DATED 28 MARCH 2008 SABMILLER PLC as Issuer - and - SABMILLER FINANCE B.V. as Finance Guarantor - and - MILLER BREWING COMPANY as US Guarantor - and - MBC1, LLC, MBC2, LLC, MILLER PRODUCTS COMPANY, MILLER BREWERIES EAST, INC. AND MILLER BREWERIES WEST...
Exhibit 4.15
DATED | 28 MARCH 2008 |
SABMILLER PLC as Issuer |
- and - |
SABMILLER FINANCE B.V. as Finance Guarantor |
- and - |
XXXXXX BREWING COMPANY as US Guarantor |
- and - |
MBC1, LLC, MBC2, LLC, XXXXXX PRODUCTS COMPANY,
as Supplemental Guarantors |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK as Fiscal Agent
|
SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL 2033 FISCAL AND PAYING AGENCY AGREEMENT
Dated as of 28 March 2008 US$300,000,000, 6.625% Guaranteed Notes due 15 August 2033 |
LOVELLS
Lovells LLP Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, XX0X 0XX
LIB02/F2OZG/2187215.7 |
This Second Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement (as the same may be amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Supplemental Agreement”), is made on 28 March 2008 among SABMiller plc, a public limited company duly organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales (the “Issuer” or “PLC”); SABMiller Finance B.V., a limited company duly organized and existing under the laws of the Netherlands (the “Finance Guarantor”); Xxxxxx Brewing Company, a corporation duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the state of Wisconsin (the “US Guarantor”); MBC1, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC1”); MBC2, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC2”); Xxxxxx Products Company, a corporation duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the state of Wisconsin (“MPC”); Xxxxxx Breweries East, Inc., a corporation duly incorporated and existing under the laws of the state of Wisconsin (“MBE”); and Xxxxxx Breweries West, LP, a limited partnership duly established and existing under the laws of the state of Wisconsin (“MBW” and together with XXX0, XXX0, MPC, and MBE, the “Supplemental Guarantors”); and The Bank of New York, as fiscal and principal paying agent (the “Fiscal Agent”) and is supplemental to the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 as supplemented by the Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement on 26 May 2004 (the “2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Issuer issued US$300,000,000 principal amount of its 6.625% notes due 15 August 2033 (the “2033 Notes”), on the terms set out in the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, guaranteed as to payment of principal and interest owing by the Issuer with respect to the 2033 Notes pursuant to a guarantee by the Finance Guarantor (the “2033 Finance Guarantee”), the US Guarantor and the Supplemental Guarantors;
WHEREAS, Section 6(a) of the Conditions of the 2033 Notes provides that the Finance Guarantor may not sell, convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to any Person (other than any sale or conveyance by way of a temporary lease in the ordinary course of business), unless it satisfies the conditions set out in Section 6(a)(i) to (vi) of the Conditions;
WHEREAS, the Finance Guarantor now wishes to transfer certain of its properties and assets (other than by way of a sale or conveyance by way of a temporary lease in the ordinary course of business) to the Issuer in consideration of which the Issuer will guarantee the 2033 Notes to the registered holders of the 2033 Notes;
WHEREAS, the parties wish to enter into this Supplemental Agreement to supplement the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | DEFINED TERMS |
Terms defined in the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and not otherwise defined herein shall have the same meaning where used in this Supplemental Agreement.
2. | SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT |
(i) | a certificate of an Authorized Officer in the form set out as Exhibit A to this Supplemental Agreement; and |
(ii) | an opinion of counsel in the form set out as Exhibit B to this Supplemental Agreement; |
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(b) | thereupon, the Issuer, for value received, shall and hereby does, expressly assume the obligations of the Finance Guarantor under the 2033 Finance Guarantee, the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement (as supplemented hereby) and the 2033 Notes, including without limitation, to pay Additional Amounts, and the due and punctual performance and observance of every covenant and condition to be performed or observed by the Finance Guarantor set out therein; and |
(c) | the Finance Guarantor shall be, and hereby is, relieved of its obligations and covenants under the 2033 Finance Guarantee, the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and the 2033 Notes. |
3. | REPRESENTATIONS |
Each of the Finance Guarantor and the Issuer represents and warrants to and agrees with the Fiscal Agent as follows:
(a) | immediately after giving effect to the transfer of assets by the Finance Guarantor to the Issuer, no Event of Default and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; |
(b) | PLC is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales; and |
(c) | the assets of the Finance Guarantor and the Issuer will not, as a result of the transfer of assets, become subject to a Lien which would not be permitted by the 2033 Notes or under the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement. |
4. | EFFECT OF THIS SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT |
This Supplemental Agreement supplements the terms of the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement and unless otherwise specified in this Supplemental Agreement, the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. PLC shall be subject to the terms of the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement as if PLC had been named therein as the Finance Guarantor.
5. | PAYMENT OF TAXES |
The Finance Guarantor and the Issuer agree to pay all stamp and other duties, if any, to which, under the laws of the United States of America, this Supplemental Agreement may be subject.
6. | NOTICES |
All notices or communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in English and in writing:
if sent to the Issuer delivered or sent via facsimile and confirmed at:
SABMiller plc
SABMiller House
Church Street West
Woking GU21 6HS
England
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Fax: x00-0000-000000
Attention: Treasury
if sent to the Finance Guarantor delivered or sent via facsimile and confirmed at:
SABMiller Finance B.V.
Xxxxxxxx 00
0000 XX
Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
Fax: x00-00-000-0000
Attention: Group Treasurer
if sent to MBC, XXX0, XXX0, MPC, MBE or MBW delivered or sent via facsimile and confirmed at:
Xxxxxx Brewing Company
0000 Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx 00000
XXX
Fax: x0-000-000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
if sent to the Fiscal Agent, delivered or sent via facsimile and confirmed at:
The Bank of New York
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0X
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
X.X.X.
Fax: x0-000-000-0000
Attention: Global Finance Americas
7. | GOVERNING LAW |
(a) | This Supplemental Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. |
(b) | The Issuer hereby irrevocably agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding against it, arising out of or based upon the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, this Supplemental Agreement or any of the 2033 Notes may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, irrevocably waive any objection which it may now or hereinafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, irrevocably waive any objection based on the absence of a necessary or indispensable party in any such proceeding, irrevocably accept and submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding (but only for such purpose) and irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury. The Issuer has appointed CT Corporation Services as its Authorized Agent upon which process may be served in any action arising out of or based on this Supplemental Agreement or the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, or any of the 2033 Notes, which may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, New York, and expressly consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in respect of any such action, and waives any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. |
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8. | COUNTERPARTS |
This Supplemental Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. Such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
9. | SEPARABILITY |
In case any provision in this Supplemental Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
10. | EFFECT OF HEADINGS, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES |
The Section headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Supplemental Agreement. All Exhibits to this Supplemental Agreement form integral parts hereof. References herein to Sections, subsections or Exhibits without further identification of the document to which the reference is made are references to provisions and parts of this Supplemental Agreement. The words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” are used in this Supplemental Agreement to refer to this Supplemental Agreement as a whole and not to any individual part of this Supplemental Agreement, unless otherwise expressly provided herein.
11. | SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS |
All covenants and agreements in this Supplemental Agreement by a party shall bind its successors and assigns, if any, whether so expressed or not.
12. | BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT |
Nothing in this Supplemental Agreement, express or implied, shall give to any person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the registered holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Supplemental Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Supplemental Agreement as of the date first above written.
SABMiller Finance B.V. | ||||||||||||
By: | /s/ X.X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||||||
Name: | X.X. Xxxxxxx | X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||||||
Title: | Director | Director | ||||||||||
SABMiller plc | ||||||||||||
By: | /s/ X.X. Xxxxxxx |
/s/ X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||||||
Name: | X.X. Xxxxxxx | X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||||||||
Title: | Authorised Signatory | Authorised Signatory |
Xxxxxx Brewing Company | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
Xxxxxx Products Company | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
MBC1, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
MBC2, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
Xxxxxx Breweries East, Inc. | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary |
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Xxxxxx Breweries West Limited | ||
Partnership by MBC2, LLC, its | ||
General Partner | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President and Secretary | ||
The Bank of New York | ||
as Fiscal Agent | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx | ||
Title: Vice President |
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EXHIBIT A
SABMILLER FINANCE B.V.
Authorized Officer’s Certificate
RE: | Xxxxxx Brewing Company (“Xxxxxx”) US$600,000,000 4.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2008 (the “2008 Notes”) |
Xxxxxx US$1,100,000,000 5.50% Guaranteed Notes due 2013 (the“2013 Notes”)
SABMiller plc (“SABMiller”) US$300,000,000 6.625% Guaranteed Notes due 2033 (the “2033 Notes”)
SABMiller US$300,000,000 Floating Rate Notes due 2009 (the “2009 Notes”)
SABMiller US$600,000,000 6.20% Notes due 2011 (the “2011 Notes”) SABMiller US$850,000,000 6.50% Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes” and together with the 2008 Notes, the 2013 Notes, the 2033 Notes, the 2009 Notes and the 2011 Notes, the “Notes”)
SABMiller Finance B.V., a limited company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (the “Finance Guarantor”) has transferred certain assets to SABMiller (other than by way of a sale or conveyance by way of a temporary lease in the ordinary course of business) (the “Finance Asset Transfer”).
The undersigned, , an Authorized Officer of the Finance Guarantor for the purposes of:
(a) | the second Supplemental 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Second 2008 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, Xxxxxx, MBC1, LLC a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC1”), MBC2, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC2”), Xxxxxx Products Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MPC”), Xxxxxx Breweries West, L.P., a Wisconsin limited partnership (“MBW”), and Xxxxxx Breweries East, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBE”) (Xxxxxx, XXX0, XXX0, MPC, MBW and MBE being collectively called the “US Guarantors”), The Bank of New York, as fiscal agent, principal paying agent, transfer agent and registrar (the “Fiscal Agent”), to the 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor, the Fiscal Agent and The Bank of New York, London, as London paying agent and transfer agent (together with the Fiscal Agent, the “Agents”), as supplemented by the first Supplemental 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2008 Supplement”) in connection with the 2008 Notes; |
(b) | the second Supplemental 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Second 2013 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor and the Agents as supplemented by the first Supplemental 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2013 Supplement”) in connection with the 2013 Notes; |
(c) | the second Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “Second 2033 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency |
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Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor and the Agents as supplemented by the first Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2033 Supplement”) in connection with the 2033 Notes; |
(d) | the Supplemental 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “2009 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2009 Notes; |
(e) | the Supplemental 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “2011 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2011 Notes; and |
(f) | the Supplemental 2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of the date hereof (the “2016 Supplement” and together with the Second 2008 Supplement, the Second 2013 Supplement, the Second 2033 Supplement, the 2009 Supplement and the 2011 Supplement, the “Supplements” and each a “Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement” and together with the 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the First 2008 Supplement, the First 2013 Supplement and the First 2033 Supplement, the “Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2016 Notes; |
on advice, pursuant to Section 6(a)(vi) of the Conditions of each of the Notes and Section 2(a)(i) of each of the Supplements, hereby certifies as follows:
The Finance Asset Transfer complies with Section 6 of the Conditions of each of the Notes and all of the respective conditions precedent provided therein relating to the transfer have been complied with. In addition, each Supplement complies with Section 6 of the related Conditions.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements as supplemented by the Supplements.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed my name unto this certificate as an Authorized Officer of the Finance Guarantor.
Dated: [●] March 2008
SABMiller Finance B.V. | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |
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EXHIBIT B
Lovells LLP Atlantic House Holborn Viaduct Tel: x00 (0) 00 0000 0000 Fax: + 00 (0) 00 0000 0000 | ||
[●] March 2008 | ||
Our ref Matter ref | ||
The Bank of New York 000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, 0X Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000 X.X.X. |
RE: | Xxxxxx Brewing Company (“Xxxxxx”) US$600,000,000 4.25% Guaranteed Notes due 2008 (the “2008 Notes”) |
Xxxxxx US$1,100,000,000 5.50% Guaranteed Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”)
SABMiller plc (“SABMiller”) US$300,000,000 6.625% Guaranteed Notes due 2033 (the “2033 Notes”)
SABMiller US$300,000,000 Floating Rate Notes due 2009 (the “2009 Notes”)
SABMiller US$600,000,000 6.20% Notes due 2011 (the “2011 Notes”)
SABMiller US$850,000,000 6.50% Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special New York counsel for SABMiller, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, SABMiller Finance B.V., a limited company incorporated under the laws of The Netherlands (the “Finance Guarantor”), Xxxxxx, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin, MBC1, LLC a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC1”), MBC2, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBC2”), Xxxxxx Products Company, a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MPC”), Xxxxxx Breweries West, L.P., a Wisconsin limited partnership (“MBW”), and Xxxxxx Breweries East, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Wisconsin (“MBE”) (Xxxxxx, XXX0, XXX0, MPC, MBW and MBE being collectively called the “US Guarantors”), in connection with the transfer by the Finance Guarantor of certain assets to SABMiller (the “Finance Asset Transfer”) and in connection with:
(a) | the second Supplemental 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “Second 2008 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (as defined below) to the 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor, The Bank of New York, as fiscal agent, principal paying agent, transfer agent and |
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registrar (the “Fiscal Agent”), and The Bank of New York, London, as London paying agent and transfer agent (together with the Fiscal Agent, the “Agents”) as supplemented by the first supplemental 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2008 Supplement”) in connection with the 2008 Notes; |
(b) | the Second Supplemental 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “Second 2013 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor and the Agents as supplemented by the first Supplemental 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2013 Supplement”) in connection with the 2013 Notes; |
(c) | the Second Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “Second 2033 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 13 August 2003 (the “2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, Xxxxxx, the Finance Guarantor and the Agents as supplemented by the first Supplemental 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated 26 May 2004 by and among SABMiller, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent (the “First 2033 Supplement”) in connection with the 2033 Notes; |
(d) | the Supplemental 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “2009 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2009 Notes; |
(e) | the Supplemental 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “2011 Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2011 Notes; and |
(f) | the Supplemental 2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of [●] March 2008 (the “2016 Supplement” and together with the Second 2008 Supplement, the Second 2013 Supplement, the Second 2033 Supplement, the 2009 Supplement and the 2011 Supplement, the “Supplements” and each a “Supplement”) by and among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Fiscal Agent to the 2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of 5 July 2006 (the “2016 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement” and together with the 2008 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2013 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2033 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2009 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the 2011 Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreement, the First 2008 Supplement, the First 2013 Supplement and the First 2033 Supplement, the “Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements”) among SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor, the US Guarantors and the Agents in connection with the 2016 Notes and, together with the 2008 Notes, the 2013 Notes, the 2033 Notes, the 2009 Notes and the 2011 Notes, the “Notes”). |
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This opinion is being delivered to the Fiscal Agent at the request of the Finance Guarantor pursuant to Section 6(a)(vi) of the Conditions of each of the Notes and Section 2(a)(ii) of each of the Supplements.
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to them in the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements as supplemented by the Supplements.
For the purpose of rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined, inter alia, the following documents, or copies thereof:
(a) | the form of the Supplements; and |
(b) | the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements. |
The Supplements and the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Agreements”.
Assumptions
In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, corporate records and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In examining the foregoing agreements, records and documents, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic or facsimile copies and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to various questions of fact material to the opinion expressed herein, we have relied upon certificates, statements and representations of the Finance Guarantor and SABMiller and of their respective officers and representatives and of public officials and other sources believed by us to be responsible (including, without limitation, the representations contained in the Supplements).
We have also assumed that: (A) each of SABMiller, the Finance Guarantor and the US Guarantors has all requisite right, power and authority and has taken all necessary action (corporate, limited partnership, limited liability company or otherwise) under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or organization, as the case may be, to execute and deliver the Supplements to which it is a party, to perform its obligations thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby; (B) the Fiscal Agent has all requisite right, power and authority and has taken all necessary action to execute and deliver the Supplements, to perform its obligations thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated thereby; and (C) the Agreements were duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of the respective parties thereto under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation and are their valid and legally binding agreements, enforceable in accordance with their terms.
Opinion
Based upon the foregoing and such examination of law as we have deemed necessary, and subject to the assumptions and qualifications stated herein, we are of the opinion that the Finance Asset Transfer complies with Section 6 of the Conditions of each of the Notes and all of the respective conditions precedent provided therein relating to the transfer have been complied with. In addition, each Supplement complies with Section 6 of the related Conditions.
The opinion stated herein is limited to the Federal laws of the United States and the laws of the State of New York, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.
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Our opinion is based on existing laws, judicial decisions and administrative regulations, rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change at any time, prospectively and retroactively. We also note that new developments in rulings of any agency, administrative regulations, court decisions, legislative changes or changes in the facts or other information upon which our opinion is based may have an adverse effect on the legal consequences described herein. We assume no obligation to advise you with respect to any such changes or developments referred to herein that may occur hereafter, although we note that any such change or development could be retroactive so as to apply to any of the transactions contemplated by the Agreements.
This letter is furnished to you solely for your benefit in your capacity as Fiscal and Paying Agent under the Fiscal and Paying Agency Agreements and in connection with the Supplements and may not be disclosed to or relied upon by anyone else without our prior written consent in each instance or relied upon by you in any other context.
Very truly yours,
Lovells LLP
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