EX-5.1 2 a08-26379_1ex5d1.htm EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

20 October, 2008

 

Helen of Troy Limited

 

 

c/o Helen of Troy L.P.

 

 

One Helen of Troy Plaza

 

 

El Paso, Texas 79912

 

 

United States of America

 

 

 

Dear Sirs

 

Helen of Troy Limited (the “Company”)

 

We have acted as special legal counsel in Bermuda to the Company in connection with a registration statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on  20 October, 2008 (the “Registration Statement”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto) relating to the registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of 750,000 common shares, par value US$0.10 per share (the “Common Shares”), issuable pursuant to the Helen of Troy Limited 2008 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”, which term does not include any other document or agreement whether or not specifically referred to therein or attached as an exhibit or schedule thereto).

 

For the purposes of giving this opinion, we have examined copies of the Registration Statement and the Plan. We have also reviewed the memorandum of association and the bye-laws of the Company, each certified by the Assistant Secretary of the Company on 15 October, 2008,  copies of (i) minutes of an annual general  meeting of the members of the Company held on 19 August, 2008 and (ii) minutes of the meetings of the board of directors of the Company held on 8 April 2008 and 24 June, 2008  (together, the “Minutes”), each certified by the Assistant Secretary of the Company on 16 October, 2008 and such other documents and made such enquires as to questions of law as we have deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth below.

 

We have assumed (a) the genuineness and authenticity of all signatures and the conformity to the originals of all copies (whether or not certified) of all documents examined by us and the authenticity and completeness of the originals from which such copies were taken, (b) that where a document has been examined by us in draft form, it will be or has been executed and/or filed in the form of that draft, and where a number of drafts of a document have been examined by us all changes thereto have been marked or otherwise drawn to our attention,  (c) the accuracy and completeness of all factual representations made in the Registration Statement, the Plan and other documents reviewed by us, (d) that the resolutions contained in the Minutes were passed at one or more duly convened,

 



 

constituted and quorate meetings, or by unanimous written resolutions, remain in full force and effect and have not been rescinded or amended, (e) that there is no provision of the law of any jurisdiction, other than Bermuda, which would have any implication in relation to the opinions expressed herein, (f) the validity and binding effect under the laws of  the State of Texas of the Plan in accordance with its terms,  (g) that, upon the issue of any Common Shares, the Company will receive consideration for the full issue price thereof which shall be equal to at least the par value thereof, (h) that on the date of issuance of any of the Common Shares the Company will have sufficient authorised but unissued common shares, (i) that on the date of issuance of any award under the Plan, the Company will be able to pay its liabilities as they become due, and (j) that the Company’s shares will be listed on an appointed stock exchange, as defined in the Companies Act 1981, as amended, and the consent to the issue and free transfer of the shares of the Company given by the Bermuda Monetary Authority dated 18 June 2008 will not have been revoked or amended at the time of issuance of any Common Shares.

 

We express no opinion with respect to the issuance of shares pursuant to any provision of the Plan that purports to obligate the Company to issue shares following the commencement of a winding up or liquidation. We have made no investigation of and express no opinion in relation to the laws of any jurisdiction other than Bermuda. This opinion is to be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Bermuda and is limited to and is given on the basis of the current law and practice in Bermuda. This opinion is issued solely for the purposes of the filing of the Registration Statement and the issuance of the Common Shares by the Company pursuant to the Plan and is not to be relied upon in respect of any other matter.

 

On the basis of, and subject to, the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Common Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable (which term means when used herein that no further sums are required to be paid by the holders thereof in connection with the issue of such shares).

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are experts within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act or that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

 

Yours faithfully,

 

 

/s/ CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

 

 

CONYERS DILL & PEARMAN

 

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