EX-3.2 3 d853939dex32.htm EX-3.2 EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

THE COMPANIES LAW (2020 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED

MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Adopted by special resolution dated September 7, 2020 and effective

immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the

Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)


THE COMPANIES LAW (2020 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Adopted by special resolution dated September 7, 2020 and effective

immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the

Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 

1

The name of the Company is Chindata Group Holdings Limited.

 

2

The Registered Office of the Company shall be at the offices of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, or at such other place within the Cayman Islands as the Directors may decide.

 

3

The objects for which the Company is established are unrestricted and the Company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

4

The liability of each Member is limited to the amount unpaid on such Member’s shares.

 

5

The authorized share capital of the Company is US$50,000.00 divided into 5,000,000,000 shares of a par value of US$0.00001 each, of which 4,500,000,000 shares shall be designated as Class A Ordinary Shares and 500,000,000 shares shall be designated as Class B Ordinary Shares. Subject to the Statute and the Articles, the Company shall have power to redeem or purchase any of its Shares and to increase or reduce its authorised share capital and to sub-divide or consolidate the said Shares or any of them and to issue all or any part of its capital whether original, redeemed, increased or reduced with or without any preference, priority, special privilege or other rights or subject to any postponement of rights or to any conditions or restrictions whatsoever and so that unless the conditions of issue shall otherwise expressly provide every issue of shares whether stated to be ordinary, preference or otherwise shall be subject to the powers on the part of the Company hereinbefore provided.

 

6

The Company has power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate limited by shares under the laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.

 

7

Capitalised terms that are not defined in this Memorandum of Association bear the respective meanings given to them in the Articles of Association of the Company.


THE COMPANIES LAW (2020 REVISION)

OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS

COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES

FIFTH AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

CHINDATA GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

(Adopted by special resolution dated September 7, 2020 and effective

immediately prior to the completion of the initial public offering of the

Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares)

 

1

Interpretation

 

1.1

In the Articles, Table A in the First Schedule to the Statute does not apply and, unless there is something in the subject or context inconsistent therewith:

 

ADS

   means an American Depositary Share representing Ordinary Shares.

Affiliate

   means with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediary entities Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with, such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, (a) any Person shall also be deemed an “Affiliate” of BCPE Bridge or Stack Holdings if its general partner or fund management company is, or if such Person or its parent entity is otherwise managed or advised by, Bain Capital Holdings, LP, Bain Capital Private Equity, LP or Bain Capital Credit, LP or a Subsidiary of any of them and (b) Tanya Center Trust shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of Mr. Ju but only for so long as Mr. Ju remains the sole settlor and the sole enforcer of Tanya Center Trust.

Anti-corruption Laws

   means Laws relating to anti-bribery, anti-corruption (governmental or commercial), anti-money laundering, recordkeeping and internal controls which apply to the business and dealings of (i) the Company, (ii) its Subsidiaries, (iii) any Company Representatives and (iv) the Stakeholders, including, without limitation, Laws that prohibit the payment, offer, promise, or authorization of the payment or transfer of anything of value (including gifts or entertainment), directly or indirectly, to any Government Official, government employee, commercial entity or any other Person to obtain a business advantage. “Anti-corruption Laws” include, without limitation, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, the UK Bribery Act of 2010, the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Interim Regulations on Commercial Bribery, the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap 201, Laws of Hong Kong), the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455, Laws of Hong Kong), any applicable anti-corruption laws of the PRC, including but not limited to the PRC Criminal Law adopted by the National People’s Congress on July 1, 1979, as amended, the PRC Anti-Unfair Competition Law adopted by the National People’s Congress on September 2, 1993, as amended on January 1, 2018, and the Interim Rules on Prevention of Commercial Bribery issued by the PRC State Administration of Industry and Commerce on November 15, 1996, all national and international Laws enacted to implement the Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business Transactions adopted by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on November 21, 1997.

 

1


Articles

   means these articles of association of the Company.

Auditor

   means the person for the time being performing the duties of auditor of the Company (if any).

Bain Shareholders

   means, collectively, BCPE Bridge and Stack Holdings, and each, a “Bain Shareholder”.

BCPE Bridge

   means BCPE Bridge Cayman, L.P., an exempted limited partnership established under the Laws of the Cayman Islands.
Board”, “Directors” or “Board of Directors    means the directors of the Company for the time being, or as the case may be, the directors assembled as a board or as a committee thereof.

Business Day

   means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Boston, New York, the Cayman Islands, the Netherlands or the PRC are authorized or required by law or executive order to close, or on which a tropical cyclone warning no. 8 or above or a “black” rainstorm warning signal is hoisted in Hong Kong at any time between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Hong Kong time.

Chairman

   means the chairman of the Board of Directors.

Class A Ordinary Share

   means a class A ordinary share in the capital of the Company of a par value of US$0.00001 each and having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions provided for in the Memorandum and these Articles.

 

2


Class B Ordinary Share    means a class B ordinary share in the capital of the Company of a par value of US$0.00001 each and having the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions provided for in the Memorandum and these Articles.

Company

   means the above named company.
Company Representative    means any director, officer, agent, employee, representative, consultant, or any other Person acting for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in their capacity as such.

Compliance Default

   means, with respect to any Person, (i) the commencement of any suit or other proceeding against such Person or his Affiliates by any Governmental Authority relating to alleged fraud, bribery, or any violation of Anti-corruption Laws by such Person or his Affiliates; (ii) a determination in any judgment, penalty, finding, or opinion of any form issued by any competent Governmental Authority that such Person or any of his Affiliates has committed acts of fraud, bribery, or any violation of Anti-corruption Laws; or (iii) any material customer or other business relation of any Group Company having terminated a material agreement with such Group Company or otherwise taken any action materially adverse to the Group as a result of a violation or alleged violation of Anti-corruption Laws or breach of any representation, warranty or undertaking relating to Anti-corruption Laws; provided that any conduct of any spouse or children of a Person as referred to in this definition shall be a Compliance Default only if such conduct has a detrimental and adverse effect on the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Contract

   means a contract, agreement, understanding, indenture, note, bond, loan, instrument, lease, mortgage, franchise, license, commitment, purchase order, and other legally binding arrangement, whether written or oral.

Control

   means, as used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power or authority to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise; for the avoidance of doubt, such power or authority shall conclusively be presumed to exist by possession of (i) the beneficial ownership or power to direct the vote of more than fifty percent (50%) of the votes entitled to be casted at a meeting of the members or shareholders of such Person, or (ii) the power to appoint or elect a majority of the members of the board of directors of such Person. The terms “Controlled by” and “under common Control with” shall have correlative meanings.

 

3


Designated Stock Exchange    means the stock exchange in the United States on which any Shares or ADSs are listed for trading.
Designated Stock Exchange Rules    means the relevant code, rules and regulations, as amended, from time to time, applicable as a result of the original and continued listing of any Shares or ADSs on the Designated Stock Exchange.

Directors

   means the directors for the time being of the Company.

Dividend

   means any dividend (whether interim or final) resolved to be paid on Shares pursuant to the Articles.

Electronic Record

   has the same meaning as in the Electronic Transactions Law.
Electronic Transactions Law    means the Electronic Transactions Law (2003 Revision) of the Cayman Islands.

Event of Default

   means, with respect to any Person, the occurrence of (i) the conviction of such Person of a crime as determined by a court; (ii) the commission by such Person of theft, fraud, embezzlement, material breach of trust or any material and willful act of dishonesty involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as determined by a court or any competent Governmental Authority; (iii) any material violation by such Person of applicable Law that has a detrimental and adverse effect on the Company or its Subsidiaries; (iv) any material breach by any of such Person or any of his Affiliates of any of the covenants or agreements set forth in the then applicable shareholders’ agreement of the Company (including any non-competition or similar covenant contained therein) or any other agreement to which such Person or such Affiliate of his is a party if such breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within thirty (30) calendar days following the occurrence of such breach; or (v) a Compliance Default with respect to such Person.

Government Official

   means any officer or employee of a Governmental Authority or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, including state-owned or controlled entities, or of a public organization or any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such government, department, agency, or instrumentality or on behalf of any such public organization.

Governmental Authority

   means any nation or government or any province or state or any other political subdivision thereof, or any entity, authority or body exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any government authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality or any political subdivision thereof, any court, tribunal or arbitrator, and any self-regulatory organization or national or international stock exchange on which the securities of the applicable party or its Affiliates are listed.

 

4


Group

   means the Company and all of its Subsidiaries, collectively, and each is herein referred to individually as a “Group Company”.

Hong Kong

   means the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.

Ju Holdco

   means Abiding Joy Limited, a company incorporated under the Laws of British Virgin Islands.

Law

   means any federal, state, territorial, foreign or local law, common law, statute, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, measure, notice, circular, opinion or order of any Governmental Authority, including any rules promulgated by a stock exchange or regulatory body.

Member

   has the same meaning as in the Statute.

Memorandum

   means the memorandum of association of the Company.

Mr. Ju

   means Mr. JU Jing (居静), a PRC citizen whose ID number is 320102197307230412.

Ordinary Resolution

   means a resolution passed by a simple majority of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy at a general meeting, and includes a resolution approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders.

Ordinary Share

   means an ordinary share of a par value of US$0.00001 in the capital of the Company, including a Class A Ordinary Share and a Class B Ordinary Share.

Permitted Holders

   means any of the Bain Shareholders, Mr. Ju or their respective Affiliates.

Person

   means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), trust, association, entity or Governmental Authority.

 

5


PRC

   means the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for purposes of these Articles, Hong Kong, Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan.

Register of Members

   means the register of Members maintained in accordance with the Statute and includes (except where otherwise stated) any branch or duplicate register of Members.

Registered Office

   means the registered office for the time being of the Company.

Seal

   means the common seal of the Company and includes every duplicate seal.

Share

   means a share in the capital of the Company, and includes an Ordinary Share. All references to “Shares” herein shall be deemed to be Shares of any or all classes as the context may require. For the avoidance of doubt, in these Articles the expression “Share” shall include a fraction of a Share.

Shareholders

   means the Members from time to time.
Special Resolution    means (a) a resolution passed by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by such Shareholders as, being entitled to do so, vote in person or, where proxies are allowed, by proxy or, in the case of corporations, by their duly authorised representatives, at a general meeting of the Company of which notice specifying the intention to propose the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given or (b) a resolution approved in writing by all of the Shareholders entitled to vote at a general meeting of the Company in one or more instruments each signed by one or more of the Shareholders and the effective date of the special resolution so adopted shall be the date on which the instrument or the last of such instruments, if more than one, is executed.

Stack Holdings

   means BCPE Stack Holdings, L.P., an exempted limited partnership established under the Laws of the Cayman Islands.

Stakeholders

   means, collectively, any member, shareholder, partner or other holder of debt or equity securities (in such Person’s capacity as such) issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

Statute

   means the Companies Law (2020 Revision) of the Cayman Islands.

 

6


Subsidiary

   means, with respect to any Person, each other Person in which the first Person (a) owns, directly or indirectly, share capital or other equity interests representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting stock or other equity interests; (b) holds the rights to more than fifty percent (50%) of the economic interest of such other Person; or (c) has a relationship such that the financial statements of the other Person may be consolidated into the financial statements of the first Person under applicable accounting conventions.

Transfer

   means any direct or indirect sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any number of Ordinary Shares by the holder thereof or the direct or indirect transfer or assignment of the voting power attached to such Ordinary Shares through voting proxy or otherwise; provided that (a) the creation of any pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right of whatever description on any of the Ordinary Shares to secure contractual or legal obligations shall not be deemed a “Transfer” unless and until such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right shall result in the Person that directly or indirectly holds any such Ordinary Shares immediately before the creation of such pledge, charge, encumbrance or other third party right being unable to exercise, at its will, the voting power of any such Ordinary Shares through voting proxy or otherwise; and (b) any sale, transfer, assignment or disposition of any limited partnership interests in any investment fund or vehicle that is, or that holds an interest in, any Bain Shareholder by a limited partner in such investment fund or vehicle shall not be deemed to be a “Transfer.”

Treasury Share

   means a Share held in the name of the Company as a treasury share in accordance with the Statute.

US$

   means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

 

1.2

In the Articles:

 

  (a)

words importing the singular number include the plural number and vice versa;

 

  (b)

words importing the masculine gender include the feminine gender;

 

  (c)

words importing persons include corporations as well as any other legal or natural person;

 

  (d)

references to “writing,” “written” and comparable expressions include any mode of reproducing words in a legible and non-transitory form including emails and faxes, provided the sender complies with the provision of Article 42.

 

7


  (e)

“shall” shall be construed as imperative and “may” shall be construed as permissive;

 

  (f)

references to provisions of any Law or regulation shall be construed as references to those provisions as amended, modified, re-enacted or replaced;

 

  (g)

the word “including” or any variation thereof means (unless the context of its usage otherwise requires) “including, without limitation” and shall not be construed to limit any general statement that it follows to the specific or similar items or matters immediately following it;

 

  (h)

words such as “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereof” and “hereunder” refer to these Articles as a whole and not merely to a subdivision in which such words appear unless the context otherwise requires;

 

  (i)

when calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to these Articles, the date that is the reference date in calculating such period shall be excluded;

 

  (j)

the term “and/or” is used herein to mean both “and” as well as “or.” The use of “and/or” in certain contexts in no respects qualifies or modifies the use of the terms “and” or “or” in others. The term “or” shall not be interpreted to be exclusive and the term “and” shall not be interpreted to require the conjunctive (in each case, unless the context otherwise requires);

 

  (k)

any share number or share price calculation shall be appropriately adjusted to take into account any share split, share dividends, share consolidation, share combination, recapitalization, bonus issue or similar event;

 

  (l)

headings are inserted for reference only and shall be ignored in construing the Articles;

 

  (m)

any requirements as to delivery under the Articles include delivery in the form of an Electronic Record;

 

  (n)

any requirements as to execution or signature under the Articles including the execution of the Articles themselves can be satisfied in the form of an electronic signature as defined in the Electronic Transactions Law;

 

  (o)

sections 8 and 19(3) of the Electronic Transactions Law shall not apply;

 

  (p)

the term “clear days” in relation to the period of a notice means that period excluding the day when the notice is received or deemed to be received and the day for which it is given or on which it is to take effect; and

 

  (q)

the term “holder” in relation to a Share means a person whose name is entered in the Register of Members as the holder of such Share.

 

8


2

Commencement of Business

 

2.1

The business of the Company may be commenced as soon after incorporation of the Company as the Directors shall see fit.

 

2.2

The Directors may pay, out of the capital or any other monies of the Company, all expenses incurred in or about the formation and establishment of the Company, including the expenses of registration.

 

3

Issue of Shares

 

3.1

Subject to the provisions, if any, in the Memorandum (and to any direction that may be given by the Company in general meeting) and without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing Shares, the Directors may allot, issue, grant options over or otherwise dispose of Shares (including fractions of a Share) with or without preferred, deferred or other rights or restrictions, whether in regard to Dividend or other distribution, voting, redemption (at the option of the Member or the Company), return of capital or otherwise and to such persons, at such times, in such classes and on such other terms as they think proper, and may also (subject to the Statute and the Articles) vary such rights.

 

3.2

The Directors may authorise the division of Shares into any number of classes with such rights and restrictions as they shall determine and, thereafter, on or before the allotment of any Share the Directors may resolve the class to which such Share shall be classified and may, prior to the issue of any Share, reclassify such Share. Each class so created shall be specifically identified. Subject to the Statute and these Articles, the Directors may at any time re-name any Share. Where Shares are issued prior to the establishment of separate classes, those Shares may be subsequently reclassified into any newly created separate class with the consent of the holders thereof.

 

3.3

The Company shall not issue Shares to bearer.

 

4

Register of Members

 

4.1

The Company shall maintain or cause to be maintained the Register of Members in accordance with the Statute.

 

4.2

The Directors may determine that the Company shall maintain one or more branch registers of Members in accordance with the Statute. The Directors may also determine which register of Members shall constitute the principal register and which shall constitute the branch register or registers, and to vary such determination from time to time.

 

5

Closing Register of Members or Fixing Record Date

 

5.1

For the purpose of determining Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of Members or any adjournment thereof, or Members entitled to receive payment of any Dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose, the Directors may provide that the Register of Members shall be closed for transfers for a stated period which shall not in any case exceed forty days.

 

5.2

In lieu of, or apart from, closing the Register of Members, the Directors may fix in advance or arrears a date as the record date for any such determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at any meeting of the Members or any adjournment thereof, or for the purpose of determining the Members entitled to receive payment of any Dividend or other distribution, or in order to make a determination of Members for any other purpose.

 

9


5.3

If the Register of Members is not so closed and no record date is fixed for the determination of Members entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of Members or Members entitled to receive payment of a Dividend or other distribution, the date on which notice of the meeting is sent or the date on which the resolution of the Directors resolving to pay such Dividend or other distribution is passed, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such determination of Members. When a determination of Members entitled to vote at any meeting of Members has been made as provided in this Article, such determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof.

 

6

Certificates for Shares

 

6.1

A Member shall only be entitled to a share certificate if the Directors resolve that share certificates shall be issued. Share certificates representing Shares, if any, shall be in such form as the Directors may determine. Share certificates shall be signed by one or more Directors or other person authorised by the Directors. The Directors may authorise certificates to be issued with the authorised signature(s) affixed by mechanical process. All certificates for Shares shall be consecutively numbered or otherwise identified and shall specify the Shares to which they relate. All certificates surrendered to the Company for transfer shall be cancelled and subject to the Articles no new certificate shall be issued until the former certificate representing a like number of relevant Shares shall have been surrendered and cancelled.

 

6.2

The Company shall not be bound to issue more than one certificate for Shares held jointly by more than one person and delivery of a certificate to one joint holder shall be a sufficient delivery to all of them.

 

6.3

If a share certificate is defaced, worn out, lost or destroyed, it may be renewed on such terms (if any) as to evidence and indemnity and on the payment of such expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in investigating evidence, as the Directors may prescribe, and (in the case of defacement or wearing out) upon delivery of the old certificate.

 

6.4

Every share certificate sent in accordance with the Articles will be sent at the risk of the Member or other person entitled to the certificate. The Company will not be responsible for any share certificate lost or delayed in the course of delivery.

 

7

Transfer of Shares

 

7.1

The instrument of transfer of any Share shall be in writing and in any usual or common form or such other form as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, approve and be executed by or on behalf of the transferor and if in respect of a nil or partly paid up Share, or if so required by the Directors, shall also be executed on behalf of the transferee and shall be accompanied by the certificate (if any) of the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Directors may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer. The transferor shall be deemed to remain a Member until the name of the transferee is entered in the Register of Members in respect of the relevant Shares.

 

10


7.2 (a)

The Directors may in their absolute discretion decline to register any transfer of Shares which is not fully paid up or on which the Company has a lien.

 

  (b)

The Directors may also decline to register any transfer of any Share unless:

 

  (i)

the instrument of transfer is lodged with the Company, accompanied by the certificate for the Shares to which it relates and such other evidence as the Board may reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;

 

  (ii)

the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one Class of Shares;

 

  (iii)

the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;

 

  (iv)

in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the Share is to be transferred does not exceed four; and

 

  (v)

a fee of such maximum sum as the Designated Stock Exchange may determine to be payable, or such lesser sum as the Board of Directors may from time to time require, is paid to the Company in respect thereof.

 

7.3

The registration of transfers may, on ten (10) calendar days’ notice being given by advertisement in such one or more newspapers, by electronic means or by any other means in accordance with the Designated Stock Exchange Rules, be suspended and the Register closed at such times and for such periods as the Directors may, in their absolute discretion, from time to time determine, provided always that such registration of transfer shall not be suspended nor the Register closed for more than thirty calendar days in any calendar year.

 

7.4

All instruments of transfer that are registered shall be retained by the Company. If the Directors refuse to register a transfer of any Shares, they shall within three (3) calendar months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company send notice of the refusal to each of the transferor and the transferee.

 

8

Redemption, Repurchase and Surrender of Shares

 

8.1

Subject to the provisions of the Statute the Company may issue Shares that are to be redeemed or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Member or the Company. The redemption of such Shares shall be effected in such manner and upon such other terms as the Directors, or the Company by Ordinary Resolution, may determine before the issue of such Shares, or in such manner and upon such other terms as may be provided in these Articles, and in each case of the foregoing, the Directors may cause the Company to update its Register of Members to effect any such redemption without any further action by the holder of such Shares.

 

11


8.2

Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may purchase its own Shares (including any redeemable Shares) in such manner and on such other terms as the Directors may agree with the relevant Member.

 

8.3

The Company may make a payment in respect of the redemption or purchase of its own Shares in any manner permitted by the Statute, including out of capital.

 

8.4

The Directors may accept the surrender for no consideration of any fully paid Share.

 

9

Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares

 

9.1

Subject to Article 3, the share capital of the Company shall be divided into two classes, Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

9.2

Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall have equal rights and rank pari passu with one another other than as set out below in this Article 9.

 

9.3

Voting. Holders of Class A Ordinary Shares and Class B Ordinary Shares shall at all times vote together as one class on all resolutions submitted to a vote by the Members. Each Class A Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on all matters subject to a poll vote at general meetings of the Company, and each Class B Ordinary Share shall entitle the holder thereof to fifteen (15) votes on all matters subject to a poll vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

9.4

Optional Conversion. Each Class B Ordinary Share is convertible into one (1) Class A Ordinary Share at any time at the option of the holder thereof. The right to convert shall be exercisable by the holder of the Class B Ordinary Share delivering a written notice to the Company that such holder elects to convert a specified number of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

9.5

Automatic Conversion.

 

  (a)

Upon any Transfer of any Class B Ordinary Shares by a Member to any Person who is not a Permitted Holder, such Class B Ordinary Shares shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares. Any Transfer of Class B Ordinary Shares between any Permitted Holders will not result in the conversion of such Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

  (b)

With respect to a Bain Shareholder, all of the Class B Ordinary Shares held by such Bain Shareholder shall be automatically and immediately converted into an equal number of Class A Ordinary Shares on the earlier of (i) such date when the number of Ordinary Shares held by the Bain Shareholders and their Affiliates (taken as a whole) falls below ten percent (10%) of the aggregate number of Ordinary Shares of the Company then outstanding and (ii) five (5) years from the date of the initial public offering of the Company’s American Depositary Shares representing its Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

  (c)

With respect to Mr. Ju, Ju Holdco or any other Affiliate of Mr. Ju, all of the Class B Ordinary Shares held by such Person shall be automatically and immediately converted into the same number of Class A Ordinary Shares if (i) Mr. Ju ceases to act as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and (ii) Mr. Ju ceases to act as a Director of the Company due to his voluntary resignation or due to his removal following the occurrence of an Event of Default by Mr. Ju or any of his Affiliates.

 

12


9.6

Any conversion of Class B Ordinary Shares into Class A Ordinary Shares pursuant to these Articles shall be effected by the Company by means of the re-designation of each relevant Class B Ordinary Share as a Class A Ordinary Share. Such conversion shall become effective forthwith upon entries being made in the Register of Members to record the re-designation of the relevant Class B Ordinary Shares as Class A Ordinary Shares.

 

9.7

In no event shall Class A Ordinary Shares be convertible into Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

9.8

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 3 and without prejudicing Article 9.5, any issuance by the Company of additional Class B Ordinary Shares or any authorisation of any new class of shares in the capital of the Company that carries more than one (1) vote per share shall require the prior consent in writing of each holder of Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

9.9

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 11.1, Article 18.1(a) or Article 18.3(b) and without prejudicing Article 9.5, any amendment or restatement of Article 9.2, Article 9.3, Article 9.4, Article 9.5, Article 9.6, Article 9.7 or Article 9.8 shall require the prior written consent of each holder of Class B Ordinary Shares.

 

10

Treasury Shares

 

10.1

The Directors may, prior to the purchase, redemption or surrender of any Share, determine that such Share shall be held as a Treasury Share.

 

10.2

The Directors may determine to cancel a Treasury Share or transfer a Treasury Share on such terms as they think proper (including, without limitation, for nil consideration).

 

11

Variation of Rights of Shares

 

11.1

If at any time the share capital of the Company is divided into different classes of Shares, all or any of the rights attached to any class (unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class) may, whether or not the Company is being wound up, be varied without the consent of the holders of the issued Shares of that class where such variation is considered by the Directors not to have a material adverse effect upon such rights; otherwise, any such variation shall be made only with the consent in writing of the holders of not less than a majority of the issued Shares of that class, or with the approval of a resolution passed by no less than a majority of the votes cast at a separate meeting of the holders of the Shares of that class. For the avoidance of doubt, the Directors reserve the right, notwithstanding that any such variation may not have a material adverse effect, to obtain consent from the holders of Shares of the relevant class. To any such meeting all the provisions of the Articles relating to general meetings shall apply mutatis mutandis, except that the necessary quorum shall be one person holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the issued Shares of the class and that any holder of Shares of the class present in person or by proxy may demand a poll.

 

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11.2

For the purposes of a separate class meeting, the Directors may treat two or more or all the classes of Shares as forming one class of Shares if the Directors consider that such class of Shares would be affected in the same way by the proposals under consideration, but in any other case shall treat them as separate classes of Shares.

 

11.3

The rights conferred upon the holders of the Shares of any class issued with preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of the Shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further Shares ranking pari passu therewith.

 

12

Commission on Sale of Shares

The Company may, in so far as the Statute permits and with the approval of the Board, pay a commission to any person in consideration of his subscribing or agreeing to subscribe (whether absolutely or conditionally) or procuring or agreeing to procure subscriptions (whether absolutely or conditionally) for any Shares. Such commissions may be satisfied by the payment of cash and/or the issue of fully or partly paid-up Shares. The Company may also on any issue of Shares pay such brokerage as may be lawful.

 

13

Non Recognition of Trusts

The Company shall not be bound by or compelled to recognise in any way (even when notified) any equitable, contingent, future or partial interest in any Share, or (except only as is otherwise provided by these Articles or the Statute) any other rights in respect of any Share other than an absolute right to the entirety thereof in the holder.

 

14

Lien on Shares

 

14.1

The Company shall have a first and paramount lien on all Shares (whether fully paid-up or not) registered in the name of a Member (whether solely or jointly with others) for all debts, liabilities or engagements to or with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any of the other holders of Shares in the Company, in each case, whether presently payable or not, by such Member or such Member’s Affiliates or estate, either alone or jointly with any other Person (whether a Member or not), but the Directors may at any time declare any Share to be wholly or in part exempt from the provisions of this Article 14. The registration of a transfer of any such Share shall operate as a waiver of the Company’s lien thereon. The Company’s lien on a Share shall also extend to any amount payable in respect of that Share.

 

14.2

The Company may sell, in such manner as the Directors think fit, any Shares on which the Company has a lien, if a sum in respect of which the lien exists is presently payable, and is not paid within fourteen (14) clear days after notice has been received or deemed to have been received by the holder of the Shares, or to the person entitled to it in consequence of the death or bankruptcy of the holder, demanding payment and stating that if the notice is not complied with, the Shares may be sold.

 

14.3

To give effect to any such sale the Directors may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Shares sold to, or in accordance with the directions of, the purchaser. The purchaser or his nominee shall be registered as the holder of the Shares comprised in any such transfer, and he shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, nor shall his title to the Shares be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the sale or the exercise of the Company’s power of sale under these Articles.

 

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14.4

The net proceeds of such sale after payment of costs, shall be applied in payment of such part of the amount in respect of which the lien exists as is presently payable and any balance shall (subject to a like lien for sums not presently payable as existed upon the Shares before the sale) be paid to the Person entitled to the Shares at the date of the sale.

 

15

Call on Shares

 

15.1

Subject to the terms of the allotment and issue of any Shares, the Directors may make calls upon the Members in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares (whether in respect of par value or premium), and each Member shall (subject to receiving at least fourteen (14) clear days’ notice specifying the time or times of payment) pay to the Company at the time or times so specified the amount called on the Shares. A call may be revoked or postponed, in whole or in part, as the Directors may determine. A call may be required to be paid by instalments. A person upon whom a call is made shall remain liable for calls made upon him notwithstanding the subsequent transfer of the Shares in respect of which the call was made.

 

15.2

A call shall be deemed to have been made at the time when the resolution of the Directors authorising such call was passed.

 

15.3

The joint holders of a Share shall be jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect thereof.

 

15.4

If a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable, the Person from whom it is due shall pay interest on the amount unpaid from the day it became due and payable until it is paid at such rate as the Directors may determine (and in addition all expenses that have been incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment), but the Directors may waive payment of the interest or expenses wholly or in part.

 

15.5

An amount payable in respect of a Share on issue or allotment or at any fixed date, whether on account of the par value of the Share or premium or otherwise, shall be deemed to be a call and if it is not paid all the provisions of these Articles shall apply as if that amount had become due and payable by virtue of a call.

 

15.6

The Directors may issue Shares with different terms as to the amount and times of payment of calls, or the interest to be paid.

 

15.7

The Directors may, if they think fit, receive an amount from any Member willing to advance all or any part of the monies uncalled and unpaid upon any Shares held by him, and may (until the amount would otherwise become payable) pay interest at such rate as may be agreed upon between the Directors and the Member paying such amount in advance.

 

15.8

No such amount paid in advance of calls shall entitle the Member paying such amount to any portion of a Dividend or other distribution payable in respect of any period prior to the date upon which such amount would, but for such payment, become payable.

 

15


16

Forfeiture of Shares

 

16.1

If a call or instalment of a call remains unpaid after it has become due and payable or a note issued (or deemed to be issued) as consideration for any Share remains unpaid, the Directors may give to the Person from whom it is due not less than fourteen (14) clear days’ notice requiring payment of the amount unpaid together with any interest which may have accrued and any expenses incurred by the Company by reason of such non-payment. The notice shall specify where payment is to be made and shall state that if the notice is not complied with, the Shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

 

16.2

If the notice is not complied with, any Share in respect of which it was given may, before the payment required by the notice has been made, be forfeited by a resolution of the Directors. Such forfeiture shall include all Dividends, other distributions or other monies payable in respect of the forfeited Share and not paid before the forfeiture.

 

16.3

A forfeited Share may be sold, re-allotted, cancelled or otherwise disposed of on such terms and in such manner as the Directors think fit and at any time before a sale, re-allotment, cancellation or disposition the forfeiture may be cancelled on such terms as the Directors think fit. Where for the purposes of its disposal a forfeited Share is to be transferred to any person the Directors may authorise some person to execute an instrument of transfer of the Share in favour of that person.

 

16.4

A Person any of whose Shares have been forfeited shall cease to be a Member in respect of them and shall surrender to the Company for cancellation the certificate for the Shares forfeited and shall remain liable to pay to the Company all monies which at the date of forfeiture were payable by him to the Company in respect of those Shares together with interest at such rate as the Directors may determine, but his liability shall cease if and when the Company shall have received payment in full of all monies due and payable by him in respect of those Shares.

 

16.5

A certificate in writing under the hand of one Director or officer of the Company that a Share has been forfeited on a specified date shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the Share. The certificate shall (subject to the execution of an instrument of transfer) constitute a good title to the Share and thePerson to whom the Share is sold or otherwise disposed of shall not be bound to see to the application of the purchase money, if any, nor shall his title to the Share be affected by any irregularity or invalidity in the proceedings in reference to the forfeiture, sale or disposal of the Share.

 

16.6

The provisions of these Articles as to forfeiture shall apply in the case of non payment of any sum which, by the terms of issue of a Share, becomes payable at a fixed time, whether on account of the par value of the Share or by way of premium as if it had been payable by virtue of a call duly made and notified.

 

16


17

Transmission of Shares

 

17.1

If a Member dies the survivor or survivors (where he was a joint holder) or his legal personal representatives (where he was a sole holder), shall be the only persons recognised by the Company as having any title to his Shares. The estate of a deceased Member is not thereby released from any liability in respect of any Share, for which he was a joint or sole holder.

 

17.2

Any Person becoming entitled to a Share in consequence of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other way than by transfer) may, upon such evidence being produced as may be required by the Directors, elect, by a notice in writing sent by him to the Company, either to become the holder of such Share or to have some person nominated by him registered as the holder of such Share. If he elects to have another Person registered as the holder of such Share he shall sign an instrument of transfer of that Share to that Person. The Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution, as the case may be.

 

17.3

A Person becoming entitled to a Share by reason of the death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution of a Member (or in any other case than by transfer) shall be entitled to the same Dividends, other distributions and other advantages to which he would be entitled if he were the holder of such Share. However, he shall not, before becoming a Member in respect of a Share, be entitled in respect of it to exercise any right conferred by membership in relation to general meetings of the Company and the Directors may at any time give notice requiring any such person to elect either to be registered himself or to have some person nominated by him be registered as the holder of the Share (but the Directors shall, in either case, have the same right to decline or suspend registration as they would have had in the case of a transfer of the Share by the relevant Member before his death or bankruptcy or liquidation or dissolution or any other case than by transfer, as the case may be). If the notice is not complied with within ninety (90) days of being received or deemed to be received (as determined pursuant to these Articles) the Directors may thereafter withhold payment of all Dividends, other distributions, bonuses or other monies payable in respect of the Share until the requirements of the notice have been complied with.

 

18

Amendments of Memorandum and Articles of Association and Alteration of Capital

 

18.1

The Company may by Ordinary Resolution:

 

  (a)

increase its share capital by such sum as the Ordinary Resolution shall prescribe and with such rights, priorities and privileges annexed thereto, as the Company in general meeting may determine;

 

  (b)

consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into Shares of larger amount than its existing Shares;

 

  (c)

convert all or any of its paid-up Shares into stock, and reconvert that stock into paid-up Shares of any denomination;

 

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  (d)

by subdivision of its existing Shares or any of them divide the whole or any part of its share capital into Shares of smaller amount than is fixed by the Memorandum or into Shares without par value; and

 

  (e)

cancel any Shares that at the date of the passing of the Ordinary Resolution have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of its share capital by the amount of the Shares so cancelled.

 

18.2

All new Shares created in accordance with the provisions of the preceding Article shall be subject to the same provisions of these Articles with reference to the payment of calls, liens, transfer, transmission, forfeiture and otherwise as the Shares in the original share capital.

 

18.3

Subject to the provisions of the Statute and the provisions of these Articles as regards the matters to be dealt with by Ordinary Resolution, the Company may by Special Resolution:

 

  (a)

change its name;

 

  (b)

alter or add to these Articles;

 

  (c)

alter or add to the Memorandum with respect to any objects, powers or other matters specified therein; and

 

  (d)

reduce its share capital or any capital redemption reserve fund.

 

19

Offices and Places of Business

Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Company may by resolution of the Directors change the location of its Registered Office. The Company may, in addition to its Registered Office, maintain such other offices or places of business as the Directors determine.

 

20

General Meetings

 

20.1

All general meetings other than annual general meetings shall be called extraordinary general meetings.

 

20.2

The Company may, but shall not (unless required by the Statute) be obliged to, in each year hold a general meeting as its annual general meeting, and shall specify the meeting as such in the notices calling it. Any annual general meeting shall be held at such time and place as the Directors shall appoint. At these meetings the report of the Directors (if any) shall be presented.

 

20.3

The Directors may call general meetings, and they shall on a Members’ requisition forthwith proceed to convene an extraordinary general meeting of the Company.

 

20.4

A Members’ requisition is a requisition of Members holding at the date of deposit of the requisition not less than thirty per cent. (30%) of all votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares which as at that date carry the right to vote at general meetings of the Company.

 

20.5

The Members’ requisition must state the objects of the meeting and must be signed by the requisitionists and deposited at the Registered Office, and may consist of several documents in like form each signed by one or more requisitionists.

 

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20.6

If there are no Directors as at the date of the deposit of the Members’ requisition or if the Directors do not within twenty-one (21) days from the date of the deposit of the Members’ requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting to be held within a further twenty-one (21) days, the requisitionists, or any of them representing more than one-half of the total voting rights of all of the requisitionists, may themselves convene a general meeting, but any meeting so convened shall be held no later than the day which falls three months after the expiration of the said twenty-one (21) day period.

 

20.7

A general meeting convened as aforesaid by requisitionists shall be convened in the same manner as nearly as possible as that in which general meetings are to be convened by Directors.

 

21

Notice of General Meetings

 

21.1

At least five (5) clear days’ notice shall be given of any general meeting to all Members. Every notice shall specify the place, the day and the hour of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be conducted at the general meeting and shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned or in such other manner if any as may be prescribed by the Company, provided that a general meeting of the Company shall, whether or not the notice specified in this Article has been given and whether or not the provisions of these Articles regarding general meetings have been complied with, be deemed to have been duly convened if it is so agreed, in case of any general meeting, by Members (or their proxies) having a right to attend and vote at such meeting, together holding not less than fifty per cent. (50%) of the votes attached to the issued and outstanding Shares entitled to vote at such general meeting.

 

21.2

The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting to, or the non receipt of notice of a general meeting by, any person entitled to receive such notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of that general meeting.

 

22

Proceedings at General Meetings

 

22.1

No business shall be transacted at any general meeting unless a quorum is present. Subject to Article 23.4, the Members (if being individuals present in person or by proxy, or if being a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy) having a right to attend and vote at such general meeting, together holding not less than a majority of the votes attached to the issued and outstanding Shares entitled to vote at such general meeting, shall be a quorum unless the Company has only one Member entitled to vote at such general meeting in which case the quorum shall be that one Member present in person or by proxy or (in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person) by its duly authorised representative or proxy.

 

22.2

A person may participate at a general meeting by conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all the persons participating in the meeting can communicate with each other. Participation by a person in a general meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting.

 

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22.3

A resolution (including a Special Resolution) in writing (in one or more counterparts) signed by or on behalf of all of the Members for the time being entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at general meetings (or, being corporations or other non-natural persons, signed by their duly authorised representatives) shall be as valid and effective as if the resolution had been passed at a general meeting of the Company duly convened and held.

 

22.4

If a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence or if during such a meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting, if convened upon a Members’ requisition, shall be dissolved and in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and/or place or to such other day, time and/or place as the Directors may determine, and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the Members present shall be a quorum.

 

22.5

The Directors may, at any time prior to the time appointed for the meeting to commence, appoint any person to act as chairman of a general meeting of the Company or, if the Directors do not make any such appointment, the Chairman shall preside as chairman at such general meeting. If there is no such chairman, or if he shall not be present within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, or is unwilling to act, the Directors present shall elect one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

22.6

If no Director is willing to act as chairman or if no Director is present within fifteen (15) minutes after the time appointed for the meeting to commence, the Members present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.

 

22.7

The chairman may, with the consent of a meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at any adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting from which the adjournment took place.

 

22.8

When a general meeting is adjourned for thirty days or more, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given as in the case of an original meeting. Otherwise it shall not be necessary to give any such notice of an adjourned meeting.

 

22.9

A resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall always be decided on a poll and not on a show of hands. The Chairman or any other Member or Members collectively present in person or by proxy (or in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy) and holding at least thirty per cent. (30%) of the votes attaching to all issued and outstanding Shares that carry the right to attend and vote at the meeting shall demand a poll.

 

22.10

Unless a poll is duly demanded and the demand is not withdrawn a declaration by the chairman that a resolution has been carried or carried unanimously, or by a particular majority, or lost or not carried by a particular majority, an entry to that effect in the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting shall be conclusive evidence of that fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favour of or against such resolution.

 

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22.11

The demand for a poll may be withdrawn.

 

22.12

Except on a poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment, a poll shall be taken as the chairman directs, and the result of the poll shall be deemed to be the resolution of the general meeting at which the poll was demanded.

 

22.13

A poll demanded on the election of a chairman or on a question of adjournment shall be taken forthwith. A poll demanded on any other question shall be taken at such date, time and place as the chairman of the general meeting directs, and any business other than that upon which a poll has been demanded or is contingent thereon may proceed pending the taking of the poll.

 

22.14

In the case of an equality of votes, the resolution shall not be passed and the chairman shall not be entitled to a second or casting vote.

 

23

Votes of Members

 

23.1

Subject to any rights or restrictions attached to any Shares, on a poll every Member present or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person is present by its duly authorised representative or by proxy, shall have one (1) vote with respect to each Class A Ordinary Share held by such Member and fifteen (15) votes for each Class B Ordinary Share held by such Member.

 

23.2

In the case of joint holders the vote of the senior holder who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy (or, in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorised representative or proxy), shall be accepted to the exclusion of the votes of the other joint holders, and seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names of the holders stand in the Register of Members.

 

23.3

A Member of unsound mind, or in respect of whom an order has been made by any court, having jurisdiction in lunacy, may vote, by his committee, receiver, curator bonis, or other person on such Member’s behalf appointed by that court, and any such committee, receiver, curator bonis or other person may vote by proxy.

 

23.4

No Person shall be entitled to vote at any general meeting unless he is registered as a Member on the record date for such meeting nor unless all calls or other monies then payable by him in respect of Shares have been paid.

 

23.5

No objection shall be raised as to the qualification of any voter except at the general meeting or adjourned general meeting at which the vote objected to is given or tendered and every vote not disallowed at the meeting shall be valid. Any objection made in due time in accordance with this Article shall be referred to the chairman whose decision shall be final and conclusive.

 

23.6

On a poll votes may be cast either personally or by proxy (or in the case of a corporation or other non-natural person by its duly authorised representative or proxy). A Member may appoint more than one proxy or the same proxy under one or more instruments to attend and vote at a meeting.

 

23.7

On a poll, a Member holding more than one (1) Share need not cast the votes in respect of his Shares in the same way on any resolution and therefore may vote a Share or some or all such Shares either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares and, subject to the terms of the instrument appointing him, a proxy appointed under one or more instruments may vote a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he is appointed either for or against a resolution and/or abstain from voting a Share or some or all of the Shares in respect of which he is appointed.

 

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24

Proxies

 

24.1

The instrument appointing a proxy shall be in writing and shall be executed under the hand of the appointor or of his attorney duly authorised in writing, or, if the appointor is a corporation or other non-natural person, under the hand of its duly authorised representative. A proxy need not be a Member.

 

24.2

The Directors may, in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting, or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, specify the manner by which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited and the place and the time (being not later than the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting or adjourned meeting to which the proxy relates) at which the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited. In the absence of any such direction from the Directors in the notice convening any meeting or adjourned meeting or in an instrument of proxy sent out by the Company, the instrument appointing a proxy shall be deposited physically at the Registered Office not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the meeting or adjourned meeting to commence at which the person named in the instrument proposes to vote.

 

24.3

The chairman may in any event at his discretion declare that an instrument of proxy shall be deemed to have been duly deposited. An instrument of proxy that is not deposited in the manner permitted, or which has not been declared to have been duly deposited by the chairman, shall be invalid.

 

24.4

The instrument appointing a proxy may be in any usual or common form (or such other form as the Directors may approve) and may be expressed to be for a particular meeting or any adjournment thereof or generally until revoked. An instrument appointing a proxy shall be deemed to include the power to demand or join or concur in demanding a poll.

 

24.5

Votes given in accordance with the terms of an instrument of proxy shall be valid notwithstanding the previous death or insanity of the principal or revocation of the proxy or of the authority under which the proxy was executed, or the transfer of the Share in respect of which the proxy is given unless notice in writing of such death, insanity, revocation or transfer was received by the Company at the Registered Office before the commencement of the general meeting, or adjourned meeting at which it is sought to use the proxy.

 

25

Corporate Members

Any corporation or other non-natural person which is a Member may in accordance with its constitutional documents, or in the absence of such provision by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise such person as it thinks fit to act as its representative at any meeting of the Company or of any class of Members, and the person so authorised shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the corporation which he represents as the corporation could exercise if it were an individual Member.

 

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26

Depositary and Clearing Houses

If a recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) is a Member of the Company it may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body or by power of attorney, authorise such Person(s) as it thinks fit to act as its representative(s) at any general meeting of the Company or of any Class of Shareholders provided that, if more than one Person is so authorized, the authorization shall specify the number and Class of Shares in respect of which each such Person is so authorised. A Person so authorised pursuant to this Article shall be entitled to exercise the same powers on behalf of the recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) which he represents as that recognised clearing house (or its nominee(s)) or depositary (or its nominee(s)) could exercise if it were an individual Member holding the number and Class of Shares specified in such authorisation.

 

27

Shares that May Not be Voted

Shares in the Company that are beneficially owned by the Company shall not be voted, directly or indirectly, at any meeting and shall not be counted in determining the total number of outstanding Shares at any given time.

 

28

Directors

 

28.1

Unless otherwise determined by the Shareholders in a general meeting acting by Ordinary Resolution, the number of Directors shall not be less than three (3). There shall be no maximum number of Directors.

 

28.2

The Directors shall be divided into two classes designated as Class I and Class II, with as nearly an equal number of Directors in each class as possible. Notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and any Director, Directors assigned to Class I shall initially serve until the first annual general meeting following the date of effectiveness of these Articles; and Directors assigned to Class II shall initially serve until the second annual general meeting following the date of effectiveness of these Articles. Commencing with the first annual general meeting following the date of effectiveness of these Articles, Directors elected to succeed those Directors of the class the term of which shall then expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the second succeeding annual general meeting after their election. Prior to the first annual general meeting of Members following the effectiveness of these Articles, the Directors then in office shall by resolution of the Board of Directors select which of such Directors shall be designated as Class I Directors and Class II Directors. Directors appointed to the Board of Directors between annual general meetings of Members by reason of an increase in the authorized number of directors shall belong to the class designated by the Board of Directors; provided however that the number of board seats designated to belong to Class I and Class II must be as nearly equal in number as possible. Each Director whose term of office expires shall be eligible for re-election at a meeting of the Shareholders or re-appointment by the Board.

 

28.3

The Board shall have a Chairman elected and appointed by a majority of the Directors then in office. The period for which the Chairman will hold office will also be determined by a majority of all of the Directors then in office. The Chairman shall preside as chairman at every meeting of the Board of Directors, save and except that if the Chairman is not present at a meeting of the Board of Directors within fifteen minutes after the time appointed for holding the same, or if the Chairman is unable or unwilling to act as the chairman of a meeting of the Board of Directors, the attending Directors may choose one of their number to be the chairman of the meeting.

 

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28.4

The Company may by Ordinary Resolution appoint any person to be a Director.

 

28.5

The Board may, by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting, appoint any person as a Director, to fill a casual vacancy on the Board or as an addition to the existing Board.

 

28.6

A Director shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term or his or her successor shall have been elected and qualified, or until his or her office is otherwise vacated.

 

28.7

A Director may be removed from office by Ordinary Resolution of the Company, notwithstanding anything in these Articles or in any agreement between the Company and such Director (but without prejudice to any claim for damages under such agreement). A vacancy on the Board created by the removal of a Director under the previous sentence may be filled by Ordinary Resolution or by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting. The notice of any meeting at which a resolution to remove a Director shall be proposed or voted upon must contain a statement of the intention to remove that Director and such notice must be served on that Director not less than ten (10) calendar days before the meeting. Such Director is entitled to attend the meeting and be heard on the motion for his removal.

 

28.8

The Board may, from time to time, and except as required by applicable law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules, adopt, institute, amend, modify or revoke the corporate governance policies or initiatives of the Company and determine on various corporate governance related matters of the Company as the Board shall determine by resolution of Directors from time to time.

 

28.9

A Director shall not be required to hold any Shares in the Company by way of qualification. A Director who is not a Member of the Company shall nevertheless be entitled to attend and speak at general meetings.

 

28.10

The remuneration of the Directors may be determined by the Directors or by Ordinary Resolution.

 

28.11

The Directors shall be entitled to be paid their travelling, hotel and other expenses properly incurred by them in going to, attending and returning from meetings of the Directors, or any committee of the Directors, or general meetings of the Company, or otherwise in connection with the business of the Company, or to receive such fixed allowance in respect thereof as may be determined by the Directors from time to time, or a combination partly of one such method and partly the other.

 

29

Powers of Directors

 

29.1

Subject to the provisions of the Statute, the Memorandum, these Articles, and to any directions given by Special Resolution, the business and affairs of the Company shall be conducted as directed by the Board, who may exercise all powers of the Company.

 

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29.2

No alteration of the Memorandum or these Articles and no such direction shall invalidate any prior act of the Directors which would have been valid if that alteration had not been made or that direction had not been given. A duly convened meeting of Directors at which a quorum is present may exercise all powers exercisable by the Directors.

 

29.3

All cheques, promissory notes, drafts, bills of exchange and other negotiable or transferable instruments and all receipts for monies paid to the Company shall be signed, drawn, accepted, endorsed or otherwise executed as the case may be in such manner as the Directors shall determine by resolution.

 

29.4

The Directors on behalf of the Company may pay a gratuity or pension or allowance on retirement to any Director who has held any other salaried office or place of profit with the Company or to his widow or dependants and may make contributions to any fund and pay premiums for the purchase or provision of any such gratuity, pension or allowance.

 

29.5

The Directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to borrow money and to mortgage or charge its undertaking, property and assets (present and future) and uncalled capital or any part thereof and to issue debentures, debenture stock, mortgages, bonds and other such securities whether outright or as security for any debt, liability or obligation of the Company or of any third party.

 

30

Vacation of Office of Director

The office of a Director shall be vacated if:

 

  (a)

such Director gives notice in writing to the Company that he resigns the office of Director; or

 

  (b)

such Director dies, becomes bankrupt or makes any arrangement or composition with his creditors generally; or

 

  (c)

such Director is found to be or becomes of unsound mind; or

 

  (d)

without special leave of absence from the Board, such Director is absent from meetings of the Board for three consecutive meetings and the Board resolves that his office be vacated; or

 

  (e)

such Director is prohibited by any applicable Law or Designated Stock Exchange Rules from being a Director; or

 

  (f)

such Director is removed by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the remaining Directors present and voting at a Board meeting; or

 

  (g)

such Director is removed from office pursuant to any other provision of these Articles.

 

31

Proceedings of Directors

 

31.1

The Board shall meet at such times and in such places as the Board shall designate from time to time. A meeting of the Board may be called by any Director.

 

25


31.2

The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Board may be fixed by the Directors, and unless so fixed, the quorum shall be a majority of Directors then in office. A Director represented by proxy or by an alternate Director at any meeting shall be deemed to be present for the purposes of determining whether or not a quorum is present.

 

31.3

A person who holds office as an alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, be counted in the quorum. A Director who also acts as an alternate Director shall, if his appointor is not present, count twice towards the quorum.

 

31.4

Subject to the provisions of these Articles, the Directors may regulate their proceedings as they think fit. Matters discussed at any Board meeting shall be decided by the affirmative votes of a majority of the Board and in the case of an equality of votes the resolution shall fail. A Director who is also an alternate Director shall be entitled in the absence of his appointor to a separate vote on behalf of his appointor in addition to his own vote.

 

31.5

The Directors may participate in any meeting of the Board or of any committee of the Board by means of video conference, teleconference or other similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and such participation shall constitute such Director’s presence in person at the meeting. Participation by a person in a meeting in this manner is treated as presence in person at that meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Directors the meeting shall be deemed to be held at the place where the chairman is located at the start of the meeting.

 

31.6

The continuing Directors (or a sole continuing Director, as the case may be) may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below the number fixed by or pursuant to these Articles as the necessary quorum of Directors the continuing Directors or Director may act for the purpose of increasing the number of Directors to be equal to such fixed number, or of summoning a general meeting of the Company, but for no other purpose.

 

31.7

All acts done by any meeting of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors (including any person acting as an alternate Director) shall, notwithstanding that it is afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any Director or alternate Director, and/or that they or any of them were disqualified, and/or had vacated their office and/or were not entitled to vote, be as valid as if every such person had been duly appointed and/or not disqualified to be a Director or alternate Director and/or had not vacated their office and/or had been entitled to vote, as the case may be.

 

31.8

A Director but not an alternate Director may be represented at any meetings of the board of Directors by a proxy appointed in writing by him. The proxy shall count towards the quorum and the vote of the proxy shall for all purposes be deemed to be that of the appointing Director.

 

31.9

A resolution in writing signed by all the Directors or all the members of a committee of Directors entitled to receive notice of a meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be (an alternate Director, subject as provided otherwise in the terms of appointment of the alternate Director, being entitled to sign such a resolution on behalf of his appointer), shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a duly called and constituted meeting of Directors or committee of Directors, as the case may be. When signed a resolution may consist of several documents each signed by one or more of the Directors or his duly appointed alternate.

 

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32

Directors’ Interests

 

32.1

A Director or alternate Director may hold any other office or place of profit under the Company (other than the office of Auditor) in conjunction with his office of Director for such period and on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the Directors may determine.

 

32.2

A Director or alternate Director may act by himself or by, through or on behalf of his firm in a professional capacity for the Company and he or his firm shall be entitled to remuneration for professional services as if he were not a Director or alternate Director.

 

32.3

A Director or alternate Director may be or become a director or other officer of or otherwise interested in any company promoted by the Company or in which the Company may be interested as a shareholder, a contracting party or otherwise, and no such Director or alternate Director shall be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefits received by him as a director or officer of, or from his interest in, such other company.

 

32.4

No person shall be disqualified from the office of Director or alternate Director or prevented by such office from contracting with the Company, either as vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any such Contract or any Contract or transaction entered into by or on behalf of the Company in which any Director or alternate Director shall be in any way interested be or be liable to be avoided, nor shall any Director or alternate Director so contracting or being so interested be liable to account to the Company for any profit realised by or arising in connection with any such Contract or transaction by reason of such Director or alternate Director holding office or of the fiduciary relationship thereby established. A Director (or his alternate Director in his absence) shall be at liberty to vote in respect of any Contract or transaction in which he is interested provided that the nature of the interest of any Director or alternate Director in any such Contract or transaction shall be disclosed by him at or prior to its consideration and any vote thereon.

 

32.5

A general notice that a Director or alternate Director is a shareholder, director, officer or employee of any specified firm or company and is to be regarded as interested in any transaction with such firm or company shall be sufficient disclosure for the purposes of voting on a resolution in respect of a Contract or transaction in which he has an interest, and after such general notice it shall not be necessary to give special notice relating to any particular transaction.

 

33

Minutes

The Directors shall cause minutes to be made in books kept for the purpose of recording all appointments of officers made by the Directors, all proceedings at meetings of the Company or the holders of any class of Shares and of the Directors, and of committees of the Directors, including the names of the Directors or alternate Directors present at each meeting.

 

34

Delegation of Directors’ Powers

 

34.1

The Board may establish any committee of the Board as the Board shall deem appropriate from time to time. Subject to these Articles and applicable Law, committees of the Board shall have the rights, powers and privileges granted to such committees by the Board from time to time. Any delegation of authority to a committee of the Board to take any action must be approved in the same manner as would be required for the Board to approve such action directly.

 

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34.2

The Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any person to be the agent of the Company on such conditions as the Directors may determine, provided that the delegation is not to the exclusion of their own powers and may be revoked by the Directors at any time.

 

34.3

The Directors may by power of attorney or otherwise appoint any company, firm, person or body of persons, whether nominated directly or indirectly by the Directors, to be the attorney or authorised signatory of the Company for such purpose and with such powers, authorities and discretions (not exceeding those vested in or exercisable by the Directors under these Articles) and for such period and subject to such conditions as they may think fit, and any such powers of attorney or other appointment may contain such provisions for the protection and convenience of persons dealing with any such attorneys or authorised signatories as the Directors may think fit and may also authorise any such attorney or authorised signatory to delegate all or any of the powers, authorities and discretions vested in him.

 

34.4

The Directors may appoint such officers of the Company (including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, any secretary) as they consider necessary on such terms, at such remuneration and to perform such duties, and subject to such provisions as to disqualification and removal as the Directors may think fit. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of his appointment an officer of the Company may be removed by resolution of the Directors or Members. An officer of the Company may vacate his office at any time if he gives notice in writing to the Company that he resigns his office.

 

35

Alternate Directors

 

35.1

Any Director (but not an alternate Director) may by writing appoint any other Director, or any other person reasonably acceptable to the Board who is willing to act, to be an alternate Director and by writing may remove from office an alternate Director so appointed by him.

 

35.2

An alternate Director shall be entitled to receive notice of all meetings of Directors and of all meetings of committees of Directors of which his appointor is a member, to attend and vote at every such meeting at which the Director appointing him is not personally present, to sign any written resolution of the Directors, and generally to perform all the functions of his appointor as a Director in his absence.

 

35.3

An alternate Director shall cease to be an alternate Director if his appointor ceases to be a Director.

 

35.4

Any appointment or removal of an alternate Director shall be by notice to the Company signed by the Director making or revoking the appointment or in any other manner approved by the Directors.

 

35.5

Subject to the provisions of these Articles, an alternate Director shall be deemed for all purposes to be a Director and shall alone be responsible for his own acts and defaults and shall not be deemed to be the agent of the Director appointing him.

 

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36

No Minimum Shareholding

The Company in general meeting may fix a minimum shareholding required to be held by a Director, but unless and until such a shareholding qualification is fixed a Director is not required to hold Shares.

 

37

Seal

 

37.1

The Company may, if the Directors so determine, have a Seal. The Seal shall only be used by the authority of the Directors or of a committee of the Directors authorised by the Directors. Every instrument to which the Seal has been affixed shall be signed by at least one person who shall be either a Director or some officer of the Company or other person appointed by the Directors for the purpose.

 

37.2

The Company may have for use in any place or places outside the Cayman Islands a duplicate Seal or Seals each of which shall be a facsimile of the common Seal of the Company and, if the Directors so determine, with the addition on its face of the name of every place where it is to be used.

 

37.3

A Director or officer, representative or attorney of the Company may without further authority of the Directors affix the Seal over his signature alone to any document of the Company required to be authenticated by him under seal or to be filed with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands or elsewhere wheresoever.

 

38

Dividends, Distributions and Reserve

 

38.1

Subject to the Statute and these Articles and except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, the Directors may resolve to pay Dividends and other distributions on Shares in issue and authorise payment of the Dividends out of the funds of the Company lawfully available therefor.

 

38.2

Subject to any rights and restrictions for the time being attached to any Shares, the Company by Ordinary Resolution may declare dividends, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the Directors.

 

38.3

A Dividend shall be deemed to be an interim Dividend unless the terms of the resolution pursuant to which the Directors resolve to pay such Dividend specifically state that such Dividend shall be a final Dividend. No Dividend or other distribution shall be paid except out of the realised or unrealised profits of the Company, out of the share premium account or as otherwise permitted by law.

 

38.4

Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, all Dividends and other distributions shall be paid according to the par value of the Shares that a Member holds. If any Share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for Dividend as from a particular date, that Share shall rank for Dividend accordingly.

 

38.5

The Directors may deduct from any Dividend or other distribution payable to any Member all sums of money (if any) then payable by him to the Company on account of calls or otherwise.

 

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38.6

The Directors may resolve that any Dividend or other distribution be paid wholly or partly by the distribution of specific assets and in particular (but without limitation) by the distribution of shares, debentures, or securities of any other company or in any one or more of such ways and where any difficulty arises in regard to such distribution, the Directors may settle the same as they think expedient and in particular may issue fractional Shares and may fix the value for distribution of such specific assets or any part thereof and may determine that cash payments shall be made to any Members upon the basis of the value so fixed in order to adjust the rights of all Members and may vest any such specific assets in trustees in such manner as may seem expedient to the Directors.

 

38.7

Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to any Shares, Dividends and other distributions may be paid in any currency. The Directors may determine the basis of conversion for any currency conversions that may be required and how any costs involved are to be met.

 

38.8

The Directors may, before resolving to pay any Dividend or other distribution, set aside such sums as they think proper as a reserve or reserves which shall, at the discretion of the Directors, be applicable for any purpose of the Company and pending such application may, at the discretion of the Directors, be employed in the business of the Company.

 

38.9

Any Dividend, other distribution, interest or other monies payable in cash in respect of Shares may be paid by wire transfer to the holder or by cheque or warrant sent through the post directed to the registered address of the holder or, in the case of joint holders, to the registered address of the holder who is first named on the Register of Members or to such person and to such address as such holder or joint holders may in writing direct. Every such cheque or warrant shall be made payable to the order of the person to whom it is sent. Any one of two or more joint holders may give effectual receipts for any Dividends, other distributions, bonuses, or other monies payable in respect of the Share held by them as joint holders.

 

38.10

No Dividend or other distribution shall bear interest against the Company.

 

38.11

Any Dividend or other distribution which cannot be paid to a Member and/or which remains unclaimed after six months from the date on which such Dividend or other distribution becomes payable may, in the discretion of the Directors, be paid into a separate account in the Company’s name, provided that the Company shall not be constituted as a trustee in respect of that account and the Dividend or other distribution shall remain as a debt due to the Member. Any Dividend or other distribution which remains unclaimed after a period of six years from the date on which such Dividend or other distribution becomes payable shall be forfeited and shall revert to the Company.

 

39

Capitalisation

The Directors may at any time capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any of the Company’s reserve accounts or funds (including the share premium account and capital redemption reserve fund) or any sum standing to the credit of the profit and loss account or otherwise available for distribution; appropriate such sum to Members in the proportions in which such sum would have been divisible amongst such Members had the same been a distribution of profits by way of Dividend or other distribution; and apply such sum on their behalf in paying up in full unissued Shares for allotment and distribution credited as fully paid-up to and amongst them in the proportion aforesaid. In such event the Directors shall do all acts and things required to give effect to such capitalisation, with full power given to the Directors to make such provisions as they think fit in the case of Shares becoming distributable in fractions (including provisions whereby the benefit of fractional entitlements accrue to the Company rather than to the Members concerned). The Directors may authorise any person to enter on behalf of all of the Members interested into an agreement with the Company providing for such capitalisation and matters incidental or relating thereto and any agreement made under such authority shall be effective and binding on all such Members and the Company.

 

30


40

Books of Account

 

40.1

The Directors shall cause proper books of account (including, where applicable, material underlying documentation including contracts and invoices) to be kept with respect to all sums of money received and expended by the Company and the matters in respect of which the receipt or expenditure takes place, all sales and purchases of goods by the Company and the assets and liabilities of the Company. Proper books shall not be deemed to be kept if there are not kept such books of account as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the Company’s affairs and to explain its transactions.

 

40.2

The Directors shall determine whether and to what extent and at what times and places and under what conditions or regulations the accounts and books of the Company or any of them shall be open to the inspection of Members not being Directors and, except as determined by the Board, no Member (not being a Director) shall have any right of inspecting any account or book or document of the Company except as conferred by Statute or authorised by the Directors or by the Company in general meeting, provided that a copy of any shareholder resolution and/or minutes of the proceedings of the meeting passed by the Company shall be provided to each Member.

 

40.3

The Directors may cause to be prepared and to be laid before the Company in general meeting profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, group accounts (if any) and such other reports and accounts as may be required by law.

 

41

Audit

 

41.1

The Directors may appoint an Auditor of the Company who shall hold office on such terms as the Directors determine.

 

41.2

Every Auditor of the Company shall have a right of access at all times to the books and accounts and vouchers of the Company and shall be entitled to require from the Directors and officers of the Company such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of the Auditor.

 

41.3

Auditors shall, if so required by the Directors, make a report on the accounts of the Company during their tenure of office at the next annual general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an ordinary company, and at the next extraordinary general meeting following their appointment in the case of a company which is registered with the Registrar of Companies as an exempted company, and at any other time during their term of office, upon request of the Directors or any general meeting of the Members.

 

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42

Notices

 

42.1

Except as may be otherwise provided herein, all notices, requests, waivers and other communications given by the Company to any Member shall be in writing to him or to his address as shown in the Register of Members (or where the notice is given by e-mail by sending it to the e-mail address provided by such Member) and shall be conclusively deemed to have been duly given (a) when hand-delivered to such Member, upon delivery; (b) when sent by facsimile or electronic mail at the number or address upon receipt of confirmation of error-free transmission or, in the case of electronic mail, upon such mail being sent unless the sending party subsequently learns that such electronic mail was not successfully delivered; (c) seven (7) Business Days after deposit in the mail as air mail or certified mail, receipt requested, postage prepaid; or (d) three (3) Business Days after deposit with an overnight delivery service, postage prepaid with next-business-day delivery guaranteed, provided that the sending party receives a confirmation of delivery from the delivery service provider.

 

42.2

Notice of every general meeting shall be given in any manner authorised by the Articles to every holder of Shares carrying an entitlement to receive such notice on the record date for such meeting except that in the case of joint holders the notice shall be sufficient if given to the joint holder first named in the Register of Members and every person upon whom the ownership of a Share devolves by reason of his being a legal personal representative or a trustee in bankruptcy of a Member where the Member but for his death or bankruptcy would be entitled to receive notice of the meeting, and no other person shall be entitled to receive notices of general meetings.

 

43

Winding Up

 

43.1

If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator shall apply the assets of the Company in satisfaction of creditors’ claims in such manner and order as such liquidator thinks fit. Subject to the rights attaching to any Shares, in a winding up:

 

  (a)

if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members of a particular class shall be insufficient to repay the whole of the issued share capital of such class, such assets shall be distributed so that, as nearly as may be, the losses shall be borne by the Members of that class in proportion to the par value of the Shares of such class held by them; or

 

  (b)

if the assets available for distribution amongst the Members of a particular class shall be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the issued share capital of such class at the commencement of the winding up, the surplus shall be distributed amongst the Members of that class in proportion to the par value of the Shares of such class held by them at the commencement of the winding up subject to a deduction from those Shares in respect of which there are monies due, of all monies payable to the Company for unpaid calls or otherwise.

 

43.2

If the Company shall be wound up the liquidator may, subject to the rights attaching to any Shares and with the approval of a Special Resolution of the Company and any other approval required by the Statute, divide amongst the Members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company (whether such assets shall consist of property of the same kind or not) and may for that purpose value any assets and determine how the division shall be carried out as between the Members or different classes of Members. The liquidator may, with the like approval, vest the whole or any part of such assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the Members as the liquidator, with the like approval, shall think fit, but so that no Member shall be compelled to accept any asset upon which there is a liability.

 

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44

Indemnity

 

44.1

Every Director and officer of the Company (which for the avoidance of doubt, shall not include auditors of the Company), together with every former Director and former officer of the Company (each an “Indemnified Person”) shall be indemnified out of the assets of the Company against any liability, action, proceeding, claim, demand, costs, damages or expenses, including reasonable legal expenses, whatsoever which they or any of them may incur as a result of any act or failure to act in carrying out their functions other than such liability (if any) that they may incur by reason of their own fraud or wilful default. No Indemnified Person shall be liable to the Company for any loss or damage incurred by the Company as a result (whether direct or indirect) of the carrying out of their functions unless that liability arises through the actual fraud or wilful default of such Indemnified Person.

 

45

Financial Year

Unless the Directors otherwise prescribe, the financial year of the Company shall end on 31st December in each year and, following the year of incorporation, shall begin on 1st January in each year.

 

46

Transfer by Way of Continuation

If the Company is exempted as defined in the Statute, it shall, subject to the provisions of the Statute and with the approval of a Special Resolution, have the power to register by way of continuation as a body corporate under the Laws of any jurisdiction outside the Cayman Islands and to be deregistered in the Cayman Islands.

 

47

Mergers and Consolidations

The Company shall, with the approval of a Special Resolution, have the power to merge or consolidate with one or more constituent companies (as defined in the Statute), upon such terms as the Directors may determine.

 

48

Forum Selection

Save for any proceedings, actions, claims or complaints however so called, which rely on the provisions of the Securities Act or the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended or superseded from time to time), and, in relation to which, such cause of action can only be determined by the courts within the United States of America (“US Actions”), the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim (including any non-contractual dispute, controversy or claim) whether arising out of or in connection with these Articles or otherwise, including any question regarding their existence, validity, formation or termination, unless otherwise agreed by the Company, at its option, in writing. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the jurisdiction of the Cayman Courts to hear, settle and/or determine disputes related to the Company, the courts of the Cayman Islands shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any Director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s Members, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Law or these Articles including but not limited to any purchase or acquisition of Shares, security or guarantee provided in consideration thereof, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company which if brought in the United States of America would be a claim arising under the internal affairs doctrine (as such concept is recognised under the laws of the United States of America from time to time). The federal courts of the United States of America shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear, settle and/or determine any dispute, controversy or claim in relation to any US Actions, unless otherwise agreed by the Company in writing. Without prejudice to the foregoing, if any part of this Article is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under applicable law, the illegal, invalid or unenforceable portion of this Article shall not affect or impair the legality, validity or enforceability of the rest of the Articles and this Article shall be interpreted and construed to the maximum extent possible to apply in the relevant jurisdiction with whatever modification or deletion may be necessary so as best to give effect to the intention of the Company. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any share in or of the Company or other security of the Company whether by transfer, sale, operation of law or otherwise, shall be deemed to have notice of and have irrevocably agreed and consented to the provisions of this Article.

 

33