EX-5.1 2 y59691exv5w1.htm EX-5.1: OPINION OF CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN EX-5.1
Exhibit 5.1
[Conyers Dill & Pearman Letterhead]
30th May 2008
         
Allied World Assurance
  DIRECT LINE:   441 299 4965
Company Holdings, Ltd
  E-MAIL:   graham.collis@conyersdillandpearman.com
27 Richmond Road
  OUR REF:   GBC/dhm/376026/248869/CorpDocs
Pembroke, HM 08
  YOUR REF:    
Bermuda
        
Dear Sirs,
Allied World Assurance Company Holdings, Ltd (the “Company”)
We have acted as special legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with a registration statement on form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on 30th May 2008 (the “Registration Statement”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto) relating to the registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of 2,000,000 common shares, par value $0.03 per share (the “Common Shares”) issuable pursuant to the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan and 1,000,000 Common Shares issuable pursuant to the Company’s 2008 Employee Share Purchase Plan (collectively the “Plans”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto).
For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined copies of the Registration Statement and the Plans. We have also reviewed the memorandum of association and the bye-laws of the Company, each certified by the Assistant Secretary of the Company on 30th May 2008, resolutions from a meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on 28th February 2008 and minutes of the Annual General Meeting of shareholders held on 8th May 2008 (together, the “Minutes”) and such other documents and made such enquires as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.
We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) of all documents examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention, (c) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Plans and other documents reviewed by us, (d) that the resolutions contained in the Minutes were passed at

 

 

one or more duly convened, constituted and quorate meetings, or by unanimous written resolutions, remain in full force and effect and have not been rescinded or amended, (e) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than Bermuda, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein, (f) that, upon the issue of any Common Shares, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof, (g) that on the date of issuance of any of the Common Shares the Company will have sufficient authorised but unissued common shares, (h) that on the date of issuance of any award under the Plans, the Company was or will be able to pay its liabilities as they became or become due, (i) that the Company’s shares will be listed on an appointed stock exchange, as defined in the Companies Act 1981, as amended, and the consent to the issue and free transfer of the Common Shares given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority dated 13 December 2005 will not have been revoked or amended at the time of issuance of any Common Shares.
We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in Bermuda. This opinion is issued solely for the purposes of the filing of the Registration Statement and the issuance of the Common Shares by the Company pursuant to the Plans and is not to be relied upon in respect of any other matter.
On the basis of, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1.   The Company is duly incorporated and existing under the laws of Bermuda in good standing (meaning solely that it has not failed to make any filing with any Bermuda government authority or to pay any Bermuda government fees or tax which would make it liable to be struck off the Register of Companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda).
2.   When issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plans, the Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term means when used herein that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares).
We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Yours faithfully,
/s/ Conyers Dill & Pearman
CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

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