SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made as of this ____th day of
, 2006 by and between ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. a Delaware corporation
with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx Xxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 (the "Adviser"), and ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
SERVICE, LTD. a United Kingdom limited company with its principal place of
business at Xxx Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx (the "Sub-Adviser").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority granted to the Adviser by the Board of
Trustees (the "Board") of THE ABERDEEN EMERGING MARKETS FUND, THE ABERDEEN
GLOBAL EQUITY FUND, THE ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND and THE ABERDEEN
TOTAL RETURN FIXED INCOME FUND (collectively, the "Funds") and pursuant to the
provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement dated as of___________________,
2006 between the Adviser and the Funds (the "Management Agreement"), the Adviser
has selected the Sub-Adviser to act as sub-investment adviser of the Funds and
to provide certain related services, as more fully set forth below, and to
perform such services under the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and benefits
set forth herein, the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser do hereby agree as follows:
1. THE SUB-ADVISER'S SERVICES.
(a) DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES - ABERDEEN EMERGING
MARKETS FUND. The Sub-Adviser shall act as sub-investment adviser with
respect to the Aberdeen Emerging Markets Fund, Aberdeen Global Equity
Fund and Aberdeen International Equity Fund. In such capacity, the
Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the
Board, regularly provide the Funds with investment research, advice and
supervision and shall furnish continuously an investment program for
the Funds, consistent with the investment objectives and policies of
the Funds. The Sub-Adviser shall determine, from time to time, what
securities shall be purchased for the Funds, what securities shall be
held or sold by the Funds and what portion of each Fund's assets shall
be held uninvested in cash, subject always to the provisions of the
Trust's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and its
registration statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement")
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
covering Fund shares, as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), and to the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions of Funds, as each of the same shall be
from time to time in effect. To carry out such obligations, the
Sub-Adviser shall exercise full discretion and act for the Fund in the
same manner and with the same force and effect as each Fund itself
might or could do with respect to purchases, sales or other
transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall,
upon written instructions from the Adviser, effect such portfolio
transactions for the Fund as the Adviser may from time to time direct;
provided however, that the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any
such portfolio
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transactions effected upon written instructions from the Adviser. No
reference in this Agreement to the Sub-Adviser having full
discretionary authority over the Fund's investments shall in any way
limit the right of the Adviser, in its sole discretion, to establish or
revise policies in connection with the management of the Fund's assets
or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of
the Fund's assets.
(b) DISCRETIONARY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES - ABERDEEN TOTAL
RETURN FIXED INCOME FUND. The Sub-Adviser shall act as sub-investment
adviser with respect to the Aberdeen Total Return Fixed Income Fund. In
such capacity, the Sub-Adviser shall, subject to the supervision of the
Adviser and the Board, regularly provide the Fund with investment
research, advice and supervision and shall furnish continuously an
investment program for the Fund, with respect to assets allocated by
the Adviser for purposes of investing Fund assets in emerging market
debt securities and currency, consistent with the investment objectives
and policies of the Fund. The Sub-Adviser shall determine, from time to
time, what investments in emerging market debt securities and currency
shall be purchased for the Fund and what such securities shall be held
or sold by the Fund, subject always to the provisions of the Trust's
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and its registration
statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), covering Fund
shares, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), and to the investment objectives, policies and
restrictions of the Fund, as each of the same shall be from time to
time in effect. To carry out such obligations, the Sub-Adviser shall
exercise full discretion and act for the Fund in the same manner and
with the same force and effect as the Fund itself might or could do
with respect to purchases, sales or other transactions. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall, upon written instructions from
the Adviser, effect such portfolio transactions for the Fund as the
Adviser may from time to time direct; provided however, that the
Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for any such portfolio
transactions effected upon written instructions from the Adviser. No
reference in this Agreement to the Sub-Adviser having full
discretionary authority over the Fund's investments shall in any way
limit the right of the Adviser, in its sole discretion, to establish or
revise policies in connection with the management of the Fund's assets
or to otherwise exercise its right to control the overall management of
the Fund's assets.
(c) COMPLIANCE. The Sub-Adviser agrees to comply with the
requirements of the 1940 Act, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Advisers Act"), the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), the Commodity Exchange Act and
the respective rules and regulations thereunder, as applicable, as well
as with all other applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations
and case law that relate to the services and relationships described
hereunder and to the conduct of its business as a registered investment
adviser. The Sub-Adviser also agrees to comply with the objectives,
policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement, as
amended or supplemented, of the Funds, and with any policies,
guidelines, instructions and procedures approved by the Board or the
Adviser and provided to the Sub-Adviser. In selecting each Fund's
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portfolio securities and performing the Sub-Adviser's obligations
hereunder, the Sub-Adviser shall cause the Funds to comply with the
diversification and source of income requirements of Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for
qualification as a regulated investment company. The Sub-Adviser shall
maintain compliance procedures that it reasonably believes are adequate
to ensure the compliance with the foregoing. No supervisory activity
undertaken by the Adviser shall limit the Sub-Adviser's full
responsibility for any of the foregoing.
(d) PROXY VOTING. Pursuant to Board authority, the Adviser has the
authority to determine how proxies with respect to securities that are
held by the Funds shall be voted, and the Adviser has determined to
delegate the authority and responsibility to vote proxies for each
Fund's securities to the Sub-Adviser. So long as proxy voting authority
for the Funds has been delegated to the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser
shall provide such assistance to the Adviser with respect to the voting
of proxies for the Funds as the Adviser may from time to time
reasonably request, and the Sub-Adviser shall promptly forward to the
Adviser any information or documents necessary for the Adviser to
exercise its proxy voting responsibilities. The Sub-Adviser shall not
vote proxies with respect to the securities held by the Funds unless
and until the Board or the Adviser delegates such authority and
responsibility to the Sub-Adviser or otherwise instructs the
Sub-Adviser to do so in writing, whereupon the Sub-Adviser shall carry
out such responsibility in accordance with any instructions that the
Board or the Adviser shall provide from time to time and shall provide
such reports and keep such records relating to proxy voting as the
Board may reasonably request or as may be necessary for the Funds to
comply with the 1940 Act and other applicable law. Any such delegation
of proxy voting responsibility to the Sub-Adviser may be revoked or
modified by the Board or the Adviser at any time.
(e) RECORDKEEPING. The Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for the
provision of administrative, bookkeeping or accounting services to the
Funds, except as otherwise provided herein or as may be necessary for
the Sub-Adviser to supply to the Adviser, the Funds or its Board the
information required to be supplied under this Agreement.
The Sub-Adviser shall maintain separate books and detailed records
of all matters pertaining to each Fund's assets advised by the
Sub-Adviser required by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act (other than those
records being maintained by the Advisor, custodian or transfer agent
appointed by the Funds) relating to its responsibilities provided
hereunder with respect to the Funds, and shall preserve such records
for the periods and in a manner prescribed therefore by Rule 31a-2
under the 1940 Act (the "Fund Books and Records"). The Fund Books and
Records shall be available to the Adviser and the Board at any time
upon request shall be delivered to the Funds upon the termination of
this Agreement and shall be available for telecopying without delay
during any day the Funds are open for business.
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(f) HOLDINGS INFORMATION AND PRICING. The Sub-Adviser shall provide
regular reports regarding each Fund's holdings, and shall, on its own
initiative, furnish each Fund and the Adviser from time to time with
whatever information the Sub-Adviser believes is appropriate for this
purpose. The Sub-Adviser agrees to immediately notify the Adviser if
the Sub-Adviser reasonably believes that the value of any security held
by a Fund may not reflect fair value. The Sub-Adviser agrees to provide
any pricing information of which the Sub-Adviser is aware to the
Adviser and/or any Fund pricing agent to assist in the determination of
the fair value of any Fund holdings for which market quotations are not
readily available or as otherwise required in accordance with the 1940
Act or the Funds valuation procedures for the purpose of calculating
the Fund's net asset value in accordance with procedures and methods
established by the Board.
(g) COOPERATION WITH AGENTS OF THE ADVISER AND THE FUNDS. The
Sub-Adviser agrees to cooperate with and provide reasonable assistance
to the Adviser, the Funds and the Funds' custodian and foreign
sub-custodians, the Funds' pricing agents and all other agents and
representatives of the Funds and the Adviser, such information with
respect to the Funds as such entities may reasonably request from time
to time in the performance of their obligations, provide prompt
responses to reasonable requests made by such persons and establish
appropriate interfaces with each so as to promote the efficient
exchange of information and compliance with applicable laws and
regulations.
2. CODE OF ETHICS. The Sub-Adviser has adopted a written code of ethics
that it reasonably believes complies with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under
the 1940 Act, which it will provide to the Adviser and the Funds. The
Sub-Adviser shall ensure that its Access Persons (as defined in the
Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics) comply in all material respects with the
Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time. Upon request, the
Sub-Adviser shall provide the Funds with (i) a copy of the Sub-Adviser's current
Code of Ethics, as in effect from time to time, and (ii) a certification that it
has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from
engaging in any conduct prohibited by the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics.
Annually, the Sub-Adviser shall furnish a written report, which complies with
the requirements of Rule 17j-1, concerning the Sub-Adviser's Code of Ethics to
the Funds and the Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall respond to requests for
information from the Adviser as to violations of the Code by Access Persons and
the sanctions imposed by the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser shall immediately
notify the Adviser of any material violation of the Code, whether or not such
violation relates to a security held by any Fund.
3. INFORMATION AND REPORTING. The Sub-Adviser shall provide the Funds,
the Adviser, and their respective officers with such periodic reports concerning
the obligations the Sub-Adviser has assumed under this Agreement as the Funds
and the Adviser may from time to time reasonably request.
(a) NOTIFICATION OF BREACH / COMPLIANCE REPORTS. The Sub-Adviser
shall notify the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer and Adviser
immediately upon detection of (i) any material failure to manage any
Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and policies or any
applicable law; or (ii) any material breach of any of the Funds' or the
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Adviser's policies, guidelines or procedures. In addition, the
Sub-Adviser shall provide a quarterly report regarding each Fund's
compliance with its investment objectives and policies and applicable
law, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the
Code, and the Funds' and the Adviser's policies, guidelines or
procedures as applicable to the Sub-Adviser's obligations under this
Agreement. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges and agrees that the Adviser
may, in its discretion, provide such quarterly compliance
certifications to the Board. The Sub-Adviser agrees to correct any such
failure promptly and to take any action that the Board and/or the
Adviser may reasonably request in connection with any such breach. The
Sub-Adviser shall also provide the officers of the Trust with
supporting certifications in connection with such certifications of
Fund financial statements and disclosure controls pursuant to the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act. The Sub-Adviser will promptly notify the Trust in
the event (i) the Sub-Adviser is served or otherwise receives notice of
any action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, at law or in
equity, before or by any court, public board, or body, involving the
affairs of the Trust (excluding class action suits in which a Fund is a
member of the plaintiff class by reason of the Fund's ownership of
shares in the defendant) or the compliance by the Sub-Adviser with the
federal or state securities laws or (ii) the controlling stockholder of
the Sub-Adviser changes or an actual change in control resulting in an
"assignment" (as defined in the 1940 Act) has occurred or is otherwise
proposed to occur.
(b) INSPECTION. Upon reasonable request, the Sub-Adviser agrees to
make its records and premises (including the availability of the
Sub-Adviser's employees for interviews) to the extent that they relate
to the conduct of services provided to the Funds or the Sub-Adviser's
conduct of its business as an investment adviser reasonably available
for compliance audits by the Adviser or a Fund's employees, accountants
or counsel; in this regard, the Funds and the Adviser acknowledge that
the Sub-Adviser shall have no obligations to make available proprietary
information unrelated to the services provided to the Funds or any
information related to other clients of the Sub-Adviser, except to the
extent necessary for the Adviser to confirm the absence of any conflict
of interest and compliance with any laws, rules or regulations in the
management of the Funds.
(c) BOARD AND FILINGS INFORMATION. The Sub-Adviser will also provide
the Adviser with any information reasonably requested regarding its
management of the Funds required for any meeting of the Board, or for
any shareholder report, amended registration statement, proxy
statement, or prospectus supplement to be filed by the Funds with the
Commission. The Sub-Adviser will make its officers and employees
available to meet with the Board from time to time on due notice to
review its investment management services to the Funds in light of
current and prospective economic and market conditions and shall
furnish to the Board such information as may reasonably be necessary in
order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed
amendments thereto.
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(d) TRANSACTION INFORMATION. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the
Adviser such information concerning portfolio transactions as may be
necessary to enable the Adviser to perform such compliance testing on
the Funds and the Sub-Adviser's services as the Adviser may, in its
sole discretion, determine to be appropriate. The provision of such
information by the Sub-Adviser in no way relieves the Sub-Adviser of
its own responsibilities under this Agreement.
4. BROKERAGE.
(a) PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS. In connection with purchases or sales of
securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Sub-Adviser nor any
of its directors, officers or employees will act as a principal or
agent or receive any commission except as permitted by the 1940 Act.
(b) PLACEMENT OF ORDERS. The Sub-Adviser shall arrange for the
placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities for a
Fund's account with brokers or dealers selected by the Sub-Adviser. In
the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such
orders, the Sub-Adviser is directed at all times to seek for a Fund the
most favorable execution and net price available under the
circumstances. It is also understood that it is desirable for the Funds
that the Sub-Adviser have access to brokerage and research services
provided by brokers who may execute brokerage transactions at a higher
cost to the Funds than may result when allocating brokerage to other
brokers, consistent with section 28(e) of the 1934 Act and any
Commission staff interpretations thereof. Therefore, the Sub-Adviser is
authorized to place orders for the purchase and sale of securities for
the Funds with such brokers, subject to review by the Adviser and the
Board from time to time with respect to the extent and continuation of
this practice. It is understood that the services provided by such
brokers may be useful to the Sub-Adviser in connection with its or its
affiliates' services to other clients.
(c) AGGREGATED TRANSACTIONS. On occasions when the Sub-Adviser deems
the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund
as well as other clients of the Sub-Adviser, the Sub-Adviser may, to
the extent permitted by applicable law and regulations, aggregate the
order for securities to be sold or purchased. In such event, the
Sub-Adviser will allocate securities or futures contracts so purchased
or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, in the
manner the Sub-Adviser reasonably considers to be equitable and
consistent with its fiduciary obligations to a Fund and to such other
clients under the circumstances.
(d) AFFILIATED BROKERS. The Sub-Adviser or any of its affiliates may
act as broker in connection with the purchase or sale of securities or
other investments for a Fund, subject to: (a) the requirement that the
Sub-Adviser seek to obtain best execution and price within the policy
guidelines determined by the Board and set forth in a Fund's current
prospectus and SAI; (b) the provisions of the 1940 Act; (c) the
provisions of the 1934 Act; and (d) other provisions of applicable law.
These brokerage services are not within the scope of the duties of the
Sub-Adviser under this Agreement. Subject to the requirements of
applicable law and any procedures adopted by the Board, the Sub-Adviser
or its affiliates may receive brokerage commissions, fees or other
remuneration from a Fund for these services in addition to the
Sub-Adviser's fees for services under this Agreement.
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5. CUSTODY. Nothing in this Agreement shall permit the Sub-Adviser to
take or receive physical possession of cash, securities or other investments of
a Fund.
6. ALLOCATION OF CHARGES AND EXPENSES. The Sub-Adviser will bear its
own costs of providing services hereunder. Other than as herein specifically
indicated, the Sub-Adviser shall not be responsible for a Fund's or the
Adviser's expenses, including brokerage and other expenses incurred in placing
orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments.
7. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.
(a) PROPERLY REGISTERED. The Adviser is registered as an investment
adviser under the Advisers Act, and will remain so registered for the
duration of this Agreement. The Adviser is not prohibited by the
Advisers Act or the 1940 Act from performing the services contemplated
by this Agreement, and to the best knowledge of the Adviser, there is
no proceeding or investigation that is reasonably likely to result in
the Adviser being prohibited from performing the services contemplated
by this Agreement. The Adviser agrees to promptly notify the Trust of
the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Adviser from
serving as an investment adviser to an investment company. The Adviser
is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal
and state law in connection with its investment management operations.
(b) ADV DISCLOSURE. The Adviser has provided the Trust with a copy
of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will, promptly
after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy
of such amendments to the Trust. The information contained in the
Adviser's Form ADV is accurate and complete in all material respects
and does not omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading.
(c) FUND DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS. The Adviser has reviewed and will in
the future review, the Registration Statement, and any amendments or
supplements thereto, the annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders,
other reports filed with the Commission and any marketing material of a
Fund (collectively the "Disclosure Documents") and represents and
warrants that with respect to disclosure about the Adviser, the manner
in which the Adviser manages the Fund or information relating directly
or indirectly to the Adviser, such Disclosure Documents contain or will
contain, as of the date thereof, no untrue statement of any material
fact and does not omit any statement of material fact which was
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
contained therein not misleading.
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(d) USE OF THE NAME "ABERDEEN". The Adviser has the right to use the
names "Aberdeen" in connection with its services to the Trust and that,
subject to the terms set forth in Section 8 of this Agreement, the
Trust shall have the right to use the name "Aberdeen" in connection
with the management and operation of the Funds. The Adviser is not
aware of any threatened or existing actions, claims, litigation or
proceedings that would adversely effect or prejudice the rights of the
Adviser or the Trust to use the name "Aberdeen."
(e) INSURANCE. The Adviser maintains errors and omissions insurance
coverage in an appropriate amount and shall provide prior written
notice to the Trust (i) of any material changes in its insurance
policies or insurance coverage; or (ii) if any material claims will be
made on its insurance policies. Furthermore, the Adviser shall, upon
reasonable request, provide the Trust with any information it may
reasonably require concerning the amount of or scope of such insurance.
(f) NO DETRIMENTAL AGREEMENT. The Adviser represents and warrants
that it has no arrangement or understanding with any party, other than
the Trust, that would influence the decision of the Adviser with
respect to its selection of securities for a Fund, and that all
selections shall be done in accordance with what is in the best
interest of the Fund.
(g) CONFLICTS. The Adviser shall act honestly, in good faith and in
the best interests of the Trust including requiring any of its
personnel with knowledge of Fund activities to place the interest of
the Fund first, ahead of their own interests, in all personal trading
scenarios that may involve a conflict of interest with the Funds,
consistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable law.
(h) REPRESENTATIONS. The representations and warranties in this
Section 7 shall be deemed to be made on the date this Agreement is
executed and at the time of delivery of the quarterly compliance report
required by Section 3(a), whether or not specifically referenced in
such report.
8. THE NAME "ABERDEEN". The Sub-Adviser grants to the Trust a license
to use the name "Aberdeen" as part of the name of each Fund. The Adviser and the
Funds shall be obligated to use the name Aberdeen in the name of each Fund
during the period in which this Agreement remains in effect or the Sub-Adviser
otherwise acts as sub-investment adviser for the Funds, except as agreed to by
Aberdeen. The foregoing authorization by the Sub-Adviser to the Funds to use
said name as part of the name of each Fund is not exclusive of the right of the
Sub-Adviser itself to use, or to authorize others to use, the same; the Funds
acknowledge and agrees that as between the Funds and the Sub-Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser has the exclusive right so to use, or authorize others to use, said
name and the Funds agree to take such action as may reasonably be requested by
the Sub-Adviser to give full effect to the provisions of this section. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Funds agree that, upon any
termination of this Agreement, the Funds will, at the request of the
Sub-Adviser, use their best efforts to change the name of the Funds within three
months of its receipt of the Sub-Adviser's request so as to eliminate all
reference, if any, to the name "Aberdeen" and will not thereafter transact any
business using the name "Aberdeen" in the name of the Funds; provided, however,
that the Funds and the Adviser may continue to use beyond such date any supplies
of prospectuses, marketing materials and similar documents that the Adviser or
its affiliates had on had at the date of such name change.
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9. SUB-ADVISER'S COMPENSATION. The Adviser shall pay to the
Sub-Adviser, as compensation for the Sub-Adviser's services hereunder, a fee,
determined as described in Schedule A that is attached hereto and made a part
hereof. Such fee shall be computed daily and paid monthly in arrears by the
Adviser. The Funds shall have no responsibility for any fee payable to the
Sub-Adviser.
The Sub-Adviser will be compensated based on the portion of Fund assets
allocated to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser. In the event of termination of this
Agreement, the fee provided in this Section shall be computed on the basis of
the period ending on the last business day on which this Agreement is in effect
subject to a pro rata adjustment based on the number of days elapsed in the
current month as a percentage of the total number of days in such month.
10. INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR. In the performance of its duties hereunder,
the Sub-Adviser is and shall be an independent contractor and, unless otherwise
expressly provided herein or otherwise authorized in writing, shall have no
authority to act for or represent the Funds or the Adviser in any way or
otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Funds or the Adviser. If any occasion
should arise in which the Sub-Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning
the shares of a Fund, the Sub-Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for
such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Funds.
11. ASSIGNMENT AND AMENDMENTS. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate, without the payment of any penalty, (i) in the event of its
assignment (as defined in section 2(a)(4) of the 0000 Xxx) or (ii) in the event
of the termination of the Management Agreement; provided that such termination
shall not relieve the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser of any liability incurred
hereunder.
This Agreement may not be added to or changed orally and may not be
modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto
and in accordance with the 1940 Act, when applicable.
12. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement shall become effective as of the date executed
and shall remain in full force and effect continually thereafter,
subject to renewal as provided in Section 12(d) and unless terminated
automatically as set forth in Section 11 hereof or until terminated as
follows:
(b) The Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not more
than sixty (60) days' nor less than thirty (30) days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the
Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Funds may cause this Agreement to
terminate either (i) by vote of its Board or (ii) upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds;
or
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(c) The Sub-Adviser may at any time terminate this Agreement by not
more than sixty (60) days' nor less than thirty (30) days' written
notice delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the
Adviser; or
(d) This Agreement shall automatically terminate two years from the
date of its execution unless its renewal is specifically approved at
least annually thereafter by (i) a majority vote of the Trustees,
including a majority vote of such Trustees who are not interested
persons of the Funds, the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval; or (ii) the vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each Fund; provided,
however, that if the continuance of this Agreement is submitted to the
shareholders of the Funds for their approval and such shareholders fail
to approve such continuance of this Agreement as provided herein, the
Sub-Adviser may continue to serve hereunder as to the Funds in a manner
consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;
and
(e) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section shall be
without payment of any penalty.
In the event of termination of this Agreement for any reason, the
Sub-Adviser shall, immediately upon notice of termination or on such
later date as may be specified in such notice, cease all activity on
behalf of the Funds and with respect to any Fund assets, except as
expressly directed by the Adviser or as otherwise required by any
fiduciary duties of the Sub-Adviser under applicable law. In addition,
the Sub-Adviser shall deliver each Fund's Books and Records to the
Adviser by such means and in accordance with such schedule as the
Adviser shall direct and shall otherwise cooperate, as reasonably
directed by the Adviser, in the transition of portfolio asset
management to any successor of the Sub-Adviser, including the Adviser.
13. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT:
(a) "Affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting
securities of the Fund" shall have the meaning as set forth in the 1940
Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the
Commission under the 1940 Act or any interpretations of the Commission
staff.
(b) "Interested persons" and "Assignment" shall have their
respective meanings as set forth in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to
such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission under the 1940 Act
or any interpretations of the Commission staff.
14. LIABILITY OF THE SUB-ADVISER. The Sub-Adviser shall indemnify and
hold harmless the Trust and all affiliated persons thereof (within the meaning
of Section 2(a)(3) of the 0000 Xxx) and all controlling persons (as described in
Section 15 of the 1933 Act) (collectively, the "Sub-Adviser Indemnitees")
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses) by reason of or arising out of:
(a) the Sub-Adviser being in material violation of any applicable federal or
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state law, rule or regulation or any investment policy or restriction set forth
in the Funds' Registration Statement or any written guidelines or instruction
provided in writing by the Board, (b) a Fund's failure to satisfy the
diversification or source of income requirements of Subchapter M of the Code, or
(c) the Sub-Adviser's willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence
generally in the performance of its duties hereunder or its reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.
15. ENFORCEABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement which is
invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction be
ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability without
rendering invalid or unenforceable the remaining terms or provisions of this
Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of any of the terms or
provisions of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction.
16. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge
and agree that all litigation arising hereunder, whether direct or indirect, and
of any and every nature whatsoever shall be satisfied solely out of the assets
of the affected Fund and that no Trustee, officer or holder of shares of
beneficial interest of the Fund shall be personally liable for any of the
foregoing liabilities. The Trust's Certificate of Trust, as amended from time to
time, is on file in the Office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts. Such Certificate of Trust and the Trust's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust describe in detail the respective responsibilities and
limitations on liability of the Trustees, officers, and holders of shares of
beneficial interest.
17. CHANGE IN THE ADVISER'S OWNERSHIP. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it
shall notify the Trust of any anticipated or otherwise reasonably foreseeable
change in the ownership of the Sub-Adviser within a reasonable time prior to
after such change being effected.
18. JURISDICTION. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
the Sub-Adviser consents to the jurisdiction of courts, both state or federal,
in Massachusetts, with respect to any dispute under this Agreement.
19. PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The headings of paragraphs contained in this
Agreement are provided for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement and
shall not affect its construction.
20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two
or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to
be signed on their behalf by their duly authorized officers as of the date first
above written.
ATTEST: ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
By:
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: [ ]
Title: [ ]
ATTEST: ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT
SERVICE, LTD.
By:
------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: [ ]
Title: [ ]
Accepted and Agreed to as of the day and year first above written.
ABERDEEN EMERGING MARKETS FUND
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
ABERDEEN TOTAL RETURN FIXED INCOME FUND
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
ABERDEEN GLOBAL EQUITY FUND
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
ABERDEEN INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
By:
---------------------------
Name:
Title:
12
SCHEDULE A
TO THE
SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
DATED _____________, 2006 BETWEEN
ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT SERVICE, LTD.
The Advisor will pay to the Sub-Adviser as compensation for the Sub-Adviser's
services rendered, a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average
daily net assets of the respective Fund under the following fee schedule:
FUND RATE
---- ----
Aberdeen Total Return Fixed Income Fund.................................. X.XX%
Aberdeen Emerging Markets Fund........................................... X.XX%
Aberdeen Global Equity Fund.............................................. X.XX%
Aberdeen International Equity Fund....................................... X.XX%
A-1
