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ASBESTOS SETTLEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This Settlement Trust Agreement (the "TRUST AGREEMENT"),
dated the date set forth on the signature page hereof and effective as of
Confirmation, is among The Celotex Corporation, a Delaware corporation, a
debtor and debtor-in-possession in case number 90- 10016-8B1 in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division
("CELOTEX"), and Xxxxx Canada Inc., a Canadian corporation, a debtor and
debtor-in-possession in case number 90-10017-8B1 in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division ("XXXXX
CANADA") (Celotex and Xxxxx Canada are sometimes referred to herein
individually as a "DEBTOR" and collectively as the "DEBTORS"), as settlors
(sometimes collectively referred to as the "SETTLORS"), the Legal
Representative, the individual trustees identified on the signature page hereof
and appointed at Confirmation (the "TRUSTEES"), pursuant to the Modified Joint
Plan of Reorganization Under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code
for The Celotex Corporation and Xxxxx Canada Inc. dated as of October 7, 1996
(the "PLAN"), as such Plan may be amended, modified or supple mented from time
to time.
WHEREAS, at the time of the entry of the order for relief in
the Chapter 11 Cases, Celotex and Xxxxx Canada were named as defendants in
personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage actions seeking recovery
for damages allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or
asbestos-containing products; and
WHEREAS, the Debtors have reorganized under the provisions of
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in cases pending in the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida known as In the Matter of
Celotex Corporation, et al. Chapter 11, Consolidated Case Nos. 90-10016-8B1 and
90-10017-8B1; and
WHEREAS, the Plan, filed by the Debtors, the Legal
Representative for Unknown Claimants (the "LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE"), the Asbestos
Health Claimants' Committee (the "INJURY CLAIMANTS' COMMITTEE") and the Trade
Creditors' Committee (the "TRADE CREDITORS' COMMITTEE") and consented to by the
Asbestos Property Damage Claimants' Committee (the "PD COMMITTEE") has been
confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court; and
WHEREAS, the Plan provides, inter alia, for the creation of
the Asbestos Settlement Trust ("TRUST"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court, dated
March 30, 1995, a segregated custodial account was established to receive and
hold the Veil Piercing Settlement Fund, and such Settlement Account was
established as a qualified
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settlement fund within the meaning of Section 468B of the IRC and Treasury
Regulation Section 1.468B-1, et seq.; and
WHEREAS, the Plan contemplates that the Settlement Account
will constitute a trust account under this Trust Agreement and that the
Settlement Account, as supplemented by the contribution of additional assets
under the Plan, will be used to pay and satisfy all Asbestos Personal Injury
Claims and Asbestos Property Damage Claims (the "ASBESTOS CLAIMS"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the Trust is to use its assets
and income to pay Asbestos Claims, as defined in the Plan, against the Debtors;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the Trust is intended to
qualify as a "Qualified Settlement Fund" within the meaning of Section 1.468B-1
of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 468B of the Internal
Revenue Code; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Settlors, the Trustees, the
Legal Representative and the other parties that the Trust be administered,
maintained and operated at all times as a Qualified Settlement Fund through
mechanisms that provide reasonable assurance that the Trust will value, and be
in a financial position to pay, Asbestos Claims and Demands that involve
similar claims in substantially the same manner, in strict compliance with the
terms of this Trust Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Plan provides, among other things, for the
complete treatment of all liabilities and obligations of the Debtors with
respect to Asbestos Claims; and
WHEREAS, the Bankruptcy Court has determined that the Trust
and the Plan satisfy all the prerequisites for the Injunctions, including the
injunctions pursuant to Section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code, (collectively
the "ASBESTOS PERMANENT CHANNELING INJUNCTION"), which Asbestos Permanent
Channeling Injunction has been entered in connection with the Confirmation
Order confirming the Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
All capitalized terms used herein and not defined in this
Article 1 or in another provision of this Trust Agreement shall have the
meanings assigned to them in the Plan, or the APDCRP, which definitions are
incorporated herein by reference. All
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capitalized terms not defined herein or defined in the Plan, but defined in the
Bankruptcy Code, shall have the meanings ascribed to them by the Bankruptcy
Code, which definitions are incorporated herein by reference. All capitalized
terms used herein and not defined herein, in the Plan or in the Bankruptcy
Code, but which are defined in the Asbestos Claims Resolution Procedures shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Asbestos Claims Resolution
Procedures.
1.1 LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE. The Legal Representative shall be
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire or his successor chosen pursuant to Article 6.2.
1.2 PDCA. The Property Damage Claims Administrator ("PDCA")
shall be an individual selected by the PD Committee and shall be the officer
responsible for implementation of the Asbestos Property Damage Claims
Resolution Procedures ("APDCRP") (attached as Annex C) and day-to-day
processing of Asbestos Property Damage Claims ("PD CLAIMS").
1.3 THE REPRESENTATIVE INDIRECT ASBESTOS CLAIMANT. The
Representative Indirect Asbestos Claimant identified in Section IX of the
APICRP (as hereinafter defined) shall be Xxxx Xxxxx. The Trustees shall provide
the Representative Indirect Asbestos Claimant with such notices and
information, and shall communicate with the Representative Indirect Asbestos
Claimant, as is required by Section IX of the APICRP (as hereinafter defined).
1.4 UNKNOWN ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMANTS. Unknown
Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants means all Entities who, after the
Confirmation Date, may in the future assert an Asbestos Personal Injury Claim,
so long as such Asbestos Personal Injury Claim has not previously been
asserted.
ARTICLE 2
AGREEMENT OF TRUST
2.1 CREATION AND NAME. The Settlors hereby create a trust
known as the "Asbestos Settlement Trust" ("AST"), which is the Trust provided
for and referred to in the Plan. The Trustees of the Trust may transact the
business and affairs of the Trust in the name, "Asbestos Settlement Trust."
2.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the Trust is to assume the
liabilities of the Debtors, their successors in interest and their affiliates,
arising from or relating to Asbestos Claims and to use the Trust's assets and
income to pay holders of Allowed Asbestos Claims in accordance with the Trust
Agreement and in such a way that all holders of similar Asbestos Personal
Injury Claims are each treated in a substantially equivalent manner and all
holders
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of Allowed PD Claims are each to be paid in substantially the same manner as
Allowed Asbestos Personal Injury Claims; and to otherwise comply in all
respects with the requirements of a trust set forth in Section 524(g)(2)(B)(i)
of the Bankruptcy Code.
2.3 TRANSFER OF ASSETS. The Settlors pursuant to the Plan
have transferred and assigned to the Trust the property set forth in Article 5
of the Plan (herein the "ASSETS" or "TRUST ASSETS"). The Settlors shall execute
and deliver such documents as the Trustees reasonably deem necessary to
transfer and assign the property.
2.4 ACCEPTANCE OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES.
(a) In furtherance of the purposes of the Trust, the
Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, hereby expressly accept the transfer and
assignment to the Trust of the Trust Assets in the time and manner as
contemplated in the Plan.
(b) In furtherance of the purposes of the Trust, the
Trustees, on behalf of the Trust, expressly assume all liability for all
Asbestos Claims. Except as otherwise provided in the Asbestos Personal Injury
Claims Resolution Procedures ("APICRP"), and the APDCRP (collectively the
"CRP"), the Trust or the PDCA, as the case may be, shall have all defenses,
cross- claims, offsets, and recoupments regarding Asbestos Claims that Celotex
has or would have had under applicable law; provided, however, that with
respect to Indirect Asbestos Claims asserted under theories of contribution (as
opposed to indemnification) governed by Section IX of the APICRP the Trust
shall not assert defenses based upon 11 U.S.C. Section 502(e).
(c) The Debtors and their successors in interest or their
affiliates shall be entitled to indemnification from the Trust for any
expenses, costs, and fees (including attorneys' fees and costs), judgments,
settlements, or other liabilities arising from or incurred in connection with,
any action, related to an Asbestos Claim, including, but not limited to,
indemnification or contribution for Asbestos Claims prosecuted against
Reorganized Celotex. Nothing in this section or any other section of this Trust
Agreement shall be construed in any way to limit the scope, enforceability, or
effectiveness of the Asbestos Permanent Channeling Injunction issued in
connection with the Plan or the Trust's assumption of all liability with
respect to Asbestos Claims.
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ARTICLE 3
POWERS AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION
3.1 POWERS.
(a) The Trustees are and shall act as fiduciaries to the
Trust in accordance with the provisions of this Trust Agreement and the Plan.
The Trustees shall, at all times, administer the Trust and the Trust Assets in
a manner consistent with 11 U.S.C. Section 524(g) to provide reasonable
assurance that the Trust will value, and be in a financial position to pay,
Asbestos Claims and Demands that involve similar claims in substantially the
same manner and to maximize the value of the Trust Assets. Subject to the
limitations set forth in this Trust Agreement, the Trustees shall have the power
to take any and all actions that, in the judgment of the Trustees, are necessary
or proper to fulfill the purposes of the Trust, including, without limitation,
each power expressly granted in this Article 3.1, any power reasonably
incidental thereto, and any trust power now or hereafter permitted under the
laws of the State of Florida.
(b) Except as otherwise specified herein, the Trustees
need not obtain the order or approval of any Court in the exercise of any power
or discretion conferred hereunder.
(c) Without limiting the generality of Article 3.1(a)
above, the Trustees shall have the power to:
(i) receive and hold the Trust Assets, vote the
Reorganized Celotex Common Stock, exercise all rights with respect to, and sell
any securities issued by Reorganized Celotex that are included in the Trust
Assets, subject to any restrictions set forth in the articles of incorporation
of Reorganized Celotex;
(ii) invest the monies held from time to time by the
Trust;
(iii) sell, transfer, or exchange any or all of the
Trust Assets at such prices and upon such terms as they may consider proper,
consistent with the other terms of this Trust Agreement;
(iv) pay liabilities and expenses of the Trust,
including, but not limited to, Trust Expenses;
(v) establish such funds, reserves and accounts
within the Trust estate, as deemed by the Trustees to be useful in carrying out
the purposes of the Trust;
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(vi) xxx and be sued and participate, as a party or
otherwise, in any judicial, administrative, arbitrative or other proceeding;
(vii) amend the Bylaws, a copy of which is annexed
hereto as Annex A (the "BYLAWS");
(viii) establish, supervise and administer the Trust
in accordance with the CRP and to administer, amend, supplement or modify the
APICRP;
(ix) appoint such officers and hire such employees
and engage such legal, financial, accounting, investment, auditing and
forecasting and other consultants or alternative dispute resolution panelists,
and agents as the business of the Trust requires, and to delegate to such
persons such powers and authorities as the fiduciary duties of the Trustees
permit and as the Trustees, in their discretion, deem advisable or necessary in
order to carry out the terms of this Trust;
(x) pay employees, legal, financial, accounting,
investment, auditing and forecasting, and other consultants, advisors and
agents reasonable compensation, including without limitation, compensation at
rates approved by the Trustees for services rendered prior to the execution
hereof;
(xi) compensate the Trustees, the disinterested
members of the Trust Advisory Committee (the "TAC"), the PDCA, the
disinterested members of the PD Advisory Committee, the Legal Representative,
and their employees, legal, financial, accounting, investment and other
advisors, consultants and agents and reimburse to them all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such persons in connection with
the performance of their duties hereunder, including without limitation costs
and expenses incurred prior to the execution hereof; notwithstanding anything
contained in this Trust Agreement to the contrary, any increase in such
compensation or reimbursement, prior to becoming effective, must be filed with
and approved by the Bankruptcy Court;
(xii) execute and deliver such instruments as the
Trustees consider proper in administering the Trust;
(xiii) enter into such other arrangements with third
parties as are deemed by the Trustees to be useful in carrying out the purposes
of the Trust, provided such arrangements do not conflict with any other
provision of this Trust Agreement;
(xiv) in accordance with Article 5.6 indemnify (and
purchase insurance indemnifying) the Trustees, the Legal Representative, the
TAC, the PDCA, the PD Advisory Committee, the Debtors, Reorganized Celotex and
Reorganized Xxxxx Canada and members, officers, employees, agents, advisors and
representatives of the Trust, the Legal Representative, the TAC, the PDCA, the
PD
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Advisory Committee, the Debtors, Reorganized Celotex and Reorganized Xxxxx
Canada to the fullest extent that a corporation or trust organized under the
law of the Trust's situs is from time to time entitled to indemnify and/or
insure its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, advisors and
representatives;
(xv) delegate any or all of the authority herein
conferred with respect to the investment of all or any portion of the Trust
Assets to any one or more reputable individuals or recognized institutional
investment advisors or investment managers without liability for any action
taken or omission made because of any such delegation, except as provided in
Article 5.4;
(xvi) consult with Reorganized Celotex at such times
and with respect to such issues relating to the conduct of the Trust as the
Trustees consider desirable;
(xvii) make, pursue (by litigation or otherwise),
collect, compromise or settle any claim, right, action or cause of action
included in the Trust Assets; provided that settlement of actions before the
Bankruptcy Court require the approval of the Bankruptcy Court after notice to
Reorganized Celotex; and
(xviii) merge or contract with other claims
resolution facilities that are not specifically created by this Agreement, the
APICRP or APDCRP (as to the APDCRP, subject to the consent of the PDCA);
provided that such merger or contract shall not (a) subject the Reorganized
Debtors or any successor in interest to any risk of having any Asbestos Claim
asserted against it or them, or (b) otherwise jeopardize the validity or
enforceability of the Asbestos Permanent Channeling Injunction.
(d) The Trustees shall not have the power to guaranty any
debt of other Persons.
(e) The Trustees shall give the Approving Entities prompt
notice of any act performed or taken pursuant to Article 3.1(c)(i), (ii),
(iii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (xv), (xvii), (xviii) and Article 3.2(f).
3.2 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Trustees shall act in accordance with the Bylaws.
To the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Trust Agreement, the
Bylaws govern the affairs of the Trust. In the event of an inconsistency
between the Bylaws and this Trust Agreement, the latter shall govern.
(b) The Trustees shall timely file such income tax and
other returns and statements and comply with all withholding obligations, as
required under the applicable provisions of the
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Internal Revenue Code and of any state law and the regulations promulgated
thereunder and shall timely pay all taxes required to be paid.
(c) (i) The Trustees shall cause to be prepared and filed
with the Bankruptcy Court, as soon as available, and in any event within one
hundred and twenty (120) days following the end of each fiscal year, an annual
report containing financial statements of the Trust (including, without
limitation, a balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of such fiscal year and
a statement of operations for such fiscal year) audited by a firm of
independent certified public accountants selected by the Trustees and
accompanied by an opinion of such firm as to the fairness of the financial
statements' presentation of the cash and investments available for the payment
of claims and as to the conformity of the financial statements with generally
accepted accounting principles. The Trustees shall provide a copy of such
report to the TAC, the Legal Representative, the PDCA, the PD Advisory
Committee (collectively, the "APPROVING ENTITIES") and Reorganized Celotex when
such reports are filed with the Bankruptcy Court.
(ii) Simultaneously with delivery of each set of
financial statements referred to in Article 3.2(c)(i) above, the Trustees shall
cause to be prepared and filed with the Bankruptcy Court a report containing a
summary regarding the number and type of claims disposed of during the period
covered by the financial statements. The Trustees shall provide a copy of such
report to the Approving Entities and Reorganized Celotex when such report is
filed.
(iii)All materials required to be filed with the
Bankruptcy Court by this Article 3.2(c) shall be available for inspection by
the public in accordance with procedures established by the Bankruptcy Court
and shall be filed with the Office of the United States Trustee for the Middle
District of Florida.
(d) The Trustees, with the input of the PDCA with respect
to the administration of the APDCRP, shall cause to be prepared as soon as
practicable prior to the commencement of each fiscal year a budget and cash
flow projections covering such fiscal year and the succeeding four fiscal
years. The Trustees shall provide a copy of the budget and cash flow to the
Approving Entities and Reorganized Celotex.
(e) The Trustees shall consult with (i) the TAC and the
Legal Representative on the implementation and administration of the APICRP
(attached as Annex B); (ii) without limiting or abridging Article 3.3(c), the
PDCA and the PD Advisory Committee on the implementation and administration of
the APDCRP; and (iii) each of the foregoing entities on the implementation and
administration of the Trust.
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(f) The Trustees shall be required to obtain the consent
of the TAC and the consent of the Legal Representative, in addition to those
instances elsewhere enumerated, in order:
(i) to add to or change the schedule of Asbestos
Related Disease Categories or Values or criteria, pursuant to Articles 5.1(c)
and 5.4(m) of the APICRP; or
(ii) to merge or participate in the handling of
bodily injury claims with any claims resolution facility that was not
specifically created under this Trust Agreement or the APICRP; or
(iii) to amend any provision of the Trust Agreement,
the By-Laws or the APICRP; or
(iv) to terminate the Trust pursuant to Article 9.2
herein; or
(v) to terminate discounted cash payments or change
the amounts, requirements or procedures for future discounted cash payments
pursuant to Article 5.3 of the APICRP; or
(vi) to reduce the number of Trustees and to appoint
successor Trustees.
(g) Issues Raised By The Approving Entities. The
Trustees, upon notice from any of the Approving Entities, shall at their next
regular meeting or, if appropriate, at a specially called meeting, place on
their agenda and consider issues requested by such Approving Entity.
3.3 CLAIMS ADMINISTRATION.
(a) General Principles.
The Trustees shall promptly proceed to implement the
CRP. Because the terms of the APICRP and the APDCRP differ, payments might not
be paid simultaneously to holders of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims and PD
Claims. However, the Trustees shall promptly pay both Asbestos Personal Injury
Claims and PD Claims under the terms of both the APICRP and the APDCRP, as
applicable, and shall not give preference in timing nor advance or delay
payments to either Asbestos Personal Injury Claim holders or PD Claim holders
relative to the other. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the CRP, the
Trustees may accelerate the liquidation and Allowance (but not payment) of a
Claim under the CRP where such Claimant demonstrates that the Claimant has a
trial date on a court docket for a trial on claims related to the Claimant's
Asbestos Claim.
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(b) Asbestos Claims.
(i) The Trustees shall favor settlement over
arbitration or other form of alternative dispute resolution, arbitration or
other form of alternative dispute resolution over resort to the tort system,
and fair and efficient resolution of claims in all cases, while endeavoring to
preserve and enhance the Trust estate.
(ii) The Trustees shall employ mechanisms such as the
review of estimates of the numbers and values of Asbestos Claims, or other
comparable mechanisms, that provide reasonable assurance the Trust will value,
and be in a financial position to pay, present Asbestos Claims and future
Demands that involve similar claims in substantially the same manner.
(iii) The Trustees shall administer the processing
and payment of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims in accordance with the APICRP,
as the same may be amended from time to time, in accordance with the provisions
hereof and thereof.
(iv) The Trust may elect to prosecute before the
Bankruptcy Court (and all appellate courts) to a final, non-appealable order
objections to Asbestos Claims filed prior to the Effective Date. Between
Confirmation and the Effective Date, prosecution of objections to Asbestos
Claims filed between Confirmation and the Effective Date shall be stayed. Upon
allowance of any part of such Asbestos Claim by a final, non-appealable order
or settlement, the claimant will be paid in accordance with CRP.
(c) PD Claims. The Allowance of PD Claims shall be
administered by the PDCA exclusively in accordance with the APDCRP. The
Trustees shall not interfere with the actions and decisions of the PDCA that
are consistent with the APDCRP nor shall the Trustees interfere with the
independence of the PDCA in administering the APDCRP. The Trustees shall not
amend the APDCRP without the consent of the PD Advisory Committee. Payment of
PD Claims shall be made by the Trustees in the amount determined by the PDCA
pursuant to the APDCRP.
3.4 CLAIMS PAYMENT.
(a) Periodic Estimates. There is inherent uncertainty
regarding Celotex's and Xxxxx Canada's total liabilities to holders of Asbestos
Claims as well as the total value of the Trust Assets available to pay Allowed
Asbestos Claims. Consequently, there is inherent uncertainty whether or not
similar amounts can be paid in respect of all similar present and future
Allowed Asbestos Personal Injury Claims and of all Allowed PD Claims. To ensure
substantially equivalent treatment, the Trustees must determine the percentage
of the Allowed Amount of all present and future Asbestos Claims that would
likely be paid to holders of
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such Claims ("PAYMENT PERCENTAGE") prior to making distributions to claimants,
other than those who have elected the discounted cash payment described in the
CRP. The Trustees must base this determination, on the one hand, on estimates
of the number, types, and amounts of present and expected future Asbestos
Claims and, on the other hand, on the value of the Trust Assets, the liquidity
of those assets, the Trust's expected future expenses and income, and other
material matters that are reasonable and likely to affect the sufficiency of
funds to pay a comparable percentage of full value to all holders of Asbestos
Claims. Therefore, after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, but no
less frequently than once every two (2) years, the Trustees shall consider
their determination of the Payment Percentage to assure that it is based on
credible, current information and forecasts, and may, after such consideration,
change the Payment Percentage. When making these determinations, the Trustees
shall recognize that both present and future claimants bear a risk that the
Payment Percentage will be incorrect, either too low or too high respectively.
In setting the Payment Percentage, the Trustees shall not prefer either present
or future claimants by giving greater protection from such risks to either.
Rather, the Trustees shall determine the recalculation of the Payment
Percentage based on their best estimates of total Trust Assets and Asbestos
Claims.
(b) Initial Payment Percentage. During the first two
years of operation, the Trustees will have difficulty in calculating the
Payment Percentage because of uncertainties in the total number, quality and
value of Asbestos Claims and the actual value of the Trust Assets. During the
first two years following the Effective Date, while these matters are
particularly uncertain, the Trust can and shall rely upon the calculation of
the Initial Payment Percentage, as described in the Plan and use the Initial
Payment Percentage in paying (i) Prepetition Liquidated Claims or claims under
the Individualized Review Process pursuant to the APICRP and (ii) PD Claims
liquidated and Allowed prior to the Effective Date which shall be paid within
six (6) months of the Effective Date. If the Trustees conclude that use of the
Initial Payment Percentage will adversely affect the interests of future
claimants or present claimants who have not yet been liquidated and Allowed,
the Trustees shall either suspend payments until they are able to determine an
appropriate Payment Percentage, or exercise their powers as set forth herein
and in the CRP. During the first two (2) years following the Effective Date,
Claims that are liquidated and Allowed but as to which payments have been
suspended, shall receive when such payments resume, through installments or
otherwise, the Payment Percentage in force at the time of liquidation and
Allowance. Claims that are liquidated and Allowed during the first two (2)
years following the Effective Date, but after a decision by the Trustees to
reduce the Initial Payment Percentage to a new Payment Percentage, shall
receive payments in the future, in installments or otherwise (but for a period
no longer than ten (10) years after the date of liquidation and Allowance),
equal to any increase in the Payment Percentage,
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but in no event shall such claimant receive more than the Initial Payment
Percentage times the Allowed Amount of such claimant's Claim.
(c) Payment. The Trustees shall have complete discretion
to determine the timing and the appropriate method for making payments, subject
to the requirements of the CRP with respect to the processing and ordering of
claims for payment. Such methods may include, in the discretion of the
Trustees, a method for the payment on an installment basis, in which case each
installment payment shall be subject to the Payment Percentage in effect at the
time such installment payment is made, except that the last installment will be
in an amount that would produce a total payment to the claimant equal to the
Allowed Amount of the Claim times the Payment Percentage in effect at the time
of such last payment. Because of the initial uncertainties about assets and
liabilities, during the first two years after the Effective Date, the Trustees
shall only pay Prepetition Claimants electing Individualized Review under the
APICRP and Category 1 Claimants electing payment deferral under the APDCRP on
an installment basis with an initial payment determined by the Initial Payment
Percentage in Article 1 of the Plan times fifty (50%) percent of the Allowed
Amount of the Claim. The Trust will make a second payment to such claimants
after the second anniversary of the Effective Date, but no later than
thirty-six (36) months after the Effective Date, or after the Trustees have
considered and, if necessary redetermined, the Payment Percentage, so that the
total amount received by the claimant is equal to the Allowed Amount times the
then current Payment Percentage. During the first two years after the Effective
Date, the Trustees shall only pay non-Prepetition Claims filed before the Bar
Date electing Individualized Review under the APICRP and Category 2 and
Category 3 Claimants electing payment deferral under the APDCRP on an
installment basis with an initial payment determined by the Initial Payment
Percentage in Article 1 of the Plan times fifty (50%) percent of the Allowed
Amount of the Claim. The Trust will make a second payment to such claimants
after the third anniversary of the Effective Date, but no later than
forty-eight (48) months after the Effective Date, or after the Trustees have
considered and, if necessary redetermined, the Payment Percentage, so that the
total amount received by the claimant is equal to the Allowed Amount times the
then current Payment Percentage.
(d) Auditing, Monitoring and Verifying. The Trustees
shall conduct random or other audits to verify information submitted in
connection with the CRP in a manner consistent with the CRP.
(e) Discretion To Alter Order Of Processing Or Suspend
Payments.
(i) In the event that the Trustees determine it is
advisable, they may suspend their normal order of processing
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or payment in favor of claimants who elect discounted cash payment under any
future discounted cash payment election programs offered by the Trust.
(ii) In the event that the Trust faces temporary
periods of limited liquidity or the Trustees conclude that use of the current
Payment Percentage will adversely affect the interests of future claimants or
present claimants who have not yet been paid, the Trustees may temporarily
limit or suspend payments altogether.
(iii) Consistent with the provisions hereof, the
Trustees and the PDCA shall proceed as quickly as possible to liquidate claims,
and the Trustees shall make payments to holders of Allowed Asbestos Claims
promptly as funds become available, while maintaining sufficient resources to
pay future Allowed Asbestos Claims in substantially the same manner. Because
decisions about payments must be based on estimates and cannot be made
precisely, such decisions may have to be revised in light of experience over
time, and a claimant who receives payment early in the life of the Trust may
receive a smaller or larger percentage of the Allowed Amount of such claimant's
Asbestos Claim than a claimant who receives payment in the middle of or late in
the life of the Trust. Therefore, there can be no guarantee of any specific
level of payment to claimants. However, the Trustees shall use their best
efforts to treat similar, Allowed Asbestos Claims in a substantially equivalent
manner, consistent with their duties as Trustees in these circumstances, the
purposes of the Trust, and given the practical limitations imposed by the
inability to predict the future with precision.
ARTICLE 4
ACCOUNTS, INVESTMENTS, AND PAYMENTS
4.1 ACCOUNTS. That Trustees may, from time to time,
create such accounts and reserves within the Trust estate as they may deem
necessary, prudent or useful in order to provide for the payment of expenses
and valid Asbestos Claims and may, with respect to any such account or reserve,
restrict the use of monies therein.
4.2 INVESTMENTS. Investment of monies held in the Trust shall
be administered in the manner in which individuals of ordinary prudence,
discretion and judgment would act in the management of their own affairs,
subject to the following limitations and provisions:
(a) The Trust shall not acquire, directly or indirectly,
equity in any Person (other than those that are Trust Assets under the Plan and
subsidiaries or affiliates of Trust
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Assets, now or hereafter acquired, or any successor to Reorganized Celotex) or
business enterprise if, immediately following such acquisition, the Trust would
hold more than 5% of the equity in such Person or business enterprise. The
Trust shall not hold, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the equity in
any Person (other than a Person constituting a Trust Asset under the Plan
including Reorganized Celotex and its subsidiaries or affiliates, now or
hereafter acquired, or any successor to Reorganized Celotex) or business
enterprise.
(b) The Trust shall not acquire or hold any long-term
debt securities unless (i) such securities are Trust Assets under the Plan,
(ii) such securities are rated "Baa" or higher by Xxxxx'x Investors Service,
Inc. ("MOODY'S"), "BBB" or higher by Standard & Poor's corporation ("S&P'S")
or have been given an equivalent investment grade rating by another nationally
recognized statistical rating agency, or (iii) have been issued or fully
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States of America or any
agency or instrumentality thereof.
(c) The Trust shall not acquire or hold for longer than
ninety (90) days any commercial paper unless such commercial paper is rated
"Prime-1" or higher by Moody's or "A-1" or higher by S&P's or has been given an
equivalent rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
(d) The Trust shall not acquire or hold any preferred
stock unless such preferred stock is rated "AA" or higher by Xxxxx'x or "A" or
higher by S&P's or has been given an equivalent investment grade rating by
another nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
(e) The Trust shall not acquire any securities or other
instruments issued by any person (other than debt securities or other
instruments issued or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof) if,
following such acquisition, the aggregate Market Value of all securities and
instruments issued by such Person held by the Trust would exceed 2% of the
Aggregate Value of the Trust Estate. The Trust shall not hold any securities or
other instruments issued by any Person (other than debt securities or other
instruments issued or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof) to the
extent that the aggregate Market Value of all securities and instruments issued
by such Person held by the Trust would exceed 5% of the Aggregate Value of the
Trust Estate.
(f) The Trust shall not acquire or hold any certificates
of deposit unless all publicly held, long-term debt securities, if any, of the
financial institution issuing the certificate of deposit and the holding
company, if any, of which
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. ___
such financial institution is a subsidiary, meet the standards set forth in
Section 4.03(b).
(g) The Trust may acquire and hold any securities or
instruments issued by Reorganized Celotex, Xxx Xxxxxx Company, or Xxxxxx
Industries, Inc., or their subsidiaries, affiliates, or successors, without
regard to the limitations set forth in Subsections (a) - (f) above.
(h) The Trust shall not acquire or hold any repurchase
obligations unless, in the opinion of the Trustees, they are adequately
collateralized.
(i) The Trust shall not acquire or hold any options.
4.3 SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. All Trust expenses, payments and all
liabilities with respect to Asbestos Claims shall be payable solely out of the
Trust estate. Neither Celotex, Reorganized Celotex, the Debtors, their
subsidiaries, any successor in interest or the present or former directors,
officers, employees or agents of Celotex, Reorganized Celotex, the Debtors or
their subsidiaries, nor the Trustees, the Approving Entities or any of their
officers, agents, advisors or employees shall be liable for the payment of any
Trust expense or any other liability of the Trust.
ARTICLE 5
TRUSTEES
5.1 NUMBER. There shall be five (5) Trustees designated by
the TAC and the Legal Representative. Upon the unanimous vote of the TAC and
with the consent of the Legal Representative, the number of Trustees can be
reduced to three (3) Trustees. The initial Trustees shall be those persons
named on the signature page hereof. One (1) Trustee shall be designated
Chairperson annually by vote of the remaining Trustees.
5.2 TERM OF SERVICE.
(a) The initial Trustees named pursuant to Article 5.1
shall serve until the earlier of (i) the expiration of his or her term, (ii)
his or her resignation pursuant to Article 5.2(c), (iii) his or her removal
pursuant to Article 5.2(d), or (iv) the termination of the Trust pursuant to
Article 9.2, at which time the term shall terminate automatically. The Trustees
shall serve for staggered terms, the duration of which shall be five (5) years,
six (6) years, seven (7) years, eight (8) years and nine (9) years,
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respectively. Term durations shall be assigned among the Trustees by lot.
(b) Successor Trustees shall serve until the earlier of
(i) the expiration of his or her term, which shall be of the same duration as
that of his or her predecessor Trustee, (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to
Article 5.2(c), (iii) his or her removal pursuant to Article 5.2(d), (iv) the
termination of the Trust pursuant to Article 9.2, or at which time the term
shall terminate automatically.
(c) Any Trustee may resign at any time by written notice
to each of the remaining Trustees, the Legal Representative and the TAC. Such
notice shall specify a date when such resignation shall take effect, which
shall not be less than 90 days after the date such notice is given, where
practicable.
(d) Any Trustee may be removed in the event that such
Trustee becomes unable to discharge his or her duties hereunder due to accident
or physical or mental deterioration, or for other good cause. Good cause shall
be deemed to include, without limitation, any failure to comply with Article
3.2, a consistent pattern of neglect and failure to perform or participate in
performing the duties of the Trustees hereunder, or repeated non-attendance at
scheduled meetings. Such removal shall require the unanimous decision of the
other Trustees. Such removal shall take effect at such time as the other
Trustees shall determine.
5.3 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE.
(a) In the event of a vacancy in the position of Trustee,
the vacancy shall be filled by the unanimous vote of the remaining Trustees.
(b) Immediately upon the appointment of any successor
Trustee, all rights, titles, duties, powers and authority of the predecessor
Trustee hereunder shall be vested in, and undertaken by, the successor Trustee
without any further act. No successor Trustee shall be liable personally for
any act or omission of his or her predecessor Trustee.
5.4 LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. No
Trustee, officer, employee, agent or consultant of the Trust shall be liable to
the Trust, to any person holding an Asbestos Claim, or to any other Person
except for such individual's own breach of trust committed in bad faith, or for
gross negligence or willful misappropriation. No Trustee, officer, or employee
of the Trust shall be liable for any act or omission of any other officer,
employee, agent, or consultant of the Trust, unless the Trustee, officer or
employee acted with bad faith or was grossly negligent in the selection or
retention of such officer, employee, agent, or consultant.
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5.5 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TRUSTEES.
(a) Each of the Trustees shall receive compensation from
the Trust for his or her services as Trustee in the amount of $50,000 per
annum, plus a per diem allowance for meetings or other Trust business attended
in the amount of $2,000. The Trustees shall determine the scope and duration of
activities that constitute a meeting and, if the Trustees elect to provide for
payment for activities of less than a full day's duration, may provide for
partial payment of per diem amounts on a proportional basis for activities of
less than a full day's duration. The per annum compensation payable to the
Trustees hereunder shall be reviewed every three (3) years and increased with
the consent of the TAC and the Legal Representative.
(b) The Trust will promptly reimburse all Trustees and
the Chairperson for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by
the Trustees in connection with the performance of their duties hereunder.
(c) The Trust will include in the report to be filed
pursuant to Article 3.2(c)(i) of this Trust Agreement, and in a separate
semi-annual report to be filed in the same manner, a description of the amounts
paid under this Article 5.5.
5.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES AND ADDITIONAL INDEMNITEES.
(a) The Trust shall indemnify and defend the Trustees,
the Trust's officers, its agents, advisors, consultants or employees, to the
fullest extent that a corporation or trust organized under the laws of the
Trust's situs is from time to time entitled to indemnify and defend its
directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents and advisors against any and
all liabilities, expenses, claims, damages or losses incurred by them in the
performance of their duties hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Trustees shall not be indemnified or defended in any way for any liability,
expense, claim, damage or loss for which they are liable under Article 5.4.
Additionally, each member of the Injury Claimants'
Committee, the PD Committee and their respective professionals, and the
Approving Entities, their members and their respective professionals,
Reorganized Celotex and its professionals, Reorganized Xxxxx Canada and its
professionals (collectively, the "ADDITIONAL INDEMNITEES") who was or is a
party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending judicial,
or administrative or arbitrative action, by reason of any act or omission of
such Additional Indemnitees with respect to (i) the Reorganization Cases, (ii)
the liquidation of any Asbestos Claims, (iii) the administration of the Trust
and the implementation of the CRP, or (iv) any and all activities in connection
with the Trust Agreement shall be indemnified and defended by the Trust against
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
expenses, costs and fees (including attorneys' fees and costs), judgments,
awards, amounts paid in settlement, and liabilities of all kinds incurred by
each Additional Indemnitee in connection with or resulting from such action,
suit, or proceeding, if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner such
Additional Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best
interests of the holders of Asbestos Claims whom the Additional Indemnitees
represent.
(b) Reasonable expenses, costs and fees (including
attorneys' fees and costs) incurred by or on behalf of a Trustee or Additional
Indemnitee in connection with any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
administrative or arbitrative from which they are indemnified by the Trust
pursuant to Article 5.6(a), shall be paid by the Trust in advance of the final
disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such
Trustee or Additional Indemnitee, to repay such amount in the event that it
shall be determined ultimately by final order that such Trustee or Additional
Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Trust.
(c) The Trustees shall have the power, generally or in
specific cases, to cause the Trust to indemnify the employees and agents of the
Trust to the same extent as provided in this Article 5.6 with respect to the
Trustees.
(d) Any indemnification under Article 5.6(c) of this
Agreement shall be made by the Trust upon a determination that indemnification
of such Person is proper in the circumstances.
(e) The Trustees may purchase and maintain reasonable
amounts and types of insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a
Trustee, officer, employee, agent or representative of the Trust or Additional
Indemnitee against liability asserted against or incurred by such individual in
that capacity or arising from his or her status as a Trustee, officer,
employee, agent or representative.
5.7 TRUSTEES' LIEN. The Trustees shall have a first priority
lien upon the Trust Assets to secure the payment of any amounts payable to them
pursuant to Articles 5.5 and 5.6.
5.8 TRUSTEES' EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS. The Trustees may, but
shall not be required to, retain and/or consult with counsel, accountants,
appraisers, auditors and forecasters and other parties deemed by the Trustees
to be qualified as experts on the matters submitted to them and the opinion of
any such parties on any matters submitted to them by the Trustees shall be full
and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken or not
taken by the Trustees hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the
written opinion of any such party.
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5.9 TRUSTEES' INDEPENDENCE. No Trustee shall, during the term
of his or her service, hold a financial interest in, act as attorney or agent
for, or serve as any other professional for Reorganized Celotex or Reorganized
Xxxxx Canada. No Trustee shall act as an attorney for any person who holds an
Asbestos Claim.
5.10 TRUSTEES' SERVICE AS DIRECTORS OF REORGANIZED CELOTEX
PROHIBITED. The Trustees are prohibited from serving as directors of
Reorganized Celotex.
5.11 BOND. The Trustees shall not be required to post any
bond or other form of surety or security unless otherwise ordered by the
Bankruptcy Court.
ARTICLE 6
THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
6.1 DUTIES. The Trustees must consult with the Legal
Representative on matters identified in Article 3.2(e) and may consult with the
Legal Representative on any matter affecting the Trust. Where provided in this
Trust Agreement or the APICRP, actions of the Trustees are subject to the
consent of the Legal Representative.
6.2 TERM OF OFFICE.
(a) The Legal Representative shall serve until the
earlier of (i) his or her death; or (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to
Article 6.2(b); (iii) his or her removal or (iv) the termination of the Trust
pursuant to Article 9.2, at which time his or her term shall terminate
automatically.
(b) The Legal Representative may resign at any time by
written notice to the Trustees. Such notice shall specify a date when such
resignation shall take effect, which shall not be less than ninety (90) days
after the date such notice is given, where practicable.
(c) The Legal Representative may be removed in the event
he or she becomes unable to discharge his or her duties hereunder due to
accident, physical deterioration, mental incompetence, or a consistent pattern
of neglect and failure to perform or to participate in performing the duties
hereunder, such as repeated non-attendance at scheduled meetings. Such removal
shall be made by the unanimous decision of the Trustees.
6.3 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR. A vacancy caused by the
resignation or death of the Legal Representative shall be filled with an
individual nominated by the Legal Representative, or, in
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the absence of a nomination by the Legal Representative, upon the unanimous
nomination of the Trustees, and, in either case, upon Bankruptcy Court
approval.
6.4 LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE'S EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS. The Legal
Representative may retain and/or consult with counsel, accountants, appraisers,
auditors, forecasters, asbestos experts and other parties deemed by the Legal
Representative to be qualified as experts on matters submitted to them, and the
opinion of any such parties on any matters submitted to them shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in support of any action taken or not
taken by the Legal Representative hereunder in good faith and in accordance
with the written opinion of any such party, and in the absence of gross
negligence. The Legal Representative and his or her experts shall at all times
have complete access to the Trust's officers, employees and agents, and the
accountants, appraisers, auditors, forecasters and other experts retained by
the Trust as well as all information generated by them or otherwise available
to the Trust or Trustees.
6.5 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.
(a) The Legal Representative shall receive compensation
from the Trust for his or her services as the Legal Representative at his or
her hourly rate.
(b) The Trust will promptly reimburse, or pay directly if
so instructed, the Legal Representative for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses, including fees and costs associated with employment of experts
pursuant to Article 6.4 incurred by the Legal Representative in connection with
the performance of his or her duties hereunder. Such reimbursement or direct
payment shall be deemed a Trust Expense.
6.6 PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING CONSENT OF THE LEGAL
REPRESENTATIVE.
(a) In the event the consent of the Legal Representative
is required pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trustees shall promptly provide
the Legal Representative and his or her counsel with notice and with all
information regarding the matter in question.
(b) The Legal Representative must consider in good faith
any request by the Trustees and may not withhold his or her consent
unreasonably.
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
6.7 LACK OF CONSENT OF THE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE. In the event
the Trustees are unable to obtain the consent of the Legal Representative to
any action or decision for which consent is required after following the
procedure set forth in Article 6.6 of this Trust Agreement, or if the Trustees
and the Legal Representative are unable to reach agreement on any matter on
which such consent is required, the matter may be submitted promptly to ADR if
mutually agreeable to the Trustees and the Legal Representative.
If the disagreement is not resolved by ADR, the Trustees
may apply to the Bankruptcy Court on an expedited basis for approval of such
action or decision, and only if such approval is given by the Bankruptcy Court
by entry of an appropriate order, shall the Trustees have the authority to
implement such action or decision without the Legal Representative's consent.
ARTICLE 7
TRUST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
7.1 FORMATION; DUTIES. The TAC shall be formed. For the first
year following Confirmation, the TAC shall be composed of six (6) members,
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esquire, Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx, Esquire, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx,
Esquire, Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Esquire, Gene Locks, Esquire and Xxxxxx X. Xxxx,
Esquire. The Trustees must consult with the TAC on matters identified in
Article 3.2(e) and may consult with the TAC on any matter affecting the Trust.
The TAC and its members shall serve in a fiduciary capacity representing all
holders of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims (excluding, however, holders of
Demands). Where provided in this Trust Agreement or the APICRP, actions by the
Trustees are subject to the consent of the TAC.
7.2 NUMBER; CHAIRPERSON.
(a) On and after the first anniversary, the TAC shall be
reduced to three (3) members, Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esquire, Xxxxxx X. Xxxx,
Esquire and Gene Locks, Esquire. At such time, the TAC may vote to expand its
membership to five (5) and the additional members shall be selected by the TAC.
The TAC shall act in all cases by majority vote.
(b) The TAC shall have a Chairperson who shall act as the
TAC's liaison, coordinate and schedule meetings of the TAC, and handle all
administrative matters that come before the TAC.
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7.3 TERM OF OFFICE.
(a) Each member of the TAC shall serve until the earlier
of (i) his or her death; (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to Article
7.3(b), (iii) his or her removal pursuant to Article 7.3(c) or (iv) the
termination of the Trust pursuant to Article 9.2, at which time his or her term
shall terminate automatically.
(b) Any member of the TAC may resign at any time by
written notice to each of the remaining TAC members. Such notice shall specify
a date when such resignation shall take effect, which shall not be less than
ninety (90) days after the date such notice is given, where practicable.
(c) Any member of the TAC may be removed in the event
such member becomes unable to discharge his or her duties hereunder due to
accident, physical deterioration, mental incompetence, or a consistent pattern
of neglect and failure to perform or to participate in performing the duties of
such member hereunder, such as repeated non-attendance at scheduled meetings.
Such removal shall be made by the unanimous decision of the remaining members
of the TAC.
7.4 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR. A vacancy in the TAC caused by
the resignation, death or removal of a TAC member shall be filled with an
individual, not a firm, approved by the unanimous vote of all remaining members
of the TAC.
7.5 TAC'S EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS. The TAC may retain and/or
consult with counsel, accountants, appraisers, auditors, forecasters, asbestos
experts and other parties deemed by the TAC to be qualified as experts on
matters submitted to them, and the opinion of any such parties on any matters
submitted to them shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
support of any action taken or not taken by the TAC hereunder in good faith and
in accordance with the written opinion of any such party, and in the absence of
gross negligence. The TAC and its experts shall at all times have complete
access to the Trust's officers, employees and agents, and the accountants,
appraisers, auditors, forecasters and other experts retained by the Trust as
well as information generated by them or otherwise available to the Trust or
Trustees.
7.6 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF THE TAC.
(a) Each disinterested TAC member shall receive
compensation of $1,500 per diem from the Trust for his or her ser vices as a
TAC member.
(b) The Trust will promptly reimburse, or pay directly if
so instructed, the TAC member for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including fees and costs associated with employment of experts
pursuant to Article 7.5 incurred by the
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
TAC member in connection with the performance of his or her duties hereunder.
Such reimbursement or direct payment shall be deemed a Trust Expense.
7.7 PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING CONSENT OF THE TAC.
(a) In the event the consent of the TAC is required
pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trustees shall promptly provide the TAC and
its counsel with notice and with all information regarding the matter in
question.
(b) The members of the TAC must consider in good faith
any request by the Trustees and no member of the TAC may withhold his or her
consent unreasonably.
7.8 LACK OF CONSENT OF THE TAC.
In the event the Trustees are unable to obtain the
consent of the TAC, any action or decision for which consent of the TAC is
required, after following the procedure set forth in Article 7.7 of this Trust
Agreement, or if the Trustees and the TAC are unable to reach agreement on any
matter on which the TAC's consent is required, then the matter may be submitted
promptly to binding ADR if mutually agreeable to the Trustees and the TAC.
If the disagreement is not resolved by ADR, the Trustees
may apply to the Bankruptcy Court on an expedited basis for approval of such
action or decision, and only if such approval is given by the Bankruptcy Court
by entry of an appropriate order shall the Trustees have the authority to
implement such action or decision without the TAC's consent.
ARTICLE 8
PD ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PDCA CONSENT
8.1 FORMATION; DUTIES. The PD Advisory Committee shall be
formed and shall exist from the Confirmation Date until the date the Trust pays
the last Allowed PD Claim and all disallowed PD Claims have been disallowed by
final, non-appealable order. The PD Advisory Committee shall be composed of
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esquire, Xxxxxx Dies, Esquire and Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx,
Esquire. The Trustees must consult with the PD Advisory Committee on matters
identified in Article 3.2(e). The PD Advisory Committee and its members shall
serve in a fiduciary capacity representing all holders of PD Claims. Where
provided in this Trust Agreement or the APDCRP, actions by the Trustees are
subject to the consent of the PD Advisory Committee.
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8.2 NUMBER; CHAIRPERSON.
(a) The PD Advisory Committee shall have three (3)
members. On and after the first anniversary, the PD Advisory Committee may vote
to expand its membership to five (5) and the additional members shall be
selected by the PD Advisory Committee. The PD Advisory Committee shall act in
all cases by majority vote.
(b) Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esquire shall serve as
Chairperson of the PD Advisory Committee and in such capacity shall act as the
PD Advisory Committee's liaison, coordinate and schedule meetings of the PD
Advisory Committee, and handle all administrative matters that come before the
PD Advisory Committee.
8.3 PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING CONSENT OF THE PD ADVISORY
COMMITTEE AND THE PDCA.
(a) In the event the consent of the PD Advisory Committee
and the PDCA is required pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trustees shall
promptly provide the PD Advisory Committee and the PDCA and their respective
counsel with notice and with all information regarding the matter in question.
(b) The members of the PD Advisory Committee and the PDCA
must consider in good faith any request by the Trustees and no member of the PD
Advisory Committee or the PDCA may withhold his or her consent unreasonably.
8.4 LACK OF CONSENT OF THE PD ADVISORY COMMITTEE OR THE PDCA.
In the event the Trustees are unable to obtain the
consent of the PD Advisory Committee or the PDCA, any action or decision for
which consent of the PD Advisory Committee or the PDCA is required, after
following the procedure set forth in Article 8.3 of this Trust Agreement, or if
the Trustees and the PD Advisory Committee or the PDCA are unable to reach
agreement on any matter on which the PD Advisory Committee's or the PDCA's
consent is required, then the matter may be submitted promptly to binding ADR
if mutually agreeable to the Trustees, the PD Advisory Committee and the PDCA,
as applicable.
If the disagreement is not resolved by ADR, the Trustees
may apply to the Bankruptcy Court on an expedited basis for approval of such
action or decision, and only if such approval is given by the Bankruptcy Court
by entry of an appropriate order shall the Trustees have the authority to
implement such action or decision without the PD Advisory Committee's or the
PDCA's consent, as applicable.
8.5 THE PDCA.
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
(a) The PDCA shall be appointed by the PD Committee and
shall be X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx.. The PDCA shall serve from the Confirmation Date
until the earlier of (i) his or her death, resignation or removal by the
Bankruptcy Court or (ii) the date the Trust pays the last Allowed PD Claim and
all disallowed PD Claims have been disallowed by final, non-appealable order.
In the event of a vacancy, the PD Advisory Committee may nominate a successor,
the final selection of which will be upon Bankruptcy Court approval.
(b) The PDCA may resign at any time by written notice to
the Trustees and the PD Advisory Committee. Such notice shall specify a date
when such resignation shall take effect, which shall not be less than ninety
(90) days after the date such notice is given, where practicable.
(c) The PDCA may be removed by the PD Advisory Committee
in the event he or she becomes unable to discharge his or her duties hereunder
due to accident, physical deterioration, mental incompetence, or a consistent
pattern of neglect and failure to perform or to participate in performing the
duties hereunder or under the APDCRP.
(d) A vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal
of the PDCA shall be filled with an individual, not a firm, appointed by the PD
Advisory Committee.
(e) The PDCA may retain and/or consult with counsel,
accountants, appraisers, auditors, forecasters, asbestos experts and such other
parties deemed by the PDCA, upon the advice and consent of the PD Advisory
Committee, to be qualified as experts on the matters submitted to them by the
PDCA and the opinion of any parties on any matters submitted to them by the
PDCA shall be full and complete authorization and protection in support of any
action taken or not taken by the PDCA and the PD Advisory Committee in good
faith and in accordance with the written opinion of any such party, and in the
absence of gross negligence. The PD Advisory Committee and the PDCA, as well as
his or her experts, shall at all times have complete access to the Trust's
officers, employees, agents, professionals, and experts for purposes of
evaluating the Trustees' determination of the Payment Percentages from time to
time.
(f) The PDCA may contract at the expense of the Trust,
with other claims resolution facilities that are not expressly created by this
Trust Agreement for the use (whether by license, purchase or otherwise) of
claims resolution and payment software, systems and facilities; provided,
however, such contracts shall not (i) subject the Reorganized Debtors or any
successor in interest to any risk of having any Asbestos Claim asserted against
it; or (ii) otherwise jeopardize the validity or enforceability of the Asbestos
Permanent Channeling Injunction.
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
(g) The PDCA shall have the power and authority, subject
to the advice and consent of the PD Advisory Committee, to xxx and participate,
as a party or otherwise, in any judicial, administrative, arbitration or other
proceeding as contemplated in the APDCRP, including, without limitation, to
prosecute and settle claims against Xxxx which revert to the PDCA pursuant to
the APDCRP.
8.6 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF THE PDCA AND THE PD ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
(a) The PDCA shall receive the following compensation
from the Trust for his or her services: (i) $200 per hour with a minimum
monthly compensation of $9,000 and a maximum monthly compensation of $14,000;
such compensation shall be reviewed annually by the PD Advisory Committee; and
(ii) an Incentive Bonus if the PDCA Facility successfully reviews, evaluates
and makes final determinations of Allowed Costs for less than the expense
target of 1.5% of the Total Allowed Costs; on a sharing of the savings basis,
20% of the savings would be paid to the PDCA who will then have the authority
to pay a substantial portion of the Incentive Bonus to the staff of the PDCA
Facility, as a reward to be paid at the conclusion of the claims resolution
process, thus providing an incentive for the staff of the PDCA Facility to
remain engaged until the end of the project.
(b) Each disinterested member of the PD Advisory
Committee shall receive compensation of $1,500 per diem from the Trust for his
or her services as a PD Advisory Committee member.
(c) The Trust will promptly reimburse, or pay directly if
so instructed, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the
PDCA and the members of the PD Advisory Committee, incurred by the PDCA and the
members of the PD Advisory Committee in connection with the performance of his
or her duties hereunder, including costs and fees of professionals and experts.
Such reimbursement or direct payment shall be deemed a Trust Expense.
ARTICLE 9
GENERAL PROVISIONS
9.1 IRREVOCABILITY. The Trust is irrevocable.
9.2 TERMINATION.
(a) The Trust shall automatically terminate on the date
(the "TERMINATION DATE") ninety (90) days after the first to occur of the
following events:
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CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
(i) the Trustees in their sole discretion decide to
terminate the Trust because (A) they deem it unlikely that new Asbestos Claims
will be filed against the Trust and (B) all Asbestos Claims duly filed with the
Trust have been Allowed and paid to the extent provided in this Trust Agreement
and the CRP or disallowed by a final, non-appealable order, to the extent
possible based upon the Funds available through the Plan, and twelve (12)
consecutive months have elapsed during which no new Asbestos Claim has been
filed with the Trust;
(ii) if the Trustees have procured and have in place
irrevocable insurance policies and have established claims handling agreements
and other necessary arrangements with suitable third parties adequate to
discharge all expected remaining obligations and expenses of the Trust in a
manner consistent with this Trust Agreement, and the APICRP, the date on which
the Bankruptcy Court enters an order approving such insurance and other
arrangements and such order becomes a final, non-appealable order; or
(iii) to the extent that any rule against
perpetuities shall be deemed applicable to the Trust, twenty-one (21) years
less ninety-one (91) days pass after the death of the last survivor of all of
the descendants of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., of Massachusetts living on the date
hereof.
(b) On the Termination Date, after payment of all the
Trust's liabilities have been provided for, all monies remaining in the Trust
estate shall be given to such organization(s) exempt from federal income tax
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which tax-exempt
organization(s) shall be selected by the Trustees using their reasonable
discretion; provided, however, that (i) if practicable, the tax-exempt
organization(s) shall be related to the treatment of, research on, or the
relief of suffering of individuals suffering from asbestos related lung
disorders, and (ii) the tax-exempt organization(s) shall not bear any
relationship to Reorganized Celotex within the meaning of Section 468(d)(3) of
the Internal Revenue Code.
9.3 AMENDMENTS. The Trustees, after consultation with the
Approving Entities, and subject to the consent of the Approving Entities where
so provided, may modify or amend this Trust Agreement or any document annexed
to it, including, without limitation, the Bylaws or the APICRP. Any
modification or amendment made pursuant to this Article must be done in
writing. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Trust Agreement to the
contrary, neither this Trust Agreement, the Bylaws, any annexed document nor
the CRP shall be modified or amended in any way that could jeopardize the
efficacy or enforceability of the Asbestos Permanent Channeling Injunction or
Qualified Settlement Fund status.
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28
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
9.4 MEETINGS. A TAC member, a PD Advisory Committee member,
the Legal Representative or a Trustee shall be deemed to have attended a
meeting in the event such person spends a substantial portion of the day
conferring, by phone or in person, on Trust matters with TAC members, PD
Advisory Committee members, the Legal Representative, or Trustees, as
applicable. The Trustees shall have complete discretion to determine whether a
meeting, as described herein, occurred for purposes of Articles 5.5, 6.5, 7.6
and 8.6.
9.5 SEVERABILITY. Should any provision in this Trust
Agreement be determined to be unenforceable, such determination shall in no way
limit or affect the enforceability and operative effect of any and all other
provisions of this Trust Agreement.
9.6 NOTICES. Notices to persons asserting claims shall be
given at the address of such person, or, where applicable, such person's legal
representative, in each case as provided on such person's claim form submitted
to the Trust with respect to his or her or its Asbestos Claim.
Any notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and delivered at the addresses designated below,
or sent by telex, telecopy or facsimile pursuant to the instructions listed
below, or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows, or to such other address or addresses as
may hereafter be furnished by any of the Notice Recipients, the Trustees, the
Approving Entities or Reorganized Celotex to the other notice recipients in
compliance with the terms hereof.
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29
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
To the Trust through
the Trustees: The Honorable Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
0000 X. Xxxxxx Xxxx
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
Xxxxxxxxxxx Associates, Inc.
0 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
Duke University School of Law
Box 00000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx and Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
000 Xxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Sixth Floor
000 Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
To the Legal Representative: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, McDaid, Loftus, Xxxx
& Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
To the TAC: Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Baron & Xxxx
Suite 1100
0000 Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx & Xxxx
0000 Xxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
The Xxxxxx Admiralty Law Firm
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
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30
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
Kazan, McClain, Edises & Simon
Xxxxx 000
000 00xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Gene Locks
Xxxxxxxx & Locks
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
Ness, Motley, Loadholt, Xxxxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx
Xxxxx 000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
To Reorganized Celotex and
Reorganized Xxxxx Canada: Xxxxxx X. Xxxx
The Celotex Corporation
0000 Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Xxxx-Xxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Canada Inc.
X.X./X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx (Xxxxxx)
Xxxxxx GON 1GO
To the PDCA: X.X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
000 Xxxx X-00, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
To the PD Advisory
Committee: Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
National Association of Attorneys
General
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx X.X.
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx
000 Xxx Xxxxxx
X.X. Xxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 00000
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31
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
All such notices and communications if mailed shall be effective when
physically delivered at the designated addresses or, if electronically
transmitted, when the communication is received at the designated addresses and
confirmed by the recipient by return electronic transmission.
9.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this Trust
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Settlors, the
Trust, and the Trustees and their respective successors and assigns, except
that neither the Settlors, nor the Trust, nor any Trustee may assign or
otherwise transfer any of its, or his or her rights or obligations under this
Trust Agreement except, in the case of the Trust and the Trustees, as
contemplated by Article 3.1.
9.8 LIMITATION ON CLAIM INTERESTS FOR SECURITIES LAWS
PURPOSES. Asbestos Claims, and any interests therein (a) shall not be assigned,
conveyed, hypothecated, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or
involuntarily, directly or indirectly, except by will or under the laws of
descent and distribution; (b) shall not be evidenced by a certificate or other
instrument; (c) shall not possess any voting rights; and (d) shall not be
entitled to receive any dividends or interest; provided, however, that the
foregoing shall not apply to the holder of an Indirect Asbestos Claim that is
subrogated to an Asbestos Claim as a result of its satisfaction of such
Asbestos Claim.
9.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO WAIVER. The entire agreement of the
parties relating to the subject matter of this Trust Agreement is contained
herein and in the documents referred to herein, and this Trust Agreement and
such documents supersede any prior oral or written agreements concerning the
subject matter hereof. No failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. The
rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of
rights under law or in equity.
9.10 HEADINGS. The headings used in this Trust Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and neither constitute a portion of this Trust
Agreement, nor in any manner affect the construction of the provisions of this
Trust Agreement.
9.11 GOVERNING LAW. This Trust Agreement shall be governed
by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida without
regard to Florida conflict of laws principles.
9.12 SETTLORS' REPRESENTATIVE AND COOPERATION. Celotex is
hereby irrevocably designated as the representative of the Settlors, and it is
hereby authorized to take any action required
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32
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
of the Settlors in connection with the Trust Agreement. Settlors agree to
cooperate in implementing the goals and objectives of this Trust.
9.13 DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any disputes that arise under this
Agreement or under the annexes hereto shall be resolved by the Bankruptcy Court
pursuant to the Plan, except as otherwise provided herein or in the annexes
hereto. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, to the extent any
provision of this Trust Agreement is inconsistent with any provision of the
Plan, the Plan shall control.
9.14 ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. The provisions of this
Trust Agreement and the annexes hereto shall be enforced by the Bankruptcy
Court pursuant to the Plan. The parties hereby further acknowledge and agree
that the Bankruptcy Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the settlement
of the accounts of the Trustees.
9.15 EFFECTIVENESS. This Trust Agreement shall not become
effective until it has been executed and delivered by all the parties hereto.
9.16 COUNTERPART SIGNATURES. This Trust Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an
original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON NEXT PAGE]
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33
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Trust
Agreement this _____ day of ______________________, 1997.
SETTLORS:
THE CELOTEX CORPORATION
BY: ________________________
Name: ________________________
Title:________________________
XXXXX CANADA INC.
BY: ________________________
Name: ________________________
Title:________________________
TRUSTEES
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-----------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
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34
CLOSING BINDER INDEX TAB NO. _____
LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE
-----------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire
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