-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UghJVBAibFsc/o+sbdjllKwl5L78szXEODsAvcmutwAUzLaJC9WPPSuRecsFbyST OB+ILXeKVhzQSqTXvkgivQ== 0000950123-08-011867.txt : 20081002 0000950123-08-011867.hdr.sgml : 20081002 20081001173152 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-08-011867 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-8 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 FILED AS OF DATE: 20081002 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20081001 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20081002 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001140536 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: INSURANCE AGENTS BROKERS & SERVICES [6411] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: D0 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-8 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-153770 FILM NUMBER: 081100824 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: TEN TRINITY SQUARE CITY: LONDON ENGLAND STATE: X0 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: 0114402074 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: TEN TRINITY SQUARE CITY: LONDON ENGLAND STATE: X0 ZIP: 00000 S-8 1 y71583sv8.htm FORM S-8 S-8
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 1, 2008
     Registration No. 333-                    
 
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
Willis Group Holdings Limited
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
     
Bermuda   93-0352587
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
c/o Willis Group Limited
The Willis Building
51 Lime Street
London EC3M 7DQ
England
(011) 44-20-3124-6000

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
The Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan
The Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan
The Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Non-Employee Directors Stock Incentive Plan
The Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Executive Voluntary Deferral Plan
The Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Outside Directors Deferral Plan
(Full Title of Plan)
Adam G. Ciongoli
General Counsel
Willis Group Holdings Limited
One World Financial Center, 200 Liberty Street
New York, New York 10281
(212) 915-8899

(Name, Address, and Telephone Number,
Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)
 
Copies to:
Thomas A, Roberts, Esq.
Michael J. Aiello, Esq.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10153
(212) 310-8000
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þAccelerated filer o 
Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                                             
 
  Title of Each Class of               Proposed Maximum     Proposed Maximum     Amount of  
  Securities to be Registered     Amount to be Registered (1)     Offering Price Per Share (2)     Aggregate Offering Price (2)     Registration Fee(3)  
 
Common Stock, $0.000115 par value per share
      3,849,181 shares       $ 32.57       $ 125,367,821       $ 4,926.96    
 
(1)   The securities to be registered are issuable pursuant to the plans listed above. Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall cover such additional securities as may be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
 
(2)   Pursuant to Rule 457(c) and 457(h), the registration fee has been calculated on the basis of $32.57, the average of the high and low sales prices of the Willis common stock on September 30, 2008, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(3)   Calculated by multiplying the estimated maximum aggregate offering price by .00003930.
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
PART II
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Item 9. Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5.1: OPINION OF APPLEBY
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


Table of Contents

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
     On October 1, 2008, Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs Company (“HRH”) merged with and into Hermes Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Willis Group Holdings Limited (“Willis” and such transaction, the “Merger”). This Registration Statement on Form S-8 relates to 3,849,181 shares of common stock, par value $0.000115 per share (the “Common Stock”), of Willis, issuable to those persons who were either employees or non-employee directors of HRH prior to and immediately after the effective time of the Merger, and who, immediately prior to the Merger, were holders of either (i) options to purchase shares of common stock, no par value per share of HRH (the “HRH Common Stock”), that were automatically converted into options to purchase shares of Common Stock of Willis at the effective time of the Merger or (ii) deferred stock units measured in shares of HRH Common Stock that were converted into deferred stock units measured in shares of Common Stock of Willis at the effective time of the Merger based on the elections of such holders.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.*
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.*
 
*   Information required by Part I to be contained in the Section 10(a) prospectus is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and the “Note” to Part I of Form S-8.

i


Table of Contents

PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
          The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by Willis Group Holdings Limited (the “Registrant”) are incorporated herein by reference:
  (a)   The Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed on February 27, 2008;
 
  (b)   The Registrant’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, filed on May 9, 2008 and August 6, 2008, respectively;
 
  (c)   The Registrant’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 6, 13 and 29, 2008; April 24, 2008; May 1 and 12, 2008; June 3, 9, 12, 26, 2008; July 2, 11 and 31, 2008; and September 16 and 19, 2008; and
 
  (d)   The description of the Registrant’s capital stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on May 21, 2001.
          In addition, all documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) subsequent to the effective date of this Registration statement, but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and to be part thereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
          Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
          Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
          The Registrant is incorporated in Bermuda. The Bye-laws of the Registrant provide for indemnification of the Registrant’s officers and directors against all liabilities, loss, damage or expense incurred or suffered by such party as an officer or director of the Registrant; provided that such indemnification shall not extend to any matter which would render it void pursuant to the Companies Act of 1981 as in effect from time to time in Bermuda.
          The Companies Act provides that a Bermuda company may indemnify its directors in respect of any loss arising or liability attaching to them as a result of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust of which they may be guilty. However, the Companies Act also provides that any provision, whether contained in the Company’s bye-laws or in a contract or arrangement between the Company and the director, indemnifying a director against any liability which would attach to him in respect of his fraud or dishonesty will be void. The

1


Table of Contents

directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by directors’ and officers’ insurance policies maintained by the Registrant.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
          Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
                 
Exhibit No.     Description        
       
 
       
  4.1    
Memorandum of Association of the Registrant (as amended April 23, 2008) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008)
       
       
 
       
  4.2    
Form of Bye-Laws of the Registrant (as amended April 23, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008)
       
       
 
       
  4.3    
Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated February 11, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on Form S-8 dated November 21, 2003, File No. 333-110666)
       
       
 
       
  4.4    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on Form S-8, dated May 1, 2007, File No. 333-142528)
       
       
 
       
  4.5    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Non-employee Directors Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
       
 
       
  4.6    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Executive Voluntary Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
       
 
       
  4.7    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Outside Directors Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
       
 
       
  4.8    
Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-60982)
       
       
 
       
  5.1    
Opinion of Appleby*
       
       
 
       
  23.1    
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP*
       

2


Table of Contents

                 
Exhibit No.     Description        
       
 
       
  23.2    
Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibit 5.1)
       
       
 
       
  24.1    
Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
       
 
*   Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
  (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
  (1)   to file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
  (i)   to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
  (ii)   to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
 
  (iii)   to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Company pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
  (2)   that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (3)   to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
  (b)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

3


Table of Contents

  (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

4


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York, State of New York, on this 1st day of October, 2008.
         
  WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED
 
 
  By:   /s/ Adam G. Ciongoli    
    Name:   Adam G. Ciongoli   
    Title:   General Counsel   
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Adam G. Ciongoli, Patrick C. Regan, Michael R. Chitty and Shaun K. Bryant and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacity, in connection with this Registration Statement, including to sign and file in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as director or officer of the Registrant any and all amendments or supplements (including any and all stickers and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable securities exchange or securities self regulatory body, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents, and each of them full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and things requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof,
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Joseph J. Plumeri
 
Joseph J. Plumeri
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Patrick C. Regan
 
Patrick C. Regan
  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ William W. Bradley
 
William W. Bradley
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
 
Joseph A. Califano, Jr.
  Director    October 1, 2008

5


Table of Contents

         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Anna C. Catalano
 
Anna C. Catalano
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Eric G. Friberg
 
Eric G. Friberg
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Sir Roy Gardner
 
Sir Roy Gardner
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Sir Jeremy Hanley
 
Sir Jeremy Hanley
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Robyn S. Kravit
 
Robyn S. Kravit
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Jeffrey B. Lane
 
Jeffrey B. Lane
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Wendy E. Lane
 
Wendy E. Lane
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ James F. McCann
 
James F. McCann
  Director    October 1, 2008
 
       
/s/ Douglas B. Roberts
 
Douglas B. Roberts
  Director    October 1, 2008

6


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit No.     Description
       
 
  4.1    
Memorandum of Association of the Registrant (as amended April 23, 2008) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008)
       
 
  4.2    
Form of Bye-Laws of the Registrant (as amended April 23, 2008) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.2 to the Registrants Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 filed with the Commission on May 9, 2008)
       
 
  4.3    
Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated February 11, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on Form S-8 dated November 21, 2003, File No. 333-110666)
       
 
  4.4    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on Form S-8, dated May 1, 2007, File No. 333-142528)
       
 
  4.5    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Non-employee Directors Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
 
  4.6    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Executive Voluntary Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
 
  4.7    
Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Outside Directors Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed by Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company on May 7, 2007, File No. 0-15981)
       
 
  4.8    
Form of Specimen Certificate for Registrant’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 4.1 to Registration Statement No. 333-60982)
       
 
  5.1    
Opinion of Appleby*
       
 
  23.1    
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP*
       
 
  23.2    
Consent of Appleby (included in Exhibit 5.1)
       
 
  24.1    
Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
 
*   Filed herewith.

7

EX-5.1 2 y71583exv5w1.htm EX-5.1: OPINION OF APPLEBY EX-5.1
Exhibit 5.1
     
 
  e-mail:
 
   
 
  erobinson@applebyglobal.com
 
   
Willis Group Holdings Limited
Canon’s Court
22 Victoria Street
Hamilton HM12
Bermuda
  direct dial:
Tel
298 3268
Fax 298 3374

your ref:


 
  appleby ref:
ERM/124997.55

1 October 2008
Dear Sirs
Willis Group Holdings Limited (the “Company”)
We have acted as legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of registration statement on Form S-8 filed by the Company with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 on 1 October 2008 (the “Registration Statement”), to register 3,849,181 of the Company’s common shares of par value US$0.000115 each (the “Shares”), to be issued and sold under the following plans (the “Plans”):
(i)   the Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated February 11, 2003;
 
(ii)   the Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company 2007 Stock Incentive Plan;
 
(iii)   the Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Non-employee Directors Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007;
 
(iv)   the Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Executive Voluntary Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005; and
 
(v)   the Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company Outside Directors Deferral Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2007.
For the purposes of this opinion we have examined and relied upon the documents listed, and in some cases defined, in the Schedule to this opinion (the “Documents”).
Assumptions
In stating our opinion we have assumed:
(a)   the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all Documents examined by us submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of all Documents and other such documentation submitted to us as certified, conformed, notarised, faxed or photostatic copies;

 


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
(b)   that each of the Documents which was received by electronic means is complete, intact and in conformity with the transmission as sent;
 
(c)   the genuineness of all signatures on the Documents;
 
(d)   the authority, capacity and power of each of the persons signing the Documents (other than the Company);
 
(e)   that any representation, warranty or statement of fact or law, other than as to the laws of Bermuda made in any of the Documents is true, accurate and complete;
 
(f)   that there are no provisions of the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda which would be contravened by the issuance of the Shares which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;
 
(g)   that the Resolutions are in full force and effect, have not been rescinded, either in whole or in part, and accurately record the resolutions passed by the Board of Directors of the Company in a meeting which was duly convened and at which a duly constituted quorum was present and voting throughout and that there is no matter affecting the authority of the Directors to effect the issue of the Shares and the filing by the Company of the Registration Statement, not disclosed by the Constitutional Documents or the Resolutions, which would have any adverse implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein;
 
(h)   that, when the Directors of the Company passed the Resolutions, each of the Directors discharged his fiduciary duties to the Company and acted honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company;
 
(i)   that the records which were the subject of the Company Search were complete and accurate at the time of such search and disclosed all information which is material for the purposes of this opinion and such information has not since the date of the Company Search been materially altered; and
 
(j)   that the records which were the subject of the Litigation Search were complete and accurate at the time of such search and disclosed all information which is

Page 2


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
    material for the purposes of this opinion and such information has not since the date of the Litigation Search been materially altered.
Opinion
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and subject to the reservations set out below and to any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that:
(1)   The Company is an exempted company incorporated with limited liability and existing under the laws of Bermuda. The Company possesses the capacity to sue and be sued in its own name and is in good standing under the laws of Bermuda.
(2)   All necessary corporate action required to be taken by the Company in connection with the issue by the Company of the Shares pursuant to Bermuda law has been taken by or on behalf of the Company, and all necessary approvals of Governmental authorities in Bermuda have been duly obtained for the issue by the Company of the Shares.
(3)   When issued pursuant to the Resolutions and delivered against payment therefor in the circumstances referred to or summarised in the Registration Statement and the Merger Agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares in the capital of the Company.
(4)   There are no taxes, duties or other charges payable to or chargeable by the Government of Bermuda, or any authority or agency thereof in respect of the issue of the Shares.
Reservations
We have the following reservations:
(a)   We express no opinion as to any law other than Bermuda law and none of the opinions expressed herein relates to compliance with or matters governed by the laws of any jurisdiction except Bermuda. This opinion is limited to Bermuda law as applied by the Courts of Bermuda at the date hereof.

Page 3


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
(b)   Searches of the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies and of the Supreme Court Causes Book at the Registry of the Supreme Court are not conclusive and it should be noted that the Register of Companies and the Supreme Court Causes Book do not reveal:
  (i)   details of matters which have been lodged for filing or registration which as a matter of best practice of the Registrar of Companies or the Registry of the Supreme Court would have or should have been disclosed on the public file, the Causes Book or the Judgment Book, as the case may be, but for whatever reason have not actually been filed or registered or are not disclosed or which, notwithstanding filing or registration, at the date and time the search is concluded are for whatever reason not disclosed or do not appear on the public file, the Causes Book or Judgment Book;
 
  (ii)   details of matters which should have been lodged for filing or registration at the Registrar of Companies or the Registry of the Supreme Court but have not been lodged for filing or registration at the date the search is concluded;
 
  (iii)   whether an application to the Supreme Court for a winding-up petition or for the appointment of a receiver or manager has been prepared but not yet been presented or has been presented but does not appear in the Causes Book at the date and time the search is concluded;
 
  (iv)   whether any arbitration or administrative proceedings are pending or whether any proceedings are threatened, or whether any arbitrator has been appointed; or
 
  (v)   whether a receiver or manager has been appointed privately pursuant to the provisions of a debenture or other security, unless notice of the fact has been entered in the Register of Charges in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
    Furthermore, in the absence of a statutorily defined system for the registration of charges created by companies incorporated outside Bermuda (“overseas

Page 4


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
    companies”) over their assets located in Bermuda, it is not possible to determine definitively from searches of the Register of Charges maintained by the Registrar of Companies in respect of such overseas companies what charges have been registered over any of their assets located in Bermuda or whether any one charge has priority over any other charge over such assets.
 
(c)   In order to issue this opinion we have carried out the Company Search as referred to in the Schedule to this opinion and have not enquired as to whether there has been any change since the date of such search.
 
(d)   In order to issue this opinion we have carried out the Litigation Search as referred to in the Schedule to this opinion and have not enquired as to whether there has been any change since the date of such search.
 
(e)   In paragraph (1) above, the term “good standing” means that the Company has received a Certificate of Compliance from the Registrar of Companies.
 
(f)   Any reference in this opinion to shares being “non-assessable” shall mean, in relation to fully paid shares of the Company and subject to any contrary provision in any agreement in writing between such company and the holder of such shares, that no shareholder shall be bound by an alteration to the Memorandum of Association or Bye-laws of the Company after the date on which he became a shareholder, if and so far as the alteration requires him to take, or subscribe for additional shares, or in any way increases his liability to contribute to the share capital of, or otherwise to pay money to, the Company.
Disclosure
This opinion is addressed to you in connection with the filing by the Company of the Registration Statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission solely for the benefit of the Company and (save as referred to in the following paragraph), is not to be relied upon for any other purpose or quoted, or referred to in any public document, or filed with any governmental agency or person without our prior written consent, except as may be required by law.
We consent to the inclusion of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Page 5


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
This opinion speaks as of its date and is strictly limited to the matters stated herein and we assume no obligation to review or update this opinion if applicable law or the existing facts or circumstances should change.
This opinion is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with Bermuda law. It is given on the basis that it will not give rise to any legal proceedings with respect thereto in any jurisdiction other than Bermuda.
Yours faithfully
Appleby

Page 6


 

     
 
  Willis Group Holdings Limited
1 October 2008
SCHEDULE
1.   The entries and filings shown in respect of the Company on the file of the Company maintained in the Register of Companies at the office of the Registrar of Companies in Hamilton, Bermuda, as revealed by a search conducted on 1 October 2008 (the “Company Search”).
 
2.   The entries and filings shown in respect of the Company in the Supreme Court Causes Book maintained at the Registry of the Supreme Court in Hamilton, Bermuda, as revealed by a search conducted on 1 October 2008 (the “Litigation Search”).
 
3.   Certified copies of the Memorandum of Association and Bye-Laws of the Company (collectively referred to as the “Constitutional Documents”).
 
4.   Certified copy of minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company held on 6 June 2008 (together “the “Resolutions”).
 
5.   A Certificate of Compliance, dated 1 October 2008 issued by the Registrar of Companies in respect of the Company.
 
6.   A copy of the Registration Statement.
 
7.   A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger among the Company, Hermes Acquisition Corp. and Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Company dated as of 7 June 2008 (the “Merger Agreement”).
 
8.   A copy of the letter of permission dated 1 May 2001 issued by the Bermuda Monetary Authority in relation to the Company and a copy of the general permission of the Bermuda Monetary Authority dated 1 June 2005 (together the “Permission”).

Page 7

EX-23.1 3 y71583exv23w1.htm EX-23.1: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP EX-23.1
Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated February 27, 2008 (July 11, 2008 as to the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Notes 2, 20, 22, and 23), relating to the consolidated financial statements appearing in the Current Report on Form 8-K of Willis Group Holdings Limited and financial statement schedule appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Willis Group Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2007 and of our report dated February 27, 2008 relating to the effectiveness of Willis Group Holdings Limited’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Willis Group Holdings Limited for the year ended December 31, 2007.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
London, United Kingdom
October 1, 2008

-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----