-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, UbzDtJ+65jboQ66OaibUlgKVS3c3ag2DUtUs/Q8I4fOdp6NmieurF1cISrz012oz Wrfi6QLIHBMBGUgcsCrZBw== 0001104659-11-005055.txt : 20110204 0001104659-11-005055.hdr.sgml : 20110204 20110204135051 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-11-005055 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20110131 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20110204 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110204 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTH HERTFORDSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM FUND LTD CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000857957 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CABLE & OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES [4841] IRS NUMBER: 841145140 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CO FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-19889 FILM NUMBER: 11573795 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: CAXTON WAY CITY: WATFORD STATE: A1 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: 441256752000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O BELL CABLEMEDIA PL STREET 2: WAFORD HERFORDSHIRE WD17EL CITY: ENGLAND STATE: CO ZIP: 80155-3309 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JONES UNITED KINGDOM FUND LTD DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940324 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JONES UNITED KINGDOM FUND 1 L P DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900816 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JONES GLOBAL FUND 1 LP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19900420 8-K 1 a11-4882_78k.htm 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 31, 2011

 

South Hertfordshire United Kingdom Fund, Ltd.

 (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Colorado

 

File No. 000-19889

 

84-1145140

(State of Incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

Media House, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook,
Hampshire,
RG27 9UP, England

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

N/A

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: + 44 1256 75 2000

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

x  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 



 

Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The Share Purchase Agreement

 

On January 31, 2011, South Hertfordshire United Kingdom Fund, Ltd. (the “Partnership”) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”), between the Partnership and ntl (B) Limited.  Under the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement, the Partnership has agreed to sell, and ntl (B) Limited has agreed to purchase, 299,390 A ordinary shares (the “Partnership Asset”) of ntl (South Hertfordshire) Limited (“ntl South Herts”), which constitute 66.7% of the issued capital of ntl South Herts, for £14,293,000 in cash.

 

ntl (B) Limited, which currently owns the remaining 33.3% of ntl South Herts, is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Media Inc. and an affiliate of the Partnership and ntl Fawnspring Limited, the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”).

 

If approved and completed, the sale of the Partnership Asset (the “Asset Sale”) will constitute the sale of substantially all the assets of the Partnership and will result in the dissolution and, ultimately, the termination of the Partnership in accordance with the partnership agreement governing the Partnership.

 

The obligations of ntl (B) Limited and the Partnership to complete the Asset Sale are subject to the approval of the Asset Sale by holders (other than the General Partner and its affiliates) of a majority of the outstanding limited partnership units of the Partnership.

 

In addition, both parties may abandon the Asset Sale if the Share Purchase Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms at any time prior to closing.  The Share Purchase Agreement may be terminated:

 

·                  by mutual written consent of the parties;

 

·                  by ntl (B) Limited, if requisite unitholder approval of the Asset Sale is not obtained on or before June 30, 2011;

 

·                  by ntl (B) Limited, if there has been a material breach of any of the Partnership’s warranties or any of the Partnership’s warranties become untrue after the date of the Share Purchase Agreement and such breach is not curable or, if curable, has not been cured within 10 business days;

 

·                  by the Partnership, if there has been a material breach of any of ntl (B) Limited’s warranties or any of ntl (B) Limited’s warranties become untrue after the date of the Share Purchase Agreement and such breach is not curable or, if curable, has not been cured within 10 business days;

 

·                  by either the Partnership or ntl (B) Limited, if a special meeting of unitholders called to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Asset Sale is held and completed and requisite unitholder approval of the Asset Sale is not obtained at the meeting, or any adjournment or postponement thereof; and

 

·                  by ntl (B) Limited, if prior to closing there occurs a material adverse change to the business, results of operations or financial condition, properties, liabilities or assets of ntl South Herts (other than any such change arising or reasonably likely to arise as a result of, out of or related to (a) changes in the economy or financial markets generally in countries in which ntl South Herts conducts material operations or (b) changes that are the result of factors generally affecting the principal industries in which ntl South Herts operates).

 

In addition, if either the Partnership or ntl (B) Limited fails to comply with any material obligation required to be performed by it upon the closing of the Asset Sale, then the Partnership, in the case of non-compliance by ntl (B) Limited, or ntl (B) Limited, in the case of non-compliance by the Partnership, may defer the closing of the Asset Sale to a date not more than 21 days or less than seven days after the date on which the closing was first scheduled or may terminate the Share Purchase Agreement (in addition to other rights that may be available).

 

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The foregoing descriptions of the Share Purchase Agreement and the proposed Asset Sale are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by, the full text of the Share Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Relationships Among the Parties to the Share Purchase Agreement

 

ntl (B) Limited is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Media Inc. ntl (B) Limited holds the 33.3% of the shares of ntl South Herts not owned by the Partnership and has no other assets or operations. ntl (B) Limited relies on the employees and management of Virgin Media Inc. for its business and operations.

 

The Partnership’s business is managed by the General Partner and its only operations consist of those of ntl South Herts. The Partnership does not directly employ personnel of its own. The various personnel required to carry out its business and the operations of ntl South Herts are employed by affiliates of Virgin Media Inc., including Virgin Media Limited, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Media Inc. The Partnership relies on Virgin Media Inc.’s management, organization, financing and infrastructure to carry on its business and operations.

 

The General Partner is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Virgin Media Inc. The General Partner manages the Partnership’s business, properties and activities in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement, although operating control is delegated to other affiliated companies of Virgin Media Inc.

 

Additional information concerning the relationships among the Partnership, the General Partner, ntl (B) Limited and Virgin Media Inc. can be found in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (the “Annual Report on Form 10-K”), filed with the SEC on March 17, 2010, and the Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 (the “Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q”), filed with the SEC on November 10, 2010, which reports are incorporated by reference herein.  In addition, information regarding the relationships among the parties to the Share Purchase Agreement will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC and mailed to unitholders in connection with the proposed Asset Sale.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)       Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

 

Description

2.1

 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between South Hertfordshire United Kingdom Fund, Ltd. and ntl (B) Limited

 

Information Regarding the Solicitation of Proxies

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any proxy, vote or approval. In connection with the proposed Asset Sale, on February 1, 2011, the Partnership filed with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement that is subject to completion. When completed, the Partnership will file a definitive proxy statement with the SEC relating to the solicitation of proxies to vote at a special meeting of unitholders to be called by the General Partner to consider and vote on a proposal to approve the Asset Sale. The definitive proxy statement (including as annexes thereto, the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) and a form of proxy will be mailed to the unitholders of the Partnership in advance of the special meeting. The unitholders of the Pa rtnership are urged to read the definitive proxy statement and other relevant materials when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed Asset Sale. Unitholders may also obtain any of these documents for free when they become available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement (including as annexes thereto, the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) to be filed by the Partnership and mailed to unitholders in connection with the proposed Asset Sale will contain additional instructions on where to obtain further information.

 

The Partnership, the General Partner and the directors, management and certain employees of the General Partner may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed Asset Sale. Information regarding these parties and their interests in the Asset Sale is set forth in the preliminary proxy statement filed by the Partnership with the SEC on February 1, 2011, which is subject to completion, and will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement (including as annexes thereto, the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) to be filed by the Partnership and mailed to unitholders in connection with the proposed Asset Sale.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the completion, possible termination and effects of the proposed Asset Sale. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the Partnership and the General Partner. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in this Current Report on Form 8-K. For example, among other things, the conditions to the closing of the Asset Sale may not be satisfied or the parties to the Share Purchase Agreement may terminate the Share Purchase Agreement in accordance with its terms. In addition, the completion, possible termination and the effects of the Asset Sale are subject to other risks, uncertainties and factors, including the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Partnership or others relating to the Asset Sale, the inability to complete the Asset Sale due to the failure to obtain unitholder approval, the effect of the announcement of the Asset Sale on the Partnership’s customer and business relationships, operating results and business generally, unforeseen events and circumstances that require the General Partner to alter the plans and procedures expected to be carried out to complete the Asset Sale and the dissolution and ultimate termination of the Partnership, and other risks detailed in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference herein. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which the statements were made, and the Partnershi p and the General Partner undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Date: February 4, 2011

SOUTH HERTFORDSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM FUND, LTD.

 

 

 

By:

NTL FAWNSPRING LIMITED, its General Partner

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert Mackenzie

 

Name:

Robert Mackenzie

 

Title:

Director

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

 

Description

2.1

 

Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2011, between South Hertfordshire United Kingdom Fund, Ltd. and ntl (B) Limited

 

6


EX-2.1 2 a11-4882_7ex2d1.htm EX-2.1

Exhibit 2.1

 

ANNEX A

 

Share Purchase Agreement

 

SOUTH HERTFORDSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM FUND, LTD.

 

And

 

NTL (B) LIMITED

 

Relating to the sale and purchase of 66.7 percent of the issued capital of
ntl (South Hertfordshire) Limited

 

January 31, 2011

 



 

This Agreement is made on January 31, 2011

 

Between:

 

(1)               SOUTH HERTFORDSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM FUND, LTD. a limited partnership incorporated in Colorado, whose principal executive office is at Media House, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UP (the “Seller”); and

 

(2)               NTL (B) LIMITED (company number 02735732), a company incorporated in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 160 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QA (the “Purchaser”).

 

Whereas:

 

(A)           The Seller has agreed to sell the Shares (as defined below) and to assume the obligations imposed on the Seller under this Agreement.

 

(B)           The Purchaser has agreed to purchase the Shares and to assume the obligations imposed on the Purchaser under this Agreement.

 

It is agreed as follows:

 

1.                   INTERPRETATION

 

In this Agreement, unless the context otherwise requires, the provisions in this clause 1 apply:

 

1.1            Definitions

 

“Agreed Terms” means in relation to a document, such document in the terms agreed between the Seller and the Purchaser with such alterations as may be agreed in writing between the Seller and the Purchaser from time to time;

 

“Affiliate” means with respect to any person, any other person that (i) directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under the common control with, such person; (ii) owns or controls 10 per cent. or more of the outstanding voting securities of such person; (iii) is an officer, director or general partner of such person; and (iv) if such person is an officer, director or general partner, any company for which such person acts in any such capacity;

 

“Articles of Association” means the articles of association of the Company as amended from time to time;

 

“Associated Companies” means in relation to a person, any holding company or subsidiary or any other subsidiaries of any such holding company or subsidiary, in each case of such person;

 

“Business Day” means a day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a public holiday in England;

 

“Company” means ntl (South Hertfordshire) Limited (company number 02401044), a company incorporated in England and Wales, whose registered office is at 160 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QA;

 

“Consideration” has the meaning given in clause 3;

 

“Closing” means the completion of the sale and purchase of the Shares pursuant to clause 4;

 

“Encumbrance” means any claim, charge, mortgage, lien, option, equity, power of sale, hypothecation, retention of title, right of pre-emption, right of first refusal or other third party right or security interest of any kind or an agreement, arrangement or obligation to create any of the foregoing;

 

“Losses” means all losses, liabilities, costs (including without limitation legal costs and experts’ and consultants’ fees), charges, expenses, actions, proceedings, claims and demands;

 

2



 

“Material Adverse Change” means, a material adverse change to the business, results of operations or financial condition, properties, liabilities or assets of the Company after the date of this Agreement, but shall exclude any such change arising or reasonably likely to arise as a result of, out of or related to (a) changes in the economy or financial markets generally in countries in which the Company conducts material operations or (b) changes that are the result of factors generally affecting the principal industries in which the Company operates;

 

“Parties” means the parties to this Agreement and “Party” means any one of them;

 

“Purchaser’s Group” means the Purchaser and its subsidiaries and subsidiary undertakings from time to time;

 

“Purchaser’s Lawyers” means Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (London) LLP, 99 City Road, London EC1Y 1AX;

 

“Purchasers Warranties” means the warranties and representations given by the Purchaser pursuant to clause 7.3 and “Purchaser’s Warranty” means any one of them;

 

“Sellers Warranties” means the warranties and representations given by the Seller pursuant to clause 7.1 and “Seller’s Warranty” means any one of them;

 

“Shares” means 299,390 A ordinary shares of £1 each of the Company;

 

“Transaction” has the meaning given in clause 2.1;

 

“Virgin Media Group” means VMI and all Affiliates of VMI from time to time; and

 

“VMI” means Virgin Media Inc.

 

1.2            Modification etc. of statutes

 

References to a statute or statutory provision include:

 

(a)          that statute or provision as from time to time modified, re-enacted or consolidated whether before or after the date of this Agreement;

 

(b)         any past statute or statutory provision (as from time to time modified, re-enacted or consolidated) which that statute or provision has directly or indirectly replaced; and

 

(c)          any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or statutory provisions.

 

1.3            Singular, plural, gender

 

References to one gender include all genders and references to the singular include the plural and vice versa.

 

1.4            References to persons and companies

 

References to:

 

(a)          a person include any company, partnership or unincorporated association (whether or not having separate legal personality); and

 

(b)         a company shall include any company, corporation or any body corporate, wherever incorporated.

 

1.5            References to subsidiaries and holding companies

 

The words “holding company”, “subsidiary” and “subsidiary undertaking” shall have the same meaning in this Agreement as their respective definitions in the Companies Act 2006.

 

3



 

1.6            Connected persons

 

A person shall be deemed to be connected with another if that person is connected with such other within the meaning of Section 839 of ICTA 1988.

 

1.7            Accounts

 

Any reference to “accounts” shall include the directors’ and auditors’ reports, relevant balance sheets and profit and loss accounts and related notes together with all documents which are or would be required by law to be sent to members in respect of the accounting reference period in question.

 

1.8            Headings

 

Headings shall be ignored in interpreting this Agreement.

 

1.9            Information

 

References to books, records or other information mean books, records or other information in any form including paper, electronically stored data, magnetic media, film and microfilm.

 

1.10     Legal Terms

 

References to any English legal term shall, in respect of any jurisdiction other than England, be construed as references to the term or concept which most nearly corresponds to it in that jurisdiction.

 

1.11     Non-limiting effect of words

 

The words “including”, “include”, “in particular” and words of similar effect shall not be deemed to limit the general effect of the words that precede them.

 

2.                   AGREEMENT TO SELL THE SHARES

 

2.1            On and subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Seller agrees to sell, and the Purchaser agrees to purchase, the Shares (the “Transaction”).

 

2.2            The Shares shall be sold by the Seller with full title guarantee free from Encumbrances and together with all rights and advantages attaching to them as at Closing (including the right to receive all dividends or distributions declared, made or paid on or after Closing).

 

3.                   CONSIDERATION

 

The consideration for the purchase of the Shares under this Agreement shall be £14,293,000, payable in cash (the “Consideration”).

 

4.                   CONDITIONS

 

4.1            Conditions Precedent

 

The agreement to sell and purchase the Shares contained in clause 2 is conditional upon the approval of the sale of the Shares in the Agreed Terms at a meeting of the limited partners of the Seller by limited partners (other than ntl Fawnspring Limited and its Affiliates) holding a majority of the limited partnership interests of the Seller.

 

4.2            Non-Satisfaction/Waiver

 

(a)               The Seller shall give notice to the Purchaser of the satisfaction of the condition in clause 4.1 within two Business Days of becoming aware of the same.

 

4



 

(b)              If the condition in clause 4.1 is not satisfied on or before June 30, 2011, the Purchaser may, in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement by giving notice in writing to the Seller and the Seller shall have no claim against the Purchaser under it.

 

5.                   TERMINATION

 

5.1            Termination Events

 

(a)               This Agreement may be terminated and the Transaction contemplated by this Agreement may be abandoned at any time prior to Closing:

 

(i)                 by mutual written consent of the Parties;

 

(ii)              in accordance with clauses 4.2(b) and 6.4(a);

 

(iii)           by the Purchaser, if there has been a material breach of a Seller’s Warranty or any Seller’s Warranty shall have become untrue after the date of this Agreement and such breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 10 Business Days after written notice thereof is given by the Purchaser to the Seller;

 

(iv)          by the Seller, if there has been a material breach of a Purchaser’s Warranty or any Purchaser’s Warranty shall have become untrue after the date of this Agreement and such breach is not curable or, if curable, is not cured within 10 Business Days after written notice thereof is given by the Seller to the Purchaser;

 

(v)             pursuant to clause 5.2; or

 

(vi)          by either the Purchaser or the Seller, if a meeting of the limited partners of the Seller to consider and vote upon a proposal to approve the sale of the Shares in the Agreed Terms shall have been held and completed and the approval of the sale of the Shares in the Agreed Terms by limited partners (other than ntl Fawnspring Limited and its Affiliates) holding a majority of the limited partnership interests of the Seller shall not have been obtained at the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

(b)              Upon termination of this Agreement, clauses 1, and 8.2 to 8.11 (inclusive) shall remain in full force and effect and any termination of this Agreement shall not affect and be without prejudice to any rights or liabilities that have accrued under this Agreement prior to such termination or under any provision which is expressly stated not to be affected by such termination.

 

5.2            Material Adverse Change

 

(a)               If at any time before Closing a Material Adverse Change occurs (whether or not notice is received in accordance with clause 5.2(b)), the Purchaser may terminate this Agreement by delivering a written notice to the Seller.

 

(b)              The Seller undertakes to give written notice to the Purchaser promptly and in any case within three Business Days if it becomes aware of any matter, event, occurrence or any other thing which has or is reasonably likely to lead to a Material Adverse Change and to provide the Purchaser with such information about the same as the Seller can furnish and thereafter to keep the Purchaser fully informed on a timely basis about the matter, event, occurrence or other thing in question and its likely effect on the Company.

 

6.                   CLOSING

 

6.1            Date and Place

 

Subject to clauses 4 and 5, Closing shall take place at Media House, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UP, or such other location as Seller and Purchaser may agree on the

 

5



 

third Business Day following notification of the fulfilment or waiver of the conditions set out in clause 4 or on such other date as the parties may agree.

 

6.2            Seller Obligations on Closing

 

Unless the Purchaser agrees otherwise, at Closing the Seller shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Purchaser:

 

(a)               evidence of the due fulfilment of the conditions set out in clause 4;

 

(b)              transfers of the Shares duly executed by the registered holder in favour of the Purchaser or as it may direct accompanied by the related share certificates;

 

(c)               an irrevocable power of attorney in the Agreed Terms executed by the Seller in favour of the Purchaser appointing the Purchaser to be the Seller’s lawful attorney in respect of the Shares;

 

(d)              releases or waivers in the Agreed Terms in respect of any Encumbrances affecting any of the Shares; and

 

(e)               a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Company in the Agreed Terms resolving that the share register of the Company is updated to reflect the transfers of the Shares provided for in this Agreement.

 

6.3            Purchaser Obligations on Closing

 

On Closing, the Purchaser shall pay the Consideration by way of electronic transfer for the same day value to such account as directed by the Seller.

 

6.4            Breach of Closing Obligations

 

If the Seller or the Purchaser fails to comply with any material obligation in clauses 6.2 and 6.3, the Purchaser, in the case of non-compliance by the Seller, or the Seller, in the case of non-compliance by the Purchaser, shall be entitled (in addition to and without prejudice to all other rights or remedies available, including the right to claim damages) by written notice to the other:

 

(a)               to terminate this Agreement (other than clauses 1 and 8.2 to 8.11 (inclusive)) without liability on its part;

 

(b)              to effect Closing so far as practicable having regard to the defaults which have occurred; or

 

(c)               to defer Closing to such date being not more than 21 days after the date on which Closing was first scheduled to take place as the Party not in breach shall notify to the Party in breach and so that the provisions of this clause 6.4 other than the provisions of this clause 6.4(c) shall apply to Closing as so deferred.

 

7.                   WARRANTIES

 

7.1            Seller Warranties

 

The Seller warrants to the Purchaser on the date of this Agreement and as at Closing that:

 

(a)               it is a limited partnership duly organised and validly existing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation;

 

(b)              it has the legal right and full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

(c)               the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Seller and the consummation of the Transaction and the compliance by the Seller with the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute a default under any constitutional documents of the Seller or any laws, decree, order or rule of any court or government or agency thereof which is binding on the Seller;

 

6



 

(d)              other than as referred to in this Agreement, no consent or approval by, notice to or registration with any governmental or other authority is required on the part of the Seller in connection with the execution of this Agreement or consummation of the Transaction;

 

(e)               it is not a party to proceedings in relation to any compromise or arrangement with its creditors nor is it the subject of any winding up, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and to the best of the knowledge of the Seller no events have occurred which would justify such proceedings;

 

(f)                 it is entitled to sell and transfer to the Purchaser the full legal and beneficial ownership of the Shares on the terms of this Agreement without the consent of any third party;

 

(g)              the Shares have been properly and validly issued and allotted and each are fully paid or credited as fully paid;

 

(h)              no person has the right (whether exercisable now or in the future and whether contingent or not) to call for the allotment, conversion, issue, registration, sale or transfer of any share or loan capital or any other security giving rise to a right over, or an interest in, the Shares under any option, agreement or other arrangement (including conversion rights and rights of pre-emption);

 

(i)                  the Shares are free from Encumbrances; and

 

(j)                  during the two (2) years before the date of this Agreement, no order has been made or petition presented, meeting convened or resolution passed for the winding up of the Company, nor has any receiver been appointed or any distress, execution or other process been levied in respect of any of the assets of the Company and no events have occurred which would justify such proceedings nor has any order been made by, or petition presented to, the Court for the appointment of an administrator in respect of the Company.

 

7.2            The Seller hereby acknowledges that each of the Seller’s Warranties is being relied upon by the Purchaser in its decision to enter into this Agreement.

 

7.3            Purchaser Warranties

 

The Purchaser warrants to the Seller on the date of this Agreement that:

 

(a)               it is a corporation duly organised and validly existing under the laws of England and Wales;

 

(b)              it has the legal right and full power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

(c)               the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Purchaser and the consummation of the Transaction and the compliance by the Purchaser with the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute a default under any constitutional documents of the Purchaser or any laws, decree, order or rule of any court or government or agency thereof which is binding on the Purchaser;

 

(d)              other than as referred to in this Agreement, no consent or approval by, notice to or registration with any governmental or other authority is required on the part of the Purchaser in connection with the execution of this Agreement or consummation of the Transaction;

 

(e)               the Purchaser has access to and will have in place at the relevant dates of payment all funds necessary to enable it to enter into this Agreement and to perform the obligations to be performed by it thereunder; and

 

(f)                 the Purchaser is not a party to proceedings in relation to any compromise or arrangement with its creditors nor is it the subject of any winding up, bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and to the best of the knowledge of the Purchaser no events have occurred which would justify such proceedings.

 

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7.4            The Purchaser hereby acknowledges that each of the Purchasers Warranties is being relied upon by the Seller in its decision to enter into this Agreement.

 

8.                   OTHER PROVISIONS

 

8.1            Further assurance

 

Each of the Seller and the Purchaser shall, and shall use reasonable endeavours to, procure that any necessary third party shall, execute such documents and do such acts and things as either the Seller or the Purchaser may reasonably require to transfer the Shares to the Purchaser and to give each of them the full benefit of this Agreement.

 

8.2            Whole Agreement

 

This Agreement contains the whole agreement between the Parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement at the date of this Agreement to the exclusion of any terms implied by law which may be excluded by contract and supersedes any previous written or oral agreement between the Parties in relation to the matters dealt with in this Agreement.

 

8.3            Assignment

 

(a)               Subject to clause 8.3(b), neither Party may, without the prior written consent of the other, assign, grant any security interest over, hold on trust or otherwise transfer the benefit of all or any of the other’s obligations under this Agreement, or any benefit arising under or out of this Agreement.

 

(b)              The Purchaser may assign all or part of its rights under this Agreement to any member of the Virgin Media Group.

 

8.4            Third Party Rights

 

A person who is not a Party has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 to enforce any term, or enjoy any benefit under this Agreement.

 

8.5            Variation

 

No variation of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the Seller and the Purchaser.

 

8.6            Time of the Essence

 

Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement both as regards any dates, times and periods mentioned and as regards any dates, times and periods which may be substituted for them in accordance with this Agreement or by agreement in writing between the Seller and the Purchaser.

 

8.7            Stamp Duty, Fees and Taxes

 

The Purchaser shall bear the cost of all stamp duty, any notarial fees and all registration and transfer taxes and duties or their equivalents in all jurisdictions where such fees, taxes and duties are payable as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The Purchaser shall be responsible for arranging the payment of such stamp duty and all other such fees, taxes and duties, including fulfilling any administrative or reporting obligation imposed by the jurisdiction in question in connection with the payment of such taxes and duties. The Purchaser shall indemnify the Seller against any Losses suffered by the Seller as a result of the Purchaser failing to comply with its obligations under this clause 8.7.

 

8.8            Notices

 

(a)               Any notice or other communication in connection with this Agreement (each, a “Notice”) shall be:

 

(i)                 in writing;

 

(ii)              delivered by hand, fax, pre-paid first class post or courier.

 

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(b)              A Notice to the Seller shall be sent to the following address, or such other person or address as the Seller may notify to the Purchaser from time to time:

 

c/o South Hertfordshire United Kingdom Fund, Ltd.

Media House

Bartley Wood Business Park

Hook

Hampshire

RG27 9UP

Attention: Gill James

 

(c)               A Notice to the Purchaser shall be sent to the following address, or such other person or address as the Purchaser may notify to the Seller from time to time:

 

c/o ntl (B) Limited

Media House

Bartley Wood Business Park

Hook

Hampshire

RG27 9UP

Attention: Gill James

 

(d)              A Notice shall be effective upon receipt and shall be deemed to have been received:

 

(i)                 60 hours after posting, if delivered by pre-paid first class post;

 

(ii)              at the time of delivery, if delivered by hand or courier; or

 

(iii)           at the time of transmission in legible form, if delivered by fax.

 

8.9            Invalidity

 

(a)               If any provision in this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, the provision shall apply with whatever deletion or modification is necessary so that the provision is legal, valid and enforceable and gives effect to the commercial intention of the Parties.

 

(b)              To the extent it is not possible to delete or modify the provision, in whole or in part, under clause 8.9(a), then such provision or part of it shall, to the extent that it is illegal, invalid or unenforceable, be deemed not to form part of this Agreement and the legality, validity and enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement shall, subject to any deletion or modification made under clause 8.9(a), not be affected.

 

8.10     Counterparts

 

This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. The Seller and the Purchaser may enter into this Agreement by executing any such counterpart.

 

8.11     Governing law

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and the Parties irrevocably agree that the courts of England are to have jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement.

 

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In witness whereof this Agreement has been duly executed on the date first set out above.

 

 

SIGNED by

/s/ ROBERT MACKENZIE

 

 

 

 

on behalf of NTL FAWNSPRING LIMITED

the General Partner of SOUTH HERTFORDSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM FUND, LTD.

 

 

 

 

SIGNED by

/s/ ROBERT MACKENZIE

 

 

 

 

on behalf of NTL (B) LIMITED

 

 

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