or conditions of this Agreement, and each Guarantor hereby expressly agrees and waives any rights which it may have to claim that any such event operates as a novation as defined in article 1271 and following of the French Civil Code so as to release that Guarantor from its obligations under this Clause. |
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(b) |
Each Guarantor further expressly waives and renounces any rights which it may have to claim a novation and release under this Agreement because of a change in the legal form or personality any other Obligor in the future or in the case of any merger or other restructuring of any other Obligor with another company even if this leads to the establishment of a new legal entity. |
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(c) |
Each Guarantor agrees that it will continue to be bound by the terms of this Clause notwithstanding any merger or other restructuring of any Guarantor, any Obligor or any Finance Party with another company and notwithstanding any modification in the legal form of personality of any Finance Party and, even where this leads to the creation of a new legal entity or person. |
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(d) |
The benefit of this Clause will extend automatically and as a matter of law to each new bank, assignee or transferee of the rights and obligations of each bank according to the terms of this Agreement. |
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(e) |
Each Guarantor irrevocably and expressly: |
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(i) |
Undertakes not to exercise any rights which it may have against any other Obligor under article 2032 of the French Civil Code; and |
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(ii) |
Undertakes not to exercise any rights which it may have under article 2039 of the French Civil Code to take any action against any other Obligor in the event of any extension of any Availability Period, any Interest Period or any other date for payment of any amount due, owing or payable to any Finance Party under any Finance Document, in each case without the consent of that Guarantor. |
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Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other right or security or claim payment from any person or file any proof or claim in any insolvency, administration, winding-up or liquidation proceedings relative to any other Obligor or any other person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Clause. |
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18.6 |
"bénéfice de discussion" and "bénéfice de division" |
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Each Guarantor hereby expressly renounces and waives any right which it may have under Articles 2021 to 2024 of the French Civil Code (bénéfice de discussion) and under Articles 2026 and 2027 of the French Civil Code (bénéfice de division) with respect to any other principal debtors and/or Obligors. |
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(a) |
all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full; or |
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(b) |
the Facility Agent otherwise directs, |
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no Guarantor will, after a claim has been made or by virtue of any payment or performance by it under this Clause: |
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(i) |
be subrogated to any rights, security or moneys held, received or receivable by any Finance Party (or any agent on its behalf); |
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(ii) |
be entitled to any right of contribution or indemnity in respect of any payment made or moneys received on account of that Guarantor's liability under this Clause; |
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(iii) |
claim, rank, prove or vote as a creditor of any Obligor or its estate in competition with any Finance Party (or any agent on its behalf); or |
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(iv) |
receive, claim or have the benefit of any payment, distribution or security from or on account of any Obligor, or exercise any right of set-off as against any Obligor. |
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Each Guarantor must hold on behalf of (and segregate from its own funds) and must immediately pay or transfer to the Facility Agent for the Finance Parties any payment or distribution or benefit of security received by it contrary to this Clause or in accordance with any directions given by the Facility Agent under this Clause. |
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18.8 |
Release of Guarantors' right of contribution |
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If any Guarantor ceases to be a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents (the Retiring Guarantor) for the purpose of any sale or other disposal of that Guarantor: |
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(a) |
that Guarantor will be released by each other Guarantor from any liability whatsoever to make a contribution to any other Guarantor arising by reason of the performance by any other Guarantor of its obligations under the Finance Documents; and |
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(b) |
each other Guarantor will waive any right it may have by reason of the performance of its obligations under the Finance Documents to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any right of any Finance Party under any Finance Document or of any other security taken under, or in connection with, any Finance Document by any Finance Party where such rights or security are granted in relation to assets of the Retiring Guarantor. |
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This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party. |
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In respect of the obligations of any Guarantor incorporated in France (a French Guarantor) under this Clause 18 (together, the French Obligations) it is understood that: |
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(i) |
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any of the Finance Documents, no French Guarantor shall be held liable in relation to undertakings, covenants or obligations in each case under this Clause 18 relating to companies other than companies controlled by, or controlling, such French Obligor within the meaning of article L.233-3 of the French Code de Commerce; |
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(ii) |
subject to the restrictions contained in paragraph (iv) below, the French Obligations shall be limited to: |
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(A) |
the amount of the Facilities borrowed by any member of the Group and on-lent to the relevant French Guarantor; and |
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(B) |
the amount of the Facilities which is borrowed by any Subsidiary of that French Guarantor, |
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in each case which remains outstanding at the time of enforcement of the guarantee given by the French Obligor under Clause 18.1 (Guarantee) of this Agreement (the French Guarantee) and shall only guarantee the obligation of that member of the Group to repay such amount to the relevant Lenders under this Agreement; |
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(iii) |
the French Obligations shall be limited in an aggregate amount not exceeding 75 per cent. of the net asset value (capitaux propres) of the French Guarantor as reflected in its latest approved financial statements preceding the date of payment by the French Guarantor under the French Guarantee. All terms used in this sub-paragraph (iii) shall have the meaning usually given to them in accordance with French accounting laws and rules consistently applied; and |
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(iv) |
the French Obligations shall not include any obligation which if incurred will constitute the provision of financial assistance as defined by article L.225-216 of the French Code de Commerce for the subscription, or the acquisition of the refinancing of the acquisition of the shares of the French Guarantor. |
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fraudulent transfer law means any applicable United States bankruptcy and State fraudulent transfer and conveyance statute and any related case law; |
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U.S. Guarantor means any Guarantor that is a U.S. Debtor; and |
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terms used in this Subclause are to be construed in accordance with the fraudulent transfer laws. |
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(ii) |
Each U.S. Guarantor acknowledges that: |
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(A) |
it will receive valuable direct or indirect benefits as a result of the transactions financed by the Finance Documents; |
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(B) |
those benefits will constitute reasonably equivalent value and fair consideration for the purpose of any fraudulent transfer law; and |
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(C) |
each Finance Party has acted in good faith in connection with the guarantee given by that U.S. Guarantor and the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents. |
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(iii) |
Each Finance Party agrees that each U.S. Guarantor's liability under this Clause is limited so that no obligation of, or transfer by, any U.S. Guarantor under this Clause is subject to avoidance and turnover under any fraudulent transfer law. |
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(iv) |
Each U.S. Guarantor represents and warrants to each Finance Party that: |
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(A) |
the aggregate amount of its debts (including its obligations under the Finance Documents) is less than the aggregate value (being the lesser of fair valuation and present fair saleable value) of its assets; |
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(B) |
its capital is not unreasonably small to carry on its business as it is being conducted; |
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(C) |
it has not incurred and does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay as they mature; and |
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(D) |
it has not made a transfer or incurred any obligation under any Finance Document with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud any of its present or future creditors. |
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(v) |
Each representation and warranty in this Subclause: |
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(A) |
is made by each U.S. Guarantor on the date of this Agreement; |
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(B) |
is deemed to be repeated by: |
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I. |
each Additional Guarantor on the date that Additional Guarantor becomes a U.S. Guarantor; and |
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II. |
each U.S. Guarantor on the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period; and |
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(C) |
is, when repeated, applied to the circumstances existing at the time of repetition. |
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For a Dutch Guarantor, this guarantee does not apply to any liability to the extent it would result in this guarantee constituting unlawful financial assistance. |
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(d) |
The obligations of any Additional Guarantor are subject to the limitations (if any) set out in the Accession Letter executed by that Additional Guarantor. |
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Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 19 to each Finance Party on the date of this Agreement. |
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(a) |
It is a corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
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(b) |
It and each of its Material Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted. |
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The obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document are, subject to any general principles of law limiting its obligations which are specifically referred to in any legal opinion delivered pursuant to Clause 4 (Conditions of Utilisation) or Clause 25 (Changes to the Obligors), legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations. |
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19.3 |
Non-conflict with other obligations |
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The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents do not and will not conflict with: |
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(a) |
any law or regulation applicable to it; |
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(b) |
its constitutional documents; or |
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(c) |
any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any of its assets. |
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It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents. |
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19.5 |
Validity and admissibility in evidence |
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All Authorisations required or desirable: |
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(a) |
to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and |
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(b) |
to make the Finance Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its jurisdiction of incorporation save as set out in the relevant legal opinions, translations into French and payment of timbres de dimension, |
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have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect. |
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19.6 |
Governing law and enforcement |
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(a) |
The choice of French law as the governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
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(b) |
Any judgment obtained in France in relation to a Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its jurisdiction of incorporation. |
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It is not required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under any Finance Document. |
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19.8 |
No filing or stamp taxes |
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Under the law of its jurisdiction of incorporation it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents. |
(a) |
No Event of Default is continuing or might reasonably be expected to result from the making of any Utilisation. |
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(b) |
No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes a default under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any of its Subsidiaries or to which its (or its Subsidiaries') assets are subject which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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19.10 |
No misleading information |
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(a) |
Any factual information provided by any member of the Group for the purposes of the Information Memorandum was true and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided or as at the date (if any) at which it is stated. |
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(b) |
The detailed financial projections contained in the Information Memorandum have been prepared on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of reasonable assumptions. |
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(c) |
Nothing has occurred or been omitted from the Information Memorandum and no information has been given or withheld that results in the factual information contained in the Information Memorandum being untrue or misleading in any material respect. |
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19.11 |
Financial statements |
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(a) |
In the case of Holdco, its Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with French GAAP or IFRS (reconciled to US GAAP) consistently applied. |
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(b) |
In the case of each Original Obligor other than Holdco, its Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and practice in its jurisdiction. |
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(c) |
Its Original Financial Statements fairly represent its financial condition and operations during the relevant Financial Year. |
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Its payment obligations under the Finance Documents rank at least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally. |
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19.13 |
No proceedings pending or threatened |
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No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings of or before any court, arbitral body or agency which is reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect have (to the best of its knowledge and belief) been started or threatened against it or any of its Subsidiaries. |
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(a) |
It has obtained all Environmental Approvals required for the carrying on of its business as currently conducted and has at all times complied with: |
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(i) |
the terms and conditions of such Environmental Approvals; and |
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(ii) |
all other applicable Environmental Laws, |
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where, in each case, if not obtained or complied with the failure or its consequences would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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(b) |
There is no Environmental Claim pending or formally threatened and there are no past or present acts, omissions, events or circumstances that would form, or are reasonably likely to form, the basis of any Environmental Claim (including any arising out of the generation, storage, transport, disposal or release of any dangerous substance) against any member of the Group which would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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19.15 |
Material Adverse Effect |
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There has been no event or matter which would have a Material Adverse Effect since 31 December 2003. |
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Anti-Terrorism Law means each of: |
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(a) |
Executive Order No. 13224 of September 23, 2001 – Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism (the Executive Order); |
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(b) |
the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56 (commonly known as the USA Patriot Act); |
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(c) |
the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-570; and |
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(d) |
any similar law enacted in the United States of America subsequent to the date of this Agreement. |
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holding company has the meaning given to it in the United States Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. |
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investment company has the meaning given to it in the United States Investment Company Act of 1940. |
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public utility has the meaning given to it in the United States Federal Power Act of 1920. |
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Restricted Party means any person listed: |
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(a) |
in the Annex to the Executive Order; |
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(b) |
on the "Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons" list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury; or |
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(c) |
in any successor list to either of the foregoing. |
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(b) |
If it is a U.S. Obligor, it is not: |
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(i) |
a holding company or subject to regulation under the United States Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935; |
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(ii) |
a public utility or subject to regulation under the United States Federal Power Act of 1920; |
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(iii) |
required to be registered as an investment company or subject to regulation under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940; or |
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(c) |
It is not subject to regulation under any United States Federal or State law or regulation that limits its ability to incur or guarantee indebtedness. |
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(d) |
To the best of its knowledge, neither it nor any of its Affiliates: |
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(i) |
is, or is controlled by, a Restricted Party; |
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(ii) |
has received funds or other property from a Restricted Party; or |
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(iii) |
is in breach of or is the subject of any action or investigation under any Anti-Terrorism Law. |
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(e) |
It and to its knowledge, each of its Affiliates have taken reasonable measures to ensure compliance with the Anti-Terrorism Laws. |
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(a) |
Each Dutch Borrower is in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Dutch Banking Act. |
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(b) |
Each Original Lender represents that it is a Professional Market Party at the date of this Agreement. |
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The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by each Borrower by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing on: |
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(a) |
the date of each Utilisation Request and the first day of each Interest Period; |
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(b) |
in the case of an Additional Borrower, the day on which the company becomes (or it is proposed that the company becomes) an Additional Borrower; and |
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(c) |
the representation and warranty set out in Clause 19.10 (No misleading information) shall only be made on the date of the Information Memorandum. |
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20. |
INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS |
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The undertakings in this Clause 20 remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
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20.1 |
Financial statements |
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Subject to Clause 21.1 (Covenants Ratio), Holdco shall supply to the Facility Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders: |
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(a) |
as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 180 days after the end of each of its Financial Years, the audited consolidated financial statements of the Group for that Financial Year. |
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(b) |
as soon as the same become available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each Accounting Quarter, the quarterly consolidated financial statements of the Group as at the end of that Accounting Quarter in respect of the period beginning with the first day of the Financial Year in which the Accounting Quarter falls and ending on the last day of the relevant Accounting Quarter. |
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20.2 |
Compliance Certificate |
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(a) |
The Company shall supply to the Facility Agent, with each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of Clause 20.1 (Financial statements), a Compliance Certificate setting out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 21 (Financial Covenants) as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up. |
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(b) |
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by the auditors and the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Holdco, if required to be delivered with the financial statements delivered pursuant to paragraph (a) of Clause 20.1 (Financial statements). |
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(c) |
Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of Holdco, if required to be delivered with the financial statements delivered pursuant to paragraph (b) of Clause 20.1 (Financial statements). |
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20.3 |
Requirements as to financial statements |
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Holdco shall procure that each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 20.1 (Financial statements) is prepared using French GAAP or IFRS, but reconciled to US GAAP. |
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20.4 |
Information: miscellaneous |
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The Companies shall supply to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Facility Agent so requests): |
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(a) |
following listing on a recognized stock exchange all documents dispatched by the Companies to their shareholders generally or their creditors generally at the same time as they are dispatched; |
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(b) |
promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any member of the Group, and which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and |
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(c) |
promptly, such further information regarding the financial condition, business and operations of any member of the Group as any Finance Party (through the Facility Agent) may reasonably request except to the extent that the disclosure of the information would breach any law, regulation, stock exchange requirement or duty of confidentiality. |
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20.5 |
Notification of default |
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(a) |
Each Obligor shall notify the Facility Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor). |
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(b) |
Promptly upon a request by the Facility Agent, the Company shall supply to the Facility Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it). |
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(a) |
The Company may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the Website Lenders) who accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Company and the Facility Agent (the Designated Website) if: |
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(i) |
the Facility Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method; |
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(ii) |
both the Company and the Facility Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and |
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(iii) |
the information is in a format previously agreed between the Company and the Facility Agent. |
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If any Lender (a Paper Form Lender) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Facility Agent shall notify the Company accordingly and the Company shall supply the information to the Facility Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form. In any event the Company shall supply the Facility Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall supply each Website Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Company and the Facility Agent. |
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(c) |
The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Facility Agent if: |
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(i) |
the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure; |
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(ii) |
the password specifications for the Designated Website change; |
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(iii) |
any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website; |
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(iv) |
any existing information which has been
provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website
is amended; or |
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(v) |
the Company becomes aware that the Designated
Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has
been infected by any electronic virus or similar software. |
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If the Company notifies the Facility Agent
under paragraph (c)(i) or paragraph (c)(v) above, all information to
be provided by the Company under this Agreement after the date of that
notice shall be supplied in paper form. |
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(d) |
Any Website Lender may request, through
the Facility Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be
provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website.
The Company shall comply with any such request within ten Business Days. |
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20.7 |
"Know your customer" checks |
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(i) |
the introduction of or any change in (or
in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation
made after the date of this Agreement; |
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(ii) |
any change in the status of an Obligor after
the date of this Agreement; or |
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(iii) |
a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender
of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to a party
that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer, |
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obliges the Facility Agent or any Lender
(or, in the case of paragraph (iii) above, any prospective new Lender)
to comply with "know your customer" or similar identification
procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already
available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the
Facility Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation
and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Facility Agent (for
itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the
case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, on behalf of any
prospective new Lender) in order for the Facility Agent, such Lender
or, in the case of the event described in paragraph (iii) above, any
prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied
with all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks
under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions
contemplated in the Finance Documents. |
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(b) |
Each Lender shall promptly upon the request
of the Facility Agent or the Security Agent supply, or procure the supply
of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested
by that Administrative Party (for itself) in order for that Administrative
Party to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary "know
your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws
and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance
Documents. |
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(c) |
The Company shall, by not less than 10 Business
Days' prior written notice to the Facility Agent, notify the Facility
Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of its intention to request
that one of its Subsidiaries becomes an Additional Obligor pursuant to
Clause 25 (Changes to the Obligors). |
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(d) |
Following the giving of any notice pursuant
to paragraph (c) above, if the accession of such Additional Obligor obliges
the Facility Agent or any Lender to comply with "know your customer" or
similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary
information is not already available to it, the Company shall promptly
upon the request of the Facility Agent or any Lender supply, or procure
the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably
requested by the Facility Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender)
or any Lender (for itself or on behalf of any prospective new Lender)
in order for the Facility Agent or such Lender or any prospective new
Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results
of all necessary "know your customer" or other similar checks
under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the accession of
such Subsidiary to this Agreement as an Additional Obligor. |
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The following ratios, which will be calculated
according to US GAAP, will be tested quarterly prior to any listing and
annually thereafter if Holdco does not prepare quarterly financial statements: |
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(a) |
the ratio of Consolidated Maintainable EBITDA
to Consolidated Net Interest on a rolling 12 months basis for each Testing
Date shall not be less than 2.5:1; and |
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(b) |
the ratio of Consolidated Net Debt to Consolidated
Maintainable EBITDA, on a rolling 12 months basis, for each period for
which the end or the beginning is specified in column (1), falls within
the range described below in column (2). |
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Period |
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Ratio |
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(1) |
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(2) |
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Period ending 31 December 2004 |
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Less than or equal to 4.00 :
1 |
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From 1 January 2005 to 31 December
2005 |
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Less than or equal to 4.00 :1 |
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From 1 January 2006 |
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Less than or equal to 3.40 :
1 |
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In the event that the rating assigned to
Holdco by Standard & Poors is BBB+ or higher, or by Xxxxx'x Investors
Services, Inc. is Baa1 or higher, the covenant set out in (b) above only
shall apply. However if such rating falls below BBB+ or Baa 1, then both
covenants described at (a) and (b) above shall again be applied. |
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21.2 |
Financial definitions |
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Cash means cash at bank credited
to an account in the name of a Group Company with an Eligible Lender
and to which that Group Company is beneficially entitled. |
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Cash Equivalents means marketable
securities with a maturity of three months or less and with a short term
debt rating of at least A1 + granted by Standard & Poor's Corporation
or P1 granted by Xxxxx'x Investors Services, Inc. to which a Group Company
is beneficially entitled, and which can be promptly realised by that
Group Company. |
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Consolidated Maintainable EBITDA means
Consolidated EBITDA after adding back any one time restructuring expense
and any loss on asset disposal, and deducting any gain on asset disposal. |
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Consolidated Net Debt means,
at any time, the aggregate outstanding principal or capital amount of
all Financial Indebtedness of the Group calculated on a consolidated
basis (excluding the principal (and where applicable capitalised) amount
of all preferred equity certificates issued by, and all subordinated
shareholder debt incurred by, Holdco)less Cash and Cash Equivalents owned
by Group Companies which can be applied to discharge the obligations
of Group Companies in relation to debt service without unreasonable Tax
or other costs and without breaching any law or exchange control regulation,
except that: |
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(a) |
in the case of any finance lease only the
capitalised value of that finance lease shall be included; and |
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(b) |
in the case of any guarantee referred to
in the definition of Financial Indebtedness in Clause 1, the amount of
that guarantee shall not be included, to the extent it relates to indebtedness
of another Group Company already included in the calculation of Consolidated
Net Debt. |
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Consolidated EBITDA for
any Testing Period means the consolidated operating profit (EBIT) of
the Group, calculated according to US GAAP, for such period before
deducting any depreciation or amortisation. |
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Consolidated Net Interest means
Interest Payable less Interest Receivable during the relevant Testing
Period. |
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Eligible Lender means any bank or
financial institution with a short term rating of at least A1 granted
by Standard & Poor's Corporation or P1 granted by Xxxxx'x Investors
Services, Inc.. |
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Interest means interest and amounts
in the nature of interest paid or payable in relation to Financial Indebtedness
including: |
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(a) the
interest element of finance leases; |
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(b) |
discount and acceptance fees
payable (or deducted) in relation to any Financial Indebtedness; |
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(c) |
fees payable in connection
with the issue or maintenance of any bond, letter of credit, guarantee
or other assurance against financial loss which constitutes Financial
Indebtedness and is issued by a third party on behalf of a Group Company; |
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(d) |
repayment and prepayment premiums
payable or incurred in repaying or prepaying any Financial Indebtedness;
and |
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(e) |
commitment, utilisation and
non-utilisation fees payable or incurred in relation to Financial Indebtedness. |
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Interest Payable means the total
of: |
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(a) |
Interest accrued (whether
or not paid or compounded and accordingly added to principal) during
the relevant Testing Period; and |
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(b) |
the amount of the discount
element of Total Net Debt less any Financial Indebtedness during that
Testing Period; |
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as an obligation of any Group Company during that period and adjusted
for interest amounts payable and receivable under Derivative Instruments
but excluding interest accruing on the Subordinated Shareholder PIK Bonds
to the extent not paid in cash but capitalised. |
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Interest Receivable means the amount
of Interest accrued due to Group companies (other than by other Group
Companies) during the relevant Testing Period which can be applied to
discharge the obligations of Group Companies in relation to debt service
without restriction, without unreasonable Tax or other costs and without
breaching any law or exchange control regulation. |
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Testing Date means (i) the last day
of each Accounting Quarter; or (ii) if, following a listing, no Quarterly
Accounts are prepared in respect of the Group, the last day of each financial
year of Holdco. |
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Testing Period means each period
which corresponds to the annual accounting reference period of Holdco
or four consecutive Accounting Quarters, as applicable, and ending on
or about a Testing Date. |
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21.3 |
Calculation Adjustments |
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If the Group acquires a company or companies,
until the first Testing Date which falls more than 12 months after the
relevant company or companies became Subsidiaries of Xxxxxxx S.A.S.,
the results of such company or companies will be deemed included with
those of the rest of the Group for the full duration of the relevant
Testing Period as if such company or companies had become a Group company
at the commencement of the Testing Period. Any necessary aggregation
of their results will be confirmed by the Chief Executive Officer or
the Chief Financial Officer of Holdco and will not include any synergy
benefits expected to be achieved as a result of the acquisition of such
company or companies. |
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The undertakings in this Clause 22 remain
in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is
outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force. |
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Each Obligor shall promptly: |
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(a) |
obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary
to maintain in full force and effect; and |
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(b) |
supply certified copies to the Facility
Agent of, |
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any Authorisation required under any law
or regulation of its jurisdiction of incorporation to enable it to perform
its obligations under the Finance Documents and to ensure the legality,
validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence in its jurisdiction
of incorporation of any Finance Document. |
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22.2 |
Compliance with laws |
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Each Obligor shall comply in all respects
with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply would
materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under the Finance
Documents. |
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(a) |
No Obligor shall (and Holdco shall ensure
that no other member of the Group will) create or permit to subsist any
Security over any of its assets. |
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(b) |
No Obligor shall (and Holdco shall ensure
that no other member of the Group will): |
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(i) |
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired
by an Obligor or any other member of the Group, provided that Group Companies
may sell transfer or otherwise dispose of any of their assets on any
such terms for an aggregate amount which does not exceed EUR20,000,000
in any Financial Year; |
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(ii) |
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of its receivables on recourse terms where the amount of these sales,
transfers or disposals, when aggregated with the sales, transfers and
disposals made by other Group Companies does not exceed EUR40,000,000
for the Group taken as a whole at any time; |
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(iii) |
enter into any arrangement under which money
or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or
made subject to a combination of accounts; or |
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(iv) |
enter into any other preferential arrangement
having a similar effect, |
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in circumstances where the arrangement or
transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial
Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset. |
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(c) |
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply
to: |
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(i) |
any netting or set-off arrangement entered
into by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of its banking
arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances; |
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(ii) |
any lien arising by operation of law or
any lien or retention of title arrangement arising by agreement to substantially
the same effect and in the ordinary course of trading and not as a result
of any default or omission by any member of the Group; |
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(iii) |
any Security over or affecting any asset
acquired by a member of the Group after the date of this Agreement if: |
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(A) |
the Security was not created in contemplation
of the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group; and |
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(B) |
the principal amount secured has not been
increased in contemplation of, or since the acquisition of that asset
by a member of the Group. |
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(iv) |
any Security over or affecting any asset
of any company which becomes a member of the Group after the date of
this Agreement, where the Security is created prior to the date on which
that company becomes a member of the Group, if: |
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(A) |
the Security was not created in contemplation
of the acquisition of that company; and |
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(B) |
the principal amount secured has not increased
in contemplation of or since the acquisition of that company. |
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(v) |
any Security entered into pursuant to any
Finance Document; |
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(vi) |
any Security securing indebtedness the principal
amount of which (when aggregated with the principal amount of any other
indebtedness which has the benefit of Security given by any member of
the Group other than any permitted under paragraphs (i) to (v) above)
does not exceed EUR 30,000,000 (or its equivalent in another currency
or currencies); |
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(vii) |
any set-off rights on market standard terms
contained in any Hedging Agreement and any other hedging arrangements
permitted under the terms of this Agreement; |
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(viii) |
any Security over goods and documents of
title to goods arising in the ordinary course of documentary credit transactions
entered into by a Group Company in the ordinary course of trading; |
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(ix) |
any collateral provided in connection with
the Derivative Instruments relating to the TSDIs and the Long Term Notes
and other hedging agreements in the ordinary course of business; |
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(x) |
any Security imposed by the taxing authorities
of any applicable jurisdiction in respect of taxes, assessments or levies
which are being contested in good faith and in respect of which adequate
provision has been made in the books of the relevant Group Company; |
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(xi) |
any Security granted in respect to Financial
Indebtedness permitted by Clause 22.9(b)(iv) and (vii); |
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(xii) |
any Security granted pursuant to the High
Yield Notes Funding Bond Assignment Agreement; or |
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(xiii) |
any Security granted over bank accounts
pursuant to the ordinary course of business of the relevant banks. |
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(a) |
No Obligor shall and Holdco shall ensure
that no Material Subsidiaries will enter into a single transaction or
a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary
or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares
or business of a Material Subsidiary. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to any
sale, lease, transfer or other disposal: |
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(i) |
where the proceeds of such disposal are
applied to the prepayment of any Facility in accordance with Clause 8.5
(Voluntary prepayment of Facility A Loans) and/or 8.6 (Voluntary Prepayment
of Facility B Loans); or |
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(ii) |
expressly permitted under Clause 22.5 (Merger);
or |
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(iii) |
of the Company's shares in favour of the Finance Parties which is deemed to occur as a result of the creation of the Security under the Security Document. |
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(a) |
No Obligor shall enter into any amalgamation,
merger or corporate reconstruction. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to (i)
merger of Xxxxxxx S.A.S. with either the Company or Holdco, or all of
them into one company, provided that the Finance Parties shall receive
from counsel to Holdco, reasonably acceptable to the Majority Lenders,
separate legal advice that any such merger does not raise any legal or
Tax issue which would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the
interests of any Finance Party and the provisions in relation to subordination
provided under the Intercreditor Deed will be maintained after any such
merger or any merger made with the consent of the Majority Lenders and
(ii) a merger between an Obligor and any of its Subsidiaries not being
an Obligor where that Obligor is the surviving or absorbing entity or
otherwise with the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders. |
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Holdco shall procure that no substantial
change is made to the general nature of the business of the Company or
the Group from that carried on at the date of this Agreement. |
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(a) |
No Obligor shall (and Holdco shall ensure
that no other member of the Group will) enter into any joint venture,
partnership or similar arrangement with any person other than investments
in joint ventures not exceeding EUR 150,000,000 (or its equivalent
in other currencies) in aggregate outstanding at any one time. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to joint
ventures in which any member of the Group owns more than 50 per cent.
of its share capital and voting rights on a fully diluted basis. |
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(a) |
Xxxxxxx S.A.S. will execute and deliver
to the Security Agent the Security Document at or before the initial
Utilisation. |
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(b) |
The Company and Xxxxxxx S.A.S. shall, each
at its own expense, execute and do all such assurances, acts and things
as the Security Agent may reasonably require: |
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(i) |
for registering the Security Document in
any required register and for perfecting or protecting the security intended
to be afforded by the Security Document; and |
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(ii) |
if the Security Document has become enforceable,
for facilitating the realisation of all or any part of the assets which
are subject to the Security Document and the exercise of all powers,
authorities and discretions vested in the Security Agent or in any receiver
of all or any part of those assets. |
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22.9 |
Financial Indebtedness |
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(a) |
Except as provided in paragraph (b) below,
no member of the Group may incur or permit to be outstanding any Financial
Indebtedness or enter into any off-balance sheet financing arrangement. |
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(b) |
Paragraph (a) above does not apply to: |
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(i) |
Financial Indebtedness incurred under the
Finance Documents; |
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(ii) |
any Financial Indebtedness expressly permitted
in writing by the Majority Lenders; |
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(iii) |
any Financial Indebtedness of any member
or members of the Group not otherwise permitted by this paragraph (b)
the Base Currency Amount of which (when taken together with the amount
of any other Financial Indebtedness which has the benefit of a Security
permitted under Clause 22.3(c)(iv) (Negative pledge)) does not exceed
EUR 300,000,000 at any time; |
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(iv) |
finance leases or other agreements in connection
with the acquisition of equipment and other items required for the business
of the relevant Group Company where the aggregate capital element of
all future rentals under all those finance leases and agreements (determined
in accordance with the Approved Accounting Principles), when aggregated
with Financial Indebtedness permitted under Clause 22.9(b)(ix), does
not exceed EUR 100,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) outstanding
at any time; |
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(v) |
amounts due under the TSDI Instruments in
existence at the date of this Agreement and related Derivative Instruments; |
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(vi) |
amounts due under the Long Term Notes and
related Derivative Instruments in existence at the date of this Agreement; |
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(vii) |
amounts due under the High Yield Notes Debt
and the Subordinated Shareholder PIK Bonds; |
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(viii) |
amounts due under any hedging arrangement
entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative
purposes; or |
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(ix) |
Financial Indebtedness not referred to in
Clauses 22.9(b)(i) to (iii) and (v) to (viii) (inclusive) in an aggregate
amount which, when aggregated with Financial Indebtedness permitted under
Clause 22.9(b)(iv), does not exceed EUR 100,000,000 outstanding at any
time. |
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ERISA means the United States Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. |
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ERISA Affiliate means any person
treated as a single employer with any Obligor for the purpose of section
414 (b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code. |
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Margin Regulations means Regulations
U and X issued by the Board of Governors of the United States Federal
Reserve System. |
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Margin Stock has the meaning given
to it in the Margin Regulations. |
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Plan means an employee pension benefit
plan as defined in section 3(2) of ERISA including a Multiemployer Plan: |
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(a) |
maintained by any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate;
or |
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(b) |
to which any Obligor or any ERISA Affiliate
is required to make any payment or contribution. |
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(a) |
an event specified as such in section 4043
of ERISA or any regulation promulgated thereunder, other than an event
in relation to which the requirement to give notice of that event is
waived by any regulation, provided, however, that termination of a plan
with liabilities not in excess of USD40,000,000 will not be a reportable
event; or |
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(b) |
a failure to meet the minimum funding standard
under section 412 of the Code or section 302 of ERISA, whether or not
there has been any waiver of notice or waiver of the minimum funding
standard under section 412 (d) of the Code. |
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(i) |
extend credit for the purpose, directly
or indirectly, of buying or carrying Margin Stock if such extension of
Credit would result in a violation of the Margin Regulations; or |
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(ii) |
use any Loan, directly or indirectly, to
buy or carry Margin Stock if such use of the Loan would result in a violation
of the Margin Regulations or for any other purpose in violation of the
Margin Regulations. |
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(c) |
Each Obligor shall promptly upon becoming
aware of it notify the Facility Agent of: |
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(i) |
any Reportable Event; |
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(ii) |
the termination of or withdrawal from, or
any circumstances reasonably likely to result in the termination of or
withdrawal from, any Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA provided however
that the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan with liabilities not
in excess of USD40,000,000 will not require notice to the Facility Agent;
and |
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(iii) |
a claim or other communication alleging
material non-compliance with any law or regulation relating to any Plan. |
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(d) |
Each Obligor and its ERISA Affiliates must
be, and remain, in compliance in all material respects with all laws
and regulations relating to each of its Plans, where failure to do so
is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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(a) |
Subject as set out in paragraph (b) below,
Holdco shall and shall ensure that any Group Company will maintain the
contractual seniority of the obligations of any Group Company under any
Finance Document towards debts subordinated under the terms of the Intercreditor
Deed. |
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(b) |
The prepayment of the High Yield Notes Debt
or the Subordinated Shareholder PIK Bonds is subject to the prior written
consent of the Majority Lenders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the consent
of the Majority Lenders to the repayment of the High Yield Notes Debt
or the Subordinated Shareholder PIK Bonds will not be required where
that repayment is made from the proceeds of either (i) the listing of
Holdco on a recognized Stock Exchange or (ii) an increase in the share
capital of Holdco. |
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Each of the events or circumstances set
out in Clause 23 is an Event of Default. |
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The Obligor does not pay on the due date
any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document (except an amount the
non-payment of which requires the Borrower to make a prepayment under
Clause 8.8) at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed
to be payable unless: |
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(a) |
its failure to pay is caused by administrative
or technical error; and |
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(b) |
payment is made within three Business Days
of its due date. |
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Any requirement of Clause 21 (Financial
Covenants) is not satisfied. |
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(a) |
An Obligor does not comply with any provision
of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 23.1
(Non-payment); |
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(b) |
No Event of Default under paragraph (a)
above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is
remedied within a period of 15 Business Days from the earlier of the
date on which : |
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(i) |
the Agent gives notice to the Company; or |
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(ii) |
the Company becomes aware of the failure
to comply. |
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(a) |
Any representation or statement made or
deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other
document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection
with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading
in any material respect when made or deemed to be made. |
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(b) |
No Event of Default under paragraph (a)
above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is
remedied with a period of 15 Business Days from the earlier date on which |
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(i) |
The Facility Agent gives notice to the Company
or |
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(ii) |
The Company becomes aware of the failure
to comply. |
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(a) |
Any Financial Indebtedness of any member
of the Group is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable
grace period. |
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(b) |
Any Financial Indebtedness of any member
of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior
to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however
described). |
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(c) |
Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness
of any member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of
any member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described). |
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(d) |
Any creditor of any member of the Group
becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of any member
of the Group due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result
of an event of default (however described). |
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(e) |
No Event of Default will occur under this
Clause 23.5 if the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment
for Financial Indebtedness falling within paragraphs (a) to (d) above
is less than EUR 30,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency
or currencies). |
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(a) |
Any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary is
unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, suspends
making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated
financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its
creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness. |
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(b) |
Any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary which
conducts business in France is in a state of cessation des paiements,
or any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary becomes insolvent for the purpose
of any insolvency law. |
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(c) |
A moratorium is declared in respect of any
indebtedness of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary. |
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23.7 |
Insolvency proceedings |
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(a) |
Any corporate action, legal proceedings
or other procedure or step is taken in relation to: |
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(i) |
the suspension of payments, a moratorium
of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation
(by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise)
of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary; |
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(ii) |
a composition, assignment or arrangement
with any creditor of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary; |
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(iii) |
the appointment of a liquidator any Obligor
or any Material Subsidiary, receiver, administrator, administrative receiver,
compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of any Obligor
or any Material Subsidiary or any of its assets; |
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(iv) |
enforcement of any Security over any assets
of any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary; |
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(b) |
any analogous procedure or step is taken
in any jurisdiction; |
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(c) |
any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary commences
proceedings for règlement amiable in accordance with articles
L.611-3 to L.611-6 of the French Code de Commerce; or |
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(d) |
a judgement for redressement judiciaire, cession
totale de l'entreprise or liquidation judiciaire is entered
in relation any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary under articles L.620-1
to L.628-3 of the French Code de Commerce. |
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Any of the enforcement proceedings provided
for in French law no.91-650 of 9 July 1991, or any expropriation, attachment,
sequestration, distress or execution affects any asset or assets of any
Obligor or any Material Subsidiary. |
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23.9 |
United States Bankruptcy Laws |
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U.S. Bankruptcy Law means the United
States Bankruptcy Code 1978 or any other United States Federal or State
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law. |
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(b) |
Any of the following occurs in respect of
a U.S. Debtor: |
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(i) |
it makes a general assignment for the benefit
of creditors; |
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(ii) |
it commences a voluntary case or proceeding
under any U.S. Bankruptcy Law; or |
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(iii) |
an involuntary case under any U.S. Bankruptcy
Law is commenced against it and is not controverted within 30 days or
is not dismissed or stayed within 90 days after commencement of the case. |
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23.10 |
Analogous proceedings |
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There occurs, in relation to any Obligor
or any Material Subsidiary, in any jurisdiction to which it or any of
its assets are subject, any event which, in the reasonable opinion of
the Majority Lenders, appears to correspond with any of those mentioned
in Clauses 23.6 (Insolvency) to 23.8 (Creditors' process) (inclusive). |
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23.11 |
Ownership of the Obligors |
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An Obligor (other than Holdco, Xxxxxxx S.A.S.
or the Company) is not or ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company. |
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Except as provided in Clause 8.8, it is
or becomes unlawful for an Obligor to perform any of its obligations
under the Finance Documents. |
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23.13 |
Cessation of business |
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Any Obligor or any Material Subsidiary suspends,
ceases, or threatens to suspend or cease, to carry on all or a substantial
part of its business or to change the nature of its business from that
undertaken at the date of this Agreement except as a result of any disposal
allowed under this Agreement. |
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23.14 |
Material adverse effect |
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Any event or series of events (whether related
or not) occurs which, in the opinion of the Majority Lenders (acting
reasonably), has a Material Adverse Effect. |
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Any litigation, arbitration, administrative,
regulatory or other proceedings are current in respect of a member of
the Group which are reasonably likely to be adversely determined and,
if so determined would have a Material Adverse Effect. |
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(a) |
Any of the Finance Documents ceases to be
in full force and effect in any material respect or shall cease to constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligation of any Obligor party to it or
it becomes unlawful for any Obligor to perform any of its material obligations
under any Finance Document. |
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(b) |
Any Obligor repudiates, or does any act
or thing evidencing any intention to repudiate, any Finance Document. |
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(c) |
The guarantee of any of the Guarantors under
Clause 18 (Guarantee) is or is alleged by an Obligor to be ineffective
for any reason. |
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(d) |
The Security Document does not create the
Security it purports to create. |
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On and at any time after the occurrence
of an Event of Default the Facility Agent may without mise en demeure or
any other judicial or extra judicial step, and shall if so directed by
the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Company but subject to the mandatory
provisions of articles L.620-1 to L.628-3 of the French Code de Commerce: |
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(a) |
(in respect of the Facilities until the
end of the Certain Funds Period, in the case of a Major Default only)
cancel the Total Commitments whereupon they shall immediately be cancelled; |
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(b) |
declare that all or part of the Loans, together
with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under
the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, whereupon they
shall become immediately due and payable; and/or |
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(c) |
if an Event of Default described in Subclause
23.9 (United States Bankruptcy Laws) occurs, the Total Commitments will,
if not already cancelled under this Agreement, be immediately and automatically
cancelled and all amounts outstanding under the Finance Documents will
be immediately and automatically due and payable. |
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24. |
CHANGES TO THE LENDERS |
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24.1 |
Assignments and transfers by the Lenders |
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(a) |
Subject to this Clause 24, a Lender (the Existing
Lender) may: |
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(i) |
assign any of its rights; or |
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(ii) |
transfer any of its rights (including such
as relate to that Lender's participation in each Loan) and obligations, |
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to another bank or financial institution
(the New Lender). |
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(b) |
The consent of the Finance Parties is hereby
given to a transfer by an Existing Lender to a New Lender. |
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24.2 |
Conditions of assignment or transfer |
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(a) |
The consent of the Company is required for
an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender unless an Event of Default
described in Clause 23 (Events of Default) is outstanding, provided that: |
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(i) |
in the case of an assignment, no consent
is required if the assignment is to another Lender or an Affiliate of
a Lender, and |
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(ii) |
the Company hereby consents to a transfer
to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender. |
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(b) |
The consent of the Company to an assignment
or transfer must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed. The Company
will be deemed to have given its consent seven Business Days after the
Existing Lender has requested that consent unless the existing Lender
has received notice that the Company's consent is refused. |
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(c) |
The consent of the Company to an assignment
or transfer must not be withheld solely because the assignment or transfer
may result in an increase to the Mandatory Cost. |
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(d) |
An assignment will only be effective as
among the Finance Parties on: |
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(i) |
receipt by the Facility Agent of written
confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory
to the Facility Agent) that the New Lender has become entitled to the
same rights and will assume the same obligations to the other Finance
Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender; and |
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(ii) |
performance by the Facility Agent of all "know
your customer" or other checks relating to any person that it is
required to carry out in relation to such assignment to a New Lender,
the completion of which the Facility Agent shall promptly notify to the
Existing Lender and the New Lender. |
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(e) |
A transfer will only be effective if the
procedure set out in Clause 24.5 (Procedure for transfer) is complied
with. |
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(i) |
a Lender assigns or transfers any of its
rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility
Office; and |
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(ii) |
as a result of circumstances existing at
the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, an Obligor would
be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through
its new Facility Office under Clause 13 (Tax Gross Up and Indemnities)
or Clause 14 (Increased Costs), |
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then the New Lender or Lender acting through
its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those
Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through
its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer
or change had not occurred. |
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(g) |
Without prejudice to (a) above, if on the
date of an assignment or transfer, it is a requirement of Dutch law that
each Lender to a Dutch Borrower must be a Professional Market Party: |
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(i) |
unless the New Lender to a Dutch Borrower
is a Professional Market Party, the consent of the Company is required
for any assignment or transfer to that New Lender; |
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(ii) |
the Company's consent must not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed; |
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(iii) |
the Company will be deemed to have given
its consent seven Business Days after the Company is given notice of
the request unless it is expressly refused by the Company within that
time because either: |
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(A) |
the proposed New Lender is not a Professional
Market Party; or |
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(B) |
the Company has reasonably demonstrated
that it is in good faith unable to determine whether the proposed New
Lender is a Professional Market Party; |
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(iv) |
the New Lender and each Dutch Borrower must
comply with paragraph (vi) below; |
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(v) |
no assignment or transfer will be effective
unless both the New Lender and each Dutch Borrower have complied with
the requirements of this Subclause; |
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(vi) |
on the date the assignment or transfer becomes
effective: |
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(A) |
the New Lender must make the representation
set out in paragraph 8 of the Transfer Certificate; |
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(B) |
each Dutch Borrower represents that it is
in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Dutch Banking Act. |
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24.3 |
Assignment or transfer fee |
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The New Lender shall, on the date upon which
an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Facility Agent (for
its own account) a fee of EUR 1,500 including VAT (if any). |
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24.4 |
Limitation of responsibility of Existing
Lenders |
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(a) |
Unless expressly agreed to the contrary,
an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility to a New Lender for: |
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(i) |
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy
or enforceability of the Finance Documents or any other documents; |
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(ii) |
the financial condition of any Obligor; |
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(iii) |
the performance and observance by any Obligor
of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents;
or |
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(iv) |
the accuracy of any statements (whether
written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or
any other document, |
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and any representations or warranties implied
by law are excluded. |
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(b) |
Each New Lender confirms to the Existing
Lender and the other Finance Parties that it: |
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(i) |
has made (and shall continue to make) its
own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition
and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with
its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on
any information provided to it by the Existing Lender in connection with
any Finance Document; and |
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(ii) |
will continue to make its own independent
appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities
whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents
or any Commitment is in force. |
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(c) |
Nothing in any Finance Document obliges
an Existing Lender to: |
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(i) |
accept a re-transfer from a New Lender of
any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this
Clause 24; or |
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(ii) |
support any losses directly or indirectly
incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor
of its obligations under the Finance Documents or otherwise. |
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24.5 |
Procedure for transfer |
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(a) |
Subject to the conditions set out in Clause
24.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) a transfer is effected in
accordance with paragraph (c) and (d) below when the Facility Agent executes
an otherwise duly completed Transfer Agreement delivered to it by the
Existing Lender and the New Lender. The Facility Agent shall, subject
to paragraph (b) below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt
by it of a duly completed Transfer Agreement appearing on its face to
comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Agreement. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall only be obliged
to execute a Transfer Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender
and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary "know
your customer" or other similar checks under all applicable laws
and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender. |
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(c) |
By virtue of the execution of a Transfer
Agreement, as from the Transfer Date: |
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(i) |
to the extent that in the Transfer Agreement
the Existing Lender seeks to transfer its rights and obligations under
the Finance Documents, the Existing Lender shall be discharged to the
extent provided for in the Transfer Agreement from further obligations
towards each of the Obligors and the other Finance Parties under the
Finance Documents; |
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(ii) |
the rights and obligations of the Existing
Lender with respect to the Obligors shall be transferred to the New Lender,
to the extent provided for in the Transfer Agreement; |
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(iii) |
the Facility Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers,
the New Lender and other Lenders shall have the same rights and obligations
between themselves as they would have had had the New Lender been an
Original Lender with the rights and/or obligations to which it is entitled
and subject as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Facility
Agent, the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Existing Lender shall each
be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance
Documents; and |
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(iv) |
the New Lender shall become a Party as a Lender. |
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(d) |
The Company (for itself and as agent for
the existing Obligors) will (at its own cost) promptly execute, or procure
that there are executed, such documents and agreements and take, or procure
that there are taken, such other actions as are necessary to effect or
perfect a transfer of rights and obligations to New Lender under this
Agreement in accordance with the Transfer Agreement. |
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24.6 |
Disclosure of information |
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Any Lender may disclose to any of its Affiliates
and any other person: |
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(a) |
to (or through) whom that Lender assigns
or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its
rights and obligations under this Agreement; |
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(b) |
with (or through) whom that Lender enters
into (or may potentially enter into) any sub-participation in relation
to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference
to, this Agreement or any Obligor; or |
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(c) |
to whom, and to the extent that, information
is required to be disclosed by any applicable law or regulation, |
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any information about any Obligor, the Group
and the Finance Documents as that Lender shall consider appropriate if,
in relation to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, the persons to whom the
information is to be given keeps that information confidential. |
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25. |
CHANGES TO THE OBLIGORS |
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25.1 |
Assignments and transfer by Obligors |
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No Obligor may assign any of its rights
or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents. |
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25.2 |
Additional Borrowers |
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(a) |
Subject to compliance with the provisions
of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Clause 20.7 ("Know your customer" checks),
the Company may request that any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries becomes
an Additional Borrower. That Subsidiary shall become an Additional Borrower
if: |
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(i) |
the Majority Lenders approve the addition
of that Subsidiary, if the proposed Additional Borrower is incorporated
in the same jurisdiction of incorporation as an existing Borrower; |
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(ii) |
all the Lenders approve the addition of
that Subsidiary if the proposed Additional Borrower is incorporated in
a jurisdiction of incorporation other than the jurisdiction of an existing
Borrower; |
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(iii) |
the Company delivers to the Facility Agent
a duly completed and executed Accession Letter; |
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(iv) |
the Company confirms that no Default is
continuing or would occur as a result of that Subsidiary becoming an
Additional Borrower; and |
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(v) |
the Facility Agent has received all of the
documents and other evidence listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2 (Conditions
precedent) in relation to that Additional Borrower, each in form and
substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall notify the Company
and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in
form and substance satisfactory to it) all the documents and other evidence
listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent). |
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25.3 |
Resignation of a Borrower |
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(a) |
The Company may request that a Borrower
(other than the Company) ceases to be a Borrower by delivering to the
Facility Agent a Resignation Letter. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall accept a Resignation
Letter and notify the Company and the Lenders of its acceptance if: |
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(i) |
no Default is continuing or would result
from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter (and the Company has confirmed
this is the case); and |
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(ii) |
the Borrower is under no actual or contingent
obligations as a Borrower under any Finance Documents, |
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whereupon that company shall cease to be
a Borrower and shall have no further rights or obligations under the
Finance Documents. |
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25.4 |
Additional Guarantors |
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(a) |
Subject to compliance with the provisions
of paragraphs (c) and (d) of Clause 20.7 ("Know your customer" checks),
the Company may request that any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries become
an Additional Guarantor. That Subsidiary shall become an Additional Guarantor
if: |
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(i) |
the Company delivers to the Facility Agent
a duly completed and executed Accession Letter; and |
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(ii) |
the Facility Agent has received all of the
documents and other evidence listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2 (Conditions
precedent) in relation to that Additional Guarantor, each in form and
substance satisfactory to the Facility Agent. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall notify the Company
and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in
form and substance satisfactory to it) all the documents and other evidence
listed in Part 3 of Schedule 2 (Conditions precedent). |
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25.5 |
Repetition of Representations |
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Delivery of an Accession Letter constitutes
confirmation by the relevant Subsidiary that the Repeating Representations
are true and correct in relation to it as at the date of delivery as
if made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing. |
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25.6 |
Resignation of a Guarantor |
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(a) |
The Company may request that a Guarantor
(other than the Company) ceases to be a Guarantor by delivering to the
Facility Agent a Resignation Letter. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall accept a Resignation
Letter and notify the Company and the Lenders of its acceptance if: |
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(i) |
no Default is continuing or would result
from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter (and the Company has confirmed
this is the case); and |
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(ii) |
all the Lenders have consented to the Company's
request. |
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26.1 |
Security Agent as holder of security |
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Unless expressly provided to the contrary,
the Security Agent holds or manages the Security created under the Security
Document on behalf of the Finance Parties. |
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The Security Agent is not liable or responsible
to any other Finance Party for: |
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(a) |
any failure in perfecting or protecting
the security under the Security Document; or |
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(b) |
any other action taken or not taken by it
in connection with the Security Document. |
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(a) |
The Security Agent may accept, without enquiry,
the title (if any) Xxxxxxx S.A.S. may have to any asset over which security
is intended to be created by the Security Document. |
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(b) |
The Security Agent has no obligation to
insure any such asset or the interests of the Finance Parties in any
such asset. |
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26.4 |
Possession of documents |
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The Security Agent is not obliged to hold
in its own possession the Security Document, title deed or other document
in connection with any asset over which security is intended to be created
by the Security Document. Without prejudice to the above, the Security
Agent may allow any bank providing safe custody services or any professional
adviser to the Security Agent to retain any of those documents in its
possession. |
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Except as otherwise provided in the Security
Document, all moneys received by the Security Agent under the Finance
Documents may be: |
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(a) |
invested in the name of, or under the control
of, the Security Agent in any investment which may be selected by the
Security Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders; or |
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(b) |
placed on deposit in the name of, or under
the control of, the Security Agent at such bank or institution (including
any other Finance Party) and upon such terms as the Security Agent may
think fit. |
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Each Finance Party confirms its approval
of the Security Document and authorises and directs the Security Agent
(by itself or by such person(s) as it may nominate) to execute and enforce
the same as agent or as otherwise provided (and whether or not expressly
in the names of the Finance Parties) on its behalf to the extent, as
permitted by law. |
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26.7 |
Conflict with Security Document |
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If there is any conflict between the provisions
of this Agreement and the Security Document with regard to instructions
to or other matters affecting the Security Agent, this Agreement will
prevail. |
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(a) |
If a disposal to a person or persons outside
the Group of an asset owned by Xxxxxxx S.A.S. over which a Security has
been created by the Security Document is: |
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(i) |
allowed by the terms of Clause 22.4 (Disposals);
or |
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(ii) |
being effected at the request of the Majority
Lenders in circumstances where the Security created by the Security Document
has become enforceable; or |
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(iii) |
being effected by enforcement of the Security
Document, |
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the Security Agent is irrevocably authorised
to execute on behalf of each Finance Party and each Obligor (and at the
cost of the relevant Obligor) the release referred to in paragraph (b)
below. |
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(b) |
The release referred to in paragraph (a)
above is: |
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(i) |
the release of the Security created by the
Security Document over that asset; and |
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(ii) |
a release of Xxxxxxx S.A.S. and its Subsidiaries
from all present and future liabilities (both actual and contingent and
including any liability to any other Obligor under the Finance Documents
by way of contribution or indemnity) in its capacity as a Guarantor (but,
except in the circumstances referred to in subparagraph (i) above, not
as a Borrower) under the Finance Documents. |
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(c) |
(i) In the
case of subparagraph (a)(i) above, the Net Proceeds of the disposal must
be applied in accordance with Clause 8 (Prepayment and Cancellation). |
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(ii) |
In the case of subparagraphs (a)(ii) and
(iii) above, the net cash proceeds of the disposal must be applied in
accordance with Clause 30.5 (Partial payments). |
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(d) |
If the Security Agent is satisfied that
a release is allowed under this Subclause, each Finance Party must execute
(at the cost of the relevant Obligor) any document which is reasonably
required to achieve that release. Each other Finance Party irrevocably
authorises the Security Agent to execute any such document. Any release
will not affect the obligations of any other Obligor under the Finance
Documents. |
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27. |
ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE PARTIES |
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27.1 |
Appointment of the Agent and an Administrative
Party |
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(a) |
Each other Finance Party appoints each Agent
to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents. |
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(b) |
Each other Finance Party authorises each
Administrative Party to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and
discretions specifically given to each Administrative Party under or
in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental
rights, powers, authorities and discretions. |
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27.2 |
Duties of the Agents |
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(a) |
Each Agent shall promptly forward to a Party
the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to each Agent
for that Party by any other Party. |
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(b) |
Except where a Finance Document specifically
provides otherwise, the Facility Agent is not obliged to review or check
the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to
another Party. |
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(c) |
If any Agent receives notice from a Party
referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the
circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the Finance
Parties. |
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(d) |
If the Facility Agent is aware of the non-payment
of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a
Finance Party (other than the Facility Agent or the Mandated Lead Arrangers)
under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties. |
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(e) |
The Agent's duties under the Finance Documents
are solely mechanical and administrative in nature. |
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27.3 |
Role of the Mandated Lead Arranger |
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Except as specifically provided in the Finance
Documents, each Mandated Lead Arranger has no obligations of any kind
to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document. |
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(a) |
Nothing in this Agreement constitutes an
Administrative Party as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person. |
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(b) |
No Administrative Party shall be bound to
account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received
by it for its own account. |
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27.5 |
Business with the Group |
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Each Agent and the Mandated Lead Arrangers
may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind
of banking or other business with any member of the Group. |
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27.6 |
Rights and discretions of the Agent |
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(a) |
Each Agent may rely on: |
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(i) |
any representation, notice or document believed
by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; and |
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(ii) |
any statement made by a director, authorised
signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably
be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify. |
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(b) |
Each Agent may assume (unless it has received
notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that: |
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(i) |
no Default has occurred (unless it has actual
knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 23.1 (Non-payment)); |
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(ii) |
any right, power, authority or discretion
vested in any Party or the Majority Lenders has not been exercised; and |
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(iii) |
any notice or request made by the Company
(other than a Utilisation Request or Selection Notice) is made on behalf
of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors. |
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(c) |
Each Agent may engage, pay for and rely
on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, surveyors or other
experts. |
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(d) |
Each Agent may act in relation to the Finance
Documents through its personnel and agents. |
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(e) |
Each Agent may disclose to any other Party
any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under
this Agreement. |
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(f) |
Notwithstanding any other provision of any
Finance Document to the contrary, no Administrative Party is obliged
to do or omit to do anything if it would or might in its reasonable opinion
constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary
duty or duty of confidentiality. |
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27.7 |
Majority Lenders' instructions |
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(a) |
Unless a contrary indication appears in
a Finance Document, each Agent shall exercise any right, power, authority
or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions
given to it by the Majority Lenders (or, if so instructed by the Majority
Lenders, refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion
vested in it as Agent) and (b) not be liable for any act (or omission)
if it acts (or refrains from taking any action) in accordance with an
instruction of the Majority Lenders. |
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(b) |
Unless a contrary indication appears in
a Finance Document, any instructions given by the Majority Lenders will
be binding on all the Finance Parties. |
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(c) |
Each Agent may refrain from acting in accordance
with the instructions of the Majority Lenders (or, if appropriate, the
Lenders) until it has received such security as it may require for any
cost, loss or liability (together with any associated VAT) which it may
incur in complying with the instructions. |
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(d) |
In the absence of instructions from the
Majority Lenders, (or, if appropriate, the Lenders) each Agent may act
(or refrain from taking action) as it considers to be in the best interest
of the Lenders. |
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(e) |
Each Agent is not authorised to act on behalf
of a Lender in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance
Document, without having first obtained that Lender’s authority
to act on its behalf in those proceedings. |
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27.8 |
Responsibility for documentation |
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(a) |
is responsible for the adequacy, accuracy
and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied
by each Administrative Party, an Obligor or any other person given in
or in connection with any Finance Document or the Information Memorandum;
or |
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(b) |
is responsible for the legality, validity,
effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or
any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed
in anticipation of or in connection with any Finance Document. |
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27.9 |
Exclusion of liability |
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(a) |
Without limiting paragraph (b) below, neither
Agent will be liable for any action taken by it under or in connection
with any Finance Document, unless directly caused by its gross negligence
or wilful misconduct. |
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(b) |
No Party (other than the relevant Agent)
may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of an
Agent in respect of any claim it might have against that Agent or in
respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee
or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee
or agent of that Agent may rely on this Clause. |
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(c) |
The Facility Agent will not be liable for
any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with
an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Facility
Agent if the Facility Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as
reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures
of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Facility
Agent for that purpose. |
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(d) |
Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige any
Administrative Party to carry out any "know your customer" or
other checks in relation to any person on behalf of any Lender and each
Lender confirms to each Administrative Party that it is solely responsible
for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely
on any statement in relation to such checks made by any Administrative
Party. |
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27.10 |
Lenders' indemnity to the Agent |
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Each Lender shall (in proportion to its
share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then
zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their
reduction to zero) indemnify each Agent, within three Business Days of
demand, against any cost, loss or liability incurred by that Agent (otherwise
than by reason of that Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct)
in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless that Agent has
been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document). |
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(a) |
An Agent may resign and appoint one of its
Affiliates as successor by giving notice to the other Finance Parties
and the Company. |
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(b) |
Alternatively an Agent may resign by giving
notice to the other Finance Parties and the Company, in which case the
Majority Lenders (with the consent of the Company, such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld) may appoint a successor Agent. |
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(c) |
If the Majority Lenders have not appointed
a successor Agent in accordance with paragraph (b) above within 30 days
after notice of resignation was given, the relevant Agent may appoint
a successor Agent. |
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(d) |
The retiring Agent shall, at its own cost,
make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and
provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request
for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance
Documents. |
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(e) |
The Agent's resignation notice shall only
take effect upon the appointment of a successor. |
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(f) |
Upon the appointment of a successor, the
retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect
of the Finance Documents but shall remain entitled to the benefit of
this Clause 27. Its successor and each of the other Parties shall have
the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have
had if such successor had been an original Party. |
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(g) |
After consultation with the Company, the
Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent, require it to resign in
accordance with paragraph (b) above. In this event, the Agent shall resign
in accordance with paragraph (b) above. |
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(a) |
In acting as agent for the Finance Parties,
an Administrative Party shall be regarded as acting through its agency
division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of
its divisions or departments. |
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(b) |
If information is received by another division
or department of that Administrative Party, it may be treated as confidential
to that division or department and that Administrative Party shall not
be deemed to have notice of it. |
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27.13 |
Relationship with the Lenders |
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(a) |
Each Agent may treat each Lender as a Lender,
entitled to payments under this Agreement and acting through its Facility
Office unless it has received not less than five Business Days prior
notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement. |
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(b) |
Each Lender shall supply the Facility Agent
with any information required by the Facility Agent in order to calculate
the Mandatory Cost in accordance with Schedule 4 (Mandatory Cost formulae). |
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27.14 |
Credit appraisal by the Lenders |
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Without affecting the responsibility of
any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection
with any Finance Document, each Lender confirms to the Administrative
Parties that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible
for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks
arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but
not limited to: |
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(a) |
the financial condition, status and nature
of each member of the Group; |
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(b) |
the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy
or enforceability of any Finance Document and any other agreement, arrangement
or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under
or in connection with any Finance Document; |
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(c) |
whether that Lender has recourse, and the
nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective
assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions
contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement
or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under
or in connection with any Finance Document; and |
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(d) |
(the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness
of the Information Memorandum and any other information provided by any
Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any
Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents
or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or
executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance
Document. |
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If a Reference Bank ceases to be a Reference
Bank, the Facility Agent shall (in consultation with the Company) appoint
another first ranking bank to replace that Reference Bank. |
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27.16 |
Deduction from amounts payable by the
Facility Agent |
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If any Party owes an amount to the Facility
Agent under the Finance Documents the Facility Agent may, after giving
notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from
any payment to that Party which the Facility Agent would otherwise be
obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted
in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed. For the purposes of the
Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any
amount so deducted. |
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28. |
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE FINANCE PARTIES |
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No provision of this Agreement will: |
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(a) |
interfere with the right of any Finance
Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it
thinks fit; |
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(b) |
oblige any Finance Party to investigate
or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or
the extent, order and manner of any claim; or |
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(c) |
oblige any Finance Party to disclose any
information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations
in respect of Tax. |
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29. |
SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES |
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29.1 |
Payments to Finance Parties |
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If a Finance Party (a Recovering Finance
Party) receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than
in accordance with Clause 30 (Payment Mechanics) and applies that amount
to a payment due under the Finance Documents then: |
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(a) |
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within
three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the
Facility Agent; |
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(b) |
the Facility Agent shall determine whether
the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance
Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received
or made by the Facility Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause
30 (Payment Mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would
be imposed on the Facility Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery
or distribution; and |
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(c) |
the Recovering Finance Party shall, within
three Business Days of demand by the Facility Agent, pay to the Facility
Agent an amount (the Sharing Payment) equal to such receipt or
recovery less any amount which the Facility Agent determines may be retained
by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made,
in accordance with Clause 30.5 (Partial payments). |
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29.2 |
Redistribution of payments |
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The Facility Agent shall treat the Sharing
Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute
it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party)
in accordance with Clause 30.5 (Partial payments). |
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29.3 |
Recovering Finance Party's rights |
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(a) |
On a distribution by the Facility Agent
under Clause 29.2 (Redistribution of payments), the Recovering Finance
Party will be subrogated to the rights of the Finance Parties which have
shared in the redistribution which Finance Parties agree that they will
in that connection waive the benefit of Article 1252 of the French Code
Civil. |
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(b) |
If and to the extent that the Recovering
Finance Party is not able to rely on its rights under paragraph (a) above,
the relevant Obligor shall be liable to the Recovering Finance Party
for a debt equal to the Sharing Payment which is immediately due and
payable. |
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29.4 |
Reversal of redistribution |
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If any part of the Sharing Payment received
or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid
by that Recovering Finance Party, then: |
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(a) |
each Finance Party which has received a
share of the relevant Sharing Payment pursuant to Clause 29.2 (Redistribution
of payments) shall, upon request of the Facility Agent, pay to the Facility
Agent for account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to
the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with
an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party
for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that
Recovering Finance Party is required to pay); and |
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(b) |
that Recovering Finance Party's rights of
subrogation in respect of any reimbursement shall be cancelled and the
relevant Obligor will be liable to the reimbursing Finance Party for
the amount so reimbursed. |
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(a) |
This Clause 29 shall not apply to the extent
that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment
pursuant to this Clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the
relevant Obligor. |
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(b) |
A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged
to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering
Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or
arbitration proceedings, if: |
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(i) |
it notified that other Finance Party of
the legal or arbitration proceedings; and |
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(ii) |
that other Finance Party had an opportunity
to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not
do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did
not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings. |
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30.1 |
Payments to the Facility Agent |
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(a) |
On each date on which a Borrower or a Lender
is required to make a payment under a Finance Document, that Borrower
or Lender shall make the same available to the Facility Agent (unless
a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the
due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Facility Agent
as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the
relevant currency in the place of payment. |
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(b) |
Payment shall be made to such account in
the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in
relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in a Participating
Member State or London) with such bank as the Facility Agent specifies. |
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30.2 |
Distributions by the Facility Agent |
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Each payment received by the Facility Agent
under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause
30.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and Clause 30.4 (Clawback) be made
available by the Facility Agent as soon as practicable after receipt
to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement
(in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to
such account as that Party may notify to the Facility Agent by not less
than five Business Days' notice with a bank in the principal financial
centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the
principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London). |
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30.3 |
Distributions to an Obligor |
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The Facility Agent may (with the consent
of the Borrower or in accordance with Clause 31 (Set-Off)) apply any
amount received by it for that Borrower in or towards payment (on the
date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from
that Borrower under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of
any amount of any currency to be so applied. |
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(a) |
Where a sum is to be paid to the Facility
Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Facility Agent
is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into
or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish
to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum. |
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(b) |
If the Facility Agent pays an amount to
another Party and it proves to be the case that the Facility Agent had
not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount
(or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Facility
Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Facility Agent together
with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of
receipt by the Facility Agent, calculated by the Facility Agent to reflect
its cost of funds. |
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(a) |
If the Facility Agent receives a payment
that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable
by an Obligor under the Finance Documents, the Facility Agent shall apply
that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under the Finance
Documents in the following order: |
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(i) |
first, in or towards payment pro rata of
any unpaid fees, costs and expenses of the Administrative Parties under
the Finance Documents; |
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(ii) |
secondly, in or towards payment pro rata
of any accrued interest or commission due but unpaid under this Agreement; |
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(iii) |
thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata
of any principal due but unpaid under this Agreement; and |
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(iv) |
fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata
of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent shall, if so directed
by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in paragraphs (a)(ii)
to (iv) above. |
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(c) |
Paragraphs (a) and (b) above will override
any appropriation made by an Obligor. |
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30.6 |
No set-off by Borrowers |
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All payments to be made by a Borrower under
the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free
and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim. |
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(a) |
Any payment which is due to be made on a
day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day
in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business
Day (if there is not). |
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(b) |
During any extension of the due date for
payment of any principal or an Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest
is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the
original due date. |
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(a) |
Subject to paragraphs (b) to (e) below,
the Base Currency is the currency of account and payment for any sum
due from a Borrower under any Finance Document. |
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(b) |
A repayment of a Loan or Unpaid Sum or a
part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum shall be made in the currency in which that
Loan or Unpaid Sum is denominated on its due date. |
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(c) |
Each payment of interest shall be made in
the currency in which the sum in respect of which the interest is payable
was denominated when that interest accrued. |
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(d) |
Each payment in respect of costs, expenses
or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or
Taxes are incurred. |
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(e) |
Any amount expressed to be payable in a
currency other than the Base Currency shall be paid in that other currency. |
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(a) |
Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more
than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by
the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country,
then: |
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(i) |
any reference in the Finance Documents to,
and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency
of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or
currency unit of that country designated by the Facility Agent (acting
reasonably and after consultation with the Company); and |
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(ii) |
any translation from one currency or currency
unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised
by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit
into the other, rounded up or down by the Facility Agent (acting reasonably
after consultation with the Company). |
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(b) |
If a change in any currency of a country
occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Facility Agent (acting
reasonably and after consultation with the Company) specifies to be necessary,
be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market
practice in the Relevant Interbank Market and otherwise to reflect the
change in currency. |
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Whilst an Event of Default is continuing,
a Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from a Borrower
under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that
Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party
to that Borrower, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch
or currency of either obligation. If the obligations are in different
currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market
rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the
set-off. That Finance Party shall promptly notify that Borrowers of any
such set-off or conversion. |
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32.1 |
Communications in writing |
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Any communication to be made under or in
connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless
otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter. |
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The address and fax number (and the department
or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made)
of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered
under or in connection with the Finance Documents is: |
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(a) |
in the case of the Company, that identified
with its name below; |
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(b) |
in the case of each Lender or any other
Original Borrower, that notified in writing to the Facility Agent on
or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and |
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(c) |
in the case of each Administrative Party,
that identified with its name below, |
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or any substitute address or fax number
or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Facility Agent
(or the Facility Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is
made by the Facility Agent) by not less than five Business Days' notice. |
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(a) |
Any communication or document made or delivered
by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents
will only be effective: |
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(i) |
if by way of fax, when received in legible
form; or |
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(ii) |
if by way of letter, when it has been left
at the relevant address or three Business Days after being deposited
in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address, |
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and, if a particular department or officer
is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 32.2
(Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer. |
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(b) |
Any communication or document to be made
or delivered to the Facility Agent will be effective only when actually
received by the Facility Agent and then only if it is expressly marked
for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Facility
Agent's signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the
Facility Agent shall specify for this purpose). |
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(c) |
All notices from or to an Obligor shall
be sent through the Facility Agent. |
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(d) |
Any communication or document made or delivered
to the Company in accordance with this Clause will be deemed to have
been made or delivered to each of the Obligors. |
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32.4 |
Notification of address and fax number |
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Promptly upon receipt of notification of
an address or fax number or change of address or fax number pursuant
to Clause 32.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or fax number,
the Facility Agent shall notify the other Parties. |
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32.5 |
Electronic communication |
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(a) |
Any communication to be made between the
Facility Agent and a Lender under or in connection with the Finance Documents
may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means, if the Facility
Agent and the relevant Lender: |
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(i) |
agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication; |
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(ii) |
notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and |
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(iii) |
notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them. |
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(b) |
Any electronic communication made between the Facility Agent and a Lender will be effective only when actually received in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Lender to the Facility Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Facility Agent shall specify for this purpose. |
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(a) |
Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English. |
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(b) |
All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be: |
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(ii) |
if not in English, and if so required by the Facility Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document. |
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33. |
CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES |
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In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate. |
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33.2 |
Certificates and Determinations |
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Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document shall set out the basis of calculation in a reasonable detail and is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates. |
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33.3 |
Day count convention |
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Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 360 days or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Interbank Market differs, in accordance with that market practice. |
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If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired. |
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No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party, any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a waiver, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right or remedy prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law. |
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36. |
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS |
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(a) |
Subject to Clause 36.2 (Exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Obligors and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties. |
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(b) |
The Facility Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause. |
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(a) |
An amendment or waiver that has the effect of changing or which relates to: |
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(i) |
the definition of "Majority Lenders" in Clause 1.1 (Definitions); |
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(ii) |
an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents; |
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(iii) |
a reduction in the Margin (other than in accordance with Clause 9.3 (Margin)) or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable; |
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(iv) |
an increase in or an extension of any Commitment; |
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(v) |
a change to the Borrowers or Guarantors other than in accordance with Clause 25 (Changes to the Obligors); |
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(vi) |
any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders; or |
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(vii) |
Clause 2.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 24 (Changes to the Lenders) or this Clause 36; |
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shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders. |
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(b) |
An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Facility Agent or a Mandated Lead Arranger may not be effected without the consent of the Facility Agent or the relevant Mandated Lead Arranger. |
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This Agreement is governed by French law. |
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38. |
ENFORCEMENT – JURISDICTION OF FRENCH COURTS |
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38.1 |
The Tribunal de Commerce de Paris has exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute regarding the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement) (a Dispute). |
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38.2 |
Clause 38.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties only. As a result, no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction. To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions. |
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Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor (other than an Obligor otherwise domiciled in France) irrevocably elects domicile at Xxxxxxx X.X., 000 xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx de Tassigny, 87000 Limoges, France for the purpose of serving any judicial or extra-judicial documents in relation to any action or proceedings referred to above. |
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40. |
WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY |
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EACH PARTY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH ANY FINANCE DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED BY ANY FINANCE DOCUMENT. THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO TRIAL BY THE COURT. |
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The Finance Documents contain the complete agreement between the Parties on the matters to which they relate and supersede all prior commitments, agreements and understandings, whether written or oral, on those matters. |
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This Agreement has been entered into in 18 originals on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement. |
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CONFORMED COPY
THE ORIGINAL PARTIES
THE ORIGINAL BORROWERS/ORIGINAL
GUARANTORS
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Name of Original Borrower |
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Registration number (or equivalent, if any) |
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Xxxxxxx X.X. |
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758 501 001 R.C.S. Limoges |
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Xxxxxxx S.A.S. |
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421 391 269 R.C.S. Limoges |
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Xxxxxxx Nederland B.V. |
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16048212, Chamber of Commerce for Oost Brabant |
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Legrand Holding Inc. |
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Name of Original Guarantor |
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Registration number (or equivalent, if any) |
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Xxxxxxx X.X. |
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758 501 001 R.C.S. Limoges |
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Xxxxxxx S.A.S. |
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421 391 269 R.C.S. Limoges |
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Xxxxxxx Nederland B.V. |
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16048212, Chamber of Commerce for Oost Brabant |
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Legrand Holding, Inc. |
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THE ORIGINAL LENDERS
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Name of Original Lender |
Facility A Commitment |
Facility B Commitment |
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BNP Paribas |
EUR 350,000,000 |
EUR 350,000,000 |
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The Royal Bank of Scotland plc |
EUR 350,000,000 |
EUR 350,000,000 |
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CONFORMED COPY
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT DOCUMENTS
TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE THE DATE
OF THIS AGREEMENT
(a) |
For each Original Obligor other than a Dutch Obligor, a certified copy of the by-laws (status), an original extract of the certificate of incorporation (K-bis of the Registry of Commerce and Companies), a certificate of non-insolvency or equivalent (certificat de non-faillite) and état des inscriptions or equivalent each dated no earlier than 15 days before the date of this Agreement. |
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(b) |
Evidence that each person signing the Finance Documents on behalf of each Original Obligor incorporated in France is authorised to do so. |
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(c) |
For each Original Obligor incorporated in France which is a Guarantor, a copy of the resolution of the board of directors made in accordance with Article L.225-35 of the French Commercial Code approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement. |
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(d) |
A copy of the constitutional documents of each Original Obligor. |
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(e) |
A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Obligor (or a committee of its board of directors) approving the terms of, the transactions contemplated by, and the execution, delivery and performance of the Finance Documents. |
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(f) |
If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the relevant Original Obligor establishing the committee referred to in paragraph (e) above. |
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(g) |
A specimen of the signature of each person authorised on behalf of an Original Obligor to execute or witness the execution of any Finance Document or to sign or send any document or notice in connection with any Finance Document. |
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(h) |
For each Original Obligor incorporated in the Netherlands, an original extract from the Chamber of Commerce and a certificated copy of the articles of association. |
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(i) |
A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Company: |
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(i) |
confirming that utilisation by the Original Borrowers of the Total Commitments in full will not breach any limit binding on any Original Obligor; and |
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(ii) |
certifying that each copy document specified in Part 1 of this Schedule is correct and complete and that the original of each of those documents is in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement. |
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(j) |
For each Original Obligor which is not incorporated under the laws of France, evidence that it has accepted its election as elected domicile under the Finance Documents. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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Each of the following documents in the agreed form duly executed and delivered by all parties to them: |
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(b) |
the Intercreditor Deed; and |
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(c) |
the Fee Letter between the Companies, the Facility Agent and the Mandated Lead Arrangers. |
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3. |
Effective Global Rate (taux effectif global) |
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The original letter referred to in Clause 9.6 (Effective Global Rate (Taux Effectif Global)) and countersigned on behalf of the Borrowers. |
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4. |
"Know your customer" requirements |
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Each of the following documents for each Obligor, pursuant to Clause 20.7: |
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(a) |
certified copy of its K-Bis or equivalent; |
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(b) |
certified copies of its by-laws or equivalent; |
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(c) |
certified copies of its annual financial statements; |
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(d) |
certified copy of the ID card of physical persons owing more than 20 per cent. of its share capital; |
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(e) |
certified copies of the documents evidencing the chain of powers authorising the persons to sign the Finance Documents; |
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(f) |
certified copy of the ID card of physical persons signing the Finance Documents; |
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(g) |
specimen of signatures of the persons signing the Utilisation Request |
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5. |
Other documents and evidence |
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(a) |
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Finance Agent considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Company accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document. |
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(b) |
Certified copies with agreed form of quarterly consolidated financial statements for the quarter ending September 2004 relating to the Group. |
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(c) |
Certified copies in the agreed form of a current up to date business plan of Holdco. |
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CONFORMED COPY
TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE THE FIRST
UTILISATION DATE
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A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Company certifying that each copy document specified in Part 2 of this Schedule is correct and complete and that the original of each of those documents is in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded since the date of this Agreement. |
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The Security Document in the agreed form duly executed and delivered by all the parties to it. |
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3. |
Ancillary Security Notice |
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The originals of the documents set out below to be issued with the Security Document and duly signed on behalf of each relevant Obligor: |
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(a) |
Executed copies of the statement of pledge (déclaration xx xxxx); |
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(b) |
Executed copies of the Certificate of pledge (attestation xx xxxx); |
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(c) |
Evidence that all Security in favour of third parties securing the Existing Facilities granted by any Group Companies have been or will be discharged and released on or before the first Utilisation Date save for registration to be completed in accordance with Clause 4.3 (Condition subsequent relating to Security securing the Existing Facilities). |
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4. |
Other documents and evidence |
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(a) |
Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Company pursuant to Clause 12 (Fees) and Clause 17 (Costs and Expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation Date. |
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(b) |
Evidence that the Existing Facilities will be prepaid and cancelled out of the proceeds of the first Utilisation. |
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(c) |
A copy of the Funds Flow Statement. |
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Each of the following legal opinions in the agreed form: |
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(a) |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Xxxxx LLP, Paris, legal advisers as to matters of French law to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent, addressed to the Finance Parties. |
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(b) |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Overy LLP, London, legal advisers as to matters of English law to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent, addressed to the Finance Parties. |
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CONFORMED COPY
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(c) |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Xxxxx LLP, Amsterdam, legal advisers as to matters of Dutch law to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent, addressed to the Finance Parties. |
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(d) |
Legal opinions of Linklaters, New York in respect of the laws of the jurisdiction in which the US Original Obligor is incorporated. |
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(e) |
Legal opinions of Linklaters, Paris in respect of the laws of the jurisdiction in which each French Original Obligor is incorporated. |
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CONFORMED COPY
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT REQUIRED
TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR
1. |
An Accession Letter, duly executed by that Additional Borrower/Additional Guarantor and the Company. |
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2. |
A certified copy of the status, an original extract of the K-bis of the Registry of Commerce and Companies, certificat de non-faillite and état des inscriptions (or equivalent)) for the Additional Obligor not more than 15 days old. |
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3. |
A copy of the constitutional documents of the Additional Obligor. |
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4. |
Evidence that the person(s) who has signed the Accession Letter on behalf of that Additional Borrower/Additional Guarantor and the Company was duly authorised so to sign. |
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5. |
If the Additional Obligor is an Additional Guarantor, a copy of a resolution of its board of directors taken in accordance with article L.225-35 of the French Code de Commerce (or equivalent if the Additional Obligor is not a French Additional Guarantor) approving the terms of the Guarantee granted by it, and authorising a specified person or persons on its behalf, to execute that Guarantee. |
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6. |
A specimen of the signature of each person referred to in paragraph 4 above and of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 5 above. |
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7. |
A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Obligor certifying that each copy document listed in this Part 3 of Schedule 2 is correct, complete and in full force and effect as at a date no earlier than the date of the Accession Letter. |
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8. |
A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Facility Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by the Accession Letter or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document. |
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9. |
If available, the latest audited financial statements of the Additional Obligor. |
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10. |
A legal opinion of Xxxxx & Overy LLP Paris, legal advisers to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent in France in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent. |
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11. |
If the Additional Obligor is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than France, a legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent in the jurisdiction in which the Additional Obligor is incorporated in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Mandated Lead Arrangers and the Facility Agent. |
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REQUESTS
UTILISATION REQUEST
Xxxxxxx X.X. – Facility Agreement dated [ ] (the Agreement) |
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1. |
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Utilisation Request. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request. |
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2. |
We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms: |
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Proposed Utilisation Date: |
[ ] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business
Day) |
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Facility to be utilised: |
[Facility A]/[Facility B]1 |
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Amount: |
[ ] or, if less, the Available Facility |
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3. |
We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request. |
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4. |
The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account]. |
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5. |
This Utilisation Request is irrevocable. |
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authorised signatory for
[name of relevant Borrower]
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
SELECTION NOTICE APPLICABLE
TO A FACILITY A LOAN
Xxxxxxx X.X. – Facility Agreement dated [ ]
(the Agreement) |
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1. |
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Selection Notice. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this Selection Notice unless given a different meaning in this Selection Notice. |
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2. |
We refer to the following Facility A Loan[s] in euro
with an Interest Period ending on [ ]2 |
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3. |
[We request that the above Facility A Loan[s] be
divided into [ ] Facility A Loans with the following Base Currency Amounts and
Interest Periods:]3 |
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[We request that the next Interest Period for the
above Facility A Loan[s] is [ ]].4 |
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4. |
We request that the above Facility A Loan[s] [is]/[are]
[denominated in the same currency for the next Interest Period]/[denominated
in the following currencies: [ ]. As this results in a change of currency we confirm
that each condition specified in Clause 4.2 (Further conditions precedent) is
satisfied on the date of this Selection Notice. The proceeds of any change in
currency should be credited to [account].] . |
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5. |
This Selection Notice is irrevocable. |
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….................................. |
authorised signatory for
[the Company on behalf of]
[name of relevant Borrower]
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2 |
Insert
details of all Facility A Loans in the same currency which have an Interest
Period ending on the same date. |
3 |
Use this option
if division of Loans is requested.
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4 |
Use this option
if sub-division is not required.
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Back to Contents
MANDATORY COST FORMULAE
(a) |
The Mandatory Cost is to compensate a Lender for the cost of compliance with: |
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(i) |
the requirements of the European Central Bank. |
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(ii) |
the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in either case, any other authority which replaces any of its functions); or |
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(b) |
The Mandatory Cost is expressed as a percentage rate per annum. |
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(c) |
The Mandatory Cost is the weighted average (weighted in proportion to the percentage share of each Lender in the relevant Loan) of the rates for the Lenders calculated by the Facility Agent in accordance with this Schedule on the first day of an Interest Period (or as soon as possible after then). |
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(d) |
The Facility Agent must distribute each amount of Mandatory Cost among the Lenders on the basis of the rate for each Lender. |
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(e) |
Any determination by the Facility Agent pursuant to this Schedule will be, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive and binding on all the Parties. |
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2. |
For a Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State |
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(a) |
The relevant rate for a Lender lending from a Facility Office in a Participating Member State is the percentage rate per annum notified by that Lender to the Facility Agent. This percentage rate per annum must be certified by that Lender in its notice to the Facility Agent as its reasonable determination of the cost (expressed as a percentage of that Lender's share in all Loans made from that Facility Office) of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of Loans made from that Facility Office. |
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(b) |
If a Lender fails to specify a rate under paragraph (a) above, the Facility Agent will assume that the Lender has not incurred any such cost. |
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3. |
For a Lender lending from a Facility Office in the U.K. |
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(a) |
The relevant rate for a Lender lending from a Facility Office in the U.K. is calculated in accordance with the following formula: |
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for a Loan in Sterling: |
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AB + C(B - D) + E x 0.01
100 – (A + C) |
per cent. per annum |
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for any other Loan: |
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E x 0.01
300 |
per cent. per annum |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
|
where on the day of application of the formula: |
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A |
is the percentage of that Lender's eligible
liabilities (in excess of any stated minimum) which the Bank of England
requires it to hold on a non-interest-bearing deposit account in accordance
with its cash ratio requirements; |
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B |
is the percentage rate of LIBOR for the
relevant Interest Period; |
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C |
is the percentage (if any) of that Lender's
eligible liabilities which the Bank of England requires it to place as
an interest bearing special deposit; |
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D |
is the percentage rate per annum payable
by the Bank of England on interest bearing special deposits; and |
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E |
is calculated by the Facility Agent as being
the average of the rates of charge under the fees rules supplied by the
Reference Banks to the Facility Agent under paragraph (d) below
and expressed in pounds per £1 million. |
(b) |
For the purposes of this paragraph 3: |
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(i) |
eligible liabilities and special
deposit(s) have the meanings given to them at the time of application
of the formula pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1988 or (as appropriate)
by the Bank of England; |
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(ii) |
fees rules means the then current
rules on periodic fees in the Supervision Manual of the FSA Handbook
or any other law or regulation as may then be in force for the payment
of fees for the acceptance of deposits; |
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(iii) |
fee tariffs means the fee tariffs
specified in the fees rules under fee-block Category A1 (Deposit acceptors)
(ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required pursuant to the
fees rules but applying any applicable discount rate); and |
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(iv) |
tariff base has the meaning given
to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the fees rules. |
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(c) |
(i) In the
application of the formulae, A, B, C and D are included as figures and
not as percentages, e.g. if A = 0.5% and B = 15%, AB is calculated as
0.5 x 15. A negative result obtained by subtracting D from B is taken
as zero. |
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(ii) Each rate
calculated in accordance with a formula is, if necessary, rounded upward
to four decimal places. |
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(d) |
If requested by the Facility Agent, each
Reference Bank must, as soon as practicable after publication by the
Financial Services Authority, supply to the Facility Agent the rate of
charge payable by that Reference Bank to the Financial Services Authority
under the fees rules for that Financial Year of the Financial Services
Authority (calculated by that Reference Bank as being the average of
the fee tariffs applicable to that Reference Bank for that Financial
Year) and expressed in pounds per £1 million of the tariff base
of that Reference Bank. |
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(e) |
Each Lender must supply to the Facility
Agent the information required by it to make a calculation of the rate
for that Lender. In particular, each Lender must supply the following
information on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender: |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
|
(i) |
the jurisdiction of its Facility Office;
and |
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(ii) |
any other information that the Facility
Agent reasonably requires for that purpose. |
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Each Lender must promptly notify
the Facility Agent of any change to the information supplied to it under
this paragraph. |
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(f) |
The percentages of each Lender for the purposes
of A and C above and the rates of charge of each Reference Bank for the
purpose of E above are determined by the Facility Agent based upon the
information supplied to it under paragraphs (d) and (e) above. Unless
a Lender notifies the Facility Agent to the contrary, the Facility Agent
may assume that the Lender's obligations in respect of cash ratio deposits
and special deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its
jurisdiction of incorporation with a Facility Office in the U.K. |
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(g) |
The Facility Agent has no liability to any
Party if its calculation over or under compensates any Lender. The Facility
Agent is entitled to assume that the information provided by any Lender
or Reference Bank under this Schedule is true and correct in all respects. |
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(a) |
The Facility Agent may, after consultation
with the Company and the Lenders, determine and notify all the Parties
of any amendment to this Schedule which is required to reflect: |
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(i) |
any change in law or regulation; or |
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(ii) |
any requirement imposed by the European
Central Bank, the Bank of England or the Financial Services Authority
(or, in any case, any successor authority). |
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(b) |
If the Facility Agent, after consultation
with the Company, determines that the Mandatory Cost for a Lender lending
from a Facility Office in the U.K. can be calculated by reference to
a screen, the Facility Agent may notify all the Parties of any amendment
to this Agreement which is required to reflect this. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
FORM OF TRANSFER AGREEMENT
This Transfer Agreement is made on [ ] |
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(1) |
BNP PARIBAS as Facility Agent for
and on behalf of the Obligors and the Finance Parties (each as defined
in the Facility Agreement referred to below); |
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(2) |
[ ]
(the Existing Lender); |
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(3) |
[ ]
(the New Lender). |
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(A) |
The Existing Lender has entered into a multicurrency
term loan facility in an aggregate amount equal to EUR 700,000,000, and
a multicurrency revolving loan facility in an aggregate amount equal
to EUR 700,000,000 under a facility agreement dated […], between,
among others, the Company, Holdco, the Original Borrowers and the Original
Guarantors listed in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to that facility agreement,
the Financial Institutions listed in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to that Facility
Agreement, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Closing Agent, BNP Paribas
as Facility Agent and Security Agent and BNP Paribas and The Royal Bank
of Scotland plc as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Underwriters (the Facility
Agreement). |
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(B) |
The Existing Lender wishes to transfer and
the New Lender wishes to acquire [all] [the part specified in the Schedule
of this Transfer Agreement] of the Existing Lender's Commitment, rights
and obligations referred in the Schedule of this Transfer Agreement. |
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(C) |
Terms defined in the Facility Agreement
have the same meaning when used in this Transfer Agreement. |
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1. |
The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree
to the transfer (cession) of [all] [the part specified in the
Schedule of this Transfer Agreement] of the Existing Lender's Commitment,
rights and obligations referred in the Schedule of this Transfer Agreement
in accordance with Clause 24.5 (Procedure for transfer) of the Facility
Agreement. |
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2. |
The New Lender shall notify a copy of this
certificate to the French Borrowers through a French huissier.
The Company shall be responsible for the French huissier fees
incurred in notifying each French Borrower and for any fees incurred
in complying with any obligation or notification or modification in respect
of the Security Document. |
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3. |
The proposed Transfer Date is […]. |
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4. |
The Facility Office and address, fax number
and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes
of Clause 32.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule of this Transfer
Agreement. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
5. |
The New Lender acknowledges the limitations
on the Existing Lender's liabilities set out in paragraph (c) of Clause
24.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) of the Facility
Agreement. |
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6. |
The New Lender confirms to the other Finance
Parties represented by the Facility Agent that it will assume the same
obligations to those Parties as it would have been under if it was an
Original Lender. |
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7. |
The New Lender shall benefit from all the
Existing Lenders' rights under the Security Document. |
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8. |
On the date of this Transfer Agreement,
the New Lender represents to the Existing Lender, the other Finance Parties
and each Dutch Borrower that it is a Professional Market Party and that
it will not assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights (including
such as relate to that New Lender's participation in each Loan to a Dutch
Borrower) and obligations towards a Dutch Borrower other than to a Professional
Market Party. |
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9. |
This Transfer Agreement is governed by French
law. The Tribunal de Commerce de Paris shall have jurisdiction
in relation to any dispute concerning it. |
COMMITMENT/RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS TO BE TRANSFERRED |
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[insert relevant details] |
|
[Facility Office address,
fax number and attention details for notices and account details for
payments] |
[Existing Lender] |
[New Lender] |
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By: |
By: |
This Transfer Agreement is accepted by the
Facility Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [ ]. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
FORM OF ACCESSION LETTER
To: |
BNP Paribas as Facility Agent |
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|
From: |
[Subsidiary] and [Company] |
Xxxxxxx X.X. – Facility
Agreement dated [ ] (the Agreement) |
|
1. |
We refer to the Agreement. This is an Accession
Letter. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this
Accession Letter unless given a different meaning in this Accession Letter. |
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2. |
[Subsidiary] agrees to become an Additional
[Borrower/Guarantor] and to be bound by the terms of the Facility Agreement
as an Additional [Borrower/Guarantor] pursuant to [Clause 25.2 (Additional
Borrowers), 25.4 (Additional Guarantors)] of the Agreement. [Subsidiary]
is a company duly incorporated under the laws of [name of relevant jurisdiction]. |
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3. |
[Subsidiary's] administrative details are
as follows: |
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|
4. |
This Accession Letter is governed by French
law. |
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|
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
FORM OF RESIGNATION LETTER
To: |
BNP Paribas as Facility
Agent |
|
|
From: |
[resigning Obligor] and [Company] |
Xxxxxxx X.X. –Facility Agreement
dated [ ] (the Agreement) |
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1. |
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Resignation
Letter. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning in this
Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation
Letter. |
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2. |
Pursuant to [Clause 25.3 (Resignation of
a Borrower)]/[Clause 25.6 (Resignation of a Guarantor), we request that
[resigning Obligor] be released from its obligations as a [Borrower/Guarantor]
under the relevant Finance Document. |
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(a) |
no Default is continuing or would result
from the acceptance of this request; and |
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(b) |
[ ]5 |
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4. |
This Resignation Letter is governed by French
law. |
[Company] |
[Subsidiary] |
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By: |
By: |
1 Insert
any other conditions required by the Agreement. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
To: |
BNP Paribas as Facility Agent |
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From: |
[Company/Holdco] |
Xxxxxxx X.X. – [
] Facility Agreement dated [ ] (the Agreement) |
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1. |
We refer to the Agreement. This is a Compliance
Certificate. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meaning when
used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning
in this Compliance Certificate. |
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2. |
We confirm that: [Insert details of covenants
to be certified] |
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3. |
[We confirm that no Default is continuing.]6 |
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……............... |
……............... |
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[Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial
Officer] |
[Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial
Officer] |
of |
of |
[Company/Holdco] |
[Company/Holdco] |
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[insert applicable certification language]7 |
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……............... |
for and on behalf of |
[name of auditors of the Company] |
6 If
this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any
Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy
it. |
7 To be agreed
with the Company’s auditors and the Lenders prior to signing
the Agreement. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
FORM OF TAUX EFFECTIF
GLOBAL LETTER
[ON THE LETTERHEAD OF
THE FACILITY AGENT] |
From: |
BNP PARIBAS as Facility
Agent |
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To: |
[BORROWERS] |
XXXXXXX X.X. – EUR 1,400,000,000
Senior Facility Agreement
dated • 2004, (the Agreement)
We refer to the Agreement. |
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This is the letter setting out the applicable
effective global rate (taux effectif global) referred to in the
Agreement. |
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Terms defined in the Agreement shall bear
the same meanings in this letter otherwise defined in this letter. |
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The applicable taux effectif global,
calculated on the basis of a 365 day year, is: |
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(a) |
for a Facility A Loan of one month and at
EURIBOR rate of [ ] per cent. per annum, [TEG
rate to be inserted] per cent. (which corresponds to a taux
de période of [Period rate to be inserted] per
cent. for a durée de période of one month; |
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(b) |
for a Facility B Loan of one month and at
EURIBOR rate of [ ] per cent. per annum [TEG rate
to be inserted] per cent. (which corresponds to a taux de
période of [Period rate to be inserted] per
cent. for a durée de période of one month; |
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(a) |
are given in order to comply with the provisions
of article L.313-1 to L.313-6 et seq. of the French Code de
la Consommation and on an indicative basis and for information only; |
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(b) |
are calculated on the basis that: |
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(i) |
drawdown for the full amount of the Facilities
has been made in euros on [DATE]; |
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(ii) |
the EURIBOR rate, expressed as an annual
rate, is as fixed on [DATE]; |
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(iii) |
the Margin is [ ];
and |
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(c) |
take into account the various fees, costs
and expenses payable by you under the Agreement. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
This letter is designated a Finance Document. |
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Please confirm your acceptance of the terms
of this letter by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy. |
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............................................................................. |
BNP PARIBAS
as Facility Agent
............................................................................. |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
TIMETABLES
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Loans in euro or US Dollars |
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Loans in sterling |
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Loans in other currencies |
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Facility Agent notifies the Company if a
currency is approved as an Optional Currency in accordance with Clause
4.4 (Conditions relating to Optional Currencies) |
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Not applicable |
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Not applicable |
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10:00 a.m. 4 Business Days prior
to the proposed Utilisation Date |
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Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation
Request (clause 5.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request)) or a Selection
Notice (Clause 10.1 (Selection of Interest Periods)) |
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10:00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior to the
relevant Utilisation Date |
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10:00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior to the
relevant Utilisation Date |
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3:00 p.m. 4 Business Days prior to the Utilisation
Date |
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Facility Agent determines (in relation to
a Utilisation) the Base Currency Amount of the Loan, if required under
Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation) and notifies the Lenders of the Loan
in accordance with Clause 5.4 (Lenders' participation) |
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4.00 p.m. 3 Business Days prior to the proposed
Utilisation Date |
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4.00 p.m. 3 Business Days prior to the proposed
Utilisation Date |
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4.00 p.m. 3 Business Days prior to the proposed
Utilisation Date |
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Facility Agent receives a notification from
a Lender under Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a currency) |
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11:00 a.m. 2 Business Days prior the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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11:00 a.m. 2 Business Days prior the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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11:00 a.m. 2 Business Days prior the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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Facility Agent gives notice in accordance
with Clause 6.2 (Unavailability of a currency) |
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3:00 p.m. 2 Business Days prior to the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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3:00 p.m. 2 Business Days prior to the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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3:00 p.m. 2 Business Days prior to the relevant
Utilisation Date |
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Facility Agent determines amount of the
Facility A Loan in Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 6.3 (Change
of currency) |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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Facility Agent determines amount of the
Facility A Loan in Optional Currency in accordance with Clause 6.4(a)
(Same Optional Currency during successive Interest Periods) |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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11.00 a.m. 3 Business Days prior the first
day of the new Interest Period |
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Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
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Loans in euro or US Dollars |
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Loans in sterling |
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Loans in other currencies |
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LIBOR or EURIBOR is fixed |
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Quotation day as of 11:00 a.m. London time in respect of LIBOR and as of 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) in respect of EURIBOR |
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Quotation Day as of 11:00 a.m. |
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Quotation Day as of 11:00 a.m. |
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Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
SIGNATORIES
TO THE AGREEMENT
XXXXXXX X.X. |
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as Company |
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as Original Borrower |
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by: XXXXXXX XXXXXX |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000, xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx
xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND HOLDING |
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as Holdco |
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by: XXXXXXX XXXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000, xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx
xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND S.A.S. |
) |
as Original Borrower |
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by: XXXXXXX XXXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000, xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx
xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND NEDERLAND B.V. |
) |
as Original Borrower |
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by: XXXXXXX XXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000, xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx
xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND HOLDING INC. |
) |
as Original Borrower |
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by: XXXXXXX XXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx XX 00000 |
Facsimile: |
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x0 000 000 0000 |
Attention: |
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Treasurer |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
Original Guarantors
XXXXXXX X.X. |
) |
By: XXXXXXX XXXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000 xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx xx
Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 (0) 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND S.A.S. |
) |
by: XXXXXXX XXXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000 xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx xx
Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND NEDERLAND B.V. |
) |
by: XXXXXXX XXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000, xxxxxx xx Xxxxxxxx xx Xxxxxx
xx Xxxxxxxx, 00000 Limoges, France |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, VP Finance |
LEGRAND HOLDING INC. |
) |
by: XXXXXXX XXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxx Xxxxxxxx XX 00000 |
Facsimile: |
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x0 000 000 0000 |
Attention: |
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Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Treasurer |
Back to Contents
CONFORMED COPY
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
) |
as Mandated Lead Arranger |
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as Underwriter |
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by: XXXXXX XXXXXX |
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THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC |
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as Closing Agent |
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as Original Lender |
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by: XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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0 xxx Xxxxxxxxx, 00000 Xxxxx, Xxxxxx |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxx Xxxxxxx |
BNP PARIBAS |
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as Mandated Lead Arranger |
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as Underwriter |
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as Facility Agent |
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as Security Agent |
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as Original Lender |
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by: XXXXXX XXXXXXX/XXXXXX XXXXX |
) |
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Notice Details |
Address: |
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000 xxx xx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx,
00000 Xxxxx, Xxxxxx |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxx Xxxxxxx / Xxxxxx Présent |
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B.O.C.I. |
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Copy: |
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Address: |
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37 place du Marché Saint Honoré – CHCO1B1,
75031 Xxxxx Xxxxx 00, Xxxxxx |
Facsimile: |
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x00 0 00 00 00 00 |
Attention: |
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Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx / Xxxxxxxxx Romancant |
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European Agency Middle Office Group |