STOCK ESCROW AGREEMENT
STOCK
ESCROW AGREEMENT, dated as of January 16, 2008 (the “Agreement”), by and among
Asia Special Situation Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands corporation
(“Company”), the undersigned parties listed as Initial Stockholders on the
signature page hereto (collectively, the “Initial Stockholders”) and Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (“Escrow
Agent”).
WHEREAS,
the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement, dated January 16, 2008
(“Underwriting Agreement”) with Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”) acting as
representative of the several underwriters (collectively, the “Underwriters”),
pursuant to which, among other matters, the Underwriters have agreed to purchase
10,000,000 units (not including the underwriters’ over-allotment option)
(“Units”) of the Company. Each Unit consists of one share of the Company’s
ordinary shares (“Ordinary Shares”), par value $.0001 per share, and one warrant
(“Warrant”), each Warrant to purchase one Ordinary Share, all as more fully
described in the Company’s prospectus, dated January 16, 2008 (“Prospectus”)
comprising part of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-145163) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Registration
Statement”), declared effective on January 16, 2008 (“Effective
Date”).
WHEREAS,
the Initial Stockholders have agreed, as a condition of the Underwriters’
obligation, to purchase the Units pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement and
to
offer them to the public to deposit all of their Ordinary Shares, as set forth
opposite their respective names in Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively
“Escrow Shares”), in escrow as hereinafter provided.
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Initial Stockholders desire that the Escrow Agent accept
the
Escrow Shares, in escrow, to be held and disbursed as hereinafter
provided.
IT
IS
AGREED:
1. Appointment
of Escrow Agent.
The
Company and the Initial Stockholders hereby appoint the Escrow Agent to act
in
accordance with and subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Escrow Agent
hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject
to such terms.
2. Deposit
of Escrow Shares.
On or
before the Effective Date, each of the Initial Stockholders shall deliver to
the
Escrow Agent certificates representing his or her respective Escrow Shares,
to
be held and disbursed subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Each Initial Stockholder acknowledges that the certificate representing his
or
her Escrow Shares is legended to reflect the deposit of such Escrow Shares
under
this Agreement.
3. Disbursement
of the Escrow Shares.
Except
as set forth herein, the Escrow Agent shall hold the Escrow Shares until the
third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Escrow Period”), on which date it
shall, upon written instructions from each Initial Stockholder, disburse each
of
the Initial Stockholder’s Escrow Shares to such Initial Stockholder; provided,
however, that if the Escrow Agent is notified by the Company pursuant to Section
6.7 hereof that the Company is being liquidated at any time during the Escrow
Period, then the Escrow Agent shall promptly destroy the certificates
representing the Escrow Shares; provided further, that if, after the Company
consummates a Business Combination (as such term is
defined in the Registration Statement), it (or the surviving entity)
subsequently consummates a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar
transaction which results in all of its stockholders having the right to
exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property, then
the
Escrow Agent will, upon consummation of such transaction, release the Escrow
Shares to the Initial Stockholders so that they can similarly participate.
The
Escrow Agent shall have no further duties hereunder after the disbursement
or
destruction of the Escrow Shares in accordance with this Section
3.
4. Rights
of
Initial Stockholders in Escrow Shares.
4.1 Voting
Rights as a Stockholder.
Subject
to the terms of the Insider Letter described in Section 4.4 hereof and except
as
herein provided, the Initial Stockholders shall retain all of their rights
as
stockholders of the Company during the Escrow Period, including, without
limitation, the right to vote such shares.
4.2 Dividends
and Other Distributions in Respect of the Escrow Shares.
During
the Escrow Period, all dividends payable in cash with respect to the Escrow
Shares shall be paid to the Initial Stockholders, but all dividends payable
in
stock or other non-cash property (“Non-Cash Dividends”) shall be delivered to
the Escrow Agent to hold in accordance with the terms hereof. As used herein,
the term “Escrow Shares” shall be deemed to include the Non-Cash Dividends
distributed thereon, if any.
4.3 Restrictions
on Transfer.
Except
as set forth in Section 3.2, during the Escrow Period, no sale, transfer or
other disposition may be made of any or all of the Escrow Shares except (i)
by
gift to a member of Initial Stockholder’s immediate family or to a trust or
other entity, the beneficiary of which is an Initial Stockholder or a member
of
an Initial Stockholder’s immediate family, (ii) by virtue of the laws of descent
and distribution upon death of any Initial Stockholder, (iii) pursuant to a
qualified domestic relations order, (iv) to an entity that is an Initial
Stockholder, (v) to any person or entity controlling, controlled by, or under
common control with, an Initial Stockholder or (vi) with respect to an Initial
Stockholder who is an individual, to an entity controlled by such Initial
Stockholder or to a member of Initial Stockholder’s immediate family or to a
trust, the beneficiary of which is an Initial Stockholder; provided, however,
that such permissive transfers may be implemented only upon the respective
transferee’s written agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and of the Insider Letter signed by the Initial Stockholder
transferring the Escrow Shares. During the Escrow Period, the Initial
Stockholders shall not pledge or grant a security interest in the Escrow Shares
or grant a security interest in their rights under this Agreement.
5. Concerning
the Escrow Agent.
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5.1 Good
Faith Reliance.
The
Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good
faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively,
and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate,
opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Escrow Agent),
statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its
due
execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as
to
the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is
believed by the Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by
the
proper person or persons. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice
or
demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement
unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Escrow Agent signed by the proper
party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Escrow Agent are affected,
unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.
5.2 Indemnification.
The
Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company from and
against any expenses, including counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered
by the Escrow Agent in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding
involving any claim which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of
or
relates to this Agreement, the services of the Escrow Agent hereunder, or the
Escrow Shares held by it hereunder, other than expenses or losses arising from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Escrow Agent. Promptly after
the Escrow Agent’s receipt of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement
of any action, suit or proceeding, the Escrow Agent shall notify the other
parties hereto in writing. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the
Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may (i) commence an action in the nature
of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition
of
the Escrow Shares, (ii) deposit the Escrow Shares with the clerk of any
appropriate court, or (iii) retain the Escrow Shares pending receipt of a final,
non appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties
hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Escrow Shares are
to
be disbursed and delivered. The provisions of this Section 5.2 shall survive
if
the Escrow Agent resigns or is discharged pursuant to Sections 5.5 or 5.6
below.
5.3 Compensation.
The
Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Company
for
all services rendered by it hereunder, as set forth on Exhibit B hereto.
The Escrow Agent shall also be entitled to reimbursement from the Company for
all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties
hereunder including, but not limited to, all counsel, advisor and agent fees
and
disbursements and all taxes or other governmental charges.
5.4 Further
Assurances.
From
time to time on and after the date hereof, the Company and the Initial
Stockholders shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Escrow Agent such
further documents and instruments, and shall do or cause to be done such further
acts, as the Escrow Agent shall reasonably request to carry out more effectively
the provisions and purposes of this Agreement, to evidence compliance herewith
or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.
5.5 Resignation.
The
Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as escrow
agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto written notice. Such
resignation shall become effective at such time that the Escrow Agent shall
turn
over the Escrow Shares held hereunder to a successor escrow agent appointed
by
the Company and approved by Maxim. If no new escrow agent is so appointed within
the 60 day period following the Escrow Agent’s notice of resignation, the Escrow
Agent may deposit the Escrow Shares with any court it deems
appropriate.
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5.6 Discharge
of Escrow Agent.
The
Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as escrow agent
hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the other parties hereto,
jointly; provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only
upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in
Section 5.5.
5.7 Liability.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Escrow Agent shall not
be
relieved from liability hereunder for its own gross negligence or its own
willful misconduct.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1 Governing
Law.
This
Agreement shall for all purposes be deemed to be made under and shall be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Each of the
parties hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising
out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced
in
the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for
the
Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction,
which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. Each of the parties hereby waives any
objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an
inconvenient forum.
6.2 Third
Party Beneficiaries.
Each of
the Initial Stockholders hereby acknowledge that the Underwriters are third
party beneficiaries of this Agreement and this Agreement may not be modified
or
changed without the prior written consent of Maxim.
6.3 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect
to
the subject matter hereof and, except as expressly provided herein, may not
be
changed or modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
to be
charged.
6.5 Binding
Effect.
This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective
parties hereto and each of their legal representatives, successors and
assigns.
6.6 Notices.
Any
notice or other communication required or which may be given hereunder shall
be
in writing and shall either be delivered personally or by private national
courier service, or be mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, and shall be deemed given when so delivered
personally or, if sent by private national courier service, on the next business
day after delivery to the courier, or, if mailed, two business days after the
date of mailing, as follows:
4
If
to the
Company, to:
X.X.
Xxx
000 XX, Xxxxxx House
South
Church Street
Xxxxxx
Town, Grand Cayman
Cayman
Islands
If
to a Stockholder, to his address set forth in Exhibit A.
and
if to
the Escrow Agent, to:
Continental
Stock Transfer & Trust Company
00
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and Xxxxx X. Di Paolo
Fax
No.:
(000) 000-0000
A
copy of
any notice sent hereunder shall be sent to:
Xxxxxxxxxx
& Xxxxx LLP
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 00xx
xxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
and:
Maxim
Group LLC
000
Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
6.7 Liquidation
of Company.
The
Company shall give the Escrow Agent written notification of the liquidation
and
dissolution of the Company if the Company fails to consummate a Business
Combination within the time period(s) specified in the Prospectus.
6.8 Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each one of which shall
constitute an original and may be delivered by facsimile transmission and
together shall constitute one instrument.
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WITNESS
the execution of this Agreement as of the date first above written.
| ASIA SPECIAL SITUATION ACQUISITION CORP. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xx | |||
|
Name:
Xxxxxx Xx
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
|
||||
| INITIAL STOCKHOLDERS: | ||||
| Ho Capital Management LLC | ||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xx | |||
|
Name:
Xxxxxx Xx
Title:
Sole Manager
|
||||
| Allius Ltd. | ||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | |||
|
Name:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Title:
Controlling Shareholder
|
||||
| /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxx | ||||
|
Xx. Xxxx Xxxxx |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx | ||||
|
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxxx Xxx | ||||
|
Xxxxxx Xxx |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx | ||||
|
Xxxxx Xxxxx |
||||
| /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
|
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx |
||||
6
| /s/ Arie Xxx xxx Xxxx | ||||
|
Arie Xxx xxx Xxxx |
||||
|
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER
& TRUST COMPANY
|
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
|
Name:
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Vice
President
|
||||
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EXHIBIT
A
|
Name
and Address of Initial Stockholder
|
Number
of
Shares
|
Stock
Certificate
Number
|
|
Ho
Capital Management LLC
|
1,312,500
|
001
|
|
Allius
Ltd.
|
500,000
|
002
|
|
Xx.
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
|
125,000
|
003
|
|
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
125,000
|
004
|
|
Xxxxxx
Xxx
|
125,000
|
005
|
|
Xxxxx
Xxxxx
|
125,000
|
006
|
|
Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
62,500
|
007
|
|
Arie
Xxx xxx Xxxx
|
125,000
|
008
|
8
EXHIBIT B
Escrow
Agent Fees
$_______
annually for acting agent escrow fee.
Initial
acceptance fee and first year agent fee to be paid at closing.
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