SMITH & NEPHEW PLC AND DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS As Depositary AND OWNERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS Fourth Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement Dated as of October [•], 2014
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XXXXX & NEPHEW PLC
AND
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
As Depositary
AND
OWNERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Fourth Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement
Dated as of October [•], 2014
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Page
ARTICLE 1
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DEFINITIONS
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1
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SECTION 1.1
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"American Depositary Shares"
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1
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SECTION 1.2
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"Article; Section"
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2
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SECTION 1.3
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"Beneficial Owner"
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2
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SECTION 1.4
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"Commission"
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2
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SECTION 1.5
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"Consultation"
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2
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SECTION 1.6
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"Custodian"
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2
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SECTION 1.7
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2
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SECTION 1.8
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"Depositary; Corporate Trust Office"
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2
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SECTION 1.9
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"Deposited Securities"
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3
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SECTION 1.10
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"Dollars; Pound; Xxxxx"
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3
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SECTION 1.11
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"DRS/Profile"
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3
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SECTION 1.12
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"Foreign Xxxxxxxxx"
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0
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SECTION 1.13
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"Issuer"
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3
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SECTION 1.14
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"Owner"
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3
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SECTION 1.15
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"Receipts"
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4
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SECTION 1.16
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"Registrar"
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4
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SECTION 1.17
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"Restricted Securities"
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4
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SECTION 1.18
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"Securities Act of 1933"
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4
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SECTION 1.19
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"Shares"
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4
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ARTICLE 2
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FORM OF RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
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5
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SECTION 2.1
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Form and Transferability of Receipts
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5
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SECTION 2.2
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Deposit of Shares
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5
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SECTION 2.3
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Execution and Delivery of Receipts
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7
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SECTION 2.4
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Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts
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7
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SECTION 2.5
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Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares
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8
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SECTION 2.6
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Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts
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9
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SECTION 2.7
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Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Receipts
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10
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SECTION 2.8
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Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts
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10
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SECTION 2.9
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Pre-Release of Receipts
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10
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SECTION 2.10
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Maintenance of Records
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11
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SECTION 2.11
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Restricted Securities Owners
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11
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ARTICLE 3
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CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS
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12
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SECTION 3.1
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Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information
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12
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SECTION 3.2
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Liability of Owner for Taxes
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12
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SECTION 3.3
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Warranties on Deposit of Shares
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13
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SECTION 3.4
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Disclosure of Interests
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13
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SECTION 3.5
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Ownership Restrictions
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13
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i
ARTICLE 4
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THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
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13
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SECTION 4.1
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Cash Distributions
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13
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SECTION 4.2
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Distribution Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights
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14
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SECTION 4.3
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Distributions in Shares
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14
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SECTION 4.4
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Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares
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15
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SECTION 4.5
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Rights
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15
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SECTION 4.6
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Conversion of Foreign Currency
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17
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SECTION 4.7
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Fixing of Record Date
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18
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SECTION 4.8
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Voting of Deposited Securities
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18
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SECTION 4.9
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Changes Affecting Deposited Securities
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19
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SECTION 4.10
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Reports
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20
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SECTION 4.11
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List of Owners
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20
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SECTION 4.12
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Withholding
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20
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ARTICLE 5
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THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE ISSUER
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21
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SECTION 5.1
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Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary
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21
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SECTION 5.2
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Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Issuer
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22
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SECTION 5.3
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Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer
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22
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SECTION 5.4
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Resignation and Removal of the Depositary
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23
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SECTION 5.5
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The Custodians
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24
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SECTION 5.6
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Notices and Reports
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24
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SECTION 5.7
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Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
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25
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SECTION 5.8
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Indemnification
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26
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SECTION 5.9
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Charges of Depositary
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27
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SECTION 5.10
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Retention of Depositary Documents
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29
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SECTION 5.11
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Exclusivity
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29
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ARTICLE 6
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AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
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29
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SECTION 6.1
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Amendment
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29
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SECTION 6.2
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Termination
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30
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ARTICLE 7
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MISCELLANEOUS
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31
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SECTION 7.1
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Counterparts
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31
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SECTION 7.2
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No Third-Party Beneficiaries
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31
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SECTION 7.3
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Severability
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31
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SECTION 7.4
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Beneficial Owners and Owners as Parties; Binding Effect
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32
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SECTION 7.5
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Notices
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32
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SECTION 7.6
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Governing Law
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32
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SECTION 7.7
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Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws
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32
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SECTION 7.8
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Assignment
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33
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SECTION 7.9
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Amendment and Restatement of Old Deposit Agreement
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33
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EXHIBIT A Form of Receipt
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A-1
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ii
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of October [•], 2014,among XXXXX & NEPHEW PLC, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the Issuer), DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., acting in its capacity as depositary (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder.
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Issuer and The Bank of New York Mellon entered into a Deposit Agreement dated as of November 16, 1999, as amended and restated as of August 7, 2000, as further amended and restated as of December 15, 2003, and as further amended and restated as of February 18, 2010 (the "Old Deposit Agreement") to provide for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Issuer from time to time with The Bank of New York Mellon or with the custodian as agent of The Bank of New York Mellon for the purposes set forth in such Old Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts (“Old Receipts”) evidencing the American Depositary Shares;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of Section 5.4 of the Old Deposit Agreement, the Issuer has removed The Bank of New York Mellon as depositary and has appointed Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as successor depositary thereunder; and
WHEREAS, the Issuer and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, in its capacity as successor depositary under the Old Deposit Agreement, now wish to amend and restate the Old Deposit Agreement and the Old Receipts;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto hereby amend and restate the Old Deposit Agreement and the Old Receipts in their entirety as follows:
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS.
The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:
SECTION 1.1 American Depositary Shares.
The term "American Depositary Shares" shall mean the securities representing the interests in the Deposited Securities and evidenced by the Receipts issued hereunder. Prior to October 14, 2014, each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive five Shares and as of October 14, 2014, each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive two Shares, in each case, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.3 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.9 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall evidence the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such Sections.
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SECTION 1.2 Article; Section.
Wherever references are made in this Deposit Agreement to an "Article" or "Articles" or to a "Section" or "Sections", such references shall mean an article or articles or a section or sections of this Deposit Agreement, unless otherwise required by the context.
SECTION 1.3 Beneficial Owner.
The term “Beneficial Owner” shall mean as to any American Depositary Share, any person or entity having a beneficial interest in such American Depositary Share. A Beneficial Owner need not be the Owner of the Receipt evidencing such American Depositary Shares. A Beneficial Owner may exercise any rights or receive any benefits hereunder solely through the Owner of the Receipt(s) evidencing the American Depositary Shares in which such Beneficial Owner has an interest.
SECTION 1.4 Commission.
The term "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
SECTION 1.5 Consultation.
The term "Consultation" shall mean the good faith attempt by the Depositary to discuss the relevant issue in a timely manner with a person employed by the Issuer reasonably believed by the Depositary to be empowered by the Issuer to engage in such discussion on behalf of the Issuer.
SECTION 1.6 Custodian.
The term "Custodian" shall mean as of the date hereof, State Street Bank & Trust Company, having its principal office at 000 Xxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx Toll, Xxxxxxxxx, XX0 0XX Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.5, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them collectively.
SECTION 1.7 Deposit Agreement.
The term "Deposit Agreement" shall mean this amended and restated deposit agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.
SECTION 1.8 Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.
The term "Depositary" shall mean Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank A.G., and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term "Corporate Trust Office", when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the office of the Depositary which at the date of this Agreement is 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, X.X.X. If the address of the Corporate Trust Office changes after the date of this Deposit Agreement, notice shall be given 30 days prior to such change by the Depositary to the Issuer of such new address. During such 30 day notification period, the Issuer shall send all communications to the Depositary's previous address.
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SECTION 1.9 Deposited Securities.
The term "Deposited Securities" as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.6.
SECTION 1.10 Dollars; Pound; Xxxxx.
The term "Dollars" shall mean the lawful currency of the United States. The terms "Pound" and "Xxxxx" shall mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.
SECTION 1.11 DRS/Profile.
The term "DRS/Profile" shall mean the system for the uncertificated registration of ownership of securities pursuant to which ownership of American Depositary Shares is maintained on the books of the Depositary without the issuance of a physical certificate and transfer instructions may be given to allow for the automated transfer of ownership between the books of The Depository Trust Company (DTC) and the Depositary. Ownership of American Depositary Shares held in DRS/Profile is evidenced by periodic statements issued by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto. With respect to DRS/Profile Receipts, the terms “deliver” and “delivery” refer to the electronic delivery of such security by means of book-entry transfer through DRS/Profile, and the terms "execute", "issue", "register", "surrender", "transfer" or "cancel" refer to applicable entries or movements to or within DRS/Profile.
SECTION 1.12 Foreign Registrar.
The term "Foreign Registrar" shall mean the entity that presently carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Issuer for the transfer and registration of Shares.
SECTION 1.13 Issuer.
The term "Issuer" shall mean Xxxxx & Nephew plc, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and its successors.
SECTION 1.14 Owner.
The term "Owner" shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.
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SECTION 1.15 Receipts or American Depositary Receipts.
The term "Receipts" and "American Depositary Receipts" shall mean the certificates or DRS/Profile statements issued hereunder evidencing American Depositary Shares. References to Receipts or American Depositary Receipts shall include physical certificated Receipts as well as American Depositary Shares issued through DRS/Profile, unless the context otherwise requires.
SECTION 1.16 Registrar.
The term "Registrar" shall mean any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register Receipts and transfers of Receipts as herein provided and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary after Consultation with the Issuer.
SECTION 1.17 Restricted Securities.
The term "Restricted Securities" shall mean Shares, or Receipts representing such Shares, which are acquired directly or indirectly from the Issuer or its affiliates (as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933) in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering or which are subject to resale limitations under Regulation D under that Act or both, or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Issuer, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or the United Kingdom, or under a shareholder agreement or the Articles of Association and By-laws of the Issuer unless, in each case, such Shares (or Receipts representing such Shares) are being sold to persons other than an affiliate of the Issuer in a transaction (x) covered by an effective resale registration statement or (y) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Shares (or Receipts representing such Shares) are not, when held by such person, Restricted Securities.
SECTION 1.18 Securities Act of 1933.
The term "Securities Act of 1933" shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
SECTION 1.19 Shares.
The term "Shares" shall mean ordinary shares in registered form of the Issuer, heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or interim certificates representing such Shares; provided, however, that if there shall occur any change in nominal value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.9, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares, the term "Shares" shall thereafter represent the successor securities resulting from such change in nominal value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion. Reference to Shares shall include evidence of rights to receive Shares; provided that in no event shall the term "Shares" include evidence of rights to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid.
4
ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS.
SECTION 2.1 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
Definitive Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided. No Receipt in certificated form shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt so executed and delivered, in the case of Receipts in certificated form, and each Receipt issued through any book-entry system including, without limitation, DRS/Profile, in either case as hereinafter provided, and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.
The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required by the Depositary or required to comply with any applicable law or regulations thereunder or with the rules and regulations of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.
Title to a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of certificated Receipts) or upon delivery to the Depositary of a proper instrument or instruments of transfer, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument; provided, however, that the Issuer and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes, and neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner thereof.
SECTION 2.2 Deposit of Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares, other than Restricted Securities, may be deposited by delivery thereof to any Custodian hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer, or endorsement, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Custodian, together with all such certifications as may be required from the individual depositing the underlying Shares or any governmental agency, stock exchange, etc. by the Depositary or such Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order directing the Depositary to execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order, a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposit. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the United Kingdom, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange. If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.
5
At the request and risk and expense of any person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of such person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments herein specified, for the purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit hereunder.
Upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited hereunder, together with the other documents above specified, such Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present such certificate or certificates to the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee.
Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.
In the event any Shares are deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit, the Depositary is authorized to take any and all actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the issuance of such American Depositary Shares and to ensure that such American Depositary Shares are not fungible with other American Depositary Shares issued hereunder until such time as the entitlement of the Shares represented by such non-fungible American Depositary Shares equals that of the Shares represented by American Depositary Shares prior to such deposit. The Issuer agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued contain rights different from those of any other Shares theretofore issued and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of such non-fungible Shares upon delivery to the Custodian.
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SECTION 2.3 Execution and Delivery of Receipts.
Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit pursuant to Section 2.2 hereunder (and in addition, if the transfer books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are open, the Depositary may in its sole discretion require a proper acknowledgment or other evidence from the Issuer that any Deposited Securities have been recorded upon the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee), together with the other documents required as above specified, such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission. Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, or upon the receipt of Shares by the Depositary, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall execute and deliver at its Corporate Trust Office, to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names and evidencing any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested by such person or persons, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary for the execution and delivery of such Receipt or Receipts as provided in Section 5.9, and of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Deposited Securities.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipt to the contrary, to the extent available by the Depositary, American Depositary Shares shall be evidenced by Receipts issued through DRS/Profile unless certificated Receipts are specifically requested by the Owner. Owners and Beneficial Owners shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and of the form of Receipt, regardless of whether their Receipts are certificated or issued through DRS/Profile.
The Depositary shall execute and deliver Receipts only in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt. The Depositary shall not deliver Shares hereunder except upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts or in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9.
SECTION 2.4 Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9, shall, without unreasonable delay, register transfers of Receipts on its transfer books from time to time, upon any surrender of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by, or in the case of DRS/Profile Receipts, receipt by the Depositary of, a proper instrument or instruments of transfer, and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States of America. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
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The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.
The Depositary may, after Consultation with the Issuer, appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.4 shall give notice in writing to the Issuer and the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.
At the request of an Owner, the Depositary shall, for the purpose of substituting a certificated Receipt with a Receipt issued through DRS/Profile, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated Receipt or DRS/Profile statement, as the case may be, for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as those evidenced by the certificated Receipt or DRS/Profile statement, as the case may be, substituted.
SECTION 2.5 Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares.
Upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in Section 5.9 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owner of such Receipt shall be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the name of such Owner or as ordered by him or by certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer to such Owner or as ordered by him and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of such Receipts to such Owner or as ordered by him. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.
A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver at the London, England office of the Custodian, subject to Sections 2.6, 3.1 and 3.2 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.
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The Depositary may, in its discretion, refuse to accept for surrender a number of American Depositary Shares representing a number of Shares other than a whole number of Shares. In the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.
At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt, and for the account of such Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates and other proper documents of title for, the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
SECTION 2.6 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts.
As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presentor of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge or fee with respect to the Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.6.
The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Issuer at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, subject to the provisions of Section 7.7 hereof. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may not be suspended subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares.
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SECTION 2.7 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Receipts.
In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt (which, in the discretion of the Depositary may be issued through DRS/Profile unless specifically requested otherwise) of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.
SECTION 2.8 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.
All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.
SECTION 2.9 Pre-Release of Receipts.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Shares (other than to the Issuer or its agent as contemplated by Section 4.9) or otherwise permit Shares to be withdrawn from the facility created hereby, except upon the surrender and cancellation of American Depositary Shares or in connection with a sale permitted under Section 3.2, 4.3, 4.12 or 6.2.
The Depositary may issue Receipts against the delivery by the Issuer (or any agent of the Issuer recording Share ownership) of rights to receive Shares from the Issuer (or any such agent). No such issue of Receipts will be deemed a "Pre-Release" that is subject to the restrictions of the following paragraph.
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Unless requested in writing by the Issuer to cease doing so, the Depositary may (i) notwithstanding Section 2.3 hereof, execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of shares pursuant to Section 2.2 ("Pre-Release") and (ii) pursuant to Section 2.5, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts whether or not any Pre-Release remains outstanding at such time. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release . Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered (the "Pre-Releasee") that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or Receipts in its records and to hold such Shares or Receipts in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or Receipts are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (iii) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or Receipts, and (iv) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary determines, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited hereunder; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to disregard such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Issuer, change such limit for purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set Dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered into hereunder with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee's obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities hereunder).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
SECTION 2.10 Maintenance of Records.
The Depositary agrees to maintain records of all Receipts surrendered and Deposited Securities withdrawn under Section 2.5, substitute Receipts delivered under Section 2.7, and cancelled or destroyed Receipts under Section 2.8, in keeping with the procedures ordinarily followed by stock transfer agents located in The City of New York or as required by applicable law, rule or regulation.
SECTION 2.11 Restricted Securities Owners.
The Issuer agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Issuer, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder. The Issuer shall inform Owners and Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any other limitations on ownership of Shares that the Owners and Beneficial Owners may be subject to by reason of the number of American Depositary Shares held under the constituent documents of the Issuer or, applicable United Kingdom law, as such restrictions may be in force from time to time.
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ARTICLE 3. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS.
SECTION 3.1 Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, proof of the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipt and the nature of such interest or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary or the Issuer may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made. Upon the request of the Issuer, the Depositary shall provide the Issuer with copies of all such certificates and such written representations and warranties provided to the Depositary under this Section 3.1. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph.
SECTION 3.2 Liability of Owner for Taxes.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by any Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of such Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner of such Receipt shall remain liable for any deficiency. Every Owner and Beneficial Owner agrees to, and shall, indemnify the Depositary, the Issuer, the Custodian and each and every of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes, additions to tax (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for or by such Owner and/or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Owners and Beneficial Owners of Receipts under this Section 3.2 shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, or the termination of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 3.3 Warranties on Deposit of Shares.
Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares,that the person making such deposit is duly authorized to do so, that the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, and that the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of such Shares and issuance of Receipts. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Issuer and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
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SECTION 3.4 Disclosure of Interests.
The Issuer may from time to time request Owners to provide information as to the capacity in which such Owners own or owned Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such Receipts and the nature of such interest and various other matters. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this Section 3.4. The Depositary agrees to comply with reasonable written instructions received from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary forward any such requests to the Owners and to forward to the Issuer any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
SECTION 3.5 Ownership Restrictions.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Beneficial Owner agrees to be bound by and subject to the By-laws of the Issuer and to any restrictions on Share ownership or transferability under applicable local law (to the same extent as if such American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt were the Shares evidenced by such Receipt, provided, however, that such provisions shall apply to such persons only to the extent feasible). The Issuer shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.
In addition, Owners and Beneficial Owners are subject to regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to which, inter alia, acquisition or sale of American Depositary Shares representing Shares in excess of prescribed limits must be notified to the Commission and to any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed.
ARTICLE 4. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
SECTION 4.1 Cash Distributions.
Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4.6, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars as promptly as practicable and shall promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 hereof, if applicable) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by such Owners respectively without regard to any distinctions among holders on account of exchange restrictions or the date of deliver of any Receipt or Receipts; provided, however, that in the event that the Issuer or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes, or other governmental charges the amount distributed to the Owner of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto. The Issuer or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in the United Kingdom all amounts withheld and owing to such agency. The Depositary will forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, and the Depositary or the Issuer or its agent may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties, if any, for the Owners of Receipts.
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SECTION 4.2 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights.
Subject to the provisions of Section 4.12 and Section 5.9, whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Issuer or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such securities must be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 in order to be distributed to Owners or Beneficial Owners) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt, after Consultation with the Issuer when reasonably practicable, such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash.
SECTION 4.3 Distributions in Shares.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may, and shall if the Issuer shall so request, distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.12 and the payment of fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.1. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
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SECTION 4.4 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares.
Whenever the Issuer intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Issuer shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Owners. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Issuer wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Owners, the Depositary shall consult with the Issuer to determine, and the Issuer shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Owners. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Owners only if (i) the Issuer shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Owners of Receipts, (ii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 including, without limitation, any legal opinions that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Issuer. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Owners, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 or (y) additional American Depositary Shares representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.3. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish a record date (on the terms described in Section 4.7) and establish procedures to enable Owners to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional American Depositary Shares. The Issuer shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, if an Owner elects to receive the proposed dividend (x) in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1, or (y) in American Depositary Shares, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.3. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Owners a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than American Depositary Shares). There can be no assurance that Owners generally, or any Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
SECTION 4.5 Rights.
In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary, after Consultation with the Issuer, shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its discretion, after Consultation with the Issuer, that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
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In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Issuer shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.2 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this section, such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws.
If the Depositary determines in its discretion, after Consultation with the Issuer, that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.
The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act. If an Owner of Receipts requests distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration.
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The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with any sale or exercise of such rights, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Owners on behalf of the Issuer in connection with the rights distribution.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally, or any Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. The Issuer shall be under no obligation to file any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to make available to Owners any additional Shares, rights or other Distributions.
SECTION 4.6 Conversion of Foreign Currency.
Subject to any restriction imposed by the laws of the United Kingdom, regulations or applicable permits issued by any governmental body, whenever the Depositary shall receive foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation in whole or in part depending upon the terms of such warrants or other instruments. Such distribution shall be made in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing Deposited Securities held respectively by such Owners entitling them to such Dollars and may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may, after Consultation with the Issuer, distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
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If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners not entitled to receive Dollars.
SECTION 4.7 Fixing of Record Date.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix a record date, after Consultation with the Issuer if such record date is different from the record date applicable to the Deposited Securities (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.1 through 4.6 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled, as the case may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively and to give voting instructions, to exercise the rights of Owners hereunder with respect to such changed number of Shares and to act in respect of any other such matter. Any such record date fixed by the Depositary will be the same as, or as close as practicable to, the record date fixed by the Issuer with respect to such dividend, distribution or meeting.
SECTION 4.8 Voting of Deposited Securities.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be subject to the reasonable discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting, received by the Depositary from the Issuer, (b) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of law in the United Kingdom and of the Articles of Association of the Issuer and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares, and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including, when applicable, an express indication that instructions may be given (or, if applicable, deemed given in accordance with the second paragraph of this Section 4.8 if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer. Upon the written request of an Owner on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable laws and the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Issuer and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with any non-discretionary instructions set forth in such request, including their instruction to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer. The Depositary shall not, and the Depositary shall ensure that each Custodian or any of its nominees shall not, exercise any voting discretion over any Deposited Securities.
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If after complying with the procedures set forth in this Section the Depositary does not receive instructions from the Owner of a Receipt on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose (the “Instruction Date”), the Depositary, subject to applicable law, shall give a discretionary proxy for the Shares evidenced by such Receipt to a person designated by the Issuer.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in the preceding paragraph sufficiently prior to the Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Subject to the rules of any securities exchange on which the Deposited Securities are listed the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to deliver to the extent practicable, at least two business days prior to the date of such meeting, to the Issuer voting instructions received (or deemed received) from Owners.
SECTION 4.9 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities, shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, after Consultation with the Issuer, and shall, if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend in Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Owners, the Depositary may, with the Issuer's approval, and shall, if the Issuer requests, subject to receipt of an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, furnished at the expense of the Issuer, satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Owners otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1.
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SECTION 4.10 Reports.
The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Owners at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer which are both (a) received by the Depositary or the Custodian or the nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer. The Depositary shall also, upon written request, send to the Owners copies of such reports furnished by the Issuer pursuant to Section 5.6. Any such reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting material, furnished to the Depositary by the Issuer shall be furnished in English.
SECTION 4.11 Lists of Owners.
Promptly after each request by the Issuer and, if requested by the Issuer, once every month, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares by all persons in whose names Receipts are registered on the books of the Depositary and the number of Pre-Releases outstanding as a percentage of the Shares deposited hereunder.
SECTION 4.12 Withholding.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners entitled thereto in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, and the Depositary shall distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. The Issuer or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United Kingdom all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Issuer. The Depositary or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United States all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Depositary.
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The Depositary shall forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies. The Depositary shall use reasonable efforts to make and maintain arrangements enabling Owners who are citizens or residents of the United States to receive any tax credits or other benefits (pursuant to treaty or otherwise) relating to dividend payments on the American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Issuer and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Owners and Beneficial Owners. Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner, to file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositary's or the Custodian's obligations under applicable law.
ARTICLE 5. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIANS AND THE ISSUER.
SECTION 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Depositary.
Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Depositary shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, facilities for the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfers and surrender of Receipts in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners, provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Depositary may close the transfer books, at any time or from time to time, when deemed expedient by it in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder or at the written request of the Issuer.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges in the United States, after Consultation with the Issuer, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registry of such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchange or exchanges. Such Registrar or co-registrars shall be removed only after Consultation with the Issuer. Each Registrar and co-registrar appointed under this Section 5.1 shall give notice in writing to the Issuer and the Depositary accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.
The Issuer shall have the right, at all reasonable times, to inspect transfer and registration records of the Depositary, the Registrar and any co-transfer agents or co-registrars and to require such parties to supply copies of such portions of their records as the Issuer may request.
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SECTION 5.2 Prevention or Delay in Performance by the Depositary or the Issuer.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer nor any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, the United Kingdom or any other country, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles of Association of the Issuer, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Issuer, or any offering or distribution thereof, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from, or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of, doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of this Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse.
SECTION 5.3 Obligations of the Depositary, the Custodian and the Issuer.
The Issuer assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt, except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence and to act in good faith in the performance of such duties.
The Depositary assumes no obligation nor shall it be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt (including, without limitation, liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities), except that it agrees to perform its obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence and to act in good faith in the performance of such duties.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Security or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary.
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Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information including, but not limited to, any such action or nonaction based upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall incur any liability to Owners, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in this Deposit Agreement or in the Issuer’s constituent documents or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (ii) for the inability by an Owner or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners of American Depositary Shares or (iii) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement or otherwise.
The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Issuer, effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and such successor depositary's acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by written notice of such removal effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and such successor depositary's acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Issuer shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Issuer an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor; but such predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Issuer shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Deposited Securities to such successor, and shall deliver to such successor a list of the Owners of all outstanding Receipts. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to the Owners.
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Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
SECTION 5.5 The Custodians.
The Depositary, after Consultation with the Issuer, may appoint from time to time one or more agents, as permitted by United Kingdom law and any other applicable laws or regulations, to act for it as Custodian hereunder. Any such Custodian shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the directions of the Depositary and shall be responsible solely to it. Any Custodian may resign and be discharged from its duties hereunder by notice of such resignation delivered to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the date on which such resignation is to become effective. If upon such resignation there shall be no Custodian acting hereunder, the Depositary shall, promptly after receiving such notice, and after Consultation with the Issuer, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians, each of which shall thereafter be a Custodian hereunder. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners to do so, it may appoint substitute or additional custodian or custodians, which shall thereafter be one of the Custodians hereunder. Upon demand of the Depositary any Custodian shall deliver such of the Deposited Securities held by it as are requested of it to any other Custodian or such substitute or additional custodian or custodians. Each such substitute or additional custodian shall deliver to the Depositary and the Issuer, forthwith upon its appointment, an acceptance of such appointment satisfactory in form and substance to the Depositary and the Issuer.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary hereunder, each Custodian then acting hereunder shall forthwith become, without any further act or writing, the agent hereunder of such successor depositary and the appointment of such successor depositary shall in no way impair the authority of each Custodian hereunder; but the successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority as agent hereunder of such successor depositary.
SECTION 5.6 Notices and Reports.
On or before the first date on which the Issuer gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights, the Issuer agrees to transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities.
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The Issuer will arrange for the translation into English and the prompt transmittal by the Issuer to the Depositary and the Custodian of such notices and any other reports and communications which are made generally available by the Issuer to holders of its Shares. If requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary will promptly arrange for the mailing, at the Issuer's expense, of copies of such notices, reports and communications to all Owners. The Issuer will timely provide the Depositary with the quantity of such notices, reports, and communications, as requested by the Depositary from time to time, in order for the Depositary to effect such mailings.
SECTION 5.7 Distribution of Additional Shares, Rights, etc.
The Issuer agrees that in the event of any issuance or distribution of (1) additional Shares, (2) rights to subscribe for Shares, (3) securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, or (4) rights to subscribe for any such securities, (each a "Distribution") the Issuer will promptly furnish to the Depositary a written opinion from U.S. counsel for the Issuer, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, stating whether or not the Distribution requires a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to be in effect prior to making such Distribution available to Owners entitled thereto. If in the opinion of such counsel a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 is required, such counsel shall furnish to the Depositary a written opinion as to whether or not there is a registration statement in effect which will cover such Distribution.
In the event that such registration under the Securities Act of 1933 would be required in connection with any such Distribution, the Issuer shall have no obligation to effect such registration.
In the event of any issuance of additional securities, the Issuer shall have no obligation to register such additional securities under the Securities Act of 1933 and, to the extent the Issuer in its discretion deems it necessary or advisable in order to avoid any requirement to register such additional securities under the Securities Act of 1933, may prevent Owners in the United States from purchasing any such additional securities (whether pursuant to pre-emptive rights or otherwise) and direct the Depositary not to accept any Shares for deposit for such period of time following the issuance of such additional securities and to adopt such other specific measures as the Issuer may reasonably request in writing.
The Issuer agrees with the Depositary that neither the Issuer nor any person (as such term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933) controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Issuer will at any time deposit any Shares, either originally issued or previously issued and reacquired by the Issuer or any person under its control, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares under the Securities Act of 1933. The Depositary will comply with the written instructions of the Issuer not to accept knowingly for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Issuer's compliance with the securities laws of the United States, the United Kingdom and any other jurisdictions specified therein.
SECTION 5.8 Indemnification.
The Issuer agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted in accordance with this Deposit Agreement and the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of any of them, or (ii) by the Issuer or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates.
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Except as provided in the next succeeding paragraph, the Depositary agrees to indemnify the Issuer, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates against and hold each of them harmless from any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary or its agents due to their negligence or bad faith acting in their capacity as such.
In no event shall the Company or the Depositary or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents (including, without limitation, its Agents) and/or Affiliates, or any of them, be liable to the other for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages.
If an action, proceeding (including, but not limited to, any governmental investigation), claim or dispute (collectively, a "Proceeding") in respect of which indemnity may be sought by either party is brought or asserted against the other party, the party seeking indemnification (the "Indemnitee") shall promptly (and in no event more than ten (10) days after receipt of notice of such Proceeding) notify the party obligated to provide such indemnification (the "Indemnitor") of such Proceeding. The failure of the Indemnitee to so notify the Indemnitor shall not impair the Indemnitee's ability to seek indemnification from the Indemnitor (but only for costs, expenses and liabilities incurred after such notice) unless such failure adversely affects the Indemnitor's ability to adequately oppose or defend such Proceeding. Upon receipt of such notice from the Indemnitee, the Indemnitor shall be entitled to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it shall so desire and provided no conflict of interest exists as specified in subparagraph (b) below or there are no other defenses available to Indemnitee as specified in subparagraph (d) below, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee (in which case all attorney's fees and expenses shall be borne by the Indemnitor and the Indemnitor shall in good faith defend the Indemnitee). The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such Proceeding and to participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the Indemnitee unless (a) the Indemnitor agrees in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (b) the Indemnitee shall have reasonably and in good faith concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Indemnitor and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense of such action, (c) the Indemnitor fails to assume, at least ten (10) days prior to the date the first response or appearance is required to be made in such Proceeding, the defense of such Proceeding with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee or (d) there are legal defenses available to the Indemnitee that are different from or are in addition to those available to the Indemnitor. No compromise or settlement of such Proceeding may be effected by either party without the other party's consent unless (i) there is no finding or admission of any violation of law and no effect on any other claims that may be made against such other party and (ii) the sole relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the party seeking the settlement. Neither party shall have any liability with respect to any compromise or settlement effected without its consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Indemnitor shall have no obligation to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnitee from any expense or liability incurred by the Indemnitee as a result of a default judgment entered against the Indemnitee unless such judgment was entered after the Indemnitor agreed, in writing, to assume the defense of such Proceeding.
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SECTION 5.9 Charges of Depositary.
The Issuer agrees to pay certain fees, reasonable expenses and out-of-pocket charges of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Issuer from time to time. The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the American Depositary Shares are listed:
(i) to any person to whom American Depositary Shares are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of American Depositary Share distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;
(ii) to any person surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares held for the distribution of cash dividends;
(iv) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares held for the distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds, including proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements;
(v) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; and
(vi) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the American Depositary Shares an annual fee of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares, such fee to be assessed against Owners of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.
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In addition, Owners, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex , facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, American Depositary Shares and Receipts;
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable; and
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred from time to time by the Depositary and/or any of the Depositary's agents, including the Custodian, and/or agents of the Depositary's agents in connection with the servicing of Shares, Deposited Securities and/or American Depositary Shares (such fees, charges, costs or expenses to be assessed against Owners of record as at the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary, subject to Section 2.9 hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
SECTION 5.10 Retention of Depositary Documents.
Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein, the Depositary is authorized to destroy those documents, records, bills and other data compiled during the term of this Deposit Agreement at the times permitted by the laws or regulations governing the Depositary unless the Issuer requests that such papers be retained for a different period or turned over to the Issuer or to a successor depositary.
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SECTION 5.11 Exclusivity.
The Issuer agrees not to appoint any other depositary for issuance of Receipts so long as Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas is acting as Depositary hereunder.
ARTICLE 6. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.
SECTION 6.1 Amendment.
The form of the Receipts and any provision of this Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fee or charge (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of a thirty day period following notification pursuant to Section 7.5 hereof of any such amendment to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Issuer and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Owners, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Owners. Every Owner at the time any amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Issuer and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Owners or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
SECTION 6.2 Termination.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt will, upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.5, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to delivery, to him or as ordered by him, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell property and rights as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8 and 5.9 hereof. The obligations of the Depositary under Section 5.8 shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable American Depositary Shares are presented by their Owners to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Owners have each satisfied any and all of their obligations hereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
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ARTICLE 7. MISCELLANEOUS.
SECTION 7.1 Counterparts.
This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be retained by the Depositary and filed with the Depositary and the Custodians and shall be open to inspection by any Owner of a Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary and the principal corporate office of the Custodian designated by the Custodian during business hours.
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SECTION 7.2 No Third Party Beneficiaries.
This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and shall not be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person.
SECTION 7.3 Severability.
In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
SECTION 7.4 Beneficial Owners and Owners as Parties; Binding Effect.
The Beneficial Owners and Owners of Receipts from time to time shall be parties to this Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions hereof and of the Receipts by acceptance thereof.
SECTION 7.5 Notices.
Any and all notices to be given to the Issuer shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to Xxxxx & Nephew plc, Heron House, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX, Xxxxxxx, Attention: Company Secretary; Tel: (000) 00 000 000 0000; Fax: (000) 00 000 000 0000, or any other place to which the Issuer may have transferred its principal office.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if in English and personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, U.S.A., Attention: ADR Department, telephone: (000) 000 000-0000, facsimile: (000) 000 000 0000 or any other place to which the Depositary may have transferred its Corporate Trust Office.
Any and all notices to be given to any Owner shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission confirmed by letter, addressed to such Owner at the address of such Owner as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Owner shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Owner be mailed to some other address, at the address designated in such request.
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Delivery of a notice sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effected at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box. The Depositary or the Issuer may, however, act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid.
SECTION 7.6 Governing Law.
This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
SECTION 7.7 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws.
Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Issuer and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has under this Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities in a manner which would violate the U.S. securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
SECTION 7.8 Assignment.
This Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Issuer or the Depositary.
SECTION 7.9 Amendment and Restatement of Old Deposit Agreement.
This Deposit Agreement amends and restates the Old Deposit Agreement in its entirety to consist exclusively of this Deposit Agreement, and each Old Receipt is hereby deemed amended and restated to substantially conform to the form of Receipt set forth in Exhibit A annexed hereto, except that, to the extent any portion of either such amendment and restatement would prejudice any substantial existing right of owners of Old Receipts, such portion shall not become effective as to such owners until 30 days after such owners shall have received notice thereof, such notice to be conclusively deemed given upon the mailing to such owners of notice of such amendment and restatement which notice contains a provision whereby such owners can receive a copy of the form of Receipt.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, XXXXX & NEPHEW PLC and DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS have duly executed this amended and restated agreement as of the day and year first set forth above and all Owners and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto in accordance with Section 6.1 and upon acceptance by them of Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof.
XXXXX & NEPHEW PLC
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY
AMERICAS,
as Depositary
By: ___________________________
Name:
Title:
|
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Exhibit A to Deposit Agreement
No.
|
|
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
(Each American Depositary Share
represents two (2) deposited Shares)
|
DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR ORDINARY SHARES OF THE
NOMINAL VALUE OF 20 U.S. CENTS EACH
OF
XXXXX & NEPHEW PLC
(INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF ENGLAND AND WALES)
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas as depositary (hereinafter called the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that , or registered assigns IS THE OWNER OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing deposited ordinary shares, nominal value 20 U.S. cents each (herein called "Shares") of Xxxxx & Nephew plc, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the "Issuer"). At the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents two (2) Shares which are either deposited or subject to deposit under the deposit agreement with the Custodian which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is State Street Bank & Trust Company (herein called the "Custodian"). The Depositary's Corporate Trust Office is located at 00 Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, U.S.A
1. THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue (herein called "Receipts"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Fourth Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of October [•], 2014 (herein called the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Issuer, the Depositary, and all Owners and Beneficial Owners from time to time of Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting a Receipt agrees to become a party thereto and become bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights of Owners and Beneficial Owners of the Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property, and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Depositary's Corporate Trust Office in New York City and at the office of the Custodian.
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The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
2. SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS AND WITHDRAWAL OF SHARES.
Upon surrender of this Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of this Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary provided in this Receipt, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Owner hereof is entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares for which this Receipt is issued. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (a) certificates in the name of the Owner hereof or as ordered by him or by the delivery of certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and (b) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of this Receipt. Such delivery will be made at the option of the Owner hereof, either at the office of the Custodian or at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, provided that the forwarding of certificates for Shares or other Deposited Securities for such delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary shall be at the risk and expense of the Owner hereof.
The Depositary may, in its discretion, refuse to accept for surrender a number of American Depositary Shares representing a number of Shares other than a whole number of Shares. In the case of surrender of a Receipt evidencing a number of American Depositary Shares representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be delivered in accordance with the terms of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) issue and deliver to the person surrendering such Receipt a new Receipt evidencing American Depositary Shares representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Shares represented by the Receipt so surrendered and remit the proceeds thereof (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and governmental charges) to the person surrendering the Receipt.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, the surrender of outstanding Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be suspended only for (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting, or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, and (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities.
3. TRANSFERS, SPLIT-UPS, AND COMBINATIONS OF RECEIPTS.
The transfer of this Receipt is registrable on the books of the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office by the Owner hereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, without unreasonable delay, upon surrender of this Receipt properly endorsed for transfer or accompanied by, or in the case of DRS/Profile Receipts receipt by the Depositary of, a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and funds sufficient to pay any applicable transfer taxes and the fees and expenses of the Depositary and upon compliance with such regulations, if any, as the Depositary may establish for such purpose. This Receipt may be split into other such Receipts, or may be combined with other such Receipts into one Receipt, evidencing the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination, or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary, the Custodian, or Registrar may require payment from the depositor of Shares or the presentor of the Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge or fee with respect to the Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as provided in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
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The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Issuer at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or for any other reason, subject to Article (22) hereof. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under the Deposit Agreement any Shares required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares.
4. LIABILITY OF OWNER FOR TAXES.
If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented hereby, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner hereof to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect any transfer of this Receipt or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions, or may sell for the account of the Owner hereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner hereof shall remain liable for any deficiency.
Every Owner and Beneficial Owner of American Depositary Shares agrees to, and shall, indemnify the Depositary, the Issuer, the Custodian and each and every of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes, additions to tax (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained for or by such Owner and/or Beneficial Owner. The obligations of Owners and Beneficial Owners of Receipts under this paragraph shall survive any transfer of Receipts, any surrender of Receipts and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, or the termination of the Deposit Agreement.
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5. WARRANTIES OF DEPOSITORS.
Every person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable, and free of any pre-emptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares, that the person making such deposit is duly authorized to do so, that the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim, and are not, and the American Depositary Shares issuable upon such deposit will not be, Restricted Securities, and that the Shares presented for deposit have not been stripped of any rights or entitlements. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts. If any such representations or warranties are false in any way, the Issuer and the Depositary shall be authorized, at the cost and expense of the person depositing Shares, to take any and all actions necessary to correct the consequences thereof.
6. FILING PROOFS, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER INFORMATION.
Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, proof of the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipt and the nature of such interest or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Issuer or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary or the Issuer may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or sale or distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made. Upon the request of the Issuer, the Depositary shall provide the Issuer with copies of all such certificates and such written representations and warranties provided to the Depositary under this Article (6) and Section 3.1 of the Deposit Agreement. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this paragraph. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws of the United Kingdom and regulations and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the United Kingdom, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange.
7. CHARGES OF DEPOSITARY.
The Issuer agrees to pay certain fees and reasonable expenses and out-of-pocket charges of the Depositary and those of any Registrar only in accordance with agreements in writing entered into between the Depositary and the Issuer from time to time. The Depositary shall present its statement for such charges and expenses to the Issuer once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
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The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that no fees shall be payable upon distribution of cash dividends so long as the charging of such fee is prohibited by the exchange, if any, upon which the American Depositary Shares are listed:
(i) to any person to whom American Depositary Shares are issued or to any person to whom a distribution is made in respect of American Depositary Share distributions pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of stock, bonus distributions, stock splits or other distributions (except where converted to cash), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement to be determined by the Depositary;
(ii) to any person surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities including, inter alia, cash distributions made pursuant to a cancellation or withdrawal, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or fraction thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares held for the distribution of cash dividends;
(iv) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares held for the distribution of cash entitlements (other than cash dividends) and/or cash proceeds, including proceeds from the sale of rights, securities and other entitlements;
(v) to any holder of American Depositary Shares (including, without limitation, Owners), a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights; and
(vi) for the operation and maintenance costs in administering the American Depositary Shares an annual fee of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 American Depositary Shares, such fee to be assessed against Owners of record as of the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions.
In addition, Owners, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering American Depositary Shares for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
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(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities with the Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex , facsimile and electronic transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, American Depositary Shares and Receipts;
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities, including any fees of a central depository for securities in the local market, where applicable; and
(vii) any additional fees, charges, costs or expenses that may be incurred from time to time by the Depositary and/or any of the Depositary's agents, including the Custodian, and/or agents of the Depositary's agents in connection with the servicing of Shares, Deposited Securities and/or American Depositary Shares (such fees, charges, costs or expenses to be assessed against Owners of record as at the date or dates set by the Depositary as it sees fit and collected at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Owners for such fee or by deducting such fee from one or more cash dividends or other cash distributions).
The Depositary, subject to Article (8) hereof, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Issuer and its affiliates and in Receipts.
8. PRE-RELEASE OF SHARES AND RECEIPTS.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall deliver Shares (other than to the Issuer or its agent as contemplated by Section 4.9 of the Deposit Agreement) or otherwise permit Shares to be withdrawn from the facility created hereby, except upon the surrender and cancellation of American Depositary Shares or in connection with a sale permitted under Section 3.2, 4.3, 4.12 or 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary may issue Receipts against the delivery by the Issuer (or any agent of the Issuer recording Share ownership) of rights to receive Shares from the Issuer (or any such agent). No such issue of Receipts will be deemed a "Pre-Release" that is subject to the restrictions of the following paragraph.
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Unless requested in writing by the Issuer to cease doing so, the Depositary may (i) notwithstanding Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of shares pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement ("Pre-Release") and (ii) pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts whether or not any Pre-Release remains outstanding at such time. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release . Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation and agreement from the person to whom Receipts are to be delivered (the "Pre-Releasee") that the Pre-Releasee, or its customer, (i) owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (ii) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or Receipts in its records and to hold such Shares or Receipts in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or Receipts are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (iii) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or Receipts, and (iv) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary determines, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of Shares not deposited but represented by American Depositary Shares outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Releases will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited under the Deposit Agreement; provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to exceed such limit from time to time as it deems reasonably appropriate, and may, with the prior written consent of the Issuer, change such limit for purposes of general application. The Depositary will also set Dollar limits with respect to Pre-Release transactions to be entered into under the Deposit Agreement with any particular Pre-Releasee on a case-by-case basis as the Depositary deems appropriate. For purposes of enabling the Depositary to fulfill its obligations to the Owners under the Deposit Agreement, the collateral referred to in clause (b) above shall be held by the Depositary as security for the performance of the Pre-Releasee's obligations to the Depositary in connection with a Pre-Release transaction, including the Pre-Releasee's obligation to deliver Shares or Receipts upon termination of a Pre-Release transaction (and shall not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement).
The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.
9. TITLE TO RECEIPTS.
It is a condition of this Receipt and every successive Beneficial Owner and Owner of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt when properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument, provided, however, that the Issuer and the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary as the absolute owner hereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in the Deposit Agreement or for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner thereof.
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10. VALIDITY OF RECEIPT.
This Receipt shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless this Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Registrar.
11. REPORTS; INSPECTION OF TRANSFER BOOKS.
The Issuer is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and, accordingly, files certain reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter called the "Commission").
The Depositary will make available for inspection by Owners of Receipts at its Corporate Trust Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting material, received from the Issuer which are both (a) received by the Depositary or the Custodian or the nominee of either as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Issuer. The Depositary will also, upon written request, send to Owners of Receipts copies of such reports when furnished by the Issuer pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. Any such reports and communications, including any such proxy soliciting material, furnished to the Depositary by the Issuer shall be furnished in English.
The Depositary shall keep books for the registration of Receipts and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Owners of Receipts provided that such inspection shall not be for the purpose of communicating with Owners of Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Issuer or a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
12. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
Whenever the Depositary receives any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary will, if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a foreign currency can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into United States Dollars transferable to the United States, and subject to the Deposit Agreement, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and will promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, provided, however, that in the event that the Issuer or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owners of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
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Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.12 and 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, whenever the Depositary receives any distribution other than a distribution described in Sections 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 or 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided, however, that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto, or if for any other reason the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto as in the case of a distribution received in cash.
If any distribution consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may and shall if the Issuer shall so request, distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.12 of the Deposit Agreement and the payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary will sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement. If additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.
Whenever the Issuer intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Issuer shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Owners. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Issuer wishes such elective distribution to be made available to Owners, the Depositary shall consult with the Issuer to determine, and the Issuer shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such elective distribution available to the Owners. The Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Owners only if (i) the Issuer shall have timely requested that the elective distribution is available to Owners of Receipts, (ii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable and (iii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 of the Deposit Agreement including, without limitation, any legal opinions that the Depositary in its reasonable discretion may request, at the expense of the Issuer. If the above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Owners, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election is made, either (x) cash upon the terms described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement or (y) additional American Depositary Shares representing such additional Shares upon the terms described in Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish a record date (on the terms described in Section 4.7 of the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures to enable Owners to elect the receipt of the proposed dividend in cash or in additional American Depositary Shares. The Issuer shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. Subject to Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement, if an Owner elects to receive the proposed dividend (x) in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement, or (y) in American Depositary Shares, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Owner hereof a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than American Depositary Shares). There can be no assurance that Owners generally, or any Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
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In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charge which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may by public or private sale dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale after deduction of such taxes or charges to the Owners of Receipts entitled thereto and the Depositary shall distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. The Issuer or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United Kingdom all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Issuer. The Depositary or its agent shall remit to appropriate governmental authorities and agencies in the United States all amounts, if any, withheld and owing to such authorities and agencies by the Depositary.
The Depositary shall forward to the Issuer or its agent such information from its records as the Issuer may reasonably request to enable the Issuer or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies. The Depositary shall use reasonable efforts to make and maintain arrangements enabling Owners who are citizens or residents of the United States to receive any tax credits or other benefits (pursuant to treaty or otherwise) relating to dividend payments on the American Depositary Shares. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Issuer and its agents may, but shall not be obligated to, file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Owners and Beneficial Owners. Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner, to file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositary's or the Custodian's obligations under applicable law.
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13. CONVERSION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY.
Subject to any restriction imposed by the laws of the United Kingdom, regulations or applicable permits issued by any governmental body, whenever the Depositary shall receive foreign currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the foreign currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted as promptly as practicable, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such foreign currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation in whole or in part, depending upon the terms of such warrants or other instruments. Such distribution shall be made in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing Deposited Securities held respectively by such Owners entitling them to such Dollars and may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement.
If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment any foreign currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may, after Consultation with the Issuer, distribute the foreign currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such foreign currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.
If any such conversion of foreign currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners not entitled to receive Dollars.
14. RIGHTS.
In the event that the Issuer shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary, after Consultation with the Issuer, shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available in Dollars to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or, for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its discretion, after Consultation with the Issuer, that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all Owners or to certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute, to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.
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In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Issuer to the Depositary that (a) the Issuer has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Issuer has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.
If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Issuer shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.2 of the Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this Article (14), such Receipts shall be legended in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws.
If the Depositary determines in its discretion, after Consultation with the Issuer, that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 of the Deposit Agreement and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights, warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.
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The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to a distribution to Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act. If an Owner of Receipts requests distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Issuer upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with any sale or exercise of such rights, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Owners on behalf of the Issuer in connection with the rights distribution.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally, or any Owner in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. The Issuer shall be under no obligation to file any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933 to make available to Owners any additional Shares, rights or other Distributions.
15. RECORD DATES.
Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix a record date, after Consultation with the Issuer if such record date is different from the record date applicable to the Deposited Securities (a) for the determination of the Owners of Receipts who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement. The Owners on such record date shall be entitled, subject to the applicable provisions of the Deposit Agreement, as the case may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds or sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by them respectively, and to give voting instructions to exercise the rights of Owners under the Deposit Agreement with respect to such changed number of Shares and to act in respect of any other such matter. Any such record date fixed by the Depositary will be the same as, or as close as practicable to, the record date fixed by the Issuer with respect to such dividend, distribution or meeting.
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16. VOTING OF DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Issuer, the Depositary shall, as soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners of Receipts a notice, the form of which notice shall be subject to the reasonable discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting, received by the Depositary from the Issuer and (b) a statement that the Owners of Receipts as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of law and of the Articles of Association of the Issuer and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares and (c) a statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given, including, when applicable, an express indication that instructions may be given (or, if applicable, deemed given in accordance with the second paragraph of Section 4.8 of the Deposit Agreement if no instruction is received) to the Depositary to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer. Upon the written request of an Owner of a Receipt on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable laws and the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Issuer and the provisions of the Deposited Securities to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with any nondiscretionary instructions set forth in such request including their instruction to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Issuer and the Depositary shall not, and the Depositary shall ensure that each Custodian or any of its nominees shall not, exercise any voting discretion over any Deposited Securities. Upon the written request of an Owner of a Receipt on such record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor in so far as practicable to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in such request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to the Shares or other Deposited Securities, other than in accordance with such instructions.
If after complying with the procedures set forth in this Article (16), the Depositary does not receive instructions from the Owner of a Receipt on or before the date established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall, subject to applicable law, give a discretionary proxy for the Shares evidenced by such Receipt to a person designated by the Issuer.
There can be no assurance that Owners generally or any Owner in particular will receive the notice described in the preceding paragraph sufficiently prior to the Instruction Date to ensure that the Depositary will vote the Shares or Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the preceding paragraph.
Subject to the rules of any securities exchange on which the Deposited Securities are listed the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to deliver to the extent practicable, at least two business days prior to the date of such meeting, to the Issuer voting instructions received (or deemed received) from Owners.
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17. CHANGES AFFECTING DEPOSITED SECURITIES.
In circumstances where the provisions of Section 4.3 of the Deposit Agreement do not apply, upon any change in nominal value, change in par value, split-up, consolidation, or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or sale of assets affecting the Issuer or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or a Custodian in exchange for or in conversion of or in respect of Deposited Securities shall be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and American Depositary Shares shall thenceforth represent the new Deposited Securities so received in exchange or conversion, unless additional Receipts are delivered pursuant to the following sentence. In any such case the Depositary may, after Consultation with the Issuer, and shall, if the Issuer shall so request, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts specifically describing such new Deposited Securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Owners, the Depositary may, with the Issuer's approval, and shall, if the Issuer requests, subject to receipt of an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, furnished at the expense of the Issuer, satisfactory to the Depositary that such action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes and/or governmental charges) for the account of the Owners otherwise entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Deposit Agreement.
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18. LIABILITY OF THE ISSUER AND DEPOSITARY.
Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer nor any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipt, if by reason of any provision of any present or future law or regulation of the United States, England and Wales or any other country, or of any other governmental or regulatory authority or stock exchange, or by reason of any provision, present or future, of the Articles of Association of the Issuer, or by reason of any provision of any securities issued or distributed by the Issuer, or any offering or distribution thereof, or by reason of any act of God or war or other circumstances beyond its control, the Depositary or the Issuer or any of their directors, employees, agents or affiliates shall be prevented, delayed or forbidden from or be subject to any civil or criminal penalty on account of doing or performing any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall be done or performed; nor shall the Depositary or the Issuer incur any liability to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt by reason of any non-performance or delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or thing which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed, or by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement. Where, by the terms of a distribution pursuant to Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 of the Deposit Agreement, or an offering or distribution pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Deposit Agreement, such distribution or offering may not be made available to Owners of Receipts, and the Depositary may not dispose of such distribution or offering on behalf of such Owners and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall not make such distribution or offering, and shall allow any rights, if applicable, to lapse. Neither the Issuer nor the Depositary assumes any obligation or shall be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement to any Owner or Beneficial Owner of any Receipts, except that they agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in the Deposit Agreement without negligence and to act in good faith in the performance of such duties. The Depositary shall not be subject to any liability with respect to the validity or worth of the Deposited Security. Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit, or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Security or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense and liability shall be furnished as often as may be required, and the Custodian shall not be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary. Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall be liable for any action or nonaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt, or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information including, but not limited to, any such action or nonaction based upon any written notice, request, direction or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. Neither the Depositary nor the Issuer shall incur any liability to Owners, Beneficial Owners or any third parties (i) by reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for in the Deposit Agreement or in the Issuer’s constituent documents or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, (ii) for the inability by an Owner or Beneficial Owner to benefit from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, made available to Owners of American Depositary Shares or (iii) for any special, consequential, indirect or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of the Deposit Agreement or otherwise. The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any such vote is cast or the effect of any such vote, provided that any such action or nonaction is in good faith. The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with a matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary, provided that in connection with the issue out of which such potential liability arises the Depositary performed its obligations without negligence or bad faith while it acted as Depositary. The Issuer agrees to indemnify the Depositary, its directors, employees, agents and affiliates and any Custodian against, and hold each of them harmless from, any liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted, in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and of the Receipts, as the same may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, (i) by either the Depositary or any Custodian or their respective directors, employees, agents and affiliates, except for any liability or expense arising out of the negligence or bad faith of any of them, or (ii) by the Issuer or any of its directors, employees, agents and affiliates. No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act of 1933 is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement.
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19. RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF THE DEPOSITARY.
The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the Deposit Agreement by written notice of its election to do so delivered to the Issuer, effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and such successor depositary's acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Issuer by written notice of such removal, effective upon the appointment of a successor depositary and such successor depositary's acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. Whenever the Depositary in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Owners of Receipts to do so, it may appoint a substitute or additional custodian or custodians.
20. AMENDMENT.
The form of Receipts and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended by agreement between the Issuer and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable. Any amendment which shall impose or increase any fee or charge (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees, cable, telex or facsimile transmission costs, delivery costs or other such expenses), or which shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Owners of Receipts, shall, however, not become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of a thirty day period following notification pursuant to Section 7.5 of the Deposit Agreement after notice of any such amendment shall have been given to the Owners of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Issuer and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the American Depositary Shares or the Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Owners, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Owners. Every Owner of a Receipt at the time any amendment becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such Receipt, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Owner of any Receipt to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Issuer and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Owners or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
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21. TERMINATION OF DEPOSIT AGREEMENT.
The Depositary shall at any time at the direction of the Issuer terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. The Depositary may likewise terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Issuer and the Owners of all Receipts then outstanding if at any time 90 days shall have expired after the Depositary shall have delivered to the Issuer a written notice of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4 of the Deposit Agreement. On and after the date of termination, the Owner of a Receipt, will upon (a) surrender of such Receipt at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary, (b) payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.5 of the Deposit Agreement, and (c) payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, will be entitled to delivery, to him or as ordered by him, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Depositary thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Owners thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell property and rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). At any time after the expiration of one year from the date of termination, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held under the Deposit Agreement and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it thereunder, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Owners of Receipts which have not theretofore been surrendered, such Owners thereupon becoming general creditors of the Depositary with respect to such net proceeds. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Owner of such Receipt in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, and any applicable taxes or governmental charges). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Issuer shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary with respect to indemnification, charges, and expenses. The obligations of the Depositary under Section 5.8 of the Deposit Agreement shall survive the termination of the Deposit Agreement. The obligations under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and Receipts of Owners and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares outstanding as of the effective date of any termination shall survive such effective date of termination and shall be discharged only when the applicable American Depositary Shares are presented by their Owners to the Depositary for cancellation under the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the Owners have each satisfied any and all of their obligations thereunder (including, but not limited to, any payment and/or reimbursement obligations which relate to prior to the effective date of termination but which payment and/or reimbursement is claimed after such effective date of termination).
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22. COMPLIANCE WITH U.S. SECURITIES LAWS.
Notwithstanding anything in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, the Issuer and the Depositary each agrees that it will not exercise any rights it has under the Deposit Agreement to prevent the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities in a manner which would violate the U.S. securities laws, including, but not limited to, Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
23. DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS.
The Issuer may from time to time request Owners to provide information as to the capacity in which such Owners own or owned Receipts and regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously interested in such Receipts and the nature of such interest and various other matters. Each Owner agrees to provide any information requested by the Issuer or the Depositary pursuant to this Article (23). The Depositary agrees to comply with reasonable written instructions received from the Issuer requesting that the Depositary forward any such requests to the Owners and to forward to the Issuer any such responses to such requests received by the Depositary.
24. OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement, each Owner and Beneficial Owner agrees to be bound by and subject to the By-laws of the Issuer and to any restrictions on Share ownership or transferability under applicable English law (to the same extent as if such American Depositary Shares evidenced by this Receipt were the Shares evidenced by this Receipt, provided, however, that such provisions shall apply to such persons only to the extent feasible). The Issuer shall inform the Owners, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary of any such ownership restrictions in place from time to time.
In addition, Owners and Beneficial Owners are subject to regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, pursuant to which, inter alia, acquisition or sale of American Depositary Shares representing Shares in excess of prescribed limits must be notified to the Commission and to any securities exchange on which the American Depositary Shares are listed.
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