0001193125-13-429247.txt : 20131106 0001193125-13-429247.hdr.sgml : 20131106 20131106095727 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-13-429247 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: F-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 FILED AS OF DATE: 20131106 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20131106 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20131106 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WPP Finance 2010 CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001548589 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-ADVERTISING AGENCIES [7311] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: F-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-192115 FILM NUMBER: 131194962 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J 5RJ BUSINESS PHONE: 0044 20 7408 2204 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J 5RJ FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WPP Jubilee Ltd CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001591085 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: F-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-192115-01 FILM NUMBER: 131194963 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J 5RJ BUSINESS PHONE: 0044 20 7408 2204 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J 5RJ FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WPP 2005 LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001406528 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-ADVERTISING AGENCIES [7311] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: X0 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: F-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-192115-02 FILM NUMBER: 131194964 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1X 6RD BUSINESS PHONE: 011-44-207-318-0021 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1X 6RD FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: WPP plc CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000806968 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-ADVERTISING AGENCIES [7311] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: F-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-192115-03 FILM NUMBER: 131194965 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J5RJ BUSINESS PHONE: 011442074082204 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 27 FARM STREET CITY: LONDON STATE: X0 ZIP: W1J5RJ FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WPP GROUP PLC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19960514 F-3ASR 1 d622182df3asr.htm F-3ASR F-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 6, 2013

Registration No. 333 –            

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM F-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

WPP Finance 2010

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

Not applicable

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

 

United Kingdom   7311   Not applicable

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

 

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom

Telephone: (011 44) 20 7408 2204

(Address and telephone number of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 

 

(FOR CO-REGISTRANTS, PLEASE SEE “TABLE OF CO-REGISTRANTS” ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE)

 

 

Andrea Harris, Esq.

Group Chief Counsel

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom

Telephone: (011 44) 20 7408 2204

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

with a copy to:

Adam Kupitz, Esq.

Allen & Overy LLP

One Bishops Square

London E1 6AD

Telephone: (011 44) 20 3088 0000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.

 

 

If only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box:  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box:  x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering:  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.C. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.C. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered

 

Amount

to be

registered

 

Proposed

maximum

offering price

per note

 

Proposed

maximum

aggregate

offering price(1)

  Amount of
registration fee

Debt securities

  (1)   (1)   (1)   (1)

Guarantees of the debt securities

  (2)   (2)   (2)   (2)

 

 

(1) WPP Finance 2010 is registering an indeterminate amount of debt securities for offer and sale from time to time at indeterminate offering prices. In reliance on Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, WPP Finance 2010 is deferring payment of all of the registration fees relating to the registration of securities hereby.
(2) No separate consideration will be received for the guarantees. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate registration fee is required with respect to the guarantees.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF CO-REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name as
Specified in
Charter

  

State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or
Organization

  

Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification Number

  

I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number

  

Address, Including Zip Code and
Telephone Number, Including Area
Code, of  Principal Executive Offices

WPP plc    Jersey    7311    Not Applicable   

27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,

United Kingdom

Telephone: 011–44–20 7408 2204

WPP Jubilee Limited    United Kingdom    7311    Not Applicable   

27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,

United Kingdom

Telephone: 011–44–20 7408 2204

WPP 2005 Limited    United Kingdom    7311    Not Applicable   

27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,

United Kingdom

Telephone: 011–44–20 7408 2204


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PROSPECTUS

WPP Finance 2010

Debt Securities

Guaranteed by

WPP plc

WPP Jubilee Limited

WPP 2005 Limited

 

 

WPP Finance 2010 may from time to time offer debt securities, which will be guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited and which may be guaranteed by other entities. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which these securities may be offered. When we offer securities, the specific terms of the securities, including the offering price, and the specific manner in which they may be offered, will be described in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement(s) carefully before you invest.

We may sell securities to or through underwriters and also to other purchasers or through agents. The names of any underwriters or agents will be stated in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

 

Investing in our debt securities involves risks that are described in the “Risk Factors” section of our annual reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by reference herein and/or in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

 

Prospectus dated November 6, 2013


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Table of Contents

 

About This Prospectus

     1   

Forward-Looking Statements

     2   

The Issuer and The Guarantors

     3   

Use of Proceeds

     4   

Exchange Rates

     5   

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     6   

Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees

     7   

Form of Securities, Clearing and Settlement

     23   

Plan of Distribution

     26   

Experts

     27   

Validity of Securities

     28   

Enforceability of Civil Liabilities

     29   

Where You Can Find More Information

     30   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     31   

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (which we refer to as the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, WPP Finance 2010 may from time to time offer debt securities, with guarantees of WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited and, to the extent so indicated in an applicable prospectus supplement or otherwise established following the offer and sale of a series of debt securities, guarantees of other entities.

This prospectus only provides a general description of the securities that we may offer and the method by which the securities may be offered. Each time we offer securities, we will prepare a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of the securities that are the subject of the offering and the terms of the offering itself. We may also add, update or change other information contained in this prospectus by means of a prospectus supplement or by incorporating by reference information that WPP plc files with the SEC. The registration statement that we filed with the SEC includes exhibits that provide more detail on certain of the matters discussed in this prospectus. Before you invest in any securities offered by this prospectus, you should read this prospectus, any related prospectus supplement and the related exhibits filed with the SEC, together with the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for historical statements and discussions, statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Other documents of WPP plc filed with or furnished to the SEC, including those incorporated by reference in this prospectus, may also include forward-looking statements, and other written or oral forward-looking statements have been made and may in the future be made from time to time by us or on our behalf.

Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, plans, objectives, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, beliefs and/or assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of terms such as “ambition,” “may,” “hope,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “seek,” “continue” or similar terms.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied from the forward-looking statements.

Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements due to, without limitation:

 

   

the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel,

 

   

delays or reductions in client advertising budgets,

 

   

shifts in industry rates of compensation,

 

   

regulatory compliance costs or litigation,

 

   

natural disasters or acts of terrorism,

 

   

our exposure to changes in the values of major currencies other than the U.K. pound sterling (because a substantial portion of our revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the United Kingdom), and

 

   

the overall level of economic activity in our major markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional, national and international political and economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s advertising markets).

The foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. For further discussion of these and other factors, see Item 3.D. “Risk Factors,” Item 4. “Information on the Company,” Item 5. “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and Item 11. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in WPP plc’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, and the applicable prospectus supplement.

As a result of these and other factors, no assurance can be given as to our future results and achievements. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are neither predictions nor guarantees of future events or circumstances. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law.

All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are similarly qualified.

 

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THE ISSUER AND THE GUARANTORS

As used in this prospectus, the “Group” and “WPP Group” refer to WPP plc and its consolidated subsidiaries; the “Issuer” refers to WPP Finance 2010, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates; the “Subsidiary Guarantors” refers to WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited, excluding their subsidiaries; and the “Parent Guarantor” refers to WPP plc, excluding its subsidiaries and affiliates. References to the “Guarantors” refers collectively to the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiary Guarantors, in each case unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified. References to “we”, “our” and “us” refer to the Issuer and WPP plc, collectively, in each case unless the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified.

The Group comprises one of the largest communication services businesses in the world. It operates through a number of established global, multinational and national advertising and marketing services companies that are organized into four business segments: Advertising and Media Investment Management; Data Investment Management (formerly Consumer Insight); Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications (including direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing).

The Group’s largest segment is Advertising and Media Investment Management where it operates the well-known advertising networks Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, JWT, Y&R, Grey, Bates CHI & Partners and the United Network, as well as Media Investment Management companies such as MediaCom, MEC, Mindshare, Maxus and tenthavenue. Its other segments are Data Investment Management (formerly Consumer Insight), where its operations are conducted through the Kantar Group; Public Relations & Public Affairs, where it operates through well-known companies such as Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and Ogilvy Public Relations; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications, where its operations are conducted by B to D Group, ghg, Wunderman, Sudler & Hennessey, OgilvyOne Worldwide, Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide, Geometry Global, 24/7 Media, POSSIBLE, AKQA and other companies.

The Group’s executive office is located at 27 Farm Street, London, W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom, Tel: (44) (0)20 7408 2204, and WPP plc’s registered office is located at Queensway House, Hilgrove Street, St Helier, Jersey JE1 1ES.

The Issuer

WPP Finance 2010 was incorporated on October 26, 2010 and is a private unlimited liability company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (company number 07419716). It is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of WPP plc.

The Guarantors

WPP plc was incorporated on October 25, 2012 as a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Jersey (company number 111714) and became the ultimate parent of the Group on January 2, 2013 in connection with the redomiciliation of the Group to the United Kingdom for UK income tax purposes.

WPP Jubilee Limited was incorporated on November 8, 2012 as a private limited company in England and Wales (company number 08286875). WPP Jubilee Limited’s registered office is located at 27 Farm Street, London, W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom. It is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of WPP plc.

WPP 2005 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc) was incorporated on March 1, 1971 and is now a private limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (company number 01003653). WPP 2005 Limited’s registered office is located at Pennypot Industrial Estate, Hythe, Kent, CT21 6PE, United Kingdom. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited. WPP 2005 Limited was the ultimate parent of the Group until October 25, 2005.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise disclosed in connection with a particular offering of securities in a prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the debt securities for general corporate purposes of the Group, including funding working capital and capital expenditures, possible acquisitions and, subject to market conditions, repayment of debt.

 

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EXCHANGE RATES

The annual average of the daily Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rate for U.K. work days for pounds sterling expressed in U.S. dollars for each of the five years ended December 31, 2012 was:

 

Year ended December 31,

   Average  

2008

     1.8524   

2009

     1.5667   

2010

     1.5461   

2011

     1.6032   

2012

     1.5852   

The following table sets forth, for each of the most recent six completed months and the current month, the high and low Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rates. As of November 5, 2013, the Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rate was £1.00 = U.S.$1.6034.

 

Period

   High      Low  

May 2013

     1.5575         1.5051   

June 2013

     1.5694         1.5174   

July 2013

     1.5381         1.4858   

August 2013

     1.5691         1.5125   

September 2013

     1.6183         1.5477   

October 2013

     1.6240         1.5922   

November 2013 (through November 5, 2013)

     1.6034         1.5921   

There can be no assurance that the pound sterling will depreciate or appreciate significantly in the future.

 

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RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The data presented below is derived from the financial statements included in the documents incorporated by reference and other financial information previously filed with the SEC as part of WPP plc’s and its predecessors’ Annual Reports on Form 20-F. WPP plc prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.

The following table sets forth WPP plc’s and its predecessors’ consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008. The table should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and other financial information included in the documents incorporated by reference.

 

     Six months ended
June 30,
     Year ended
December 31,
 
         2013              2012          2012      2011      2010      2009      2008  
(£ millions, except ratio information)                                                 

EARNINGS

                    

Profit before taxation (excluding share of results of associates)

     399.5         329.7         1,022.5         942.3         796.1         605.6         700.8   

Dividend from associates

     23.0         25.3         44.7         57.2         53.3         45.5         44.6   

Interest expense(1)

     132.9         125.8         258.5         253.4         230.9         309.3         280.5   

Interest component of rent expense(2)

     82.9         76.7         154.5         151.2         147.3         144.8         108.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Earnings

     638.3         557.5         1,480.2         1,404.1         1,227.6         1,105.2         1,134.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

FIXED CHARGES

                    

Interest expense(1)

     132.9         125.8         258.5         253.4         230.9         309.3         280.5   

Interest component of rent expense(2)

     82.9         76.7         154.5         151.2         147.3         144.8         108.4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fixed Charges

     215.8         202.5         413.0         404.6         378.2         454.1         388.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     2.96x         2.75x         3.58x         3.47x         3.25x         2.43x         2.92x   

 

(1) Interest expense excludes interest on pension plans liabilities and revaluation of financial instruments accounted for at fair value through profit and loss.
(2) The interest component of rent expense is one-third of rent expense as representative of the interest portion of rentals.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

The following section summarizes general terms that are common to all series of debt securities to be offered and sold pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part by WPP Finance 2010, the Issuer, and guaranteed by WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited, the Guarantors, and to the indenture under which such securities are issued, unless otherwise indicated in this section or in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series. We will describe the specific terms of each series of securities we offer in a supplement to this prospectus.

Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities, guarantees and the indenture. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the indenture, including the definition of various terms used in the indenture. For example, this prospectus describes the meanings of only the more important terms that have been given special meanings in the indenture.

The indenture and its associated documents, including the debt securities we are offering, contain the full legal text of the matters summarized in this section. We have filed a copy of the indenture with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Upon request, we will provide you with a copy of the indenture. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information concerning how to obtain a copy.

In this section, references to “debt securities” include both the debt securities and the related guarantees, except where otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires. References to “holders” mean persons who have debt securities registered in their names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company or in debt securities registered in street name. Owners of beneficial interests in debt securities should refer to “Form of Securities, Clearing and Settlement.” The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this section are set forth below under “—Definitions.”

The debt securities will be issued in one or more series. The following discussion of provisions of the debt securities and the guarantees, including, among others, the discussion of provisions described under “—Optional Redemption and Optional Repurchase”, “—Events of Default and Remedies”, “—Modification and Waiver” and “—Defeasance” below, applies to individual series of debt securities.

General

Indenture

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture (as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “indenture”). The indenture is an agreement among the Issuer, WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited, as guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “trustee”); and Citibank, N.A. as “security registrar” and “paying agent.”

The trustee, security registrar and paying agent, as applicable, have the following two main roles:

 

   

First, the trustee can enforce your rights against the Issuer if it defaults in respect of the debt securities and against a Guarantor if it defaults in respect of its guarantee. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which are described under “—Events of Default and Remedies.”

 

   

Second, the trustee, security registrar or paying agent, as applicable, performs administrative duties for us, such as making interest payments and sending notices to holders of debt securities.

The indenture does not contain any financial covenants and, accordingly, holders of debt securities issued under the indenture will not benefit from any financial covenants unless otherwise indicated in the applicable

 

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prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor (or any of their subsidiaries) will be restricted under the indenture from paying dividends or issuing or repurchasing securities or from incurring additional indebtedness in the future.

Guarantees

The Guarantors will guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and punctual payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, additional amounts and any other amounts that may become due and payable by the Issuer in respect of a series of debt securities and under the indenture. Each of the guarantees will be full and unconditional subject to the possible release or replacement of such guarantee upon certain mergers, consolidations or sales of all or substantially all of a Guarantor’s properties and assets or upon the satisfaction or defeasance of a series of debt securities. If the Issuer fails to pay any such amount, the Guarantors will immediately pay the amount that is due and required to be paid.

If any direct or indirect parent of WPP plc, or any of WPP plc’s subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor, or any other subsidiary of any Parent Guarantor, becomes a guarantor under any of the Eurobonds, Sterling bonds or USA notes, then such guaranteeing entity shall become a guarantor of the debt securities. As used herein, the term “Eurobonds” means the €500 million of 5.25% bonds due January 2015 issued by WPP Finance S.A., the €600 million of 4.375% bonds due December 2013 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc, and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc on December 14, 2012) and the €750 million of 6.625% bonds due in 2016 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc, and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc on December 14, 2012); the term “Sterling bonds” means the £400 million of 6% bonds due April 2017 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc, and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc on December 14, 2012) and the £200 million of 6.375% bonds due November 2020 issued by WPP Finance S.A.; and the term “USA notes” means the U.S.$369 million of 5.875% notes due June 2014 issued by WPP Finance (UK), the U.S.$600 million of 8% senior notes due September 2014 issued by WPP Finance (UK), the approximately U.S.$812.4 million of 4.75% senior notes due November 2021 issued by the Issuer, the U.S.$500 million of 3.625% senior notes due September 2022 issued by the Issuer, and U.S.$300 million of 5.125% senior notes due 2042 issued by the Issuer. Except as provided below, none of (i) Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited and a guarantor of the U.S.$369 million of 5.875% notes due June 2014 issued by WPP Finance (UK), (ii) WPP 2012 Limited, a substantially wholly owned direct subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited (and wholly owned within the Group) and a guarantor of the Sterling bonds and the USA notes, (iii) WPP Air 1 Limited, a substantially wholly owned direct subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited (and wholly owned within the Group) and a guarantor of the Sterling bonds and the USA notes, (iv) WPP Air 3 Limited, a substantially wholly owned direct subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited (and wholly owned within the Group) and a guarantor of the Eurobonds and Sterling Bonds, or (v) WPP 2008 Limited, a wholly owned direct subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited and a guarantor of the Sterling bonds and the USA notes will be required to become a guarantor of any notes issued and sold under the indenture. As of the date of this prospectus, none of WPP 2012 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP Air 1 Limited, or WPP Air 3 Limited had total assets of more than U.S.$6 million and the Parent Guarantor will covenant that in the event that any such company owns more than U.S.$10 million of total assets, such will be required to guarantee the notes.

Ranking of Debt Securities and Guarantees

WPP plc is a holding company and its principal assets are shares that it holds in its subsidiaries. The debt securities will not be secured by any of the Issuer’s assets or properties. As a result, by owning the debt securities, you will be one of the Issuer’s unsecured creditors. The debt securities will not be subordinated to any of the Issuer’s other unsecured debt obligations. In the event of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding against the Issuer, the debt securities would rank equally in right of payment with all of the Issuer’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

 

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The Guarantors’ guarantees of the debt securities will not be secured by any of their assets or properties. As a result, if the Guarantors are required to pay under the guarantees, holders of the debt securities would be unsecured creditors of the Guarantors. The guarantees will not be subordinated to any of the Guarantors’ other unsecured debt obligations. In the event of a bankruptcy or liquidation proceeding against any of the Guarantors, the guarantees would rank equally in right of payment with all of such Guarantor’s other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited are holding companies and currently conduct all of their operations through their subsidiaries. None of the subsidiaries of WPP plc other than the Issuer and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors will have any obligations with respect to the debt securities unless other entities become guarantors. As a result, the debt securities and guarantees will be effectively subordinated to claims of creditors (including trade creditors and preferred stockholders, if any) of each of the subsidiaries other than the Issuer and the existing Subsidiary Guarantors and any other entities that become Subsidiary Guarantors.

Stated Maturity and Maturity

The day on which the principal amount of the debt securities is scheduled to become due is called the “stated maturity” of the principal of such debt securities. The principal of the debt securities may become due before its stated maturity by reason of redemption, repurchase or acceleration after a default. The day on which the principal of the debt securities actually becomes due, whether at its stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal of the debt securities.

We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the dates when interest payments become due. For example, we may refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment. When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of the debt securities without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal of the debt securities.

Form and Denominations

The debt securities will be issued only in registered form without coupons and in denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except in limited circumstances, the debt securities will be issued in the form of global debt securities. See “Form of Securities, Clearing and Settlement.”

Further Issues

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Issuer reserves the right, from time to time without the consent of holders of a series of debt securities, to issue additional debt securities of the same series on terms and conditions identical to those of the debt securities, which additional debt securities will increase the aggregate principal amount of, and will be consolidated and form a single series with, such debt securities.

Payment Provisions

Payments on the Debt Securities

The Issuer will pay interest on the debt securities on the interest payment dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement and at maturity. Each payment of interest due on an interest payment date or at maturity will include interest accrued from and including the last date to which interest has been paid or made available for payment, or from the issue date, if none has been paid or made available for payment, to but excluding the relevant payment date.

 

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For interest due on a debt security on an interest payment date, the Issuer will pay the interest to the holder in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date relating to the interest payment date. For interest due at maturity but on a day that is not an interest payment date, the Issuer will pay the interest to the person or entity entitled to receive the principal of the debt security. For principal due on a debt security at maturity, the Issuer will pay the amount to the holder of the debt security against surrender of the debt security at the proper place of payment.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Issuer will compute interest on debt securities bearing interest at a fixed rate on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

The regular record dates relating to the interest payment dates for any debt security will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Payments of principal and interest in respect of the debt securities are subject in all cases to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto.

Payments on Debt Securities in Global Form. For debt securities issued in global form, the Issuer will make payments on the debt securities in accordance with the applicable policies of The Depository Trust Company or other depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, the Issuer will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in a global debt security. An indirect holder’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

Payments on Debt Securities in Certificated Form. For debt securities issued in certificated form, the Issuer will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at the holder’s address shown on the trustee’s or the security registrar’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date, and the Issuer will make all other payments by check to the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check may be made in next-day funds, that is, funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed. If the Issuer issues debt securities in certificated form, holders of debt securities in certificated form will be able to receive payments of principal and interest on their debt securities at the office of the Issuer’s paying agent maintained in New York City.

Payment When Offices Are Closed

If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, the Issuer will make the payment on the day that is the next business day. Payments postponed to the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date. Postponement of this kind will not result in a default under the debt securities, guarantees or the indenture. No interest will accrue on the postponed amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

“Business day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City or London generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

Paying Agents

If the Issuer issues debt securities in certificated form, the Issuer may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as its paying agents, at whose designated offices the debt securities may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. The Issuer may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time to time, provided

 

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that if any debt securities are issued in certificated form, so long as such debt securities are outstanding, the Issuer will maintain a paying agent in New York City. The Issuer may also choose to act as its own paying agent. Initially, the Issuer has appointed Citibank, N.A. as principal paying agent and Citibank, N.A., London Branch as a paying agent. The Issuer must notify you of changes in the paying agents as described under “—Notices” below.

The Issuer will undertake to maintain a paying agent having offices in at least one major European city and a paying agent in a member state of the European Union that is not obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive.

Unclaimed Payments

All money paid by the Issuer or a Guarantor to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to the Issuer or such Guarantor. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to the Issuer and the Guarantors for payment and not to the trustee, any paying agent or anyone else.

Payment of Additional Amounts

All payments in respect of the debt securities of a series and the related guarantees shall be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, levies, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (“taxes”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of (i) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or any of the Guarantors is incorporated or resident (or deemed for tax purposes to be resident), (ii) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or any Guarantor makes payment on the debt securities or the guarantees, or (iii) the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (each, an “applicable taxing jurisdiction”), unless such taxes are required by the applicable taxing jurisdiction to be withheld or deducted. In that event, the Issuer or the Guarantors will pay by way of additional interest on the debt securities of such series such additional amounts of, or in respect of, principal, premium, if any, and interest (“additional amounts”) as will result (after deduction of such taxes and any additional taxes payable in respect of such additional amounts) in the payment to each holder of the debt securities of such series of the amounts that would have been payable in respect of such debt security or guarantee had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no additional amounts shall be so payable for or on account of:

(1) any taxes that would not have been imposed but for the fact that such holder:

(a) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the applicable taxing jurisdiction or otherwise had some connection with the applicable taxing jurisdiction other than the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such debt security or guarantee;

(b) presented (if presentation is required) such debt security or guarantee for payment in the applicable taxing jurisdiction, unless such debt security or guarantee could not have been presented for payment in another member state of the European Union; or

(c) presented (if presentation is required) such debt security or guarantee, as the case may be, more than 30 days after the date on which the payment in respect of such debt security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the holder would have been entitled to such additional amounts if it had presented such debt security or guarantee for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(2) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar taxes;

 

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(3) any taxes that are payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of, or in respect of, principal, premium, if any, or interest on such debt security or guarantee, as the case may be;

(4) any taxes that are imposed or withheld by reason of the failure to comply by the holder or the beneficial owner of a debt security of such series with a request from the Issuer or any Guarantor addressed to the holder and received by such holder at least thirty (30) days prior to the first payment date with respect to which such information is required (a) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the holder or such beneficial owner or (b) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (a) or (b), is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the applicable taxing jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(5) any tax imposed on a payment to an individual and required to be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive;

(6) any taxes payable by or on behalf of a holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant debt security of such series or related guarantee to another paying agent in a member state of the European Union;

(7) any taxes payable pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto; or

(8) any combination of items (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7);

nor shall additional amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such debt security or guarantee to any holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the applicable taxing jurisdiction to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settler with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such additional amounts had it been the holder of the debt security.

Whenever there is mentioned, in any context, the payment in respect of the debt securities of a series or the related guarantees, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of additional amounts provided for in the indenture to the extent that, in such context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the indenture.

Redemption and Optional Repurchase

The Issuer will not be permitted to redeem the debt securities of a series before their stated maturity, except as set forth below. The debt securities will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund—meaning that we will not deposit money on a regular basis into any separate account to repay your debt securities. In addition, you will not be entitled to require the Issuer or the Guarantors to repurchase your debt securities from you before their stated maturity, except as set forth below.

Optional Redemption

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Issuer will be entitled, at its option, to redeem some or all of the outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time at the redemption price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities of a series are redeemable only on or after a specified date or upon the satisfaction of additional conditions, the prospectus supplement will specify the date or describe the conditions. In each case the Issuer will also pay you accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. Debt securities of a series will stop bearing interest on the redemption date, even if you do not collect your money.

 

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Tax Redemption

If as the result of any change in or any amendment to the laws, regulations or published tax rulings of the applicable taxing jurisdiction affecting taxation, or any change in the official administration, application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or published tax rulings either generally or in relation to the debt securities or the guarantees, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the original issue date of the debt securities of a series, it is determined by the Issuer and the Guarantors that the Issuer or a Guarantor (x) would be required to pay any additional amounts pursuant to the indenture or the terms of any debt security of such series or related guarantee in respect of interest on the next succeeding interest payment date (assuming, in the case of a Guarantor, a payment in respect of such interest was required to be made by such Guarantor under its guarantee thereof on such interest payment date), and (y) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to the Issuer or such Guarantor (including by having payments with respect to the debt securities or guarantees made by the Issuer or a Guarantor that would not be required to pay any additional amounts), the Issuer may, at its option, redeem all (but not less than all) the debt securities of such series at any time following such an event, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice as provided in the indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest and additional amounts, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that (a) no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 60 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer or such Guarantor would be obligated to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the debt securities of such series or related guarantees, as the case may be, then due and (b) at the time any such redemption notice is given, such obligation to pay such additional amounts must remain in effect. Prior to the giving of any notice of redemption pursuant to this paragraph, the Issuer shall deliver to the trustee (i) an opinion of an independent legal adviser of recognized standing in the relevant jurisdiction to the effect that the Issuer or a Guarantor would be required to pay additional amounts on the next payment in respect of the debt securities of such series and (ii) an officers’ certificate to the effect that such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or such Guarantor, taking reasonable measures available to the Issuer or the Guarantor, and the trustee shall be entitled to accept such opinion and officers’ certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out above in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the holders of the debt securities.

If (1) the Issuer or the Guarantors shall have on any date (the “succession date”) consolidated with or merged into, or conveyed or transferred or leased all or substantially all of the Issuer’s or the Guarantors’ properties and assets to any successor person (as defined in the indenture) that is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction in which the Issuer or any Guarantor is organized, (2) as the result of any change in or any amendment to the laws, regulations or published tax rulings of such jurisdiction of organization, or of any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, affecting taxation, or any change in the official administration, application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or published tax rulings either generally or in relation to any particular series of debt securities or related guarantees, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the succession date, such successor person would be required to pay any additional amounts pursuant to the indenture or the terms of the debt securities of such series or the related guarantees in respect of interest on any debt securities on the next succeeding interest payment date, and (3) such obligation cannot be avoided by the successor person taking reasonable measures available to it, the Issuer or such successor person may at the Issuer’s or such successor person’s option, redeem all (but not less than all) of the debt securities of such series, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice as provided in the indenture, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption and additional amounts, if any; provided, however, that (1) no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 60 days prior to the earliest date on which a successor person would be obligated to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the debt securities or the related guarantees, as the case may be, then due, and (2) at the time any such redemption notice is given, such obligation to pay such additional amounts must remain in effect. Prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to all holders of the debt securities pursuant to this paragraph, the successor person shall deliver to the trustee (i) an opinion of an independent legal adviser of recognized standing in the

 

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relevant jurisdiction to the effect that such successor person would be required to pay additional amounts on the next payment in respect of the debt securities and (ii) an officers’ certificate to the effect that such obligation cannot be avoided by the successor person taking reasonable measures available to it, and the trustee shall be entitled to accept such opinion and officers’ certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out above in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the holders of the debt securities.

Optional Repurchase

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders will be entitled, at their option, to require the Issuer to repurchase some or all of their outstanding debt securities of a series from time to time at the repurchase price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If the debt securities are subject to repurchase only on or after a specified date or upon the satisfaction of additional conditions, the prospectus supplement will specify the date or describe the conditions. In each case the Issuer will also pay you accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date. Debt securities as to which repurchase rights are exercised will stop bearing interest on the repurchase date, even if you do not collect your money.

Covenants

The following covenants will apply to WPP plc and its Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined below) for so long as any debt security remains outstanding. These covenants restrict WPP plc’s ability and the ability of these subsidiaries to enter into certain transactions. However, these covenants do not limit the ability of any entity to incur indebtedness or require compliance with financial ratios or the maintenance of specified levels of net worth or liquidity.

Negative Pledge

Pursuant to the indenture, for so long as any of the debt securities remain outstanding, WPP plc will not, and will not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, suffer or permit to subsist any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest (each, a “Security Interest” and, collectively, “Security Interests”) on the whole or any part of our or their respective present or future assets (other than Permitted Security Interests) without making effective provision whereby all the debt securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with the obligation secured by such Security Interest.

If, as provided above under “—Guarantees”, a direct or indirect parent of WPP plc becomes a Guarantor of the debt securities, then the foregoing covenant shall cease to have effect and it shall be replaced by a covenant providing that, for so long as any of the debt securities remain outstanding, the Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, suffer or permit to subsist any Security Interest on the whole or any part of our or their respective present or future assets (other than Permitted Security Interests) without making effective provision whereby all the debt securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with the obligation secured by such Security Interest.

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

Pursuant to the indenture, for so long as any of the debt securities remain outstanding, WPP plc will not, and will not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries), or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by WPP plc or such Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any assets that have been owned by WPP plc or any Restricted Subsidiary for more than 270 days and which have been or are to be sold or transferred by WPP plc or any Restricted Subsidiary to such lender or investor or, as a part of such arrangement, to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such assets (a “sale and leaseback transaction”) unless WPP plc or such Restricted Subsidiary, applies within one year after the sale or transfer will have been made by

 

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WPP plc or such Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the assets sold and leased back pursuant to such arrangement (a) to the retirement of Indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries which by its terms matures at, or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to, a date more than 12 months after the date of incurring, assuming or guaranteeing such Indebtedness or (b) to investment in any of WPP plc’s assets or the assets any of our Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, WPP plc or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to their respective assets in addition to those permitted above; provided, however, that at the time of entering into such sale and leaseback transactions and after giving effect thereto, WPP plc or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled pursuant to any Permitted Security Interests to create, suffer or permit to subsist a Security Interest on such assets without making effective provision whereby all the debt securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness.

If, as provided above under “—Guarantees”, a direct or indirect parent of WPP plc becomes a Guarantor of the debt securities, then the foregoing covenant shall cease to have effect and it shall be replaced by a covenant providing that, for so long as any of the debt securities remain outstanding, the Parent Guarantor will not, and it will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries), or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by the Parent Guarantor or any such Restricted Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any assets which have been owned by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for more than 270 days and which have been or are to be sold or transferred by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such lender or investor or, as a part of such arrangement, to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such assets (a “sale and leaseback transaction”) unless the Parent Guarantor applies or such Restricted Subsidiary, within one year after the sale or transfer will have been made by the Parent Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the assets sold and leased back pursuant to such arrangement (a) to the retirement of Indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which by its terms matures at, or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to, a date more than 12 months after the date of incurring, assuming or guaranteeing such Indebtedness or (b) to investment in any assets of the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to its or their respective assets in addition to those permitted above; provided, however, that at the time of entering into such sale and leaseback transactions and after giving effect thereto, the Parent Guarantor or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled pursuant to any Permitted Security Interests to create, suffer or permit to subsist a Security Interest on such assets without making effective provision whereby all the debt securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with such Indebtedness.

Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease

The indenture provides that for so long as any of the debt securities are outstanding, neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into any other person, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any person, unless:

 

  (i) any person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or to whom the Issuer or such Guarantor has conveyed, transferred or leased all or substantially all of its properties and assets is a corporation, partnership, trust, company or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United Kingdom or any jurisdiction thereof, Jersey, any jurisdiction included from time to time in the European Union (or its successors), the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and such person expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the trustee, the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s obligations on the debt securities or the guarantees, as the case may be, and under the indenture (including any obligation to pay any additional amounts and, in the case of a Guarantor, the performance or observation of its guarantees);

 

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  (ii) in the case of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease by the Issuer or any Guarantor, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;

 

  (iii) any such person, or any Parent of such person, shall expressly agree by a supplemental indenture, among other things, to indemnify the holder of each debt security against (a) any tax, duty, levy, assessment or governmental charge imposed on such holder or required to be withheld or deducted from any payment to such holder as a consequence of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and (b) any costs or expenses of the act of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease; and

 

  (iv) certain other conditions are met.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not apply to any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of any entity to the extent that the person to which such properties or assets are conveyed, transferred or leased is a Guarantor of the debt securities or becomes a guarantor of the debt securities concurrent with any such conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of our or its properties and assets, or is a wholly-owned subsidiary of any such Guarantor or person who so becomes a guarantor.

Provision of Information

WPP plc or any successor Parent Guarantor will furnish the trustee with copies of its annual report and the information, documents and other reports that it is required to file with or furnish to the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act, including annual reports on Form 20-F and reports on Form 6-K or copies of the information included in such reports on Form 6-K (or annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, if the reporting person is not a foreign private issuer). In addition, to the extent that such reports are not available on the SEC’s website or the website of WPP plc or any successor Parent Guarantor, then such entity will make the same information, documents and other reports available, at its expense, to holders who so request in writing.

If any of WPP plc’s executive officers becomes aware that a default or event of default or an event that with notice or the lapse of time would be an event of default has occurred and is continuing, as the case may be, WPP plc will also file a certificate with the trustee describing the details thereof and the action we are taking or propose to take.

For so long as the debt securities are listed on a securities exchange, WPP plc or any Parent Guarantor will make any reports or other information supplied to the trustee pursuant to this covenant available at the office of WPP plc’s paying agent or transfer agent in the jurisdiction where such exchange is located and will notify such exchange of the occurrence of any event of default and, prior to publication of notice of such event of default in the jurisdiction where such exchange is located, submit a draft of the notice to such exchange.

Definitions

“Indebtedness” means any indebtedness of any person for money borrowed, whether incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and including obligations under capitalized leases.

“Permitted Security Interests” means:

(1) Security Interests arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business including, without limitation, statutory liens and encumbrances;

(2) any Security Interest over the assets and/or revenues of a company which became or becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a Guarantor after the date of the indenture and which Security Interest is in existence or contracted to be given as at the date it becomes a Subsidiary (and which was not created in contemplation of it becoming a Subsidiary);

 

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(3) those Security Interests existing at the date of the indenture;

(4) Security Interests securing the performance of bids, tenders, bonds, leases, contracts (other than in respect of Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of like nature (but not including obligations in respect of Indebtedness) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(5) Security Interests arising out of judgments or awards which are being contested in good faith and with respect to which an appeal or proceeding for review has been instituted or the time for doing so has not yet expired;

(6) Security Interests upon any property which are created or incurred contemporaneously with the acquisition of such property to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property (but no other amounts); provided that any such Security Interest shall not apply to any other property of the purchaser thereof;

(7) any Security Interest arising out of title retention provisions in a supplier’s conditions of supply of goods or services acquired by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(8) any right of any bank or financial institution of combination or consolidation of accounts or right to set-off or transfer any sum or sums standing to the credit of any account (or appropriate any securities held by such bank or financial institution) in or towards satisfaction of any present or future liabilities to that bank or financial institution;

(9) any Security Interest securing Indebtedness re-financing Indebtedness secured by Security Interests permitted by clauses (2), (3) or (6) above or this clause (9); provided that the maximum principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Security Interests at the time of such refinancing is not increased and such Security Interests do not extend to any assets which were not subject to the Security Interests securing the refinanced Indebtedness;

(10) Security Interests in favor of WPP plc or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, after the time that the debt securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc, Security Interests in favor of the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) (a) any Security Interests created or outstanding on or over any of the assets of WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with an accounts receivable purchase facility, provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by such Security Interests permitted by this clause (11)(a) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on our consolidated financial statements) of WPP plc as reported at the most recent year-end or (b) after the time that the debt securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc (following which time clause (11)(a) shall cease to have effect), any Security Interests created or outstanding on or over any of the Parent Guarantor’s assets or the assets of any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with an accounts receivable purchase facility provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by such Security Interests permitted by this clause (11)(b) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on our consolidated financial statements) of the Parent Guarantor as reported at the most recent year-end (or if the Parent Guarantor did not file reports as of the most recent year-end, 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on our consolidated financial statements) of WPP plc as reported at the most recent year-end as reported by WPP plc); and

(12) (a) any other Security Interest created or outstanding on or over any of the assets of WPP plc or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by all such Security Interests permitted by this clause (12)(a) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed U.S.$40,000,000 or (b) after the time that the debt securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc (following which time clause (12)(a) shall cease to have effect), any other Security Interest created

 

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or outstanding on or over any of the Parent Guarantor’s assets or the assets of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by all such Security Interests permitted by this clause (12)(b) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed U.S.$40,000,000.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenue shall have exceeded 5% of the consolidated revenues of WPP plc and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year or any other Subsidiary designated by WPP plc from time to time as a Restricted Subsidiary in WPP plc’s sole discretion; provided, that after the time that the debt securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc, “Restricted Subsidiary” shall be any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenue shall have exceeded 5% of consolidated revenues of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year (or if the Parent Guarantor has existed for less than one year, 5% of the consolidated revenues of WPP plc and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year), or any other Subsidiary designated by the Parent Guarantor from time to time as a Restricted Subsidiary in the Parent Guarantor’s sole discretion.

Subsidiary” of a specified person means that specified person holds a majority of the voting rights in it, or is a member of it and has the right to appoint or remove a majority of its board of directors or is a member of it and controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders or members, a majority of the voting rights in it, or if it is a subsidiary of a company which is itself a subsidiary of that specified person.

Events of Default and Remedies

The following are events of default (“Events of Default”) under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of a series or to the related guarantees:

 

  (a) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any debt securities of such series when due;

 

  (b) failure to pay any interest (including additional amounts, if any) on any debt securities of such series when due, continued for 30 days;

 

  (c) failure by the Issuer or any Guarantor to perform any other covenant or warranty in the debt securities of such series or the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a different series of the debt securities) continued for 45 days after written notice has been given by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series, as provided in the indenture;

 

  (d) default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Guarantor in an amount in excess of U.S.$25,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies or currency units) which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness being accelerated prior to the date on which it would otherwise become due and payable, unless such indebtedness is discharged or such acceleration is rescinded or annulled within 10 days after written notice as provided in the indenture has been given by the trustee;

 

  (e) any guarantee of such series of debt securities is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any Guarantor, or any person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under the guarantees of such series of debt securities; and

 

  (f) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, examinership, reorganization, or désastre proceedings of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any of WPP plc’s “significant subsidiaries” (as defined in Regulation S-X under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended).

If an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of a series occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding by notice as provided in the indenture may declare the aggregate principal amount of all the debt securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment

 

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or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of amounts due solely because of such acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “—Modification and Waiver.”

An Event of Default for one series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under the indenture.

Subject to the provisions of the indenture relating to the duties of the trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of a series then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to such series of debt securities.

No holder of a debt security will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (1) such holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of such series, (2) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding have made written request, and such holder or holders have offered, to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it to institute such proceeding as trustee and (3) the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding, and has not received from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer. Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a holder of a debt security for the enforcement of payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest (including additional amounts, if any) on such debt security on or after the applicable due date specified in such debt security.

Modification and Waiver

Modifications and amendments of the indenture may be made by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the trustee with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series affected thereby; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected thereby, among other things:

 

  (1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or premium or interest (including additional amounts, if any), on, any debt securities of such series or change the obligation of the Issuer or the Guarantors to pay any additional amounts;

 

  (2) reduce the principal amount of, or rate of interest (or additional amounts, if any), on, or any premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase of, any debt securities of such series;

 

  (3) change the place of payment where, or the currency in which, any debt securities of such series or any premium or interest (including additional amounts, if any) thereon is payable;

 

  (4) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any debt securities of such series on or after the stated maturity or redemption or repurchase date;

 

  (5) reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of such series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults;

 

  (6)

change in any manner adverse to the holders of the outstanding debt securities of such series the terms and conditions of the obligations of any Guarantor under its guarantee in respect of the debt securities

 

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  of such series in respect of the due and punctual payment of the principal thereof and any premium or interest (including additional amounts, if any) thereon; or

 

  (7) modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver.

The indenture may also be modified or amended without the consent of holders of a series of debt securities, among other things:

 

  (1) to evidence the succession of another person to the Issuer or a Guarantor in accordance with certain requirements set forth in the indenture;

 

  (2) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of holders of such series of debt securities or to surrender any power conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor;

 

  (3) to add any Events of Default;

 

  (4) to add or to change provisions of the indenture to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, Registrable or not Registrable or uncertificated form;

 

  (5) to add to or change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (a) will not apply to any debt securities created prior thereto, (b) will not modify the rights of the holder of any such debt security with respect to such provision or (c) will only apply to future issuances;

 

  (6) to modify the restrictions on transferability of the debt securities of a series in order to comply with applicable law;

 

  (7) to secure the debt securities of such series or the related guarantees;

 

  (8) to establish the form or terms of other series of debt securities as permitted by the indenture;

 

  (9) to provide for successor or additional trustees;

 

  (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, provided such action shall not adversely affect the interests of any holders of such series of debt securities;

 

  (11) to conform the terms of such series of debt securities with the description thereof set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related term sheet;

 

  (12) to add one or more additional guarantors;

 

  (13) to amend the indenture to conform to the provisions of the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; or

 

  (14) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of such series of debt securities in any material respect.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of such series of debt securities, waive compliance by the Issuer and/or a Guarantor with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of such series of debt securities, waive any past default under the indenture and its consequences, except a default in the payment of principal of, premiums if any, or interest (including additional amounts, if any) on, any outstanding debt security of such series or in respect of a covenant or provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series.

Except in certain limited circumstances, the Issuer or a Guarantor will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of a series entitled to give or take

 

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any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the indenture. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by holders, such action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of such series on the record date. To be effective, such action must be taken by holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of such debt securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such shorter period as may be specified by the Issuer or a Guarantor, and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time.

Defeasance

The indenture provides that the Issuer and the Guarantors (i) will be deemed to have been discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of a series and the related guarantees (except for certain obligations to register the transfer of or exchange such debt securities, to replace stolen, lost, destroyed or mutilated notes) upon satisfaction of certain requirements (including, without limitation, providing such security or indemnity as the trustee and the Issuer may require), to maintain paying agents, to pay additional amounts and to hold certain moneys in trust for payment) or (ii) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the indenture (including those described under “—Covenants—Negative Pledge” and “—Covenants—Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” and certain other obligations under the indenture), in each case if the Issuer or a Guarantor deposits, in trust with the trustee or paying agent, as applicable, money in an amount, or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the indenture) that through the scheduled payment of principal and interest (including additional amounts, if any) in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the trustee, to pay all the principal of, and any premium and interest (including additional amounts, if any) on, the debt securities of such series on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of the indenture and such debt securities. In connection with exercising the option pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, the Issuer is required to deliver to the trustee (x) opinions of counsel stating that (a) the beneficial owners of the debt securities of such series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes or be subject to any taxes or recognize gain or loss for income tax purposes in the jurisdictions in which the Issuer is organized, resident or carries on business as a result of the exercise of such option and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax and income taxes, capital and other taxes, including withholding taxes, in such jurisdictions in the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised, which in the case of clause (i) must be based on a change in law or published ruling by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and (b) the deposit shall not result in the Issuer being deemed an “investment company” required to register under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (y) an officers’ certificate to the effect that debt securities of such series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of such deposit and (z) an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel as to compliance with all applicable conditions precedent provided for in the indenture relating to the defeasance of such debt securities.

Distributable Reserves Consent

Each holder will be deemed to consent to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any additional or successor Guarantor) applying to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order sanctioning a reduction in any of its share capital accounts including, without limitation, by re-characterizing any sum standing to the credit of a share premium account as a distributable reserve.

Notices

As long as debt securities of a series remain in global form, notices to be given to holders of such debt securities will be given to DTC, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. If the Issuer issues debt securities in certificated form, notices to be given to holders will be sent by mail to the

 

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respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s or the security registrar’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. For so long as any debt securities are listed on any securities exchange, the Issuer will publish such notices as may be required by the rules and regulations of such securities exchange.

Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

Governing Law

The indenture, the debt securities and the guarantees will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

Consent to Service of Process; Submission to Jurisdiction

The indenture will provide that the Issuer and the Guarantors will each appoint CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its authorized agent for service of process in any legal action or proceeding arising out of or in relation to the indenture, the debt securities or the guarantees brought in any Federal or state court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, New York, and the Issuer and the Guarantors will each irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts.

Currency Indemnity

The obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors under the debt securities of a series and the guarantees, respectively, will be discharged only to the extent that the relevant holder is able to purchase U.S. dollars with any other currency paid to that holder in accordance with any judgment or otherwise. If the holder cannot purchase U.S. dollars in the amount originally to be paid, the Issuer and the Guarantors will pay the difference. The holder, however, agrees that, if the amount of U.S. dollars purchased exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such holder, the holder will reimburse the excess to the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be. The holder will not be obligated to make this reimbursement if the Issuer or the Guarantors are in default of their respective obligations under the debt securities or the related guarantees.

Concerning the Trustee

Wilmington Trust, National Association has been appointed trustee under the indenture.

The indenture provides that the Issuer and the Guarantors will indemnify the trustee against any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or willful misconduct of the trustee in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust created by the indenture.

 

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FORM OF SECURITIES, CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT

Global Securities

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following information relates to the form, clearing and settlement of the debt securities.

The debt securities will be issued in global form, without interest coupons. Debt securities issued in global form will be represented, at least initially, by one or more global debt securities. Upon issuance, global securities will be deposited with the security registrar as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, known as DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. Ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be limited to persons who have accounts with DTC, whom we refer to as DTC participants, or persons who hold interests through DTC participants. We expect that, under procedures established by DTC, ownership of beneficial interests in each global security will be shown on, and transfer of ownership of those interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to interests of DTC participants) and the records of DTC participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the global securities).

Beneficial interests in the global securities may be credited within DTC to Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, on behalf of the owners of such interests. We refer to Euroclear S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme, Luxembourg, as “Euroclear” and “Clearstream,” respectively.

Investors may hold their interests in the global securities directly through DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in those systems.

Certificated Securities

Beneficial interests in a global security may not be exchanged for securities in physical, certificated form unless:

 

   

DTC notifies us at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the global securities and a successor depository is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days;

 

   

we, at our option, notify the trustee and the security registrar that we elect to cause the issuance of certificated securities; or

 

   

certain other events provided in the indenture occur, including the occurrence and continuance of an event of default with respect to the securities.

In all cases, certificated securities delivered in exchange for any global security will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by the depositary.

Exchanges Between Certificated Securities

You may transfer or exchange a certificated security or replace any lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed certificated security for a new certificated security of like tenor and principal amount upon surrender at the office of the security registrar, together with a form of transfer duly completed and executed and any other evidence that the security registrar may reasonably require; provided that all transfers, exchanges and replacements must be effected in accordance with the indenture and the supplemental indenture. In the case of a transfer of only part of a certificated security, a new certificated security will be issued to the transferee in respect of the part transferred and a further new certificated security in respect of the balance of the original certificated security not transferred will be issued to the transferor.

 

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Book-Entry Procedures for Global Securities

The following descriptions of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided to you solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to change from time to time. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge you to contact the systems or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participating organizations, known as participants, and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between participants through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of its participants. The participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. These persons are known as indirect participants. Persons who are not participants or indirect participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through participants or indirect participants. The ownership interest and transfer of ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of participants and indirect participants.

DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

 

   

upon deposit of global securities, DTC will credit, on its internal system, the accounts of participants with portions of the principal amount of such global securities, and

 

   

ownership of the interests in such global securities will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of the interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC, in the case of participants, or by participants and indirect participants, in the case of other owners of beneficial interests in such global securities.

You may hold interests in a global security directly through DTC, if you are a participant in that system, or indirectly through organizations, including Euroclear and Clearstream, which are participants in that system. All interests in a global security, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC.

The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery of the debt securities that they own. Consequently, your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security to others may be limited. Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants and certain banks, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a global security to pledge such interests to persons or entities that do not participate in the depositary system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

As long as DTC or its nominee is the registered holder of a global security, DTC or its nominee will be considered the sole owner and holder of the debt securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the indenture and the debt securities. Except as described above, if you hold a book-entry interest in a global security, you:

 

   

will not have debt securities registered in your name;

 

   

will not receive physical delivery of the debt securities in certificated form; and

 

   

will not be considered the registered owner or holder of the interest in the global security under the indenture or the debt securities.

DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of the debt securities:

 

   

only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account with DTC interests in the global securities are credited; and

 

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only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities as to which the participant in question has given such direction.

If there is an event of default under the debt securities, however, DTC reserves the right to exchange the global security for legended securities in certificated form, and to distribute these debt securities to its participants.

Although we expect that DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream will follow the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of beneficial interests in the global securities among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued at any time. Neither we nor the trustee or security registrar will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream or their respective participants or indirect participants of their obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations, which may include:

 

   

maintaining, supervising and reviewing the records related to payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the global securities, and

 

   

any other action taken by any such depositary, participant or indirect participant.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

At the time of offering any securities, we will supplement the following summary of the plan of distribution with a description of the offering, including the particular terms and conditions thereof, set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to those securities.

We may sell securities: (1) through underwriters or dealers; (2) directly to one or a limited number of institutional purchasers; or (3) through agents. Each prospectus supplement with respect to a series of securities will set forth the terms of the offering of those securities, including the name or names of any underwriters or agents, the price of such securities and the net proceeds to us from such sale, any underwriting discounts, commissions or other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation, any discount or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchanges on which those securities may be listed.

If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices to be determined at the time of sale. We may offer the securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates of investment banking firms represented by managing underwriters, or directly through one or more such investment banking firms or others, as designated. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered thereby if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We may sell securities either directly to one or more institutional purchasers, or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain specified institutions to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement plus accrued interest, if any, pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on one or more specified dates in the future. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and saving banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all such cases we must approve such institutions. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in such prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

Agents and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents or underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.

Agents and underwriters may engage in transactions with us or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part by reference from WPP plc’s Annual Report on Form 20-F and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

Allen & Overy LLP will pass upon certain legal matters under New York law and English law for us regarding the debt securities and guarantees. Mourant Ozannes will pass upon certain legal matters under Jersey law for us regarding the guarantees of WPP plc.

 

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ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES

WPP Finance 2010 is a private unlimited liability company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. WPP plc is a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of Jersey. WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited are private limited liability companies incorporated under the laws of England and Wales. Some of the directors and officers of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and certain of the experts named herein, reside outside of the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ assets are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for investors to effect service of process within the United States against the Issuer and the Guarantors or their respective directors and officers and certain experts or to enforce against any of them judgments, including those obtained in original actions or in actions to enforce judgments of the U.S. courts, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws.

The Issuer and the Guarantors have expressly submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. federal or state courts sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York for the purpose of any suit, action or procedure to enforce the debt securities or the related guarantees and have appointed CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011 to accept service of process in any such action.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus is part of a registration statement for debt securities and guarantees, including exhibits, that we have filed with the SEC on Form F-3 under the Securities Act. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. Statements made in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. We have filed certain of these documents as exhibits to our registration statement and we refer you to those documents. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

WPP plc files reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, with, and furnishes other information to, the SEC pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read and copy any materials filed with or furnished to the SEC at its Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any documents WPP plc files or furnishes electronically will be available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with or furnish to it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and certain later information that we file with or furnish to the SEC may automatically update and supersede earlier information filed with or furnished to the SEC or included in this prospectus or a prospectus supplement. We incorporate by reference the following documents:

 

   

WPP plc’s annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013 (SEC File No. 000-16350);

 

   

WPP plc’s interim report on Form 6-K for the six months ended June 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2013 (SEC File No. 000-16350);

 

   

any future annual reports on Form 20-F that WPP plc files with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and prior to the later of (i) the termination of the offering of the securities offered by this prospectus and (ii) if applicable, the date any underwriters stop offering securities; and

 

   

any future reports on Form 6-K that WPP plc furnishes to the SEC after the date of this prospectus that are identified in such reports as being incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

The Form 20-F may also be accessed via the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Where reference is made to a website in this prospectus, the contents of that website do not form part of this prospectus.

You may request a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus and that has not been delivered with this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at 27 Farm Street, London W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom, telephone (44) (0)20 7408 2204.

You should rely only on the information provided in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, as well as the information incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of the applicable document.

The consolidated financial statements of WPP plc for the year ended December 31, 2012 have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described above. Note 32 of the consolidated financial statements includes certain condensed consolidating financial information pertaining to the Issuer, the Guarantors and another subsidiary of WPP plc, Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings is a guarantor of other indebtedness of the Issuer and is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited with no operations or cash flows of its own and its sole assets are its interests in certain operating subsidiaries. The exclusion of the financial information of Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings has no financial impact on the columns presented in the condensed consolidating financial information relating to the Subsidiary Guarantors.

The unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of WPP plc for the six months ended June 30, 2013 have been incorporated by reference in this prospectus as described above. Note 22 of the unaudited consolidated interim financial statements includes certain condensed consolidating financial information pertaining to the Issuer, the Guarantors and another subsidiary of WPP plc, Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings is a guarantor of other indebtedness of the Issuer and is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WPP Jubilee Limited with no operations or cash flows of its own and its sole assets are its interests in certain operating subsidiaries. The exclusion of the financial information of Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings has no financial impact on the columns presented in the condensed consolidating financial information relating to the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 8. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Article 67 of WPP Finance 2010’s Articles of Association provides:

 

  “(a) Subject to paragraph (e), a relevant director of the company or of an associated company may be indemnified out of the company’s assets against:

 

  (i) any liability incurred by that director in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company or an associated company;

 

  (ii) any liability incurred by that director in connection with the activities of the company or an associated company in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 235(6) of the Companies Act);

 

  (iii) any other liability incurred by that director as an officer of the company or an associated company.

 

  (b) The company may fund the expenditure of a relevant director of the company or of any associated company for the purposes permitted under the Companies Act and may do anything to enable such relevant director to avoid incurring such expenditure as provided in the Companies Act.

 

  (c) No relevant director of the company or of any associated company shall be accountable to the company or the shareholders for any benefit provided pursuant to this article and the receipt of any such benefit shall not disqualify any person from being or becoming a director of the company.

 

  (d) The powers given by this article shall not limit any general powers of the company to grant indemnities, purchase and maintain insurance or provide funds (whether by way of loan or otherwise) to any person in connection with any legal or regulatory proceedings or applications for relief.

 

  (e) This article does not authorise any indemnity which would be prohibited or rendered void by any provision of the Companies Act or by any other provision of law.

 

  (f) In this article and in article 68:

 

  (i) companies are associated if one is a subsidiary of the other or both are subsidiaries of the same body corporate; and

 

  (ii) a relevant director means any director or former director of the company or of an associated company.”

References to the “Companies Act” in Article 67 above are to the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom including any statutory modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force.

Article 146 of WPP plc’s Articles of Association provides:

“As far as the legislation allows, the Company may:

 

  (a) indemnify any director of the Company (or of an associated body corporate) against any liability;

 

  (b) indemnify a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme for employees (or former employees) of the Company (or of an associated body corporate) against liability incurred in connection with the company’s activities as trustee of the scheme;

 

  (c) purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any director referred to in (a) or (b) above; and

 

  (d) provide any director referred to in (a) or (b) above with funds (whether by loan or otherwise) to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal, regulatory or civil proceedings or in connection with an application for relief (or to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure).

 

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The powers given by this article shall not limit any general powers of the Company to grant indemnities, purchase and maintain insurance or provide funds (whether by way of loan or otherwise) to any person in connection with any legal or regulatory proceedings or applications for relief.”

Article 52 of WPP Jubilee Limited’s Articles of Association provides:

 

  “(1) Subject to paragraph (2), a relevant director of the company or an associated company may be indemnified out of the company’s assets against—

 

  (a) any liability incurred by that director in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company or an associated company,

 

  (b) any liability incurred by that director in connection with the activities of the company or an associated company in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 235(6) of the Companies Act 2006),

 

  (c) any other liability incurred by that director as an officer of the company or an associated company.

 

  (2) This article does not authorise any indemnity which would be prohibited or rendered void by any provision of the Companies Acts or by any other provision of law.

 

  (3) In this article—

 

  (a) companies are associated if one is a subsidiary of the other or both are subsidiaries of the same body corporate, and

 

  (b) a “relevant director” means any director or former director of the company or an associated company.”

References to the “Companies Acts” in Article 52 above are to the company law provisions of the Companies Act 2006; Part 2 of the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004 (c. 27) (community interest companies), and the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 (c. 6) and the Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 9) that remain in force, in so far as they apply to WPP Jubilee Limited.

Article 69 of WPP 2005 Limited’s New Articles of Association provides:

 

  “(a) Subject to paragraph (e), a relevant director of the Company or of an associated company may be indemnified out of the Company’s assets against:

 

  (i) any liability incurred by that director in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the Company or an associated company;

 

  (ii) any liability incurred by that director in connection with the activities of the Company or an associated company in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme (as defined in section 235(6) of the Companies Act);

 

  (iii) any other liability incurred by that director as an officer of the Company or an associated company.

 

  (b) The Company may fund the expenditure of a relevant director of the Company or of any associated company for the purposes permitted under the Companies Act and may do anything to enable such relevant director to avoid incurring such expenditure as provided in the Companies Act.

 

  (c) No relevant director of the Company or of any associated company shall be accountable to the Company or the shareholders for any benefit provided pursuant to this article and the receipt of any such benefit shall not disqualify any person from being or becoming a director of the Company.

 

  (d) The powers given by this article shall not limit any general powers of the Company to grant indemnities, purchase and maintain insurance or provide funds (whether by way of loan or otherwise) to any person in connection with any legal or regulatory proceedings or applications for relief.

 

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  (e) This article does not authorise any indemnity which would be prohibited or rendered void by any provision of the Companies Act or by any other provision of law.

 

  (f) In this article and in article 70:

 

  (i) companies are associated if one is a subsidiary of the other or both are subsidiaries of the same body corporate; and

 

  (ii) a relevant director means any director or former director of the Company or of an associated company.”

References to the “Companies Act” in Article 69 above are to the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom including any statutory modification or re-enactment of it for the time being in force.

Articles 77 and 212 of the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as amended), applicable to WPP plc, provide as follows:

“77. Indemnity of officers and former officers

 

  (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), any provision, whether contained in the articles of, or in a contract with, a company or otherwise, whereby the company or any of its subsidiaries or any other person, for some benefit conferred or detriment suffered directly or indirectly by the company, agrees to exempt any person from, or indemnify any person against, any liability which by law would otherwise attach to the person by reason of the fact that the person is or was an officer of the company shall be void.

 

  (2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a provision for exempting a person from or indemnifying the person against:

 

  (a) any liabilities incurred in defending any proceedings (whether civil or criminal)—

 

  (i) in which judgment is given in the person’s favour or the person is acquitted,

 

  (ii) which are discontinued otherwise than for some benefit conferred by the person or on the person’s behalf or some detriment suffered by the person, or

 

  (iii) which are settled on terms which include such benefit or detriment and, in the opinion of a majority of the directors of the company (excluding any director who conferred such benefit or on whose behalf such benefit was conferred or who suffered such detriment), the person was substantially successful on the merits in the person’s resistance to the proceedings;

 

  (b) any liability incurred otherwise than to the company if the person acted in good faith with a view to the best interests of the company;

 

  (c) any liability incurred in connection with an application made under Article 212 in which relief is granted to the person by the court; or

 

  (d) any liability against which the company normally maintains insurance for persons other than directors.

 

  (3) Nothing in this Article shall deprive a person of any exemption or indemnity to which the person was lawfully entitled in respect of anything done or omitted by the person before the coming into force of this Article.

 

  (4) This Article does not prevent a company from purchasing and maintaining for any such officer insurance against any such liability.”

“212 Power of court to grant relief in certain cases

 

  (1)

If in proceedings for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against an officer of a company or a person employed by a company as auditor it appears to the court that officer or person is

 

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  or may be liable in respect of the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, but that the person has acted honestly and that having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including those connected with his or her appointment) he or she ought fairly to be excused for the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, the court may relieve the person, either wholly or partly, from his or her liability on such terms as it thinks fit.

 

  (2) If an officer or person mentioned in paragraph (1) has reason to apprehend that a claim will or might be made against the person in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, he or she may apply to the court for relief; and the court on the application has the same power to relieve the person as it would have had if proceedings against him or her for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought.”

WPP plc maintains an insurance policy for its directors and officers in respect of liabilities arising from any act, error or omission while acting in their capacities as directors or officers of WPP plc or any associated company.

Sections 232—235 and Section 1157 of the Companies Act 2006 of the United Kingdom, applicable to WPP Finance 2010, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited, provide as follows:

“232 Provisions protecting directors from liability

 

  (1) Any provision that purports to exempt a director of a company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void.

 

  (2) Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of the company, or of an associated company, against any liability attaching to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director is void, except as permitted by—

 

  (a) section 233 (provision of insurance),

 

  (b) section 234 (qualifying third party indemnity provision), or

 

  (c) section 235 (qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision).

 

  (3) This section applies to any provision, whether contained in a company’s articles or in any contract with the company or otherwise.

 

  (4) Nothing in this section prevents a company’s articles from making such provision as has previously been lawful for dealing with conflicts of interest.”

“233 Provision of insurance

Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors) does not prevent a company from purchasing and maintaining for a director of the company, or of an associated company, insurance against any such liability as is mentioned in that subsection.”

“234 Qualifying third party indemnity provision

 

  (1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors) does not apply to qualifying third party indemnity provision.

 

  (2) Third party indemnity provision means provision for indemnity against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company.

 

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Such provision is qualifying third party indemnity provision if the following requirements are met.

 

  (3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against—

 

  (a) any liability of the director to pay—

 

  (i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or

 

  (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or

 

  (b) any liability incurred by the director—

 

  (i) in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted, or

 

  (ii) in defending civil proceedings brought by the company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him, or

 

  (iii) in connection with an application for relief (see subsection (6)) in which the court refuses to grant him relief.

 

  (4) The references in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief are to the final decision in the proceedings.

 

  (5) For this purpose—

 

  (a) a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief becomes final—

 

  (i) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or

 

  (ii) if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and

 

  (b) an appeal is disposed of—

 

  (i) if it is determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or

 

  (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.

 

  (6) The reference in subsection (3)(b)(iii) to an application for relief is to an application for relief under— section 661(3) or (4) (power of court to grant relief in case of acquisition of shares by innocent nominee), or section 1157 (general power of court to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct).”

“235 Qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision

 

  (1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors) does not apply to qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision.

 

  (2) Pension scheme indemnity provision means provision indemnifying a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme against liability incurred in connection with the company’s activities as trustee of the scheme.

Such provision is qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision if the following requirements are met.

 

  (3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against—

 

  (a) any liability of the director to pay—

 

  (i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or

 

  (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or

 

  (b) any liability incurred by the director in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted.

 

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  (4) The reference in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction is to the final decision in the proceedings.

 

  (5) For this purpose—

 

  (a) a conviction becomes final—

 

  (i) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or

 

  (ii) if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and

 

  (b) an appeal is disposed of—

 

  (i) if it is determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or

 

  (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.

 

  (6) In this section “occupational pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme as defined in section 150 (5) of the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12) that is established under a trust.”

“1157 Power of court to grant relief in certain cases

 

  (1) If in proceedings for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against—

 

  (a) an officer of a company, or

 

  (b) a person employed by a company as auditor (whether he is or is not an officer of the company),

it appears to the court hearing the case that the officer or person is or may be liable but that he acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including those connected with his appointment) he ought fairly to be excused, the court may relieve him, either wholly or in part, from his liability on such terms as it thinks fit.

 

  (2) If any such officer or person has reason to apprehend that a claim will or might be made against him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust—

 

  (a) he may apply to the court for relief, and

 

  (b) the court has the same power to relieve him as it would have had if it had been a court before which proceedings against him for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought.

 

  (3) Where a case to which subsection (1) applies is being tried by a judge with a jury, the judge, after hearing the evidence, may, if he is satisfied that the defendant (in Scotland, the defender) ought in pursuance of that subsection to be relieved either in whole or in part from the liability sought to be enforced against him, withdraw the case from the jury and forthwith direct judgment to be entered for the defendant (in Scotland, grant decree of absolvitor) on such terms as to costs (in Scotland, expenses) or otherwise as the judge may think proper.”

 

Item 9. Exhibits.

 

1.    Form of Underwriting Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of WPP Finance 2010’s registration statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-183695) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2012).
4.1    Form of Indenture among WPP Finance 2010, WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, Citibank, N.A., as security registrar and principal paying agent, and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as a paying agent.*
4.2    Form of debt security (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3    Form of guarantee (included in Exhibit 4.1).

 

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  5.1    Opinion of Allen & Overy LLP as to matters of US law.*
  5.2    Opinion of Allen & Overy LLP as to matters of English law.*
  5.3    Opinion of Mourant Ozannes as to matters of Jersey law.*
23.1    Consent of Deloitte LLP.*
23.2    Consent of Allen & Overy LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3    Consent of Allen & Overy LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
23.4    Consent of Mourant Ozannes (included in Exhibit 5.3).
24.1    Powers of attorney (included in the signature pages of this registration statement).
25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust, National Association.*

 

* Filed herewith

 

Item 10. Undertakings.

(a) Each of the undersigned registrants 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 set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in 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 SEC 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; and

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)i, (a)(1)ii and (a)(1)iii of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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;

(4) To file a post-effective amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements required by Item 8.A. of Form 20-F at the start of any delayed offering or throughout a continuous offering. Financial statements and information otherwise required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933

 

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need not be furnished, provided, that the registrant includes in the prospectus, by means of a post-effective amendment, financial statements required pursuant to this paragraph (a)(4) and other information necessary to ensure that all other information in the prospectus is at least as current as the date of those financial statements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a post-effective amendment need not be filed to include financial statements and information required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 or Item 8.A. of Form 20-F if such financial statements and information are contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement;

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of the registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section (10)(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; and

(6) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of a registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, such registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser: (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the registrant or used or referred to by the registrant; (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the registrant; and (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the registrant to the purchaser.

(b) Each of the undersigned registrants hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each of the registrants has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim

 

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for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such 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, such 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 of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES OF WPP FINANCE 2010

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 F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in London, England, on November 6, 2013.

 

WPP FINANCE 2010

By:

 

/S/ CHARLES VAN DER WELLE

Name:   Charles van der Welle
Title:   Director

Power of Attorney

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 in respect of WPP Finance 2010. In addition, each of the undersigned hereby severally and individually constitutes and appoints Charles van der Welle, Christopher Sweetland, Paul Richardson, Andrea Harris, Marie Capes and Mark Povey his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the registration statement on Form F-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys-in-fact and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable WPP Finance 2010 to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of securities registered pursuant hereto, granting unto each said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    CHARLES VAN DER WELLE        

Charles van der Welle

  

Director (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal

Accounting Officer and Director)

  November 6, 2013

/S/    CHRISTOPHER SWEETLAND        

Christopher Sweetland

   Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    PAUL RICHARDSON        

Paul Richardson

  

Authorized Representative in the

United States

  November 6, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES OF WPP PLC

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 F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in London, England, on November 6, 2013.

 

WPP PLC

By:

 

/s/ PAUL RICHARDSON

Name:   Paul Richardson
Title:   Director

Power of Attorney

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 in respect of WPP plc. In addition, each of the undersigned hereby severally and individually constitutes and appoints Charles van der Welle, Christopher Sweetland, Paul Richardson, Andrea Harris, Marie Capes and Mark Povey his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the registration statement on Form F-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys-in-fact and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable WPP plc to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of securities registered pursuant hereto, granting unto each said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

 

Philip Lader

   Chairman (non-executive) of the Board of Directors  

/S/    MARTIN SORRELL        

Sir Martin Sorrell

   Group Chief Executive (Principal Executive Officer and Director)   November 6, 2013

/S/    PAUL RICHARDSON        

Paul Richardson

   Group Finance Director (Principal Financial Officer and Director) and Authorized Representative in the United States   November 6, 2013

/S/    DAVID BARKER        

David Barker

   Group Finance Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 6, 2013

/S/     MARK READ        

Mark Read

   Executive Director   November 6, 2013

 

II-11


Table of Contents

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    COLIN DAY        

Colin Day

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    ESTHER DYSON        

Esther Dyson

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    ORIT GADIESH

Orit Gadiesh

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    RUIGANG LI        

Ruigang Li

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    JEFFREY ROSEN        

Jeffrey Rosen

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    TIMOTHY SHRIVER        

Timothy Shriver

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    SOL TRUJILLO        

Sol Trujillo

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    ROGER AGNELLI        

Roger Agnelli

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    JACQUES AIGRAIN        

Jacques Aigrain

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    DANIELA RICCARDI        

Daniela Riccardi

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    HUGO SHONG        

Hugo Shong

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    SALLY SUSMAN        

Sally Susman

   Non-Executive Director   November 6, 2013

 

II-12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES OF WPP 2005 LIMITED

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 F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in London, England, on November 6, 2013.

 

WPP 2005 LIMITED

By:

 

/S/    CHARLES VAN DER WELLE

Name:   Charles van der Welle
Title:   Director

Power of Attorney

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 in respect of WPP 2005 Limited. In addition, each of the undersigned hereby severally and individually constitutes and appoints Charles van der Welle, Christopher Sweetland, Paul Richardson, Andrea Harris, Marie Capes and Mark Povey his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the registration statement on Form F-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys-in-fact and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable WPP 2005 Limited to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of securities registered pursuant hereto, granting unto each said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    CHARLES VAN DER WELLE        

Charles van der Welle

   Director (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Director)   November 6, 2013

/S/    CHRISTOPHER SWEETLAND        

Christopher Sweetland

   Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    PAUL RICHARDSON        

Paul Richardson

  

Authorized Representative in the

United States

  November 6, 2013

 

II-13


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES OF WPP JUBILEE LIMITED

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 F-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in London, England, on November 6, 2013.

 

WPP JUBILEE LIMITED

By:

 

/S/    CHARLES VAN DER WELLE

Name:   Charles van der Welle
Title:   Director

Power of Attorney

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 in respect of WPP Jubilee Limited. In addition, each of the undersigned hereby severally and individually constitutes and appoints Charles van der Welle, Christopher Sweetland, Paul Richardson, Andrea Harris, Marie Capes and Mark Povey his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, each with power of substitution, in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to the registration statement on Form F-3, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, to do any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments which said attorneys-in-fact and agents may deem necessary or advisable to enable WPP Jubilee Limited to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration under said Act of securities registered pursuant hereto, granting unto each said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he/she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/    CHARLES VAN DER WELLE        

Charles van der Welle

   Director (Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and Director)   November 6, 2013

/S/    CHRISTOPHER SWEETLAND        

Christopher Sweetland

   Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    ANDREW SCOTT        

Andrew Scott

   Director   November 6, 2013

/S/    PAUL RICHARDSON        

Paul Richardson

   Authorized Representative in the United States   November 6, 2013

 

II-14


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

1.    Form of Underwriting Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of WPP Finance 2010’s registration statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-183695) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 4, 2012).
4.1    Form of Indenture among WPP Finance 2010, WPP plc, WPP Jubilee Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, Citibank, N.A., as security registrar and principal paying agent, and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as a paying agent.*
4.2    Form of debt security (included in Exhibit 4.1).
4.3    Form of guarantee (included in Exhibit 4.1).
5.1    Opinion of Allen & Overy LLP as to matters of US law.*
5.2    Opinion of Allen & Overy LLP as to matters of English law.*
5.3    Opinion of Mourant Ozannes as to matters of Jersey law.*
23.1    Consent of Deloitte LLP.*
23.2    Consent of Allen & Overy LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3    Consent of Allen & Overy LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
23.4    Consent of Mourant Ozannes (included in Exhibit 5.3).
24.1    Powers of attorney (included in the signature pages of this registration statement).
25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility Under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wilmington Trust, National Association.*

 

* Filed herewith
EX-4.1 2 d622182dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

WPP FINANCE 2010,

as Issuer

and

WPP PLC,

      as Parent Guarantor

and

WPP JUBILEE LIMITED,

WPP 2005 LIMITED,

as Subsidiary Guarantors

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

and

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Security Registrar and Principal Paying Agent

and

CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH,

as a Paying Agent

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of November [            ], 2013

 

 

Debt Securities and Guarantees

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Parties

     1   

Recitals of the Issuer

     1   
ARTICLE ONE   

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS

OF GENERAL APPLICATION

  

  

SECTION 101.

 

Definitions.

     1   

SECTION 102.

 

Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     12   

SECTION 103.

 

Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     12   

SECTION 104.

 

Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

     13   

SECTION 105.

 

Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuer and Guarantors.

     15   

SECTION 106.

 

Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     15   

SECTION 107.

 

Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     16   

SECTION 108.

 

Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     16   

SECTION 109.

 

Successors and Assigns.

     16   

SECTION 110.

 

Separability Clause.

     17   

SECTION 111.

 

Counterparts.

     17   

SECTION 112.

 

Benefits of Indenture.

     17   

SECTION 113.

 

Governing Law.

     17   

SECTION 114.

 

Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

     17   

SECTION 115.

 

Legal Holidays.

     18   

SECTION 116.

 

Force Majeure.

     19   

SECTION 117.

 

Waiver of Jersey Customary Law Rights.

     19   

SECTION 118.

 

U.S.A. Patriot Act.

     19   
ARTICLE TWO   
SECURITY FORMS   

SECTION 201.

 

Forms Generally.

     19   

SECTION 202.

 

Form of Face of Security.

     20   

SECTION 203.

 

Form of Reverse of Security.

     23   

SECTION 204.

 

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

     36   
ARTICLE THREE   
THE SECURITIES   

SECTION 301.

 

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     36   

SECTION 302.

 

Denominations.

     39   

SECTION 303.

 

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     39   

 

ii


SECTION 304.

 

Temporary Securities.

     41   

SECTION 305.

 

Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     41   

SECTION 306.

 

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     44   

SECTION 307.

 

Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     45   

SECTION 308.

 

Persons Deemed Owners.

     46   

SECTION 309.

 

Cancellation.

     46   

SECTION 310.

 

Computation of Interest.

     47   

SECTION 311.

 

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.

     47   

SECTION 312.

 

Agents.

     47   
SECTION 313  

Withholding

     47   
ARTICLE FOUR   
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE   

SECTION 401.

 

Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     47   

SECTION 402.

 

Application of Trust Money.

     49   
ARTICLE FIVE   
REMEDIES   

SECTION 501.

 

Events of Default.

     49   

SECTION 502.

 

Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     51   

SECTION 503.

 

Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

     52   

SECTION 504.

 

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     53   

SECTION 505.

 

Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

     53   

SECTION 506.

 

Application of Money Collected.

     53   

SECTION 507.

 

Limitation on Suits.

     54   

SECTION 508.

 

Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

     55   

SECTION 509.

 

Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     55   

SECTION 510.

 

Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     55   

SECTION 511.

 

Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     55   

SECTION 512.

 

Control by Holders.

     56   

SECTION 513.

 

Waiver of Past Defaults.

     56   

SECTION 514.

 

Undertaking for Costs.

     56   

SECTION 515.

 

Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

     57   
ARTICLE SIX   
THE TRUSTEE   

SECTION 601.

 

Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     57   

SECTION 602.

 

Notice of Defaults.

     58   

SECTION 603.

 

Certain Rights of Trustee.

     58   

SECTION 604.

 

Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     60   

SECTION 605.

 

May Hold Securities.

     60   

 

Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

iii


SECTION 606.

 

Money Held in Trust.

     60   

SECTION 607.

 

Compensation and Reimbursement.

     61   

SECTION 608.

 

Conflicting Interests.

     62   

SECTION 609.

 

Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     62   

SECTION 610.

 

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     62   

SECTION 611.

 

Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     64   

SECTION 612.

 

Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     65   

SECTION 613.

 

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer or Guarantors.

     65   

SECTION 614.

 

Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     65   

SECTION 615.

 

Trustee’s Duties Regarding Reductions of Capital.

     67   
ARTICLE SEVEN   
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND ISSUER AND GUARANTOR   

SECTION 701.

 

Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     67   

SECTION 702.

 

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     68   

SECTION 703.

 

Reports by Trustee.

     68   

SECTION 704.

 

Reports by Issuer and Guarantors.

     68   
ARTICLE EIGHT   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE   

SECTION 801.

 

Issuer or Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms.

     69   

SECTION 802.

 

Successor Substituted.

     70   
ARTICLE NINE   
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES   

SECTION 901.

 

Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

     70   

SECTION 902.

 

Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

     72   

SECTION 903.

 

Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     73   

SECTION 904.

 

Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     74   

SECTION 905.

 

Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     74   

SECTION 906.

 

Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     74   
ARTICLE TEN   
COVENANTS   

SECTION 1001.

 

Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     74   

SECTION 1002.

 

Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     74   

SECTION 1003.

 

Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     76   

SECTION 1004.

 

Statement by Officers as to Default.

     77   

SECTION 1005.

 

Existence.

     78   

 

Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

iv


SECTION 1006.

 

Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

     78   

SECTION 1007.

 

Additional Amounts.

     78   

SECTION 1008.

 

Additional Guarantees.

     81   

SECTION 1009.

 

Limitations on Security Interests.

     82   

SECTION 1010.

 

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback.

     82   

SECTION 1011.

 

Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     84   

SECTION 1012.

 

Indemnification of Judgment Currency.

     84   

SECTION 1013.

 

Provision of Exchange Act Reports and Other Information.

     84   
ARTICLE ELEVEN   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES   

SECTION 1101.

 

Applicability of Article.

     85   

SECTION 1102.

 

Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     85   

SECTION 1103.

 

Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     86   

SECTION 1104.

 

Notice of Redemption.

     86   

SECTION 1105.

 

Deposit of Redemption Price.

     87   

SECTION 1106.

 

Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     88   

SECTION 1107.

 

Securities Redeemed in Part.

     88   

SECTION 1108.

 

Optional Redemption Due to Changes in Tax Treatment.

     88   
ARTICLE TWELVE   
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE   

SECTION 1201.

 

Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     90   

SECTION 1202.

 

Defeasance and Discharge.

     90   

SECTION 1203.

 

Covenant Defeasance.

     91   

SECTION 1204.

 

Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     91   

SECTION 1205.

 

Deposited Money and US. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

     93   

SECTION 1206.

 

Reinstatement.

     93   
ARTICLE THIRTEEN   
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES   

SECTION 1301.

 

Guarantee.

     94   

SECTION 1302.

 

Execution and Delivery of Indenture.

     95   

 

Note: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

v


INDENTURE, dated as of November [            ], 2013, among WPP FINANCE 2010, a private unlimited liability company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the “Issuer”), having its principal office at 27 Farm Street, London W1J 5RJ, WPP PLC, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (the “Parent Guarantor”), WPP JUBILEE LIMITED, a private limited company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales and WPP 2005 LIMITED, a private limited company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Parent Guarantor, the “Guarantors”), WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”), CITIBANK, N.A., as the initial Security Registrar and Principal Paying Agent, and CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH, as a Paying Agent.

RECITALS

The Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debt securities (herein called collectively the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

The Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the Guarantees of the Securities provided for herein.

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuer and the Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

ARTICLE ONE

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS

OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 101. Definitions.

For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) the terms defined in this Article One have the meanings assigned to them in this Article One and include the plural as well as the singular;

(2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;


(3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the date of such computation;

(4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Article” or a “Section” refers to an Article or Section, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

(5) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to a statute, rule or regulation refers to the same (including any successor statute, rule or regulation thereto) as it may be amended from time to time; and

(6) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Additional Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 1007. Any reference in this Indenture to principal, premium or interest in respect of the Securities shall be deemed also to refer to any Additional Amounts that may be payable as set forth herein and under the Securities or the Guarantees.

“Additional Taxing Jurisdiction” has the meaning specified in Section 1007.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” “ and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

“Agent” means any of the Security Registrar or the Paying Agents and “Agents” shall mean all of them.

“Agent Members” has the meaning specified in Section 305(b)(5).

“Applicable Procedures of the Depositary” means, with respect to any matter at any time, the policies and procedures of the Depositary, if any, that are applicable to such matter at such time.

“Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction” has the meaning specified in Section 1007.

 

2


“Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one or more series.

“Authorized Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 114.

“Authorized Officer” means any person (whether designated by name or the persons for the time being holding a designated office) appointed by or pursuant to a Board Resolution for the purpose, or a particular purpose, of this Indenture, provided that written notice of such appointment shall have been given to the Trustee.

“beneficial owner” has the meaning determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and the terms “beneficial ownership” and “beneficially owned” have meanings correlative to the definition of beneficial owner.

“Board of Directors”, when used with reference to the Issuer or a Guarantor, means the board of directors of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, or any committee of that board duly authorized to act for it in respect hereof.

“Board Resolution”, when used with reference to the Issuer or a Guarantor, means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Business Day” means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City or London generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.

“Clearstream” has the meaning specified in Section 305(b)(5).

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (including any successor code thereto), as amended.

“Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under applicable law, then the body performing such duties at such time.

“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee in which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention: Corporate Capital Market Services.

“corporation” means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock company or business trust.

“Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1203.

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 307.

 

3


“Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1202.

“Defeasible Series” has the meaning specified in Section 1201.

“Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 301. Unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, the Depositary shall be The Depository Trust Company until a successor Depositary shall have become Depositary pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean such successor Depositary.

“Director” means any member of a Board of Directors.

“Dollar” and “U.S.$” mean a U.S. dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

“Eurobonds” means the 5.25% bonds due January 2015 issued by WPP Finance S.A., the 4.375% bonds due December 2013 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc) and the 6.625% bonds due in 2016 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc).

“Euroclear” has the meaning specified in Section 305(b)(5).

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including any successor act thereto), as amended from time to time, and (unless the context otherwise requires) includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Expiration Date” has the meaning specified in Section 104.

“Global Security” means a Security held by or on behalf of a Depositary and in which beneficial interests are evidenced on the records of such Depositary or its Agent Members.

“Guarantee” means the guarantee by a Guarantor of any Security of any series authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture (i) if provided for in a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, (ii) if specified in a Board Resolution of a Guarantor as contemplated by Section 301 or (iii) as otherwise applicable to Article Thirteen.

“Guarantor” means each of the Persons named as a “Subsidiary Guarantor” in this instrument and any “Parent Guarantor” and any other entity guaranteeing any Security, in each case until a Successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean such Successor Person.

 

4


“Holder” means, with respect to a Security, the Person in whose name such Security is registered in the Security Register.

“Indebtedness” means any indebtedness of any Person for money borrowed, whether incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and includes obligations under capitalized leases.

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more supplemental indentures hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Interest Payment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security, the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

“Investment Company Act” means the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940 (including any successor act thereto), as amended from time to time, and (unless the content otherwise requires) includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Issuer” means the Person named as the “Issuer” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a Successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Issuer” shall mean such Successor Person.

“Issuer Request” or “Issuer Order” means, with respect to Securities of a series, a written request or order signed in the name of the Issuer of such Securities by any of the Issuer’s Directors and/or Authorized Officers, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1012.

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein provided or established as contemplated by Section 301, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, call for repurchase or otherwise.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Services, Inc., or any successor thereto.

“Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 501(3) or (4).

“Officers’ Certificate”, with respect to the Issuer or a Guarantor, means a certificate signed by any executive director or Authorized Officer and the secretary or a deputy or assistant secretary of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

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“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Issuer or a Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

“Outstanding”, when used with respect to Securities, means as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(i) Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or a Guarantor) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuer (if the Issuer or a Guarantor shall act as its own or their own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(iii) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section 1202; and

(iv) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Issuer;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action hereunder as of any date, (A) if the principal amount of a Security payable at Maturity is to be determined by reference to an index or indices, the principal amount of such Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the face amount thereof, (B) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as established as contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner established as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (C) Securities owned by the Issuer, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer, a Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be

 

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so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or a Guarantor or of such other obligor.

“Parent Guarantor” means WPP plc or any Person who owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the common equity of the Issuer and all of the other Subsidiary Guarantors and which is a guarantor of the Securities, until a Successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Parent Guarantor” shall mean such Successor Person.

“Paying Agents” means the Principal Paying Agent together with any other Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Issuer.

“Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 1010.

“Permitted Security Interests” means

(1) Security Interests arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business including, without limitation, statutory liens and encumbrances;

(2) any Security Interest over the assets and/or revenues of a company which became or becomes a Subsidiary of the Issuer or a Guarantor after the date of this Indenture and which Security Interest is in existence or contracted to be given as at the date it becomes a Subsidiary (and which was not created in contemplation of it becoming a Subsidiary);

(3) those Security Interests existing at the date of this Indenture;

(4) Security Interests securing the performance of bids, tenders, bonds, leases, contracts (other than in respect of Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety, customs and appeal bonds and other obligations of like nature (but not including obligations in respect of Indebtedness) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(5) Security Interests arising out of judgments or awards which are being contested in good faith and with respect to which an appeal or proceeding for review has been instituted or the time for doing so has not yet expired;

(6) Security Interests upon any property which are created or incurred contemporaneously with the acquisition of such property to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property (but no other amounts); provided that any such Security Interest shall not apply to any other property of the purchaser thereof;

 

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(7) any Security Interest arising out of title retention provisions in a supplier’s conditions of supply of goods or services acquired by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of its business;

(8) any right of any bank or financial institution of combination or consolidation of accounts or right to set-off or transfer any sum or sums standing to the credit of any account (or appropriate any securities held by such bank or financial institution) in or towards satisfaction of any present or future liabilities to that bank or financial institution;

(9) any Security Interest securing Indebtedness re-financing Indebtedness secured by Security Interests permitted by clauses (2), (3) or (6) above or this clause (9); provided that the maximum principal amount of the Indebtedness secured by such Security Interests at the time of such refinancing is not increased and such Security Interests do not extend to any assets which were not subject to the Security Interests securing the re-financed indebtedness;

(10) Security Interests in favor of WPP plc or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, after the time that the Securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other then WPP plc, Security Interests in favor of the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) (a) any Security Interests created or outstanding on or over any of the assets of WPP plc or the assets of any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with an accounts receivable purchase facility, provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by such Security Interests permitted by this clause (11)(a) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on its consolidated financial statements) of WPP plc as reported at the most recent year-end or (b) after the time that the debt securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc (following which time clause (11)(a) shall cease to have effect), any Security Interests created or outstanding on or over any of the Parent Guarantor’s assets or the assets of any of its Subsidiaries issued in connection with an accounts receivable purchase facility provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by such Security Interests permitted by this clause (11)(b) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on its consolidated financial statements) of the Parent Guarantor as reported at the most recent year-end (or if the Parent Guarantor did not file reports as of the most recent year-end, 15% of the total assets (meaning fixed assets plus current assets as shown on its consolidated financial statements) of WPP plc as reported at the most recent year-end as reported by WPP plc); and

(12) (a) any other Security Interest created or outstanding on or over any assets of WPP plc or any Restricted Subsidiary provided that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by all such Security Interests permitted by this clause (12)(a) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed U.S.$40,000,000 or (b) after the time that the Securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than

 

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WPP plc (following which time clause (12)(a) shall cease to have effect), any other Security Interest created or outstanding on or over any of the Parent Guarantor’s assets or the assets of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, further, that the aggregate outstanding amount secured by all such Security Interests permitted by this clause (12)(b) created or outstanding shall not at any time exceed $40,000,000.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

“Place of Payment”, when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security, means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

“Property” of any Person means all types of real, personal, tangible, intangible or mixed property (including any related contractual rights) owned by such Person whether or not included in the most recent consolidated balance sheet of such Person under United States generally accepted accounting principles.

“Redemption Date” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Redemption Price” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on any Security of any series means the date established for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301 irrespective whether such date is a Business Day.

“Repurchase Date” when used with respect to any Security to be repurchased, means the date fixed for such repurchase established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Responsible Officer” when used with respect to the Trustee, shall mean an officer assigned to the Corporate Trust Office, including any vice president, assistant vice president, senior trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above-designated officers and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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“Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenue shall have exceeded 5% of the consolidated revenues of WPP plc and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year or any other Subsidiary designated by WPP plc from time to time as a Restricted Subsidiary in its sole discretion; provided, that after the time that the Securities are guaranteed by a Parent Guarantor other than WPP plc, a “Restricted Subsidiary” shall be any Subsidiary whose consolidated revenue shall have exceeded 5% of consolidated revenues of the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year (or if the Parent Guarantor has existed for less than one year, 5% of the consolidated revenues of WPP plc and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole for that financial year), or any other Subsidiary designated by the Parent Guarantor from time to time as a Restricted Subsidiary in the Parent Guarantor’s sole discretion.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereto.

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 1010.

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (including any successor act thereto), as amended from time to time, and (unless the context otherwise requires) includes the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

“Security Interests” means, with respect to any Property, any mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest in respect of such Property. For purposes of this Indenture, the Parent Guarantor and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to own, subject to a Security Interest, any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or other title retention agreement relating to such Property.

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 305.

“Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

“Special Record Date” means, for the payment of any Defaulted Interest, a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable established as contemplated by Section 301.

“Sterling Bonds” means the 6% bonds due April 2017 issued by WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc and subsequently substituted as issuer by WPP plc) and the 6.375% bonds due November 2020 issued by WPP Finance S.A.

 

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“Subsidiary” of a specified person means that specified person holds a majority of the voting rights in it, or is a member of it and has the right to appoint or remove a majority of its board of directors or is a member of it and controls alone, pursuant to an agreement with other shareholders or members, a majority of the voting rights in it, or if it is a subsidiary of a company which is itself a subsidiary of that specified person.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each of WPP Jubilee Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, and any other Subsidiaries of the Issuer or any Parent Guarantor that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor, each until a Successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantor” shall mean such Successor Person in lieu of such original Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Substitute Rating Agency” means a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act selected by the Issuer (pursuant to a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Moody’s or S&P, or both of them, as the case may be.

“Succession Date” has the meaning specified in Section 1108.

“Successor Person” has the meaning specified in Section 802.

“taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 1007.

“transfer” means, with respect to any Security, any sale, pledge, transfer, hypothecation or other disposition of such Security or any interest therein.

“Trust Indenture Act” means the U.S. Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (including any successor act thereto), as it may be amended from time to time, and (unless the context otherwise requires) includes the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used herein shall be deemed to mean the person acting as Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States thereof and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

“USA Notes” means the 5.875% notes due June 2014 and the 8% senior notes due September 2014 issued by WPP Finance (UK) and the 4.75% senior notes due November 2021, the 3.625% guaranteed senior notes due September 2022 and the 5.125% guaranteed senior notes due 2042 issued by the Issuer.

 

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“U.S. Government Obligation” has the meaning specified in Section 1204.

 

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

Upon any application or request by the Issuer or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall furnish to the Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be reasonably required hereunder or under the Trust Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Issuer or a Guarantor, or an Opinion of Counsel if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in this Indenture.

Each certificate or opinion by or on behalf of the Issuer or a Guarantor with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 1004) shall include,

(1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters

 

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upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuer and the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 601 and 603) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer or the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section 104.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register and the Trustee may conclusively rely on such information and shall not be affected by notice to the contrary.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Issuer or the Guarantors in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

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(e) The Issuer may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken by Holders of Securities of such series; provided that the Issuer may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Issuer from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Issuer, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.

(f) The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and without any action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), nor shall anything in this paragraph be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer or the Guarantors, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Issuer and the Guarantors in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.

 

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(g) With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 104, the party hereto that sets such record dates may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other parties hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 104, the party hereto that set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

 

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuer and Guarantors.

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

(1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Issuer or the Guarantors shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if in writing and mailed first class postage paid to or otherwise made, given, furnished or filed in writing (which may be by facsimile) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate Capital Market Services, or

(2) the Issuer or the Guarantors by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Issuer or the Guarantors addressed to such parties at the respective addresses of their principal offices specified in the first paragraph of this Instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid at the expense of the Issuer, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any), prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture

 

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provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

While any Securities are represented by one or more Global Securities, all notices with respect to such Global Securities shall be delivered to the Depositary for such Global Securities, as applicable for communication to entitled account holders.

For so long as any Securities are listed on any securities exchange, the Issuer shall publish such notices as may be required by the rules and regulations of such securities exchange.

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

 

SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture once this Indenture is qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Issuer or the Guarantors shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. All agreements of the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, in this Indenture shall bind their successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 110. Separability Clause.

In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Indenture, the Securities or the Guarantees shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions contained in this Indenture, and to the extent and only to the extent that any such provision is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, this Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees shall be construed as if such provision had never been contained herein or therein.

 

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SECTION 111. Counterparts.

This Indenture may be simultaneously executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. To the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, the exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 112. Benefits of Indenture.

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 113. Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES (AND ANY NON-CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS OUT OF OR RELATED THERETO) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

 

SECTION 114. Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

The Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Agents agree that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, and each of the Issuer and the Guarantors agrees that any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the Securities and the Guarantees, may be instituted in any U.S. federal or New York state court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, and each waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such legal suit, action or proceeding, waives any immunity from jurisdiction or to service of process in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding, waives any right to which it may be entitled on account of place of residence or domicile and irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding. The Issuer and each Guarantor hereby appoints CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as its authorized agent (the “Authorized Agent”) upon which process may be served in any legal action or proceeding against it with respect to its obligations under this Indenture, the Securities of any series or the Guarantees, as the case may be, instituted in any federal or state court in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York by the Trustee or by the Holder of any Security. The Issuer and each Guarantor reserves the right to appoint another person located or with an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, selected in their discretion, as a successor Authorized Agent, and upon acceptance of such appointment by such a successor and

 

17


notice to the Trustee and the Holders of the successor Authorized Agent, the appointment of the prior Authorized Agent shall terminate. If for any reason the designee, appointee and agent hereunder ceases to be able to act as the Authorized Agent or to have an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall appoint a successor Authorized Agent in accordance with the preceding sentence. The Issuer and each Guarantor further agrees to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments, as may be necessary to continue such designation and appointment of such agent in full force and effect until this Indenture has been satisfied and discharged in accordance with Article Four or Article Twelve hereof. Service of process upon the Authorized Agent addressed to it at the address set forth above, as such address may be changed within the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York by notice given by the Authorized Agent to the Trustee, together with written notice of such service mailed or delivered to the Issuer or the Guarantors shall be deemed, in every respect, effective service of process on the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action arising out of or relating to this Indenture may be instituted in any court of competent jurisdiction in England. Each of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Agents hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture, the Securities, the Guarantees and the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 115. Legal Holidays.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security established as contemplated by Section 301 which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section)) payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, as the case may be; provided that no interest with respect to such payment shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 116. Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee or the Agents be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

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SECTION 117. Waiver of Jersey Customary Law Rights.

Each of the Issuer and each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally waives such right as it may have or claim under Jersey law:

(a) whether by virtue of the droit de discussion or otherwise to require that recourse be had to the assets of any other person before any claim is enforced against it under this Indenture or any Guarantee in respect of the obligations assumed by it under this Indenture or any Guarantee; and

(b) whether by virtue of the droit de division or otherwise to require that any liability under this Indenture or any Guarantee be divided or apportioned with any other person or reduced in any manner whatsoever.

 

SECTION 118. U.S.A. Patriot Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

ARTICLE TWO

SECURITY FORMS

 

SECTION 201. Forms Generally.

The Securities of each series and the Trustee’s certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the forms set forth in this Article Two or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to Board Resolutions or in one or more supplemental indentures hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and each Guarantor and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Issuer Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

The Guarantees of the Guarantors expressed in Article Thirteen shall establish such Guarantees with respect to the Securities of each series without any further notation

 

19


or endorsement of or attachment to the form of any Security. Likewise, the Guarantees of any other Guarantor created by the acceptance of the terms of Article Thirteen expressed in an applicable Board Resolution of such Guarantor in accordance with Section 301 or indenture supplemental hereto shall establish its Guarantee with respect to the Securities of the relevant series without any further notation or endorsement of or attachment to the form of any Security.

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.

The following legend shall appear on the face of each Global Security:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE ISSUER, ANY GUARANTOR, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.

The following legend shall appear on the face of each Global Security for which The Depository Trust Company is to be the Depositary:

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN EXCHANGE FOR THIS CERTIFICATE OR ANY PORTION HEREOF IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON OTHER THAN DTC OR A NOMINEE THEREOF IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR REGISTERED SECURITIES IN DEFINITIVE REGISTERED FORM IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE, THIS GLOBAL SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.

 

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[Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder]

WPP FINANCE 2010

 

 

 

No.           
CUSIP No.           
ISIN No.            U.S.$        

WPP Finance 2010 (herein called the “Issuer”, which term includes any Successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), an unlimited liability company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales, for value received, hereby promises to pay to                     , or registered assigns, [include if this Security is a Global Security — the initial principal amount specified on Schedule A hereto (such initial principal amount, as it may from time to time be adjusted by endorsement on Schedule A hereto, is hereinafter referred to as the “principal”)] [include if this Security is not a Global Security — the principal sum of          Dollars] on                      or any other Maturity Date. [if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — This Note shall bear interest at the rate of [    ]% per annum, from [             ], [        ] or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, as the case may be, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. Interest shall be payable semi-annually on [            ] and [            ] (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on [             ], [    ], to the Holders in whose names this Note is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date. Interest shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.]

[if applicable, insert — ; Any principal [and premium], and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of     % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand].

Any interest payable, but not so punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].

[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert — The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal

 

21


upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal [and any overdue premium] shall bear interest at the rate of     % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue principal [or premium] shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of     % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest shall be payable on demand.]

Payment of the principal of, [premium, if any,] and [if applicable, insert — interest] on this Security shall be made pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary as permitted in the Indenture; provided, however, that if this Security is not a Global Security, payment may be made at the office or agency of the Issuer maintained for that purpose in New York, New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts, against surrender of this Security in the case of any payment due at the Maturity of the principal thereof (other than any payment of interest that first becomes payable on a day other than an Interest Payment Date); and provided, further, that at the option of the Issuer, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register [if applicable, insert — ; and provided, further, that at the option of the Issuer payments of any interest on the Securities (other than at Maturity) may be made, in the case of a registered Holder of at least U.S.$5,000,000 principal amount of Securities, by electronic funds transfer of immediately available funds to a United States dollar account maintained by the payee; provided such registered Holder so elects by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent designating such account, no later than 15 days immediately preceding the relevant date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion). Unless such designation is revoked, any such designation made by such Holder with respect to such Securities shall remain in effect with respect to any future payments with respect to such Securities payable to such Holder. The Issuer shall pay any administrative costs imposed by banks in connection with making payments by wire transfer.]

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Issuer has caused this instrument to be duly executed by a Director or Authorized Officer.

 

Executed as a Deed by WPP FINANCE 2010

 

 

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SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.

This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Issuer (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of November [            ], 2013 (herein called the “Base Indenture”), as supplemented by a [        ] Supplemental Indenture dated as of [                    ] (herein called the “[        ] Supplemental Indenture”; the Base Indenture, as supplemented by the [        ] Supplemental Indenture, the “Indenture”), each among the Issuer, WPP PLC, a public company limited by shares incorporated under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (the “Parent Guarantor”), WPP JUBILEE LIMITED, a private limited company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales and WPP 2005 LIMITED, a private limited company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Parent Guarantor, the “Guarantors” which term includes any successor Guarantor under the Indenture), Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), Citibank, N.A., as the initial Security Registrar and Principal Paying Agent, and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as a Paying Agent, and reference is hereby made to the Indenture[, as supplemented by the                      Supplemental Indenture,] for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Issuer, the Parent Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and Agents and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert — , limited in initial aggregate principal amount to U.S.$        ]. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

The Subsidiary Guarantors and the Parent Guarantor have fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, the full and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, Additional Amounts and any other amounts payable in respect of the Securities, when and as the same shall become due and payable by the Issuer in respect of the Securities, whether at the stated maturity thereof, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, call for repurchase or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the Securities and of the Indenture. To the extent set forth in the applicable Board Resolutions or a supplemental indenture, the full and punctual payment of the principal, premium, if any, interest, Additional Amounts and any other amounts payable in respect of the Securities, when and as the same shall become due and payable by the Issuer in respect of the Securities, whether at the stated maturity thereof, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, call for repurchase or otherwise, in accordance with the terms of the Securities and of the Indenture may also be guaranteed by any other Guarantor that may guarantee the Securities.

[If applicable, insert — The interest rate payable on the Securities shall be subject to adjustments from time to time if either Moody’s or S&P, or in either case, a Substitute Rating Agency thereof, downgrades (or subsequently upgrades) the rating assigned to the Securities, in the manner described below.

 

23


If the rating of the Securities from Moody’s or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof is decreased to a rating set forth in the immediately following table, the interest rate on the Securities shall increase from the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date by the percentage points set forth below opposite that rating:

 

Moody’s Rating*    Percentage
Points
 

Ba1

     0.25   

Ba2

     0.50   

Ba3

     0.75   

B1 or below

     1.00   

 

* Including the equivalent ratings of any Substitute Rating Agency.

If the rating of the Securities from S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof is decreased to a rating set forth in the immediately following table, the interest rate on the Securities shall increase from the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date by the percentage points set forth below opposite that rating:

 

S&P Rating*    Percentage
Points
 

BB+

     0.25   

BB

     0.50   

BB-

     0.75   

B+ or below

     1.00   

 

* Including the equivalent ratings of any Substitute Rating Agency.

If at any time the interest rate on the Securities has been adjusted upward and either Moody’s or S&P (or, in either case, a Substitute Rating Agency thereof), as the case may be, subsequently increases its rating of the Securities to any of the ratings set forth in the tables above, the interest rate on the Securities shall be decreased such that the interest rate for the Securities equals the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date plus the applicable percentage points set forth opposite the ratings in the tables above in effect immediately following the ratings increase. If Moody’s or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof subsequently increases its rating of the Securities to Baa3 (or its equivalent, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher and S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof increases its rating to BBB- (or its equivalent, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher, the interest rate on the Securities shall be decreased to the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date.

Each adjustment required by any decrease or increase in a rating set forth above, whether occasioned by the action of Moody’s or S&P (or, in either case, any Substitute Rating Agency thereof), shall be made independent of any and all other adjustments. In

 

24


no event shall (i) the interest rate on the Securities be reduced to below the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date or (ii) the total increase in the interest rate on the Securities exceed 2.00 percentage points above the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date.

No adjustments in the interest rate of the Securities shall be made solely as a result of a Rating Agency ceasing to provide a rating of the Securities. If, at any time, less than two Rating Agencies provide a rating of the Securities for reason beyond the Issuer’s control, the Issuer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain a rating of the Securities from a Substitute Rating Agency, to the extent one exists, and if a Substitute Rating Agency exists, for purposes of determining any increase or decrease in the interest rate on the Securities pursuant to the table above (x) such Substitute Rating Agency shall be substituted for the last Rating Agency to provide a rating of the Securities but which has since ceased to provide such rating, (y) the relative ratings scale used by such Substitute Rating Agency to assign ratings to senior unsecured debt shall be determined in good faith by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by the Issuer and, for purposes of determining the applicable ratings included in the applicable table above with respect to such Substitute Rating Agency, such ratings shall be deemed to be the equivalent ratings used by Moody’s or S&P, as applicable, in such table and (z) the interest rate on the Securities shall increase or decrease, as the case may be, such that the interest rate equals the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date plus the appropriate percentage points, if any, set forth opposite the rating from such Substitute Rating Agency in the applicable table above (taking into account the provisions of clause (y) above) (plus any applicable percentage points resulting from a decreased rating by the other Rating Agency).

For so long as only one Rating Agency provides a rating of the Securities, any subsequent increase or decrease in the interest rate of the Securities necessitated by a reduction or increase in the rating by such Rating Agency shall be twice the percentage points set forth in the applicable table above. For so long as no Rating Agency provides a rating of the Securities, the interest rate on the Securities shall increase to, or remain at, as the case may be, 2.00 percentage points above the interest rate payable on the Securities on the Issue Date.

The interest rate on the Securities shall permanently cease to be subject to any adjustment described above (notwithstanding any subsequent decrease in the ratings by either or both Rating Agencies) if the Securities become rated A2 and A (or its equivalent, in the case of a Substitute Rating Agency) or higher by Moody’s and S&P, respectively (or, in either case, any Substitute Rating Agency thereof), or one of these ratings if the Securities are only rated by one Rating Agency.

Any interest rate increase or decrease described herein shall take effect from the first day of the interest period during which a rating change requires an adjustment in the interest rate. If Moody’s or S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof changes its rating of the Securities more than once during any particular interest period, the last change by such agency during such period shall control for purposes of any interest rate increase or decrease with respect to the Securities described above relating to such Rating Agency’s action.

 

25


If the interest rate payable on the Securities is increased as described above, then the term “interest,” as used in this Security, shall be deemed to include any such additional interest unless the context otherwise requires.

The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee and the Principal Paying Agent, if the Trustee shall not then be acting as Principal Paying Agent, within five calendar days after either Moody’s or S&P or any Substitute Rating Agency thereof downgrades, or subsequently upgrades, the rating assigned to the Securities as described above, an Officers’ Certificate stating (i) that the rating downgrade, or subsequent upgrade, as the case may be, has occurred and (ii) the current rating or ratings upon which the interest rate payable on the Securities shall be based.]

[If applicable, insert — The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’, nor more than 60 days’, notice, as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuer, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert — on or before                     ,     %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning             of the years indicated,

 

Year

   Redemption
Price
   Year    Redemption
Price
             
             
             
             
             
             

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to     % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

[If applicable, insert – The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than 30 days’, nor more than 60 days’, notice by mail, [If applicable, insert - (1) on          in any year commencing with the year              and ending with the year             , and (2)] at any time [If applicable, insert — on or after                     ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuer at 100% of the principal amount of such Securities plus a premium (determined by the Issuer) equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the present value of all interest and principal payments scheduled to become due after the date of such redemption in respect of the portion of such Securities to be redeemed (such present value to be determined by the Issuer on the basis of a discount rate equal to the

 

26


yield on maturity on U.S. Treasury instruments with a maturity as close as practicable to the remaining average life of such Securities) over (ii) the principal amount of such Securities to be redeemed.]

[If applicable, insert – The Issuer shall have the right, at its option, to redeem the Securities in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time prior to their Stated Maturity, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of the principal amount of such Securities and (2) the sum of the present values of each remaining scheduled payment of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued and unpaid to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in Section 301 hereof) plus [        ] basis points, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the Securities to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated maturity (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date.

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such Securities.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Issuer.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Redemption Date (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation or (2) if the Issuer obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means [NAMES OF DESIGNATED DEALERS] or their respective affiliates which are primary United States government securities dealers and two other leading primary United States government securities dealers in New York City reasonably designated by the Issuer; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary United States government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Issuer shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Issuer, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Issuer by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date.]

 

27


[If applicable, insert – Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuer may not, prior to                     , redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [If applicable, insert – Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Issuer (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than     % per annum.]

[If applicable, insert – In addition to its ability to redeem this Security pursuant to the foregoing, this] [This] Security may be redeemed by the Issuer on the terms set forth and as more fully described in the Indenture, in certain circumstances where the Issuer or a Guarantor would be required to pay Additional Amounts in respect hereof as a result of certain events relating to taxation and such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or such Guarantor by taking reasonable measures available to the Issuer or the Guarantor, as provided in the Indenture.]

[If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert — In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

[If applicable, insert – [As provided in the [            ] Supplemental Indenture,] the Issuer shall have the right to redeem the Securities upon the occurrence of certain events relating to taxation, as a result of which the Issuer or a Guarantor becomes obligated to pay Additional Amounts on the Securities, in which case the Issuer may redeem the Securities in whole but not in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest and Additional Amounts, if any) to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On and after the Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or any portion of the Notes called for redemption (unless the Issuer defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued and unpaid interest). On or before the Redemption Date, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and (unless the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date on the Securities to be redeemed on such date. If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee, Security Registrar or Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, by such method as the Trustee, Security Registrar or Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, shall deem fair and appropriate.

 

28


Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event, unless the Issuer has exercised its right to redeem the Securities [pursuant to the [            ] Supplemental Indenture], each Holder shall have the option to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any portion of its Securities (in principal amounts of $[        ] and integral multiples of $[        ] in excess thereof) on the Repurchase Date (as defined in Section 301) at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders on the relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).

Promptly upon the Issuer becoming aware that a Change of Control Repurchase Event has occurred, the Issuer shall, and at any time upon the Trustee becoming similarly so aware, the Trustee may, and if so requested by Holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities then outstanding, shall (subject in each case to the Trustee being indemnified and/or secured to its satisfaction), give notice (the “Change of Control Repurchase Event Notice”) to the Holders specifying the nature of the Change of Control Repurchase Event and the procedure for exercising the Holders’ repurchase option. If not previously sent, the Change of Control Repurchase Event Notice must be sent to the Holders, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and the Principal Paying Agent no later than 30 days after the occurrence of the Change of Control Repurchase Event.

To exercise the option to require the repurchase of a Note following the occurrence of a Change of Control Repurchase Event the Holder of the Note shall deliver such Security, on any Business Day during the period (the “Repurchase Period”) beginning on the date the Change of Control Repurchase Event Notice is given and ending 45 days thereafter, at the specified office of the Trustee, accompanied by a duly signed and completed notice of exercise (a “Change of Control Repurchase Notice”) in the form (for the time being current) which shall be provided with the Change of Control Repurchase Event Notice. A Change of Control Repurchase Notice, once given, shall be irrevocable unless the Issuer elects to permit revocations. All Securities submitted for repurchase shall be purchased by the Issuer on the date that is 3 Business Days after the expiration of the Repurchase Period (the “Repurchase Date”).

On the Repurchase Date, the Issuer shall:

(i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities (in principal amounts of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the repurchase option;

(ii) deposit with the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, an amount equal to the aggregate repurchase price in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted, together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities being purchased by the Issuer.

 

29


The Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, shall promptly mail to each Holder of Securities properly tendered the repurchase price for the Securities, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of any Securities surrendered; provided, that each new Note shall be in a principal amount of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder, to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Repurchase Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Securities, the Issuer shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached the Issuer’s obligations under the Change of Control Repurchase Event provisions of the Securities by virtue of such conflict.

The Issuer shall not be required to make an offer to repurchase the Securities upon a Change of Control Repurchase Event if a third party makes such an offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements for an offer made by the Issuer, and such third party purchases all Securities properly tendered and not withdrawn under its offer.

The Trustee and the Principal Paying Agent are under no obligation to ascertain whether a Change of Control Repurchase Event or Change of Control or any event which could lead to the occurrence of or could constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event or Change of Control has occurred and, until it shall have actual knowledge or notice pursuant to the Indenture to the contrary, the Trustee and the Principal Paying Agent may assume that no Change of Control Repurchase Event or Change of Control or other such event has occurred.]

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities shall occur and be continuing, the aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of the series of which this Security is a part or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

In any case where the due date for the payment of the principal amount of, or any premium or interest with respect to, any Security or the date fixed for redemption of any Security shall not be a Business Day at a Place of Payment, then payment of the principal amount, premium, if any, or interest, need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, with the same force and effect as if made on the date for such payment or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date.

 

30


All payments pursuant to the Securities and the Guarantees shall be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, levies, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (“taxes”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of (i) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor is incorporated or resident (or deemed for tax purposes to be resident), (ii) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor makes payment on the Securities or the Guarantees or (iii) the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (each, an “Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless such taxes are required by the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction to be withheld or deducted. In that event, the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor shall pay by way of additional interest on the Securities such additional amounts of, or in respect of, principal, premium, if any, and interest (“Additional Amounts”) as will result (after deduction of such taxes and any additional taxes payable in respect of such Additional Amounts) in the payment to each Holder of such Securities of the amounts which would have been payable in respect of such Security or Guarantee had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no Additional Amounts shall be so payable for or on account of:

(i) any taxes that would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder:

(a) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction or otherwise had some connection with the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction other than the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security or Guarantee;

(b) presented (if presentation is required) such Security or Guarantee for payment in the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction, unless such Security or Guarantee could not have been presented for payment in another member state of the European Union; or

(c) presented (if presentation is required) such Security or Guarantee, as the case may be, more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security or Guarantee for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(ii) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar taxes;

 

31


(iii) any taxes that are payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of, or in respect of, principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or Guarantee, as the case may be;

(iv) any taxes that are imposed or withheld by reason of the failure to comply by the Holder or the beneficial owner of a Security with a request of the Issuer or any Guarantor addressed to the Holder and received by such Holder at least thirty (30) days prior to the first payment date with respect to which such information is required (a) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (b) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (a) or (b), is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(v) any tax imposed on a payment to an individual and required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced to conform to, such Directive;

(vi) any taxes payable by or on behalf of a Holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Security or Guarantee to another Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union;

(vii) any taxes payable pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto; or

(viii) any combination of items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii);

nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Security or Guarantee to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

All references herein, in the Indenture, and in one or more supplemental indentures thereto, the Securities and the Guarantees to principal, premium, if any, interest or any other amount payable in respect of any Security shall be deemed to include all Additional Amounts, if any, payable in respect of such principal, premium, interest or other amount payable, unless the context otherwise requires, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts in any provision hereof shall not be construed as excluding reference to Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each

 

32


series on the other hand to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, compliance by the Issuer or the Guarantors, or all or any of them, with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

[If applicable, insert — Each Holder hereby consents to the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any additional or successor Guarantor) applying to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order sanctioning a reduction in any of its share capital accounts including, without limitation, by re-characterizing any sum standing to the credit of a share premium account as a distributable reserve (a “Reduction of Capital”). Each Holder hereby authorizes and requests the Trustee, on behalf of the Holder, to sign any necessary form of consent that the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any additional or successor Guarantor) may reasonably request in connection with a Reduction of Capital.]

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and the Trustee shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuer, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuer in any place

 

33


where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, shall be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S.$ [        ] and any integral multiple of U.S.$ [        ] in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

[This Security is a Global Security and is subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to Global Securities, including the limitations in Section 305 thereof on transfers and exchanges of Global Securities.]

[Insert other terms applicable to the Securities, as appropriate.]

This Security, the Guarantees and the Indenture shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

All terms used in this Security and the Guarantees set forth below which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

 

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription of the face of this Security, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM - as tenants in common    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT—                                         
TEN ENT - as tenants by the entireties                    (Cust)
   Custodian                                          under Uniform

JT TEN - as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common

  

(Minor)

   Gifts to Minors Act                                         
     (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used

though not in the above list.

 

34


[IF SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY, INSERT AS A SEPARATE PAGE—

Schedule A

SCHEDULE OF ADJUSTMENTS

Initial Principal Amount: U.S.$

 

Date
adjustment
made

   Principal
amount
increase
   Principal
amount
decrease
   Principal
amount
following
adjustment
   Notation made
on behalf of the
Security
Registrar
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           

 

35


SECTION 204. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

Certificate of Authentication:

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:  

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

ARTICLE THREE

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to Board Resolutions of the Issuer and each Guarantor, as appropriate, and, subject to Section 303, set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more supplemental indentures hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series,

(1) the title of the Securities, including “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers, of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);

(2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, or upon partial redemption of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);

 

36


(3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;

(4) the date or dates on which the principal of, and any premium on, the Securities of the series is payable;

(5) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for any interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner in which any payment may be made;

(7) if applicable, the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuer of such Securities and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Issuer of such Securities to redeem the Securities shall be evidenced and any provisions in addition to or in lieu of the provisions of Article Eleven applicable to Securities of the series;

(8) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem or purchase any Securities of the series at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(9) if other than denominations of U.S.$1,000 and any integral multiple of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be issuable;

(10) if the amount of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

(11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of “Outstanding” in Section 101;

 

37


(12) if the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of the series is to be payable, at the election of the Issuer or the Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units (including composite currencies) other than that or those in which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units (including composite currencies) in which the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined);

(13) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

(14) if other than as provided in Section 201, the form or forms of the Securities;

(15) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined);

(16) where appropriate, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any specified part, shall not be defeasible pursuant to Section 1202 or Section 1203 or both such Sections and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Issuer to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;

(17) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of that set forth in Section 202 and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 305 in which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof, and any circumstances in addition or in lieu of those set forth in Section 305 in which transfers of interests in Global Securities may be made;

(18) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten which applies to the Securities of the series;

 

38


(19) the guarantees to apply with respect to the Securities of the series; and

(20) if there is more than one Trustee, the identity of the Trustee and, if not Citibank, N.A. and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, the identity of each of the Agents, as applicable, with respect to such Securities;

(21) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5)).

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be established in or pursuant to Board Resolutions or supplemental indentures referred to above.

To the extent any terms of the Securities of the series are established pursuant to Board Resolutions or supplemental indentures, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Issuer and each Guarantor, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 302. Denominations.

The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of U.S.$1,000 and any integral multiples of U.S.$1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Issuer by any one Director or Authorized Officer of the Issuer. The signature of any such Director or Authorized Officer of the Issuer on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper Director or Authorized Officer of the Issuer shall bind the Issuer notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, together with an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with such Issuer Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Sections 601 and 603) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

(1) if any form of such Securities has been established pursuant to Board Resolutions or indentures supplemental hereto as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

39


(2) if any terms of such Securities have been established pursuant to Board Resolution or indentures supplemental hereto as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

(3) that all conditions precedent to the authentication and delivery of such securities have been complied with and that such Securities and the Guarantees thereof, when such Securities have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuer and the Guarantors in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, respectively, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles and to such other matters as counsel shall specify therein; and

(4) that all applicable laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Issuer of such Securities have been complied with.

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, the Guarantees and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not be lawfully taken.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the second preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers’ Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Issuer Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such second preceding paragraph at or prior to the authentication of such Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued and reasonably contemplate the original issuance of such Security of such series.

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

No Security or related Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security or Guarantee has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold

 

40


by the Issuer, and the Issuer shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security and any Guarantee shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture including, if applicable, the Guarantee.

Each Guarantor by its execution of this Indenture or an indenture supplemental hereto authorizes the Issuer, in the name and on behalf of such Guarantor, to confirm the Guarantee of such Guarantor to the Holder of each Security authenticated and delivered hereunder by its execution and delivery of each such Security, with such Guarantee noted thereon, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. The Guarantee of a Guarantor with respect to any Security, whether established by this Indenture, by Board Resolutions of such Guarantor in accordance with Section 301 or by an indenture supplemental hereto, shall bind such Guarantor notwithstanding the fact that no Guarantee may be endorsed on such Security.

 

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Issuer may execute temporary Securities, and upon compliance with Section 303 the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, such temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the Directors or Authorized Officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Issuer shall cause definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of such Issuer in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor, one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.

 

SECTION 305. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

(a) General

The Issuer shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office or with the Security Registrar, as applicable, a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other office or agency of the Issuer in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable

 

41


regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuer shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. Citibank, N.A. is hereby appointed by the Issuer as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at the office or agency of the Issuer in a Place of Payment for that series, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like terms and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to this Section 305, at the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like terms and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer (and the related Guarantees shall be the valid obligations of the Guarantors), evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange thereof.

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Security Registrar and duly executed, by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the people making the request.

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

If the Securities of any series are to be redeemed in part, the Issuer shall not be required (A) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and specified terms, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

 

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(b) Global Securities

Except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 301, this Section 305(b) shall apply only to Global Securities.

(1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture or the Securities, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof unless (A) the Depositary (i) has notified the Issuer at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (ii) has ceased to be registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act and a successor Depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (B) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series or (C) a request for certificates has been made by the Issuer upon 60 days’ prior written notice given to the Trustee in accordance with the Depositary’s customary procedures and a copy of such notice has been received by the Issuer from the Trustee. Any Global Security exchanged pursuant to Clause (A) above shall be so exchanged in whole and not in part and any Global Security exchanged pursuant to Clause (B) or (C) above may be exchanged in whole or from time to time in part as directed by the Depositary. Any Security issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be a Global Security; provided that any such Security so issued that is registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or a nominee thereof shall not be a Global Security.

(3) Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof pursuant to Clause (2) above shall be issued in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons, shall have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of such Global Security or portion thereof to be so exchanged, shall be registered in such names and be in such authorized denominations as the Depositary shall designate and shall bear any legends required hereunder. Any Global Security to be exchanged in whole shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as applicable. With regard to any Global Security to be exchanged in part, either such Global Security shall be so surrendered for exchange or, if the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as applicable, is acting as custodian for the Depositary or its nominee with respect to such Global Security, the principal amount thereof shall be reduced, by an amount equal to the portion thereof to be so exchanged, by means of an appropriate adjustment made on the records of the Trustee or Security Registrar, as applicable. Upon any such surrender or adjustment, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Security issuable on such exchange to or upon the order of the Depositary or an authorized representative thereof.

 

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(4) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Clause (2) above, the Issuer shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Securities in definitive, fully registered form, without interest coupons.

(5) Neither any members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) nor any other Persons on whose behalf Agent Members may act (including Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking, S.A. (“Clearstream”) and account holders and participants therein) shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security, or under any Global Security, and the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee, the Agents and any agent of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, as the absolute owner and holder of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agents or any agent of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, or impair, as between the Depositary, its Agent Members and any other person on whose behalf an Agent Member may act, the operation of customary practices of such Persons governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

(6) None of the Trustee, the Agents or any Agent Member shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, having and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

If there shall be delivered to the Issuer and the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any of their agents harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuer or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Issuer shall execute, and, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount, and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuer or any Guarantor, each in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

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Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuer or the Guarantors may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in exchange for any mutilated Security or in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, and any Guarantee thereof, shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities and Guarantees of that series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

Interest on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuer, at its election in each case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

(1) The Issuer or a Guarantor may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuer or a Guarantor shall notify the Trustee and Principal Paying Agent in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Issuer or such Guarantor shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Issuer or such Guarantor shall

 

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promptly notify the Trustee of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer or such Guarantor, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

(2) The Issuer or a Guarantor may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Issuer or such Guarantor to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 307, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, the Principal Paying Agent and any agent of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Security Registrar and the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Security Registrar, the Principal Paying Agent nor any agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor, the Trustee, the Security Registrar or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 309. Cancellation.

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as applicable, be delivered to the Trustee or Security Registrar, as applicable, and shall be promptly cancelled by it. The Issuer or any Guarantor may at any time deliver to the Trustee or the Security Registrar, as applicable, for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuer or any Guarantor may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee or Security Registrar, as applicable (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee or

 

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Security Registrar, as applicable) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Issuer has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee or Security Registrar, as applicable. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee or Security Registrar, as applicable, shall be disposed of in accordance with the Trustee’s or Security Registrar’s customary practice.

 

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.

Except as otherwise established as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 311. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.

The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers in notices as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers.

 

SECTION 312. Agents.

The rights, powers, duties, obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are several and not joint or joint and several. Except as otherwise provided herein, no Agent shall be under any fiduciary duty or other obligation towards, or have any relationship or other agency or trust, for or with any Person other than the Issuer and the Guarantors.

 

SECTION 313. Withholding.

Payments of principal and interest in respect to the Securities are subject in all cases to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto.

ARTICLE FOUR

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

This Indenture shall upon request of the Issuer, made in an Issuer Request, cease to be of further effect (except as provided in the last paragraph to this Section 401) with respect to the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in respect of all Securities of the Issuer, and the Trustee, at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute instruments in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Issuer and its Securities, when

 

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(a) either

(1) all Securities of the Issuer theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuer or a Guarantor and thereafter repaid to the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(i) have become due and payable, or

(ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

(iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuer,

and the Issuer or a Guarantor, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

(b) the Issuer or a Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid or made provision satisfactory to the Trustee for the payment of all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer; and

(c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors to the Trustee and the lien of the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Issuer to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614, any obligations of the Trustee under Section 402, the rights and obligations set forth in the last paragraph of Section 1003 and any rights of registration of transfer, exchange or replacement of Securities provided in Sections 304, 305, 306, 906, 1002 or 1107 and any rights to Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1007 shall survive.

 

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SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through the Principal Paying Agent (including the Issuer or any Guarantor acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and any interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

ARTICLE FIVE

REMEDIES

 

SECTION 501. Events of Default.

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series of the Issuer or the Guarantees thereof, means any one of the following events with respect to the Issuer of such series or any Guarantor (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

(1) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security of that series at its Maturity; or

(2) default in the payment of any interest (including Additional Amounts, if any) upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Issuer of the Securities of that series or any Guarantor in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section 501 specifically dealt with or which has expressly been established as contemplated by Section 301 solely for the benefit of a series of Securities other than that series) and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 45 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer and the Guarantors by the Trustee or to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach, requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or

(4) a default or defaults under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Guarantor (including a default with respect to Securities of any series other than that series) having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least U.S.$25,000,000 (or

 

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the equivalent thereof in other currencies or currency units), or under any mortgage, indenture, agreement or instrument (including this Indenture) under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Guarantor having an aggregate principal amount outstanding of at least U.S.$25,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies or currency units), whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall have resulted in such indebtedness (in each such case being, such indebtedness of at least U.S.$25,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in other currencies or currency units) aggregate principal amount outstanding) becoming or being validly declared due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within a period of 10 days after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuer and the Guarantors by the Trustee a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Issuer or any Guarantor, as the case may be, to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or cause such acceleration to be rescinded or annulled, as the case may be, and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 601 and 602, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of such default unless either (A) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge of such default or (B) the Trustee shall have received at the Corporate Trust Office written notice of such default from the Issuer, from any Guarantor, or from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or

(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, examinership or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor a bankrupt or insolvent or their property en désastre, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor, as the case may be, under any applicable law, or appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, examiner or other similar official (including the Viscount in the case of a désastre) of the Issuer, any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor or of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive days in any such case other than such decree or order made or a resolution passed for the purposes of a reconstruction, amalgamation or reorganization where the Issuer or any Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary is solvent; or

(6) the commencement by the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor of a voluntary case or proceeding

 

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(including a winding up or désastre proceedings) under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, examinership or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor, as the case may be, in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, examinership or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator, examiner or other similar official (including the Viscount in the case of a désastre) of the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Issuer or any Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary of the Parent Guarantor in furtherance of any such action in any such case other than such case or proceeding undertaken, consent given or filing made for the purposes of a reconstruction, amalgamation or reorganization where the Issuer or any Guarantor or the relevant Significant Subsidiary is insolvent;

(7) any Guarantee of Securities of that series is held by a final, non-appealable order resulting from any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Guarantees of Securities of that series; or

(8) any other Event of Default established as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to Securities of that series.

An Event of Default for one series of Securities shall not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of Securities issued hereunder.

 

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series of the Issuer at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series of the Issuer may declare the aggregate principal amount of all the Securities of that series of the Issuer to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuer and the Guarantor (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such aggregate principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable.

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding has been made and before a judgment or decree for

 

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payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(1) the Issuer or the Guarantors have paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(A) all overdue interest and any Additional Amounts thereon on all of the Securities of that series;

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates established pursuant to Section 301 therefor; and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and all amounts due to the Trustee under Section 607; and

(2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

The Issuer and each Guarantor covenant that if:

(1) default is made in the payment of any interest (including any Additional Amounts) on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

(2) default is made in the payment of the principal (including any Redemption Price) of, or premium, if any, on any Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Issuer and the Guarantors will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, and, to the extent that payment of

 

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such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates established pursuant to Section 301 therefor, together with any Additional Amounts thereon, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, fees, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of that series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

 

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Issuer and any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities of a series), their property or their creditors, the Trustee shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator, examiner or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

 

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities or the Guarantees may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel and other amounts due to it under Section 607, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.

Any money and other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,

 

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in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee and the Agents, as applicable, and any predecessor thereof under Section 607;

SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuer, to the Guarantors or any other Person or Persons entitled thereto.

 

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.

No Holder of any Securities of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

(4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such action or proceeding; and

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly

 

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prejudicial to such Holders). For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 507, each and every Holder of the Outstanding Securities of any series and the Trustee shall be entitled, subject to Section 513, to such relief as can be given at law or in equity.

 

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security pursuant to the terms thereof or the Guarantees thereof (and any Additional Amounts) on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

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SECTION 512. Control by Holders.

Subject to Section 603(5), the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided that:

(1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;

(2) the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the Holders not taking part in such direction or result in individual liability for the Trustee; or

(3) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction;

provided, further that the Trustee shall be under no obligation to determine whether any such direction shall be in such conflict or so unjustly prejudicial.

Nothing in this Indenture shall impair the right of the Trustee in its discretion to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by Holders of Securities.

 

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except a default

(1) in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest (including Additional Amounts, if any) on any Security of such series, or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of

 

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such suit, and may assess costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section 514 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Issuer or any Guarantor, the Trustee or any Holder or group of Holders holding in aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Outstanding Security of any series on or after the due date expressed in such Security in accordance with its terms.

 

SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

The Issuer and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of any usury, stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer and each Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

ARTICLE SIX

THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 601.

Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

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In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

 

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.

If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series of which the Trustee has knowledge, the Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section 501(3) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 45 days after the occurrence thereof. For the purpose of this Section 602, the term “default” means any event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

(1) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, security, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

(2) any request or direction of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or Issuer Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any Guarantor may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

(3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely conclusively upon an Officers’ Certificate;

(4) the Trustee may consult with counsel or other professional advisors of its own choice and the advice of such counsel or other professional advisors or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

(5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

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(6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, security, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document in connection with this Indenture, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuer, personally or by agent or attorney and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall be required to terminate any such agent if it has actual knowledge of any failure by such agent to perform its delegated duties;

(8) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured;

(9) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was reckless or grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(10) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

(11) the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;

(12) in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action;

(13) the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended

 

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to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each Agent and to each other agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(14) the Trustee may request that the Issuer deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(15) the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and

(16) if the Trustee receives any conflicting, unclear or equivocal instructions, it may refrain from taking action until such conflict is resolved or such instructions are clarified and shall suffer no liability for so doing.

 

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer or the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authentication Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Guarantees. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer or the Guarantors of the Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

SECTION 605. May Hold Securities.

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Agent or any other agent of the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Issuer and the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, any Agent or such other agent.

 

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.

Money held by the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor the Principal Paying Agent shall be under any liability for interest on or investment of any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be. Any funds held by the Principal Paying Agent shall be held as banker and not subject to the UK FSA Client Money Rules.

 

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SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

The Issuer and the Guarantors jointly and severally agree:

(1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed in writing with the Issuer for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust and any payments 60 days past due shall be made with interest at the Trustee’s prime lending rate):

(2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all expenses, fees, disbursements and advances incurred in good faith or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the compensation and the expenses, fees and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except to the extent any such expense, disbursement or advance may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct; and

(3) to indemnify each of the Trustee and its agents for, and to defend and hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including the compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel and including taxes payable by it, other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee or such agent), arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Issuer, the Guarantors or any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct.

“Trustee” for purposes of this Section 607 shall include any predecessor Trustee, but the negligence or willful misconduct of any Trustee shall not affect the rights or obligations of any other Trustee hereunder. As used in this Section 607, “Trustee” shall also include each Agent, as applicable.

To secure the obligations under this Section 607, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Holders acknowledge that pursuant to the trust arrangements hereunder, the Trustee has a first-priority lien against all money or other property held by the Trustee.

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or Section 501(6), the expenses (including charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

The provisions of this Section 607 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or expiration of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.

If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to Securities of more than one series.

 

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of each series, which may be the Trustee hereunder for Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such, has a combined capital and surplus of at least U.S.$50,000,000. If any such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 609 and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 609, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article Six shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611.

The Trustee and each Agent may resign at any time, without liability for doing so, with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Issuer and the Guarantors. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuer and the Guarantors. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

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If at any time:

(1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request therefor by the Issuer or any Guarantor or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months;

(2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or any Guarantor or by any such Holder; or

(3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

then, in any such case, (A) the Issuer or any Guarantor by a Board Resolution may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuer and the Guarantors, by Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuer and the Guarantors. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuer and the Guarantors or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

The Issuer shall give notice or, having provided the Security Registrar with the form of such notice, shall cause the Security Registrar to give notice, of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each

 

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appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuer, the Guarantors and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the Guarantors, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver a supplemental indenture hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Issuer or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

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Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

Any Person into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation or other entity succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder; provided such Person shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee and itself authenticated such Securities.

 

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuer or Guarantors.

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Issuer or a Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Issuer or a Guarantor (or any such other obligor).

 

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

The Trustee with the consent of the Issuer and the Guarantors, may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities of the Issuer which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, except upon original issue or pursuant to Section 306, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of

 

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America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than U.S.$50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be the combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section 614.

Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent; provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee, to the Issuer and to the Guarantors. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent, to the Issuer and to each of the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 614, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and shall give notice of such appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section 614.

The Issuer agrees to pay to such Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 614.

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 614, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternative certificate of authentication in the following form:

This is one of the Securities referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

  as Authenticating Agent
By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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If all of the Securities of a series may not be originally issued at one time, and if the Trustee does not have an office capable of authenticating Securities upon original issuance located in a Place of Payment where the Issuer wishes to have Securities of such series authenticated upon original issuance, the Trustee, if so requested by the Issuer in writing or by facsimile (which writing need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel), shall appoint in accordance with this Section an Authenticating Agent having an office in a Place of Payment designated by the Issuer with respect of such series of Securities.

 

SECTION 615. Trustee’s Duties Regarding Reductions of Capital.

Each Holder hereby consents to the Issuer or any Guarantor applying to a court of competent jurisdiction for an order sanctioning a reduction in any of its share capital accounts including, without limitation, by re-characterizing any sum standing to the credit of a share premium account as a distributable reserve (a “Reduction of Capital”). Each Holder hereby agrees that the Trustee, on behalf of the Holder, is authorized and directed to give its consent to any such Reduction of Capital.

ARTICLE SEVEN

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND ISSUER AND GUARANTOR

 

SECTION 701. Issuer to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall furnish or cause the Security Registrar to furnish to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not later than ten days after each Regular Record Date with respect to each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may reasonably request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

 

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excluding from any such list names and addresses received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar, to the extent the Trustee is then acting as Security Registrar.

 

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar, to the extent the Trustee is then acting as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

The rights of Holders of the Securities of any series to communicate with other Holders of Securities of such series with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities or the Guarantees, and the corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust Indenture Act.

Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee that none of the Issuer, the Guarantors or the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act or other applicable law.

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

Within 60 days of each June 30, beginning with June 30, 2012, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Issuer. The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 704. Reports by Issuer and Guarantors.

(a) The Issuer and the Guarantors shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to Holders of Securities, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 1013.

(b) With respect to the Securities of any series and for so long as the Securities of such series are Outstanding, the Issuer and the Guarantors shall furnish to

 

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the Trustee as soon as practicable, at the expense of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and the Trustee shall promptly distribute to the Holders of Securities of such series, any other information as is specified in a supplemental indenture or Board Resolution as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s and/or the Guarantors’ compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

ARTICLE EIGHT

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

 

SECTION 801. Issuer or Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms.

Neither the Issuer nor any Guarantor may consolidate with or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, unless:

(1) any Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or to whom the Issuer or such Guarantor has conveyed, transferred or leased all or substantially all of its properties and assets is a corporation, partnership, trust, company or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United Kingdom or any jurisdiction thereof, Jersey, any jurisdiction included from time to time in the European Union (or its successors), the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person expressly assumes, by a supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s obligations on the Securities or the Guarantees, as the case may be, and under this Indenture (including any obligation to pay any Additional Amounts and, in the case of a Guarantor, the performance or observance of its Guarantee);

(2) in the case of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease by the Issuer or any Guarantor, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;

(3) any such Person, or any parent of such Person, shall expressly agree, by an supplemental indenture hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, to indemnify the Holder of each Security of the Issuer against (i) any tax, duty, levy, assessment or governmental charge imposed on such Holder or required to be withheld or deducted from any payment

 

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to such Holder as a consequence of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, and (ii) any costs or expenses of the act of such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease; and

(4) the Issuer or such Guarantor has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 801 shall not apply to any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or any Guarantor to the extent that the Person to which such properties or assets are conveyed, transferred or leased is a Guarantor of the Securities or becomes a Guarantor of the Securities concurrent with any such conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s properties and assets, or is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of any such Guarantor or person who so becomes a Guarantor.

 

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.

Upon any consolidation of the Issuer or a Guarantor with, or merger of the Issuer or a Guarantor with or into, any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person (the “Successor Person”) formed by such consolidation or with or into which the Issuer or such Guarantor is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Successor Person had been named as the Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities or the Guarantees, as the case may be.

ARTICLE NINE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures without Consent of Holders.

Without the consent of any Holders, the Issuer and the Guarantors when authorized by a Board Resolution of the Issuer and each Guarantor, as the case may be, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Issuer or a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Issuer or such Guarantor herein and in the Securities or Guarantees; or

 

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(2) to add to the covenants of the Issuer or a Guarantor or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer or a Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants or surrenders are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants or surrenders are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

(3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

(4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or

(5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities; provided that any such addition, change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only when there is no such Security Outstanding; or

(6) to modify the restrictions on the transferability of any Securities, and the procedures for resales and other transfers of the Securities to reflect any change in applicable law or regulation (or the interpretation thereof) or to provide alternative procedures in compliance with applicable law and practices relating to the resale or other transfer of restricted securities generally; or

(7) to secure the Securities pursuant to the requirements of Article Ten or otherwise; or

(8) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 or 301; or

(9) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or

 

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(10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such action pursuant to this clause (10) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material respect; or

(11) to amend this Indenture to conform the terms of any series of Securities with the description thereof set forth in the related prospectus supplement, prospectus and any term sheet related thereto or set forth in the related offering memorandum and any term sheet related thereto; or

(12) to add one or more additional guarantors of the obligations under the Securities and this Indenture for the benefit of all or any series of Securities; or

(13) to amend this Indenture to conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act as in effect at the time of the execution of such supplemental indenture; and

(14) to make any other change that does not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities in any material respect.

 

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

With the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with tender offers or exchange offers), by Act of said Holders delivered to the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, the Issuer and the Guarantors, when authorized by Board Resolutions of, respectively, the Issuer and each Guarantor, and the Trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest (including Additional Amounts, if any) on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest (or Additional Amounts, if any) thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption or repurchase thereof, or change any obligation of the Issuer or the Guarantors to pay any Additional Amounts or reduce the amount of the principal of any other Security which would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or modify in any way the Issuer’s obligation to pay Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1007 or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Security or any premium or interest (including Additional Amounts, if any) thereon is payable, or

 

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impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repurchase, on or after the Redemption Date or the Repurchase Date), or

(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or

(3) modify any of the provisions of this Section 902, Section 513 or Section 1011, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to “the Trustee” and concomitant changes in this Section 902 and Section 1011, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections 612 and 901(8), or

(4) change in any manner adverse to the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series the terms and conditions of the obligations of the Guarantors under their Guarantees in respect of the full and punctual payment of the principal thereof and any premium and interest thereon (and any Additional Amounts in respect thereof).

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section 902 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article Nine or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall receive, in addition to the documents required under Section 102, and (subject to Section 601 and 603) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that such supplemental indenture is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer and the Guarantors, and that all conditions precedent have been complied with. The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

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SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby, except to the extent, if any, therein expressly provided otherwise.

 

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

Subsequent to the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Issuer and the Guarantors shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer and the Guarantors, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuer and such Securities may be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

ARTICLE TEN

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

The Issuer covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of Securities of the Issuer that it shall duly and punctually pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

With respect to any Global Security, and except as otherwise may be specified for such Global Security as contemplated by Section 301, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee shall be the Place of Payment where such Global Security may be presented or surrendered for payment or for registration of transfer or exchange, or where successor Securities may be delivered in exchange therefor; provided, however, that any such payment, presentation, surrender or delivery effected pursuant to the Applicable Procedures of the Depositary for such Global Security shall be deemed to have been effected at the Place of Payment for such Global Security in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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With respect to any securities that are not in the form of a Global Security, the Issuer shall maintain in each Place of Payment, including, without limitation, in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Issuer hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series of the Issuer may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuer of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Issuer hereby appoints Citibank, N.A. as such agent. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Guarantors shall maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities to which their Guarantees apply an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment pursuant to any Guarantee and where notices and demands to or upon the Guarantors in respect of any Guarantee and this Indenture may be served. The Guarantors shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Guarantors shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Guarantors hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders and demands.

The Guarantors may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series to which their Guarantees apply may be presented or surrendered for such purpose or where such notices or demands may be served and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve any Guarantor of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Guarantors hereby appoint Citibank, N.A. as such agent. The Guarantors shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

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SECTION 1003. Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust.

If the Issuer or any Guarantor shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act.

Whenever the Issuer shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it shall, no later than 10:00 a.m. New York City time on each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with the Principal Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided in the Trust Indenture Act for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or any premium or interest, and (unless such Principal Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act. The Issuer shall confirm to the Principal Paying Agent by 10:00 a.m. (local time in the city of the Principal Paying Agent’s specified office) on the second Business Day in the city of the Principal Paying Agent’s specified office before the due date for any such payment that irrevocable instructions have been issued. If the Principal Paying Agent determines in its absolute discretion that payment in accordance with this Section 1003 is required to be made earlier, it shall provide the Issuer with no less than 21 days’ prior notice in writing of such requirement. If the Principal Paying Agent pays out any amount due under the terms of the Securities on or after the due date therefor on the assumption that the corresponding payment for such amount has been or will be made by the Issuer and such payment has in fact not been so made by the Issuer prior to the time that the Principal Paying Agent pays such amount, then the Issuer, on demand, shall reimburse the Principal Paying Agent for such amount and pay interest to the Principal Paying Agent on such amount from the date on which it is paid out to the date of reimbursement at a rate per annum equal to the cost to the Principal Paying Agent of funding the amount paid out as certified by the Principal Paying Agent and expressed as a rate per annum. Nothing in this Section 1003 shall require the Principal Paying Agent to pay out any amount due under the terms of the Securities prior to receiving payment thereof in immediately available funds from the Issuer or any Guarantor.

The Principal Paying Agent shall be entitled to make payments net of any taxes or other sums required by any applicable law to be withheld or deducted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such withholding or deduction is without prejudice to the obligations of each of the Issuer and the Guarantors to make payments in full of all amounts due and payable under the terms of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture and the Securities of any series.

The Issuer and the Guarantors hereby appoint Citibank, N.A. as initial Principal Paying Agent for the Securities and Citibank, N.A., London Branch, as a Paying Agent for the Securities.

 

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The Issuer shall cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities that is not a party to this Indenture to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent shall (1) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the continuance of any default by the Issuer or any Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Securities of that series or any Guarantee, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of that series or the Guarantees.

The Issuer may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuer Order direct the Principal Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuer or such Principal Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuer or such Principal Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by the Principal Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Principal Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer or any Guarantor, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest or Additional Amounts on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium, interest or Additional Amounts has become due and payable shall be paid to the Issuer or to such Guarantor by the Trustee or such Principal Paying Agent, or (if then held by the Issuer or such Guarantor) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer or the Guarantors for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Principal Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer or such Guarantor as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the date hereof, an Officers’ Certificate (one of which officers signing such certificate shall be, for the purposes of this Section 1004, the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting office of the Issuer and the Guarantors), stating whether or not to the knowledge of the signers thereof the Issuer and the Guarantors are in compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and if the Issuer or any Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which they may have knowledge.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee, as soon as possible and in any event within 10 days after the Issuer or any Guarantor becomes aware that a default or an Event of Default, or an event that, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default, as the case may be, has occurred and is continuing, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or default and the action which the Issuer proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

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SECTION 1005. Existence.

Subject to Article Eight, the Issuer and the Guarantors each shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that the Issuer and each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if its respective Board of Directors shall determine in a Board Resolution that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Issuer or such Guarantor and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 1006. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Issuer or the Guarantors or upon the income, profits or property of the Issuer or the Guarantors, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Issuer or the Guarantors; provided, however, that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established.

 

SECTION 1007. Additional Amounts.

All payments pursuant to the Securities and the Guarantees shall be made without withholding or deduction for, or on account of, any present or future taxes, duties, levies, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature (“taxes”) imposed or levied by or on behalf of (i) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor is incorporated or resident (or deemed for tax purposes to be resident), (ii) the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) in which the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor makes payment on the Securities or the Guarantees or (iii) the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein (each, an “Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless such taxes are required by the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction to be withheld or deducted. In that event, the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Parent Guarantor shall pay by way of additional interest on the Securities such additional amounts of, or in respect of, principal, premium, if any, and interest (“Additional Amounts”) as will result (after deduction of such taxes and any additional taxes payable in respect of such Additional Amounts) in the payment to each Holder of such Securities of the amounts which would have been payable in respect of such Security or Guarantee had no such withholding or deduction been required, except that no Additional Amounts shall be so payable for or on account of:

(i) any taxes that would not have been imposed but for the fact that such Holder:

(a) was a resident, domiciliary or national of, or engaged in business or maintained a permanent establishment or was physically present in, the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction or otherwise had some connection with the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction other than the mere ownership of, or receipt of payment under, such Security or Guarantee;

 

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(b) presented (if presentation is required) such Security or Guarantee for payment in the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction, unless such Security or Guarantee could not have been presented for payment in another member state of the European Union; or

(c) presented (if presentation is required) such Security or Guarantee, as the case may be, more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the payment in respect of such Security first became due and payable or provided for, whichever is later, except to the extent that the Holder would have been entitled to such Additional Amounts if it had presented such Security or Guarantee for payment on any day within such period of thirty (30) days;

(ii) any estate, inheritance, gift, sale, transfer, personal property or similar taxes;

(iii) any taxes that are payable otherwise than by withholding or deduction from payments of, or in respect of, principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or Guarantee, as the case may be;

(iv) any taxes that are imposed or withheld by reason of the failure to comply by the Holder or the beneficial owner of a Security with a request of the Issuer or any Guarantor addressed to the Holder and received by such Holder at least thirty (30) days prior to the first payment date with respect to which such information is required (a) to provide information concerning the nationality, residence or identity of the Holder or such beneficial owner or (b) to make any declaration or other similar claim or satisfy any information or reporting requirement, which, in the case of (a) or (b), is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation or administrative practice of the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from all or part of such tax, assessment or other governmental charge;

(v) any tax imposed on a payment to an individual and required to be made pursuant to the European Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced to conform to, such Directive;

(vi) any taxes payable by or on behalf of a Holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Security or Guarantee to another Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union;

(vii) any taxes payable pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code or otherwise imposed pursuant to Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, any regulations or agreements thereunder, official interpretations thereof, or any law implementing an intergovernmental approach thereto; or

(viii) any combination of items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii);

 

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nor shall Additional Amounts be paid with respect to any payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Security or Guarantee to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or other than the sole beneficial owner of such payment to the extent such payment would be required by the laws of the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction to be included in the income for tax purposes of a beneficiary or settlor with respect to such fiduciary or a member of such partnership or a beneficial owner who would not have been entitled to such Additional Amounts had it been the Holder of the Security.

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, payment pursuant to the Securities or the Guarantee such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 1007 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

The Issuer or the Guarantors shall (i) make any required withholding or deduction and (ii) remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction in accordance with applicable law. The Issuer or the Guarantors shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain certified copies of tax receipts evidencing the payment of any taxes so deducted or withheld from each Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction imposing such taxes and will provide such certified copies to each Holder. The Issuer or the Guarantors shall attach to each certified copy a certificate stating (x) that the amount of withholding taxes evidenced by the certified copy was paid in connection with payments in respect of the principal amount of Securities then outstanding and (y) the amount of such withholding taxes paid per U.S.$1,000 principal amount of the Securities. Copies of such documentation will be available for inspection during ordinary business hours at the office of the Trustee by the Holders of the Securities upon request and will be made available at the offices of the Paying Agent located in Luxembourg if the Securities are then listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

At least 30 days prior to each date on which any payment under or with respect to the Securities of a series or the related Guarantee is due and payable (unless such obligation to pay Additional Amounts arises shortly before or after the 30th day prior to such date, in which case it shall be promptly thereafter), if the Issuer or the Guarantors shall be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to such payment, the Issuer or the Guarantors shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating the fact that such Additional Amounts will be payable, the amounts so payable and will set forth such other information necessary to enable the Trustee to pay such Additional Amounts to Holders on the payment date. Each such Officers’ Certificate shall be relied upon until receipt of a further Officers’ Certificate addressing such matters.

 

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If the Issuer or any Guarantor conducts business in any jurisdiction (an “Additional Taxing Jurisdiction”) other than an Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction and, as a result, is required by the law of such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction to deduct or withhold any amount on account of taxes imposed by such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction from payments under the Securities or the Guarantees, as the case may be, which would not have been required to be so deducted or withheld but for such conduct of business in such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction, the Additional Amounts provision described above shall be considered to apply to such Holders as if references in such provision to “taxes” included taxes imposed by way of deduction or withholding by any such Additional Taxing Jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof or taxing authority therein).

The Issuer or the Guarantors shall pay any present or future stamp, court or documentary taxes, or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise in any jurisdiction from the execution, delivery or registration of any Security or any other document or instrument referred to therein (other than a transfer of the Securities), or the receipt of any payments with respect to the Securities or the Guarantees, excluding any such taxes, charges or similar levies imposed by any jurisdiction outside Luxembourg, the United States, the United Kingdom, Jersey, Ireland or any jurisdiction in which a Paying Agent is located, other than those resulting from, or required to be paid in connection with, the enforcement of the Securities, the Guarantees or any other such document or instrument following the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Securities.

The foregoing obligations will survive any termination, defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and will apply mutatis mutandis to any jurisdiction in which any successor to the Issuer or any Guarantor is organized or any political subdivision or taxing authority or agency thereof or therein.

The Issuer undertakes that it will ensure that it maintains Paying Agents having offices in at least one major European city and a Paying Agent in a member state of the European Union that is not obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive and that at all times there shall at all times be a Paying Agent in a jurisdiction within continental Europe, other than the jurisdiction in which the Issuer or any Guarantor is incorporated.

 

SECTION 1008. Additional Guarantees.

If any direct or indirect parent of WPP plc, or any of the subsidiaries of WPP plc that is not a Guarantor, or any other subsidiary of any Parent Guarantor, becomes a guarantor of any of the Eurobonds, the Sterling Bonds or the USA Notes, then such guaranteeing entity shall:

(a) execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee pursuant to which such entity shall become a Guarantor of the debt securities; and

(b) deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel (which may contain customary exceptions) that such supplemental indenture and guarantee have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such guaranteeing entity and constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of such guaranteeing entity;

 

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provided, however, that unless otherwise specified in a supplemental indenture, none of (i) Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings, a private unlimited company organized and existing under the laws of England and Wales (ii) WPP 2012 Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of Jersey, (iii) WPP Air 1 Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of Ireland, (iv) WPP Air 3 Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of Ireland, or (v) WPP 2008 Limited, a private limited company organized under the laws of England and Wales, shall be required to become a Guarantor of any Securities issued under this Indenture.

WPP plc covenants that in the event that any of WPP 2012 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP Air 1 Limited or WPP Air 3 Limited owns more than U.S.$10 million of total assets, such company shall become a guarantor of the notes pursuant to this Section 1008.

 

SECTION 1009. Limitations on Security Interests.

(a) For so long as any Securities remain Outstanding under this Indenture, WPP plc shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to create, suffer or permit to subsist any Security Interest (except for Permitted Security Interests) on the whole or any part of their respective Property (whether owned as of the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired) without making effective provision whereby all the Securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with the obligation secured by such Security Interest.

(b) If, as provided in Section 1008, a direct or indirect parent of WPP plc becomes a Guarantor of the Securities, then Section 1009(a) shall cease to have effect and the covenant set forth in this Section 1009(b) shall become operative and thereafter, for so long as any Securities remain Outstanding under this Indenture, the Parent Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to create, suffer or permit to subsist any Security Interest (except for Permitted Security Interests) on the whole or any part of their respective Property (whether owned as of the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired) without making effective provision whereby all the Securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with the obligation secured by such Security Interest.

 

SECTION 1010. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback.

(a) For so long as any Securities remain Outstanding under this Indenture, WPP plc shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries), or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by WPP plc or such Restricted Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any assets which have been owned by WPP plc or any Restricted Subsidiary for more than 270 days and which have been or are to be sold or transferred by WPP plc or any Restricted Subsidiary to such lender or investor or, as a part of such arrangement, to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such assets (herein referred to as a “sale and leaseback transaction”) unless WPP plc or such Restricted Subsidiary, within one year after the sale or transfer will have been made by WPP plc or such Restricted Subsidiary, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the

 

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assets sold and leased back pursuant to such arrangement (i) to the retirement of Indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries which by its terms matures at, or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to, a date more than 12 months after the date of incurring, assuming or guaranteeing such Indebtedness or (ii) to investment in any assets of WPP plc or any of its Subsidiaries (herein referred to as a “Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, WPP plc or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to their respective assets in addition to those permitted above; provided, however, that at the time of entering into such sale and leaseback transactions and after giving effect thereto, WPP plc or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled pursuant to any Permitted Security Interests to create, suffer or permit to subsist a Security Interest on such assets without making effective provision whereby all the Securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with such indebtedness.

(b) If, as provided in Section 1008, a direct or indirect parent of WPP plc becomes a Guarantor of the Securities, then Section 1010(a) shall cease to have effect and the covenant set forth in this Section 1010(b) shall become operative and thereafter, for so long as any Securities remain Outstanding under this Indenture, the Parent Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any arrangement with any bank, insurance company or other lender or investor (not including the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries), or to which any such lender or investor is a party, providing for the leasing by the Parent Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary for a period, including renewals, in excess of three years of any assets which have been owned by the Parent Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary for more than 270 days and which have been or are to be sold or transferred by the Parent Guarantor or any Restricted Subsidiary to such lender or investor or, as a part of such arrangement, to any Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such lender or investor on the security of such assets (herein referred to as a “sale and leaseback transaction”) unless the Parent Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary, within one year after the sale or transfer will have been made by the Parent Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary, applies an amount equal to the net proceeds of the sale of the assets sold and leased back pursuant to such arrangement (i) to the retirement of Indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries which by its terms matures at, or is extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor to, a date more than 12 months after the date of incurring, assuming or guaranteeing such Indebtedness or (ii) to investment in any assets of the Parent Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries (herein referred to as a “Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction”).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parent Guarantor or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into sale and leaseback transactions with respect to their respective assets in addition to those permitted above; provided, however, that at the time of entering into such sale and leaseback transactions and after giving effect thereto, the Parent Guarantor or the Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled pursuant to any Permitted Security Interests to create, suffer or permit to subsist a Security Interest on such assets without making effective provision whereby all the Securities shall be directly secured equally and ratably with such indebtedness.

 

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SECTION 1011. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

Except as otherwise established as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of any series, the Issuer and any Guarantor may, with respect to the Securities of such series of the Issuer, omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in any covenant adopted by a supplemental indenture under Sections 301(19), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such series, or in any of Sections 1005, 1006, 1009 or 1010, if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

SECTION 1012. Indemnification of Judgment Currency.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall indemnify the Trustee and any Holder of a Security against any loss incurred by the Trustee or such Holder, as the case may be, as a result of any judgment or order being given or made for any amount due under this Indenture or such Security and being expressed and paid in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than Dollars, and as a result of any variation between (i) the rate of exchange at which the Dollar amount is converted into the Judgment Currency for the purpose of such judgment or order and (ii) the spot rate of exchange in The City of New York at which the Trustee or such Holder, as the case may be, on the date of payment of such judgment or order is able to purchase Dollars with the amount of the Judgment Currency actually received by the Trustee or such Holder. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence of this Section 1012, in the event that the amount of Dollars purchased by any Holder as a result of such indemnification exceeds the amount originally to be paid to such Holder, such Holder shall reimburse such excess to the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the Issuer and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term “spot rate of exchange” shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of, or conversion into, Dollars.

 

SECTION 1013. Provision of Exchange Act Reports and Other Information.

WPP plc, Parent Guarantor or any successor shall furnish the Trustee, within 15 days after it files or furnishes the same with the Commission, copies of WPP plc’s annual report or any Parent Guarantor’s annual report and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may by rules and regulations prescribe) which WPP plc or the Parent Guarantor, if any, is required to file with or furnish to the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

 

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Exchange Act, including its annual reports on Form 20-F and its reports on Form 6-K or copies of the information included in such reports on Form 6-K (or its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, if the reporting person is not a foreign private issuer, as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act). In addition, to the extent that such reports are not available on the Commission’s website or WPP plc’s or the Parent Guarantor’s website, WPP plc or the Parent Guarantor shall make the same information, documents and other reports available, at its expense, to Holders who so request in writing. In the event that, in the future, neither WPP plc nor the Parent Guarantor is required to file such information, documents or other reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and is not exempt from such reporting obligations pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b)), WPP plc or the Parent Guarantor shall furnish to Holders, and to prospective Holders designated by Holders, the information contemplated by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer’s and/or any Guarantor’s compliance with any of its respective covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

For so long as the Securities of a series are listed on a securities exchange, the Issuer or the Parent Guarantor, if any, shall make any reports or other information supplied to the Trustee pursuant to this Section available at the office of the Issuer’s paying agent or transfer agent in the jurisdiction where such exchange is located and shall notify such exchange of the occurrence of any Event of Default and, prior to publication of notice of such Event of Default in the jurisdiction where such exchange is located, submit a draft of the notice to the exchange.

ARTICLE ELEVEN

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms established as contemplated by Section 301 and (except as otherwise established as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities of such series) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

The election of the Issuer to redeem any Securities of any series of the Issuer shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution of the Issuer. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuer of any of the Securities of any series of the Issuer (including any such redemption affecting only a single Security), the Issuer shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Issuer (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to

 

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the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the Redemption Price, of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities established as contemplated by Section 301, the Issuer shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, Security Registrar or Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee, Security Registrar or Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series; provided that the unredeemed portion of the principal of any Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, Security Registrar or Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, from the Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized denomination) for such Security.

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at his address appearing in the Security Register.

 

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All notices of redemption shall state:

(1) the Redemption Date,

(2) the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest, if any,

(3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,

(4) that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price (together with any accrued and unpaid interest payable to, but excluding the Redemption Date) will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

(5) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and

(6) the “CUSIP” or “ISIN” numbers, if any.

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer’s written request given to the Trustee at least 15 days before the date such notice is to be given to the Holders (unless a shorter period is agreed to by the Trustee), by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer, and shall be irrevocable.

 

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

On or before 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Issuer or the Guarantors shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Principal Paying Agent (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Issuer shall confirm to the Principal Paying Agent by 10:00 a.m. (local time in the city of the Principal Paying Agent’s specified office) on the second Business Day in the city of the Principal Paying Agent’s specified office before the due date for any such payment that irrevocable instructions have been issued. If the Principal Paying Agent determines in its absolute discretion that payment in accordance with this Section 1105 is required to be made earlier, it shall provide the Issuer with no less than 21 days’ prior notice in writing of such requirement.

 

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SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price applicable thereto, and from and after such date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued and unpaid interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuer or the Guarantors at the Redemption Price, together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Date according to their terms and the provisions of Section 307.

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal and any Redemption Price shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the terms of the Security established as contemplated by Section 301.

 

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Issuer or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

SECTION 1108. Optional Redemption Due to Changes in Tax Treatment.

If as the result of any change in or any amendment to the laws, regulations or published tax rulings of the Applicable Taxing Jurisdiction affecting taxation, or any change in the official administration, application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or published tax rulings either generally or in relation to any particular Securities or Guarantee thereof, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the original issue date of such Securities, it is determined by the Issuer and the Guarantors that the Issuer or a Guarantor (x) would be required to pay any Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 1007 of this Indenture or the terms of any Security or Guarantee thereof in respect of interest on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (assuming, in the case of a Guarantor, a payment in respect of such interest was required to be made by such Guarantor under its Guarantee thereof on such Interest Payment Date), and (y) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or such Guarantor taking reasonable measures available to it or such Guarantor (including by having payments with respect to Securities or Guarantees made by the Issuer or a Guarantor which would not be required to pay any Additional Amounts), the Issuer may, at its option, redeem all

 

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(but not less than all) the Securities of any series in respect of which such Additional Amounts would be so payable at any time, upon notice as provided in Sections 1102 and 1104, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest and Additional Amounts, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption; provided, however, that (a) no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 60 days prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer or such Guarantor would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts were a payment in respect of the Securities or the Guarantee thereof, as the case may be, then due and (b) at the time any such redemption notice is given, such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts must remain in effect.

Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption pursuant to this Section, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel of independent tax counsel of recognized standing in the relevant jurisdiction to the effect that the Issuer or a Guarantor would be required to pay Additional Amounts on the next payment in respect of such Securities, and (ii) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such obligation cannot be avoided by the Issuer or such Guarantor, taking reasonable measures available to it, and the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such opinion and Officers’ Certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out above in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Holders of such Securities.

If (1) the Issuer or any Guarantor shall have on any date (the “Succession Date”) consolidated with or merged into, or conveyed or transferred or leased all or substantially all of its properties and assets to, any Successor Person which is organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the jurisdiction in which the Issuer or such Guarantor is organized, (2) as the result of any change in or any amendment to the laws, regulations or published tax rulings of such jurisdiction of organization, or of any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, affecting taxation, or any change in the official administration, application or interpretation of such laws, regulations or published tax rulings either generally or in relation to any particular Securities or the Guarantees thereof, which change or amendment becomes effective on or after the Succession Date, such Successor Person would be required to pay any Additional Amounts pursuant to Section 801(3) hereof or the terms of any Security or the Guarantees thereof in respect of interest on any Securities on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (assuming, in the case of a successor Guarantor, that a payment in respect of such interest were required to be made by such successor Guarantor under the Guarantee on such Interest Payment Date), and (3) such obligation cannot be avoided by the Successor Person taking reasonable measures available to it, the Issuer or such Successor Person may, at its option, redeem all (but not less than all) of the Securities of any series in respect of which such Additional Amounts would be so payable at any time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ written notice as provided in Section 1102 and 1104, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest) to, but excluding, the date fixed for redemption and Additional Amounts, if any; provided, however, that (1) no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 60 days prior to the earliest date on which a Successor Person would be obligated to pay such Additional Amounts were a payment in respect of the Securities or Guarantee thereof, as the case may be, then due, and (2) at the time any such redemption notice is given, such obligation to pay such Additional Amounts must remain in effect.

 

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Prior to the mailing of any notice of redemption to all Holders pursuant to this Section, the Successor Person shall deliver to the Trustee (i) an Opinion of Counsel of independent tax counsel of recognized standing in the relevant jurisdiction to the effect that such Successor Person would be required to pay Additional Amounts on the next payment in respect of such Securities, and (ii) an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such obligation cannot be avoided by the Successor Person taking reasonable measures available to it, and the Trustee shall accept such opinion and Officers’ Certificate as sufficient evidence of the satisfaction of the condition precedent set out above in which event it shall be conclusive and binding on the Holders of such Securities.

ARTICLE TWELVE

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 1201. Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 1202 and Section 1203 shall apply to the Outstanding Securities of any series (a “Defeasible Series”) to the extent that the terms of such Securities established as contemplated by Section 301 provide for such applicability.

 

SECTION 1202. Defeasance and Discharge.

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged from their respective obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any Defeasible Series, as provided in this Section 1202 on and after the date the applicable conditions set forth in Section 1204 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Defeasance”) with respect to such Securities. For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series and to have satisfied all their other respective obligations under the Securities of such series and this Indenture insofar as the Securities of such series are concerned (and the Trustee, at the written request and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1204 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, any premium and interest and Additional Amounts on, such Securities of such series when payments are due, (2) the Issuer’s and the Guarantors’ obligations with respect to the Securities of such series under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002, 1003, 1007 (to the extent then unknown) and 1012, (3) the rights (including without limitation, the rights set forth in Section 607), powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance with this Article, the Issuer or the Guarantors may defease any Securities pursuant to this Section notwithstanding the prior Covenant Defeasance of such Securities pursuant to Section 1203.

 

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SECTION 1203. Covenant Defeasance.

On and after the date the applicable conditions set forth in Section 1204 are satisfied (hereinafter called “Covenant Defeasance”) with respect to the Outstanding Securities of any Defeasible Series of the Issuer, pursuant to this Section 1203, (1) the Issuer and the Guarantors shall be released from their respective obligations under Section 801, 1005, 1006, 1009, 1010, 1011 and 1013, and any covenants established as contemplated by Section 301 or adopted by supplemental indenture hereto under Section 901(2) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(3) and 501(4) or pursuant to Section 501(7) with respect to any obligations referred to in Clause (1) of this Section 1203 shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series as provided in this Section. For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that the Issuer and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and the Securities of such series shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 1204. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the Defeasance pursuant to Section 1202 or the Covenant Defeasance pursuant to Section 1203 of the Outstanding Securities of any Defeasible Series of the Issuer:

(a) The Issuer or any Guarantor shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this Article applicable to it) or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee) or the Principal Paying Agent, as applicable, to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of such series on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and the Securities of such series.

As used herein, “U.S. Government Obligation” means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the

 

91


United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii), is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so specified and held; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest evidenced by such depositary receipt.

(b) The Issuer or any Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee Opinions of Counsel to the effect that (a) the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes or be subject to any taxes or recognize gain or loss for income tax purposes in the jurisdictions in which the Issuer is organized, resident or carries on business as a result of the deposit and Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax and income taxes, capital gains and other taxes, including withholding taxes in such jurisdictions in the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance were not to occur, which in the case of Defeasance pursuant to Section 1202 must (in the case of U.S. Federal income tax matters) be based on a change in law or published ruling by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and (b) the deposit shall not result in the Issuer being deemed an “investment company” required to register under the Investment Company Act.

(c) The Issuer or any Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that the Securities of such series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will not be delisted as a result of such deposit.

(d) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).

(e) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act (assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).

(f) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which it or they are bound.

(g) The Issuer or any Guarantor shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

 

92


SECTION 1205. Deposited Money and US. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and Section 1206, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to collectively as the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1204 in respect of any Securities of the Issuer shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through the Principal Paying Agent (or the Issuer or any Guarantor if the Issuer or a Guarantor shall then be acting as its own or their own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1204 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer or the Guarantors, as the case may be, from time to time upon an Issuer Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1204 with respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 1206. Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or the Principal Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities of the Issuer by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this Indenture and such Securities from which the Issuer and the Guarantors have been discharged or released pursuant to Section 1202 or 1203 shall be revived and reinstated, as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such Securities, until such time as the Trustee or such Principal Paying Agent is permitted to apply all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1205 with respect to such Securities in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Issuer or any Guarantor makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer or such Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money so held in trust.

 

93


ARTICLE THIRTEEN

GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1301. Guarantee.

Each Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series issued by the Issuer that has been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, and to the Trustee, the full and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security (and any Additional Amounts payable in respect thereof), when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption, call for repurchase or otherwise, and any other amounts due under this Indenture, all in accordance with the terms of such Security and of this Indenture. Each Guarantee is a direct, unsubordinated and unsecured obligation of such Guarantor and ranks pari passu with all other unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of such Guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be as if it were a principal debtor and not merely a surety, and shall be absolute and unconditional, irrespective of, and shall be unaffected by, any invalidity, irregularity or unenforceability of any Security of any series or this Indenture, any failure to enforce the provisions of any Security of any series or this Indenture, any waiver, modification or indulgence granted to the Issuer with respect thereto, by the Holder of any Security of any series or the Trustee, or any other circumstances which may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantee; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no such waiver, modification or indulgence shall, without the consent of the Guarantor increase the principal amount of a Security or the interest rate thereon or increase any premium payable upon redemption thereof. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of merger or bankruptcy of the Issuer, any right to require a proceeding first against the Issuer, the benefit of discussion, protest or notice with respect to any Security or the indebtedness evidenced thereby and all demands whatsoever, and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged with respect to any Security except by payment in full of the principal thereof and any premium and interest thereon or as provided in Article Four, Section 802 or Article Twelve. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, the Maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby.

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of each Holder of Securities against the Issuer in respect of any amounts paid to such Holder by such Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Guarantee; provided, however, that such Guarantor shall

 

94


not be entitled to enforce, or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities of the same series and of like tenor shall have been paid in full.

No past, present or future stockholder, officer, director, employee or incorporator of any Guarantor shall have any personal liability under the Guarantee set forth in this Section 1301 by reason of his or its status as such stockholder, officer, director, employee or incorporator.

 

SECTION 1302. Execution and Delivery of Indenture.

To further evidence a Guarantee set forth in Section 1301, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture, or a supplemental indenture hereto, shall be executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Guarantor. The validity and enforceability of any Guarantee shall not be affected by the fact that it is not affixed to any particular Security.

Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in Section 1301 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Security a notation of such Guarantee.

If an Officer of a Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture, or an indenture supplemental hereto, no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Securities or at any time thereafter, such Guarantor’s Guarantee (pursuant to this Indenture) of such Security shall be valid nevertheless.

The delivery of the Securities of any series by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantees set forth in this Indenture on behalf of such Guarantor.

 

95


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.

 

ISSUER:
Executed as a Deed by WPP FINANCE 2010 acting by [                    ], a director

 

Director
In the presence of:

 

Witness’s signature
Name:
Occupation:
Address:

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


PARENT GUARANTOR:
WPP PLC
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


GUARANTOR:
Executed as a Deed by WPP JUBILEE LIMITED acting by [                    ], a director

 

Director
In the presence of:

 

Witness’s signature
Name:
Occupation:
Address:

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


GUARANTOR:
Executed as a Deed by WPP 2005 LIMITED acting by [                    ], a director

 

Director
In the presence of:

 

Witness’s signature
Name:
Occupation:
Address:

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


TRUSTEE:

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


SECURITY REGISTRAR AND PRINCIPAL PAYING AGENT:

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Security Registrar and Principal Paying Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]


PAYING AGENT:

CITIBANK, N.A., LONDON BRANCH,

as a Paying Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[WPP Finance 2010 Indenture]

EX-5.1 3 d622182dex51.htm EX-5.1 EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

   LOGO

WPP Finance 2010

27 Farm Street

London

W1J 5RJ

  

Allen & Overy LLP

One Bishops Square

London E1 6AD United Kingdom

Tel    +44 (0)20 3088 0000

Fax   +44 (0)20 3088 0088

Our ref 0016432-0000604 ICM:18359032.1

November 6, 2013

WPP Finance 2010

Registration Statement on Form F-3

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have acted as special United States and New York counsel to WPP Finance 2010, a private unlimited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the Issuer), WPP plc, a public company limited by shares in Jersey (WPP), WPP Jubilee Limited, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales (WPP Jubilee) and WPP 2005 Limited, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales (WPP 2005, and together with WPP and WPP Jubilee, the Guarantors) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), of (i) an indeterminate amount of debt securities of the Issuer (the Debt Securities) to be issued pursuant to a base indenture (the Indenture) to be dated prior to or at the time of the first issue of the Debt Securities, and (ii) the guarantees (the Guarantees) of each of the Guarantors of the Debt Securities. The Debt Securities and the Guarantees will be offered from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

 

1. SCOPE OF REVIEW AND RELIANCE

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have reviewed such documents, and made such other investigation, as we have deemed appropriate including without limitation:

 

(a) the Registration Statement on Form F-3 relating to the Debt Securities and the Guarantees (the Registration Statement);

 

(c) the form of the Indenture, and the forms of the Debt Securities and the Guarantees as set forth in the form of the Indenture.

 

2. ASSUMPTIONS

We have made the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified or established and on which we express no opinion:

 

(a) We have assumed the legal capacity of all signatories, the genuineness of all signatures, the conformity to original documents and the completeness of all documents submitted to us as copies or received by us by facsimile or other electronic transmission, and the authenticity and completeness of the originals of those documents and of all documents submitted to us as originals.

 

 

Allen & Overy LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC306763. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales. The term partner is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of the members of Allen & Overy LLP and of the non-members who are designated as partners is open to inspection at its registered office, One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD.

Allen & Overy LLP or an affiliated undertaking has an office in each of: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Belfast, Bratislava, Brussels, Bucharest (associated office), Budapest, Casablanca, Doha, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta (associated office), London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Mannheim, Milan, Moscow, Munich, New York, Paris, Perth, Prague, Riyadh (associated office), Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Warsaw and Washington, D.C.


(b) We have assumed that:

 

  (i) each of the Issuer and the Guarantors has the power and authority to issue the Debt Securities and the Guarantees, as applicable, and perform its obligations thereunder, has taken or will take all action necessary to authorize the issuance and performance of the Debt Securities and the Guarantees and with respect to each such issuance of Debt Securities or Guarantees, such authorization will not have been modified or rescinded prior to the time such Debt Securities or Guarantees are issued;

 

  (ii) the Indenture, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees will constitute the valid and binding obligations of the respective parties thereto (other than the Issuer and the Guarantors, as applicable), enforceable against those parties in accordance with their respective terms;

 

  (iii) under the laws of England and Jersey, the Indenture, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees will constitute, the valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors, as applicable, enforceable against the Issuer and the Guarantors in accordance with their respective terms; and

 

  (iv) the execution, delivery and performance of the Indenture, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees by the respective parties thereto will not contravene or conflict with any law, rule or regulation binding upon such party (other than, solely with respect to the Issuer and the Guarantors, the Applicable Laws, as defined below), the constitutive documents of any party, any agreement or instrument to which any such party is a party or by which its properties or assets are bound, or any judicial or administrative judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon any such party or its properties.

 

(c) We have assumed that each issue of Debt Securities or Guarantees in respect of which particular restrictions, laws, guidelines, regulations or reporting requirements apply will only be issued in circumstances which comply with such restrictions, laws, guidelines, regulations or reporting requirements as apply from time to time.

 

(d) We have assumed that at the time of the issuance, sale and delivery of any Debt Securities or Guarantees there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity, legally binding character or enforceability of such Debt Securities or Guarantees.

 

(e) We have assumed that no law other than the Applicable Laws, as defined below, would affect any of the conclusions stated in this opinion letter.

3.    LIMITATIONS

We are members of the bar of the State of New York and we have not investigated and do not express any opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Applicable Laws. For purposes of this opinion, Applicable Laws means those laws, rules and regulations of the State of New York and the federal laws of the United States of America, in each case in effect on the date of this opinion and to the extent they are normally applicable to transactions of the type provided for in the Registration Statement and Indenture and excluding any law, rule or regulation relating to the securities or “blue sky” laws of the State of New York.

4.    OPINIONS

Based on the foregoing and subject to the qualifications below, we are of the opinion that:

 

(a) When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and the Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Issuer, duly authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, and the Debt Securities will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

 

2


(b) When the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and the Debt Securities have been duly executed by the Issuer, duly authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, each of the Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the respective Guarantors, enforceable against such Guarantors in accordance with their terms, and the Guarantees will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

5.    QUALIFICATIONS

Our opinions are subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent conveyance, preference, equitable subordination, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and to possible judicial action giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights. Our opinions are also subject to the effect of general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. We give no opinion as to the availability of equitable remedies.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading “Validity of Securities” in the prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

/s/ Allen & Overy LLP

 

3

EX-5.2 4 d622182dex52.htm EX-5.2 EX-5.2

Exhibit 5.2

 

LOGO

 

To:    

 

WPP Finance 2010

 

Allen & Overy LLP

 

27 Farm Street

 

One Bishops Square

 

London

 

London E1 6AD United Kingdom

 

W1J 5RJ

   
   

Tel

 

                +44 (0)20 3088  0000

   

Fax

 

                +44 (0)20 3088 0088

 

Our ref   

      MCTH/KERF/0016432-0000604

      ICM:18324324.5

6 November 2013

WPP Finance 2010

Registration Statement on Form F-3

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have acted as English counsel to WPP Finance 2010, a private unlimited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales (the Issuer), WPP plc, a public company limited by shares in Jersey (WPP), WPP 2005 Limited, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of England and Wales (WPP 2005) and WPP Jubilee Limited, a private limited liability company organised under the laws of England and Wales (WPP Jubilee, and together with WPP and WPP 2005, the Guarantors) in connection with the registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act) of (i) an indeterminate amount of debt securities of the Issuer (the Notes, which term shall also include the Global Notes (as defined below) except where the context otherwise requires) to be issued pursuant to a base indenture (the Indenture) to be dated on or about 8 November 2013 among the Issuer, the Guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association (as trustee) and Citibank, N.A., (as security registrar and principal paying agent) and Citibank N.A., London Branch (as paying agent) and (ii) the guarantees (the Guarantees) of each of the Guarantors of the Notes. The Notes and the Guarantees will be offered from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

 

1. SCOPE OF REVIEW AND RELIANCE

For the purposes of this opinion letter, we have reviewed such documents, and made such other investigation, as we have deemed appropriate including without limitation:

 

(a) the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer, certified as being those now in force;

 

(b) the Memorandum and Articles of Association of each of WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee, certified as being those now in force;

 

(c) certified copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Issuer passed on 6 November 2013;

 

(d) certified copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of WPP 2005 passed on 6 November 2013;

 

(e) certified copy of the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of WPP Jubilee passed on 6 November 2013;

 

(f) certificate from the company secretary of the Issuer as to, inter alia, the resolutions passed at meetings referred to in (c) above and to the effect that there will be no contravention of any borrowing limit to which the Issuer is subject as a result of the issue of the Notes by the Issuer;

 

(g) certificate from the company secretary of WPP 2005 as to, inter alia, the resolutions passed at meetings referred to in (d) above and to the effect that there will be no contravention of any borrowing limit to which WPP 2005 is subject as a result of the issue of the Notes and the giving of the Guarantees in respect of the Notes by the Guarantors;

 

(h) certificate from the company secretary of WPP Jubilee as to, inter alia, the resolutions passed at meetings referred to in (e) above and to the effect that there will be no contravention of any borrowing limit to which WPP Jubilee is subject as a result of the issue of the Notes and the giving of the Guarantees in respect of the Notes by the Guarantors;

 

(i) the Registration Statement on Form F-3 relating to the Notes and the Guarantees (the Registration Statement);

 

(j) the Indenture; and

 

(k) the forms of the Notes and the Guarantees as set out in the Indenture.

Allen & Overy LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC306763. It is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England and Wales. The term partner is used to refer to a member of Allen & Overy LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications. A list of the members of Allen & Overy LLP and of the non-members who are designated as partners is open to inspection at its registered office, One Bishops Square, London E1 6AD.

Allen & Overy LLP or an affiliated undertaking has an office in each of: Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Athens, Bangkok, Beijing, Belfast, Bratislava, Brussels, Bucharest (associated office), Budapest, Casablanca, Doha, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Jakarta (associated office), London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Mannheim, Milan, Moscow, Munich, New York, Paris, Perth, Prague, Riyadh (associated office), Rome, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Warsaw and Washington, D.C.


The Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees are each referred to in this opinion as a Transaction Document and, together, the Transaction Documents.

 

2. ASSUMPTIONS

We have assumed that, so far as the laws of every jurisdiction other than England and Wales are concerned, all restrictions, laws, guidelines, regulations or reporting requirements that apply to the Indenture and any issue of Notes and Guarantees thereunder have been complied with and that such laws do not qualify or affect our opinion as set out below.

We have also made the following assumptions, which we have not independently verified or established and on which we express no opinion:

 

(a) insofar as any obligation falls to be performed in any jurisdiction outside England, its performance will not be illegal or ineffective by virtue of the laws of that jurisdiction;

 

(b) all signatures on the executed documents which, or copies (whether photocopies, certified copies, facsimile copies or electronic copies) of which, we have examined are genuine and that such copies confirm to the original documents executed;

 

(c) each of the parties to the Transaction Documents, other than the Issuer, WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee, is able lawfully to enter into such Transaction Document;

 

(d) the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents have been or will be duly authorised by each of the parties thereto, other than the Issuer, WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee, and that such documents have been or will be duly executed and delivered by such parties, other than the Issuer, WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee;

 

(e) each of the parties to the Transaction Documents who is carrying on, or purporting to carry on, any regulated activity in the United Kingdom is an authorised person permitted to carry on that relevant regulated activity or an exempt person in respect of that regulated activity under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the FSMA) and no such agreement was or will be entered into in consequence of a communication made in breach of section 21(1) of the FSMA;

 

(f) the Notes of each tranche will be duly prepared and completed in accordance with the provisions and arrangements contained or described in the Indenture and will be in the form of the Global Notes as provided for and set out in the Indenture;

 

(g) the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Issuer, WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee which we have examined are those in force and the resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Issuer and the resolutions of the Boards of Directors of WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee which we have examined were passed at meetings duly convened and held, have not been amended, rescinded, modified or revoked and are in full force and effect and the certifications referred to in 1(a) to (h) above are true and accurate;

 

(h) neither the issue of Notes nor the giving of the Guarantees will cause any limit on borrowings to which any of the Issuer, WPP 2005 or WPP Jubilee is subject to be exceeded;

 

(i) the absence of any other arrangements between any of the parties to the Transaction Documents which modify or supersede any of their terms;

 

(j) the Issuer is neither an authorised person nor an exempt person in relation to the regulated activity of accepting deposits under the FSMA;

 

(k) no request will be made to admit any Note to trading on a regulated market situated or operating in the United Kingdom;

 

2


(l) no steps have been, or will be, taken to have the Registration Statement treated as an approved prospectus under section 87H of the FSMA;

 

(m) having had regard to all matters they considered relevant (including those set out in section 172 of the Companies Act 2006), the Directors of each of WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee considered that the giving of the relevant Guarantees would promote the success of WPP 2005 or, as the case may be, WPP Jubilee for the benefit of its members as a whole; and

 

(n) all documents presented to us as originals are true and accurate and all documents submitted to us as copies (including faxed copies) conform with the originals and that any documents in draft form which we have examined for the purposes hereof will not change when in final form in such a way as could affect our opinion herein.

 

3. LIMITATIONS

Our opinion is confined solely to English law.

The Transaction Documents are expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York. We have made no investigation of such laws and do not express or imply any opinion on such laws. In addition, we have assumed that, so far as the laws of the State of New York and US securities laws are concerned, the Transaction Documents constitute or will, on issue in accordance with the Indenture, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuer and the Guarantors and that such laws do not qualify or affect our opinion as set out below.

 

4. OPINIONS

On the basis of the foregoing, and having regard to such legal considerations as we deem relevant and subject as set out below, we are of the opinion that:

 

4.1 The issue of the Notes has been duly authorised by the Issuer and, so far as English law is concerned, when (a) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act and (b) the Notes of each Tranche have been duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered in the manner provided in the Indenture, there is no reason why the obligations assumed by the Issuer under the Notes of each Tranche should not constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Issuer.

 

4.2 The giving of a Guarantee has been duly authorised by WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee and, so far as English law is concerned, when (a) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Securities Act, (b) the Notes of each Tranche have been duly executed by the Issuer and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (c) the Guarantees have been duly executed in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, there is no reason why the obligations assumed by WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee under the Guarantees should not constitute legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of WPP 2005 and WPP Jubilee, respectively.

 

5. QUALIFICATIONS

Nothing in this opinion shall be taken as implying that an English court would exercise jurisdiction in any proceedings relating to the Transaction Documents or accordingly that any remedy would be available in England for the enforcement of obligations arising under the Transaction Documents.

This opinion is subject to the following:

 

(a) There could be circumstances in which an English court would not treat as conclusive those certificates and determinations which the Transaction Documents state are to be so treated.

 

3


(b) Any provision in the Transaction Documents which involves an indemnity for the costs of litigation is subject to the discretion of the court to decide whether and to what extent a party to litigation should be awarded the costs incurred by it in connection with the litigation.

 

(c) Any provision in any agreement or deed which amounts to an undertaking to assume the liability on account of the absence of payment of stamp duty or an indemnity to pay stamp duty may be void.

 

(d) As used in this opinion, the term enforceable means that each obligation or document is of a type and form enforced by the English courts. It is not certain, however, that each obligation or document will be enforced in accordance with its terms in every circumstance, enforcement being subject to, inter alia, the nature of the remedies available in the English courts, the acceptance by such courts of jurisdiction, the power of such courts to stay proceedings, the fact that claims may be time-barred or subject to defences of set-off or counterclaim, and other principles of law and equity of general application.

 

(e) The opinions set out above are subject to (i) all applicable limitations arising from bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation, administration, reorganisation, moratorium, reconstruction or similar laws and (ii) all applicable general principles of law affecting the rights of contractual parties and/or creditors generally.

 

(f) If the performance by the Issuer, WPP 2005 or WPP Jubilee of an obligation under any agreement or deed or the Notes or the Guarantees is contrary to the exchange control regulations of a member of the International Monetary Fund, that obligation may be unenforceable in England by virtue of Article VIII(2)(b) of the International Monetary Fund Agreement (as incorporated into law by the International Monetary Fund Act 1979 and the Bretton Woods Agreements Order in Council SI 1946/36).

 

(g) The Registration Statement has been prepared by the Issuer and the Guarantors, which have accepted responsibility for the information contained therein. We have not investigated or verified the truth or accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement, nor have we been responsible for ensuring that no material information has been omitted from it.

 

(h) The effectiveness of terms exculpating a party from a liability or duty otherwise owed is limited by law.

 

(i) There is doubt as to the enforceability in England and Wales of US judgments in respect of civil judgments predicated purely on US securities law.

 

(j) No account has been taken in this opinion of the future exercise of powers by the UK Government pursuant to section 5(4) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980.

 

(k) Insofar as any obligation under the Transaction Documents is to be performed in any jurisdiction other than England and Wales, an English court may have to have regard to the law of that jurisdiction in relation to the manner of performance and the steps to be taken in the event of defective performance.

 

(l) We express no opinion as to whether specific performance, injunctive relief or any other form of equitable remedy would be available in respect of any obligation of the Issuer or the Guarantors under or in respect of the Transaction Documents.

 

(m) Any trust established pursuant to the Indenture may be set aside by an English court if at the time of the relevant deposit the Issuer or either WPP 2005 or WPP Jubilee is unable to pay its debts within the meaning of Section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986 or becomes unable to pay its debts within the meaning of that section as a consequence of the relevant deposit.

 

4


This opinion, which shall be construed in accordance with English law, is given to the Issuer in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Notes. This opinion is not addressed to the holders of Notes or Guarantees and may not be passed on to, or relied upon by, any holder or any other person for any purpose. You may not give copies of this opinion to others without our prior written permission.

We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.2 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the heading ‘Validity of Securities’ in the prospectus that is a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

This opinion is given on the basis of English law in force and applied by English courts at the date of this opinion and on the basis that there has been no amendment to, or termination or replacement of, any of the documents examined by us and no change in any of the facts assumed by us for the purposes of giving this opinion. It is also given on the basis that we have no obligation to notify any addressee of this opinion of any change in English law or its application after the date of this opinion.

Yours faithfully,

/s/ Allen & Overy LLP

 

5

EX-5.3 5 d622182dex53.htm EX-5.3 EX-5.3

Exhibit 5.3

 

  

22 Grenville Street

St Helier

Jersey JE4 8PX

Channel Islands

 

T +44 1534 676 000 F +44 1534 676 333

 

mourantozannes.com

 

WPP Finance 2010

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ

  

WPP plc

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ

  

WPP Jubilee Limited

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ

  

WPP 2005 Limited

27 Farm Street

London W1J 5RJ

  
(the Addressees)      

6 November 2013

Our ref:    8005904/58125556/7

Dear Sirs

WPP plc (the Parent Guarantor) - guarantee of debt securities to be issued by WPP Finance 2010 (the Issuer)

We act as the Jersey legal counsel to the Parent Guarantor.

We understand that pursuant to the Base Indenture (as defined below), the Issuer may, from time to time, issue debt securities (Securities) under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), in one or more series (each, a Series) by executing a supplemental indenture (each, a Supplemental Indenture) which constitutes, and sets out the specific terms of, the Securities of the relevant Series.

We also understand that the Securities of each Series will be:

 

(a) guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor, WPP Jubilee Limited and WPP 2005 Limited (together, the Guarantors), pursuant to a guarantee (the Guarantee) for the Securities of that Series contained in Section 1301 of the Base Indenture;

 

(b) registered under the Securities Act and will be offered to US investors pursuant to the Base Prospectus (as defined below) and a supplemental prospectus (each, a Supplemental Prospectus) for the Securities of that Series; and

 

(c) represented by a global security in registered form (each, a Global Security) for the Securities of that Series to be issued by the Issuer in the form set out in Article Two of the Base Indenture.

We have been asked by the Parent Guarantor to give this opinion in connection with the registration of Securities under the Securities Act.

Mourant Ozannes is a Jersey partnership

Partners: D J Birtwistle, M Chambers, G R P Corbin, E C Devenport, S J V Felton, S M Gould, J Harvey-Hills, R A Hickling, J E Hill, W Lambert, B J Lincoln, J H Rainer, J A Richomme, G A Rigby, J D Rigby, B C Robins, J F Ruane, H E Ruelle, J P Speck, A J R Syvret, M Temple, J C Walker.

Consultants: A R Binnington, T J Herbert.


1. Documents examined

 

1.1 For the purposes of this opinion, we have examined a copy of each of the following documents:

 

  (a) an indenture (the Base Indenture) to be entered into between the Issuer, the Guarantors, Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee (the Trustee), Citibank, N.A. as security registrar and principal paying agent and Citibank N.A., London Branch as paying agent;

 

  (b) a registration statement on Form F-3 (the Registration Statement) relating to the Securities, which includes a base prospectus dated 6 November 2013 (the Base Prospectus);

 

  (c) the following resolutions of the board of directors of the Parent Guarantor (together, the Director Resolutions): (i) resolutions passed on 16 April 2013 pursuant to which the directors resolved (among other things) to establish an executive committee (the Executive Committee) of the board of directors; and (ii) resolutions passed on 5 November 2013 pursuant to which the board of directors resolved (amongst other things, to approve, in principle, the Parent Guarantor’s guarantee of each Series of Securities and delegate to the Executive Committee full power to (among other things) approve the Parent Guarantor’s entry into the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture and its guarantee of each Series of Securities;

 

  (d) resolutions of the Executive Committee passed in writing on 5 November 2013 (the Executive Committee Resolutions) pursuant to which the Executive Committee resolved (among other things) that the Parent Guarantor should enter into the Base Indenture; and

 

  (e) the Parent Guarantor’s memorandum and articles of association.

 

1.2 We have relied on a certificate of a director of the Parent Guarantor dated 6 November 2013 (the Opinion Certificate) a copy of which is attached to this opinion.

 

1.3 We have not examined for these purposes any other agreements or other documents (the Other Documents) to be entered into by the Parent Guarantor (including, without limitation, any Supplemental Indenture or any documents incorporated by reference in or otherwise referred to in the Base Indenture or the Registration Statement) and we offer no opinion on any such Other Document.

 

2. Assumptions

We have assumed that:

 

2.1 each document examined by us (and any signature, initial, stamp or seal on it) is genuine and, where it is a copy, it conforms to the original document and that, in the case of the Base Indenture, it will be executed by all the parties thereto in substantially the same form as the last draft examined by us;

 

2.2 the Opinion Certificate remains accurate;

 

2.3 each director of the Parent Guarantor (and any alternate) has disclosed to the Parent Guarantor any interests that, directly or indirectly, conflict or may conflict to a material extent with the interests of the Parent Guarantor and any of its subsidiaries with regard to the transactions and other matters recorded in the Director Resolutions and the Executive Committee Resolutions and such disclosures are recorded in the Executive Committee Resolutions, or previous board minutes, of the Parent Guarantor;

 

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2.4 the Director Resolutions and the Executive Committee Resolutions, in each case, were duly passed, are in full force and effect and have not been amended, revoked or superseded and any meeting at which such resolutions were passed was duly convened and quorate throughout;

 

2.5 each party to the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture (other than the Parent Guarantor as a matter of Jersey law) will have:

 

  (a) the capacity and power;

 

  (b) taken all the necessary action; and

 

  (c) obtained all the necessary agreements, approvals, authorisations, consents, licences, registrations or qualifications (whether as a matter of any law or regulation applicable to it or as a matter of any contract binding upon it),

to execute and perform its obligations under the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture and that the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture will have been duly executed by each such party;

 

2.6 the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture will be, legal, valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms as a matter of all applicable laws other than Jersey law;

 

2.7 that the opinion expressed below will not be affected by the laws (including public policy) of any jurisdiction outside Jersey and in particular but without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

  (a) that there are no provisions of the laws of any jurisdiction outside Jersey which would be contravened by the execution, delivery or performance of the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (b) that there has been, and there will be, due compliance with all matters of every applicable law (other than Jersey law);

 

2.8 in causing the Parent Guarantor to enter into the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture, each of the directors of the Parent Guarantor will be acting in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Parent Guarantor and will be exercising the care, diligence and skill that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in comparable circumstances;

 

2.9 the Parent Guarantor is able to pay its debts as they fall due and will not become unable to do so by virtue of the execution of the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or the performance of the transactions contemplated thereby and no steps have been taken or resolutions passed to wind up the Parent Guarantor;

 

2.10 the Parent Guarantor, in entering into the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture will be, acting as principal on its own behalf and not as an agent or trustee or in any other capacity;

 

2.11 that, for each Series of Securities, prior to the issue of that Series of Securities:

 

  (a) the Issuer and the Guarantors will prepare and file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission a Supplemental Prospectus; and

 

  (b) the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee will execute and deliver a Supplemental Indenture governed by New York law,

 

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which set outs the terms and conditions for the Securities of that Series;

 

2.12 that the powers conferred on the Executive Committee, as set out in the extract of the Director Resolutions referred to in paragraph 1.1(c) above, will remain in full force and effect and will not be amended or revoked;

 

2.13 that, in relation to each Series of Securities, the Executive Committee will duly approve and authorise, in accordance with the Parent Guarantor’s articles of association, the Parent Guarantor’s entry into, and execution of, the Supplemental Indenture for that Series of Securities;

 

2.14 that, for each Series of Securities, the Global Security for that Series of Securities will:

 

  (a) be fully and properly completed to reflect the terms and conditions of the Securities of that Series; and

 

  (b) be duly executed by the Issuer and duly dated, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the Base Indenture,

and all necessary entries will be made in the Securities Register (as defined in the Base Indenture) in respect of the issue of the Global Security;

 

2.15 that, for each Series of Securities, all necessary acts or formalities required under the Base Indenture to ensure that the Guarantee will be valid and effective in relation to that Series of Securities will be taken or observed;

 

2.16 that the Parent Guarantor’s entry into, and the performance of its obligations (including its obligations under the Guarantee) under, the Base Indenture and each Supplemental Indenture will not cause the Parent Guarantor to breach the limitation on borrowing contained in Article 82 (Power to borrow money) of its articles of association;

 

2.17 that, in relation to each Series of Securities, none of the terms of the Supplemental Indenture for that Series of Securities would affect this opinion in any way;

 

2.18 that no money or other property of the Parent Guarantor over which the Trustee has, or purports to have, a lien under Section 607 of the Base Indenture is, or will be, situated in Jersey;

 

2.19 there are no:

 

  (a) arrangements, agreements or deeds to which the Parent Guarantor is party (other than its memorandum and articles of association); or

 

  (b) resolutions passed by the Parent Guarantor,

the terms of which could affect, conflict with, or be breached by, the terms of the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture; and

 

2.20 that no event occurs after the date of this opinion that would affect this opinion.

 

3. Opinion

Subject as provided above and to the observations and qualifications hereinafter appearing and to matters not disclosed to us, we are of the opinion that, once the Base Indenture has been duly dated, executed and delivered by the parties to it, the obligations to be assumed by the Parent Guarantor under the Guarantee will constitute valid, legal, binding and enforceable obligations of the Parent Guarantor.

 

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4. Qualifications and observations

Our opinion is subject to the following qualifications and observations:

 

4.1 This opinion is subject to all laws relating to bankruptcy, dissolution, insolvency, re-organisation, liquidation, moratorium or other laws of general application affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

4.2 Notwithstanding that the obligations in the Base Indenture are of a type which the Jersey courts would generally enforce, they may not necessarily be capable of enforcement in all circumstances in accordance with their terms. In particular, but without limitation:

 

  (a) enforcement may be prevented by statutory provisions relating to the setting aside of transactions at an undervalue, preferences and extortionate credit transactions and the disclaiming of onerous property;

 

  (b) enforcement may be limited by general principles of equity, for example equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction are discretionary and may not be available where damages are considered to be an adequate remedy;

 

  (c) enforcement of obligations may be invalidated by reason of fraud, duress, misrepresentation, mistake or undue influence;

 

  (d) contractual obligations that are regarded as penalties may not be enforceable or may be liable to be reduced if found to exceed the maximum damages which the claimant could have suffered as a result of a breach of contract;

 

  (e) the Jersey courts will not enforce all or any obligations if they are illegal or contrary to public policy in Jersey or, where obligations are to be performed in a jurisdiction other than Jersey, if such performance would be illegal under the laws of that jurisdiction;

 

  (f) the Jersey courts may not enforce the terms of an agreement:

 

  (i) to the extent that the transactions contemplated by such terms conflict with or breach economic or other sanctions imposed by any treaty, law, order or regulation applicable to Jersey;

 

  (ii) for the payment or reimbursement of, or indemnity against, the costs of enforcement (actual or contemplated) or of litigation brought before the Jersey courts or where the Jersey courts have themselves made an order for costs;

 

  (iii) that provide for matters to be determined by future agreement;

 

  (iv) that would involve the enforcement of any foreign revenue, penal or other public laws;

 

  (v) that are in breach of any applicable exchange control regulations;

 

  (vi) that purport to exclude the jurisdiction of the Jersey courts;

 

Page 5


  (vii) that provide that if terms are found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, the other terms of the agreement will remain enforceable; or

 

  (viii) to the extent that they have been frustrated by events happening after the execution of the agreement;

 

  (g) the Jersey courts may refuse to allow unjust enrichment or to give effect to any provisions of an agreement that they consider usurious;

 

  (h) provisions in an agreement (including in articles of association) that purport to fetter any statutory power in relation to a Jersey company may not be enforceable;

 

  (i) claims may become time barred or may be (or become) subject to rights and defences of counter-claim, estoppel, laches, set-off, waiver and similar defences;

 

  (j) the effectiveness of terms that release or exculpate any party from, or limit or exclude, a liability or duty otherwise owed or indemnify a person in respect of a loss caused by the act or omission of that person, may be limited by law;

 

  (k) where any party to an agreement is party to it in more than one capacity that party may not be able to enforce obligations purportedly owed by it to itself; and

 

  (l) a trust is invalid to the extent that it purports to apply directly to Jersey situate immovable property.

 

4.3 We have made no enquiry or assessment as to whether the Parent Guarantor will be in a position to fulfil its obligations under the Base Indenture.

 

4.4 We offer no opinion as to whether the acceptance, execution or performance of the Parent Guarantor’s obligations under the Base Indenture will result in the breach of or infringe any other agreement, deed or arrangement entered into by or binding on the Parent Guarantor other than the Parent Guarantor’s articles of association.

 

4.5 Any provision of the Base Indenture providing for the payment of additional monies consequent on the breach of any provision thereof by any person expressed to be a party thereto or entitled to the benefit thereof, whether expressed by way of penalty, additional interest, liquidated damages or otherwise, may be unenforceable or liable to be reduced if such additional payment were held to be excessive in so far as it unreasonably exceeds the maximum damages which the claimant could have suffered as a result of such breach.

 

4.6 Provisions as to severability contained in the Base Indenture may not be binding and the question of whether or not provisions may be severed would be determined by the Jersey courts at their discretion.

 

4.7 On application of a liquidator (in the course of the insolvent winding-up of a Jersey company) or of the Viscount (in the course of a désastre):

 

  (a) if a person has:

 

  (i) entered into a transaction with a person at an undervalue during the period of 5 years immediately preceding the commencement of the winding-up or the making of the declaration that the property of the person is en désastre; or

 

  (ii) given a preference to a person, during the period of 12 months immediately preceding the commencement of the winding-up or the making of the declaration that the property of the person is en désastre; and

 

Page 6


  (b) if at the time of such transaction or preference:

 

  (i) the person was unable to pay its debts as they fell due or became unable to pay its debts as they fell due as a result of the transaction or preference; or

 

  (ii) (in certain cases where the person entered into the transaction with or gave the preference to another who was connected or associated with the person) it is not proved that the person was able to pay its debts as they fell due and did not become unable to pay its debts as they fell due as a result of the transaction or preference,

the Jersey courts may make such an order as the court thinks fit for restoring the position to what it would have been if the preference had not been given or if the person had not entered into the transaction.

 

4.8 On application of a liquidator (in the course of the insolvent winding-up of a Jersey company) or of the Viscount (in the course of a désastre), the Jersey courts may set aside, vary or make other orders in relation to an extortionate credit transaction entered into by a person in the period of three years ending with the commencement of the winding-up (if the person is a Jersey company) or the declaration that the property of the person is en désastre. For these purposes an extortionate credit transaction is a transaction in which, having regard to the risk accepted by the person providing the credit, the terms of it are such as to require grossly exorbitant payments to be made in respect of the provision of the credit or which otherwise grossly contravenes ordinary principles of fair dealing.

 

4.9 The liquidator (in the course of the insolvent winding-up of a Jersey company) or the Viscount (in the course of a désastre) may, within six months of the commencement of the winding-up or the making of the declaration that the property of a person is en désastre, disclaim any onerous property of such Jersey company or such person. For these purposes, onerous property is (a) any unprofitable contract; and (b) any of the following which is unsaleable or not readily saleable or is such that it may give rise to a liability to pay money or perform any other onerous act: (i) any movable property (ii) any contract lease and (iii) any other immovable property if it is situated outside Jersey. The counterparty to, or person entitled to the benefit of, any such disclaimed contract or any person sustaining loss or damage in consequence of the operation of a disclaimer would have the right to prove in the winding-up or désastre for the amount of its losses incurred as a result thereof.

 

4.10 An act of the directors of a company might be set aside by the Jersey courts in an action brought by, for example, a creditor, shareholder or liquidator, if it were shown that the directors had exercised their powers for improper purposes (with the actual or constructive notice of the other party).

 

4.11 Where a director fails, in accordance with the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991, to disclose an interest in a transaction entered into by a Jersey company or its subsidiary which conflicts or may conflict to a material extent with the interests of the company, the transaction is voidable.

 

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4.12 The Jersey courts will not apply New York law (the proper law) if:

 

  (a) it is not pleaded and proved;

 

  (b) the selection of New York law was not bona fide and legal; or

 

  (c) to do so would be contrary to public policy.

Furthermore:

 

  (a) the Jersey courts may apply a law other than the proper law (such as the law of the place an agreement was made) to determine the formal validity of an agreement;

 

  (b) matters of procedure upon enforcement of an agreement and assessment or quantification of damages will be determined by the Jersey courts in accordance with Jersey law;

 

  (c) the proprietary effects of an agreement may be determined by the Jersey courts in accordance with the domestic law of the place where the relevant property is situate;

 

  (d) the mode of performance of an agreement may be determined by the Jersey courts in accordance with the law of the place of performance; and

 

  (e) the Jersey courts may not apply a foreign law expressly selected in an agreement to govern non-contractual obligations arising out of, or in connection with, the agreement.

 

4.13 Despite any term of an agreement to the contrary, the Jersey courts may hold that:

 

  (a) any certificate, calculation, determination or designation of any party to the agreement is not conclusive, final and/or binding;

 

  (b) any person exercising any discretion, judgment or opinion under the agreement must act in a reasonable manner; and

 

  (c) any power conferred by the agreement on one party to require another party to execute such documents or do such things as the first party requires must be exercised reasonably.

 

4.14 Pursuant to the Powers of Attorney (Jersey) Law 1995:

 

  (a) subject to paragraph (b) below, a power of attorney is revoked by the bankruptcy or dissolution of a donor that is a body corporate;

 

  (b) where a power of attorney is expressed to be irrevocable (for any period) and is given:

 

  (i) for the purpose of facilitating the exercise of powers of a secured party under the Security Interests (Jersey) Law 1983 or of powers given pursuant to a security agreement (as defined in the Security Interests (Jersey) Law 1983); or

 

  (ii) pursuant to, or in connection with, or for the purpose of, or ancillary to, security governed by a law other than Jersey law,

 

Page 8


it is not revoked by the bankruptcy or dissolution of the donor; and

 

  (c) subject to paragraphs (a) and (b) above, a power of attorney may not be expressed to be irrevocable for any period exceeding one year from the date on which it is granted or the date on which it comes into effect, whichever is the later.

For the purposes of this paragraph, power of attorney may include the appointment of an agent or other grant of authority.

 

4.15 Although there is a presumption that the Jersey court will, on application, stay proceedings brought in Jersey in breach of a provision in an agreement that all disputes arising under such agreement be exclusively brought before the court in another jurisdiction, this may be rebutted if the party opposing the stay were able to show good reason why a stay should not be granted.

 

4.16 Where a foreign court (being a court of any country or territory outside the United Kingdom other than one for whose international relations the United Kingdom is responsible) has given a judgment for multiple damages against a qualifying defendant the amount which may be payable by such defendant may be limited by virtue of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 (as extended to Jersey by the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 (Jersey) Order 1983) which provides that such qualifying defendant may be able to recover such amount paid by it as represents the excess in such multiple damages over the sum assessed as compensation by the court that gave the judgment.

 

4.17 Although there has been no decision in the Jersey courts regarding the enforceability of provisions that purport to fetter any statutory power of a Jersey company, such provisions may not be enforceable.

 

4.18 The enforceability of a person’s obligations may be limited to the extent that such person successfully pleads either:

 

  (a) the droit de discussion (whereby a guarantor may require the beneficiary of the guarantee to exhaust the assets of the principal debtor before making a claim against the guarantor); or

 

  (b) the droit de division (whereby a co-obligor may require the person owed a joint obligation to make simultaneous claims in appropriate proportions upon all the co-obligors, thereby limiting its own liability),

unless the person has expressly waived such rights.

 

4.19 Under the rules of procedure applicable, the Jersey courts may order a plaintiff in an action to provide security for costs and will normally exercise this power in respect of a party who is not ordinarily resident in Jersey and/or who does not have assets within the jurisdiction.

 

4.20 We express no view on any provision in the Base Indenture requiring written amendments and waivers of any of the provisions of the Base Indenture in so far as it suggests that oral or other modifications, amendments or waivers could not be effectively agreed upon or granted by or between the parties or implied by the course of conduct of the parties.

 

4.21 The effectiveness of terms releasing or exculpating any party from, or limiting or excluding, a liability or duty otherwise owed may be limited by law.

 

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4.22 Where any party to any of the Base Indenture is party to the Base Indenture in more than one capacity, that party may not be able to enforce obligations owed by it to itself.

 

4.23 There is no publicly available record of charges or security interests in the shares in or assets of Jersey companies (other than immovable property in Jersey and Jersey-registered ships).

 

5. Limitations

 

5.1 This opinion is limited to the matters expressly stated in it.

 

5.2 We offer no opinion:

 

  (a) on the commercial terms of the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture or whether those terms reflect the intentions of the parties;

 

  (b) on any representation or warranty made or given in the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture;

 

  (c) as to whether the parties will perform their obligations under the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture; and

 

  (d) as to the title or interest of the Parent Guarantor to or in, or the existence of, any property or collateral the subject of the Base Indenture or any Supplemental Indenture.

 

5.3 We have made no investigation and express no opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Jersey.

 

5.4 We assume no obligation to update the Addressees in relation to changes of fact or law that may have a bearing on the continuing accuracy of this opinion.

 

6. Jersey law

This opinion shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with:

 

  (a) Jersey law; and

 

  (b) extra-statutory guidance issued by any governmental, regulatory or tax authority in Jersey,

in force as at the date of this opinion.

 

7. Benefit of opinion

 

7.1 This opinion is only addressed to, and for the benefit of, the Addressees. It is given solely in connection with the registration of Securities under the Securities Act. This opinion may not, without our prior written consent, be transmitted or disclosed to, or used or relied upon by, any other person (including, without limitation, any holder of, or holder of beneficial interests in, any Securities) or be relied upon for any other purpose whatsoever.

 

7.2

We consent to the filing of a copy of this opinion as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement and to reference to us being made in the paragraph of the Base Prospectus headed “Validity of Securities”. In giving this consent, we do not admit

 

Page 10


  that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act.

Yours faithfully

/s/ Mourant Ozannes

Mourant Ozannes

 

Page 11

EX-23.1 6 d622182dex231.htm EX-23.1 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 F-3 of our reports dated 30 April 2013 relating to the consolidated financial statements of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of WPP plc for the year ended 31 December 2012, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts”, which is part of this Registration Statement.

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Deloitte LLP

London, United Kingdom

6 November 2013

EX-25.1 7 d622182dex251.htm EX-25.1 EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

File No.            

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A

TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

16-1486454

(I.R.S. employer identification no.)

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, DE 19890

(Address of principal executive offices)

Robert C. Fiedler

Vice President and Counsel

1100 North Market Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19890

(302) 651-8541

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

WPP Finance 2010

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

FOR CO-REGISTRANTS, SEE TABLE OF CO-REGISTRANTS

 

United Kingdom   Not applicable
(State of incorporation)  

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

27 Farm Street  
London W1J 5RJ, United Kingdom  
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

 

Debt securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


TABLE OF CO-REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name as

Specified in

Charter

   State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or
Organization
   Primary Standard
Industrial
Classification Number
   I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
   Address, Including Zip Code and
Telephone Number, Including Area
Code, of Principal Executive Offices
WPP plc    Jersey    7311    Not Applicable    27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,
United Kingdom

WPP Jubilee

Limited

   United Kingdom    7311    Not Applicable    27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,
United Kingdom

WPP 2005

Limited

   United Kingdom    7311    Not Applicable    27 Farm Street London, W1J 5RJ,
United Kingdom


Item 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

Item 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each affiliation:

Based upon an examination of the books and records of the trustee and upon information furnished by the obligor, the obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.

 

Item 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS. Listed below are all exhibits filed as part of this Statement of Eligibility and Qualification.

 

  1. A copy of the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  2. The authority of Wilmington Trust, National Association to commence business was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  3. The authorization to exercise corporate trust powers was granted under the Charter for Wilmington Trust, National Association, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of Form T-1.

 

  4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of Trustee, as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 of form T-1.

 

  5. Not applicable.

 

  6. The consent of Trustee as required by Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of Form T-1.

 

  7. Current Report of the Condition of Trustee, published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority, attached as Exhibit 7.

 

  8. Not applicable.

 

  9. Not applicable.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Wilmington and State of Delaware on the 4th day of November, 2013.

 

WILMINGTON TRUST,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By:  

/S / W. THOMAS MORRIS II

Name:   W. Thomas Morris II
Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT 1

CHARTER OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

OF

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

For the purpose of organizing an association to perform any lawful activities of national banks, the undersigned do enter into the following articles of association:

FIRST. The title of this association shall be Wilmington Trust, National Association.

SECOND. The main office of the association shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware. The general business of the association shall be conducted at its main office and its branches.

THIRD. The board of directors of this association shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five persons, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any annual or special meeting thereof. Each director shall own common or preferred stock of the association or of a holding company owning the association, with an aggregate par, fair market or equity value $1,000. Determination of these values may be based as of either (i) the date of purchase or (ii) the date the person became a director, whichever value is greater. Any combination of common or preferred stock of the association or holding company may be used.

Any vacancy in the board of directors may be filled by action of a majority of the remaining directors between meetings of shareholders. The board of directors may not increase the number of directors between meetings of shareholders to a number which:

 

  1) exceeds by more than two the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 15 or less; or

 

  2) exceeds by more than four the number of directors last elected by shareholders where the number was 16 or more, but in no event shall the number of directors exceed 25, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit.

Directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their successors are elected and qualified. Terms of directors, including directors selected to fill vacancies, shall expire at the next regular meeting of shareholders at which directors are elected, unless the directors resign or are removed from office. Despite the expiration of a director’s term, the director shall continue to serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies or until there is a decrease in the number of directors and his or her position is eliminated.

Honorary or advisory members of the board of directors, without voting power or power of final decision in matters concerning the business of the association, may be appointed by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors, or by resolution of shareholders at any annual or special meeting. Honorary or advisory directors shall not be counted to determine the number of directors of the association or the presence of a quorum in connection with any board action, and shall not be required to own qualifying shares.


FOURTH. There shall be an annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may be brought before the meeting. It shall be held at the main office or any other convenient place the board of directors may designate, on the day of each year specified therefor in the bylaws, or, if that day falls on a legal holiday in the state in which the association is located, on the next following banking day. If no election is held on the day fixed, or in the event of a legal holiday on the following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the day fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the day, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares issued and outstanding. In all cases at least 10 days advance notice of the time, place and purpose of a shareholders’ meeting shall be given to the shareholders by first class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. The sole shareholder of the bank is permitted to waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting.

In all elections of directors, the number of votes each common shareholder may cast will be determined by multiplying the number of shares such shareholder owns by the number of directors to be elected. Those votes may be cumulated and cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in the manner selected by the shareholder. If, after the first ballot, subsequent ballots are necessary to elect directors, a shareholder may not vote shares that he or she has already fully cumulated and voted in favor of a successful candidate. On all other questions, each common shareholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of stock held by him or her.

Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for election of directors. Nominations other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management shall be made in writing and be delivered or mailed to the president of the association not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nominations shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

  1) The name and address of each proposed nominee.

 

  2) The principal occupation of each proposed nominee.

 

  3) The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee.

 

  4) The name and residence address of the notifying shareholder.

 

  5) The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee. No bylaw may unreasonably restrict the nomination of directors by shareholders.

A director may resign at any time by delivering written notice to the board of directors, its chairperson, or to the association, which resignation shall be effective when the notice is delivered unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

A director may be removed by shareholders at a meeting called to remove the director, when notice of the meeting stating that the purpose or one of the purposes is to remove the director is provided, if there is a failure to fulfill one of the affirmative requirements for qualification, or for cause; provided, however, that a director may not be removed if the number of votes sufficient to elect the director under cumulative voting is voted against the director’s removal.


FIFTH. The authorized amount of capital stock of this association shall be ten thousand shares of common stock of the par value of one hundred dollars ($100) each; but said capital stock may be increased or decreased from time to time, according to the provisions of the laws of the United States.

No holder of shares of the capital stock of any class of the association shall have any preemptive or preferential right of subscription to any shares of any class of stock of the association, whether now or hereafter authorized, or to any obligations convertible into stock of the association, issued, or sold, nor any right of subscription to any thereof other than such, if any, as the board of directors, in its discretion, may from time to time determine and at such price as the board of directors may from time to time fix. Preemptive rights also must be approved by a vote of holders of two-thirds of the bank’s outstanding voting shares. Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, (1) all matters requiring shareholder action, including amendments to the articles of association, must be approved by shareholders owning a majority voting interest in the outstanding voting stock, and (2) each shareholder shall be entitled to one vote per share.

Unless otherwise specified in these articles of association or required by law, all shares of voting stock shall be voted together as a class, on any matters requiring shareholder approval. If a proposed amendment would affect two or more classes or series in the same or a substantially similar way, all the classes or series so affected must vote together as a single voting group on the proposed amendment.

Shares of one class or series may be issued as a dividend for shares of the same class or series on a pro rata basis and without consideration. Shares of one class or series may be issued as share dividends for a different class or series of stock if approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the class or series to be issued, unless there are no outstanding shares of the class or series to be issued. Unless otherwise provided by the board of directors, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to a share dividend shall be the date authorized by the board of directors for the share dividend.

Unless otherwise provided in the bylaws, the record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at any meeting is the close of business on the day before the first notice is mailed or otherwise sent to the shareholders, provided that in no event may a record date be more than 70 days before the meeting.

If a shareholder is entitled to fractional shares pursuant to a stock dividend, consolidation or merger, reverse stock split or otherwise, the association may: (a) issue fractional shares; (b) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares, issue script or warrants entitling the holder to receive a full share upon surrendering enough script or warrants to equal a full share; (c) if there is an established and active market in the association’s stock, make reasonable arrangements to provide the shareholder with an opportunity to realize a fair price through sale of the fraction, or purchase of the additional fraction required for a full share; (d) remit the cash equivalent of the fraction to the shareholder; or (e) sell full shares representing all the fractions at public auction or to the highest bidder after having solicited and received sealed bids from at least three licensed stock brokers; and distribute the proceeds pro rata to shareholders who otherwise would be entitled to the fractional shares. The holder of a fractional share is entitled to exercise the rights for shareholder, including the right to vote, to receive dividends, and to participate in the assets of the association upon liquidation, in proportion to the fractional interest. The holder of script or warrants is not entitled to any of these rights unless the script or warrants explicitly provide for such rights. The script or warrants may be subject to such additional conditions as: (1) that the script or warrants will become void if not exchanged for full shares before a specified date; and (2) that the shares for which the script or warrants are exchangeable may be sold at the option of the association and the proceeds paid to scriptholders.


The association, at any time and from time to time, may authorize and issue debt obligations, whether or not subordinated, without the approval of the shareholders. Obligations classified as debt, whether or not subordinated, which may be issued by the association without the approval of shareholders, do not carry voting rights on any issue, including an increase or decrease in the aggregate number of the securities, or the exchange or reclassification of all or part of securities into securities of another class or series.

SIXTH. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members president of this association, and one of its members chairperson of the board and shall have the power to appoint one or more vice presidents, a secretary who shall keep minutes of the directors’ and shareholders’ meetings and be responsible for authenticating the records of the association, and such other officers and employees as may be required to transact the business of this association.

A duly appointed officer may appoint one or more officers or assistant officers if authorized by the board of directors in accordance with the bylaws.

The board of directors shall have the power to:

 

  1) Define the duties of the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

  2) Delegate the performance of its duties, but not the responsibility for its duties, to the officers, employees, and agents of the association.

 

  3) Fix the compensation and enter into employment contracts with its officers and employees upon reasonable terms and conditions consistent with applicable law.

 

  4) Dismiss officers and employees.

 

  5) Require bonds from officers and employees and to fix the penalty thereof.

 

  6) Ratify written policies authorized by the association’s management or committees of the board.

 

  7) Regulate the manner in which any increase or decrease of the capital of the association shall be made, provided that nothing herein shall restrict the power of shareholders to increase or decrease the capital of the association in accordance with law, and nothing shall raise or lower from two-thirds the percentage required for shareholder approval to increase or reduce the capital.

 

  8) Manage and administer the business and affairs of the association.

 

  9) Adopt initial bylaws, not inconsistent with law or the articles of association, for managing the business and regulating the affairs of the association.

 

  10) Amend or repeal bylaws, except to the extent that the articles of association reserve this power in whole or in part to shareholders.

 

  11) Make contracts.

 

  12) Generally perform all acts that are legal for a board of directors to perform.

SEVENTH. The board of directors shall have the power to change the location of the main office to any other place within the limits of Wilmington, Delaware, without the approval of the shareholders, or with a vote of shareholders owning two-thirds of the stock of such association for a relocation outside such limits and upon receipt of a certificate of approval from the Comptroller of the Currency, to any other location within or outside the limits of Wilmington Delaware, but not more than 30 miles beyond such limits. The board of directors shall have the power to establish or change the location of any branch or branches of the association to any other location permitted under applicable law, without approval of shareholders, subject to approval by the Comptroller of the Currency.


EIGHTH. The corporate existence of this association shall continue until termination according to the laws of the United States.

NINTH. The board of directors of this association, or any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than 50 percent of the stock of this association, may call a special meeting of shareholders at any time. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or the laws of the United States, a notice of the time, place, and purpose of every annual and special meeting of the shareholders shall be given at least 10 days prior to the meeting by first-class mail, unless the OCC determines that an emergency circumstance exists. If the association is a wholly-owned subsidiary, the sole shareholder may waive notice of the shareholders’ meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the bylaws or these articles, any action requiring approval of shareholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting.

TENTH. For purposes of this Article Tenth, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or


on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these articles of association and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.

In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Article Tenth have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these articles of association, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these articles of association with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in these articles of association, the bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

If this Article Tenth or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Article Tenth shall remain fully enforceable.


The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these articles of association; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage to pay or reimburse any institution-affiliated party for the cost of any judgment or civil money penalty assessed against such person in an administrative proceeding or civil action commenced by any federal banking agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.

ELEVENTH. These articles of association may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of this association, unless the vote of the holders of a greater amount of stock is required by law, and in that case by the vote of the holders of such greater amount. The association’s board of directors may propose one or more amendments to the articles of association for submission to the shareholders.


EXHIBIT 4

BY-LAWS OF WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

ARTICLE I

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders to elect directors and transact whatever other business may properly come before the meeting shall be held at the main office of the association, Rodney Square North, 1100 Market Street, City of Wilmington, State of Delaware, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. on the first Tuesday in March of each year, or at such other place and time as the board of directors may designate, or if that date falls on a legal holiday in Delaware, on the next following banking day. Notice of the meeting shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 10 days and no more than 60 days prior to the date thereof, addressed to each shareholder at his/her address appearing on the books of the association. If, for any cause, an election of directors is not made on that date, or in the event of a legal holiday, on the next following banking day, an election may be held on any subsequent day within 60 days of the date fixed, to be designated by the board of directors, or, if the directors fail to fix the date, by shareholders representing two-thirds of the shares. In these circumstances, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first class mail to shareholders.

Section 2. Special Meetings. Except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for any purpose at any time by the board of directors or by any one or more shareholders owning, in the aggregate, not less than fifty percent of the stock of the association. Every such special meeting, unless otherwise provided by law, shall be called by mailing, postage prepaid, not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting, to each shareholder at the address appearing on the books of the association a notice stating the purpose of the meeting.

The board of directors may fix a record date for determining shareholders entitled to notice and to vote at any meeting, in reasonable proximity to the date of giving notice to the shareholders of such meeting. The record date for determining shareholders entitled to demand a special meeting is the date the first shareholder signs a demand for the meeting describing the purpose or purposes for which it is to be held.

A special meeting may be called by shareholders or the board of directors to amend the articles of association or bylaws, whether or not such bylaws may be amended by the board of directors in the absence of shareholder approval.

If an annual or special shareholders’ meeting is adjourned to a different date, time, or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment, unless any additional items of business are to be considered, or the association becomes aware of an intervening event materially affecting any matter to be voted on more than 10 days prior to the date to which the meeting is adjourned. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is fixed, however, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to persons who are shareholders as of the new record date. If, however, the meeting to elect the directors is adjourned before the election takes place, at least ten days’ notice of the new election must be given to the shareholders by first-class mail.


Section 3. Nominations of Directors. Nominations for election to the board of directors may be made by the board of directors or by any stockholder of any outstanding class of capital stock of the association entitled to vote for the election of directors. Nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the existing management of the association, shall be made in writing and shall be delivered or mailed to the president of the association and the Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C., not less than 14 days nor more than 50 days prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors; provided, however, that if less than 21 days’ notice of the meeting is given to shareholders, such nomination shall be mailed or delivered to the president of the association not later than the close of business on the seventh day following the day on which the notice of meeting was mailed. Such notification shall contain the following information to the extent known to the notifying shareholder:

 

  (1) The name and address of each proposed nominee;

 

  (2) The principal occupation of each proposed nominee;

 

  (3) The total number of shares of capital stock of the association that will be voted for each proposed nominee;

 

  (4) The name and residence of the notifying shareholder; and

 

  (5) The number of shares of capital stock of the association owned by the notifying shareholder.

Nominations not made in accordance herewith may, in his/her discretion, be disregarded by the chairperson of the meeting, and upon his/her instructions, the vote tellers may disregard all votes cast for each such nominee.

Section 4. Proxies. Shareholders may vote at any meeting of the shareholders by proxies duly authorized in writing, but no officer or employee of this association shall act as proxy. Proxies shall be valid only for one meeting, to be specified therein, and any adjournments of such meeting. Proxies shall be dated and filed with the records of the meeting. Proxies with facsimile signatures may be used and unexecuted proxies may be counted upon receipt of a written confirmation from the shareholder. Proxies meeting the above requirements submitted at any time during a meeting shall be accepted.

Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the outstanding capital stock, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of shareholders, unless otherwise provided by law, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2, but less than a quorum may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. A majority of the votes cast shall decide every question or matter submitted to the shareholders at any meeting, unless otherwise provided by law or by the articles of association, or by the shareholders or directors pursuant to Article IX, Section 2. If a meeting for the election of directors is not held on the fixed date, at least 10 days’ notice must be given by first-class mail to the shareholders.


ARTICLE II

Directors

Section 1. Board of Directors. The board of directors shall have the power to manage and administer the business and affairs of the association. Except as expressly limited by law, all corporate powers of the association shall be vested in and may be exercised by the board of directors.

Section 2. Number. The board of directors shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty-five members, unless the OCC has exempted the bank from the 25-member limit. The exact number within such minimum and maximum limits is to be fixed and determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the full board of directors or by resolution of a majority of the shareholders at any meeting thereof.

Section 3. Organization Meeting. The secretary or treasurer, upon receiving the certificate of the judges of the result of any election, shall notify the directors-elect of their election and of the time at which they are required to meet at the main office of the association, or at such other place in the cities of Wilmington, Delaware or Buffalo, New York, to organize the new board of directors and elect and appoint officers of the association for the succeeding year. Such meeting shall be held on the day of the election or as soon thereafter as practicable, and, in any event, within 30 days thereof. If, at the time fixed for such meeting, there shall not be a quorum, the directors present may adjourn the meeting, from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.

Section 4. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution designate the place, date and hour for the holding of a regular meeting, but in the absence of any such designation, regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held, without notice, on the first Tuesday of each March, June and September, and on the second Tuesday of each December at the main office or other such place as the board of directors may designate. When any regular meeting of the board of directors falls upon a holiday, the meeting shall be held on the next banking business day unless the board of directors shall designate another day.

Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of the association, or at the request of two or more directors. Each member of the board of directors shall be given notice by telegram, first class mail, or in person stating the time and place of each special meeting.

Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the entire board then in office shall constitute a quorum at any meeting, except when otherwise provided by law or these bylaws, but a lesser number may adjourn any meeting, from time to time, and the meeting may be held, as adjourned, without further notice. If the number of directors present at the meeting is reduced below the number that would constitute a quorum, no business may be transacted, except selecting directors to fill vacancies in conformance with Article II, Section 7. If a quorum is present, the board of directors may take action through the vote of a majority of the directors who are in attendance.

Section 7. Meetings by Conference Telephone. Any one or more members of the board of directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of such board or committees by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.


Section 8. Procedures. The order of business and all other matters of procedure at every meeting of the board of directors may be determined by the person presiding at the meeting.

Section 9. Removal of Directors. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of the stockholders. Any director may be removed without cause, at any meeting of stockholders notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by the vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Corporation entitled to vote. Any director may be removed for cause, at any meeting of the directors notice of which shall have referred to the proposed action, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

Section 10. Vacancies. When any vacancy occurs among the directors, a majority of the remaining members of the board of directors, according to the laws of the United States, may appoint a director to fill such vacancy at any regular meeting of the board of directors, or at a special meeting called for that purpose at which a quorum is present, or if the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the board of directors, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the directors remaining in office, or by shareholders at a special meeting called for that purpose in conformance with Section 2 of Article I. At any such shareholder meeting, each shareholder entitled to vote shall have the right to multiply the number of votes he or she is entitled to cast by the number of vacancies being filled and cast the product for a single candidate or distribute the product among two or more candidates. A vacancy that will occur at a specific later date (by reason of a resignation effective at a later date) may be filled before the vacancy occurs but the new director may not take office until the vacancy occurs.

ARTICLE III

Committees of the Board

The board of directors has power over and is solely responsible for the management, supervision, and administration of the association. The board of directors may delegate its power, but none of its responsibilities, to such persons or committees as the board may determine.

The board of directors must formally ratify written policies authorized by committees of the board of directors before such policies become effective. Each committee must have one or more member(s), and who may be an officer of the association or an officer or director of any affiliate of the association, who serve at the pleasure of the board of directors. Provisions of the articles of association and these bylaws governing place of meetings, notice of meeting, quorum and voting requirements of the board of directors, apply to committees and their members as well. The creation of a committee and appointment of members to it must be approved by the board of directors.

Section 1. Loan Committee. There shall be a loan committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The loan committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have power to discount and purchase bills, notes and other evidences of debt, to buy and sell bills of exchange, to examine and approve loans and discounts, to exercise authority regarding loans and discounts, and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors that may lawfully be delegated. The loan committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.


Section 2. Investment Committee. There shall be an investment committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The investment committee, on behalf of the bank, shall have the power to ensure adherence to the investment policy, to recommend amendments thereto, to purchase and sell securities, to exercise authority regarding investments and to exercise, when the board of directors is not in session, all other powers of the board of directors regarding investment securities that may be lawfully delegated. The investment committee shall keep minutes of its meetings, and such minutes shall be submitted at the next regular meeting of the board of directors at which a quorum is present, and any action taken by the board of directors with respect thereto shall be entered in the minutes of the board of directors.

Section 3. Examining Committee. There shall be an examining committee composed of not less than 2 directors, exclusive of any active officers, appointed by the board of directors annually or more often. The duty of that committee shall be to examine at least once during each calendar year and within 15 months of the last examination the affairs of the association or cause suitable examinations to be made by auditors responsible only to the board of directors and to report the result of such examination in writing to the board of directors at the next regular meeting thereafter. Such report shall state whether the association is in a sound condition, and whether adequate internal controls and procedures are being maintained and shall recommend to the board of directors such changes in the manner of conducting the affairs of the association as shall be deemed advisable.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 3, the responsibility and authority of the Examining Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

Section 4. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a trust audit committee in conformance with Section 1 of Article V.

Section 5. Other Committees. The board of directors may appoint, from time to time, from its own members, compensation, special litigation and other committees of one or more persons, for such purposes and with such powers as the board of directors may determine.

However, a committee may not:

 

  (1) Authorize distributions of assets or dividends;

 

  (2) Approve action required to be approved by shareholders;

 

  (3) Fill vacancies on the board of directors or any of its committees;

 

  (4) Amend articles of association;

 

  (5) Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; or

 

  (6) Authorize or approve issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares, or determine the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares.

Section 6. Committee Members’ Fees. Committee members may receive a fee for their services as committee members and traveling and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending any meeting of a committee of which they are a member. The fee may be a fixed sum to be paid for attending


each meeting or a fixed sum to be paid quarterly, or semiannually, irrespective of the number of meetings attended or not attended. The amount of the fee and the basis on which it shall be paid shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IV

Officers and Employees

Section 1. Chairperson of the Board. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the chairperson of the board to serve at its pleasure. Such person shall preside at all meetings of the board of directors. The chairperson of the board shall supervise the carrying out of the policies adopted or approved by the board of directors; shall have general executive powers, as well as the specific powers conferred by these bylaws; and shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred upon or assigned by the board of directors.

Section 2. President. The board of directors shall appoint one of its members to be the president of the association. In the absence of the chairperson, the president shall preside at any meeting of the board of directors. The president shall have general executive powers and shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation, or practice to the office of president, or imposed by these bylaws. The president shall also have and may exercise such further powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred or assigned by the board of directors.

Section 3. Vice President. The board of directors may appoint one or more vice presidents. Each vice president shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned by the board of directors. One vice president shall be designated by the board of directors, in the absence of the president, to perform all the duties of the president.

Section 4. Secretary. The board of directors shall appoint a secretary, treasurer, or other designated officer who shall be secretary of the board of directors and of the association and who shall keep accurate minutes of all meetings. The secretary shall attend to the giving of all notices required by these bylaws; shall be custodian of the corporate seal, records, documents and papers of the association; shall provide for the keeping of proper records of all transactions of the association; shall have and may exercise any and all other powers and duties pertaining by law, regulation or practice to the office of treasurer, or imposed by these bylaws; and shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, by the board of directors.

Section 5. Other Officers. The board of directors may appoint one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more trust officers, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more managers and assistant managers of branches and such other officers and attorneys in fact as from time to time may appear to the board of directors to be required or desirable to transact the business of the association. Such officers shall respectively exercise such powers and perform such duties as pertain to their several offices, or as may be conferred upon or assigned to them by the board of directors, the chairperson of the board, or the president. The board of directors may authorize an officer to appoint one or more officers or assistant officers.

Section 6. Tenure of Office. The president and all other officers shall hold office for the current year for which the board of directors was elected, unless they shall resign, become disqualified, or be removed; and any vacancy occurring in the office of president shall be filled promptly by the board of directors.


Section 7. Resignation. An officer may resign at any time by delivering notice to the association. A resignation is effective when the notice is given unless the notice specifies a later effective date.

ARTICLE V

Fiduciary Activities

Section 1. Trust Audit Committee. There shall be a Trust Audit Committee composed of not less than 2 directors, appointed by the board of directors, which shall, at least once during each calendar year make suitable audits of the association’s fiduciary activities or cause suitable audits to be made by auditors responsible only to the board, and at such time shall ascertain whether fiduciary powers have been administered according to law, Part 9 of the Regulations of the Comptroller of the Currency, and sound fiduciary principles. Such committee: (1) must not include any officers of the bank or an affiliate who participate significantly in the administration of the bank’s fiduciary activities; and (2) must consist of a majority of members who are not also members of any committee to which the board of directors has delegated power to manage and control the fiduciary activities of the bank.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the first paragraph of this section 1, the responsibility and authority of the Trust Audit Committee may, if authorized by law, be given over to a duly constituted audit committee of the association’s parent corporation by a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors.

Section 2. Fiduciary Files. There shall be maintained by the association all fiduciary records necessary to assure that its fiduciary responsibilities have been properly undertaken and discharged.

Section 3. Trust Investments. Funds held in a fiduciary capacity shall be invested according to the instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship and applicable law. Where such instrument does not specify the character and class of investments to be made, but does vest in the association investment discretion, funds held pursuant to such instrument shall be invested in investments in which corporate fiduciaries may invest under applicable law.

ARTICLE VI

Stock and Stock Certificates

Section 1. Transfers. Shares of stock shall be transferable on the books of the association, and a transfer book shall be kept in which all transfers of stock shall be recorded. Every person becoming a shareholder by such transfer shall in proportion to such shareholder’s shares, succeed to all rights of the prior holder of such shares. The board of directors may impose conditions upon the transfer of the stock reasonably calculated to simplify the work of the association with respect to stock transfers, voting at shareholder meetings and related matters and to protect it against fraudulent transfers.

Section 2. Stock Certificates. Certificates of stock shall bear the signature of the president (which may be engraved, printed or impressed) and shall be signed manually or by facsimile process by the secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer, assistant treasurer, or any other officer appointed by the board of directors for that purpose, to be known as an authorized officer, and the seal of the association shall be engraved thereon. Each certificate shall recite on its face that the stock represented thereby is transferable only upon the books of the association properly endorsed.

The board of directors may adopt or use procedures for replacing lost, stolen, or destroyed stock certificates as permitted by law.


The association may establish a procedure through which the beneficial owner of shares that are registered in the name of a nominee may be recognized by the association as the shareholder. The procedure may set forth:

 

  (1) The types of nominees to which it applies;

 

  (2) The rights or privileges that the association recognizes in a beneficial owner;

 

  (3) How the nominee may request the association to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

  (4) The information that must be provided when the procedure is selected;

 

  (5) The period over which the association will continue to recognize the beneficial owner as the shareholder;

 

  (6) Other aspects of the rights and duties created.

ARTICLE VII

Corporate Seal

Section 1. Seal. The seal of the association shall be in such form as may be determined from time to time by the board of directors. The president, the treasurer, the secretary or any assistant treasurer or assistant secretary, or other officer thereunto designated by the board of directors shall have authority to affix the corporate seal to any document requiring such seal and to attest the same. The seal on any corporate obligation for the payment of money may be facsimile.

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the association shall be the calendar year.

Section 2. Execution of Instruments. All agreements, indentures, mortgages, deeds, conveyances, transfers, certificates, declarations, receipts, discharges, releases, satisfactions, settlements, petitions, schedules, accounts, affidavits, bonds, undertakings, proxies and other instruments or documents may be signed, executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association by the chairperson of the board, or the president, or any vice president, or the secretary, or the treasurer, or, if in connection with the exercise of fiduciary powers of the association, by any of those offices or by any trust officer. Any such instruments may also be executed, acknowledged, verified, delivered or accepted on behalf of the association in such other manner and by such other officers as the board of directors may from time to time direct. The provisions of this section 2 are supplementary to any other provision of these bylaws.

Section 3. Records. The articles of association, the bylaws and the proceedings of all meetings of the shareholders, the board of directors, and standing committees of the board of directors shall be recorded in appropriate minute books provided for that purpose. The minutes of each meeting shall be signed by the secretary, treasurer or other officer appointed to act as secretary of the meeting.


Section 4. Corporate Governance Procedures. To the extent not inconsistent with federal banking statutes and regulations, or safe and sound banking practices, the association may follow the Delaware General Corporation Law, Del. Code Ann. tit. 8 (1991, as amended 1994, and as amended thereafter) with respect to matters of corporate governance procedures.

Section 5. Indemnification. For purposes of this Section 5 of Article VIII, the term “institution-affiliated party” shall mean any institution-affiliated party of the association as such term is defined in 12 U.S.C. 1813(u).

Any institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may be indemnified or reimbursed by the association for reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed actions or proceedings and appeals therein, whether civil, criminal, governmental, administrative or investigative, in accordance with and to the fullest extent permitted by law, as such law now or hereafter exists; provided, however, that when an administrative proceeding or action instituted by a federal banking agency results in a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association, then the association shall require the repayment of all legal fees and expenses advanced pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph and may not indemnify such institution-affiliated parties (or their heirs, executors or administrators) for expenses, including expenses for legal fees, penalties or other payments incurred. The association shall provide indemnification in connection with an action or proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) only if such action or proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors.

Expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding under 12 U.S.C. 164 or 1818 may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) a determination by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding that the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) has a reasonable basis for prevailing on the merits, (b) a determination that the indemnified individual (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) will have the financial capacity to reimburse the bank in the event he or she does not prevail, (c) a determination that the payment of expenses and fees by the association will not adversely affect the safety and soundness of the association, and (d) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event of a final order or settlement pursuant to which such person: (i) is assessed a civil money penalty, (ii) is removed from office or prohibited from participating in the conduct of the affairs of the association, or (iii) is required to cease and desist from or to take any affirmative action described in 12 U.S.C. 1818(b) with respect to the association. In all other instances, expenses incurred by an institution-affiliated party (or by his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in connection with any action or proceeding as to which indemnification may be given under these articles of association may be paid by the association in advance of the final disposition of such action or proceeding upon (a) receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such institution-affiliated party (or by or on behalf of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) to repay such advancement in the event that such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification as authorized by these bylaws and (b) approval by the board of directors acting by a quorum consisting of directors who are not parties to such action or proceeding or, if such a quorum is not obtainable, then approval by stockholders. To the extent permitted by law, the board of


directors or, if applicable, the stockholders, shall not be required to find that the institution-affiliated party has met the applicable standard of conduct provided by law for indemnification in connection with such action or proceeding.

In the event that a majority of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the remaining members of the board may authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the remaining members of the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If independent legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the remaining members of the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

In the event that all of the members of the board of directors are named as respondents in an administrative proceeding or civil action and request indemnification, the board shall authorize independent legal counsel to review the indemnification request and provide the board with a written opinion of counsel as to whether the conditions delineated in the first four paragraphs of this Section 5 of Article VIII have been met. If legal counsel opines that said conditions have been met, the board of directors may rely on such opinion in authorizing the requested indemnification.

To the extent permitted under applicable law, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these articles of association (a) shall be available with respect to events occurring prior to the adoption of these bylaws, (b) shall continue to exist after any restrictive amendment of these bylaws with respect to events occurring prior to such amendment, (c) may be interpreted on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time of the occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, or on the basis of applicable law in effect at the time such rights are claimed, and (d) are in the nature of contract rights which may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction as if the association and the institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) for whom such rights are sought were parties to a separate written agreement.

The rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not, to the extent permitted under applicable law, be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which any such institution-affiliated party (or his or her heirs, executors or administrators) may now or hereafter be otherwise entitled whether contained in the association’s articles of association, these bylaws, a resolution of stockholders, a resolution of the board of directors, or an agreement providing such indemnification, the creation of such other rights being hereby expressly authorized. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the rights of indemnification and to the advancement of expenses provided in these bylaws shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights, pursuant to statute or otherwise, of any such institution-affiliated party (or of his or her heirs, executors or administrators) in any such action or proceeding to have assessed or allowed in his or her favor, against the association or otherwise, his or her costs and expenses incurred therein or in connection therewith or any part thereof.

If this Section 5 of Article VIII or any part hereof shall be held unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and the remainder of this Section 5 of Article VIII shall remain fully enforceable.

The association may, upon affirmative vote of a majority of its board of directors, purchase insurance to indemnify its institution-affiliated parties to the extent that such indemnification is allowed in these bylaws; provided, however, that no such insurance shall include coverage for a final order assessing civil money penalties against such persons by a bank regulatory agency. Such insurance may, but need not, be for the benefit of all institution-affiliated parties.


ARTICLE IX

Inspection and Amendments

Section 1. Inspection. A copy of the bylaws of the association, with all amendments, shall at all times be kept in a convenient place at the main office of the association, and shall be open for inspection to all shareholders during banking hours.

Section 2. Amendments. The bylaws of the association may be amended, altered or repealed, at any regular meeting of the board of directors, by a vote of a majority of the total number of the directors except as provided below, and provided that the following language accompany any such change.


EXHIBIT 6

Section 321(b) Consent

Pursuant to Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, Wilmington Trust, National Association hereby consents that reports of examinations by Federal, State, Territorial or District authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon requests therefor.

 

    WILMINGTON TRUST,
    NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Dated: November 4, 2013     By:  

/S / W. THOMAS MORRIS II

    Name:   W. Thomas Morris II
    Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

R E P O R T   O F   C O N D I T I O N

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

As of the close of business on June 30, 2013:

 

ASSETS

   Thousands of Dollars  

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     861,797   

Securities:

     4,845   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreement to resell:

     0   

Loans and leases held for sale:

     0   

Loans and leases net of unearned income, allowance:

     536,692   

Premises and fixed assets:

     11,954   

Other real estate owned:

     32   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies:

     0   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures:

     0   

Intangible assets:

     5,874   

Other assets:

     61,387   

Total Assets:

     1,482,581   

LIABILITIES

   Thousands of Dollars  

Deposits

     875,593   

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase

     115,500   

Other borrowed money:

     0   

Other Liabilities:

     75,755   

Total Liabilities

     1,066,848   

EQUITY CAPITAL

   Thousands of Dollars  

Common Stock

     1,000   

Surplus

     383,507   

Retained Earnings

     31,968   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     (742

Total Equity Capital

     415,733   

Total Liabilities and Equity Capital

     1,482,581   
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