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10-Q - 10-Q - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_110q.htm
EX-4.1 - EX-4.1 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex4d1.htm
EX-10.3 - EX-10.3 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex10d3.htm
EX-10.1 - EX-10.1 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex10d1.htm
EX-10.2 - EX-10.2 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex10d2.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex31d2.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex31d1.htm
EX-10.4 - EX-10.4 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex10d4.htm
EX-12 - EX-12 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex12.htm
EX-32 - EX-32 - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.a15-6891_1ex32.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - PENSKE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.Financial_Report.xls

Exhibit 4.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

DATED 2 april 2015

 

(1) UAG UK HOLDINGS LIMITED

(as Parent)

 

(2) SYTNER GROUP LIMITED

(as Company and Original Borrower)

 

(3) THE COMPANIES LISTED IN PART 1 OF SCHEDULE 1 OF THIS AGREEMENT

(as Original Guarantors)

 

(4) THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC AND BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES (GB) LIMITED

(as Mandated Lead Arranger)

 

(5) THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED IN PART 2 AND PART 3 OF SCHEDULE 1 OF THIS AGREEMENT

(as Original Lenders)

 

(6) THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

(as Agent)

 

(7) THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

(as Security Agent)

 


 

£150,000,000 REVOLVING FACILITY AGREEMENT

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED ON 19 DECEMBER 2014 AND

2 APRIL 2015

 


 

GRAPHIC

 



 

CONTENTS

 

Clause

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

1

DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1

 

 

 

 

2

THE FACILITY

 

45

 

 

 

 

3

PURPOSE

 

48

 

 

 

 

4

CONDITIONS OF UTILISATION

 

48

 

 

 

 

5

UTILISATION - LOANS

 

49

 

 

 

 

6

ANCILLARY FACILITIES

 

50

 

 

 

 

7

REPAYMENT

 

56

 

 

 

 

8

ILLEGALITY, VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

57

 

 

 

 

9

MANDATORY PREPAYMENT

 

58

 

 

 

 

10

RESTRICTIONS

 

59

 

 

 

 

11

INTEREST

 

61

 

 

 

 

12

INTEREST PERIODS

 

62

 

 

 

 

13

CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST

 

62

 

 

 

 

14

FEES

 

64

 

 

 

 

15

TAX GROSS UP AND INDEMNITIES

 

65

 

 

 

 

16

INCREASED COSTS

 

74

 

 

 

 

17

OTHER INDEMNITIES

 

76

 

 

 

 

18

MITIGATION BY THE LENDERS

 

78

 

 

 

 

19

COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

79

 

 

 

 

20

GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

81

 

 

 

 

21

REPRESENTATIONS

 

85

 

 

 

 

22

INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

92

 

 

 

 

23

FINANCIAL COVENANTS

 

98

 

 

 

 

24

GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

 

102

 

 

 

 

25

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

112

 

 

 

 

26

CHANGES TO THE LENDERS

 

118

 

 

 

 

27

RESTRICTION ON DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

 

123

 

 

 

 

28

CHANGES TO THE OBLIGORS

 

124

 



 

29

ROLE OF THE AGENT, THE ARRANGER AND OTHERS

 

128

 

 

 

 

30

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

138

 

 

 

 

31

SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

139

 

 

 

 

32

PAYMENT MECHANICS

 

141

 

 

 

 

33

SET-OFF

 

145

 

 

 

 

34

NOTICES

 

145

 

 

 

 

35

CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

 

148

 

 

 

 

36

PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

149

 

 

 

 

37

REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

 

149

 

 

 

 

38

AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

149

 

 

 

 

39

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

153

 

 

 

 

40

COUNTERPARTS

 

157

 

 

 

 

41

GOVERNING LAW

 

158

 

 

 

 

42

ENFORCEMENT

 

158

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1 - THE ORIGINAL PARTIES

 

158

 

 

 

 

 

PART 1 - THE ORIGINAL OBLIGORS

 

159

 

 

 

 

 

PART 2 - THE ORIGINAL LENDERS - OTHER THAN UK NON-BANK LENDERS

 

160

 

 

 

 

 

PART 3 - THE ORIGINAL LENDERS - UK NON-BANK LENDERS

 

161

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 2 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

162

 

 

 

 

 

PART 1 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT

 

163

 

 

 

 

 

PART 2 - CONDITIONS PRECEDENT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR

 

165

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 3 — UTILISATION REQUEST

 

167

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 4 - FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

169

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 5 - FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

171

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 6 - FORM OF ACCESSION DEED

 

175

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 7 - FORM OF RESIGNATION LETTER

 

178

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 8 - FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

179

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 9 - TIMETABLE

 

182

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 10 - AGREED SECURITY PRINCIPLES

 

183

 



 

SCHEDULE 11 - FORM OF INCREASE CONFIRMATION

 

184

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 12 - FORMS OF NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION NOTICE

 

188

 

 

 

 

 

PART 1 - FORM OF NOTICE ON ENTERING INTO NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION

 

188

 

 

 

 

 

PART 2 - FORM OF NOTICE ON TERMINATION OF NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION/NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION CEASING TO BE WITH SPONSOR AFFILIATE

 

188

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 13 - FRANCHISES

 

190

 

 

 

 

Schedule 14- EXISTING SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

192

 



 

THIS AGREEMENT is made on 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and 2 April 2015

 

BETWEEN:-

 

(1)                                UAG UK HOLDINGS LIMITED (the “Parent”);

 

(2)                                SYTNER GROUP LIMITED (the “Company”);

 

(3)                                 THE SUBSIDIARIES of the Company listed in Part 1 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties) as original guarantors (together with the Parent and the Company, the “Original Guarantors”);

 

(4)                                 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC AND BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES (GB) LIMITED as mandated lead arrangers (whether acting individually or together) (the “Arranger”);

 

(5)                                 THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS listed in Part 2 and Part 3 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties) as lenders (the “Original Lenders”);

 

(6)                                 THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as agent of the other Finance Parties (the “Agent”); and

 

(7)                                THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC as security trustee for the Secured Parties (the “Security Agent”).

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:-

 

SECTION 1

 

INTERPRETATION

 

10.                                        DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

10.1                                 Definitions

 

In this Agreement:-

 

2012 Amendment Deed

 

means the amendment deed dated 10 January 2012 amending this Agreement

 

 

 

 

Acceptable Bank

 

means:-

 

(a)                                          a bank or financial institution which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non credit-enhanced debt obligations of A or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd or A2 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency or

 

(b)                                          The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and National Westminster Bank Plc provided that they have a rating for their long term unsecured and non credit enhanced debt obligations of A- or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or Fitch Ratings Ltd or A3 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited or a comparable rating from an internationally recognised credit rating agency or

 

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(c)                                  any other bank or financial institution approved by the Agent

 

 

 

Accession Deed

 

means a document substantially in the form set out in Schedule 9 (Form of Accession Deed)

 

 

 

Accounting Principles

 

means generally accepted accounting principles in the United Kingdom, including IFRS

 

 

 

Accounting Reference Date

 

means 31 December

 

 

 

Additional Borrower

 

means a company which becomes an Additional Borrower in accordance with Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors)

 

 

 

Additional Guarantor

 

means a company which becomes an Additional Guarantor in accordance with Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors)

 

 

 

Additional Obligor

 

means an Additional Borrower or an Additional Guarantor

 

 

 

Affiliate

 

means, in relation to any person, a Subsidiary of that person or a Holding Company of that person or any other Subsidiary of that Holding Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in relation to The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, the term “Affiliate” shall not include (i) the UK government or any member or instrumentality thereof, including Her Majesty’s Treasury and UK Financial Investments Limited (or any directors, officers, employees or entities thereof) or (ii) any persons or entities controlled by or under common control with the UK government or any member or instrumentality thereof (including Her Majesty’s Treasury and UK Financial Investments Limited) and which are not part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc and its subsidiaries or subsidiary undertakings

 

 

 

Agreed Security Principles

 

means the principles set out in Schedule 13 (Agreed Security Principles)

 

 

 

Ancillary Commencement Date

 

means, in relation to an Ancillary Facility, the date on which that Ancillary Facility is first made available, which date shall be a Business Day within the Availability Period for the Facility

 

 

 

Ancillary Commitment

 

means, in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility, the maximum amount which that Ancillary Lender has agreed (whether or not subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent) to make available from time to time under an Ancillary Facility and which has been authorised as such under Clause 15 (Ancillary Facilities), to the extent that amount is not cancelled or reduced under this Agreement or the Ancillary Documents relating to that Ancillary Facility

 

 

 

Ancillary Document

 

means each document relating to or evidencing the terms of an Ancillary Facility

 

 

 

Ancillary Facility

 

means any ancillary facility made available by an Ancillary Lender in accordance with Clause 15 (Ancillary Facilities)

 

 

 

Ancillary Lender

 

means each Lender (or Affiliate of a Lender) which makes available an Ancillary Facility in accordance with Clause 15

 

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(Ancillary Facilities)

 

 

 

Ancillary Outstandings

 

means, at any time, in relation to an Ancillary Lender and an Ancillary Facility then in force the aggregate of the following amounts outstanding under that Ancillary Facility:-

 

(a)                                          the principal amount under each overdraft facility and on-demand short term loan facility (net of any Available Credit Balance)

 

(b)                                          the face amount of each guarantee, bond and letter of credit under that Ancillary Facility and

 

(c)                                           the amount fairly representing the aggregate exposure (excluding interest and similar charges) of that Ancillary Lender under each other type of accommodation provided under that Ancillary Facility

 

in each case as determined by such Ancillary Lender, acting reasonably in accordance with its normal banking practice and in accordance with the relevant Ancillary Document

 

 

 

Assignment Agreement

 

means an agreement substantially in the form set out in Schedule 8 (Form of Assignment Agreement) or any other form agreed between the relevant assignor and assignee

 

 

 

Audit Laws

 

means the EU Regulation (537/2014) on specific requirements regarding statutory audit of public-interest entities and repealing Commission Decision 2005/909/EC and the EU Directive (2014/56/EU) amending Directive 2006/43/EC on statutory audits of annual accounts and consolidated accounts and any law or regulation which implements that EU Directive (2014/56/EU)

 

 

 

Authorisation

 

means an authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration

 

 

 

Availability Period

 

means from and including the date of this Agreement to and including the date falling one week prior to the Termination Date

 

 

 

Available Commitment

 

means, in relation to the Facility, a Lender’s Commitment minus (subject as set out below):-

 

(a)                                          the amount of its participation in any outstanding Utilisations and the amount of the aggregate of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments and

 

(b)                                          in relation to any proposed Utilisation, the amount of its participation in any other Utilisations that are due to be made under the Facility on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and the amount of its (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitment in relation to any new Ancillary Facility that is due to be made available on or before the proposed Utilisation Date

 

For the purposes of calculating that Lender’s Available Commitment in relation to any proposed Utilisation the following amounts shall not be deducted from that Lender’s

 

3



 

 

 

Commitment:-

 

(i)                                             that Lender’s participation in any Utilisations that are due to be repaid or prepaid on or before the proposed Utilisation Date and

 

(ii)                                          that Lender’s (and its Affiliate’s) Ancillary Commitments to the extent that they are due to be reduced or cancelled on or before the proposed Utilisation Date

 

 

 

Available Credit Balance

 

means, in relation to an Ancillary Facility, credit balances on any account of any Borrower of that Ancillary Facility with the Ancillary Lender making available that Ancillary Facility to the extent that those credit balances are freely available to be set off by that Ancillary Lender against liabilities owed to it by that Borrower under that Ancillary Facility

 

 

 

Available Facility

 

means the aggregate for the time being of each Lender’s Available Commitment

 

 

 

Base Reference Bank Rate

 

means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) as supplied to the Agent at its request by the Base Reference Banks in relation to LIBOR

 

(a)                                        (other than where paragraph (b) below applies) as the rate at which the relevant Base Reference Bank could borrow funds in the London interbank market in the relevant currency and for the relevant period were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers for deposits in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period or

 

(b)                                        if different, as the rate (if any and applied to the relevant Base Reference Bank and the relevant currency and period) which contributors to the applicable Screen Rate are asked to submit to the relevant administrator

 

 

 

Base Reference Banks

 

means the principal London offices of two or more banks or financial institutions as may be appointed by the Agent in consultation with the Company, save that no Lender shall be appointed as a Base Reference Bank without its prior written consent

 

 

 

Bilateral Overdraft Lender

 

means The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc in its capacity as lender under the NatWest Overdraft Letter

 

 

 

Borrower

 

means the Company or an Additional Borrower unless it has ceased to be a Borrower in accordance with Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors) and, in respect of an Ancillary Facility only, any Affiliate of a Borrower that becomes a borrower of that Ancillary Facility with the approval of the relevant Lender pursuant to Clause 15.9 (Affiliates of Borrowers)

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial

 

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 definitions)

 

 

 

Break Costs

 

means the amount (if any) by which:-

 

(a)                                          the interest (excluding the Margin) which a Lender should have received for the period from the date of receipt of all or any part of its participation in a Loan or Unpaid Sum to the last day of the current Interest Period in respect of that Loan or Unpaid Sum, had the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received been paid on the last day of that Interest Period

 

exceeds:-

 

(b)                                          the amount which that Lender would be able to obtain by placing an amount equal to the principal amount or Unpaid Sum received by it on deposit with a leading bank for a period starting on the Business Day following receipt or recovery and ending on the last day of the current Interest Period

 

 

 

Budget

 

means:-

 

(a)                                          in relation to the period beginning on 1 January 2011 and ending on 31 December 2011, the budget delivered by the Company to the Lenders prior to the date of this Agreement and

 

(b)                                          in relation to any other period, any budget delivered by the Company to the Agent in respect of that period pursuant to Clause 31.4 (Budget)

 

 

 

Business Day

 

means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banks are open for general business in London

 

 

 

Capital Expenditure

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

 

 

Cash

 

means, at any time, cash denominated in Sterling in hand or at bank and (in the latter case) credited to an account in the name of an Obligor with an Acceptable Bank and to which an Obligor is alone (or together with other Obligors) beneficially entitled and for so long as:-

 

(a)                                          that cash is repayable within 30 days after the relevant date of calculation

 

(b)                                          repayment of that cash is not contingent on the prior discharge of any other indebtedness of any member of the Group or of any other person whatsoever or on the satisfaction of any other condition

 

(c)                                           there is no Security over that cash except for Transaction Security or any Permitted Security constituted by a netting or set-off arrangement entered into by members of the Group in the ordinary course of their banking arrangements and

 

5



 

 

 

(d)                                          the cash is freely and immediately available to be applied in repayment or prepayment of the Facility

 

 

 

Cash Equivalent Investments

 

means at any time:-

 

(a)                                          certificates of deposit maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and issued by an Acceptable Bank

 

(b)                                          any investment in marketable debt obligations issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State or by an instrumentality or agency of any of them having an equivalent credit rating, maturing within one year after the relevant date of calculation and not convertible or exchangeable to any other security

 

(c)                                           commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security:-

 

(i)                                             for which a recognised trading market exists

 

(ii)                                          issued by an issuer incorporated in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, any member state of the European Economic Area or any Participating Member State

 

(iii)                                       which matures within one year after the relevant date of calculation and

 

(iv)                                      which has a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or F1 or higher by Fitch Ratings Ltd or P-1 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited, or, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has, in respect of its long-term unsecured and non-credit enhanced debt obligations, an equivalent rating

 

(d)                                          sterling bills of exchange eligible for rediscount at the Bank of England and accepted by an Acceptable Bank (or their dematerialised equivalent)

 

(e)                                           any investment in money market funds which (i) have a credit rating of either A-1 or higher by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services or F1 or higher by Fitch Ratings Ltd or P-1 or higher by Moody’s Investors Service Limited, (ii) which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in sub-clauses (a) to (d) above and (iii) can be turned into cash on not more than 30 days’ notice or

 

6



 

 

 

(f)                                   any other debt security approved by the Majority Lenders,

 

in each case, denominated in Sterling and to which any Obligor is alone (or together with other Obligors beneficially entitled at that time and which is not issued or guaranteed by any member of the Group or subject to any Security (other than Security arising under the Transaction Security Documents)

 

 

 

Cashflow

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

7



 

Change of Control

 

means PAG ceases to control directly or indirectly the Company and/or any person or group of persons acting in concert gains direct or indirect control of the Company. For the purposes of this definition:-

 

(a)                                 control” of the Company means:-

 

(i)                                     the power (whether by way of ownership of shares, proxy, contract, agency or otherwise) to:-

 

(A)                               cast, or control the casting of, 51% or more of the maximum number of votes that might be cast at a general meeting of the Company or

 

(B)                               appoint or remove all, or the majority, of the directors or other equivalent officers of the Company or

 

(C)                               give directions with respect to the operating and financial policies of the Company with which the directors or other equivalent officers of the Company are obliged to comply and/or

 

(ii)                                  the holding beneficially of 51% of the issued share capital of the Company (excluding any part of that issued share capital that carries no right to participate beyond a specified amount in a distribution of either profits or capital)

 

(b)                                 acting in concert” means, a group of persons who, pursuant to an agreement or understanding (whether formal or informal), actively co-operate, through the acquisition directly or indirectly of shares in the Company by any of them, either directly or indirectly, to obtain or consolidate control of the Company

 

 

 

Charged Property

 

means all of the assets of the Obligors which from time to time are, or are expressed to be, the subject of the Transaction Security

 

 

 

Closing Date

 

means the date on which the Agent confirms to the Company in writing that all of the conditions precedent in Part 1 of Schedule 5 have been satisfied or waived

 

 

 

Code

 

means the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986

 

 

 

Commitment

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 in relation to an Original Lender, the amount set

 

8



 

 

 

opposite its name under the heading “Commitment” in Part 2 or Part 3 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties) and the amount of any other Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 11.2 (Increase) and

 

(b)                                 in relation to any other Lender, the amount of any Commitment transferred to it under this Agreement or assumed by it in accordance with Clause 11.2 (Increase)

 

to the extent:-

 

(i)                                     not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement and

 

(ii)                                  not deemed to be zero pursuant to Clause 36.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates)

 

 

 

Company’s Auditors

 

means KPMG LLP or any other firm appointed by the Company to act as its statutory auditors

 

 

 

Compliance Certificate

 

means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 11 (Form of Compliance Certificate)

 

 

 

Confidential Information

 

means all information relating to the Parent, the Company, any Obligor, the Group, the Finance Documents or the Facility of which a Finance Party becomes aware in its capacity as, or for the purpose of becoming, a Finance Party or which is received by a Finance Party in relation to, or for the purpose of becoming a Finance Party under, the Finance Documents or the Facility from either:-

 

(a)                                 the Parent or any member of the Group or any of its advisers or

 

(b)                                 another Finance Party, if the information was obtained by that Finance Party directly or indirectly from the Parent or any member of the Group or any of its advisers

 

in whatever form, and includes information given orally and any document, electronic file or any other way of representing or recording information which contains or is derived or copied from such information but excludes information that:-

 

(i)                                     is or becomes public information other than as a direct or indirect result of any breach by that Finance Party of Clause 48 (Confidentiality) or

 

(ii)                                  is identified in writing at the time of delivery as non-confidential by the Parent or any member of the Group or any of its advisers

 

9



 

 

 

or

 

(iii)                               is known by that Finance Party before the date the information is disclosed to it in accordance with sub-clauses (a) or (b) above or is lawfully obtained by that Finance Party after that date, from a source which is, as far as that Finance Party is aware, unconnected with the Parent or the Group and which, in either case, as far as that Finance Party is aware, has not been obtained in breach of, and is not otherwise subject to, any obligation of confidentiality

 

 

 

Confidentiality Undertaking

 

means a confidentiality undertaking substantially in a recommended form of the LMA or in any other form agreed between the Company and the Agent

 

 

 

Contribution Notice

 

means a contribution notice issued by the Pensions Regulator under section 38 or section 47 of the Pensions Act 2004

 

 

 

CTA

 

means the Corporation Tax Act 2009

 

 

 

DB Schemes

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 the Ryland Group Pension Scheme established by an interim deed dated 29 January 1974

 

(b)                                 the William Jacks PLC Retirement Benefits Scheme established by interim trust deed dated 1 November 1953

 

(c)                                  the industry-wide MIP Plan and

 

(d)                                 the Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited Management Pension Plan established by trust deed dated 25 March 1984

 

 

 

Debt Purchase Transaction

 

means, in relation to a person, a transaction where such person:-

 

(a)                                 purchases by way of assignment or transfer

 

(b)                                 enters into any sub-participation in respect of or

 

(c)                                  enters into any other agreement or arrangement having an economic effect substantially similar to a sub-participation in respect of

 

the Commitment or amount outstanding under this Agreement

 

 

 

Default

 

means an Event of Default or any event or circumstance specified in Clause 34 (Events of Default) which would (with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination under the Finance Documents or any

 

10



 

 

 

combination of any of the foregoing) be an Event of Default

 

 

 

Defaulting Lender

 

means any Lender (other than a Lender which is a Sponsor Affiliate):-

 

(a)                                 which has failed to make its participation in a Loan available (or has notified the Agent or the Parent (which has notified the Agent) that it will not make its participation in a Loan available) by the Utilisation Date of that Loan in accordance with Clause 14.4 (Lenders’ participation)

 

(b)                                 which has otherwise rescinded or repudiated a Finance Document or

 

(c)                                  with respect to which an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing

 

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:-

 

(i)                                     its failure to pay is caused by:-

 

(A)                               administrative or technical error or

 

(B)                               a Disruption Event and

 

payment is made within 3 Business Days of its due date or

 

(ii)                                  the Lender is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question

 

 

 

Delegate

 

means any delegate, agent, attorney or co-trustee appointed by the Security Agent

 

 

 

Designated Gross Amount

 

means the amount notified by the Parent to the Agent upon the establishment of a Multi-account Overdraft as being the maximum amount of Gross Outstandings that will, at any time, be outstanding under that Multi-account Overdraft

 

 

 

Designated Net Amount

 

means the amount notified by the Parent to the Agent upon the establishment of a Multi-account Overdraft as being the maximum amount of Net Outstandings that will, at any time, be outstanding under that Multi-account Overdraft

 

11



 

Disruption Event

 

means either or both of:-

 

(a)                                 a material disruption to those payment or communications systems or to those financial markets which are, in each case, required to operate in order for payments to be made in connection with the Facility (or otherwise in order for the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents to be carried out) which disruption is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, any of the Parties or

 

(b)                                 the occurrence of any other event which results in a disruption (of a technical or systems-related nature) to the treasury or payments operations of a Party preventing that, or any other Party:-

 

(i)                                     from performing its payment obligations under the Finance Documents or

 

(ii)                                  from communicating with other Parties in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents

 

and which (in either such case) is not caused by, and is beyond the control of, the Party whose operations are disrupted

 

 

 

Dormant Subsidiary

 

means a member of the Group which does not trade (for itself or as agent for any person) and does not own, legally or beneficially, assets (including, without limitation, indebtedness owed to it) which in aggregate have a value of £5,000 or more or its equivalent in other currencies

 

 

 

Environment

 

means humans, animals, plants and all other living organisms including the ecological systems of which they form part and the following media:-

 

(a)                                 air (including, without limitation, air within natural or man-made structures, whether above or below ground)

 

(b)                                 water (including, without limitation, territorial, coastal and inland waters, water under or within land and water in drains and sewers) and

 

(c)                                  land (including, without limitation, land under water)

 

 

 

Environmental Claim

 

means any claim, proceeding, formal notice or investigation by any person in respect of any Environmental Law

 

 

 

Environmental Law

 

means any applicable law or regulation which relates to:-

 

(a)                                 the pollution or protection of the Environment

 

12



 

 

 

(b)                                 the conditions of the workplace or

 

(c)                                  the generation, handling, storage, use, release or spillage of any substance which, alone or in combination with any other, is capable of causing harm to the Environment, including, without limitation, any waste

 

 

 

Environmental Permits

 

means any permit and other Authorisation and the filing of any notification, report or assessment required under any Environmental Law for the operation of the business of any member of the Group conducted on or from the properties owned or used by any member of the Group

 

 

 

Event of Default

 

means any event or circumstance specified as such in Clause 34 (Events of Default)

 

 

 

Existing Security Documents

 

means those security documents granted before the Second Amendment and Restatement Date listed in Schedule 17 (Existing Security Documents)

 

 

 

Facility

 

means the revolving credit facility made available under this Agreement as described in Clause 11.1.1

 

 

 

Facility Office

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 in respect of a Lender, the office or offices notified by that Lender to the Agent in writing on or before the date it becomes a Lender (or, following that date, by not less than five Business Days’ written notice) as the office or offices through which it will perform its obligations under this Agreement or

 

(b)                                 in respect of any other Finance Party, the office in the jurisdiction in which it is resident for tax purposes

 

 

 

FATCA

 

 

 

means:

 

(a)                                 sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations

 

(b)                                 any treaty, law or regulation of any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the US and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of any law or regulation referred to in paragraph (a) above or

 

(c)                                  any agreement pursuant to the implementation of any treaty, law or regulation referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b) above with the US Internal Revenue Service, the US government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction

 

 

 

FATCA Application

 

means:

 

13



 

Date

 

(a)                                 in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(i) of the Code (which relates to payments of interest and certain other payments from sources within the US), 1 July 2014

 

(b)                                 in relation to a “withholdable payment” described in section 1473(1)(A)(ii) of the Code (which relates to “gross proceeds” from the disposition of property of a type that can produce interest from sources within the US), 1 January 2017 or

 

(c)                                  in relation to a “passthru payment” described in section 1471(d)(7) of the Code not falling within paragraphs (a) or (b) above, 1 January 2017,

 

or, in each case, such other date from which such payment may become subject to a deduction or withholding required by FATCA as a result of any change in FATCA after the First Amendment and Restatement Date.

 

 

 

FATCA Deduction

 

means a deduction or withholding from a payment under a Finance Document required by FATCA

 

 

 

FATCA Exempt Party

 

means a Party that is entitled to receive payments free from any FATCA Deduction

 

 

 

Fee Letter

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any letter or letters dated on or about the date of this Agreement between the Agent and the Company or the Security Agent and the Company setting out any of the fees referred to in Clause 23 (Fees) and

 

(b)                                 any agreement setting out fees payable to a Finance Party referred to in Clause 11.2.5, Clause 23.5 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities) of this Agreement or under any other Finance Document

 

 

 

Finance Document

 

means this Agreement, any Accession Deed, any Ancillary Document, any Compliance Certificate, any Fee Letter, any Hedging Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement, any Resignation Letter, any Transaction Security Document, any Utilisation Request, the Vehicle Financier Deeds of Priority, the 2012 Amendment Deed, the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement, the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement and any other document designated as a “Finance Document” by the Agent and the Company provided that where the term “Finance Document” is used in, and construed for the purposes of, this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, a Hedging Agreement shall be a Finance Document only for the purposes of:-

 

(a)                                 the definition of “Material Adverse Effect”

 

(b)                                 sub-clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted

 

14



 

 

 

Transaction”

 

(c)                                  the definition of “Transaction Security Document”

 

(d)                                 Clause 10.2.1(d)

 

(e)                                  Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity) and

 

(f)                                   Clause 34 (Events of Default) (other than Clause 34.13.2 and Clause 34.18 (Acceleration))

 

 

 

Finance Party

 

means the Agent, the Arranger, the Security Agent, a Lender, a Hedge Counterparty or any Ancillary Lender provided that where the term “Finance Party” is used in, and construed for the purposes of, this Agreement or the Intercreditor Agreement, a Hedge Counterparty shall be a Finance Party only for the purposes of:-

 

(a)                                 the definition of “Secured Parties”

 

(b)                                 Clause 10.2.1(a)

 

(c)                                  sub-clause (c) of the definition of Material Adverse Effect

 

(d)                                 Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity) and

 

(e)                                  Clause 39 (Conduct of business by the Finance Parties)

 

 

 

Financial Event of Default

 

means an Event of Default arising under any of Clauses 34.1 (Non payment), 34.2 (Other obligations) (to the extent that such Event of Default arises as a breach of Clause 32 (Financial covenants) or Clause 31 (Information Undertakings) (in relation to the delivery of Annual Financial Statements, Quarterly Financial Statements, Monthly Financial Statements and/or Compliance Certificates)), 34.5 (Cross-default), 34.6 (Insolvency), 34.7 (Insolvency proceedings) and 34.8 (Creditor’s process)

 

 

 

Financial Indebtedness

 

means any indebtedness for or in respect of:-

 

(a)                                 moneys borrowed and debit balances at banks or other financial institutions

 

(b)                                 any acceptance under any acceptance credit or bill discounting facility (or dematerialised equivalent)

 

(c)                                  any note purchase facility or the issue of bonds, notes, debentures, loan stock or any similar instrument

 

(d)                                 the amount of any liability in respect of Finance Leases

 

(e)                                  receivables sold or discounted (other than any

 

 

15



 

 

 

 receivables to the extent they are sold on a non-recourse basis and meet any requirement for de-recognition under the Accounting Principles)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(f)                                   any Treasury Transaction (and, when calculating the value of that Treasury Transaction, only the marked to market value (or, if any actual amount is due as a result of the termination or close-out of that Treasury Transaction, that amount) shall be taken into account)

 

(g)                                  any counter-indemnity obligation in respect of a guarantee, bond, standby or documentary letter of credit or any other instrument issued by a bank or financial institution in respect of (i) an underlying liability of an entity which is not a member of the Group which liability would fall within one of the other sub-clauses of this definition or (ii) any liabilities of any member of the Group relating to any post-retirement benefit scheme

 

(h)                                 any amount raised by the issue of redeemable shares which are redeemable (other than at the option of the issuer) before the Termination Date or are otherwise classified as borrowings under the Accounting Principles)

 

(i)                                     any amount of any liability under an advance or deferred purchase agreement if (i) one of the primary reasons behind entering into the agreement is to raise finance or to finance the acquisition or construction of the asset or service in question or (ii) the agreement is in respect of the supply of assets or services and payment is due more than 90 days after the date of supply

 

(j)                                    any amount raised under any other transaction (including any forward sale or purchase, sale and sale back or sale and leaseback agreement) having the commercial effect of a borrowing or otherwise classified as borrowings under the Accounting Principles and

 

(k)                                 the amount of any liability in respect of any guarantee or indemnity for any of the items referred to in sub-clauses (a) to (j) above

 

 

 

Financial Quarter

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

 

 

Financial Support Direction

 

means a financial support direction issued by the Pensions Regulator under section 43 of the Pensions Act 2004

 

 

 

Financial Year

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

 

 

First Amendment and

 

means the agreement amending and restating this Agreement

 

16



 

Restatement Agreement

 

entered into between Parties on the First Amendment and Restatement Date

 

 

 

First Amendment and Restatement Date

 

means 19 December 2014

 

 

 

Franchises

 

means the franchises, vehicle distribution agreements and dealerships listed in Schedule 16 (Franchises)

 

 

 

German Group

 

means PAE GmbH and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time

 

 

 

Gross Outstandings

 

means, in relation to a Multi-account Overdraft, the Ancillary Outstandings of that Multi-account Overdraft but calculated on the basis that the words “(net of any Available Credit Balance)” in paragraph (a) of the definition of “Ancillary Outstandings” were deleted

 

 

 

Group

 

means the Company and each of its Subsidiaries for the time being

 

 

 

Group Structure Chart

 

means the group structure chart in the agreed form

 

 

 

Guarantor

 

means an Original Guarantor or an Additional Guarantor, unless it has ceased to be a Guarantor in accordance with Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors)

 

 

 

Hedge Counterparty

 

means any entity which has become a Party as a Hedge Counterparty in accordance with Clause 35.8 (Accession of Hedge Counterparties) and which has become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Hedge Counterparty in accordance with the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement

 

 

 

Hedging Agreement

 

means any master agreement, confirmation, schedule or other agreement entered into or to be entered into by an Obligor and a Hedge Counterparty for the purpose of hedging the types of liabilities and/or risks in relation to the Facility which, at the time that that master agreement, confirmation, schedule or other agreement (as the case may be) is entered into are permitted to be entered into pursuant to the terms of this Agreement

 

 

 

Holding Company

 

means, in relation to a person, any other person in respect of which it is a Subsidiary

 

 

 

IFRS

 

means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements

 

 

 

Impaired Agent

 

means the Agent at any time when:-

 

(a)                                 it has failed to make (or has notified a Party that it will not make) a payment required to be made by it under the Finance Documents by the due date for

 

17



 

 

 

payment

 

(b)                                 the Agent otherwise rescinds or repudiates a Finance Document

 

(c)                                  (if the Agent is also a Lender) it is a Defaulting Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” or

 

(d)                                 an Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to the Agent

 

unless, in the case of paragraph (a) above:-

 

(i)                                     its failure to pay is caused by:-

 

(A)                               administrative or technical error or

 

(B)                               a Disruption Event and

 

payment is made within 3 Business Days of its due date or

 

(ii)                                  the Agent is disputing in good faith whether it is contractually obliged to make the payment in question

 

 

 

Increase Confirmation

 

means a confirmation substantially in the form set out in Schedule 14 (Form of Increase Confirmation)

 

 

 

Increase Lender

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 11.2 (Increase)

 

 

 

Insolvency Event

 

in relation to an entity means that the entity:-

 

(a)                                 is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger)

 

(b)                                 becomes insolvent

 

(c)                                  has a resolution passed for its winding-up or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger)

 

(d)                                 seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, liquidator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets

 

(e)                                  has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in

 

18



 

 

 

each case within 30 days thereafter

 

(f)                                   causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in paragraphs (a) to (e) above or

 

(g)                                  takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts

 

 

 

Intellectual Property

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any material patents, trade marks, service marks, designs, business names, copyrights, database rights, design rights, domain names, moral rights, inventions, confidential information, knowhow and other intellectual property rights and interests (which may now or in the future subsist), whether registered or unregistered and

 

(b)                                 the benefit of all applications and rights to use such assets of each member of the Group (which may now or in the future subsist)

 

 

 

Intercreditor Agreement

 

means the intercreditor agreement dated the same date as this Agreement and made between, among others, the Parent, the Company, the other Obligors, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as Security Agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as agent, the Lenders, the Arranger, the Ancillary Lenders, the Hedge Counterparties and the Bilateral Overdraft Lender

 

 

 

Interest Period

 

means, in relation to a Loan, each period determined in accordance with Clause 21 (Interest Periods) and, in relation to an Unpaid Sum, each period determined in accordance with Clause 20.3 (Default interest)

 

 

 

Interpolated Screen Rate

 

means, in relation to LIBOR for any Loan, the rate (rounded to the same number of decimal places as the two relevant Screen Rates) which results from interpolating on a linear basis between:

 

(a)                                 the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which is less than the Interest Period of that Loan; and

 

(b)                                 the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) which exceeds the Interest Period of that Loan,

 

each as of the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the currency of that Loan.

 

 

 

ITA

 

means the Income Tax Act 2007

 

19



 

Joint Venture

 

means any joint venture entity, whether a company, unincorporated firm, undertaking, association, joint venture or partnership or any other entity

 

 

 

Legal Opinion

 

means any legal opinion delivered to the Agent under Clause 13.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors)

 

 

 

Legal Reservations

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 the principle that equitable remedies may be granted or refused at the discretion of a court and the limitation of enforcement by laws relating to insolvency, reorganisation and other laws generally affecting the rights of creditors

 

(b)                                 the time barring of claims under the Limitation Acts, the possibility that an undertaking to assume liability for or indemnify a person against non-payment of UK stamp duty may be void and defences of set-off or counterclaim

 

(c)                                  the principle that in certain circumstances Security granted by way of fixed charge may be characterised as a floating charge or that Security purported to be constituted by way of an assignment may be recharacterised as a charge

 

(d)                                 the principle that any additional interest imposed pursuant to any relevant agreement may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty and thus void

 

(e)                                  the principle that an English court or a court of Northern Ireland may not give effect to an indemnity for legal costs incurred by an unsuccessful litigant

 

(f)                                   similar principles, rights and defences under the laws of any Relevant Jurisdiction and

 

(g)                                  any other matters which are set out as qualifications or reservations as to matters of law of general application in the Legal Opinions

 

 

 

Lender

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any Original Lender and

 

(b)                                 any bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity which has become a Party as a Lender in accordance with Clause 11.2 (Increase) or Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders)

 

which in each case has not ceased to be a Lender in

 

20



 

 

 

accordance with the terms of this Agreement

 

 

 

LIBOR

 

means, in relation to any Loan:

 

(a)                                 the applicable Screen Rate;

 

(b)                                 (if no Screen Rate is available for the currency or Interest Period of that Loan) the Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan; or

 

(c)                                  if:

 

(i)                                     no Screen Rate is available for the currency of that Loan; or

 

(ii)                                  no Screen Rate is available for the Interest Period of that Loan and it is not possible to calculate an Interpolated Screen Rate for that Loan,

 

the Base Reference Bank Rate, as of, in the case of paragraphs (a) and (c) above, the Specified Time on the Quotation Day for the currency of that Loan and for a period equal in length to the Interest Period of that Loan

 

 

 

Limitation Acts

 

means the Limitation Act 1980 and the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984

 

 

 

LMA

 

means the Loan Market Association

 

 

 

Loan

 

means a loan made or to be made under the Facility or the principal amount outstanding for the time being of that loan

 

 

 

Majority Lenders

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 subject to paragraph (b) below, a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate more than 662/3 per cent of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments have been reduced to zero, aggregated more than 662/3 per cent of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction)

 

(b)                                 for the purposes of Clause 34.18 (Acceleration) where an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under any of Clauses 34.1 (Non-payment), 34.2 (Financial covenants and other obligations) (where such Event of Default arises from a breach of Clause 32 (Financial covenants)), 34.5 (Cross default), 34.6 (Insolvency), 34.7 (Insolvency proceedings), 34.8 (Creditors’ process), a Lender or Lenders whose Commitments aggregate 50 per cent or more of the Total Commitments (or, if the Total Commitments

 

21



 

 

 

have been reduced to zero, aggregated 50 per cent or more of the Total Commitments immediately prior to that reduction)

 

 

 

Margin

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 in relation to any Loan, 3 per cent per annum

 

(b)                                 in relation to any Unpaid Sum relating or referable to the Facility, the rate per annum specified above and

 

(c)                                  in relation to any other Unpaid Sum, the highest rate specified above

 

but if:-

 

(d)                                 no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing

 

(e)                                  the ratio of Consolidated Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA in respect of the most recently completed Relevant Period is within a range set out below,

 

then the Margin for each Loan will be the percentage per annum set out below in the column opposite that range:-

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Net Borrowings: Consolidated
EBITDA

 

Margin % pa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 2.5:1

 

3.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 2.0:1 but less than or equal to 2.5:1

 

2.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 1.5:1 but less than or equal to 2.0:1

 

1.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 1.0:1 but less than or equal to 1.5:1

 

1.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greater than 0.7:1 but less than or equal to 1.0:1

 

1.50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less than or equal to 0.7:1

 

1.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However:-

 

(i)                                     any increase or decrease in the Margin for a Loan shall take effect on the date (the “reset date”) which is three Business Days following receipt by the Agent of the Compliance Certificate for that Relevant Period pursuant to Clause 31.2 (Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate)

 

22



 

 

 

(ii)                                  if, following receipt by the Agent of the annual audited financial statements of the Group and related Compliance Certificate, those statements and Compliance Certificate do not confirm the basis for a reduced Margin, then the provisions of Clause 20.2 (Payment of interest) shall apply and the Margin for that Loan shall be the percentage per annum determined using the table above and the revised ratio of Consolidated Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA calculated using the figures in that Compliance Certificate

 

(iii)                               while an Event of Default is continuing, the Margin for each Loan shall be the highest percentage per annum set out above and

 

for the purpose of determining the Margin, Consolidated Net Borrowings, Consolidated EBITDA and Relevant Period shall be determined in accordance with Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

 

 

Material Adverse Effect

 

means a material adverse effect on:-

 

(a)                                 the business or financial condition of the Group taken as a whole or

 

(b)                                 the ability of an Obligor to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents or

 

(c)                                  the validity or enforceability of any Finance Document

 

 

 

Material Company

 

means, at any time:-

 

(a)                                 an Obligor or

 

(b)                                 a wholly-owned member of the Group that holds shares in an Obligor or

 

(c)                                  a Subsidiary of the Company which has earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions) (but on an unconsolidated basis)) representing 10 per cent. or more of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)) or has gross assets, net assets or turnover (excluding intra-group items) representing 10 per cent. or more of the gross assets, net assets or turnover of the Group, calculated on a consolidated basis

 

Compliance with the condition set out in sub-clause (c) shall be determined by reference to the most recent Compliance Certificate supplied by the Company and/or the latest audited

 

23



 

 

 

financial statements of that Subsidiary (consolidated in the case of a Subsidiary which itself has Subsidiaries) and the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Group. However, if a Subsidiary has been acquired since the date as at which the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Group were prepared, the financial statements shall be deemed to be adjusted in order to take into account the acquisition of that Subsidiary (that adjustment being certified by two directors of the Company as representing an accurate reflection of the revised Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)), gross assets, net assets or turnover of the Group).

 

A report by the Company’s Auditors that a Subsidiary is or is not a Material Company shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all Parties

 

 

 

Material Franchising Agreement

 

means a franchising agreement entered into by any member of the Group:-

 

(a)                                 where the profits attributable to, or generated under such franchising agreement are equal to or greater than 20 per cent. of the aggregate profits of the Group; or

 

(b)                                 where the turnover attributable to or generated under such franchising agreement is equal to or greater than 20 per cent. of the aggregate turnover of the Group

 

 

 

Month

 

means a period starting on one day in a calendar month and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the next calendar month, except that:-

 

(a)                                 (subject to sub-clause (c) below) if the numerically corresponding day is not a Business Day, that period shall end on the next Business Day in that calendar month in which that period is to end if there is one, or if there is not, on the immediately preceding Business Day

 

(b)                                 if there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which that period is to end, that period shall end on the last Business Day in that calendar month and

 

(c)                                  if an Interest Period begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month, that Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day in the calendar month in which that Interest Period is to end

 

The above rules will only apply to the last Month of any period

 

 

 

Multi-account Overdraft

 

means an Ancillary Facility which is an overdraft facility comprising more than one account

 

24



 

Net Outstandings

 

means, in relation to a Multi-account Overdraft, the Ancillary Outstandings of that Multi-account Overdraft

 

 

 

NatWest Overdraft Letter

 

means the overdraft letter dated on the First Amendment and Restatement Date between The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc and the Company (as amended, varied or replaced from time to time) provided that the amount of the overdraft and ancillary facilities made available pursuant to its terms shall not exceed £12,500,000 at any time plus the Seasonal Excess Amount

 

 

 

New Lender

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders)

 

 

 

Northern Bank Agreement

 

means the £2,000,000 facility agreement dated 17 August 2007 as amended on 25 August 2011 made between Danske Bank (previously Northern Bank Limited) and Agnew Corporate Ltd

 

 

 

Northern Irish Obligors

 

means the companies listed in Schedule 1 Part 1 which are incorporated under the laws of Northern Ireland

 

 

 

Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 36.2.2

 

 

 

Obligor

 

means a Borrower or a Guarantor

 

 

 

Obligors’ Agent

 

means the Company appointed to act on behalf of each Obligor in relation to the Finance Documents pursuant to Clause 11.4 (Obligors’ Agent)

 

 

 

Original Financial Statements

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 in relation to each Original Obligor its audited financial statements for its Financial Year ended 31 December 2010

 

(b)                                 in relation to any other Obligor, its audited financial statements delivered to the Agent as required by Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors)

 

 

 

Original Jurisdiction

 

means, in relation to an Obligor, the jurisdiction under whose laws that Obligor is incorporated as at the date of this Agreement or, in the case of an Additional Obligor, as at the date on which that Additional Obligor becomes Party as a Borrower or a Guarantor (as the case may be);

 

 

 

Original Obligor

 

means an Original Borrower or an Original Guarantor

 

 

 

PAE GmbH”

 

means Penske Automotive Europe GmbH (a company incorporated in Germany)

 

 

 

PAG

 

Penske Automotive Group Inc

 

25



 

Participating Member State

 

means any member state of the European Union that has the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union

 

 

 

Party

 

means a party to this Agreement

 

 

 

Pensions Regulator

 

means the body corporate called the Pensions Regulator established under Part I of the Pensions Act 2004

 

 

 

Permitted Acquisition

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of each of Agnew Retail Limited, Road-field Motors Limited and Agnew Autoexchange Limited provided that such acquisition is funded using the proceeds of the facility referred to in paragraph (m) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness

 

(b)                                 acquisitions or investments of motor retail operations made in the ordinary course of trade

 

(c)                                  an acquisition by a member of the Group of an asset sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of by another member of the Group in circumstances constituting a Permitted Disposal

 

(d)                                 an acquisition of securities which are Cash Equivalent Investments so long as those Cash Equivalent Investments become subject to the Transaction Security as soon as is reasonably practicable

 

(e)                                  an acquisition for cash consideration, of (A) all of the issued share capital of a limited liability company or (B) (if the acquisition is made by a limited liability company whose sole purpose is to make the acquisition) a business or undertaking carried on as a going concern, but only if:-

 

(i)                                     no Default is continuing on the closing date for the acquisition or would occur as a result of the acquisition

 

(ii)                                  the acquired company, business or undertaking is incorporated or established, and carries on its principal business in, the United Kingdom and

 

(iii)                               the cash consideration (including associated costs and expenses) for the acquisition (the “Total Purchase Price”) does not exceed in aggregate £20,000,000 or its equivalent

 

(f)                                   an acquisition made with the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders)

 

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Any acquisition will only be permitted under sub-clauses (e)  and (f) if the Company has delivered to the Agent not later than 5 Business Days before legally committing to make such acquisition a certificate signed by two directors of the Company to which is attached a copy of the latest audited accounts (or if not available, management accounts) of the target company or business

 

 

 

Permitted Disposal

 

means any sale, lease, licence, transfer or other disposal which, except in the case of sub-clause (b) is on arm’s length terms:-

 

(a)                                 of trading stock or cash made by any member of the Group in the ordinary course of trading of the disposing entity

 

(b)                                 of any asset by a member of the Group (the “Disposing Company”) to another member of the Group (the “Acquiring Company”), but if:-

 

(i)                                     the Disposing Company is an Obligor, the Acquiring Company must also be an Obligor

 

(ii)                                  the Disposing Company had given Security over the asset, the Acquiring Company must give equivalent Security over that asset and

 

(iii)                               the Disposing Company is a Guarantor, the Acquiring Company must be a Guarantor guaranteeing at all times an amount no less than that guaranteed by the Disposing Company

 

(c)                                  in exchange for other assets comparable or superior as to type, value and quality

 

(d)                                 of obsolete or redundant vehicles, plant and equipment for cash

 

(e)                                  of Cash Equivalent Investments for cash or in exchange for other Cash Equivalent Investments

 

(f)                                   constituted by a licence of intellectual property rights permitted by Clause 33.25 (Intellectual Property)

 

(g)                                  to a Joint Venture, to the extent permitted by Clause 33.10 (Joint ventures)

 

(h)                                 arising as a result of any Permitted Security

 

(i)                                     arising as a result of a Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction

 

(j)                                    of any of the Franchises

 

(k)                                 of assets where the proceeds of the Disposal are used

 

27



 

 

 

within 12 months of that Disposal for the purchase of assets to replace the asset which is the subject of that Disposal with assets of a similar type and quality

 

(l)                                     of assets for cash where (A) the higher of the book value and net consideration receivable in respect of any individual asset the subject of the Disposal does not exceed £15,000,000 and (B) where the higher of the book value and net consideration receivable (when aggregated with the higher of the book value and net consideration receivable for any other sale, lease, licence, transfer or other disposal not allowed under the preceding sub-clauses does not exceed £40,000,000 (or its equivalent) in any Financial Year of the Company and

 

(m)                             made with the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders) such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed

 

 

 

Permitted Distribution

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 the payment of a dividend by the Company to the Parent provided that:

 

(i)                                     such dividend shall not exceed 50 per cent of the consolidated profit of the Group on ordinary activities before taxation in the Financial Year prior to that in which the payment of the dividend is to be made (the “Base Year”) (as evidenced by the consolidated audited financial statements of the Parent for the Base Year delivered to the Agent in accordance with Clause 31.11.1 and the US GAAP Reconciliation Statement for the Base Year delivered to the Agent in accordance with Clause 31.11.2 (and no dividend shall be paid prior to receipt by the Agent of those financial statements and the relevant US GAAP Reconciliation Statement));

 

(ii)                                  the amount of such dividend (the “Total Dividend Amount”), together with the aggregate amount of all loans referred to in paragraph (h) of the definition of Permitted Loan made in the relevant Financial Year of the Company shall not in any Financial Year of the Company exceed £30,000,000;

 

(iii)                               no Financial Event of Default is outstanding at the time such payment is made nor will occur as a result of such payment and

 

(iv)                              such dividend must be paid within the 12 month period following the end of the Base

 

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Year

 

(b)                                 the payment of a dividend to the Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries

 

(c)                                  the payment of a dividend by the Company to the Parent of up to a maximum amount of £18,800,000 on or after the First Amendment and Restatement Date provided that this dividend is for the purpose of clearing an inter-company balance and there is no cash movement to the Parent in connection with this dividend after the First Amendment and Restatement Date and

 

(d)                                 the payment of a dividend by the Company with the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders) such consent not be unreasonably withheld or delayed unless an Event of Default is continuing

 

 

 

Permitted Financial Indebtedness

 

means Financial Indebtedness:-

 

(a)                                          arising under the Finance Documents

 

(b)                                          arising under any Stocking Facility

 

(c)                                           arising under the NatWest Overdraft Letter (provided that the aggregate amount of all overdraft and other facilities made available pursuant to the NatWest Overdraft Letter shall not exceed £12,500,000 at any time plus the Seasonal Excess Amount)

 

(d)                                          to the extent covered by a letter of credit, guarantee or indemnity issued under an Ancillary Facility

 

(e)                                           arising under a foreign exchange transaction for spot or forward delivery entered into in connection with protection against fluctuation in currency rates where that foreign exchange exposure arises in the ordinary course of trade, but not a foreign exchange transaction for investment or speculative purposes

 

(f)                                            arising under a Permitted Loan or a Permitted Guarantee

 

(g)                                           as permitted by Clause 33.29 (Treasury Transactions)

 

(h)                                          of any person acquired by a member of the Group after the Closing Date which is incurred under arrangements in existence at the date of acquisition, but not incurred or increased or having its maturity date extended in contemplation of, or since, that acquisition, and outstanding only for a period of six months following the date of acquisition

 

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(i)                                     under Finance Leases of, or hire purchase agreements relating to, motor vehicles

 

(j)                                    existing at the date of this Agreement

 

(k)                                 which is subordinated to the Facility on terms satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably)

 

(l)                                     incurred with the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders)

 

(m)                             arising under the term loan facility dated 10 January 2012 made available by National Westminster Bank Plc to the Company (provided that the maximum aggregate principal amount of that facility shall not exceed £30,000,000 and that such facility is documented on terms substantially the same as the terms of this Agreement (but on a bilateral basis and including market-standard provisions to reflect that the facility is to be used to fund an acquisition))

 

(n)                                 arising under the Ulster Bank Agreement provided that the Financial Indebtedness arising under such agreement will only be permitted if it is less than or equal to £2,000,000

 

(o)                                 arising under the Northern Bank Agreement provided that the Financial Indebtedness arising under such agreement will only be permitted if it is less than or equal to the amount of the facility in place on the date of the 2012 Amendment Deed

 

(p)                                 arising under a Short Term Loan

 

(q)                                 arising under a mortgage of up to £4,000,000 with Lexus Financial Services in respect of the freehold of Lexus Milton Keynes and

 

(r)                                    not otherwise permitted by the preceding paragraphs or as a Permitted Transaction and the outstanding principal amount of which does not exceed £10,000,000 (or its equivalent) in aggregate for the Group at any time

 

Permitted Guarantee

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 the endorsement of negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of trade

 

(b)                                 any performance or similar bond guaranteeing performance by a member of the Group under any contract entered into in the ordinary course of trade

 

(c)                                  any guarantee of a Joint Venture to the extent

 

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permitted by Clause 33.10 (Joint ventures)

 

(d)                                 any guarantee permitted under Clause 33.19 (Financial Indebtedness)

 

(e)                                  any guarantee given in respect of the netting or set-off arrangements permitted pursuant to sub-clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Security or

 

(f)                                   any indemnity given in the ordinary course of the documentation of an acquisition or disposal transaction which is a Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Disposal which indemnity is in a customary form and subject to customary limitations

 

(g)                                  any guarantee given by a member of the Group which is an Obligor in respect of the obligations or liabilities of another member of the Group which is an Obligor

 

(h)                                 any guarantee given by a member of the Group which is not an Obligor in respect of the obligations or liabilities of another member of the Group

 

(i)                                     any guarantee given with the prior written consent of the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Lenders)

 

(j)                                    the guarantee dated 27 February 2007 granted by the Parent and certain members of the Group in favour of the Bilateral Overdraft Lender

 

(k)                                 the guarantee granted by each member of the Group party to the Ulster Bank Agreement in favour of Ulster Bank Limited in respect of the Ulster Bank Agreement

 

(l)                                     the guarantee dated 10 January 2012 granted by each of Isaac Agnew Limited, Agnew Autoexchange Limited, Stanley Motor Works (1932) Limited, Isaac Agnew (Mallusk) Limited, Bavarian Garages (NI) Limited, I A P C B Limited, Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited, Trade Parts Specialist (NI) Limited, Agnew Corporate Ltd, Agnew Commercials Limited, Agnew Retail Limited, GAP Software Solutions Ltd and Agnew Trade Centre Limited in favour of Northern Bank Limited

 

(m)                             the guarantees granted by the Company in relation to the obligations of Agnew Autoexchange Limited, Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited, Isaac Agnew Limited, I A P C B Limited and Isaac Agnew (Mallusk) Limited to Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited and Volkswagen Bank GmbH and

 

(n)                                 any guarantees granted in addition to those permitted under paragraphs (a) to (j) above provided that the maximum aggregate liability (whether present or future, actual or contingent) of all members of the

 

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Group under all such guarantees does not exceed £7,500,000 at any time

 

 

 

Permitted Joint Venture

 

means any investment in any Joint Venture where:-

 

(a)                                 the Joint Venture is incorporated, or established, and carries on its principal business, in the United Kingdom

 

(b)                                 the Joint Venture is engaged in a business substantially the same as that carried on by the Group and

 

(c)                                  in any Financial Year of the Company, the aggregate (the “Joint Venture Investment”) of:-

 

(i)                                     all amounts subscribed for shares in, lent to, or invested in all such Joint Ventures by any member of the Group;

 

(ii)                                  the contingent liabilities of any member of the Group under any guarantee given in respect of the liabilities of any such Joint Venture and

 

(iii)                               the market value of any assets transferred by any member of the Group to any such Joint Venture,

 

when aggregated with the Total Purchase Price in respect of Permitted Acquisitions in that Financial Year permitted pursuant to sub-clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition does not exceed £20,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies)

 

 

 

Permitted Loan

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any trade credit extended by any member of the Group to its customers on normal commercial terms and in the ordinary course of its trading activities

 

(b)                                 Financial Indebtedness which is referred to in the definition of, or otherwise constitutes, Permitted Financial Indebtedness (except under sub-clause (f) of that definition)

 

(c)                                  a loan made to a Joint Venture to the extent permitted under Clause 33.10 (Joint ventures)

 

(d)                                 a loan made by a member of the Group which is an Obligor to another member of the Group which is an Obligor or made by a member of the Group which is not an Obligor to another member of the Group

 

(e)                                  any loan made by any member of the Group to a

 

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member of the German Group so long as the aggregate amount of the Financial Indebtedness under any such loans does not exceed £7,500,000 (or its equivalent) at any time

 

(f)                                   the subscription for vendor loan notes in connection with a Permitted Disposal

 

(g)                                  a loan made by a member of the Group to an employee or director of any member of the Group if the amount of that loan when aggregated with the amount of all loans to employees and directors by members of the Group does not exceed £500,000 (or its equivalent) at any time

 

(h)                                 a loan made by the Company to any Subsidiary of PAG which is not a member of the Group, provided that the maximum aggregate amount of all such loans made in any Financial Year of the Company when aggregated with the Total Dividend Amount in respect of Permitted Distributions paid or made in that Financial Year of the Company:

 

(A)                               shall not exceed 50 per cent of the consolidated profit of the Group on ordinary activities before taxation in the Base Year (as defined in the definition of “Permitted Distribution”) (as evidenced by the consolidated audited financial statements of the Parent for the Base Year delivered to the Agent in accordance with Clause 31.11.1 and the US GAAP Reconciliation Statement for the Base Year delivered to the Agent in accordance with Clause 31.11.2 (and no loan permitted pursuant to this paragraph (h)(a) shall be paid prior to receipt by the Agent of those financial statements and the relevant US GAAP Reconciliation Statement)); and

 

(B)                               does not exceed £30,000,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) and

 

(i)                                     any loan (other than a loan made by a member of the Group to another member of the Group) so long as the aggregate amount of the Financial Indebtedness under any such loans does not exceed £2,500,000 (or its equivalent) at any time,

 

so long as in the case of:-

 

(j)                                    sub-clause (d) above the creditor of such Financial Indebtedness shall (if it is an Obligor) grant security over its rights in respect of such Financial Indebtedness in favour of the Secured Parties on terms acceptable to the Agent (acting on the

 

33



 

 

 

instructions of the Majority Lenders) and

 

(k)                                 sub-clause (f) above to the extent required by the Intercreditor Agreement, the creditor and (if the debtor is a member of the Group) the debtor of such Financial Indebtedness are or become party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender and a Debtor (as defined, in each case, in the Intercreditor Agreement) respectively

 

 

 

Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction

 

means a sale and leaseback of any asset of a member of the Group where the net consideration received by the relevant member of the Group does not exceed:

 

(a)                                 £15,000,000 in respect of any single sale and leaseback transaction; and

 

(b)                                 £40,000,000 in aggregate in any Financial Year of the Company

 

 

 

Permitted Security

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any lien arising by operation of law and in the ordinary course of trading and not as a result of any default or omission by any member of the Group

 

(b)                                 any netting or set-off arrangement entered into by any member of the Group with National Westminster Bank plc in the ordinary course of its banking arrangements for the purpose of netting debit and credit balances of members of the Group (including a Multi-account Overdraft) but only so long as (i) such arrangement does not permit credit balances of Obligors to be netted or set off against debit balances of members of the Group which are not Obligors and (ii) such arrangement does not give rise to other Security over the assets of Obligors in support of liabilities of members of the Group which are not Obligors except, in the case of (i) and (ii) above, to the extent such netting, set-off or Security relates to, or is granted in support of, a loan permitted pursuant to sub-clause (e) of the definition of “Permitted Loan”

 

(c)                                  any payment or close out netting or set-off arrangement pursuant to any Treasury Transaction or foreign exchange transaction entered into by a member of the Group which constitutes Permitted Financial Indebtedness, excluding any Security or Quasi-Security under a credit support arrangement

 

(d)                                 any Security or Quasi-Security over or affecting any asset acquired by a member of the Group after the Closing Date if:-

 

(i)                                     the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of

 

34



 

 

 

that asset by a member of the Group

 

(ii)                                  the principal amount secured has not been increased in contemplation of or since the acquisition of that asset by a member of the Group and

 

(iii)                               the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within 6 months of the date of acquisition of such asset

 

(e)                                  any Security or Quasi-Security over or affecting any asset of any company which becomes a member of the Group after the Closing Date, where the Security or Quasi-Security is created prior to the date on which that company becomes a member of the Group if:-

 

(i)                                     the Security or Quasi-Security was not created in contemplation of the acquisition of that company

 

(ii)                                  the principal amount secured has not increased in contemplation of or since the acquisition of that company and

 

(iii)                               the Security or Quasi-Security is removed or discharged within six months of that company becoming a member of the Group

 

(f)                                   any Security or Quasi-Security arising under any retention of title, hire purchase or conditional sale arrangement or arrangements having similar effect in respect of goods supplied to a member of the Group in the ordinary course of trading and on the supplier’s standard or usual terms and not arising as a result of any default or omission by any member of the Group

 

(g)                                  any Quasi-Security arising as a result of a disposal which is a Permitted Disposal

 

(h)                                 any Security or Quasi-Security arising as a consequence of any finance or capital lease permitted pursuant to sub-clause (h) of the definition of “Permitted Financial Indebtedness”

 

(i)                                     any Security arising pursuant to, or in connection with, a Stocking Facility

 

(j)                                    any Security arising pursuant to the Existing Security Documents

 

(k)                                 any Security or Quasi-Security arising under any agreement entered into by a member of the Group in the ordinary course of its trading activities to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or

 

35



 

 

 

re-acquired by any member of the Group

 

(l)                                     the Security existing at the date of this Agreement and the Second Amendment and Restatement Date in favour of the Bilateral Overdraft Lender

 

(m)                             any Security notified to the Lenders in writing prior to the date of this Agreement and the Second Amendment and Restatement Date except to the extent the principal amount secured by that Security exceeds the amount stated in that notification

 

(n)                                 the Security executed by the target companies described in paragraph (a) of the definition of “Permitted Acquisition” and their subsidiaries in favour of National Westminster Bank Plc as security for the Financial Indebtedness described in paragraph (m) of the definition of Permitted Financial Indebtedness within 10 Business Days of the 2012 Amendment Deed or

 

(o)                                 any Security securing indebtedness the outstanding principal amount of which (when aggregated with the outstanding principal amount of any other indebtedness which has the benefit of Security given by any member of the Group other than any permitted under sub-clauses (a) to (m) above) does not exceed £7,500,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies)

 

 

 

Permitted Treasury Transaction

 

means

 

(a)                                                                                 the hedging transactions documented by the Hedging Agreements;

 

(b)                                                                                 spot and forward delivery foreign exchange contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes

 

(c)                                                                                  any Treasury Transaction entered into for the hedging of actual or projected real exposures arising in the ordinary course of trading activities of a member of the Group for a period of not more than four years and not for speculative purposes or

 

(d)                                 a Treasury Transaction on commercial terms acceptable to the Lenders entered into by a member of the Group with a person other than a Finance Party which does not benefit from Security granted by any member of the Group

 

 

 

Permitted Transaction

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any disposal required, Financial Indebtedness incurred, guarantee, indemnity or Security or Quasi-

 

36



 

 

 

Security given, or other transaction arising, under the Finance Documents

 

(b)                                 the solvent liquidation or reorganisation of any member of the Group which is not an Obligor so long as any payments or assets distributed as a result of such liquidation or reorganisation are distributed to other members of the Group or

 

(c)                                  transactions (other than (i) any sale, lease, license, transfer or other disposal and (ii) the granting or creation of Security or the incurring or permitting to subsist of Financial Indebtedness) conducted in the ordinary course of trading on arm’s length terms

 

 

 

Properties

 

means any Real Property acquired by an Obligor after the date of this Agreement. A reference to a “Property” is a reference to any of the Properties

 

 

 

Qualifying Lender

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 24 (Tax gross-up and indemnities)

 

 

 

Quarter Date

 

means the last day of a Financial Quarter

 

 

 

Quasi-Security

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 33.13 (Negative pledge)

 

 

 

Quotation Day

 

means, in relation to any period for which an interest rate is to be determined:-

 

(a)                                 (if the currency is sterling) the first day of that period

 

(b)                                 (if the currency is euro) two TARGET Days before the first day of that period or

 

(c)                                  (for any other currency) two Business Days before the first day of that period,

 

unless market practice differs in the Relevant Market for that currency, in which case the Quotation Day for that currency will be determined by the Agent in accordance with market practice in the Relevant Market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)

 

 

 

Real Property

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 any freehold, leasehold or immovable property and

 

(b)                                 any buildings, fixtures, fittings, fixed plant or machinery from time to time situated on or forming part of that freehold, leasehold or immovable property

 

 

 

Receiver

 

means a receiver or receiver and manager or administrative

 

37



 

 

 

receiver of the whole or any part of the Charged Property

 

 

 

Related Fund

 

in relation to a fund (the “first fund”), means a fund which is managed or advised by the same investment manager or investment adviser as the first fund or, if it is managed by a different investment manager or investment adviser, a fund whose investment manager or investment adviser is an Affiliate of the investment manager or investment adviser of the first fund

 

 

 

Relevant Jurisdiction

 

means, in relation to an Obligor:-

 

(a)                                 its Original Jurisdiction

 

(b)                                 any jurisdiction where any asset subject to or intended to be subject to the Transaction Security to be created by it is situated

 

(c)                                  any jurisdiction where it conducts its business and

 

(d)                                 the jurisdiction whose laws govern the perfection of any of the Transaction Security Documents entered into by it

 

 

 

Relevant Market

 

means the London interbank market

 

 

 

Relevant Period

 

has the meaning given to that term in Clause 32.1 (Financial definitions)

 

 

 

Repayment Date

 

means the last day of an Interest Period for a Loan

 

 

 

Repeating Representations

 

means each of the representations set out in Clause 30.2 (Status) to Clause 30.7 (Governing law and enforcement), Clause 30.11 (No default), Clause 30.12.2, Clause 30.13 (Original Financial Statements), Clause 30.20 (Ranking) to Clause 30.22 (Legal and beneficial ownership) and Clause 30.28 (Centre of main interests and establishments)

 

 

 

Representative

 

means any delegate, agent, manager, administrator, nominee, attorney, trustee or custodian

 

 

 

Resignation Letter

 

means a letter substantially in the form set out in Schedule 10 (Form of Resignation Letter)

 

 

 

Rollover Loan

 

means one or more Loans:-

 

(a)                                 made or to be made on the same day that a maturing Loan is due to be repaid or

 

(b)                                 the aggregate amount of which is equal to or less than the amount of the maturing Loan

 

(c)                                  made or to be made to the same Borrower for the purpose of refinancing that maturing Loan

 

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Screen Rate

 

means the London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant currency and period displayed on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate), or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with the Company.

 

 

 

Seasonal Excess Amount

 

means an additional amount up to a maximum of £40,000,000 made available during the following periods:

 

(a)                                 20 March to 30 April in each year; and

 

(b)                                 20 September to 31 October in each year

 

 

 

Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement

 

means the agreement amending and restating this Agreement entered into between Parties on the Second Amendment and Restatement Date

 

 

 

Second Amendment and Restatement Date

 

means 2 April 2015

 

 

 

Secured Parties

 

means each Finance Party from time to time party to this Agreement and any Receiver or Delegate

 

 

 

Security

 

means a mortgage, charge, pledge, lien or other security interest securing any obligation of any person or any other agreement or arrangement having a similar effect

 

 

 

Short Term Loan

 

means a loan from PAG or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a member the Group) to any member of Group provided that:

 

(a)                                 each such loan is to be repaid within 45 days of being made to the relevant member(s) of the Group (subject to Clause 33.18.3);

 

(b)                                 a maximum of two such loans may be made available to the relevant member(s) of the Group in each calendar year; and

 

(c)                                  such a loan may not be made available unless a period of at least 90 days has elapsed since the previous loan was repaid by the relevant member(s) of the Group

 

 

 

Specified Time

 

means a time determined in accordance with Schedule 12 (Timetables)

 

 

 

Sponsor Affiliate

 

means PAG, each of its Affiliates, any trust of which PAG or any of its Affiliates is a trustee, any partnership of which PAG or any of its Affiliates is a partner and any trust, fund or other entity

 

39



 

 

 

which is managed by, or is under the control of, PAG or any of its Affiliates provided that any such trust, fund or other entity which has been established for at least 6 months solely for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans or debt securities and which is managed or controlled independently from all other trusts, funds or other entities managed or controlled by PAG or any of its Affiliates which have been established for the primary or main purpose of investing in the share capital of companies shall not constitute a Sponsor Affiliate

 

 

 

Stocking Facility

 

means any facility provided to a member of the Group for vehicle stock, used demonstrators and/or consignment stock

 

 

 

Subsidiary

 

means a subsidiary undertaking within the meaning of section 1159 of the Companies Act 2006

 

 

 

TARGET2

 

means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilises a single shared platform and which was launched on 19 November 2007

 

 

 

TARGET Day

 

means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in euro

 

 

 

Tax

 

means any tax, levy, impost, duty or other charge or withholding of a similar nature (including any penalty or interest payable in connection with any failure to pay or any delay in paying any of the same)

 

 

 

Termination Date

 

means 19 December 2019

 

 

 

Testing Date

 

means the date when the financial covenants contained in Clause 32.2 (Financial condition) are to be tested

 

 

 

Total Commitments

 

means the aggregate of the Commitments, being £150,000,000 at the Second Amendment and Restatement Date

 

 

 

Trade Instruments

 

means any performance bonds, or advance payment bonds or documentary letters of credit issued in respect of the obligations of any member of the Group arising in the ordinary course of trading of that member of the Group

 

 

 

Transaction Security

 

means the Security created or expressed to be created in favour of the Security Agent pursuant to the Transaction Security Documents

 

 

 

Transaction Security Documents

 

means each of the documents listed as being a Transaction Security Document in paragraph 2.6 of Part 1 of Schedule 5 (Conditions Precedent), any document required to be delivered to the Agent under paragraph 13 of Part 2 of Schedule 5 (Conditions Precedent), the debenture dated 24 January 2012 entered into by the Northern Irish Obligors in favour of the Security Agent, together with any other document entered into by any Obligor creating or expressed to create any Security

 

40



 

 

 

over all or any part of its assets in respect of the obligations of any of the Obligors under any of the Finance Documents

 

 

 

Transfer Certificate

 

means a certificate substantially in the form set out in Schedule 7 (Form of Transfer Certificate) or any other form agreed between the Agent and the Company

 

 

 

Transfer Date

 

means, in relation to an assignment or transfer, the later of:-

 

(a)                                 the proposed Transfer Date specified in the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate and

 

(b)                                 the date on which the Agent executes the relevant Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate

 

 

 

Treasury Transactions

 

means any derivative transaction entered into in connection with protection against or benefit from fluctuation in any rate or price

 

 

 

UAG Group

 

means the Parent and each of its Subsidiaries from time to time

 

 

 

Ulster Bank Agreement

 

means the working capital facility agreement most recently entered into on 3 July 2014 (and renewed annually) documenting the terms of a working capital facility of up to £2,000,000 to be made available by Ulster Bank Limited to Agnew Retail Limited, Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited, Agnew Commercials Limited, Bavarian Garages (NI) Limited, GAP Software Solutions Ltd, Isaac Agnew (Mallusk) Limited, Stanley Motor Works (1932) Limited, Agnew Autoexchange Limited, Agnew Trade Centre Limited, Agnew Corporate Ltd, I A P C B Limited and Isaac Agnew Limited

 

 

 

Unpaid Sum

 

means any sum due and payable but unpaid by an Obligor under the Finance Documents

 

 

 

US

 

means the United States of America

 

 

 

US GAAP Reconciliation Statement

 

means a reconciliation, prepared by the Company, of (i) the Monthly Financial Statements for the Company for the period ending on 31 December in each year and (ii) generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America which have been applied in preparing the audited financial statements of the Parent referred to in Clause 31.11.1 for the same year

 

 

 

Utilisation

 

means a Loan

 

 

 

Utilisation Date

 

means the date of a Utilisation, being the date on which the relevant Loan is to be made

 

 

 

Utilisation Request

 

means a notice substantially in the relevant form set out in Schedule 6 (Requests and Notices)

 

 

 

VAT

 

means:

 

(a)                                 any tax imposed in compliance with the Council Directive of 28 November 2006 on the common

 

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system of value added tax (EC Directive 2006/112); and

 

(b)                                 any other tax of a similar nature, whether imposed in a member state of the European Union in substitution for, or levied in addition to, such tax referred to in paragraph (a) above, or imposed elsewhere

 

 

 

Vehicle Financier Deeds of Priority

 

means deeds of priority entered into between, among others, the Security Agent and each of the following financiers (in their respective capacities as providers of vehicle finance to certain members of the Group):-

 

(a)                                 BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited;

 

(b)                                 Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited and Volkswagen Bank GmbH (trading as Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch); and

 

(c)                                  Mercedes-Benz Bank AG UK Branch,

 

(each, a “Vehicle Financier Deed of Priority”).

 

10.2                                 Construction

 

10.2.1                      Unless a contrary indication appears, a reference in this Agreement to:-

 

(a)                                          the “Agent”, the “Arranger”, any “Finance Party”, any “Hedge Counterparty”, any “Lender”, any “Obligor”, any “Party”, any “Secured Party”, the “Security Agent”, the “Bilateral Overdraft Lender” or any other person shall be construed so as to include its successors in title, permitted assigns and permitted transferees to, or of, its rights and/or obligations under the Finance Documents and, in the case of the Security Agent, any person for the time being appointed as Security Agent or Security Agents in accordance with the Finance Documents;

 

(b)                                          a document in “agreed form” is a document which is previously agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Company and the Agent or, if not so agreed, is in the form specified by the Agent;

 

(c)                                           assets” includes present and future properties, revenues and rights of every description;

 

(d)                                          a “Finance Document” or any other agreement or instrument is a reference to that Finance Document or other agreement or instrument as amended, novated, supplemented, extended or restated;

 

(e)                                           a “group of Lenders” includes all the Lenders;

 

(f)                                            guarantee” means (other than in Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity)) any guarantee, letter of credit, bond, indemnity or similar assurance against loss, or any obligation, direct or indirect, actual or contingent, to purchase or assume any indebtedness of any person or to make an investment in or loan to any person or to purchase assets

 

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of any person where, in each case, such obligation is assumed in order to maintain or assist the ability of such person to meet its indebtedness;

 

(g)                                           indebtedness” includes any obligation (whether incurred as principal or as surety) for the payment or repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent;

 

(h)                                          a “person” includes any individual, firm, company, corporation, government, state or agency of a state or any association, trust, joint venture, consortium or partnership or other entity (whether or not having separate legal personality);

 

(i)                                              a “regulation” includes any regulation, rule, official directive, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law but if not having the force of law, being one which is customarily complied with in the relevant jurisdiction by persons or entities equivalent to the relevant person or entity in question) of any governmental, intergovernmental or supranational body, agency, department or of any regulatory, self-regulatory or other authority or organisation;

 

(j)                                             a provision of law is a reference to that provision as amended or re-enacted;

 

(k)                                          “date of this Agreement” means 16 December 2011; and

 

(l)                                              a time of day is a reference to London time.

 

10.2.2                      Section, Clause and Schedule headings are for ease of reference only.

 

10.2.3                      Unless a contrary indication appears, a term used in any other Finance Document or in any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document has the same meaning in that Finance Document or notice as in this Agreement.

 

10.2.4                      A Borrower providing “cash cover” for an Ancillary Facility means a Borrower paying an amount in the currency of the Ancillary Facility) to an interest-bearing account in the name of the Borrower and the following conditions being met:-

 

(a)                                          the account is with the Security Agent or with the Ancillary Lender for which that cash cover is to be provided;

 

(b)                                          until no amount is or may be outstanding under that Ancillary Facility, withdrawals from the account may only be made to pay the relevant Finance Party amounts due and payable to it under this Agreement in respect of that Ancillary Facility; and

 

(c)                                           the Borrower has executed a security document over that account, in form and substance satisfactory to the Finance Party with which that account is held, creating a first ranking security interest over that account.

 

10.2.5                      A Default (other than an Event of Default) is “continuing” if it has not been remedied or waived and an Event of Default is “continuing” if it has not been waived.

 

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10.2.6                      A Borrower “repaying” or “prepaying” an Ancillary Outstandings means:-

 

(a)                                          that Borrower providing cash cover in respect of the Ancillary Outstandings;

 

(b)                                          the maximum amount payable under the Ancillary Facility being reduced or cancelled in accordance with its terms; or

 

(c)                                           the Ancillary Lender being satisfied that it has no further liability under that Ancillary Facility,

 

and the amount by which the Ancillary Outstandings are, repaid or prepaid under Clauses 10.2.6(a) and 10.2.6(b) above is the amount of the relevant cash cover, reduction or cancellation.

 

10.2.7                      An amount borrowed includes any amount utilised under an Ancillary Facility.

 

10.3                                 Third party rights

 

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

 

10.3.2                      Notwithstanding any term of any Finance Document, the consent of any person who is not a Party is not required to rescind or vary this Agreement at any time.

 

10.4                                Provision of information by directors

 

If any provision of a Finance Document requires a director or any member of the Group to provide any information, to certify any matter or to make any presentation, any such provision, certification or presentation shall, provided it is made in good faith, be made without personal liability on the part of such director (other than in the case of fraud or gross negligence).

 

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SECTION 2

 

THE FACILITY

 

11.                                        THE FACILITY

 

11.1                                 The Facility

 

11.1.1                      Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Lenders make available a Sterling revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount equal to the Total Commitments.

 

11.1.2                      The Facility will be available to the Company.

 

11.1.3                      Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Ancillary Documents, an Ancillary Lender may make all or part of its Commitment available to any Borrower as an Ancillary Facility.

 

11.2                                 Increase

 

11.2.1                      The Parent or the Company may by giving prior notice to the Agent by no later than the date falling 10 Business Days after the effective date of a cancellation of:-

 

(a)                                          the Available Commitments of a Defaulting Lender in accordance with Clause 17.5 (Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender); or

 

(b)                                          the Commitments of a Lender in accordance with Clause 17.1 (Illegality);

 

request that the Total Commitments be increased (and the Total Commitments under that Facility shall be so increased) in an aggregate amount in the Base Currency of up to the amount of the Available Commitments or Commitments so cancelled as follows:-

 

(c)                                           the increased Commitments will be assumed by one or more Lenders or other banks, financial institutions, trusts, funds or other entities (each an “Increase Lender”) selected by the Parent or the Company (each of which shall not be a Sponsor Affiliate or a member of the Group and which is further acceptable to the Agent (acting reasonably)) and each of which confirms in writing (whether in the relevant Increase Confirmation or otherwise) its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations of a Lender corresponding to that part of the increased Commitments which it is to assume, as if it had been an Original Lender;

 

(d)                                          each of the Obligors and any Increase Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another as the Obligors and the Increase Lender would have assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

(e)                                           each Increase Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and any Increase Lender and each of the other Finance Parties shall assume obligations towards one another and acquire rights against one another as that Increase Lender and those Finance Parties would have

 

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assumed and/or acquired had the Increase Lender been an Original Lender;

 

(f)                                            the Commitments of the other Lenders shall continue in full force and effect; and

 

(g)                                           any increase in the Total Commitments shall take effect on the date specified by the Parent or the Company in the notice referred to above or any later date on which the conditions set out in Clause 11.2.2 below are satisfied.

 

11.2.2                      An increase in the Total Commitments will only be effective on:-

 

(a)                                          the execution by the Agent of an Increase Confirmation from the relevant Increase Lender;

 

(b)                                          in relation to an Increase Lender which is not a Lender immediately prior to the relevant increase:-

 

(i)                                              the Increase Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(ii)                                           the Agent being satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assumption of the increased Commitments by that Increase Lender. The Agent shall promptly notify the Parent and the Increase Lender upon being so satisfied.

 

11.2.3                      Each Increase Lender, by executing the Increase Confirmation, confirms (for the avoidance of doubt) that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the increase becomes effective.

 

11.2.4                      The Parent shall promptly on demand pay the Agent and the Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by either of them and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate in connection with any increase in Commitments under this Clause 11.2.

 

11.2.5                      The Parent may pay to the Increase Lender a fee in the amount and at the times agreed between the Parent and the Increase Lender in a Fee Letter.

 

11.2.6                      Clause 35.4 (Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders) shall apply mutatis mutandis in this Clause 11.2 in relation to an Increase Lender as if references in that Clause to:-

 

(a)                                          an “Existing Lender” were references to all the Lenders immediately prior to the relevant increase;

 

(b)                                          the “New Lender” were references to that “Increase Lender”; and

 

(c)                                           a “re-transfer” and “re-assignment” were references to respectively a “transfer” and “assignment”.

 

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11.3                                 Finance Parties’ rights and obligations

 

11.3.1                      The obligations of each Finance Party under the Finance Documents are several.  Failure by a Finance Party to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents does not affect the obligations of any other Party under the Finance Documents.  No Finance Party is responsible for the obligations of any other Finance Party under the Finance Documents.

 

11.3.2                      The rights of each Finance Party under or in connection with the Finance Documents are separate and independent rights and any debt arising under the Finance Documents to a Finance Party from an Obligor shall be a separate and independent debt.

 

11.3.3                      A Finance Party may, except as otherwise stated in the Finance Documents, separately enforce its rights under the Finance Documents.

 

11.4                                Obligors’ Agent

 

11.4.1                      Each Obligor (other than the Company) by its execution of this Agreement or an Accession Deed irrevocably appoints the Company (acting through one or more authorised signatories) to act on its behalf as its agent in relation to the Finance Documents and irrevocably authorises:-

 

(a)                                          the Company on its behalf to supply all information concerning itself contemplated by this Agreement to the Finance Parties and to give all notices and instructions (including, in the case of a Borrower, Utilisation Requests), to execute on its behalf any Accession Deed, to make such agreements and to effect the relevant amendments, supplements and variations capable of being given, made or effected by any Obligor notwithstanding that they may affect the Obligor, without further reference to or the consent of that Obligor; and

 

(b)                                          each Finance Party to give any notice, demand or other communication to that Obligor pursuant to the Finance Documents to the Company,

 

and in each case the Obligor shall be bound as though the Obligor itself had given the notices and instructions (including, without limitation, any Utilisation Requests) or executed or made the agreements or effected the amendments, supplements or variations, or received the relevant notice, demand or other communication.

 

11.4.2                      Every act, omission, agreement, undertaking, settlement, waiver, amendment, supplement, variation, notice or other communication given or made by the Obligors’ Agent or given to the Obligors’ Agent under any Finance Document on behalf of another Obligor or in connection with any Finance Document (whether or not known to any other Obligor and whether occurring before or after such other Obligor became an Obligor under any Finance Document) shall be binding for all purposes on that Obligor as if that Obligor had expressly made, given or concurred with it. In the event of any conflict between any notices or other communications of the Obligors’ Agent and any other Obligor, those of the Obligors’ Agent shall prevail.

 

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12.                                        PURPOSE

 

12.1                                Each Borrower shall apply all amounts borrowed by it under the Facility and any utilisation of any Ancillary Facility towards the general corporate and working capital purposes of the Group (but not, in the case of any utilisation of any Ancillary Facility, towards prepayment of any Utilisation).

 

12.2                                 Monitoring

 

No Finance Party is bound to monitor or verify the application of any amount borrowed pursuant to this Agreement.

 

13.                                        CONDITIONS OF UTILISATION

 

13.1                                 Initial conditions precedent

 

13.1.1                      The Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 14.4 (Lenders’ participation) in relation to any Utilisation if on or before the Utilisation Date for that Utilisation, the Agent has received (or waived its requirement to receive) all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 5 (Conditions precedent) in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.  The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being so satisfied. The documents and other evidence listed in Part 1 of Schedule 5 (Conditions precedent) were satisfied or waived on or around 16 December 2011.

 

13.1.2                      Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in Clause 13.1.1 above, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification.  The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving any such notification.

 

13.2                                 Further conditions precedent

 

Subject to Clause 13.1 (Initial Conditions Precedent), the Lenders will only be obliged to comply with Clause 14.4 (Lenders’ participation), if on the date of the Utilisation Request and on the proposed Utilisation Date:-

 

13.2.1                      in the case of a Rollover Loan, no Event of Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Loan, and in the case of any other Utilisation, no Default is continuing or would result from the proposed Utilisation; and

 

13.2.2                      in relation to any Utilisation on the Closing Date, all the representations and warranties in Clause 30 (Representations) or, in relation to any other Utilisation, the Repeating Representations to be made by each Obligor are true in all material respects.

 

13.3                                 Maximum number of Utilisations

 

A Borrower (or the Company) may not deliver a Utilisation Request if as a result of the proposed Utilisation more than 10 Utilisations would be outstanding.

 

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SECTION 3

 

UTILISATION

 

14.                                        UTILISATION - LOANS

 

14.1                                 Delivery of a Utilisation Request

 

A Borrower (or the Company on its behalf) may utilise the Facility by delivery to the Agent of a duly completed Utilisation Request not later than the Specified Time.

 

14.2                                 Completion of a Utilisation Request for Loans

 

14.2.1                      Each Utilisation Request for a Loan is irrevocable and will not be regarded as having been duly completed unless:-

 

(a)                                          the proposed Utilisation Date is a Business Day within the Availability Period;

 

(b)                                          the currency and amount of the Utilisation comply with Clause 14.3 (Currency and amount); and

 

(c)                                           the proposed Interest Period complies with Clause 21 (Interest Periods).

 

14.2.2                      Only one Utilisation may be requested in each Utilisation Request.

 

14.3                                 Currency and amount

 

14.3.1                      The currency specified in a Utilisation Request must be Sterling.

 

14.3.2                      The amount of the proposed Utilisation must be an amount which is not more than the Available Facility and which is a minimum of £250,000 or, if less, the Available Facility.

 

14.4                                 Lenders’ participation

 

14.4.1                      If the conditions set out in this Agreement have been met, and subject to Clause 16.1 (Repayment of Loans), each Lender shall make its participation in each Loan available by the Utilisation Date through its Facility Office.

 

14.4.2                      Other than as set out in Clause 14.4.3 below, the amount of each Lender’s participation in each Loan will be equal to the proportion borne by its Available Commitment to the Available Facility immediately prior to making the Loan.

 

14.4.3                      If a Utilisation is made to repay Ancillary Outstandings, each Lender’s participation in that Utilisation will be in an amount (as determined by the Agent) which will result as nearly as possible in the aggregate amount of its participation in the Utilisations then outstanding bearing the same proportion to the aggregate amount of the Utilisations then outstanding as its Commitment bears to the Total Commitments.

 

14.4.4                      The Agent shall notify each Lender of the amount of each Loan and the amount of its participation in that Loan and, if different, the amount of that participation to

 

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be made available in accordance with Clause 41.1 (Payments to the Agent), in each case by the Specified Time.

 

14.5                                 Limitations on Utilisations

 

14.5.1                      The maximum aggregate amount of the Ancillary Commitments of all the Lenders shall not at any time exceed £15,000,000.

 

14.5.2                      The maximum aggregate amount of the Ancillary Commitments of all the Lenders made available by way of overdraft, same-day access LIBOR loan facility or other facility made available on a short term basis shall not at any time exceed £10,000,000.

 

14.6                                 Cancellation of Commitment

 

The Commitments which, at that time, are unutilised shall be immediately cancelled at the end of the Availability Period.

 

15.                                        ANCILLARY FACILITIES

 

15.1                                 Type of Facility

 

An Ancillary Facility may be by way of:-

 

15.1.1                      an overdraft facility;

 

15.1.2                      a same-day access LIBOR loan facility;

 

15.1.3                      a guarantee, bonding, documentary or stand-by letter of credit facility; or

 

15.1.4                      any other facility or accommodation required in connection with the business of the Group and which is agreed by the Company with an Ancillary Lender.

 

15.2                                 Availability

 

15.2.1                      If the Company and a Lender agree and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Lender may provide all or part of its Commitment as an Ancillary Facility).  For the avoidance of doubt, BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited shall not be an Ancillary Lender.  The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (as agent for National Westminster Bank Plc) shall make available to the Company within 45 days of the date of this Agreement, an Ancillary Facility by way of a same-day access LIBOR loan facility on an un-committed basis provided that no Default has occurred or is continuing and that the other terms of this Agreement relating to the provision of Ancillary Facilities have been complied with in relation to that Ancillary Facility;

 

15.2.2                      An Ancillary Facility shall not be made available unless, not later than 5 Business Days prior to the Ancillary Commencement Date for an Ancillary Facility, the Agent has received from the Company:-

 

(a)                                          a notice in writing of the establishment of an Ancillary Facility and specifying:-

 

(i)                                              the proposed Borrower(s) (or Affiliates of a Borrower) which may use the Ancillary Facility;

 

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(ii)                                           the proposed Ancillary Commencement Date and expiry date of the Ancillary Facility;

 

(iii)                                        the proposed type of Ancillary Facility to be provided;

 

(iv)                                       the proposed Ancillary Lender;

 

(v)                                          the proposed Ancillary Commitment, the maximum amount of the Ancillary Facility in the case of a Multi-account Overdraft, its Designated Gross Amount and its Designated Net Amount; and

 

(b)                                          any other information which the Agent may reasonably request in connection with the Ancillary Facility.

 

The Agent shall promptly notify the Ancillary Lender and the other Lenders of the establishment of an Ancillary Facility.

 

15.2.3                      Subject to compliance with Clause 15.2.2 above:-

 

(a)                                          the Lender concerned will become an Ancillary Lender; and

 

(b)                                          the Ancillary Facility will be available,

 

with effect from the date agreed by the Company and the Ancillary Lender.

 

15.3                                 Terms of Ancillary Facilities

 

15.3.1                      Except as provided below, the terms of any Ancillary Facility will be those agreed by the Ancillary Lender and the Company.

 

15.3.2                      Those terms:-

 

(a)                                          must be based upon normal commercial terms at that time (except as varied by this Agreement);

 

(b)                                          may allow only Borrowers (or Affiliates of Borrowers nominated pursuant to Clause 15.9 (Affiliates of Borrowers)) to use the Ancillary Facility;

 

(c)                                           may not allow the Ancillary Outstandings to exceed the Ancillary Commitment;

 

(d)                                          may not allow the Ancillary Commitment of a Lender to exceed the Available Commitment with respect to the Facility of that Lender; and

 

(e)                                           must require that the Ancillary Commitment is reduced to zero, and that all Ancillary Outstandings are repaid not later than the Termination Date (or such earlier date as the Commitment of the relevant Ancillary Lender (or its Affiliate) is reduced to zero).

 

15.3.3                      If there is any inconsistency between any term of an Ancillary Facility and any term of this Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail except for (i) Clause 44.3 (Day count convention) which shall not prevail for the purposes of calculating fees, interest or commission relating to an Ancillary Facility; (ii) an Ancillary

 

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Facility comprising more than one account where the terms of the Ancillary Documents shall prevail to the extent required to permit the netting of balances on those accounts; and (iii) where the relevant term of this Agreement would be contrary to, or inconsistent with, the law governing the relevant Ancillary Document, in which case that term of this Agreement shall not prevail.

 

15.3.4                      Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities are dealt with in Clause 23.5 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities).

 

15.4                                 Repayment of Ancillary Facility

 

15.4.1                      An Ancillary Facility shall cease to be available on the Termination Date or such earlier date on which its expiry date occurs or on which it is cancelled in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

15.4.2                      If an Ancillary Facility expires in accordance with its terms the Ancillary Commitment of the Ancillary Lender shall be reduced to zero (and its Commitment shall be increased accordingly).

 

15.4.3                      No Ancillary Lender may demand repayment or prepayment of any Ancillary Outstandings prior to the expiry date of the Ancillary Facility unless:-

 

(a)                                          required to reduce the Gross Outstandings of a Multi-account Overdraft to or towards an amount equal to its Net Outstandings;

 

(b)                                          the Total Commitments have been cancelled in full, or all outstanding Utilisations under the Facility have become due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;

 

(c)                                           it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for the Ancillary Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in its Ancillary Facility; or

 

(d)                                          both:

 

(i)                                              the Available Commitments; and

 

(ii)                                           the notice of the demand given by the Ancillary Lender,

 

(e)                                           would not prevent the relevant Borrower funding the repayment of those Ancillary Outstandings in full by way of Utilisation.

 

15.4.4                      If a Utilisation is made to repay Ancillary Outstandings in full, the Commitment of the Ancillary Lender shall be reduced to zero.

 

15.5                                 Limitation on Ancillary Outstandings

 

Each Borrower shall procure that:-

 

15.5.1                      the Ancillary Outstandings under any Ancillary Facility shall not exceed the Ancillary Commitment applicable to that Ancillary Facility; and

 

15.5.2                      in relation to a Multi-account Overdraft:-

 

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(a)              the Ancillary Outstandings shall not exceed the Designated Net Amount applicable to that Multi-account Overdraft.

 

(b)              the Gross Outstandings shall not exceed the Designated Gross Amount applicable to that Multi-account Overdraft.

 

15.6           Adjustment for Ancillary Facilities upon acceleration

 

In this Clause 15.6:-

 

Revolving Outstandings

 

means, in relation to a Lender, the aggregate of:-

 

(a)           its participation in each Utilisation then outstanding (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed to it as a Lender under the Facility); and

 

(b)           if the Lender is also an Ancillary Lender, the Ancillary Outstandings in respect of Ancillary Facilities provided by that Ancillary Lender (or by its Affiliate) (together with the aggregate amount of all accrued interest, fees and commission owed to it (or to its Affiliate) as an Ancillary Lender in respect of the Ancillary Facility); and

 

 

 

Total Revolving Outstandings

 

means the aggregate of all Revolving Outstandings

 

15.6.1       If a notice is served under Clause 34.18 (Acceleration) (other than a notice declaring Utilisations to be due on demand), each Lender and each Ancillary Lender shall promptly adjust (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings) their claims in respect of amounts outstanding to them under the Facility and each Ancillary Facility to the extent necessary to ensure that after such transfers the Revolving Outstandings of each Lender bear the same proportion to the Total Revolving Outstandings as such Lender’s Commitment bears to the Total Commitments, each as at the date the notice is served under Clause 34.18 (Acceleration).

 

15.6.2       If an amount outstanding under an Ancillary Facility is a contingent liability and that contingent liability becomes an actual liability or is reduced to zero after the original adjustment is made under Clause 15.6.1, then each Lender and Ancillary Lender will make a further adjustment (by making or receiving (as the case may be) corresponding transfers of rights and obligations under the Finance Documents relating to Revolving Outstandings to the extent necessary) to put themselves in the position they would have been in had the original adjustment been determined by reference to the actual liability or, as the case may be, zero liability and not the contingent liability.

 

15.6.3       Any transfer of rights and obligations relating to Revolving Outstandings made pursuant to this Clause 15.6 shall be made for a purchase price in cash, payable at the time of transfer, in an amount equal to those Revolving Outstandings (less any accrued interest, fees and commission to which the transferor will remain

 

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entitled to receive notwithstanding that transfer, pursuant to Clause 35.10 (Pro rata interest settlement)).

 

15.6.4       Prior to the application of the provisions of Clause 15.6.1, an Ancillary Lender that has provided a Multi-account Overdraft shall set-off any Available Credit Balance on any account comprised in that Multi-account Overdraft.

 

15.6.5       All calculations to be made pursuant to this Clause 15.6 shall be made by the Agent based upon information provided to it by the Lenders and Ancillary Lenders and the Agent’s Spot Rate of Exchange.

 

15.7           Information

 

Each Borrower and each Ancillary Lender shall, promptly upon request by the Agent, supply the Agent with any information relating to the operation of an Ancillary Facility (including the Ancillary Outstandings) as the Agent may reasonably request from time to time.  Each Borrower consents to all such information being released to the Agent and the other Finance Parties.

 

15.8           Affiliates of Lenders as Ancillary Lenders

 

15.8.1       Subject to the terms of this Agreement, an Affiliate of a Lender may become an Ancillary Lender.  In such case, the Lender and its Affiliate shall be treated as a single Lender whose Commitment is the amount set out opposite the relevant Lender’s name in Part 2 or Part 3 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties) and/or the amount of any Commitment transferred to or assumed by that Lender under this Agreement, to the extent (in each case) not cancelled, reduced or transferred by it under this Agreement.  For the purposes of calculating the Lender’s Available Commitment with respect to the Facility, the Lender’s Commitment shall be reduced to the extent of the aggregate of the Ancillary Commitments of its Affiliates.

 

15.8.2       The Company shall specify any relevant Affiliate of a Lender in any notice delivered by the Company to the Agent pursuant to Clause 15.2.2(a).

 

15.8.3       An Affiliate of a Lender which becomes an Ancillary Lender shall accede to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Ancillary Lender and any person which so accedes to the Intercreditor Agreement shall, at the same time, become a Party as an Ancillary Lender in accordance with clause 20.5.2 (Deeds of Accession) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

15.8.4       If a Lender assigns all of its rights and benefits or transfers all of its rights and obligations to a New Lender, its Affiliate shall cease to have any obligations under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

15.8.5       Where this Agreement or any other Finance Document imposes an obligation on an Ancillary Lender and the relevant Ancillary Lender is an Affiliate of a Lender which is not a party to that document, the relevant Lender shall ensure that the obligation is performed by its Affiliate.

 

15.9           Affiliates of Borrowers

 

15.9.1       Subject to the terms of this Agreement, an Affiliate of a Borrower may with the approval of the relevant Lender become a borrower with respect to an Ancillary Facility.

 

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15.9.2       The Company shall specify any relevant Affiliate of a Borrower in any notice delivered by the Company to the Agent pursuant to Clause 15.2.2(a).

 

15.9.3       If a Borrower ceases to be a Borrower under this Agreement in accordance with Clause 37.3 (Resignation of a Borrower), its Affiliate shall cease to have any rights under this Agreement or any Ancillary Document.

 

15.9.4       Where this Agreement or any other Finance Document imposes an obligation on a Borrower under an Ancillary Facility and the relevant Borrower is an Affiliate of a Borrower which is not a party to that document, the relevant Borrower shall ensure that the obligation is performed by its Affiliate.

 

15.9.5       Any reference in this Agreement or any other Finance Document to a Borrower being under no obligations (whether actual or contingent) as a Borrower under such Finance Document shall be construed to include a reference to any Affiliate of a Borrower being under no obligations under any Finance Document or Ancillary Document.

 

15.10         Commitment amounts

 

Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement, each Lender shall ensure that at all times its Commitment is not less than:-

 

15.10.1     its Ancillary Commitment; or

 

15.10.2     the Ancillary Commitment of its Affiliate.

 

15.11         Amendments and Waivers - Ancillary Facilities

 

No amendment or waiver of a term of any Ancillary Facility shall require the consent of any Finance Party other than the relevant Ancillary Lender unless such amendment or waiver itself relates to or gives rise to a matter which would require an amendment of or under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, under this Clause 15).  In such a case, Clause 47 (Amendments and waivers) will apply.

 

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SECTION 4

 

REPAYMENT, PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

16.             REPAYMENT

 

16.1           Repayment of Loans

 

16.1.1       Each Borrower which has drawn a Loan shall repay that Loan on the last day of its Interest Period.

 

16.1.2       Without prejudice to each Borrower’s obligation under Clause 16.1.1 above, if:

 

(a)              one or more Loans are to be made available to a Borrower:-

 

(i)               on the same day that a maturing Loan is due to be repaid by that Borrower;

 

(ii)              in whole or in part for the purpose of refinancing the maturing Loan; and

 

(b)              the proportion borne by each Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan to the amount of that maturing Loan is the same as the proportion borne by that Lender’s participation in the new Loan to the aggregate amount of those new Loans,

 

the aggregate amount of the new Loans shall , unless the Borrower notifies the Agent to the contrary in the relevant Utilisation Request, be treated as if applied in or towards repayment of the maturing Loan so that:-

 

(a)              if the amount of the maturing Loan exceeds the aggregate amount of the new Loans:-

 

(i)               the relevant Borrower will only be required to make a payment under Clause 41.1 in an amount in the relevant currency equal to that excess; and

 

(ii)              each Lender’s participation in the new Loans shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and that Lender will not be required to make a payment under Clause 41.1 in respect of its participation in the new Loans; and

 

(b)              if the amount of the maturing Loan is equal to or less than the aggregate amount of the new Loans:-

 

(i)               the relevant Borrower will not be required to make a payment under Clause 41.1; and

 

(ii)              each Lender will be required to make a payment under Clause 41.1 in respect of its participation in the new Loans only to the extent that its participation in the new Loans exceeds that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan and the remainder of that Lender’s participation in the new Loans

 

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shall be treated as having been made available and applied by the Borrower in or towards repayment of that Lender’s participation in the maturing Loan.

 

17.             ILLEGALITY, VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENT AND CANCELLATION

 

17.1           Illegality

 

If it becomes unlawful in any applicable jurisdiction for a Lender to perform any of its obligations as contemplated by this Agreement or to fund, issue or maintain its participation in any Utilisation:-

 

17.1.1       that Lender, shall promptly notify the Agent upon becoming aware of that event;

 

17.1.2       upon the Agent notifying the Company, the Available Commitment of that Lender will be immediately cancelled; and

 

17.1.3       each Borrower shall repay that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations made to that Borrower on the last day of the Interest Period for each Utilisation occurring after the Agent has notified the Company or, if earlier, the date specified by the Lender in the notice delivered to the Agent (being no earlier than the last day of any applicable grace period permitted by law) and that Lender’s corresponding Commitment(s) shall be cancelled in the amount of the participations repaid.

 

17.2           Voluntary cancellation

 

The Company may, if it gives the Agent not less than 10 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, cancel the whole or any part (being a minimum amount and an integral multiple, of £250,000) of the Available Facility.  Any cancellation under this Clause 17.2 shall reduce the Commitments of the Lenders rateably under the Facility.

 

17.3           Voluntary prepayment of Utilisations

 

A Borrower to which a Utilisation has been made may, if it or the Company gives the Agent not less than 5 Business Days’ (or such shorter period as the Majority Lenders may agree) prior notice, prepay the whole or any part of a Utilisation (but if in part, being an amount that reduces the amount of the Utilisation by a minimum amount, and an integral multiple, of £250,000).

 

17.4           Right of cancellation and repayment in relation to a single Lender

 

17.4.1       If:-

 

(a)              any sum payable to any Lender by an Obligor is required to be increased under Clause 24.2.3; or

 

(b)              any Lender claims indemnification from the Company or an Obligor under Clause 24.3 (Tax indemnity) or Clause 25.1 (Increased costs),

 

the Company may, whilst the circumstance giving rise to the requirement for that increase or indemnification continues, give the Agent notice of cancellation of the Commitment of that Lender and its intention to procure the repayment of that Lender’s participation in the Utilisations.

 

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17.4.2       On receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 17.4.1 above in relation to a Lender, the Commitment of that Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

 

17.4.3       On the last day of each Interest Period which ends after the Company has given notice under Clause 17.4.1 above in relation to a Lender (or, if earlier, the date specified by the Company in that notice), each Borrower to which a Utilisation is outstanding shall repay that Lender’s participation in that Utilisation together with all interest and other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents.

 

17.5           Right of cancellation in relation to a Defaulting Lender

 

17.5.1       If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, the Parent or the Company may, at any time whilst the Lender continues to be a Defaulting Lender, give the Agent 10 Business Days’ notice of cancellation of each Available Commitment of that Lender.

 

17.5.2       On the notice referred to in Clause 17.5.1 above becoming effective, each Available Commitment of the Defaulting Lender shall immediately be reduced to zero.

 

17.5.3       The Agent shall as soon as practicable after receipt of a notice referred to in Clause 17.5.1 above, notify all the Lenders.

 

18.             MANDATORY PREPAYMENT

 

18.1           Exit

 

18.1.1       For the purpose of this Clause 18.1:-

 

FCA

 

means the Financial Conduct Authority acting in accordance with Part 6 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

 

 

 

Flotation

 

means:-

 

(a)           a successful application being made for the admission of any part of the share capital of any member of the Group (or Holding Company of any member of the Group) to the Official List maintained by the FCA and the admission of any part of the share capital of any member of the Group (or Holding Company of any member of the Group) to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc or

 

(b)           the grant of permission to deal in any part of the issued share capital of any member of the Group (or Holding Company of any member of the Group) on the Alternative Investment Market or the Main Board or the Growth Market of the ICAP Securities & Derivatives Exchange (ISDX) or on any recognised investment exchange (as that term is used in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) or in or on any exchange or market replacing the same or any other exchange

 

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or market in any country

 

18.1.2       Upon the occurrence of:-

 

(a)              any Flotation; or

 

(b)              a Change of Control; or

 

(c)              the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Group whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions,

 

the Facility will be cancelled and all outstanding Utilisations and Ancillary Outstandings, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued under the Finance Documents, shall become immediately due and payable.

 

19.             RESTRICTIONS

 

19.1           Notices of Cancellation or Prepayment

 

Any notice of cancellation, prepayment, authorisation or other election given by any Party under Clause 17 (Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation) shall (subject to the terms of those Clauses) be irrevocable and, unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, shall specify the date or dates upon which the relevant cancellation or prepayment is to be made and the amount of that cancellation or prepayment.

 

19.2           Interest and other amounts

 

Any prepayment under this Agreement shall be made together with accrued interest on the amount prepaid and, subject to any Break Costs, without premium or penalty.

 

19.3           Reborrowing of Facility

 

Unless a contrary indication appears in this Agreement, any part of the Facility which is prepaid or repaid may be reborrowed in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

19.4           Prepayment in accordance with Agreement

 

No Borrower shall repay or prepay all or any part of the Utilisations or cancel all or any part of the Commitments except at the times and in the manner expressly provided for in this Agreement.

 

19.5           No reinstatement of Commitments

 

Subject to Clause 11.2 (Increase), no amount of the Total Commitments cancelled under this Agreement may be subsequently reinstated.

 

19.6           Agent’s receipt of Notices

 

If the Agent receives a notice under Clause 17 (Illegality, voluntary prepayment and cancellation) it shall promptly forward a copy of that notice or election to either the Company or the affected Lender, as appropriate.

 

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19.7           Effect of Repayment and Prepayment on Commitments

 

If all or part of any Lender’s participation in a Utilisation under the Facility is repaid or prepaid and is not available for redrawing (other than by operation of Clause 13.2 (Further conditions precedent)), an amount of that Lender’s Commitments (equal to the amount of the participation which is repaid or prepaid) in respect of the Facility will be deemed to be cancelled on the date of repayment or prepayment.

 

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SECTION 5

 

COSTS OF UTILISATION

 

20.                                        INTEREST

 

20.1                                 Calculation of interest

 

The rate of interest on each Loan for each Interest Period is the percentage rate per annum which is the aggregate of the applicable:-

 

20.1.1                      Margin; and

 

20.1.2                      LIBOR.

 

20.2                                 Payment of interest

 

20.2.1                      The Borrower to which a Loan has been made shall pay accrued interest on that Loan on the last day of each Interest Period (and, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the dates falling at six Monthly intervals after the first day of the Interest Period).

 

20.2.2                      If the annual audited financial statements of the Group and related Compliance Certificate received by the Agent show that a higher Margin should have applied during a certain period, then the Company shall (or shall ensure the relevant Borrower shall) promptly pay to the Agent any amounts necessary to put the Agent and the Lenders in the position they would have been in had the appropriate rate of the Margin applied during such period.

 

20.3                                 Default interest

 

20.3.1                      If an Obligor fails to pay any amount payable by it under a Finance Document on its due date, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount from the due date up to the date of actual payment (both before and after judgment) at a rate which, subject to Clause 20.3.2 below, is 2.0 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have been payable if the overdue amount had, during the period of non-payment, constituted a Loan in the currency of the overdue amount for successive Interest Periods, each of a duration selected by the Agent (acting reasonably).  Any interest accruing under this Clause 20.3 shall be immediately payable by the Obligor on demand by the Agent.

 

20.3.2                      If any overdue amount consists of all or part of a Loan which became due on a day which was not the last day of an Interest Period relating to that Loan:-

 

(a)                                          the first Interest Period for that overdue amount shall have a duration equal to the unexpired portion of the current Interest Period relating to that Loan; and

 

(b)                                          the rate of interest applying to the overdue amount during that first Interest Period shall be 2.0 per cent per annum higher than the rate which would have applied if the overdue amount had not become due.

 

20.3.3                      Default interest (if unpaid) arising on an overdue amount will be compounded with the overdue amount at the end of each Interest Period applicable to that overdue amount but will remain immediately due and payable.

 

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20.4                                 Notification of rates of interest

 

The Agent shall promptly notify the relevant Lenders and the relevant Borrower (or the Company) of the determination of a rate of interest under this Agreement.

 

21.                                        INTEREST PERIODS

 

21.1                                 Selection of Interest Periods and Terms

 

21.1.1                      A Borrower (or the Company on behalf of a Borrower) may select an Interest Period for a Loan in the Utilisation Request for that Loan.

 

21.1.2                      Subject to this Clause 21, a Borrower (or the Company) may select an Interest Period of one week or one, three or six months or any other period agreed between the Company and the Agent (acting on the instructions of all the Lenders in relation to the relevant Loan).

 

21.1.3                      An Interest Period for a Loan shall not extend beyond the Termination Date.

 

21.1.4                      A Loan has one Interest Period only.

 

21.2                                 Non-Business Days

 

If an Interest Period would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day, that Interest Period will instead end on the next Business Day in that calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

22.                                        CHANGES TO THE CALCULATION OF INTEREST

 

22.1                                 Absence of quotations

 

Subject to Clause 22.2 (Market disruption) if LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Base Reference Banks but a Base Reference Bank does not supply a quotation by the Specified Time on the Quotation Day, the applicable LIBOR shall be determined on the basis of the quotations of the remaining Base Reference Banks.

 

22.2                                 Market disruption

 

22.2.1                      If a Market Disruption Event occurs in relation to a Loan for any Interest Period, then the rate of interest on each Lender’s share of that Loan for the Interest Period shall be the percentage rate per annum which is the sum of:-

 

(a)                                          the Margin; and

 

(b)                                          the rate notified to the Agent by that Lender as soon as practicable and in any event by close of business on the date falling two Business Days after the Quotation Day (or, if earlier, on the date falling two Business Days prior to the date on which interest is due to be paid in respect of that Interest Period), to be that which expresses as a percentage rate per annum the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select.

 

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22.2.2                      If a Market Disruption Event occurs the Agent shall, as soon as is practicable, notify the Company.

 

22.2.3                      If:-

 

(a)                                          the percentage rate per annum notified by a Lender pursuant to Clause 22.2.1(b) above is less than LIBOR; or

 

(b)                                          a Lender has not notified the Agent of a percentage rate per annum pursuant to Clause 22.2.1(b) above,

 

the cost to that Lender of funding its participation in that Loan for that Interest Period shall be deemed, for the purposes of Clause 22.2.1 above, to be LIBOR.

 

22.2.4                      In this Agreement:-

 

Market Disruption Event

 

means:

 

(a)         at or about noon on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period LIBOR is to be determined by reference to the Base Reference Banks and none or only one of the Base Reference Banks supplies a rate to the Agent to determine LIBOR for the relevant currency and Interest Period or

 

(b)         before close of business in London on the Quotation Day for the relevant Interest Period, the Agent receives notifications from a Lender or Lenders (whose participations in a Loan exceed 35 per cent of that Loan) that the cost to it of funding its participation in that Loan from whatever source it may reasonably select would be in excess of LIBOR

 

22.3                                Alternative basis of interest or funding

 

22.3.1                      If a Market Disruption Event occurs and the Agent or the Company so requires, the Agent and the Company shall enter into negotiations (for a period of not more than thirty days) with a view to agreeing a substitute basis for determining the rate of interest.

 

22.3.2                      Any alternative basis agreed pursuant to Clause 22.3.1 above shall, with the prior consent of all the Lenders and the Company, be binding on all Parties.

 

22.4                                 Break Costs

 

22.4.1                      Each Borrower shall, within three Business Days of demand by a Finance Party, pay to that Finance Party its Break Costs attributable to all or any part of a Loan or Unpaid Sum being paid by that Borrower on a day other than the last day of an Interest Period for that Loan or Unpaid Sum.

 

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22.4.2                      Each Lender shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Break Costs for any Interest Period in which they accrue.

 

23.                                        FEES

 

23.1                                 Commitment fee

 

23.1.1                      The Company shall pay to the Agent (for the account of each Lender) a fee in Sterling computed at the rate of 35 per cent of the applicable Margin per annum on that Lender’s Available Commitment for the Availability Period.

 

23.1.2                      The accrued commitment fee is payable on the last day of each successive period of three Months which ends during the Availability Period, on the last day of the Availability Period and, if cancelled in full, on the cancelled amount of the relevant Lender’s Commitment at the time the cancellation is effective.

 

23.2                                 Arrangement fee

 

The Company shall pay to the Arrangers (for their own account) an arrangement fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

23.3                                 Agency fee

 

The Company shall pay to the Agent (for its own account) an agency fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

23.4                                 Security Agent fee

 

The Company shall pay to the Security Agent (for its own account) a security agent fee in the amount and at the times agreed in a Fee Letter.

 

23.5                                 Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities

 

The rate and time of payment of interest, commission, fees and any other remuneration in respect of each Ancillary Facility shall be determined by agreement between the relevant Ancillary Lender and the Borrower of that Ancillary Facility based upon normal market rates and terms (provided that the rate and time of payment of interest, commission, fees and any other remuneration in respect of the same-day access LIBOR facility referred to in clause 15.2.1 shall be on terms no more onerous than the Facility as at the Second Amendment and Restatement Date).

 

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SECTION 6

 

ADDITIONAL PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

24.                                        TAX GROSS UP AND INDEMNITIES

 

24.1                                 Definitions

 

In this Agreement:-

 

Borrower DTTP Filing

 

means an HM Revenue & Customs’ Form DTTP2 duly completed and filed by the Borrower, which:

 

(a)                                 where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is an Original Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated opposite that Lender’s name in Part 2 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties) and

 

(i)                                     where the Borrower is an Original Borrower, is filed with HM Revenue & Customs; or

 

(ii)                                  where the Borrower is an Additional Borrower, is filed with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of the date on which that Borrower becomes an Additional Borrower; or

 

(b)                                 where it relates to a Treaty Lender that is a New Lender or an Increase Lender, contains the scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence stated in respect of that Lender in the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation and

 

(i)                                     where the Borrower is a Borrower as at the relevant Transfer Date (or date on which the increase in Commitments described in the relevant Increase Confirmation takes effect) is filed with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of that Transfer Date (or date on which the increase in Commitments described in the relevant Increase Confirmation takes effect); or

 

(ii)                                  where the Borrower is not a Borrower as at the relevant Transfer Date (or date on which the increase in Commitments described in the relevant Increase Confirmation takes effect), is filed with HM Revenue & Customs within 30 days of the date on which that Borrower becomes an Additional Borrower

 

 

 

Protected Party

 

means a Finance Party which is or will be subject to any liability or required to make any payment for or on account of Tax in relation to a sum received or receivable (or any sum deemed for the purposes of Tax to be received or receivable) under a Finance Document

 

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Qualifying Lender

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 a Lender (other than a Lender within sub-clause (b) below) which is beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document and is:-

 

(i)                                     a Lender:-

 

(A)                               which is a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document and is within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance or would be within such charge as respects such payments apart from section 18A of the CTA; or

 

(B)                               in respect of an advance made under a Finance Document by a person that was a bank (as defined for the purpose of section 879 of the ITA) at the time that that advance was made, and within the charge to United Kingdom corporation tax as respects any payments of interest made in respect of that advance;

 

(ii)                                  a Lender which is:-

 

(A)                               a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes

 

(B)                               a partnership each member of which is:-

 

(1)                                 a company so resident in the United Kingdom or

 

(2)                                 a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA

 

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(C)                               a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company or

 

(iii)                               a Treaty Lender or

 

(b)                                 a Lender which is a building society (as defined for the purposes of section 880 of the ITA) making an advance under a Finance Document

 

 

 

Tax Confirmation

 

means a confirmation by a Lender that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:-

 

(a)                                 a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes

 

(b)                                 a partnership each member of which is:-

 

(i)                                     a company so resident in the United Kingdom or

 

(ii)                                  a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA or

 

(c)                                  a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company

 

 

 

Tax Credit

 

means a credit against, relief or remission for, or repayment of, any Tax

 

 

 

Tax Deduction

 

means a deduction or withholding for or on account of Tax from a payment under a Finance Document, other than a FATCA Deduction

 

 

 

Tax Payment

 

means either the increase in a payment made by an Obligor to a Finance Party under Clause 24.2 (Tax gross-up) or a payment under Clause 24.3 (Tax indemnity)

 

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Treaty Lender

 

means a Lender which:-

 

(a)                                 is treated as a resident of a Treaty State for the purposes of the Treaty and

 

(b)                                 does not carry on a business in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment with which that Lender’s participation in the Loan is effectively connected

 

 

 

Treaty State

 

means a jurisdiction having a double taxation agreement (a “Treaty”) with the United Kingdom which makes provision for full exemption from tax imposed by the United Kingdom on interest

 

 

 

UK Non-Bank Lender

 

means:-

 

(a)                                 where a Lender becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into, a Lender listed in Part 3 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties); and

 

(b)                                 where a Lender becomes a Party after the day on which this Agreement is entered into, a Lender which gives a Tax Confirmation in the Assignment Agreement or Transfer Certificate which it executes on becoming a Party

 

Unless a contrary indication appears, in this Clause 24 a reference to “determines” or “determined” means a determination made in the absolute discretion of the person making the determination.

 

24.2                                 Tax gross-up

 

24.2.1                      Each Obligor shall make all payments to be made by it without any Tax Deduction, unless a Tax Deduction is required by law.

 

24.2.2                      The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware that an Obligor must make a Tax Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of a Tax Deduction) notify the Agent accordingly.  Similarly, a Lender shall notify the Agent on becoming so aware in respect of a payment payable to that Lender.  If the Agent receives such notification from a Lender it shall notify the Company and that Obligor.

 

24.2.3                      If a Tax Deduction is required by law to be made by an Obligor, the amount of the payment due from that Obligor shall be increased to an amount which (after making any Tax Deduction) leaves an amount equal to the payment which would have been due if no Tax Deduction had been required.

 

24.2.4                      A payment shall not be increased under Clause 24.2.3 above by reason of a Tax Deduction on account of Tax imposed by the United Kingdom, if on the date on which the payment falls due:-

 

(a)                                          the payment could have been made to the relevant Lender without a Tax Deduction if the Lender had been a Qualifying Lender, but on that date that Lender is not or has ceased to be a Qualifying Lender other than as a result of any change after the date it became a Lender under this Agreement in (or in the interpretation, administration, or application

 

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of) any law or Treaty or any published practice or published concession of any relevant taxing authority; or

 

(b)                                          the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of sub-clause (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and:-

 

(i)                                              an officer of HM Revenue & Customs has given (and not revoked) a direction (a “Direction”) under section 931 of the ITA which relates to the payment and that Lender has received from the Obligor making the payment or from the Company a certified copy of that Direction; and

 

(ii)                                           the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if that Direction had not been made; or

 

(c)                                           the relevant Lender is a Qualifying Lender solely by virtue of sub-clause (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender and:-

 

(i)                                              the relevant Lender has not given a Tax Confirmation to the Company; and

 

(ii)                                           the payment could have been made to the Lender without any Tax Deduction if the Lender had given a Tax Confirmation to the Company, on the basis that the Tax Confirmation would have enabled the Company to have formed a reasonable belief that the payment was an “excepted payment” for the purpose of section 930 of the ITA; or

 

(d)                                          the relevant Lender is a Treaty Lender and the Obligor making the payment is able to demonstrate that the payment could have been made to the Lender without the Tax Deduction had that Lender complied with its obligations under Clauses 24.2.7  or 24.2.8 (as applicable) below.

 

24.2.5                      If an Obligor is required to make a Tax Deduction, that Obligor shall make that Tax Deduction and any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction within the time allowed and in the minimum amount required by law.

 

24.2.6                      Within thirty days of making either a Tax Deduction or any payment required in connection with that Tax Deduction, the Obligor making that Tax Deduction shall deliver to the Agent for the Finance Party entitled to the payment a statement under section 975 of the ITA or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to that Finance Party that the Tax Deduction has been made or (as applicable) any appropriate payment paid to the relevant taxing authority.

 

24.2.7

 

(a)                                          Subject to paragraph (b) below, a Treaty Lender and each Obligor which makes a payment to which that Treaty Lender is entitled shall co-operate in completing any procedural formalities necessary for that Obligor to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction.

 

(b)

 

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(i)                                              A Treaty Lender which becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence opposite its name in Part 2 of Schedule 4 (The Original Parties); and

 

(ii)                                           A New Lender or an Increase Lender that is a Treaty Lender that holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme, and which wishes that scheme to apply to this Agreement, shall confirm its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in the Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation which it executes,

 

and, having done so, that Lender shall be under no obligation pursuant to Clause 24.2.7(a) above.

 

24.2.8                      If a Lender has confirmed its scheme reference number and its jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 24.2.7(b) above and:

 

(a)                                          the Borrower making a payment to that Lender has not made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender; or

 

(b)                                          the Borrower making a payment to that Lender has made a Borrower DTTP Filing in respect of that Lender but:

 

(i)                                              the Borrower DTTP Filing has been rejected by HM Revenue & Customs; or

 

(ii)                                           HM Revenue & Customs has not given the Borrower authority to make payments to that Lender without a Tax Deduction within 60 days of the date of the Borrower DTTP Filing,

 

and in each case, the Borrower has notified that Lender in writing, that Lender and the Borrower shall co-operate in completing any additional procedural formalities necessary for the Company to obtain authorisation to make that payment without a Tax Deduction.

 

24.2.9                      If a Lender has not confirmed its scheme reference number and jurisdiction of tax residence in accordance with Clause 24.2.7(b) above, no Obligor shall make a Borrower DTTP Filing or file any other form relating to the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme in respect of that Lender’s Commitment(s) or its participation in any Loan unless the Lender otherwise agrees.

 

24.2.10               The Company shall, promptly on making a Borrower DTTP Filing, deliver a copy of that Borrower DTTP Filing to the Agent for delivery to the relevant Lender.

 

24.2.11               A UK Non-Bank Lender which becomes a Party on the day on which this Agreement is entered into gives a Tax Confirmation to the Company by entering into this Agreement.

 

24.2.12               A UK Non-Bank Lender shall promptly notify the Company and the Agent if there is any change in the position from that set out in the Tax Confirmation.

 

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24.3                                 Tax indemnity

 

24.3.1                      The Company shall (within three Business Days of demand by the Agent) pay to a Protected Party an amount equal to the loss, liability or cost which that Protected Party determines will be or has been (directly or indirectly) suffered for or on account of Tax by that Protected Party in respect of a Finance Document.

 

24.3.2                      Clause 24.3.1 above shall not apply:-

 

(a)                                          with respect to any Tax assessed on a Finance Party:-

 

(i)                                              under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party is incorporated or, if different, the jurisdiction (or jurisdictions) in which that Finance Party is treated as resident for tax purposes; or

 

(ii)                                           under the law of the jurisdiction in which that Finance Party’s Facility Office is located in respect of amounts received or receivable in that jurisdiction,

 

if that Tax is imposed on or calculated by reference to the net income received or receivable (but not any sum deemed to be received or receivable) by that Finance Party; or

 

(b)                                          to the extent a loss, liability or cost:-

 

(i)                                              is compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 24.2 (Tax gross-up);

 

(ii)                                           would have been compensated for by an increased payment under Clause 24.2 (Tax gross-up) but was not so compensated solely because one of the exclusions in Clause 24.2.4 applied; or

 

(iii)                                        relates to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party.

 

24.3.3                      A Protected Party making, or intending to make a claim under Clause 24.3.1 above shall promptly notify the Agent of the event which will give, or has given, rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall notify the Company.

 

24.3.4                      A Protected Party shall, on receiving a payment from an Obligor under this Clause 24.3, notify the Agent.

 

24.4                                 Tax Credit

 

If an Obligor makes a Tax Payment and the relevant Finance Party determines that:-

 

24.4.1                      a Tax Credit is attributable to an increased payment of which that Tax Payment forms part, to that Tax Payment or to a Tax Deduction in consequence of which that Tax Payment was required; and

 

24.4.2                      that Finance Party has obtained and utilised that Tax Credit,

 

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the Finance Party shall pay an amount to the Obligor which that Finance Party determines will leave it (after that payment) in the same after-Tax position as it would have been in had the Tax Payment not been required to be made by the Obligor.

 

24.5                                 Lender Status Confirmation

 

Each Lender which becomes a Party to this Agreement after the date of this Agreement shall indicate, in the Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation which it executes on becoming a Party, and for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, which of the following categories it falls in:-

 

24.5.1                      not a Qualifying Lender;

 

24.5.2                      a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender); or

 

24.5.3                      a Treaty Lender.

 

If a New Lender or Increase Lender fails to indicate its status in accordance with this Clause 24.5 then such New Lender or Increase Lender shall be treated for the purposes of this Agreement (including by each Obligor) as if it is not a Qualifying Lender until such time as it notifies the Agent which category applies (and the Agent, upon receipt of such notification, shall inform the Company).  For the avoidance of doubt, a Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation shall not be invalidated by any failure of a Lender to comply with this Clause 24.5.

 

24.6                                 Stamp taxes

 

The Company shall pay and, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability that Secured Party incurs in relation to all stamp duty, registration and other similar Taxes payable in respect of any Finance Document.

 

24.7                                 VAT

 

24.7.1                      All amounts expressed to be payable under a Finance Document by any Party to a Finance Party which (in whole or in part) constitute the consideration for any supply for VAT purposes are deemed to be exclusive of any VAT which is chargeable on that supply, and accordingly, subject to Clause 24.7.2 below, if VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document and such Finance Party is required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT, that Party must pay to such Finance Party (in addition to and at the same time as paying any other consideration for such supply) an amount equal to the amount of the VAT (and such Finance Party must promptly provide an appropriate VAT invoice to that Party).

 

24.7.2                      If VAT is or becomes chargeable on any supply made by any Finance Party (the “Supplier”) to any other Finance Party (the “Recipient”) under a Finance Document, and any Party other than the Recipient (the “Relevant Party”) is required by the terms of any Finance Document to pay an amount equal to the consideration for that supply to the Supplier (rather than being required to reimburse or indemnify the Recipient in respect of that consideration):

 

(a)                                          (where the Supplier is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must also pay to the Supplier (at the same time as paying that amount) an additional amount equal to the amount of the VAT.  The Recipient must (where

 

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this Clause 24.7.2(a) applies) promptly pay to the Relevant Party an amount equal to any credit or repayment the Recipient receives from the relevant tax authority which the Recipient reasonably determines relates to the VAT chargeable on that supply; and

 

(b)                                          (where the Recipient is the person required to account to the relevant tax authority for the VAT) the Relevant Party must promptly, following demand from the Recipient, pay to the Recipient an amount equal to the VAT chargeable on that supply but only to the extent that the Recipient reasonably determines that it is not entitled to credit or repayment from the relevant tax authority in respect of that VAT.

 

24.7.3                      Where a Finance Document requires any Party to reimburse or indemnify a Finance Party for any cost or expense, that Party shall reimburse or indemnify (as the case may be) such Finance Party for the full amount of such cost or expense, including such part thereof as represents VAT, save to the extent that such Finance Party reasonably determines that it is entitled to credit or repayment in respect of such VAT from the relevant tax authority.

 

24.7.4                      Any reference in this Clause 24.7 to any Party shall, at any time when such Party is treated as a member of a group for VAT purposes, include (where appropriate and unless the context otherwise requires) a reference to the representative member of such group at such time (the term “representative member” to have the same meaning as in the Value Added Tax Act 1994).

 

24.7.5                      In relation to any supply made by a Finance Party to any Party under a Finance Document, if reasonably requested by such Finance Party, that Party must promptly provide such Finance Party with details of that Party’s VAT registration and such other information as is reasonably requested in connection with such Finance Party’s VAT reporting requirements in relation to such supply.

 

24.8                                 FATCA Information

 

24.8.1                      Subject to Clause 24.8.3 below, each Party shall, within ten Business Days of a reasonable request by another Party:

 

(a)                                          confirm to that other Party whether it is:

 

(i)                                              a FATCA Exempt Party; or

 

(ii)                                           not a FATCA Exempt Party;

 

(b)                                          supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status under FATCA as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with FATCA; and

 

(c)                                           supply to that other Party such forms, documentation and other information relating to its status as that other Party reasonably requests for the purposes of that other Party’s compliance with any other law, regulation, or exchange of information regime.

 

24.8.2                      If a Party confirms to another Party pursuant to Clause 24.8.1(a) above that it is a FATCA Exempt Party and it subsequently becomes aware that it is not or has ceased to be a FATCA Exempt Party, that Party shall notify that other Party reasonably promptly.

 

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24.8.3                      Clause24.8.1 above shall not oblige any Finance Party to do anything, and Clause 24.8.1(c) above shall not oblige any other Party to do anything, which would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of:

 

(a)                                          any law or regulation;

 

(b)                                          any fiduciary duty; or

 

(c)                                           any duty of confidentiality.

 

24.8.4                      If a Party fails to confirm whether or not it is a FATCA Exempt Party or to supply forms, documentation or other information requested in accordance with Clauses 24.8.1(a) or 24.8.1(b) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where Clause 24.8.3 above applies), then such Party shall be treated for the purposes of the Finance Documents (and payments under them) as if it is not a FATCA Exempt Party until such time as the Party in question provides the requested confirmation, forms, documentation or other information.

 

24.9                                 FATCA Deduction

 

24.9.1                      Each Party may make any FATCA Deduction it is required to make by FATCA, and any payment required in connection with that FATCA Deduction, and no Party shall be required to increase any payment in respect of which it makes such a FATCA Deduction or otherwise compensate the recipient of the payment for that FATCA Deduction.

 

24.9.2                      Each Party shall promptly, upon becoming aware that it must make a FATCA Deduction (or that there is any change in the rate or the basis of such FATCA Deduction), notify the Party to whom it is making the payment and, in addition, shall notify the Company and the Agent and the Agent shall notify the other Finance Parties.

 

25.                                        INCREASED COSTS

 

25.1                                 Increased costs

 

25.1.1                      Subject to Clause 25.3 (Exceptions) the Company shall, within three Business Days of a demand by the Agent, pay for the account of a Finance Party the amount of any Increased Costs incurred by that Finance Party or any of its Affiliates as a result of (i) the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation, (ii) compliance with any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement, or (iii) the implementation or application of or compliance with Basel III or CRD IV or any other law or regulation which implements Basel III or CRD IV (whether such implementation, application or compliance is by a government, regulator, Finance Party or any of its Affiliates).

 

25.1.2                      In this Agreement:-

 

(a)                                          Basel III” means:

 

(i)                                              the agreements on capital requirements, a leverage ratio and liquidity standards contained in “Basel III: A global regulatory framework for more resilient banks and banking systems”, “Basel III: International framework for liquidity risk

 

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measurement, standards and monitoring” and “Guidance for national authorities operating the countercyclical capital buffer” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in December 2010, each as amended, supplemented or restated;

 

(ii)                                           the rules for global systemically important banks contained in “Global systemically important banks: assessment methodology and the additional loss absorbency requirement — Rules text” published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision in November 2011, as amended, supplemented or restated; and

 

(iii)                                        any further guidance or standards published by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision relating to “Basel III”.

 

(b)                                          CRD IV” means:

 

(i)                                              Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms; and

 

(ii)                                           Directive 2013/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on access to the activity of credit institutions and the prudential supervision of credit institutions and investment firms.

 

(c)                                           Increased Costs” means:-

 

(i)                                              a reduction in the rate of return from the Facility or on a Finance Party’s (or its Affiliate’s) overall capital;

 

(ii)                                           an additional or increased cost; or

 

(iii)                                        a reduction of any amount due and payable under any Finance Document,

 

which is incurred or suffered by a Finance Party or any of its Affiliates to the extent that it is attributable to that Finance Party having entered into its Commitment or an Ancillary Commitment or funding or performing its obligations under any Finance Document

 

25.2                                 Increased cost claims

 

25.2.1                      A Finance Party intending to make a claim pursuant to Clause 25.1 (Increased Costs) shall notify the Agent of the event giving rise to the claim, following which the Agent shall promptly notify the Company.

 

25.2.2                      Each Finance Party shall, as soon as practicable after a demand by the Agent, provide a certificate confirming the amount of its Increased Costs.

 

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25.3                                 Exceptions

 

25.3.1                      Clause 25.1 (Increased Costs) does not apply to the extent any Increased Cost is:-

 

(a)                                          attributable to a Tax Deduction required by law to be made by an Obligor;

 

(b)                                          attributable to a FATCA Deduction required to be made by a Party;

 

(c)                                           compensated for by Clause 24.3 (Tax indemnity) (or would have been compensated for under Clause 24.3 (Tax indemnity) but was not so compensated solely because any of the exclusions in Clause 24.3.2 applied); or

 

(d)                                          attributable to the wilful breach by the relevant Finance Party or its Affiliates of any law or regulation.

 

25.3.2                      In this Clause 25.3 reference to a “Tax Deduction” has the same meaning given to the term in Clause 24.1 (Definitions).

 

26.                                        OTHER INDEMNITIES

 

26.1                                 Currency indemnity

 

26.1.1                      If any sum due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (a “Sum”), or any order, judgment or award given or made in relation to a Sum, has to be converted from the currency (the “First Currency”) in which that Sum is payable into another currency (the “Second Currency”) for the purpose of:-

 

(a)                                          making or filing a claim or proof against that Obligor; or

 

(b)                                          obtaining or enforcing an order, judgment or award in relation to any litigation or arbitration proceedings,

 

that Obligor shall as an independent obligation, within three Business Days of demand, indemnify each Secured Party to whom that Sum is due against any cost, loss or liability arising out of or as a result of the conversion including any discrepancy between (A) the rate of exchange used to convert that Sum from the First Currency into the Second Currency and (B) the rate or rates of exchange available to that person at the time of its receipt of that Sum.

 

26.1.2                      Each Obligor waives any right it may have in any jurisdiction to pay any amount under the Finance Documents in a currency or currency unit other than that in which it is expressed to be payable.

 

26.2                                 Other indemnities

 

26.2.1                      The Company shall (or shall procure that an Obligor will), within three Business Days of demand, indemnify the Arranger and each other Secured Party against any cost, loss or liability incurred by it as a result of:-

 

(a)                                          the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

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(b)                                          a failure by an Obligor to pay any amount due under a Finance Document on its due date, including without limitation, any cost, loss or liability arising as a result of Clause 40 (Sharing among the Finance Parties);

 

(c)                                           funding, or making arrangements to fund, its participation in a Utilisation requested by a Borrower in a Utilisation Request but not made by reason of the operation of any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement (other than by reason of default or negligence by that Finance Party alone); or

 

(d)                                          a Utilisation (or part of a Utilisation) not being prepaid in accordance with a notice of prepayment given by a Borrower or the Company.

 

26.3                                 Indemnity to the Agent

 

The Company shall promptly indemnify the Agent against any cost, loss or liability incurred by the Agent (acting reasonably) as a result of:-

 

26.3.1                      investigating any event which it reasonably believes is a Default;

 

26.3.2                      acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised; or

 

26.3.3                      instructing lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts as permitted under this Agreement; and

 

26.3.4                      any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 41.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc) notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

26.4                                 Indemnity to the Security Agent

 

26.4.1                      Each Obligor jointly and severally shall promptly indemnify the Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate against any cost, loss or liability incurred by any of them as a result of:-

 

(a)                                          any failure by the Borrower to comply with its obligations under Clause 28 (Costs and expenses);

 

(b)                                          acting or relying on any notice, request or instruction which it reasonably believes to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(c)                                           the taking, holding, protection or enforcement of the Transaction Security,

 

(d)                                          the exercise of any of the rights, powers, discretions, authorities and remedies vested in the Security Agent and each Receiver and Delegate by the Finance Documents or by law;

 

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(e)                                           any default by any Obligor in the performance of any of the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in the Finance Documents; or

 

(f)                                            acting as Security Agent, Receiver or Delegate under the Finance Documents or which otherwise relates to any of the Charged Property (otherwise, in each case, than by reason of the relevant Security Agent’s, Receiver’s or Delegate’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct).

 

26.4.2                      Each Obligor expressly acknowledges and agrees that the continuation of its indemnity obligations under this Clause 26.4 will not be prejudiced by any release or disposal under the Intercreditor Agreement taking into account the operation of the provisions of that agreement.

 

26.4.3                      The Security Agent and every Receiver and Delegate may, in priority to any payment to the Secured Parties, indemnify itself out of the Charged Property in respect of, and pay and retain, all sums necessary to give effect to the indemnity in this Clause 26.4 and shall have a lien on the Transaction Security and the proceeds of the enforcement of the Transaction Security for all monies payable to it.

 

27.                                        MITIGATION BY THE LENDERS

 

27.1                                 Mitigation

 

27.1.1                      Each Finance Party shall, in consultation with the Company, take all reasonable steps to mitigate any circumstances which arise and which would result in the Facility ceasing to be available or any amount becoming payable under or pursuant to, or cancelled pursuant to, any of Clause 17.1 (Illegality), Clause 24 (Tax gross-up and indemnities) or Clause 25 (Increased Costs) including (but not limited to) transferring its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents to another Affiliate or Facility Office.

 

27.1.2                      Clause 27.1.1 above does not in any way limit the obligations of any Obligor under the Finance Documents.

 

27.2                                 Limitation of liability

 

27.2.1                      The Company shall promptly indemnify each Finance Party for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by that Finance Party as a result of steps taken by it under Clause 27.1 (Mitigation).

 

27.2.2                      A Finance Party is not obliged to take any steps under Clause 27.1 (Mitigation) if, in the opinion of that Finance Party (acting reasonably), to do so might be prejudicial to it.

 

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28.                                        COSTS AND EXPENSES

 

28.1                                 Transaction expenses

 

The Company shall promptly on demand pay the Agent, the Arranger and the Security Agent the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by any of them (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in connection with the negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, syndication and perfection of:-

 

28.1.1                      this Agreement and any other documents referred to in this Agreement and the Transaction Security; and

 

28.1.2                      any other Finance Documents executed after the date of this Agreement.

 

28.2                                 Amendment costs

 

If (a) an Obligor requests an amendment, waiver or consent or (b) an amendment is required pursuant to Clause 41.10 (Change of currency), the Company shall, within three Business Days of demand, reimburse each of the Agent and the Security Agent for the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) reasonably incurred by the Agent and the Security Agent (and, in the case of the Security Agent, by any Receiver or Delegate) in responding to, evaluating, negotiating or complying with that request or requirement.

 

28.3                                 Security Agent’s ongoing costs

 

28.3.1                      Any amount payable to the Security Agent under Clause 26.4 (Indemnity to the Security Agent) and this Clause 28 shall include the properly incurred cost of utilising the Security Agent’s management time or other reasonable and appropriate resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Security Agent may notify to the Borrower and the Lenders, and is in addition to any other fee paid or payable to the Security Agent.

 

28.3.2                      Without prejudice to Clause 28.3.1 above, in the event of:

 

(a)                                          a Default;

 

(b)                                          the Security Agent considering it necessary (acting reasonably);

 

(c)                                           the Security Agent being requested by an Obligor or the Majority Lenders to undertake duties which the Security Agent and the Company agree to be of an exceptional nature or outside the scope of the normal duties of the Security Agent under the Finance Documents; or

 

(d)                                          the Security Agent and the Company agreeing that it is otherwise appropriate in the circumstances,

 

the Company shall pay to the Security Agent any additional remuneration that may be agreed between them or determined pursuant to Clause 28.3.3 below.

 

28.3.3                      If the Security Agent and the Company fail to agree upon the nature of the duties or upon the additional remuneration referred to in Clause 28.3.2 above or

 

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whether additional remuneration is appropriate in the circumstances, any dispute shall be determined by an investment bank (acting as an expert and not as an arbitrator) selected by the Security Agent and approved by the Company or, failing approval, nominated (on the application of the Security Agent) by the President for the time being of the Law Society of England and Wales (the costs of the nomination and of the investment bank being payable by the Company) and the determination of any investment bank shall be final and binding upon the parties to this Agreement.

 

28.4                                 Enforcement and preservation costs

 

The Company shall, within three Business Days of demand, pay to each Secured Party the amount of all costs and expenses (including legal fees) properly incurred by it in connection with the enforcement of or the preservation of any rights under any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any proceedings instituted by or against the Security Agent as a consequence of taking or holding the Transaction Security or enforcing these rights.

 

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SECTION 7

 

GUARANTEE

 

29.                                        GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY

 

29.1                                 Guarantee and indemnity

 

Each Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally jointly and severally:-

 

29.1.1                      guarantees to each Finance Party punctual performance by each other Obligor of all that Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

29.1.2                      undertakes with each Finance Party that whenever another Obligor does not pay any amount when due under or in connection with any Finance Document, that Guarantor shall immediately on demand pay that amount as if it was the principal obligor; and

 

29.1.3                      agrees with each Finance Party that if any obligation guaranteed by it is or becomes unenforceable, invalid or illegal, it will, as an independent and primary obligation, indemnify that Finance Party immediately on demand against any cost, loss or liability it incurs as a result of an Obligor not paying any amount which would, but for such unenforceability, invalidity or illegality, have been payable by it under any Finance Document on the date when it would have been due.  The amount payable by a Guarantor under this indemnity will not exceed the amount it would have had to pay under this Clause 29 if the amount claimed had been recoverable on the basis of a guarantee.

 

29.2                                 Continuing Guarantee

 

This guarantee is a continuing guarantee and will extend to the ultimate balance of sums payable by any Obligor under the Finance Documents, regardless of any intermediate payment or discharge in whole or in part.

 

29.3                                 Reinstatement

 

If any discharge, release or arrangement (whether in respect of the obligations of any Obligor or any security for those obligations or otherwise) is made by a Finance Party in whole or in part on the basis of any payment, security or other disposition which is avoided or must be restored in insolvency, liquidation, administration or otherwise, without limitation, then the liability of each Guarantor under this Clause 29 will continue or be reinstated as if the discharge, release or arrangement had not occurred.

 

29.4                                 Waiver of defences

 

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Clause 29 will not be affected by an act, omission, matter or thing which, but for this Clause 29, would reduce, release or prejudice any of its obligations under this Clause 29 (without limitation and whether or not known to it or any Finance Party) including:-

 

29.4.1                      any time, waiver or consent granted to, or composition with, any Obligor or other person;

 

29.4.2                      the release of any other Obligor or any other person under the terms of any composition or arrangement with any creditor of any member of the Group;

 

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29.4.3                      the taking, variation, compromise, exchange, renewal or release of, or refusal or neglect to perfect, take up or enforce, any rights against, or security over assets of, any Obligor or other person or any non-presentation or non-observance of any formality or other requirement in respect of any instrument or any failure to realise the full value of any security;

 

29.4.4                      any incapacity or lack of power, authority or legal personality of or dissolution or change in the members or status of an Obligor or any other person;

 

29.4.5                      any amendment, novation, supplement, extension, restatement (however fundamental and whether or not more onerous) or replacement of a Finance Document or any other document or security including, without limitation, any change in the purpose of, any extension of or increase in any facility or the addition of any new facility under any Finance Document or other document or security;

 

29.4.6                      any unenforceability, illegality or invalidity of any obligation of any person under any Finance Document or any other document or security; or

 

29.4.7                      any insolvency or similar proceedings.

 

29.5                                 Guarantor Intent

 

Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 29.4 (Waiver of Defences), each Guarantor expressly confirms that it intends that this guarantee shall extend from time to time to any (however fundamental) variation, increase, extension or addition of or to any of the Finance Documents and/or any facility or amount made available under any of the Finance Documents for the purposes of or in connection with any of the following: business acquisitions of any nature; increasing working capital; enabling investor distributions to be made; carrying out restructurings; refinancing existing facilities; refinancing any other indebtedness; making facilities available to new borrowers; any other variation or extension of the purposes for which any such facility or amount might be made available from time to time; and any fees, costs and/or expenses associated with any of the foregoing.

 

29.6                                 Immediate recourse

 

Each Guarantor waives any right it may have of first requiring any Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) to proceed against or enforce any other rights or security or claim payment from any person before claiming from that Guarantor under this Clause 29.  This waiver applies irrespective of any law or any provision of a Finance Document to the contrary.

 

29.7                                 Appropriations

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full, each Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) may:-

 

29.7.1                      refrain from applying or enforcing any other moneys, security or rights held or received by that Finance Party (or any trustee or agent on its behalf) in respect of those amounts, or apply and enforce the same in such manner and order as it sees fit (whether against those amounts or otherwise) and no Guarantor shall be entitled to the benefit of the same; and

 

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29.7.2                      hold in an interest-bearing suspense account any moneys received from any Guarantor or on account of any Guarantor’s liability under this Clause 29.

 

29.8                                 Deferral of Guarantors’ rights

 

Until all amounts which may be or become payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been irrevocably paid in full and unless the Agent otherwise directs, no Guarantor will exercise any rights which it may have by reason of performance by it of its obligations under the Finance Documents or by reason of any amount being payable, or liability arising, under this Clause 29:-

 

29.8.1                      to be indemnified by an Obligor;

 

29.8.2                      to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of any Obligor’s obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

29.8.3                      to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents or of any other guarantee or security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, the Finance Documents by any Finance Party;

 

29.8.4                      to bring legal or other proceedings for an order requiring any Obligor to make any payment, or perform any obligation, in respect of which any Guarantor has given a guarantee, undertaking or indemnity under Clause 29.1 (Guarantee and Indemnity);

 

29.8.5                      to exercise any right of set-off against any Obligor; and/or

 

29.8.6                      to claim or prove as a creditor of any Obligor in competition with any Finance Party.

 

If a Guarantor receives any benefit, payment or distribution in relation to such rights it shall hold that benefit, payment or distribution to the extent necessary to enable all amounts which may be or become payable to the Finance Parties by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents to be repaid in full on trust for the Finance Parties and shall promptly pay or transfer the same to the Agent or as the Agent may direct for application in accordance with Clause 41 (Payment mechanics).

 

29.9                                 Release of Guarantors’ right of contribution

 

If any Guarantor (a “Retiring Guarantor”) ceases to be a Guarantor in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents for the purpose of any sale or other disposal of that Retiring Guarantor then on the date such Retiring Guarantor ceases to be a Guarantor:-

 

29.9.1                      that Retiring Guarantor is released by each other Guarantor from any liability (whether past, present or future and whether actual or contingent) to make a contribution to any other Guarantor arising by reason of the performance by any other Guarantor of its obligations under the Finance Documents; and

 

29.9.2                      each other Guarantor waives any rights it may have by reason of the performance of its obligations under the Finance Documents to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of the Finance Parties under any Finance Document or of any other security taken pursuant to, or in connection with, any Finance Document where

 

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such rights or security are granted by or in relation to the assets of the Retiring Guarantor.

 

29.10                          Additional security

 

This guarantee is in addition to and is not in any way prejudiced by any other guarantee or security now or subsequently held by any Finance Party.

 

29.11                          Guarantee Limitations

 

This guarantee does not apply to any liability to the extent that it would result in this guarantee constituting unlawful financial assistance within the meaning of sections 678 or 679 of the Companies Act 2006 or any equivalent and applicable provisions under the laws of the Original Jurisdiction of the relevant Guarantor and, with respect to any Additional Guarantor, is subject to any limitations set out in the Accession Deed applicable to such Additional Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 8

 

REPRESENTATIONS, UNDERTAKINGS AND EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

30.                                        REPRESENTATIONS

 

30.1                                 General

 

Each Obligor makes the representations and warranties set out in this Clause 30 to each Finance Party.

 

30.2                                 Status

 

30.2.1                      It and each of its Subsidiaries is a limited liability corporation, duly incorporated and validly existing under the law of its Original Jurisdiction.

 

30.2.2                      It and each of its Subsidiaries has the power to own its assets and carry on its business as it is being conducted.

 

30.3                                 Binding obligations

 

Subject to the Legal Reservations:-

 

30.3.1                      the obligations expressed to be assumed by it in each Finance Document to which it is a party are legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations; and

 

30.3.2                      (without limiting the generality of Clause 30.3.1 above), each Transaction Security Document to which it is a party creates the security interests which that Transaction Security Document purports to create and those security interests are valid and effective.

 

30.4                                 Non-conflict with other obligations

 

The entry into and performance by it of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents and the granting of the Transaction Security pursuant to the Agreed Security Principles do not and will not conflict with:-

 

30.4.1                      any law or regulation applicable to it;

 

30.4.2                      the constitutional documents of any member of the Group; or

 

30.4.3                      (any agreement or instrument binding upon it or any member of the Group or any of its or any member of the Group’s assets or constitute a default or termination event (however described) under any such agreement or instrument which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.5                                 Power and authority

 

30.5.1                      It has the power to enter into, perform and deliver, and has taken all necessary action to authorise its entry into, performance and delivery of, the Finance Documents to which it is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated by those Finance Documents.

 

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30.5.2                      No limit on its powers will be exceeded as a result of the borrowing, grant of security or giving of guarantees or indemnities contemplated by the Finance Documents to which it is a party.

 

30.6                                 Validity and admissibility in evidence

 

30.6.1                      All Authorisations required:-

 

(a)                                          to enable it lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights and comply with its obligations in the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and

 

(b)                                          to make the Finance Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in its Relevant Jurisdictions,

 

have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect except any Authorisation referred to in Clause 30.9 (No filing or stamp taxes), which Authorisations will be promptly obtained or effected after the date of this Agreement.

 

30.6.2                      All Authorisations necessary for the conduct of the business, trade and ordinary activities of members of the Group have been obtained or effected and are in full force and effect if failure to obtain or effect those Authorisations has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.7                                 Governing law and enforcement

 

30.7.1                      Subject to the Legal Reservations, the choice of governing law of the Finance Documents will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

30.7.2                      Subject to the Legal Reservations, any judgment obtained in relation to a Finance Document in the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Finance Document will be recognised and enforced in its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

30.8                                 Insolvency

 

No:-

 

30.8.1                      corporate action, legal proceeding or other procedure or step described in Clause 34.7.1; or

 

30.8.2                      creditors’ process described in Clause 34.8 (Creditors’ process),

 

is being taken or, to the knowledge of the Parent or the Company, is threatened in writing in relation to the Parent or a member of the Group; and none of the circumstances described in Clause 34.6 (Insolvency) applies to the Parent or a member of the Group.

 

30.9                                 No filing or stamp taxes

 

Under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdiction it is not necessary that the Finance Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration, notarial or similar Taxes or fees be paid on or in relation to the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents except registration of particulars of the Transaction Security Documents at the Companies Registration Office in England and Wales under section 859A of the Companies Act 2006

 

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and payment of associated fees which registrations, filings, taxes and fees will be made and paid promptly after the date of the relevant Finance Document.

 

30.10                          Deduction of Tax

 

It is not required to make any deduction for or on account of Tax from any payment it may make under any Finance Document to a Lender which is:-

 

30.10.1               a Qualifying Lender:-

 

(a)                                          falling within paragraph (a)(i) of the definition of Qualifying Lender; or

 

(b)                                          except where a Direction has been given under section 931 of the ITA in relation to the payment concerned, falling within paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender; or

 

(c)                                           falling within paragraph (b) of the definition of Qualifying Lender;  or

 

30.10.2               a Treaty Lender and the payment is one specified in a direction given by the Commissioners of Revenue & Customs under Regulation 2 of the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (General) Regulations 1970 (SI 1970/488).

 

30.11                          No default

 

30.11.1               No Event of Default and, on the date of this Agreement, no Default is continuing or will result from the making of any Utilisation or the entry into, the performance of, or any transaction contemplated by, any Finance Document.

 

30.11.2               No other event or circumstance is outstanding which constitutes (or, with the expiry of a grace period, the giving of notice, the making of any determination or any combination of any of the foregoing, would constitute) a default or termination event (however described) under any other agreement or instrument which is binding on it or any Material Company or to which its (or any Material Company’s) assets are subject,

 

which in each case has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.12                          No misleading information

 

Save as disclosed in writing to the Agent and the Arranger prior to the date of this Agreement:-

 

30.12.1               all material information provided to a Finance Party by or on behalf of the Parent or the Company in connection with this Agreement and the provision of the Facility and/or the Group on or before the date of this Agreement and not superseded before that date is accurate and not misleading in any material respect and all projections provided to any Finance Party on or before the date of this Agreement have been prepared in good faith on the basis of assumptions which were reasonable at the time at which they were prepared and supplied; and

 

30.12.2               all other written information provided by the Parent or any member of the Group (including its advisers) to a Finance Party was true, complete and accurate in all material respects as at the date it was provided and is not misleading in any material respect.

 

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30.13                          Original Financial Statements

 

30.13.1               Its Original Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles consistently applied unless expressly disclosed to the Agent in writing to the contrary.  However in the case of monthly and quarterly statements, normal year end adjustments were not made.

 

30.13.2               Its unaudited Original Financial Statements fairly represent its financial condition and results of operations (consolidated in the case of each of the target companies described in paragraph (a) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition) for the relevant month or financial quarter.

 

30.13.3               Its audited Original Financial Statements give a true and fair view of its financial condition and results of operations (consolidated in the case of each of the target companies described in paragraph (a) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition) during the relevant Financial Year.

 

30.13.4               There has been no material adverse change in its assets, business or financial condition (or the assets, business or consolidated financial condition of the Group, in the case of the Parent and/or the Company) since the date of the Original Financial Statements.

 

30.13.5               The Original Financial Statements of the Company (and each of the target companies described in paragraph (a) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition) do not consolidate the results, assets or liabilities of any person or business which does not form part of the Group or the group of companies formed of the target companies described in paragraph (a) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition and each of their Subsidiaries (as applicable).

 

30.13.6               Its most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1 (Financial Statements):-

 

(a)                                          have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles as applied to the Original Financial Statements; and

 

(b)                                          give a true and fair view of (if audited) or fairly represent (if unaudited) its consolidated financial condition as at the end of, and consolidated results of operations for, the period to which they relate.

 

30.13.7               The budgets and forecasts supplied under this Agreement were arrived at after careful consideration and have been prepared in good faith on the basis of recent historical information and on the basis of assumptions which were reasonable as at the date they were prepared and supplied.

 

30.13.8               Since the date of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1 (Financial Statements) there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets or financial condition of the Group.

 

30.14                          No proceedings pending or threatened

 

No litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings or investigations of, or before, any court, arbitral body or agency which, if adversely determined, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect have (to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) been started and are ongoing or threatened in writing against it or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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30.15                          Anti-corruption law

 

Each member of the Group has conducted its business in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws and has instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

30.16                          No breach of laws

 

30.16.1               It has not (and none of its Subsidiaries has) breached any law or regulation which breach has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.16.2               No labour disputes are current or, to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry), threatened against the Parent or any member of the Group which have or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.17                          Environmental laws

 

30.17.1               The Parent and each member of the Group is in compliance with Clause 33.3 (Environmental compliance) and to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry) no circumstances have occurred which would prevent such compliance in a manner or to an extent which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.17.2               No Environmental Claim has been commenced and is outstanding or (to the best of its knowledge and belief (having made due and careful enquiry)) is threatened against the Parent or any member of the Group where that claim has or is reasonably likely, if adversely determined against the Parent or that member of the Group, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

30.18                          Taxation

 

30.18.1               It is not (and none of its Subsidiaries is) materially overdue in the filing of any Tax returns and it is not (and none of its Subsidiaries is) overdue in the payment of any amount in respect of Tax of £500,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) or more unless such payment is being contested in good faith and is adequately reserved against in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

 

30.18.2               Save for claims being contested in good faith and which have been adequately reserved against (in accordance with the Accounting Principles) no claims or investigations are being, or are reasonably likely to be, made or conducted against it (or any of its Subsidiaries) with respect to Taxes such that a liability of, or claim against, any member of the Group of £250,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency) or more is reasonably likely to arise.

 

30.18.3               It is resident for Tax purposes only in its Original Jurisdiction.

 

30.19                          Security and Financial Indebtedness

 

30.19.1               No Security or Quasi-Security exists over:

 

(a)                                          all or any of the present or future assets of any member of the Group; or

 

(b)                                          any of the shares owned by the Parent in the Company,

 

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other than as permitted by this Agreement.

 

30.19.2               No member of the Group has any Financial Indebtedness outstanding other than as permitted by this Agreement.

 

30.20                          Ranking

 

Subject to the terms of the Vehicle Financier Deeds of Priority, the Transaction Security has or will have first ranking priority and it is not subject to any prior ranking or pari passu ranking Security other than Permitted Security.

 

30.21                          Good title to assets

 

It and each of its Subsidiaries has a good, valid and marketable title to, or valid leases or licences of, and all appropriate Authorisations to use, the assets necessary to carry on its business as presently conducted in all material respects (save for certain motor vehicles and diagnostic equipment which are subject to retention of title provisions and which the relevant member of the Group has the appropriate Authorisations to use).

 

30.22                         Legal and beneficial ownership

 

It and each of its Subsidiaries is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the respective assets over which it purports to grant Security under the Transaction Security Documents.

 

30.23                          Shares

 

The shares of any member of the Group and of PAE GmbH which are subject to the Transaction Security are fully paid and not subject to any option to purchase or similar rights.  The constitutional documents of companies whose shares are subject to the Transaction Security do not and could not restrict or inhibit any transfer of those shares on creation or enforcement of the Transaction Security.  There are no agreements in force which provide for the issue or allotment of, or grant any person the right to call for the issue or allotment of, any share or loan capital of any member of the Group or of PAE GmbH (including any option or right of pre-emption or conversion).

 

30.24                          Intellectual Property

 

It and each of its Subsidiaries:-

 

30.24.1               is the sole legal and beneficial owner of or has licensed to it on normal commercial terms all the Intellectual Property which is material in the context of its business and which is required by it in order to carry on its business as it is being conducted;

 

30.24.2               does not (nor does any of its Subsidiaries), in carrying on its businesses, infringe any Intellectual Property of any third party in any respect in each case where failure to do so would have or be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

30.24.3               has taken all formal or procedural actions (including payment of fees) required to maintain any material Intellectual Property owned by it.

 

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30.25                          Group Structure Chart

 

30.25.1               The Group Structure Chart delivered to the Agent pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 5 (Conditions Precedent) is true, complete and accurate in all material respects and shows the following information:-

 

(a)                                          the Parent and each member of the Group, including current name and company registration number, its Original Jurisdiction (in the case of an Obligor), its jurisdiction of incorporation (in the case of a member of the Group which is not an Obligor) and/or its jurisdiction of establishment, a list of shareholders and indicating whether a company is a Dormant Subsidiary or is not a company with limited liability; and

 

(b)                                          all minority interests in any member of the Group and any person in which the Parent or any member of the Group holds shares in its issued share capital or equivalent ownership interest of such person.

 

30.26                          Obligors

 

30.26.1               Each Material Company is or will be an Obligor on the Closing Date.

 

30.26.2               The aggregate of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and the aggregate gross assets, the aggregate net assets and the aggregate turnover of the Guarantors (other than the Parent) on the Closing Date (calculated on an unconsolidated basis and excluding all intra-Group items and investments in Subsidiaries of any member of the Group) exceeds 90% of Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants) and the consolidated gross assets, net assets and turnover of the Group.

 

30.27                          Accounting Reference Date

 

The Accounting Reference Date of the Parent and each member of the Group is 31 December.

 

30.28                          Centre of main interests and establishments

 

For the purposes of The Council of the European Union Regulation No 1346/2000 on Insolvency Proceedings (the “Regulation”), its centre of main interest (as that term is used in Article 3(1) of the Regulation) is situated in England and Wales or Northern Ireland for the Northern Irish Obligors and it has no “establishment” (as that term is used in Article 2(h) of the Regulations) in any other jurisdiction.

 

30.29                          Pensions

 

Except for the DB Schemes:-

 

30.29.1               neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has at any time been an employer (for the purposes of sections 38 to 51 of the Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the Pensions Schemes Act 1993); and

 

30.29.2               so far as the Company is aware (having made due and diligent enquiries), neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has at any time been “connected” with

 

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or an “associate” of (as those terms are used in sections 38 and 43 of the Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.

 

30.30                          No adverse consequences

 

30.30.1               It is not necessary under the laws of its Relevant Jurisdictions:-

 

(a)                                          in order to enable any Finance Party to enforce its rights under any Finance Document; or

 

(b)                                          by reason of the execution of any Finance Document or the performance by it of its obligations under any Finance Document,

 

that any Finance Party should be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business in any of its Relevant Jurisdictions.

 

30.30.2               No Finance Party is or will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in its Relevant Jurisdictions by reason only of the execution, performance and/or enforcement of any Finance Document.

 

30.31                          Times when representations made

 

30.31.1               All the representations and warranties in this Clause 30 are made by each Original Obligor on the date of this Agreement.

 

30.31.2               All the representations and warranties in this Clause 30 are deemed to be made by each Obligor on the Closing Date.

 

30.31.3               The Repeating Representations are deemed to be made by each Obligor on the date of each Utilisation Request, on each Utilisation Date and on the first day of each Interest Period (except that those contained in Clauses 30.13.1 — 30.13.5 will cease to be so made once subsequent financial statements have been delivered under this Agreement).

 

30.31.4               All the representations and warranties in this Clause 30 except Clause 30.12 (No misleading information) and Clause 30.25 (Group Structure Chart) are deemed to be made by each Additional Obligor on the day on which it becomes (or it is proposed that it becomes) an Additional Obligor with respect to itself and (if applicable) its Subsidiaries.

 

30.31.5               Each representation or warranty deemed to be made after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to be made by reference to the facts and circumstances existing at the date the representation or warranty is deemed to be made.

 

31.                                        INFORMATION UNDERTAKINGS

 

The undertakings in this Clause 31 remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

In this Clause 31:-

 

Annual Financial Statements

means the financial statements for a Financial

 

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Year delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1.1

 

 

Monthly Financial Statements

means the financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1.3

 

 

Quarterly Financial Statements

means the financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1.2

 

31.1                                 Financial statements

 

The Company shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders:-

 

31.1.1                      as soon as they are available, but in any event within 270 days after the end of each of its Financial Years:-

 

(a)                                          its audited consolidated financial statements for that Financial Year; and

 

(b)                                          the audited financial statements (consolidated if appropriate) of each Obligor for that Financial Year;

 

31.1.2                      as soon as they are available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each Financial Quarter of each of its Financial Years its consolidated financial statements for that Financial Quarter; and

 

31.1.3                      as soon as they are available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each month its financial statements on a consolidated basis for that month (to include cumulative management accounts for the Financial Year to date).

 

31.2                                 Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate

 

31.2.1                      The Company shall supply a Compliance Certificate to the Agent with each set of its audited consolidated Annual Financial Statements and each set of its consolidated Quarterly Financial Statements.

 

31.2.2                      The Compliance Certificate shall, amongst other things, set out (in reasonable detail) computations as to compliance with Clause 32 (Financial Covenants).

 

31.2.3                      Each Compliance Certificate shall be signed by two directors (one of whom shall be the finance director) of the Company and two directors (one of whom shall be the finance director) of the Parent and, if required by the Agent (acting on the instructions of the Majority Lenders) following the occurrence of a Default which is continuing each Compliance Certificate to be delivered with the consolidated Annual Financial Statements of the Company, shall be reported on by the Company’s Auditors in the form agreed by the Company and the Majority Lenders.

 

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31.3                                 Requirements as to financial statements

 

31.3.1                      The Company shall procure that each set of Annual Financial Statements, Quarterly Financial Statements and Monthly Financial Statements includes a balance sheet, profit and loss account and cashflow statement.  In addition the Company shall procure that:-

 

(a)                                          each set of Annual Financial Statements shall be audited by the Company’s Auditors; and

 

(b)                                          each set of Monthly Financial Statements is in a format acceptable to each Lender; and

 

(c)                                           the Monthly Financial Statements delivered at, or around, the same time as the Annual Financial Statements shall include a reconciliation between those Monthly Financial Statements and the Annual Financial Statements.

 

31.3.2                      Each set of financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1 (Financial statements):-

 

(a)                                          shall be certified by a director of the relevant company as giving a true and fair view of (in the case of Annual Financial Statements for any Financial Year), or fairly representing (in other cases), its financial condition and operations as at the date as at which those financial statements were drawn up and, in the case of the Annual Financial Statements, shall be accompanied by any letter addressed to the management of the relevant company by the auditors of those Annual Financial Statements and accompanying those Annual Financial Statements;

 

(b)                                          in the case of consolidated financial statements of the Group, shall be accompanied by a statement by the directors of the Company comparing actual performance for the period to which the financial statements relate to:-

 

(i)                                              the projected performance for that period set out in the Budget; and

 

(ii)                                           the actual performance for the corresponding period in the preceding Financial Year of the Group; and

 

(c)                                           shall be prepared using the Accounting Principles, accounting practices and financial reference periods consistent with those applied in the case of any Obligor, in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements for that Obligor,

 

unless, in relation to any set of financial statements, the Company notifies the Agent that there has been a change in the Accounting Principles or the accounting practices and the Company’s Auditors (or, if appropriate, the auditors of the Obligor) deliver to the Agent:-

 

(i)                                              a description of any change necessary for those financial statements to reflect the Accounting Principles or accounting practices upon which that Obligor’s Original Financial Statements were prepared; and

 

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(ii)                                           sufficient information, in form and substance as may be reasonably required by the Agent, to enable the Lenders to determine whether Clause 32 (Financial covenants) has been complied with, to determine the Margin as set out in the definition of “Margin” and to make an accurate comparison between the financial position indicated in those financial statements and that Obligor’s Original Financial Statements.

 

Any reference in this Agreement to any financial statements shall be construed as a reference to those financial statements as adjusted to reflect the Accounting Principles applied in the preparation of the Original Financial Statements.

 

(d)                                          Notwithstanding any other term of this Agreement no Event of Default shall occur, or be deemed to occur, as a result of any restriction on the identity of the Company’s Auditors contained in this Agreement being prohibited, unlawful, ineffective, invalid or unenforceable pursuant to the Audit Laws.

 

31.4                                 Budget

 

31.4.1                      The Company shall supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, as soon as the same become available but in any event within 30 days after the start of each of its Financial Years, an annual Budget for that Financial Year.

 

31.4.2                      The Company shall ensure that each Budget:-

 

(a)                                          is in a form reasonably acceptable to the Agent and includes a projected consolidated profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow statement for the Group, projected financial covenant calculations and such other information requested by each Lender (acting reasonably)

 

(b)                                          is prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles and the accounting practices and financial reference periods applied to financial statements under Clause 31.1 (Financial statements); and

 

(c)                                           has been approved by the board of directors of the Company.

 

31.4.3                      If the Company updates or changes the Budget, it shall promptly deliver to the Agent, in sufficient copies for each of the Lenders, such updated or changed Budget together with a written explanation of the main changes in that Budget.

 

31.5                                 Group companies

 

At the request of the Agent, the Company shall supply to the Agent a report signed by two directors of the Company stating which of its Subsidiaries are Material Companies and confirming that the aggregate of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants) and the aggregate gross assets, aggregate net assets and aggregate turnover of the Guarantors (other than the Parent) (calculated on an unconsolidated basis and excluding all intra-Group items and investments in Subsidiaries of any member of the Group) exceeds 90% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and the consolidated gross assets, net assets and turnover of the Group.

 

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31.6                                 Presentations

 

If requested to do so by the Agent if the Agent reasonably suspects a Default is continuing or may have occurred or may occur, at least two directors of the Parent (one of whom shall be the chief financial officer) must give a presentation to the Finance Parties about the on-going business and financial performance of the Group.

 

31.7                                 Year-end

 

The Company shall procure that each Financial Year-end of each member of the Group falls on 31 December.

 

31.8                                 Information: miscellaneous

 

The Company shall supply to the Agent (in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, if the Agent so requests):-

 

31.8.1                      promptly following the same being dispatched, copies of all documents required to be dispatched by the Company to its shareholders generally (or any class of them) or dispatched by the Company or any Obligors to its creditors generally (or any class of them);

 

31.8.2                      promptly upon becoming aware of them, the details of any litigation, arbitration or administrative proceedings which are current, threatened or pending against any member of the Group, and which, if adversely determined, are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

31.8.3                      promptly, such information as the Security Agent may reasonably require about the Charged Property and compliance of the Obligors with the terms of any Transaction Security Documents; and

 

31.8.4                      promptly on reasonable request, such further information regarding the financial condition, assets and operations of the Group and/or any member of the Group (including any requested amplification or explanation of any item in the financial statements, budgets or other material provided by any Obligor under this Agreement, any changes to management of the Group and an up to date copy of its shareholders’ register (or equivalent in its Original Jurisdiction)) as any Finance Party through the Agent may reasonably request.

 

31.9                                 Notification of default

 

31.9.1                      Each Obligor shall notify the Agent of any Default (and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it) promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence (unless that Obligor is aware that a notification has already been provided by another Obligor).

 

31.9.2                      Promptly upon a request by the Agent (acting reasonably), the Company shall supply to the Agent a certificate signed by two of its directors or senior officers on its behalf certifying that no Default is continuing (or if a Default is continuing, specifying the Default and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it).

 

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31.10                          “Know your customer” checks

 

31.10.1               If:-

 

(a)                                          the introduction of or any change in (or in the interpretation, administration or application of) any law or regulation made after the date of this Agreement;

 

(b)                                          any change in the status of an Obligor or the composition of the shareholders of an Obligor after the date of this Agreement; or

 

(c)                                           a proposed assignment or transfer by a Lender of any of its rights and/or obligations under this Agreement to a party that is not a Lender prior to such assignment or transfer,

 

obliges the Agent or any Lender (or, in the case of sub-clause (c) above, any prospective new Lender) to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, each Obligor shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or, in the case of the event described in sub-clause (c) above, on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent, such Lender or, in the case of the event described in sub-clause (c) above, any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

31.10.2               Each Lender shall promptly upon the request of the Agent supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself) in order for the Agent to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents.

 

31.10.3               The Company shall, by not less than 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent, notify the Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of its intention to request that one of its Subsidiaries becomes an Additional Obligor pursuant to Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors).

 

31.10.4               Following the giving of any notice pursuant to Clause 31.10.3 above, if the accession of such Additional Obligor obliges the Agent or any Lender to comply with “know your customer” or similar identification procedures in circumstances where the necessary information is not already available to it, the Company shall promptly upon the request of the Agent or any Lender supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (for itself or on behalf of any Lender) or any Lender (for itself or on behalf of any prospective new Lender) in order for the Agent or such Lender or any prospective new Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the accession of such Subsidiary to this Agreement as an Additional Obligor.

 

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31.11                          Parent’s financial statements

 

If the Company intends to make a Permitted Distribution or any Permitted Loan falling within paragraph (h) of the definition of “Permitted Loan” in any Financial Year:-

 

31.11.1               the Parent shall, at least 10 Business Days before making any Permitted Distribution or loan falling within paragraph (h) of the definition of “Permitted Loan”, supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders the audited consolidated financial statements of the Parent (prepared by the auditors of the Parent using generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for the purposes of reporting to the auditors of PAG) for the previous financial year of the Parent; and

 

31.11.2               the Company shall, at least 10 Business Days before making any Permitted Distribution or loan falling within paragraph (h) of the definition of “Permitted Loan”, supply to the Agent in sufficient copies for all the Lenders, the US GAAP Reconciliation Statement.

 

32.                                        FINANCIAL COVENANTS

 

32.1                                 Financial definitions

 

In this Agreement:-

 

Capital Expenditure

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, any amount paid to acquire tangible fixed assets where such expenditure is capitalised on the balance sheet of the Group but excluding:

 

(a)                                 net proceeds received from sale and leaseback transactions

 

(b)                                 rental payments in respect of Finance Leases;

 

(c)                                  fixed assets acquired through the acquisition of a business and

 

(d)                                 maintenance payments which are charged to the profit and loss account

 

 

 

Consolidated Borrowing Costs

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the aggregate of all interest, commission, fees and charges payable by the Group in respect of its Consolidated Gross Borrowings in respect of such Relevant Period including, without limitation:

 

(a)                                 capitalised interest

 

(b)                                 Finance Lease charges

 

(c)                                  dividends on shares issued on the basis that they are or may become redeemable,

 

but excluding interest payable by Affiliates and Joint

 

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Ventures

 

 

 

Consolidated EBIT

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, the consolidated profit/loss of the Group on ordinary activities before taxation and after exceptional items but after adding back:-

 

(a)                                 exceptional losses charged below operating profit

 

(b)                                 Consolidated Borrowing Costs (net of capitalised interest and dividends on redeemable shares)

 

(c)                                  interest payable by associates and Joint Ventures

 

(d)                                 the Group’s share of the operating losses arising in associates and Joint Ventures

 

(e)                                  the Group’s share of exceptional losses arising in associates and Joint Ventures

 

and after deducting

 

(f)                                   interest receivable and other similar income

 

(g)                                  income from fixed asset investments

 

(h)                                 exceptional gains credited below operating profit

 

(i)                                     interest receivable by associates and Joint Ventures

 

(j)                                    the Group’s share of operating profits arising in associates and Joint Ventures

 

(k)                                 the Group’s share of exceptional gains arising in associates and Joint Ventures

 

provided that no amount included, added or deducted shall be taken into account more than once in calculating Consolidated EBIT

 

 

 

Consolidated EBITAR

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period after adding back any amount attributable to the amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets of members of the Group and rental paid by any member of the Group during that Relevant Period

 

 

 

Consolidated EBITDA

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, Consolidated EBIT for that Relevant Period after adding back any amount attributable to the

 

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amortisation of goodwill and intangible assets of members of the Group and any amount attributable to the depreciation of assets of members of the Group

 

 

 

Consolidated Gross Borrowings

 

means at any time, the aggregate of all obligations of the Group for the repayment of money, whether present or future, actual or contingent incurred in respect of:-

 

(a)                                 money borrowed from all sources

 

(b)                                 any bonds, notes, loan stock, debentures or similar instruments

 

(c)                                  eligible debt securities, bills of exchange or documentary credits

 

(d)                                 shares issued on the basis that they are or may become redeemable (at redemption value)

 

(e)                                  gross obligations under Finance Leases

 

(f)                                   the factoring of debts

 

(g)                                  guarantees, indemnities or other assurances against financial loss and

 

(h)                                 amounts raised or obligations incurred in respect of any other transaction which has the commercial effect of borrowing

 

 

 

Consolidated Interest and Rental Payable

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, Consolidated Borrowing Costs plus rental paid and due to be paid by any member of the Group during that Relevant Period

 

 

 

Consolidated Net Borrowings

 

means, at any time, Consolidated Gross Borrowings less:-

 

(a)                                 any Cash or Cash Equivalent Investments held by any member of the Group

 

(b)                                 any Financial Indebtedness arising in respect of any loan from PAG or any of its Subsidiaries (other than a member of the Group) to any member of the Group which is subordinated to the Facility (and, for the avoidance of doubt, such subordinated Financial Indebtedness shall include any Short Term Loan that is subordinated in accordance with Clause 33.18.4) and

 

(c)                                  any Financial Indebtedness in respect of

 

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Stocking Finance

 

 

 

Finance Lease

 

means any lease or hire purchase contract which would, in accordance with the Accounting Principles, be treated as a finance or capital lease provided that any lease or hire purchase contract which is classified as an operating lease in accordance with the Accounting Principles as applied to the Original Financial Statements shall not be treated as a Finance Lease

 

 

 

Financial Quarter

 

means the period commencing on the day after one Quarter Date and ending on the next Quarter Date

 

 

 

Financial Year

 

means the annual accounting period of the Group ending on or about 31 December in each year

 

 

 

Quarter Date

 

means each of 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December

 

 

 

Relevant Period

 

means each period of twelve months ending on or about the last day of the Financial Year and each period of twelve months ending on or about the last day of each Financial Quarter

 

 

 

Stocking Finance

 

means, at any time, all funding provided to any member of the Group for vehicle stock, used demonstrators and consignment stock

 

 

 

Stocking Interest

 

means, in respect of any Relevant Period, interest charged on funding provided for vehicle stock, used demonstrators and consignment vehicles

 

32.2                                 Financial condition

 

The Company shall ensure that:-

 

32.2.1                      EBITAR: Interest and Rental Payable: the ratio of Consolidated EBITAR to Consolidated Interest and Rental Payable in respect of any Relevant Period shall not be less than 1.55:1.

 

32.2.2                      Net Debt :Consolidated EBITDA: the ratio of Consolidated Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA less Stocking Interest in respect of any Relevant Period shall not be more than 2.75:1

 

32.2.3                      Capital Expenditure:  The aggregate Capital Expenditure of the Group in respect of any Financial Year shall not exceed £60,000,000.

 

32.3                                 Financial testing

 

The financial covenants set out in Clause 32.2 (Financial condition) shall be calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles (other than in relation to the treatment of demonstrator stock, courtesy vehicles and vehicles operated through Agnew Corporate Ltd, which shall be treated in accordance with the treatment of those assets in the Monthly

 

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Financial Statements as at 31 December 2013) and tested by reference to each of the financial statements delivered pursuant to Clause 31.1.2 and/or each Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Clause 31.2 (Provision and contents of Compliance Certificate).

 

33.             GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

 

The undertakings in this Clause 33 remain in force from the date of this Agreement for so long as any amount is outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

Authorisations and compliance with laws

 

33.1           Authorisations

 

Each Obligor shall promptly obtain, comply with and do all that is necessary to maintain in full force and effect any Authorisation required under any law or regulation of a Relevant Jurisdiction to:-

 

33.1.1       enable it to perform its obligations under the Finance Documents;

 

33.1.2       ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility in evidence of any Finance Document; and

 

33.1.3       carry on its business where failure to do so has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.2           Compliance with laws

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will) comply in all respects with all laws to which it may be subject, if failure so to comply has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.3           Environmental compliance

 

Each member of the Group shall:-

 

33.3.1       comply with all Environmental Law;

 

33.3.2       obtain, maintain and ensure compliance with all requisite Environmental Permits;

 

33.3.3       implement procedures to monitor compliance with and to prevent liability under any Environmental Law,

 

where failure to do so has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.4           Environmental claims

 

Each member of the Group shall (through the Company), promptly upon becoming aware of the same, inform the Agent in writing of:-

 

33.4.1       any Environmental Claim against any member of the Group which is current, pending or threatened; and

 

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33.4.2       any facts or circumstances which are reasonably likely to result in any Environmental Claim being commenced or threatened against any member of the Group,

 

where the claim, if determined against that member of the Group, has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.5           Anti-corruption law

 

33.5.1       No Obligor shall (and the Company shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the Facility for any purpose which would breach the Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or other similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

33.5.2       Each Obligor shall (and the Company shall ensure that each other member of the Group will):

 

(a)              conduct its businesses in compliance with applicable anti-corruption laws; and

 

(b)              maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

33.6           Taxation

 

33.6.1       Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will) pay and discharge all Taxes imposed upon it or its assets within the time period allowed without incurring penalties unless and only to the extent that:-

 

(a)              such payment is being contested in good faith;

 

(b)              adequate reserves are being maintained for those Taxes and the costs required to contest them which have been disclosed in its latest financial statements delivered to the Agent under Clause 31.1 (Financial statements) or will be and are disclosed in the financial statements to be delivered immediately following such Taxes being imposed; and

 

(c)              such payment can be lawfully withheld and failure to pay those Taxes does not have or is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.6.2       The Parent and no member of the Group may change its residence for Tax purposes.

 

Restrictions on business focus

 

33.7           Merger

 

No Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that no other member of the Group will) enter into any amalgamation, demerger, merger, consolidation or corporate reconstruction other than a Permitted Transaction.

 

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33.8           Change of business

 

The Parent and the Company shall procure that no material change is made to the general nature of the business of the Parent, the Company, the Obligors or the Group taken as a whole from that carried on by the Group at the date of this Agreement.

 

33.9           Acquisitions

 

33.9.1       Except as permitted under Clause 33.9.2 below, no member of the Group shall:-

 

(a)              acquire a company or any shares or securities or a business or undertaking (or, in each case, any interest in any of them); or

 

(b)              incorporate a company.

 

33.9.2       Clause 33.9.1 above does not apply to an acquisition of a company, of shares, securities or a business or undertaking (or, in each case, any interest in any of them) or the incorporation of a company which is:-

 

(a)              a Permitted Acquisition; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.10         Joint ventures

 

33.10.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.10.2 below, no member of the Group shall:-

 

(a)              enter into, invest in or acquire (or agree to acquire) any shares, stocks, securities or other interest in any Joint Venture; or

 

(b)              transfer any assets or lend to or guarantee or give an indemnity for or give Security for the obligations of a Joint Venture or maintain the solvency of or provide working capital to any Joint Venture (or agree to do any of the foregoing).

 

33.10.2     Clause 33.10.1 above does not apply to any acquisition of (or agreement to acquire) any interest in a Joint Venture or transfer of assets (or agreement to transfer assets) to a Joint Venture or loan made to or guarantee given in respect of the obligations of a Joint Venture if such transaction is a Permitted Acquisition, a Permitted Disposal, a Permitted Loan or a Permitted Joint Venture.

 

Restrictions on dealing with assets and Security

 

33.11         Preservation of assets

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will) maintain in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its assets necessary in the conduct of its business.

 

33.12         Pari passu ranking

 

Each Obligor shall ensure that at all times any unsecured and unsubordinated claims of a Finance Party or Hedge Counterparty against it under the Finance Documents rank at

 

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least pari passu with the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors except those creditors whose claims are mandatorily preferred by laws of general application to companies.

 

33.13         Negative pledge

 

In this Clause 33.13, “Quasi-Security” means an arrangement or transaction described in Clause (b) below.

 

33.13.1     The Parent shall not create or permit to subsist any Security over any of shares owned by the Parent in the Company.

 

33.13.2     Except as permitted under Clause 33.13.3 below:-

 

(a)              no member of the Group shall create or permit to subsist any Security over any of its assets.

 

(b)              no member of the Group shall:-

 

(i)               sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its assets on terms whereby they are or may be leased to or re-acquired by an Obligor or any other member of the Group;

 

(ii)              sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its receivables on recourse terms;

 

(iii)             enter into any arrangement under which money or the benefit of a bank or other account may be applied, set-off or made subject to a combination of accounts; or

 

(iv)             enter into any other preferential arrangement having a similar effect,

 

in circumstances where the arrangement or transaction is entered into primarily as a method of raising Financial Indebtedness or of financing the acquisition of an asset.

 

33.13.3     Clauses 33.13.2(a) and (b) above do not apply to any Security or (as the case may be) Quasi-Security, which is:-

 

(a)              Permitted Security; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.14         Disposals

 

33.14.1     The Parent shall not enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of the shares owned by the Parent in the Company.

 

33.14.2     Except as permitted under Clause 33.14.3 below, no member of the Group shall enter into a single transaction or a series of transactions (whether related or not) and whether voluntary or involuntary to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any asset.

 

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33.14.3     Clause 33.14.1 above does not apply to any sale, lease, transfer or other disposal which is:-

 

(a)              a Permitted Disposal; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.15         Arm’s length basis

 

33.15.1     Except as permitted by Clause 33.15.2 below, no member of the Group shall enter into any transaction with any person except on arm’s length terms and for full market value; and

 

33.15.2     The following transactions shall not be a breach of this Clause 33.15:-

 

(a)              intra-Group loans permitted under Clause 33.16 (Loans or credit);

 

(b)              fees, costs and expenses payable under the Finance Documents in the amounts set out in the Finance Documents delivered to the Agent under Clause 13.1 (Initial conditions precedent) or agreed by the Agent; and

 

(c)              any Permitted Transaction.

 

Restrictions on movement of cash - cash out

 

33.16         Loans or credit

 

33.16.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.16.2 below, no member of the Group shall be a creditor in respect of any Financial Indebtedness.

 

33.16.2     Clause 33.16.1 above does not apply to:-

 

(a)              a Permitted Loan; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.17         No Guarantees or indemnities

 

33.17.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.17.2 below, no member of the Group shall incur or allow to remain outstanding any guarantee in respect of any obligation of any person.

 

33.17.2     Clause 33.17.1 does not apply to a guarantee which is:-

 

(a)              a Permitted Guarantee; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.18         Dividends, share redemption and repayment of Short Term Loans

 

33.18.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.18.2 below, the Company shall not (and the Parent and the Company will ensure that no other member of the Group will):-

 

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(a)              declare, make or pay any dividend, charge, fee or other distribution (or interest on any unpaid dividend, charge, fee or other distribution) (whether in cash or in kind) on or in respect of its share capital (or any class of its share capital);

 

(b)              repay or distribute any dividend or share premium reserve;

 

(c)              pay or allow any member of the Group to pay any management, advisory or other fee to or to the order of any of the shareholders of the Parent or the Company; or

 

(d)              redeem, repurchase, defease, retire or repay any of its share capital or resolve to do so.

 

33.18.2     Clause 33.18.1 above does not apply to:-

 

(a)              a Permitted Distribution; or

 

(b)              a Permitted Transaction (other than one referred to in sub-clause (c) of the definition of that term).

 

33.18.3     The Company shall not (and the Parent and the Company will ensure that no other member of the Group will) repay any Short Term Loan (a “Short Term Loan Repayment”) unless:

 

(a)              no Event of Default has occurred or is continuing; and

 

(b)              based on projections prepared by the Company (based on reasonable assumptions), the Group shall be in compliance with Clause 32.2 (Financial condition) on each of the next two Testing Dates and the Company has supplied a copy of such projections to the Agent.

 

33.18.4     If the relevant member of the Group cannot make the Short Term Loan Repayment within the 45 day period because it is prevented from doing so under Clause 33.18.3, the Parent and the Company shall procure that PAG, any of its Subsidiaries and the relevant member(s) of the Group as required shall enter into a subordination deed (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) confirming that each relevant Short Term Loan is fully subordinated to the Loans under this Agreement.

 

33.18.5     No Event of Default shall arise in respect of a failure to make a Short Term Repayment within the 45 day period if that Short Term Loan is subordinated in accordance with Clause 33.18.4.

 

Restrictions on movement of cash - cash in

 

33.19         Financial Indebtedness

 

33.19.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.19.2 below, no member of the Group shall incur or allow to remain outstanding any Financial Indebtedness.

 

33.19.2     Clause 33.19.1 above does not apply to Financial Indebtedness which is:-

 

(a)              Permitted Financial Indebtedness; or

 

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(b)              a Permitted Transaction.

 

33.20         Share capital

 

No member of the Group shall issue any shares except pursuant to a Permitted Transaction.

 

Miscellaneous

 

33.21         Insurance

 

33.21.1     Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will) maintain insurances on and in relation to its business and assets against those risks and to the extent as is usual for companies carrying on the same or substantially similar business.

 

33.21.2     All insurances must be with reputable independent insurance companies or underwriters.

 

33.22         Pensions

 

33.22.1     The Parent and the Company shall ensure that all pension schemes operated by or maintained for the benefit of members of the Group and/or any of their employees are funded in accordance with the statutory funding objective and any deficit reduction plans agreed by the Parent and/or the Company from time to time and that no action or omission is taken by the Parent, the Company or any other member of the Group in relation to such a pension scheme which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect (including, without limitation, the termination or commencement of winding-up proceedings of any such pension scheme or any member of the Group ceasing to employ any member of such a pension scheme).

 

33.22.2     Except for the DB Schemes the Parent and the Company shall ensure that neither the Parent nor any member of the Group is or has been at any time an employer (for the purposes of Sections 38 to 51 of the Pensions Act 2004) of an occupational pension scheme which is not a money purchase scheme (both terms as defined in the Pension Schemes Act 1993) or “connected” with or an “associate” of (as those terms are used in sections 38 or 43 of the Pensions Act 2004) such an employer.

 

33.22.3     The Parent and the Company shall deliver to the Agent at such times as those reports are prepared in order to comply with the then current statutory or auditing requirements (as applicable either to the trustees of any relevant schemes or to the Parent and the Company), actuarial reports in relation to all pension schemes mentioned in Clause 33.22.1 above.

 

33.22.4     The Parent and the Company shall promptly notify the Agent of any material change in the rate of contributions to any pension schemes mentioned in 33.22.1 above paid or recommended to be paid (whether by the scheme actuary or otherwise) or required (by law or otherwise).

 

33.22.5     Each Obligor shall immediately notify the Agent of any investigation or proposed investigation by the Pensions Regulator of which an Obligor becomes aware which may lead to the issue of a Financial Support Direction or a Contribution Notice to it or any other member of the Group.

 

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33.22.6     Each Obligor shall immediately notify the Agent if it receives a Financial Support Direction or a Contribution Notice from the Pensions Regulator.

 

33.23         Access

 

Each Obligor shall, and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that each member of the Group will, (not more than once in every Financial Year unless the Agent reasonably suspects a Default is continuing or may occur) permit the Agent and/or the Security Agent and/or accountants or other professional advisers and contractors of the Agent or Security Agent free access at all reasonable times and on reasonable notice to (a) the premises, assets, books, accounts and records of each member of the Group and (b) meet and discuss matters with the senior management of the Group (including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer).

 

33.24         Service contracts

 

33.24.1     The Parent and the Company must ensure that there is in place in respect of each Material Company qualified management with appropriate skills.

 

33.24.2     If either the chief financial officer or chief executive officer of the Group ceases (whether by reason of death, retirement at normal retiring age or through ill health or otherwise) to perform his or her duties as required under his or her service contract the Parent must as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter:-

 

(a)              notify the Agent; and

 

(b)              after consultation with the Agent as to the identity of such replacement person, find and appoint an adequately qualified replacement for him or her as promptly as practicable.

 

33.25         Intellectual Property

 

33.25.1     Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall procure that each Group member will):-

 

(a)              preserve and maintain the subsistence and validity of the Intellectual Property necessary for the business of the relevant Group member;

 

(b)              use reasonable endeavours to prevent any infringement in any material respect of the Intellectual Property;

 

(c)              make registrations and pay all registration fees and taxes necessary to maintain the Intellectual Property in full force and effect and record its interest in that Intellectual Property;

 

(d)              not use or permit the Intellectual Property to be used in a way or take any step or omit to take any step in respect of that Intellectual Property which may materially and adversely affect the existence or value of the Intellectual Property or imperil the right of any member of the Group to use such property; and

 

(e)              not discontinue the use of the Intellectual Property,

 

where failure to do so, in the case of sub-clauses (a) and (b) and above, or, in the case of sub-clauses (d) and (e) above, such use, permission to use,

 

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omission or discontinuation, is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

33.25.2     Failure to comply with any part of Clause 33.25.1 above shall not be a breach of this Clause 33.25 to the extent that any dealing with Intellectual Property which would otherwise be a breach of Clause 33.25.1 is contemplated by the definition of Permitted Transaction.

 

33.26         Amendments

 

33.26.1     No Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall ensure that no member of the Group will) amend, vary, novate, supplement, supersede, waive or terminate any term of a Finance Document except in writing:-

 

(a)              in accordance with the provisions of Clause 47 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

(b)              to the extent that that amendment, variation, novation, supplement, superseding, waiver or termination is permitted by the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(c)              after the Closing Date (other than an amendment which is administrative or technical in nature), in a way which could not be reasonably expected materially and adversely to affect the interests of the Lenders.

 

33.26.2     The Parent and the Company shall promptly supply to the Agent a copy of any document relating to any of the matters referred to in sub-clauses (a) to (c) above.

 

33.27         Financial assistance

 

Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall procure each member of the Group will) comply in all respects with sections 678 and 679 of the Companies Act 2006 and any equivalent legislation in other jurisdictions including in relation to the execution of the Transaction Security Documents and payment of amounts due under this Agreement.

 

33.28         Group bank accounts

 

33.28.1     Except as permitted under Clause 33.28.2 below, the Parent and the Company shall ensure that all bank accounts of the Parent and the Group shall be opened and maintained with a Finance Party or an Affiliate of a Finance Party and are subject to valid Security under the Transaction Security Documents.

 

33.28.2     Clause 33.28.1 above does not apply to bank accounts of any business or company which is acquired by any member of the Group after the Closing Date where such bank account is in existence prior to the date on which that business or company becomes a member of the Group, provided that such bank account shall be closed within one month of the date of completion of the relevant acquisition.

 

33.29         Treasury Transactions

 

No member of the Group shall enter into any Treasury Transaction, other than a Permitted Treasury Transaction.

 

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33.30         Further assurance

 

33.30.1     Subject to the Agreed Security Principles, each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall procure that each member of the Group will) promptly do all such acts or execute all such documents (including assignments, transfers, mortgages, charges, notices and instructions) as the Security Agent may reasonably specify (and in such form as the Security Agent may reasonably require in favour of the Security Agent or its nominee(s)):-

 

(a)              to perfect the Security created or intended to be created under or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents (which may include the execution of a mortgage, charge, assignment or other Security over all or any of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security) or for the exercise of any rights, powers and remedies of the Security Agent or the Finance Parties provided by or pursuant to the Finance Documents or by law;

 

(b)              to confer on the Security Agent or confer on the Finance Parties Security over any property and assets of that Obligor located in any jurisdiction equivalent or similar to the Security intended to be conferred by or pursuant to the Transaction Security Documents; and/or

 

(c)              to facilitate the realisation of the assets which are, or are intended to be, the subject of the Transaction Security.

 

33.30.2     Each Obligor shall (and the Parent and the Company shall procure that each member of the Group shall) take all such action as is available to it (including making all filings and registrations) as may be necessary for the purpose of the creation, perfection, protection or maintenance of any Security conferred or intended to be conferred on the Security Agent or the Finance Parties by or pursuant to the Finance Documents.

 

33.31         Syndication, Assignment or Transfer

 

33.31.1     The Obligors acknowledge that a Lender may syndicate all or any part of the Facility, assign any of its rights or transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations (a “Syndication, Assignment or Transfer”) under any Finance Document in accordance with Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders).  Where a Syndication, Assignment or Transfer is to be effected in accordance with Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders), the Company shall enter into negotiations in good faith for a period of time of not longer than 60 days (the “Time Limit”) with a view to agreeing all amendments to any Finance Document and/or replacement of or variation to any document and all ancillary documentation required by the relevant Lender and any New Lender (as defined in Clause 35.1 (Assignments and transfers by the Lenders)) to effect the Syndication, Assignment or Transfer.

 

33.31.2     Upon the request of the Agent, the Company shall supply, or procure the supply of, such documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Agent (on behalf of a relevant Lender, whether for itself or on behalf of any prospective New Lender) in order for any prospective New Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations pursuant to the transactions contemplated in each Finance Document.

 

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33.31.3     The Company agrees to meet all reasonable costs, charges and expenses incurred (including the reasonable fees and expenses of any legal and other professional advisors whether directly employed by the Agent, the relevant Lender or any prospective New Lender or who provide other services to the Agent, the relevant Lender or any prospective New Lender) by the Agent, the relevant Lender and/or any prospective New Lender in connection with any proposed Syndication, Assignment or Transfer.

 

33.32         Wider group loans

 

No member of the Group shall make any loan to or repay or pay any principal or interest on any loan granted to it by any member of the German Group except with the prior written consent of the Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

33.33         Guarantors

 

33.33.1     The Parent and the Company shall ensure that at all times after the Closing Date, the aggregate of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) of the Guarantors (other than the Parent) and the aggregate gross assets, the aggregate net assets and aggregate turnover of the Guarantors (other than the Parent) (in each case calculated on an unconsolidated basis and excluding all intra-group items and investment in Subsidiaries of any member of the Group) represents not less than 90 per cent of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and consolidated gross assets, consolidated net assets and consolidated turnover of the Group.

 

33.33.2     The Parent and the Company need only perform its obligations under Clause 33.33.1 above if it is not unlawful for the relevant person to become a Guarantor and that person becoming a Guarantor would not result in personal liability for that person’s directors or other management.  Each Obligor must use, and must procure that the relevant person uses, all reasonable endeavours lawfully available to avoid any such unlawfulness or personal liability.  This includes agreeing to a limit on the amount guaranteed.  The Agent may (but shall not be obliged to) agree to such a limit if, in its opinion, to do so would avoid the relevant unlawfulness or personal liability.

 

33.34         Conditions subsequent

 

Each Obligor must use, and must procure that any other member of the Group that is a potential provider of Transaction Security uses, all reasonable endeavours lawfully available to avoid or mitigate the constraints on the provision of Security provided for in the Agreed Security Principles.

 

34.             EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

Each of the events or circumstances set out in this Clause 34 is an Event of Default (save for Clause 34.18 (Acceleration).

 

34.1           Non-payment

 

An Obligor does not pay on the due date any amount payable pursuant to a Finance Document at the place at and in the currency in which it is expressed to be payable unless:-

 

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34.1.1       its failure to pay is caused by:-

 

(a)              administrative or technical error; or

 

(b)              a Disruption Event; and

 

34.1.2       payment is made within three Business Days of its due date.

 

34.2           Financial covenants and other obligations

 

34.2.1       Any requirement of Clause 32 (Financial covenants) is not satisfied or an Obligor does not comply with the provisions of Clause 31 (Information Undertakings), Clause 33.11 (Preservation of assets), Clause 33.12 (Pari passu ranking), Clause 33.13 (Negative pledge), Clause 33.14 (Disposals), Clause 33.15 (Arm’s length basis), Clause 33.16 (Loans or credit), Clause 33.17 (No Guarantees or indemnities), Clause 33.18 (Dividends, share redemption and Repayment of Short Term Loans) and/or Clause 33.19 (Financial Indebtedness).

 

34.2.2       An Obligor does not comply with any provision of any Transaction Security Document.

 

34.3           Other obligations

 

34.3.1       An Obligor does not comply with any provision of the Finance Documents (other than those referred to in Clause 34.1 (Non-payment) and Clause 34.2 (Financial covenants and other obligations)).

 

34.3.2       No Event of Default under Clause 34.3.1 above will occur if the failure to comply is capable of remedy and is remedied within 7 Business Days of the earlier of (i) the Agent giving notice to the Company or relevant Obligor and (ii) the Company or an Obligor becoming aware of the failure to comply.

 

34.4           Misrepresentation

 

Any representation or statement made or deemed to be made by an Obligor in the Finance Documents or any other document delivered by or on behalf of any Obligor under or in connection with any Finance Document is or proves to have been incorrect or misleading when made or deemed to be made.

 

34.5           Cross default

 

34.5.1       Any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group is not paid when due nor within any originally applicable grace period.

 

34.5.2       Any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group is declared to be or otherwise becomes due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

34.5.3       Any commitment for any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group is cancelled or suspended by a creditor of the Parent or any member of the Group as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

34.5.4       Any creditor of the Parent or any member of the Group becomes entitled to declare any Financial Indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group

 

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                   due and payable prior to its specified maturity as a result of an event of default (however described).

 

34.5.5       No Event of Default will occur under this Clause 34.5 if:-

 

(a)              the aggregate amount of Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness falling within Clauses 34.5.1 to 34.5.4 above is less than £6,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies); or

 

(b)              the Financial Indebtedness or commitment for Financial Indebtedness arises under the NatWest Overdraft Letter unless any amount demanded in accordance with the terms of the NatWest Overdraft Letter has not been paid within 30 days of demand.

 

34.6           Insolvency

 

34.6.1       The Parent or any member of the Group is unable or admits inability to pay its debts as they fall due, is deemed to or declared to be unable to pay its debts under applicable law, suspends or threatens to suspend making payments on any of its debts or, by reason of actual or anticipated financial difficulties, commences negotiations with one or more of its creditors (excluding any Finance Party in its capacity as such) with a view to rescheduling any of its indebtedness.

 

34.6.2       The value of the assets of the Parent or any member of the Group is less than its liabilities (taking into account contingent and prospective liabilities).

 

34.6.3       A moratorium is declared in respect of any indebtedness of the Parent or any member of the Group.  If a moratorium occurs, the ending of the moratorium will not remedy any Event of Default caused by that moratorium.

 

34.7           Insolvency proceedings

 

34.7.1       Any corporate action, legal proceedings or other procedure or step is taken in relation to:-

 

(a)              the suspension of payments, a moratorium of any indebtedness, winding-up, dissolution, administration or reorganisation (by way of voluntary arrangement, scheme of arrangement or otherwise) of the Parent or any member of the Group;

 

(b)              a composition, compromise, assignment or arrangement with any creditor of the Parent or any member of the Group;

 

(c)              the appointment of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver, administrator, compulsory manager or other similar officer in respect of the Parent or any member of the Group or any of its assets; or

 

(d)              enforcement of any Security over any assets of the Parent or any member of the Group,

 

or any analogous procedure or step is taken in any jurisdiction.

 

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34.7.2       Clause 34.7.1 shall not apply to:-

 

(a)              any corporate action, legal proceedings or other similar procedure initiated by a person which is not the Parent or a member of the Group which is frivolous or vexatious and is discharged, stayed or dismissed within 14 days of commencement; or

 

(b)              any step or procedure contemplated by sub-clause (b) of the definition of Permitted Transaction.

 

34.8           Creditors’ process

 

Any expropriation, attachment, sequestration, distress or execution or any analogous process in any jurisdiction affects any asset or assets of the Parent or a member of the Group having an aggregate value of £3,000,000 and is not discharged within 14 days.

 

34.9           Unlawfulness and invalidity

 

34.9.1       It is or becomes unlawful for an Obligor or any other member of the Group that is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement to perform any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any Transaction Security created or expressed to be created or evidenced by the Transaction Security Documents ceases to be effective or any subordination created under the Intercreditor Agreement is or becomes unlawful.

 

34.9.2       Any obligation or obligations of any Obligor under any Finance Documents or any other member of the Group under the Intercreditor Agreement are not (subject to the Legal Reservations) or cease to be legal, valid, binding or enforceable and the cessation individually or cumulatively materially and adversely affects the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

 

34.9.3       Any Finance Document ceases to be in full force and effect or any Transaction Security or any subordination created under the Intercreditor Agreement ceases to be legal, valid, binding, enforceable or effective or is alleged by a party to it (other than a Finance Party) to be ineffective.

 

34.10         Intercreditor Agreement

 

34.10.1     Any party to the Intercreditor Agreement (other than a Finance Party or an Obligor) fails to comply with the provisions of, or does not perform its obligations under, the Intercreditor Agreement; or

 

34.10.2     a representation or warranty given by that party in the Intercreditor Agreement is incorrect in any material respect.

 

34.11         Cessation of business

 

The Parent or any member of the Group suspends or ceases to carry on (or threatens to suspend or cease to carry on) all or a material part of its business except as a result of a Permitted Disposal or a Permitted Transaction.

 

34.12         Expropriation

 

The authority or ability of the Parent or any member of the Group to conduct its business is limited or wholly or substantially curtailed by any seizure, expropriation, nationalisation,

 

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intervention, restriction or other action by or on behalf of any governmental, regulatory or other authority or other person in relation to the Parent or any member of the Group or any of its assets where such occurrence has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

34.13         Repudiation and rescission of agreements

 

34.13.1     An Obligor rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate a Finance Document or any of the Transaction Security or evidences an intention to rescind or repudiate a Finance Document or any Transaction Security.

 

34.13.2     Any party (other than a Finance Party) to the Intercreditor Agreement rescinds or purports to rescind or repudiates or purports to repudiate the Intercreditor Agreement in whole or in part where to do so has or is, in the reasonable opinion of the Majority Lenders, likely to have a material adverse effect on the interests of the Lenders under the Finance Documents.

 

34.14         Litigation

 

Any litigation, arbitration, administrative, governmental, regulatory or other investigations, proceedings or disputes are commenced or threatened in relation to the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or against any member of the Group or its assets which have or are reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

34.15         Pensions

 

The Pensions Regulator issues a Contribution Notice to the Parent or any member of the Group unless the aggregate liability of the Obligors under all Contribution Notices is less than £20,000,000.

 

34.16         Franchise Agreements

 

Any breach occurs under any Material Franchising Agreement which has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

34.17         Material adverse change

 

Any event or circumstance occurs which the Majority Lenders reasonably believe has or is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

34.18         Acceleration

 

On and at any time after the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing the Agent may, and shall if so directed by the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Company:-

 

34.18.1     cancel the Total Commitments and/or Ancillary Commitments at which time they shall immediately be cancelled;

 

34.18.2     declare that all or part of the Utilisations, together with accrued interest, and all other amounts accrued or outstanding under the Finance Documents be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable;

 

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34.18.3     declare that all or part of the Utilisations be payable on demand, at which time they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders;

 

34.18.4     declare all or any part of the amounts (or cash cover in relation to those amounts) outstanding under the Ancillary Facilities to be immediately due and payable, at which time they shall become immediately due and payable;

 

34.18.5     declare that all or any part of the amounts (or cash cover in relation to those amounts) outstanding under the Ancillary Facilities be payable on demand, at which time they shall immediately become payable on demand by the Agent on the instructions of the Majority Lenders; and/or

 

34.18.6     exercise or direct the Security Agent to exercise any or all of its rights, remedies, powers or discretions under the Finance Documents.

 

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SECTION 9

 

CHANGES TO PARTIES

 

35.             CHANGES TO THE LENDERS

 

35.1           Assignments and transfers by the Lenders

 

Subject to this Clause 35 and to Clause 36 (Restriction on Debt Purchase Transactions) a Lender (the “Existing Lender”) may:-

 

35.1.1       assign any of its rights; or

 

35.1.2       transfer by novation any of its rights and obligations,

 

under any Finance Document to another bank or financial institution or to a trust, fund or other entity which is regularly engaged in or established for the purpose of making, purchasing or investing in loans, securities or other financial assets (the “New Lender”).

 

35.2           Conditions of assignment or transfer

 

35.2.1       The consent of the Parent is required for an assignment or transfer by an Existing Lender, unless the assignment or transfer is:-

 

(a)              to another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender;

 

(b)              if the Existing Lender is a fund, to a fund which is a Related Fund of the Existing Lender; or

 

(c)              made at a time when an Event of Default is continuing.

 

35.2.2       The consent of the Parent to an assignment or transfer must not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.  The Parent will be deemed to have given its consent 5 Business Days after the Existing Lender has requested it unless consent is expressly refused by the Parent within that time.

 

35.2.3       An assignment or transfer will only be effective on:-

 

(a)              receipt by the Agent (whether in the Assignment Agreement or otherwise) of written confirmation from the New Lender (in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent) that the New Lender will assume the same obligations to the other Finance Parties and the other Secured Parties as it would have been under if it was an Original Lender;

 

(b)              the New Lender entering into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(c)              the performance by the Agent of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to such transfer or assignment to a New Lender, the completion of which the Agent shall promptly notify to the Existing Lender and the New Lender.

 

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35.2.4       A transfer will only be effective if the New Lender enters into the documentation required for it to accede as a party to the Intercreditor Agreement and if the procedure set out in Clause 35.5 (Procedure for transfer) is complied with.

 

35.2.5       If:-

 

(a)              a Lender assigns or transfers any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents or changes its Facility Office; and

 

(b)              as a result of circumstances existing at the date the assignment, transfer or change occurs, an Obligor would be obliged to make a payment to the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office under Clauses 24 (Tax gross up and indemnities) or 25 (Increased Costs),

 

then the New Lender or Lender acting through its new Facility Office is only entitled to receive payment under those Clauses to the same extent as the Existing Lender or Lender acting through its previous Facility Office would have been if the assignment, transfer or change had not occurred.

 

35.2.6       Each New Lender, by executing the relevant Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement, confirms, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Agent has authority to execute on its behalf any amendment or waiver that has been approved by or on behalf of the requisite Lender or Lenders in accordance with this Agreement on or prior to the date on which the transfer or assignment becomes effective in accordance with this Agreement and that it is bound by that decision to the same extent as the Existing Lender would have been had it remained a Lender.

 

35.3           Assignment or transfer fee

 

Unless the Agent otherwise agrees and excluding an assignment or transfer (i) to an Affiliate of a Lender, (ii) to a Related Fund or (iii) made in connection with primary syndication of the Facilities, the New Lender shall, on the date upon which an assignment or transfer takes effect, pay to the Agent (for its own account) a fee of £2,500.

 

35.4           Limitation of responsibility of Existing Lenders

 

35.4.1       Unless expressly agreed to the contrary, an Existing Lender makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility to a New Lender for:-

 

(a)              the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of the Finance Documents, the Transaction Security or any other documents;

 

(b)              the financial condition of any Obligor;

 

(c)              the performance and observance by any Obligor or any other member of the Group of its obligations under the Finance Documents or any other documents; or

 

(d)              the accuracy of any statements (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Finance Document or any other document,

 

and any representations or warranties implied by law are excluded.

 

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35.4.2       Each New Lender confirms to the Existing Lender, the other Finance Parties and the Secured Parties that it:-

 

(a)              has made (and shall continue to make) its own independent investigation and assessment of the financial condition and affairs of each Obligor and its related entities in connection with its participation in this Agreement and has not relied exclusively on any information provided to it by the Existing Lender or any other Finance Party in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security; and

 

(b)              will continue to make its own independent appraisal of the creditworthiness of each Obligor and its related entities whilst any amount is or may be outstanding under the Finance Documents or any Commitment is in force.

 

35.4.3       Nothing in any Finance Document obliges an Existing Lender to:-

 

(a)              accept a re-transfer or re-assignment from a New Lender of any of the rights and obligations assigned or transferred under this Clause 35; or

 

(b)              support any losses directly or indirectly incurred by the New Lender by reason of the non-performance by any Obligor of its obligations under the Transaction Documents or otherwise.

 

35.5           Procedure for transfer

 

35.5.1       Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 35.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) a transfer is effected in accordance with Clause 35.5.3 below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender.  The Agent shall, subject to Clause 35.5.2 below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Transfer Certificate appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Transfer Certificate.

 

35.5.2       The Agent shall only be obliged to execute a Transfer Certificate delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the transfer to such New Lender.

 

35.5.3       Subject to Clause 35.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:-

 

(a)              to the extent that in the Transfer Certificate the Existing Lender seeks to transfer by novation its rights and obligations under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security each of the Obligors and the Existing Lender shall be released from further obligations towards one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security and their respective rights against one another under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security shall be cancelled (being the “Discharged Rights and Obligations”);

 

(b)              each of the Obligors and the New Lender shall assume obligations towards one another and/or acquire rights against one another which differ from the Discharged Rights and Obligations only insofar as that

 

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                   Obligor or other member of the Group and the New Lender have assumed and/or acquired the same in place of that Obligor and the Existing Lender;

 

(c)              the Agent, the Arranger, the Security Agent, the New Lender, the other Lenders and any relevant Ancillary Lender shall acquire the same rights and assume the same obligations between themselves and in respect of the Transaction Security as they would have acquired and assumed had the New Lender been an Original Lender with the rights, and/or obligations acquired or assumed by it as a result of the transfer and to that extent the Agent, the Arranger, the Security Agent and any relevant Ancillary Lender and the Existing Lender shall each be released from further obligations to each other under the Finance Documents; and

 

(d)              the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender”.

 

35.6           Procedure for assignment

 

35.6.1       Subject to the conditions set out in Clause 35.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer) an assignment may be effected in accordance with Clause 35.6.3 below when the Agent executes an otherwise duly completed Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender.  The Agent shall, subject to Clause 35.6.2 below, as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by it of a duly completed Assignment Agreement appearing on its face to comply with the terms of this Agreement and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, execute that Assignment Agreement.

 

35.6.2       The Agent shall only be obliged to execute an Assignment Agreement delivered to it by the Existing Lender and the New Lender once it is satisfied it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to the assignment to such New Lender.

 

35.6.3       Subject to Clause 35.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), on the Transfer Date:-

 

(a)              the Existing Lender will assign absolutely to the New Lender its rights under the Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security expressed to be the subject of the assignment in the Assignment Agreement;

 

(b)              the Existing Lender will be released by each Obligor from the obligations owed by it (the “Relevant Obligations”) and expressed to be the subject of the release in the Assignment Agreement (and any corresponding obligations by which it is bound in respect of the Transaction Security); and

 

(c)              the New Lender shall become a Party as a “Lender” and will be bound by obligations equivalent to the Relevant Obligations.

 

35.6.4       Lenders may utilise procedures other than those set out in this Clause 35.6 to assign their rights under the Finance Documents (but not, without the consent of the relevant Obligor or unless in accordance with Clause 35.5 (Procedure for transfer), to obtain a release by that Obligor from the obligations owed to that Obligor by the Lenders nor the assumption of equivalent obligations by a New

 

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                   Lender) provided that they comply with the conditions set out in Clause 35.2 (Conditions of assignment or transfer).

 

35.7           Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to Company

 

The Agent shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after it has executed a Transfer Certificate, an Assignment Agreement or an Increase Confirmation, send to the Company a copy of that Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation.

 

35.8           Accession of Hedge Counterparties

 

Any person which becomes a party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Hedge Counterparty shall, at the same time, become a Party to this Agreement as a Hedge Counterparty in accordance with clause 20.5.2 (Deeds of Accession) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

35.9           Security over Lenders’ rights

 

In addition to the other rights provided to Lenders under this Clause 35, each Lender may without consulting with or obtaining consent from any Obligor, at any time charge, assign or otherwise create Security in or over (whether by way of collateral or otherwise) all or any of its rights under any Finance Document to secure obligations of that Lender including, without limitation:-

 

35.9.1       any charge, assignment or other Security to secure obligations to a federal reserve or central bank; and

 

35.9.2       in the case of any Lender which is a fund, any charge, assignment or other Security granted to any holders (or trustee or representatives of holders) of obligations owed, or securities issued, by that Lender as security for those obligations or securities,

 

except that no such charge, assignment or Security shall:-

 

(a)              release a Lender from any of its obligations under the Finance Documents or substitute the beneficiary of the relevant charge, assignment or other Security for the Lender as a party to any of the Finance Documents; or

 

(b)              require any payments to be made by an Obligor or grant to any person any more extensive rights than those required to be made or granted to the relevant Lender under the Finance Documents.

 

35.10         Pro rata interest settlement

 

If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is able to distribute interest payments on a “pro rata basis” to Existing Lenders and New Lenders then (in respect of any transfer pursuant to Clause 35.5 (Procedure for transfer) or any assignment pursuant to Clause 35.6 (Procedure for assignment) the Transfer Date of which, in each case, is after the date of such notification and is not on the last day of an Interest Period):-

 

35.10.1     any interest or fees in respect of the relevant participation which are expressed to accrue by reference to the lapse of time shall continue to accrue in favour of the Existing Lender up to but excluding the Transfer Date (“Accrued Amounts”)

 

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                   and shall become due and payable to the Existing Lender (without further interest accruing on them) on the last day of the current Interest Period (or, if the Interest Period is longer than six Months, on the next of the dates which falls at six Monthly intervals after the first day of that Interest Period); and

 

35.10.2     the rights assigned or transferred by the Existing Lender will not include the right to the Accrued Amounts so that, for the avoidance of doubt:-

 

(a)              when the Accrued Amounts become payable, those Accrued Amounts will be payable to the Existing Lender; and

 

(b)              the amount payable to the New Lender on that date will be the amount which would, but for the application of this Clause 35.10, have been payable to it on that date, but after deduction of the Accrued Amounts.

 

In this Clause 35.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), references to Interest Period shall be construed to include a reference to any other period for accrual of fees.

 

36.             RESTRICTION ON DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTIONS

 

36.1           Prohibition on Debt Purchase Transactions by the Group

 

Neither the Parent nor the Company shall procure that each other member of the Group shall not, enter into any Debt Purchase Transaction or beneficially own all or any part of the share capital of a company that is a Lender or a party to a Debt Purchase Transaction of the type referred to in sub-clauses (b) or (c) of the definition of Debt Purchase Transaction.

 

36.2           Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates

 

36.2.1       For so long as a Sponsor Affiliate (i) beneficially owns a Commitment or (ii) has entered into a sub-participation agreement relating to a Commitment or other agreement or arrangement having a substantially similar economic effect and such agreement or arrangement has not been terminated:-

 

(a)              in ascertaining the Majority Lenders or whether any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments or the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents such Commitment shall be deemed to be zero; and

 

(b)              for the purposes of Clause 47.3 (Exceptions), such Sponsor Affiliate or the person with whom it has entered into such sub-participation, other agreement or arrangement shall be deemed not to be a Lender (unless in the case of a person not being a Sponsor Affiliate it is a Lender by virtue otherwise than by beneficially owning the relevant Commitment).

 

36.2.2       Each Lender shall, unless such Debt Purchase Transaction is an assignment or transfer, promptly notify the Agent in writing if it knowingly enters into a Debt Purchase Transaction with a Sponsor Affiliate (a “Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction”), such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part 1 of Schedule 15 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

 

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36.2.3       A Lender shall promptly notify the Agent if a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction to which it is a party:-

 

(a)              is terminated; or

 

(b)              ceases to be with a Sponsor Affiliate,

 

such notification to be substantially in the form set out in Part 2 of Schedule 15 (Forms of Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction Notice).

 

36.2.4       Each Sponsor Affiliate that is a Lender agrees that:-

 

(a)              in relation to any meeting or conference call to which all the Lenders are invited to attend or participate, it shall not attend or participate in the same if so requested by the Agent or, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, be entitled to receive the agenda or any minutes of the same; and

 

(b)              in its capacity as Lender, unless the Agent otherwise agrees, it shall not be entitled to receive any report or other document prepared at the behest of, or on the instructions of, the Agent or one or more of the Lenders.

 

37.             CHANGES TO THE OBLIGORS

 

37.1           Assignment and transfers by Obligors

 

No Obligor or any other member of the Group may assign any of its rights or transfer any of its rights or obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

37.2           Additional Borrowers

 

37.2.1       Subject to compliance with the provisions of Clauses 31.10.3 and 31.10.4, the Company may request that any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries which is not a Dormant Subsidiary becomes a Borrower.  That Subsidiary shall become a Borrower if:-

 

(a)              all the Lenders approve the addition of that Subsidiary;

 

(b)              the Company and that Subsidiary deliver to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Deed;

 

(c)              the Subsidiary is (or becomes) a Guarantor on or prior to becoming a Borrower;

 

(d)              the Company confirms that no Default is continuing or would occur as a result of that Subsidiary becoming an Additional Borrower; and

 

(e)              the Agent has received all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 (Conditions precedent) in relation to that Additional Borrower, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent (acting reasonably).

 

37.2.2       The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) (acting

 

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                   reasonably) or has waived the requirement to receive all the documents and other evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 (Conditions precedent).

 

37.3           Resignation of a Borrower

 

37.3.1       In this Clause 37.3, Clause 37.5 (Resignation of a Guarantor) and Clause 37.7 (Resignation and release of Security on disposal), “Third Party Disposal” means the disposal of an Obligor to a person which is not a member of the Group where that disposal is permitted under Clause 33.14 (Disposals) or made with the approval of the Majority Lenders (and the Company has confirmed this is the case).

 

37.3.2       If a Borrower is the subject of a Third Party Disposal, the Company may request that such Borrower (other than the Parent or the Company) ceases to be a Borrower by delivering to the Agent a Resignation Letter.

 

37.3.3              The Agent shall accept a Resignation Letter and notify the Company and the other Finance Parties of its acceptance if:-

 

(a)              the Company has confirmed that no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter;

 

(b)              the Borrower is under no actual or contingent obligations as a Borrower under any Finance Documents; and

 

(c)              where the Borrower is also a Guarantor (unless its resignation has been accepted in accordance with Clause 37.5 (Resignation of a Guarantor)), its obligations in its capacity as Guarantor continue to be legal, valid, binding and enforceable and in full force and effect (subject to the Legal Reservations) and the amount guaranteed by it as a Guarantor is not decreased (and the Company has confirmed this is the case).

 

37.3.4       Upon notification by the Agent to the Company of its acceptance of the resignation of a Borrower, that company shall cease to be a Borrower and shall have no further rights or obligations under the Finance Documents as a Borrower except that the resignation shall not take effect (and the Borrower will continue to have rights and obligations under the Finance Documents) until the date on which the Third Party Disposal takes effect.

 

37.3.5       The Agent may, at the cost and expense of the Company, require a legal opinion from counsel to the Agent confirming the matters set out in Clause 37.3.3(c) above and the Agent shall be under no obligation to accept a Resignation Letter until it has obtained such opinion in form and substance satisfactory to it.

 

37.4           Additional Guarantors

 

37.4.1       Subject to compliance with the provisions of Clauses 31.10.3 and 31.10.4, the Company may request that any of its wholly owned Subsidiaries become a Guarantor.

 

37.4.2       The Company shall procure that any other member of the Group which is a Material Company shall, as soon as possible after becoming a Material Company become an Additional Guarantor and subject to the Agreed Security Principles grant Security as the Agent may require and shall accede to the

 

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                   Intercreditor Agreement unless the Company certifies to the Agent that it is intended that the relevant Material Company is to become a Dormant Subsidiary within 150 days after the date on which it is reactivated or acquired and the relevant Material Company becomes a Dormant Subsidiary within that period of 150 days.

 

37.4.3       A member of the Group shall become an Additional Guarantor if:-

 

(a)              the Company and the proposed Additional Guarantor deliver to the Agent a duly completed and executed Accession Deed and shall accede to the Intercreditor Agreement; and

 

(b)              the Agent has received (or waived the requirement to receive) all of the documents and other evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 (Conditions Precedent) in relation to that Additional Guarantor, each in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

 

37.4.4       The Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders promptly upon being satisfied that it has received (in form and substance satisfactory to it) or waived the requirement to receive all the documents and other evidence listed in Part 2 of Schedule 5 (Conditions precedent).

 

37.4.5       Other than to the extent that the Majority Lenders notify the Agent in writing to the contrary before the Agent gives the notification described in Clause 37.4.4, the Lenders authorise (but do not require) the Agent to give that notification. The Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses whatsoever as a result of giving such notification.

 

37.4.6

 

37.5           Resignation of a Guarantor

 

37.5.1       The Company may request that a Guarantor (other than the Parent or the Company) ceases to be a Guarantor by delivering to the Agent a Resignation Letter if:-

 

(a)              that Guarantor is being disposed of by way of a Third Party Disposal (as defined in Clause 37.3 (Resignation of a Borrower)) and the Company has confirmed this is the case; or

 

(b)              all the Lenders and (unless each Hedge Counterparty has notified the Security Agent that no payment is due to it from that member of the Group under Clause 29 (Guarantee and indemnity)) the Hedge Counterparties have consented to the resignation of that Guarantor.

 

37.5.2       Subject to Clause 37.5.3 below, the Agent shall accept a Resignation Letter and notify the Company and the Lenders of its acceptance if:-

 

(a)              the Company has confirmed that no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of the Resignation Letter;

 

(b)              no payment is due from the Guarantor under Clause 29.1 (Guarantee and indemnity); and

 

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(c)              where the Guarantor is also a Borrower, it is under no actual or contingent obligations as a Borrower and has resigned and ceased to be a Borrower under Clause 37.3 (Resignation of a Borrower).

 

37.5.3       The Agent shall not accept a Resignation Letter from a Guarantor unless each Hedge Counterparty has notified the Security Agent that no payment is due from that Guarantor to that Hedge Counterparty under Clause 29.1 (Guarantee and indemnity) (and the Security Agent shall, upon receiving that notification, notify the Agent).

 

37.5.4       The resignation of that Guarantor shall not be effective until the date of the relevant Third Party Disposal at which time that company shall cease to be a Guarantor and shall have no further rights or obligations under the Finance Documents as a Guarantor.

 

37.6           Repetition of Representations

 

Delivery of an Accession Deed constitutes confirmation by the relevant Subsidiary that the representations and warranties referred to in Clause 30.31.4 are true and correct in relation to it as at the date of delivery as if made by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

37.7           Resignation and release of security on disposal

 

If a Borrower or Guarantor is or is proposed to be the subject of a Third Party Disposal then:-

 

37.7.1       where that Borrower or Guarantor created Transaction Security over any of its assets or business in favour of the Security Agent, or Transaction Security in favour of the Security Agent was created over the shares (or equivalent) of that Borrower or Guarantor, the Security Agent may, at the cost and request of the Company, release those assets, business or shares (or equivalent) and issue certificates of non-crystallisation;

 

37.7.2       the resignation of that Borrower or Guarantor and related release of Transaction Security referred to in Clause 37.7.1 above shall become effective only on the making of that disposal; and

 

37.7.3       if the disposal of that Borrower or Guarantor is not made, the Resignation Letter of that Borrower or Guarantor and the related release of Transaction Security referred to in Clause 37.7.1 above shall have no effect and the obligations of the Borrower or Guarantor and the Transaction Security created or intended to be created by or over that Borrower or Guarantor shall continue in such force and effect as if that release had not been effected.

 

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SECTION 10

 

THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

38.             ROLE OF THE AGENT, THE ARRANGER AND OTHERS

 

38.1           Appointment of the Agent

 

38.1.1       Each of the Arranger and the Lenders appoints the Agent to act as its agent under and in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

38.1.2       Each of the Arranger and the Lenders authorises the Agent to perform the duties, obligations and responsibilities and to exercise the rights, powers, authorities and discretions specifically given to the Agent under or in connection with the Finance Documents together with any other incidental rights, powers, authorities and discretions.

 

38.2           Instructions

 

38.2.1       The Agent shall:

 

(a)              unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion vested in it as Agent in accordance with any instructions given to it by:

 

(i)               all Lenders if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is an all Lender decision;

 

(ii)              in all other cases, the Majority Lenders; and

 

(b)              not be liable for any act (or omission) if it acts (or refrains from acting) in accordance with paragraph (i) above.

 

38.2.2       The Agent shall be entitled to request instructions, or clarification of any instruction, from the Majority Lenders (or, if the relevant Finance Document stipulates the matter is a decision for any other Lender or group of Lenders, from that Lender or group of Lenders) as to whether, and in what manner, it should exercise or refrain from exercising any right, power, authority or discretion and the Agent may refrain from acting unless and until it receives those instructions or that clarification.

 

38.2.3       Save in the case of decisions stipulated to be a matter for any other Lender or group of Lenders under the relevant Finance Document and unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document, any instructions given to the Agent by the Majority Lenders shall override any conflicting instructions given by any other Parties and will be binding on all Finance Parties save for the Security Agent.

 

38.2.4       The Agent may refrain from acting in accordance with any instructions of any Lender or group of Lenders until it has received any indemnification and/or security that it may in its discretion require (which may be greater in extent than that contained in the Finance Documents and which may include payment in advance) for any cost, loss or liability which it may incur in complying with those instructions.

 

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38.2.5       In the absence of instructions, the Agent may act (or refrain from acting) as it considers to be in the best interest of the Lenders.

 

38.2.6       The Agent is not authorised to act on behalf of a Lender (without first obtaining that Lender’s consent) in any legal or arbitration proceedings relating to any Finance Document.  This Clause 38.2.6 shall not apply to any legal or arbitration proceeding relating to the perfection, preservation or protection of rights under the Transaction Security Documents or enforcement of the Transaction Security or Transaction Security Documents.

 

38.3           Duties of the Agent

 

38.3.1       The Agent’s duties under the Finance Documents are solely mechanical and administrative in nature.

 

38.3.2       Subject to Clause 38.3.3 below, the Agent shall promptly forward to a Party the original or a copy of any document which is delivered to the Agent for that Party by any other Party.

 

38.3.3       Without prejudice to Clause 35.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate, Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation to Company), Clause 38.3.1 above shall not apply to any Transfer Certificate, any Assignment Agreement or Increase Confirmation.

 

38.3.4       Except where a Finance Document specifically provides otherwise, the Agent is not obliged to review or check the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any document it forwards to another Party.

 

38.3.5       If the Agent receives notice from a Party referring to this Agreement, describing a Default and stating that the circumstance described is a Default, it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

38.3.6       If the Agent is aware of the non-payment of any principal, interest, commitment fee or other fee payable to a Finance Party (other than the Agent, the Arranger or the Security Agent) under this Agreement it shall promptly notify the other Finance Parties.

 

38.3.7       The Agent shall have only those duties, obligations and responsibilities expressly specified in the Finance Documents to which it is expressed to be a party (and no others shall be implied).

 

38.4           Role of the Arranger

 

Except as specifically provided in the Finance Documents, the Arranger has no obligations of any kind to any other Party under or in connection with any Finance Document.

 

38.5           No fiduciary duties

 

38.5.1       Nothing in any Finance Document constitutes the Agent and/or the Arranger as a trustee or fiduciary of any other person.

 

38.5.2       None of the Agent, the Arranger or any Ancillary Lender shall be bound to account to any Lender for any sum or the profit element of any sum received by it for its own account.

 

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38.6           Business with the Group

 

The Agent, the Arranger and each Ancillary Lender may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking or other business with any member of the Group.

 

38.7           Rights and discretions

 

38.7.1       The Agent may:-

 

(a)              rely on any representation, notice, communication or document (including, without limitation, any notice given by a Lender pursuant to Clause 36.2.2 or 36.2.3) believed by it to be genuine, correct and appropriately authorised;

 

(b)              rely on any statement made by a director, authorised signatory or employee of any person regarding any matters which may reasonably be assumed to be within his knowledge or within his power to verify;

 

(c)              assume that:

 

(i)               any instructions received by it from the Majority Lenders, any Lenders or any group of Lenders are duly given in accordance with the terms of the Finance Documents; and

 

(ii)              unless it has received notice of revocation, that those instructions have not been revoked;

 

(d)              rely on a certificate from any person:

 

(i)               as to any matter of fact or circumstance which might reasonably be expected to be within the knowledge of that person; or

 

(ii)              to the effect that such person approves of any particular dealing, transaction, step, action or thing,

 

as sufficient evidence that that is the case and, in the case of paragraph (c)(i) above, may assume the truth and accuracy of that certificate.

 

38.7.2       The Agent may assume (unless it has received notice to the contrary in its capacity as agent for the Lenders) that:-

 

(a)              no Default has occurred (unless it has actual knowledge of a Default arising under Clause 34.1 (Non-payment));

 

(b)              any right, power, authority or discretion vested in any Party or any group of Lenders has not been exercised;

 

(c)              any notice or request made by the Company (other than a Utilisation Request) is made on behalf of and with the consent and knowledge of all the Obligors; and

 

(d)              no Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction:-

 

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(i)               has been entered into;

 

(ii)              has been terminated; or

 

(iii)             has ceased to be with a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

38.7.3       The Agent may engage and pay for the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisors, surveyors or other professional advisors or experts.

 

38.7.4       Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 38.7.3 above or Clause 38.7.5 below, the Agent may at any time engage and pay for the services of any lawyers to act as independent counsel to the Agent (and so separate from any lawyers instructed by the Lenders) if the Agent in its reasonable opinion deems this to be desirable.

 

38.7.5       The Agent may rely on the advice or services of any lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, surveyors or other professional advisers or experts (whether obtained by the Agent or by any other Party) and shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of its so relying.

 

38.7.6       The Agent may act in relation to the Finance Documents through its officers, employees and agents and the Agent shall not:

 

(a)              be liable for any error of judgment made by any such person; or

 

(b)              be bound to supervise, or be in any way responsible for any loss incurred by reason of misconduct, omission or default on the part, of any such person,

 

unless such error or such loss was directly caused by the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

 

38.7.7       Unless a Finance Document expressly provides otherwise the Agent may disclose to any other Party any information it reasonably believes it has received as agent under this Agreement.

 

38.7.8       Without prejudice to the generality of Clause 38.7.7 above, the Agent:

 

(a)              may disclose; and

 

(b)              on the written request of the Parent or the Majority Lenders shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose,

 

the identity of a Defaulting Lender to the other Finance Parties and the Borrower and shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, disclose the same upon the written request of the Borrower or the Majority Lenders.

 

38.7.9       The Agent may not disclose to any Finance Party any details of the rate notified to the Agent by any Lender or the identity of any such Lender for the purpose of Clause .

 

38.7.10     Notwithstanding any other provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, neither the Agent nor the Arranger is obliged to do or omit to do anything if it

 

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                   would or might in its reasonable opinion constitute a breach of any law or regulation or a breach of a fiduciary duty or duty of confidentiality.

 

38.7.11     Notwithstanding any provision of any Finance Document to the contrary, the Agent is not obliged to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of its duties, obligations or responsibilities or the exercise of any right, power, authority or discretion if it has grounds for believing the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against, or security for, such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

38.8           Responsibility for documentation

 

None of the Agent, the Arranger or any Ancillary Lender is responsible or liable for:-

 

38.8.1       for the adequacy, accuracy and/or completeness of any information (whether oral or written) supplied by the Agent, the Arranger, an Ancillary Lender, an Obligor or any other person given in or in connection with any Finance Document or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; or

 

38.8.2       the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document or the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security; or

 

38.8.3       any determination as to whether any information provided or to be provided to any Finance Party is non-public information the use of which may be regulated or prohibited by applicable law or regulation relating to insider dealing or otherwise.

 

38.9           No duty to monitor

 

The Agent shall not be bound to enquire:

 

38.9.1       whether or not any Default has occurred;

 

38.9.2       as to the performance, default or any breach by any Party of its obligations under any Finance Document; or

 

38.9.3       whether any other event specified in any Finance Document has occurred.

 

38.10         Exclusion of liability

 

38.10.1     Without limiting Clause 38.10.2 below (and without prejudice to any other provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the liability of the Agent or any Ancillary Lender), none of the Agent or any Ancillary Lender will be liable (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) for:

 

(a)              any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value, or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of taking or not taking any action under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security, unless directly caused by its gross negligence or wilful misconduct;

 

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(b)              exercising, or not exercising, any right, power, authority or discretion given to it by, or in connection with, any Finance Document, the Transaction Security or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with, any Finance Document or the Transaction Security; or

 

(c)              without prejudice to the generality of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever arising as a result of:

 

(i)               any act, event or circumstance not reasonably within its control; or

 

(ii)              the general risks of investment in, or the holding of assets in, any jurisdiction,

 

including (in each case and without limitation) such damages, costs, losses, diminution in value or liability arising as a result of: nationalisation, expropriation or other governmental actions; any regulation, currency restriction, devaluation or fluctuation; market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions or the value of assets (including any Disruption Event); breakdown, failure or malfunction of any third party transport, telecommunications, computer services or systems; natural disasters or acts of God; war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or strikes or industrial action.

 

38.10.2     No Party (other than the Agent or an Ancillary Lender (as applicable)) may take any proceedings against any officer, employee or agent of the Agent or any Ancillary Lender, in respect of any claim it might have against the Agent or an Ancillary Lender or in respect of any act or omission of any kind by that officer, employee or agent in relation to any Finance Document and any officer, employee or agent of the Agent or any Ancillary Lender may rely on this Clause subject to Clause 10.3 (Third party rights) and the provisions of the Third Parties Act.

 

38.10.3     The Agent will not be liable for any delay (or any related consequences) in crediting an account with an amount required under the Finance Documents to be paid by the Agent if the Agent has taken all necessary steps as soon as reasonably practicable to comply with the regulations or operating procedures of any recognised clearing or settlement system used by the Agent for that purpose.

 

38.10.4     Nothing in this Agreement shall oblige the Agent or the Arranger to carry out:

 

(a)              any “know your customer” or other checks in relation to any person; or

 

(b)              any check on the extent to which any transaction contemplated by this Agreement might be unlawful for any Lender,

 

on behalf of any Lender and each Lender confirms to the Agent and the Arranger that it is solely responsible for any such checks it is required to carry out and that it may not rely on any statement in relation to such checks made by the Agent or the Arranger.

 

38.10.5     Without prejudice to any provision of any Finance Document excluding or limiting the Agent’s liability, any liability of the Agent arising under or in

 

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                   connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security shall be limited to the amount of actual loss which has been finally judicially determined to have been suffered (as determined by reference to the date of default of the Agent or, if later, the date on which the loss arises as a result of such default) but without reference to any special conditions or circumstances known to the Agent at any time which increase the amount of that loss.  In no event shall the Agent be liable for any loss of profits, goodwill, reputation, business opportunity or anticipated saving, or for special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages, whether or not the Agent has been advised of the possibility of such loss or damages.

 

38.11         Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent

 

38.11.1     Each Lender shall (in proportion to its share of the Total Commitments or, if the Total Commitments are then zero, to its share of the Total Commitments immediately prior to their reduction to zero) indemnify the Agent, within three Business Days of demand, against any cost, loss or liability (including, without limitation, for negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever) incurred by the Agent (otherwise than by reason of the Agent’s gross negligence or wilful misconduct) (or, in the case of any cost, loss or liability pursuant to Clause 41.11 (Disruption to Payment Systems etc.) notwithstanding the Agent’s negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent in acting as Agent under the Finance Documents (unless the Agent has been reimbursed by an Obligor pursuant to a Finance Document).

 

38.11.2     Subject to Clause 38.11.3 below, the Borrower shall immediately on demand reimburse any Lender for any payment that Lender makes to the Agent pursuant to Clause 38.11.1 above.

 

38.11.3     Clause 38.11.2 above shall not apply to the extent that the indemnity payment in respect of which the Lender claims reimbursement relates to a liability of the Agent to an Obligor.

 

38.12         Resignation of the Agent

 

38.12.1     The Agent may resign and appoint one of its Affiliates acting through an office in the United Kingdom as successor by giving notice to the Lenders and the Company.

 

38.12.2     Alternatively the Agent may resign by giving 30 days notice to the Lenders and the Company, in which case the Majority Lenders (after consultation with the Company) may appoint a successor Agent.

 

38.12.3     If the Majority Lenders have not appointed a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 38.12.2 above within 20 days after notice of resignation was given, the retiring Agent (after consultation with the Company) may appoint a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom).

 

38.12.4     If the Agent wishes to resign because (acting reasonably) it has concluded that it is no longer appropriate for it to remain as agent and the Agent is entitled to appoint a successor Agent under Clause 38.12.3 above, the Agent may (if it concludes (acting reasonably) that it is necessary to do so in order to persuade the proposed successor Agent to become a party to this Agreement as Agent) agree with the proposed successor Agent amendments to this Clause 38 and any other term of this Agreement dealing with the rights or obligations of the

 

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                   Agent consistent with then current market practice for the appointment and protection of corporate trustees together with any reasonable amendments to the agency fee payable under this Agreement which are consistent with the successor Agent’s normal fee rates and those amendments will bind the Parties.

 

38.12.5     The retiring Agent shall, at its own cost, make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

38.12.6     The Agent’s resignation notice shall only take effect upon the appointment of a successor.

 

38.12.7     Upon the appointment of a successor, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under Clause 38.12.5 above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 26.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 38 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).  Any successor and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

38.12.8     After consultation with the Company, the Majority Lenders may, by notice to the Agent, require it to resign in accordance with Clause 38.12.2 above.  In this event, the Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 38.12.2 above.

 

38.12.9     The Agent shall resign in accordance with Clause 38.12.2 above (and, to the extent applicable, shall use reasonable endeavours to appoint a successor Agent pursuant to Clause 38.12.2 above) if on or after the date which is three months before the earliest FATCA Application Date relating to any payment to the Agent under the Finance Documents, either:

 

(a)              the Agent fails to respond to a request under Clause 24.8 (FATCA Information) and a Lender reasonably believes that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date;

 

(b)              the information supplied by the Agent pursuant to Clause 24.8 (FATCA Information) indicates that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date; or

 

(c)              the Agent notifies the Company and the Lenders that the Agent will not be (or will have ceased to be) a FATCA Exempt Party on or after that FATCA Application Date,

 

and (in each case) a Lender reasonably believes that a Party will be required to make a FATCA Deduction that would not be required if the Agent were a FATCA Exempt Party, and that Lender, by notice to the Agent, requires it to resign.

 

38.13         Replacement of the Agent

 

38.13.1     After consultation with the Parent, the Majority Lenders may, by giving 30 days’ notice to the Agent, (or, at any time the Agent is an Impaired Agent, by giving any shorter notice determined by the Majority Lenders) replace the Agent by appointing a successor Agent (acting through an office in the United Kingdom).

 

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38.13.2               The retiring Agent shall (at its own cost if it is an Impaired Agent and otherwise at the expense of the Lenders) make available to the successor Agent such documents and records and provide such assistance as the successor Agent may reasonably request for the purposes of performing its functions as Agent under the Finance Documents.

 

38.13.3               The appointment of the successor Agent shall take effect on the date specified in the notice from the Majority Lenders to the retiring Agent. As from this date, the retiring Agent shall be discharged from any further obligation in respect of the Finance Documents (other than its obligations under Clause 38.13.2 above) but shall remain entitled to the benefit of Clause 26.3 (Indemnity to the Agent) and this Clause 29 (and any agency fees for the account of the retiring Agent shall cease to accrue from (and shall be payable on) that date).

 

38.13.4               Any successor Agent and each of the other Parties shall have the same rights and obligations amongst themselves as they would have had if such successor had been an original Party.

 

38.14                          Confidentiality

 

38.14.1               In acting as agent for the Finance Parties, the Agent shall be regarded as acting through its agency division which shall be treated as a separate entity from any other of its divisions or departments.

 

38.14.2               If information is received by another division or department of the Agent, it may be treated as confidential to that division or department and the Agent shall not be deemed to have notice of it.

 

38.15                          Relationship with the Lenders

 

38.15.1               Subject to Clause 35.10 (Pro rata interest settlement), the Agent may treat the person shown in its records as Lender at the opening of business (in the place of the Agent’s principal office as notified to the Finance Parties from time to time) as the Lender acting through its Facility Office:-

 

(a)                                          entitled to or liable for any payment due under any Finance Document on that day; and

 

(b)                                          entitled to receive and act upon any notice, request, document or communication or make any decision or determination under any Finance Document made or delivered on that day,

 

unless it has received not less than five Business Days’ prior notice from that Lender to the contrary in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,

 

38.15.2               Each Lender shall supply the Agent with any information that the Security Agent may reasonably specify (through the Agent) as being necessary or desirable to enable the Security Agent to perform its functions as Security Agent.  Each Lender shall deal with the Security Agent exclusively through the Agent and shall not deal directly with the Security Agent.

 

38.15.3               Any Lender may by notice to the Agent appoint a person to receive on its behalf all notices, communications, information and documents to be made or despatched to that Lender under the Finance Documents.  Such notice shall contain the address, fax number and (where communication by electronic mail or other electronic means is permitted under Clause 43.5 (Electronic

 

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                                                        communication)) electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable transmission of information by that means (and, in each case, the department or officer, if any, for whose attention communication is to be made) and be treated as a notification of a substitute address, fax number, electronic mail address (or such other information), department and officer by that Lender for the purposes of Clause 43.2 (Addresses) and Clause 43.6.1 and the Agent shall be entitled to treat such person as the person entitled to receive all such notices, communications, information and documents as though that person were that Lender.

 

38.16                          Credit appraisal by the Lenders and Ancillary Lenders

 

Without affecting the responsibility of any Obligor for information supplied by it or on its behalf in connection with any Finance Document, each Lender and Ancillary Lender confirms to the Agent, the Arranger and each Ancillary Lender that it has been, and will continue to be, solely responsible for making its own independent appraisal and investigation of all risks arising under or in connection with any Finance Document including but not limited to:-

 

38.16.1               the financial condition, status and nature of each member of the Group;

 

38.16.2               the legality, validity, effectiveness, adequacy or enforceability of any Finance Document and the Transaction Security and any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

 

38.16.3               whether that Lender or Ancillary Lender has recourse, and the nature and extent of that recourse, against any Party or any of its respective assets under or in connection with any Finance Document, the Transaction Security, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document or the Transaction Security;

 

38.16.4               the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information provided by the Agent, any Party or by any other person under or in connection with any Finance Document, the transactions contemplated by the Finance Documents or any other agreement, arrangement or document entered into, made or executed in anticipation of, under or in connection with any Finance Document; and

 

38.16.5               the right or title of any person in or to, or the value or sufficiency of any part of the Charged Property, the priority of any of the Transaction Security or the existence of any Security affecting the Charged Property.

 

38.17                          Base Reference Banks

 

If a Base Reference Bank (or, if a Base Reference Bank is not a Lender, the Lender of which it is an Affiliate) ceases to be a Lender, the Agent shall (in consultation with the Company) appoint another Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender to replace that Base Reference Bank.

 

38.18                          Agent’s management time

 

38.18.1               Any amount payable to the Agent under Clause 26.3 (Indemnity to the Agent), Clause 28 (Costs and expenses) (other than Clause 28.1.1 to the extent any such amount relates to the negotiation, preparation, printing and execution of this Agreement or any other documents referred to in this Agreement or the

 

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                                                        Transaction Security in each case where those other documents are, or the Transaction Security is, dated the same date as, or prior to the date of, this Agreement) and Clause 38.10.4 (Lenders’ indemnity to the Agent) shall include the cost of utilising the Agent’s management time or other resources and will be calculated on the basis of such reasonable daily or hourly rates as the Agent may notify to the Company and the Lenders, and is in addition to any fee paid or payable to the Agent under Clause 23 (Fees).

 

38.18.2               Any cost of utilising the Agent’s management time or other resources shall include, without limitation, any such costs in connection with Clause 36.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates).

 

38.19                          Deduction from amounts payable by the Agent

 

38.19.1               If any Party owes an amount to the Agent under the Finance Documents the Agent may, after giving notice to that Party, deduct an amount not exceeding that amount from any payment to that Party which the Agent would otherwise be obliged to make under the Finance Documents and apply the amount deducted in or towards satisfaction of the amount owed.  For the purposes of the Finance Documents that Party shall be regarded as having received any amount so deducted.

 

38.19.2               Any cost of utilising the Agent’s management time or other resources shall include, without limitation, any such costs in connection with Clause 36.2 (Disenfranchisement on Debt Purchase Transactions entered into by Sponsor Affiliates).

 

38.20                          Reliance and engagement letters

 

Each Finance Party and Secured Party confirms that each of the Arranger and the Agent has authority to accept on its behalf (and ratifies the acceptance on its behalf of any letters or reports already accepted by the Arranger or Agent) the terms of any reliance letter or engagement letters relating to the Reports or any reports or letters provided by accountants in connection with the Finance Documents or the transactions contemplated in the Finance Documents and to bind it in respect of those Reports, reports or letters and to sign such letters on its behalf and further confirms that it accepts the terms and qualifications set out in such letters.

 

39.                                        CONDUCT OF BUSINESS BY THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

No provision of this Agreement will:-

 

39.1.1                      interfere with the right of any Finance Party to arrange its affairs (tax or otherwise) in whatever manner it thinks fit;

 

39.1.2                      oblige any Finance Party to investigate or claim any credit, relief, remission or repayment available to it or the extent, order and manner of any claim; or

 

39.1.3                      oblige any Finance Party to disclose any information relating to its affairs (tax or otherwise) or any computations in respect of Tax.

 

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40.                                        SHARING AMONG THE FINANCE PARTIES

 

40.1                                 Payments to Finance Parties

 

40.1.1                      Subject to Clause 40.1.2 below, if a Finance Party (a “Recovering Finance Party”) receives or recovers any amount from an Obligor other than in accordance with Clause 41 (Payment mechanics) (a “Recovered Amount”) and applies that amount to a payment due under the Finance Documents then:-

 

(a)                                          the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days, notify details of the receipt or recovery, to the Agent;

 

(b)                                          the Agent shall determine whether the receipt or recovery is in excess of the amount the Recovering Finance Party would have been paid had the receipt or recovery been received or made by the Agent and distributed in accordance with Clause 41 (Payment mechanics), without taking account of any Tax which would be imposed on the Agent in relation to the receipt, recovery or distribution; and

 

(c)                                           the Recovering Finance Party shall, within three Business Days of demand by the Agent, pay to the Agent an amount (the “Sharing Payment”) equal to such receipt or recovery less any amount which the Agent determines may be retained by the Recovering Finance Party as its share of any payment to be made, in accordance with Clause 41.5 (Partial payments).

 

40.1.2                      Clause 40.1.1 above shall not apply to any amount received or recovered by an Ancillary Lender in respect of any cash cover provided for the benefit of that Ancillary Lender.

 

40.2                                 Redistribution of payments

 

The Agent shall treat the Sharing Payment as if it had been paid by the relevant Obligor and distribute it between the Finance Parties (other than the Recovering Finance Party) (the “Sharing Finance Parties”) in accordance with Clause 41.5 (Partial payments) towards the obligations of that Obligor to the Sharing Finance Parties.

 

40.3                                 Recovering Finance Party’s rights

 

On a distribution by the Agent under Clause 40.2 (Redistribution of payments) of a payment received by a Recovering Finance Party from an Obligor, as between the relevant Obligor and the Recovering Finance Party, an amount of the Recovered Amount equal to the Sharing Payment will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.

 

40.4                                 Reversal of redistribution

 

If any part of the Sharing Payment received or recovered by a Recovering Finance Party becomes repayable and is repaid by that Recovering Finance Party, then:-

 

40.4.1                      each Sharing Finance Party shall, upon request of the Agent, pay to the Agent for the account of that Recovering Finance Party an amount equal to the appropriate part of its share of the Sharing Payment (together with an amount as is necessary to reimburse that Recovering Finance Party for its proportion of any interest on the Sharing Payment which that Recovering Finance Party is required to pay) (the “Redistributed Amount”); and

 

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40.4.2                      as between the relevant Obligor and each relevant Sharing Finance Party, an amount equal to the relevant Redistributed Amount will be treated as not having been paid by that Obligor.

 

40.5                                 Exceptions

 

40.5.1                      This Clause 40 shall not apply to the extent that the Recovering Finance Party would not, after making any payment pursuant to this Clause, have a valid and enforceable claim against the relevant Obligor.

 

40.5.2                      A Recovering Finance Party is not obliged to share with any other Finance Party any amount which the Recovering Finance Party has received or recovered as a result of taking legal or arbitration proceedings, if:-

 

(a)                                          it notified the other Finance Party of the legal or arbitration proceedings; and

 

(b)                                          the other Finance Party had an opportunity to participate in those legal or arbitration proceedings but did not do so as soon as reasonably practicable having received notice and did not take separate legal or arbitration proceedings.

 

40.6                                 Ancillary Lenders

 

40.6.1                      This Clause 40 shall not apply to any receipt or recovery by a Lender in its capacity as an Ancillary Lender at any time prior to service of notice under Clause 34.18 (Acceleration).

 

40.6.2                      Following service of notice under Clause 34.18 (Acceleration), this Clause 40 shall apply to all receipts or recoveries by Ancillary Lenders except to the extent that the receipt or recovery represents a reduction of the Gross Outstandings of a Multi-account Overdraft to or towards an amount equal to the Net Outstandings.

 

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SECTION 11

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

41.                                        PAYMENT MECHANICS

 

41.1                                 Payments to the Agent

 

41.1.1                      On each date on which an Obligor or a Lender is required to make a payment under a Finance Document excluding a payment under the terms of an Ancillary Document, that Obligor or Lender shall make the same available to the Agent (unless a contrary indication appears in a Finance Document) for value on the due date at the time and in such funds specified by the Agent as being customary at the time for settlement of transactions in the relevant currency in the place of payment.

 

41.1.2                      Payment shall be made to such account in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in a principal financial centre in such Participating Member State or London, as specified by the Agent) and with such bank as the Agent, in each case, specifies.

 

41.2                                 Distributions by the Agent

 

Each payment received by the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party shall, subject to Clause 41.3 (Distributions to an Obligor) and Clause 41.4 (Clawback) be made available by the Agent as soon as practicable after receipt to the Party entitled to receive payment in accordance with this Agreement (in the case of a Lender, for the account of its Facility Office), to such account as that Party may notify to the Agent by not less than five Business Days’ notice with a bank specified by that Party in the principal financial centre of the country of that currency (or, in relation to euro, in the principal financial centre of a Participating Member State or London as specified by that Party).

 

41.3                                 Distributions to an Obligor

 

The Agent may (with the consent of the Obligor or in accordance with Clause 42 (Set-Off)) apply any amount received by it for that Obligor in or towards payment (on the date and in the currency and funds of receipt) of any amount due from that Obligor under the Finance Documents or in or towards purchase of any amount of any currency to be so applied.

 

41.4                                 Clawback

 

41.4.1                      Where a sum is to be paid to the Agent under the Finance Documents for another Party, the Agent is not obliged to pay that sum to that other Party (or to enter into or perform any related exchange contract) until it has been able to establish to its satisfaction that it has actually received that sum.

 

41.4.2                      Unless Clause 41.4.3 below applies, if the Agent pays an amount to another Party and it proves to be the case that the Agent had not actually received that amount, then the Party to whom that amount (or the proceeds of any related exchange contract) was paid by the Agent shall on demand refund the same to the Agent together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of receipt by the Agent, calculated by the Agent to reflect its cost of funds.

 

41.4.3                      If the Agent has notified the Lenders that it is willing to make available amounts for the account of a Borrower before receiving funds from the Lenders then if

 

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                                                        and to the extent that the Agent does so but it proves to be the case that it does not then receive funds from a Lender in respect of a sum which it paid to that Borrower:

 

(a)                                          that Borrower shall on demand refund it to the Agent; and

 

(b)                                          the Lender by whom those funds should have been made available or, if that Lender fails to do so, that Borrower, shall on demand pay to the Agent the amount (as certified by the Agent) which will indemnify the Agent against any funding cost incurred by it as a result of paying out that sum before receiving those funds from that Lender.

 

41.5                                 Impaired Agent

 

41.5.1                      If, at any time, the Agent becomes an Impaired Agent, an Obligor or a Lender which is required to make a payment under the Finance Documents to the Agent in accordance with Clause 41.1(Payments to the Agent) may instead either:

 

(a)                                          pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s); or

 

(b)                                          if in its absolute discretion it considers that it is not reasonably practicable to pay that amount direct to the required recipient(s), pay that amount or the relevant part of that amount to an interest-bearing account held with an Acceptable Bank and in relation to which no Insolvency Event has occurred and is continuing, in the name of the Obligor or the Lender making the payment (the “Paying Party”) and designated as a trust account for the benefit of the Party or Parties beneficially entitled to that payment under the Finance Documents (the “Recipient Party” or “Recipient Parties”).

 

In each case such payments must be made on the due date for payment under the Finance Documents.

 

41.5.2                      All interest accrued on the amount standing to the credit of the trust account shall be for the benefit of the Recipient Party or the Recipient Parties pro rata to their respective entitlements.

 

41.5.3                      A Party which has made a payment in accordance with this Clause 41.5 shall be discharged of the relevant payment obligation under the Finance Documents and shall not take any credit risk with respect to the amounts standing to the credit of the trust account.

 

41.5.4                      Promptly upon the appointment of a successor Agent in accordance with Clause 38.13 (Replacement of the Agent), each Paying Party (other than to the extent that the Party has given an instruction pursuant to Clause 41.5.5 below) shall give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the amount (together with any accrued interest) to the successor Agent for distribution to the relevant Recipient Party or Recipient Parties in accordance with Clause 41.2 (Distributions by the Agent).

 

41.5.5                      A Paying Party shall, promptly upon request by a Recipient Party and to the extent:

 

(a)                                          that it has not given an instruction pursuant to Clause 41.5.4 above; and

 

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(b)                                          that it has been provided with the necessary information by that Recipient Party,

 

give all requisite instructions to the bank with whom the trust account is held to transfer the relevant amount (together with any accrued interest) to that Recipient Party.

 

41.6                                 Partial payments

 

41.6.1                      If the Agent receives a payment that is insufficient to discharge all the amounts then due and payable by an Obligor under those Finance Documents, the Agent shall apply that payment towards the obligations of that Obligor under those Finance Documents in the following order:-

 

(a)                                          first, in or towards payment pro rata of any unpaid amount owing to the Agent and the Security Agent under those Finance Documents;

 

(b)                                          secondly, in or towards payment pro rata of any accrued interest, fee or commission due but unpaid under those Finance Documents;

 

(c)                                           thirdly, in or towards payment pro rata of any principal due but unpaid under those Finance Documents; and

 

(d)                                          fourthly, in or towards payment pro rata of any other sum due but unpaid under the Finance Documents.

 

41.6.2                      The Agent shall, if so directed by the Majority Lenders, vary the order set out in Clause 41.6.1(a) to (d) above.

 

41.6.3                      Clauses 41.6.1 and 41.6.2 above will override any appropriation made by an Obligor.

 

41.7                                 Set-off by Obligors

 

All payments to be made by an Obligor under the Finance Documents shall be calculated and be made without (and free and clear of any deduction for) set-off or counterclaim.

 

41.8                                 Business Days

 

41.8.1                      Any payment under the Finance Documents which is due to be made on a day that is not a Business Day shall be made on the next Business Day in the same calendar month (if there is one) or the preceding Business Day (if there is not).

 

41.8.2                      During any extension of the due date for payment of any principal or Unpaid Sum under this Agreement interest is payable on the principal or Unpaid Sum at the rate payable on the original due date.

 

41.9                                 Currency of account

 

41.9.1                      Subject to Clauses 41.9.2 to 41.9.5 below, Sterling is the currency of account and payment for any sum due from an Obligor under any Finance Document.

 

41.9.2                      A repayment of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum or a part of a Utilisation or Unpaid Sum shall be made in the currency in which that Utilisation or Unpaid Sum is denominated pursuant to this Agreement on its due date.

 

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41.9.3       Each payment of interest shall be made in the currency in which the sum in respect of which the interest is payable was denominated pursuant to this Agreement when that interest accrued.

 

41.9.4       Each payment in respect of costs, expenses or Taxes shall be made in the currency in which the costs, expenses or Taxes are incurred.

 

41.9.5       Any amount expressed to be payable in a currency other than Sterling shall be paid in that other currency.

 

41.10         Change of currency

 

41.10.1     Unless otherwise prohibited by law, if more than one currency or currency unit are at the same time recognised by the central bank of any country as the lawful currency of that country, then:-

 

(a)              any reference in the Finance Documents to, and any obligations arising under the Finance Documents in, the currency of that country shall be translated into, or paid in, the currency or currency unit of that country designated by the Agent (after consultation with the Company); and

 

(b)              any translation from one currency or currency unit to another shall be at the official rate of exchange recognised by the central bank for the conversion of that currency or currency unit into the other, rounded up or down by the Agent (acting reasonably).

 

41.10.2     If a change in any currency of a country occurs, this Agreement will, to the extent the Agent (acting reasonably and after consultation with the Company) specifies to be necessary, be amended to comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the Relevant Market and otherwise to reflect the change in currency.

 

41.11         Disruption to Payment Systems etc

 

If either the Agent determines (in its discretion) that a Disruption Event has occurred or the Agent is notified by the Company that a Disruption Event has occurred:-

 

41.11.1     the Agent may, and shall if requested to do so by the Company, consult with the Company with a view to agreeing with the Company such changes to the operation or administration of the Facility as the Agent may deem necessary in the circumstances;

 

41.11.2     the Agent shall not be obliged to consult with the Company in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 41.11.1 if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances and, in any event, shall have no obligation to agree to such changes;

 

41.11.3     the Agent may consult with the Finance Parties in relation to any changes mentioned in Clause 41.11.1 but shall not be obliged to do so if, in its opinion, it is not practicable to do so in the circumstances;

 

41.11.4     any such changes agreed upon by the Agent and the Company shall (whether or not it is finally determined that a Disruption Event has occurred) be binding upon the Parties as an amendment to (or, as the case may be, waiver of) the

 

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                   terms of the Finance Documents notwithstanding the provisions of Clause 47 (Amendments and Waivers);

 

41.11.5     the Agent shall not be liable for any damages, costs or losses to any person, any diminution in value or any liability whatsoever (including, without limitation for negligence, gross negligence or any other category of liability whatsoever but not including any claim based on the fraud of the Agent) arising as a result of its taking, or failing to take, any actions pursuant to or in connection with this Clause 41.11; and

 

41.11.6     the Agent shall notify the Finance Parties of all changes agreed pursuant to Clause 41.11.4 above.

 

42.             SET-OFF

 

42.1.1       A Finance Party may set off any matured obligation due from an Obligor under the Finance Documents (to the extent beneficially owned by that Finance Party) against any matured obligation owed by that Finance Party to that Obligor, regardless of the place of payment, booking branch or currency of either obligation.  If the obligations are in different currencies, the Finance Party may convert either obligation at a market rate of exchange in its usual course of business for the purpose of the set-off.

 

42.1.2       Any credit balances taken into account by an Ancillary Lender when operating a net limit in respect of any overdraft under an Ancillary Facility shall on enforcement of the Finance Documents be applied first in reduction of the overdraft provided under that Ancillary Facility in accordance with its terms.

 

43.             NOTICES

 

43.1           Communications in writing

 

Any communication to be made under or in connection with the Finance Documents shall be made in writing and, unless otherwise stated, may be made by fax or letter.

 

43.2           Addresses

 

The address and fax number (and the department or officer, if any, for whose attention the communication is to be made) of each Party for any communication or document to be made or delivered under or in connection with the Finance Documents is:-

 

43.2.1       in the case of an Original Obligor, that identified with its name below;

 

43.2.2       in the case of each Lender, or each Ancillary Lender, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party;

 

43.2.3       in the case of any other Obligor, that notified in writing to the Agent on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Party; and

 

43.2.4       in the case of the Agent or the Security Agent, that identified with its name below,

 

or any substitute address or fax number or department or officer as the Party may notify to the Agent (or the Agent may notify to the other Parties, if a change is made by the Agent) by not less than five Business Days’ notice.

 

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43.3           Delivery

 

43.3.1       Any communication or document made or delivered by one person to another under or in connection with the Finance Documents will only be effective:-

 

(a)              if by way of fax, when received in legible form; or

 

(b)              if by way of letter, when it has been left at the relevant address or five Business Days after being deposited in the post postage prepaid in an envelope addressed to it at that address,

 

and, if a particular department or officer is specified as part of its address details provided under Clause 43.2 (Addresses), if addressed to that department or officer.

 

43.3.2       Any communication or document to be made or delivered to the Agent or the Security Agent will be effective only when actually received by the Agent or Security Agent and then only if it is expressly marked for the attention of the department or officer identified with the Agent’s or Security Agent’s signature below (or any substitute department or officer as the Agent or Security Agent shall specify for this purpose).

 

43.3.3       All notices from or to an Obligor shall be sent through the Agent.

 

43.3.4       Any communication or document made or delivered to the Company in accordance with this Clause 43.3 will be deemed to have been made or delivered to each of the Obligors.

 

43.3.5       Any communication or document which becomes effective, in accordance with Clauses 43.3.1 to 43.3.4, after 5:00pm, in the place of receipt shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

43.4           Notification of address and fax number

 

Promptly upon receipt of notification of an address or fax number or change of address or fax number pursuant to Clause 43.2 (Addresses) or changing its own address or fax number, the Agent shall notify the other Parties.

 

43.5           Communication when Agent is Impaired Agent

 

If the Agent is an Impaired Agent the Parties may, instead of communicating with each other through the Agent, communicate with each other directly and (while the Agent is an Impaired Agent) all the provisions of the Finance Documents which require communications to be made or notices to be given to or by the Agent shall be varied so that communications may be made and notices to be given to or by the relevant Parties directly. This provision shall not operate after a replacement Agent has been appointed.

 

43.6           Electronic communication

 

43.6.1       Any communication to be made between any two Parties under or in connection with the Finance Documents may be made by electronic mail or other electronic means (including, without limitation, by way of posting to a secure website) if those two Parties:

 

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(a)              notify each other in writing of their electronic mail address and/or any other information required to enable the sending and receipt of information by that means; and

 

(b)              notify each other of any change to their address or any other such information supplied by them by not less than 5 Business Days’ notice.

 

43.6.2       Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 43.6.1 to be made between an Obligor and a Finance Party may only be made in that way to the extent that those two Parties agree that, unless and until notified to the contrary, this is to be an accepted form of communication.

 

43.6.3       Any such electronic communication as specified in Clause 43.6.1 made between any two Parties will be effective only when actually received (or made available) in readable form and in the case of any electronic communication made by a Party to the Agent or the Security Agent only if it is addressed in such a manner as the Agent or Security Agent shall specify for this purpose

 

43.6.4       Any electronic communication which becomes effective, in accordance with Clause 43.6.3, after 5.00pm in the place in which the Party to whom the relevant communication is sent or made available has its address for the purpose of this Agreement shall be deemed only to become effective on the following day.

 

43.6.5       Any reference in a Finance Document to a communication being sent or received shall be construed to include that communication being made available in accordance with this Clause 43.6.

 

43.7           Use of websites

 

43.7.1       The Company may satisfy its obligation under this Agreement to deliver any information in relation to those Lenders (the “Website Lenders”) who accept this method of communication by posting this information onto an electronic website designated by the Company and the Agent (the “Designated Website”) if:-

 

(a)              the Agent expressly agrees (after consultation with each of the Lenders) that it will accept communication of the information by this method;

 

(b)              both the Company and the Agent are aware of the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website; and

 

(c)              the information is in a format previously agreed between the Borrower and the Agent.

 

If any Lender (a “Paper Form Lender”) does not agree to the delivery of information electronically then the Agent shall notify the Company accordingly and the Company shall at its own cost supply the information to the Agent (in sufficient copies for each Paper Form Lender) in paper form.  In any event the Company shall at its own cost supply the Agent with at least one copy in paper form of any information required to be provided by it.

 

43.7.2       The Agent shall supply each Website Lender with the address of and any relevant password specifications for the Designated Website following designation of that website by the Company and the Agent.

 

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43.7.3       The Company shall promptly upon becoming aware of its occurrence notify the Agent if:-

 

(a)              the Designated Website cannot be accessed due to technical failure;

 

(b)              the password specifications for the Designated Website change;

 

(c)              any new information which is required to be provided under this Agreement is posted onto the Designated Website;

 

(d)              any existing information which has been provided under this Agreement and posted onto the Designated Website is amended; or

 

(e)              the Company becomes aware that the Designated Website or any information posted onto the Designated Website is or has been infected by any electronic virus or similar software.

 

If the Company notifies the Agent under Clause 43.7.3(a) or Clause 43.7.3(e) above, all information to be provided by the Company under this Agreement after the date of that notice shall be supplied in paper form unless and until the Agent and each Website Lender is satisfied that the circumstances giving rise to the notification are no longer continuing.

 

43.7.4       Any Website Lender may request, through the Agent, one paper copy of any information required to be provided under this Agreement which is posted onto the Designated Website.  The Company shall at its own cost comply with any such request within ten Business Days.

 

43.8           English language

 

43.8.1       Any notice given under or in connection with any Finance Document must be in English.

 

43.8.2       All other documents provided under or in connection with any Finance Document must be:-

 

(a)              in English; or

 

(b)              if not in English, and if so required by the Agent, accompanied by a certified English translation and, in this case, the English translation will prevail unless the document is a constitutional, statutory or other official document.

 

44.             CALCULATIONS AND CERTIFICATES

 

44.1           Accounts

 

In any litigation or arbitration proceedings arising out of or in connection with a Finance Document, the entries made in the accounts maintained by a Finance Party are prima facie evidence of the matters to which they relate.

 

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44.2           Certificates and determinations

 

Any certification or determination by a Finance Party of a rate or amount under any Finance Document is, in the absence of manifest error, conclusive evidence of the matters to which it relates.

 

44.3           Day count convention

 

Any interest, commission or fee accruing under a Finance Document will accrue from day to day and is calculated on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a year of 365 days or, in any case where the practice in the Relevant Market differs, in accordance with that market practice.

 

45.             PARTIAL INVALIDITY

 

If, at any time, any provision of the Finance Documents is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under any law of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the law of any other jurisdiction will in any way be affected or impaired.

 

46.             REMEDIES AND WAIVERS

 

No failure to exercise, nor any delay in exercising, on the part of any Finance Party or Secured Party, any right or remedy under the Finance Documents shall operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy or constitute an election to affirm any of the Finance Documents. No election to affirm any of the Finance Documents on the part of any Finance Party shall be effective unless it is in writing.  No single or partial exercise of any right or remedy shall prevent any further or other exercise or the exercise of any other right or remedy.  The rights and remedies provided in each Finance Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

 

47.             AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

47.1           Intercreditor Agreement

 

This Clause 47 is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

47.2           Required consents

 

47.2.1       Subject to Clause 47.3 (Exceptions) and Clause 47.4 (Other exceptions) any term of the Finance Documents may be amended or waived only with the consent of the Majority Lenders and the Company and any such amendment or waiver will be binding on all Parties.

 

47.2.2       The Agent may effect, on behalf of any Finance Party, any amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 47.

 

47.2.3       Without prejudice to the generality of Clauses 38.7.3, 38.7.4 and 38.7.5 (Rights and discretions), the Agent may engage, pay for and rely on the services of lawyers in determining the consent level required for and effecting any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement.

 

47.2.4       Each Obligor agrees to any such amendment or waiver permitted by this Clause 47 which is agreed to by the Company.  This includes any amendment or waiver

 

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                   which would, but for this Clause 47.2.4, require the consent of all of the Guarantors.

 

47.3           Exceptions

 

An amendment, waiver or (in the case of a Transaction Security Document) a consent of, or in relation to, any term of any Finance Document that has the effect of changing or which relates to:

 

47.3.1       the definition of “Majority Lenders” in Clause 10.1 (Definitions);

 

47.3.2       an extension to the date of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

47.3.3       a reduction in the Margin or a reduction in the amount of any payment of principal, interest, fees or commission payable;

 

47.3.4       a change in currency of payment of any amount under the Finance Documents;

 

47.3.5       an increase in any Commitment or the Total Commitments, an extension of the Availability Period or any requirement that a cancellation of Commitments reduces the Commitments of the Lenders rateably;

 

47.3.6       a change to the Borrowers or Guarantors other than in accordance with Clause 37 (Changes to the Obligors);

 

47.3.7       any provision which expressly requires the consent of all the Lenders;

 

47.3.8       Clause 11.2 (Finance Parties’ rights and obligations), Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders) or this Clause 47 (Amendments and Waivers), Clause 50 (Governing law) or Clause 51.1 (Jurisdiction of English courts);

 

47.3.9       (other than as expressly permitted by the provisions of any Finance Document) the nature or scope of:-

 

(a)              the guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity);

 

(b)              the Charged Property; or

 

(c)              the manner in which the proceeds of enforcement of the Transaction Security are distributed

 

(except in the case of sub-clause (b) and sub-clause (c) above, insofar as it relates to a sale or disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document);

 

47.3.10     the release of any guarantee and indemnity granted under Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity) or of any Transaction Security unless permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document or relating to a sale or disposal of an asset which is the subject of the Transaction Security where such sale or disposal is expressly permitted under this Agreement or any other Finance Document; or

 

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47.3.11     any amendment to the order of priority or subordination under the Intercreditor Agreement,

 

shall not be made without the prior consent of all the Lenders.

 

47.4           Other exceptions

 

47.4.1       An amendment or waiver which relates to the rights or obligations of the Agent, the Arranger, the Security Agent, any Ancillary Lender or a Hedge Counterparty (each in their capacity as such) may not be effected without the consent of the Agent, the Arranger, the Security Agent, that Ancillary Lender or, as the case may be, that Hedge Counterparty.

 

47.4.2       Any amendment or waiver which:

 

(a)              relates only to the rights or obligations applicable to a particular Utilisation or class of Lender; and

 

(b)              does not materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of Lenders in respect of any other Utilisation or another class of Lender,

 

may be made in accordance with this Clause 47 but as if references in this Clause 47 to the specified proportion of Lenders (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all the Lenders) whose consent would, but for this Clause 47.4.2, be required for that amendment or waiver were to that proportion of the Lenders participating in that particular Utilisation or forming part of that particular class.

 

47.5           Excluded Commitments

 

If any Defaulting Lender fails to respond to a request for a consent, waiver, amendment of or in relation to any term of any Finance Document or any other vote of Lenders under the terms of this Agreement within 5 Business Days (unless the Company agrees to a longer time period in relation to any request) of that request being made:

 

47.5.1       its Commitment(s) shall not be included for the purpose of calculating the Total Commitments when ascertaining whether any relevant percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of Total Commitments has been obtained to approve that request; and

 

47.5.2       its status as a Lender shall be disregarded for the purpose of ascertaining whether the agreement of any specified group of Lenders has been obtained to approve that request.

 

47.6           Disenfranchisement of Defaulting Lenders

 

47.6.1       For so long as a Defaulting Lender has any Available Commitment, in ascertaining:

 

(a)              the Majority Lenders; or

 

(b)              whether:

 

(i)               any given percentage (including, for the avoidance of doubt, unanimity) of the Total Commitments; or

 

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(ii)              the agreement of any specified group of Lenders,

 

has been obtained to approve any request for a consent, waiver, amendment or other vote under the Finance Documents, that Defaulting Lender’s Commitments will be reduced by the amount of its Available Commitments and, to the extent that that reduction results in that Defaulting Lender’s Total Commitments being zero, that Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a Lender for the purposes of Clauses 47.6.1(a) and 47.6.1(b) above.

 

47.6.2       For the purposes of this Clause 47.6, the Agent may assume the following Lenders are Defaulting Lenders:-

 

(a)              any Lender which has notified the Agent that it has become a Defaulting Lender;

 

(b)              any Lender in relation to which it is aware that any of the events or circumstances referred to in paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) of the definition of “Defaulting Lender” has occurred,

 

unless it has received notice to the contrary from the Lender concerned (together with any supporting evidence reasonably requested by the Agent) or the Agent is otherwise aware that the Lender has ceased to be a Defaulting Lender.

 

47.7           Replacement of a Defaulting Lender

 

47.7.1       The Parent may, at any time a Lender has become and continues to be a Defaulting Lender, by giving 10 Business Days’ prior written notice to the Agent and such Lender:-

 

(a)              replace such Lender by requiring such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 35 (Changes to Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(b)              require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 35 (Changes to Lenders) all (and not part only) of the undrawn Revolving Commitment of the Lender; or

 

(c)              require such Lender to (and, to the extent permitted by law, such Lender shall) transfer pursuant to Clause 35 (Changes to Lenders) all (and not part only) of its rights and obligations in respect of the Facility,

 

to a Lender or other bank, financial institution, trust, fund or other entity (a “Replacement Lender”) selected by the Parent, which is acceptable to the Agent and which confirms its willingness to assume and does assume all the obligations or all the relevant obligations of the transferring Lender in accordance with Clause 35 (Changes to the Lenders) for a purchase price in cash payable at the time of transfer which is either:

 

(d)              in an amount equal to the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s participation in the outstanding Utilisations and all accrued interest (to the extent that the Agent has not given a notification under Clause 35.10 (Pro rata Interest Settlement), Break Costs and other amounts payable in relation thereto under the Finance Documents; or

 

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(e)              in an amount agreed between the Defaulting Lender, the Replacement Lender and the Borrower and which does not exceed the amount described in 47.7.1(d) above.

 

47.7.2       Any transfer of rights and obligations of a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this Clause shall be subject to the following conditions:-

 

(a)              the Parent shall have no right to replace the Agent or Security Agent;

 

(b)              neither the Agent nor the Defaulting Lender shall have any obligation to the Parent to find a Replacement Lender;

 

(c)              the transfer must take place no later than 10 days after the notice referred to in Clause 47.7.1 above;

 

(d)              in no event shall the Defaulting Lender be required to pay or surrender to the Replacement Lender any of the fees received by the Defaulting Lender pursuant to the Finance Documents; and

 

(e)              the Defaulting Lender shall only be obliged to transfer its rights and obligations pursuant to Clause 47.7.2(a) once it is satisfied that it has complied with all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations in relation to that transfer to the Replacement Lender.

 

47.7.3       The Defaulting Lender shall perform the checks described in Clause 47.7.2(e) above as soon as reasonably practicable following delivery of a notice referred to in Clause 47.7.1 above and shall notify the Agent and the Borrower when it is satisfied that it has complied with those checks.

 

48.             CONFIDENTIALITY

 

48.1           Confidential Information

 

Each Finance Party agrees to keep all Confidential Information confidential and not to disclose it to anyone, save to the extent permitted by Clause 48.2 (Disclosure of Confidential Information) and Clause 48.3 (Disclosure to numbering service providers), and to ensure that all Confidential Information is protected with security measures and a degree of care that would apply to its own confidential information.

 

48.2           Disclosure of Confidential Information

 

Any Finance Party may disclose:-

 

48.2.1       to any of its Affiliates and Related Funds and any of its or their officers, directors, employees, professional advisers, auditors, partners and Representatives such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate if any person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given pursuant to this Clause 48.2.1 is informed in writing of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no such requirement to so inform if the recipient is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the information or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information;

 

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48.2.2                      to any person:-

 

(a)                                          to (or through) whom it assigns or transfers (or may potentially assign or transfer) all or any of its rights and/or obligations under one or more Finance Documents or which succeeds (or which may potentially succeed) it as Agent or Security Agent and, in each case, to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers;

 

(b)                                          with (or through) whom it enters into (or may potentially enter into), whether directly or indirectly, any sub-participation in relation to, or any other transaction under which payments are to be made or may be made by reference to, one or more Finance Documents and/or one or more Obligors and to any of that person’s Affiliates, Related Funds, Representatives and professional advisers;

 

(c)                                           appointed by any Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 48.2.2 or (a) above applies to receive communications, notices, information or documents delivered pursuant to the Finance Documents on its behalf (including, without limitation, any person appointed under Clause 38.15.3);

 

(d)                                          who invests in or otherwise finances (or may potentially invest in or otherwise finance), directly or indirectly, any transaction referred to in Clause 48.2.2 or 48.2.2(a) above;

 

(e)                                           to whom information is required or requested to be disclosed by any court of competent jurisdiction or any governmental, banking, taxation or other regulatory authority or similar body, the rules of any relevant stock exchange or pursuant to any applicable law or regulation;

 

(f)                                            to whom or for whose benefit that Finance Party charges, assigns or otherwise creates Security (or may do so) pursuant to Clause 35.9 (Security over Lenders’ rights);

 

(g)                                           to whom information is required to be disclosed in connection with, and for the purposes of, any litigation, arbitration, administrative or other investigations, proceedings or disputes;

 

(h)                                          who is a Party; or

 

(i)                                              with the consent of the Company;

 

in each case, such Confidential Information as that Finance Party shall consider appropriate;

 

(i)                                              in relation to Clauses 48.2.2, 48.2.2(a) and 48.2.2(c) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a Confidentiality Undertaking except that there shall be no requirement for a Confidentiality Undertaking if the recipient is a professional adviser and is subject to professional obligations to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information;

 

(ii)                                           in relation to Clause 48.2.2(d) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a

 

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                                                         Confidentiality Undertaking or is otherwise bound by requirements of confidentiality in relation to the Confidential Information they receive and is informed that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information;

 

(iii)                                        in relation to Clauses 48.2.2(e), 48.2.2(f) and 48.2.2(g) above, the person to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information except that there shall be no requirement to so inform if, in the opinion of that Finance Party, it is not practicable so to do in the circumstances;

 

48.2.3                      to any person appointed by that Finance Party or by a person to whom Clause 48.2.2 or 48.2.2(a) above applies to provide administration or settlement services in respect of one or more of the Finance Documents including without limitation, in relation to the trading of participations in respect of the Finance Documents, such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such service provider to provide any of the services referred to in this Clause 48.2.3 if the service provider to whom the Confidential Information is to be given has entered into a confidentiality agreement substantially in the form of the LMA Master Confidentiality Undertaking for Use With Administration/Settlement Service Providers or such other form of confidentiality undertaking agreed between the Company and the relevant Finance Party;

 

48.2.4                      Confidential Information to the extent necessary in order to perfect or preserve any rights under the Transaction Security;

 

48.2.5                      to any rating agency (including its professional advisers) such Confidential Information as may be required to be disclosed to enable such rating agency to carry out its normal rating activities in relation to the Finance Documents and/or the Obligors if the rating agency to whom the Confidential Information is to be given is informed of its confidential nature and that some or all of such Confidential Information may be price-sensitive information; and

 

48.2.6                      to any investor or a potential investor in a securitisation (or similar transaction of broadly equivalent economic effect) of that Finance Party’s rights or obligations under the Finance Documents the size and term of the Facility and the name of each of the Obligors.

 

48.3                                 Disclosure to numbering service providers

 

48.3.1                      Notwithstanding any other term of any Finance Document or any other agreement between the Parties to the contrary (whether express or implied), any Finance Party may disclose to any national or international numbering service provider appointed by that Finance Party to provide identification numbering services in respect of this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors the following information:-

 

(a)                                          names of Obligors;

 

(b)                                          country of domicile of Obligors;

 

(c)                                           place of incorporation of Obligors;

 

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(d)                                          date of this Agreement, the First Amendment and Restatement Agreement and the Second Amendment and Restatement Agreement;

 

(e)                                           Clause 50 (Governing law);

 

(f)                                            the names of the Agent and the Arranger;

 

(g)                                           date of each subsequent amendment and restatement of this Agreement;

 

(h)                                          amounts of, and names of, the Facility (and any tranches);

 

(i)                                              amount of Total Commitments;

 

(j)                                             currencies of the Facility;

 

(k)                                          type of Facility;

 

(l)                                              ranking of the Facility;

 

(m)                                      Termination Date for Facility;

 

(n)                                          changes to any of the information previously supplied pursuant to sub-clauses (a) to (m) above; and

 

(o)                                          such other information agreed between such Finance Party and the Company,

 

to enable such numbering service provider to provide its usual syndicated loan numbering identification services.

 

48.3.2                      The Parties acknowledge and agree that each identification number assigned to this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors by a numbering service provider and the information associated with each such number may be disclosed to users of its services in accordance with the standard terms and conditions of that numbering service provider.

 

48.3.3                      Each Obligor represents that none of the information set out in sub-clauses (a) to (o) of Clause 48.3.1 above is, nor will at any time be, unpublished price-sensitive information.

 

48.3.4                      The Agent shall notify the Company and the other Finance Parties of:-

 

(a)                                          the name of any numbering service provider appointed by the Agent in respect of this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors; and

 

(b)                                          the number or, as the case may be, numbers assigned to this Agreement, the Facility and/or one or more Obligors by such numbering service provider.

 

48.4                                 Entire agreement

 

This Clause 48 (Confidentiality) constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties in relation to the obligations of the Finance Parties under the Finance Documents regarding

 

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Confidential Information and supersedes any previous agreement, whether express or implied, regarding Confidential Information.

 

48.5                                 Inside information

 

Each of the Finance Parties acknowledges that some or all of the Confidential Information is or may be price-sensitive information and that the use of such information may be regulated or prohibited by applicable legislation including securities law relating to insider dealing and market abuse and each of the Finance Parties undertakes not to use any Confidential Information for any unlawful purpose.

 

48.6                                 Notification of disclosure

 

Each of the Finance Parties agrees (to the extent permitted by law and regulation) to inform the Company:-

 

48.6.1                      of the circumstances of any disclosure of Confidential Information made pursuant to Clause 48.2.2(e) except where such disclosure is made to any of the persons referred to in that sub-clause during the ordinary course of its supervisory or regulatory function; and

 

48.6.2                      upon becoming aware that Confidential Information has been disclosed in breach of this Clause 48 (Confidentiality).

 

48.7                                 Continuing obligations

 

The obligations in this Clause 48 (Confidentiality) are continuing and, in particular, shall survive and remain binding on each Finance Party for a period of twelve months from the earlier of:-

 

48.7.1                      the date on which all amounts payable by the Obligors under or in connection with the Finance Documents have been paid in full and all Commitments have been cancelled or otherwise cease to be available; and

 

48.7.2                      the date on which such Finance Party otherwise ceases to be a Finance Party.

 

49.                                        COUNTERPARTS

 

Each Finance Document may be executed in any number of counterparts, and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of the Finance Document.

 

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SECTION 12

 

GOVERNING LAW AND ENFORCEMENT

 

50.                                        GOVERNING LAW

 

This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

51.                                        ENFORCEMENT

 

51.1                                 Jurisdiction of English courts

 

51.1.1                      The courts of England have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (including a dispute relating to the existence, validity or termination of this Agreement or any non-contractual obligation arising out of or in connection with this Agreement) (a “Dispute”).

 

51.1.2                      The Parties agree that the courts of England are the most appropriate and convenient courts to settle Disputes and accordingly no Party will argue to the contrary.

 

51.1.3                      This Clause 51.1 is for the benefit of the Finance Parties and Secured Parties only.  As a result, no Finance Party or Secured Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings relating to a Dispute in any other courts with jurisdiction.  To the extent allowed by law, the Finance Parties and Secured Parties may take concurrent proceedings in any number of jurisdictions.

 

51.2                                 Service of process

 

51.2.1                      Without prejudice to any other mode of service allowed under any relevant law, each Obligor (other than an Obligor incorporated in England and Wales):-

 

(a)                                          irrevocably appoints the Company as its agent for service of process in relation to any proceedings before the English courts in connection with any Finance Document and the Company by its execution of this Agreement, accepts that appointment); and

 

(b)                                          agrees that failure by an agent for service of process to notify the relevant Obligor of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned.

 

51.2.2                      If any person appointed as an agent for service of process is unable for any reason to act as agent for service of process, the Company (on behalf of all the Obligors) must immediately (and in any event within 5 days of such event taking place) appoint another agent on terms acceptable to the Agent.  Failing this, the Agent may appoint another agent for this purpose.

 

51.2.3                      The Company expressly agrees and consents to the provisions of this Clause 51 and Clause 50 (Governing law).

 

This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

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THE ORIGINAL PARTIES

 

PART 1

 

THE ORIGINAL OBLIGORS

 

Name of Original Borrower

 

Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)

 

Original Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Group Limited

 

2883766

 

England and Wales

 

 

Name of Original Guarantor

 

Registration number
(or equivalent, if any)

 

Original Jurisdiction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UAG UK Holdings Limited

 

4334322

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Group Limited

 

2883766

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Cars Limited

 

2832086

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Limited

 

813696

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Holdings Limited

 

2681878

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodman Retail Limited

 

3097514

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R Stratton & Co Limited

 

2696872

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cruickshank Motors Limited

 

1837492

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graypaul Motors Limited

 

3079284

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Automotive Limited

 

1979805

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Jacks Limited

 

215293

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Jacks Properties Limited

 

1120920

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryland Group Limited

 

4813103

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rydnal Limited

 

4814756

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryland Investments Limited

 

491856

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rycroft Vehicles Limited

 

248481

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Retail Limited

 

833930

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryland Group Services Limited

 

1356615

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryland Properties Limited

 

2286173

 

England and Wales

 

 

159



 

John Fox Limited

 

1359925

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edmond & Milburn Limited

 

3008457

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Vehicles Limited

 

7089922

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Properties Limited

 

3611990

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maranello Holdings Limited

 

2001186

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maranello Concessionaires Limited

 

655104

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maranello Sales Limited

 

1443371

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodman TPS Limited

 

6821483

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guy Salmon Limited

 

3574418

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mar Parts Limited

 

827692

 

England and Wales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnew Trade Centre Limited

 

NI020615

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnew Retail Limited

 

NI610593

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited

 

NI000668

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade Parts Specialist (NI) Limited

 

NI064523

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I A P C B Limited

 

NI020068

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bavarian Garages (NI) Limited

 

NI013932

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnew Commercials Limited

 

NI013173

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stanley Motor Works (1932) Limited

 

NI000727

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnew Corporate Ltd

 

NI011916

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaac Agnew (Mallusk) Limited

 

NI014730

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaac Agnew Limited

 

NI010842

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agnew Autoexchange Limited

 

NI012734

 

Northern Ireland

 

 

160



 

THE ORIGINAL LENDERS - OTHER THAN UK NON-BANK LENDERS

 

Name of Original Lender

 

Commitment

 

Treaty Passport scheme
reference number and
jurisdiction of tax residence
(if applicable)

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

£

75,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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THE ORIGINAL LENDERS - UK NON-BANK LENDERS

 

Name of Original Lender

 

Commitment

BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited

 

£

75,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

PART 1

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT

 

1.                                               Obligors

 

1.1                                        A copy of the constitutional documents of each Original Obligor.

 

1.2                                        A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each Original Obligor:-

 

1.2.1                             approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which it is a party and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Finance Documents to which it is a party;

 

1.2.2                             authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Finance Documents to which it is a party on its behalf;

 

1.2.3                             authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all documents and notices (including, if relevant, any Utilisation Request) to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and

 

1.2.4                             in the case of an Obligor other than the Company, authorising the Company to act as its agent in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

1.3                                        A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.2 above in relation to the Finance Documents and related documents.

 

1.4                                        A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares in each Original Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which the Original Guarantor is a party.

 

1.5                                        A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Original Guarantor (other than the Parent) approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph 1.4 above.

 

1.6                                        A certificate of the Company (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on any Original Obligor to be exceeded.

 

1.7                                        A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Company or other relevant Original Obligor certifying that each copy document relating to it specified in this Part 1 of Schedule 5 is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of this Agreement.

 

2.                                               Finance Documents

 

2.1                                        The Intercreditor Agreement executed by the members of the Group party to that Agreement.

 

2.2                                        This Agreement executed by the members of the Group party to this Agreement.

 

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2.3                                        The Fee Letters executed by the Company.

 

2.4                                        The Vehicle Financier Deeds of Priority executed by BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited and Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited and Volkswagen Bank GmbH (trading as Volkswagen Bank United Kingdom Branch) and the other parties to those deeds (incorporating the consent of the relevant vehicle financier to the creation and subsistence of the Transaction Security Documents).

 

2.5                                        A consent letter executed by Mercedes-Benz Bank AG UK Branch (“MB”) pursuant to which MB consents to the creation and subsistence of the Transaction Security Documents.

 

2.6                                        At least two originals of the following Transaction Security Documents executed by the Original Obligors specified below opposite the relevant Transaction Security Document:-

 

Name of Original Obligor

 

Transaction Security Document

 

 

 

All Original Obligors

 

Debenture

 

2.7                                       A copy of all notices required to be sent under the Transaction Security Documents executed by the relevant Obligors duly acknowledged by the addressee.

 

2.8                                        A copy of all share certificates, transfers and stock transfer forms or equivalent duly executed by the relevant Obligor in blank in relation to the assets subject to or expressed to be subject to the Transaction Security and other documents of title to be provided under the Transaction Security Documents.

 

3.                                               Insurance

 

3.1                                        A letter from Cooke & Mason Plc insurance broker dated the date of this Agreement addressed to the Agent, the Arrangers, the Security Agent and the Lenders listing the insurance policies of the Group and confirming that they are on risk and that the insurance for the Group at the date of this Agreement is at a level acceptable to the Majority Lenders and covering appropriate risks for the business carried out by the Group.

 

3.2                                        Written evidence that the insurance policy(ies) relating to the Charged Property contain (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Security Agent) an endorsement naming the Security Agent as joint loss payee.

 

4.                                               Legal opinions

 

A legal opinion of Pinsent Masons LLP, legal advisers to the Agent and the Arranger as to English law substantially in the form distributed to the Original Lenders prior to signing this Agreement and addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Original Lenders and capable of being relied upon by the Original Lenders.

 

5.                                               Other documents and evidence

 

5.1                                        The Group Structure Chart (to include details of Dormant Subsidiaries).

 

5.2                                        The Budget.

 

5.3                                        A copy, certified by an authorised signatory of the Company to be a true copy, of the Original Financial Statements of each Obligor.

 

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5.4                                        A certificate signed by an authorised signatory of the Company confirming which companies within the Group are Material Companies and that the aggregate of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and the aggregate gross assets, the aggregate net assets and aggregate turnover of the Original Guarantors (other than the Parent) (in each case calculated on an unconsolidated basis and excluding all intra-Group items and investments in Subsidiaries of any member of the Group) exceeds 90% of the Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and consolidated gross assets, consolidated net assets and consolidated turnover of the Group.

 

5.5                                        A copy of any other Authorisation or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable (if it has notified the Company accordingly) in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by any Finance Document or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

5.6                                        Evidence that the fees, costs and expenses then due from the Company pursuant to Clause 23 (Fees), Clause 23.5 (Interest, commission and fees on Ancillary Facilities), Clause 24.6 (Stamp taxes) and Clause 28 (Costs and expenses) have been paid or will be paid by the first Utilisation Date.

 

5.7                                        Utilisation Requests relating to any Utilisations to be made on the Closing Date.

 

5.8                                        A deed of release in respect of the general charge dated 16 August 1993 granted by Sytner Limited in favour of BMW Finance (GB) Limited.

 

5.9                                        A deed of release in respect of the legal charge dated 28 July 2009 granted by Sytner Cars Limited in favour of Porsche Financial Services Great Britain Limited.

 

5.10                                 Companies House Forms MG02 in relation to the following charges:-

 

5.10.1                      General charge dated 30 September 1994 granted by John Fox Limited in favour of Volkswagen Financial Services (UK) Limited;

 

5.10.2                      Debenture dated 19 December 1995 granted by Sytner Holdings Limited in favour of Saab Finance Limited;

 

5.10.3                      Charge over deposit dated 7 March 2002 granted by the Parent in favour The Royal Bank of Scotland plc (as issuing bank); and

 

5.10.4                      General charge dated 16 August 1993 granted by Sytner Limited in favour of BMW Finance (GB) Limited.

 

5.10.5                      Legal charge dated 28 July 2009 granted by Sytner Cars Limited in favour of Porsche Financial Services Great Britain Limited

 

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CONDITIONS PRECEDENT REQUIRED TO BE DELIVERED BY AN ADDITIONAL OBLIGOR

 

1.                                               An Accession Deed executed by the Additional Obligor and the Company.

 

2.                                               A copy of the constitutional documents of the Additional Obligor.

 

3.                                               A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Obligor:-

 

3.1                                        approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Accession Deed and the Finance Documents and resolving that it execute, deliver and perform the Accession Deed and any other Finance Document to which it is party;

 

3.2                                        authorising a specified person or persons to execute the Accession Deed and other Finance Documents on its behalf;

 

3.3                                        authorising a specified person or persons, on its behalf, to sign and/or despatch all other documents and notices (including, in relation to an Additional Borrower or any Utilisation Request to be signed and/or despatched by it under or in connection with the Finance Documents to which it is a party; and

 

3.4                                        authorising the Company to act as its agent in connection with the Finance Documents.

 

4.                                               If applicable, a copy of a resolution of the board of directors of the Additional Obligor, establishing the committee referred to in paragraph 3 above.

 

5.                                               A specimen of the signature of each person authorised by the resolution referred to in paragraph 3 above.

 

6.                                               A copy of a resolution signed by all the holders of the issued shares of the Additional Guarantor, approving the terms of, and the transactions contemplated by, the Finance Documents to which the Additional Guarantor is a party.

 

7.                                               A copy of a resolution of the board of directors of each corporate shareholder of each Additional Guarantor approving the terms of the resolution referred to in paragraph 6 above.

 

8.                                               A certificate of the Additional Obligor (signed by a director) confirming that borrowing or guaranteeing or securing, as appropriate, the Total Commitments would not cause any borrowing, guarantee, security or similar limit binding on it to be exceeded.

 

9.                                               A certificate of an authorised signatory of the Additional Obligor certifying that each copy document listed in this Part 2 of Schedule 5 is correct, complete and in full force and effect and has not been amended or superseded as at a date no earlier than the date of the Accession Deed.

 

10.                                        If available, the latest audited financial statements of the Additional Obligor.

 

11.                                        The following legal opinions, each addressed to the Agent, the Security Agent and the Lenders:-

 

11.1                                 A legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Agent in England, as to English law in the form distributed to the Lenders prior to signing the Accession Deed.

 

11.2                                 If the Additional Obligor is incorporated in or has its “centre of main interest” or “establishment” (as referred to in Clause 30.28 (Centre of main interests and

 

166



 

                                                         establishments)) in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales or is executing a Finance Document which is governed by a law other than English law, a legal opinion of the legal advisers to the Agent in the jurisdiction of its incorporation, “centre of main interest” or “establishment” (as applicable) or, as the case may be, the jurisdiction of the governing law of that Finance Document (the “Applicable Jurisdiction”) as to the law of the Applicable Jurisdiction and in the form distributed to the Lenders prior to signing the Accession Deed.

 

12.                                        If the proposed Additional Obligor is incorporated in a jurisdiction other than England and Wales, evidence that the process agent specified in Clause 51.2 (Service of process), if not an Obligor, has accepted its appointment in relation to the proposed Additional Obligor.

 

13.                                        Any security documents which, subject to the Agreed Security Principles, are required by the Agent to be executed by the proposed Additional Obligor.

 

14.                                        Any notices or documents required to be given or executed under the terms of those security documents.

 

15.

 

15.1                                 If the Additional Obligor is incorporated in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, evidence that the Additional Obligor has done all that is necessary (including, without limitation, by re-registering as a private company) to comply with sections 677 to 683 of the Companies Act 2006 in order to enable that Additional Obligor to enter into the Finance Documents and perform its obligations under the Finance Documents.

 

15.2                                 If the Additional Obligor is not incorporated in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, such documentary evidence as legal counsel to the Agent may require, that such Additional Obligor has complied with any law in its jurisdiction relating to financial assistance or analogous process.

 

16.                                        A copy of any other authorisation, consent, approval, resolution, licence, exemption, filing, notarisation or registration or other document, opinion or assurance which the Agent considers to be necessary or desirable in connection with the entry into and performance of the transactions contemplated by the Accession Deed or for the validity and enforceability of any Finance Document.

 

167



 

UTILISATION REQUEST

 

From:                        [Sytner Group Limited]*

To:                                      [Agent]

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April 2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Utilisation Request.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Utilisation Request unless given a different meaning in this Utilisation Request.

 

2.                                We wish to borrow a Loan on the following terms:-

 

(a)

 

Borrower:

 

[                    ]

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

 

Proposed Utilisation Date:

 

[                    ] (or, if that is not a Business Day, the next Business Day)

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

 

Currency of Loan:

 

[                    ]

 

 

 

 

 

(e)

 

Amount:

 

[                    ] or, if less, the Available Facility

 

 

 

 

 

(f)

 

Interest Period:

 

[                    ]

 

3.                                We confirm that each condition specified in Clause 13.2 (Further conditions precedent) is satisfied on the date of this Utilisation Request.

 

4.                                The proceeds of this Loan should be credited to [account].

 

5.                                This Utilisation Request is irrevocable.

 

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

authorised signatory for

 

 

the Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

168



 

SCHEDULE 7

 

FORM OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE

 

To:                                      [                    ] as Agent and [                    ] as Security Agent

 

From:                        [The Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [The New Lender] (the “New Lender”)

 

Dated:

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April 2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as a Transfer Certificate for the purpose of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.                                               We refer to Clause 35.5 (Procedure for transfer) of the Facility Agreement:-

 

2.1                                        The Existing Lender and the New Lender agree to the Existing Lender transferring to the New Lender by novation and in accordance with Clause 35.5 (Procedure for transfer), all of the Existing Lender’s rights and obligations under the Agreement and the other Finance Documents which relate to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitment(s) and participations in Utilisations under the Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

 

2.2                                        The proposed Transfer Date is [                    ].

 

2.3                                        The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 43.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

3.                                               The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 35.4.3.

 

4.                                               The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is:-

 

4.1                                        [a Qualifying Lender falling within paragraph (a)(i) [or paragraph (b)] of the definition of Qualifying Lender, (other than a Treaty Lender);]

 

4.2                                        [a Treaty Lender;]

 

4.3                                        [not a Qualifying Lender]*.

 

5.                                               [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:-

 

5.1                                        a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes;

 

5.2                                        a partnership each member of which is:-

 

5.2.1                             a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or

 

5.2.2                             a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into

 

169



 

                                                        account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or

 

5.2.3                             a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]**

 

6.                                               [The New Lender confirms that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [      ]), and is tax resident in [            ]*** so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax and requests that the Borrower notify that it wishes that scheme to apply to the Agreement.

 

****

 

[6/7].       The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not] a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

[7/8].       We refer to clause 20.3 (Assignment and transfer of Secured Liabilities) of the Intercreditor Agreement and confirm that the New Lender has executed a Deed of Accession (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

[8/9].               This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

[9/10].        This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

[10/11].                                                 This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

Note:                  The execution of this Transfer Certificate may not transfer a proportionate share of the Existing Lender’s interest in the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions.  It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect a transfer of such a share in the Existing Lender’s Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 


NOTES:

 

*                                                  Delete as applicable — each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within.

 

**                                           Include if New Lender comes within paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 24.1

 

***                           Insert jurisdiction of tax residence

 

****                             Include if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facility Agreement

 

170



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred

 

[insert relevant details]

[Facility Office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments,]

 

[Existing Lender]

[New Lender]

 

 

By:

By:

 

This Agreement is accepted as a Transfer Certificate for the purposes of the Facility Agreement by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [                    ].

 

[Agent]

 

By:

 

171



 

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

 

To:                                      [                    ] as Agent and [                    ], [                    ] as Security Agent, [                    ] as Company, for and on behalf of each Obligor

 

From:                        [the Existing Lender] (the “Existing Lender”) and [the New Lender] (the “New Lender”)

 

Dated:

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April 2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is an Assignment Agreement.  This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Assignment Agreement for the purpose of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.                                              We refer to Clause 35.6 (Procedure for assignment) of the Facility Agreement:-

 

2.1                                        The Existing Lender assigns absolutely to the New Lender all the rights of the Existing Lender under the Facility Agreement, the other Finance Documents and in respect of the Transaction Security which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitments and participations in Utilisations under the Facility Agreement as specified in the Schedule.

 

2.2                                        The Existing Lender is released from all the obligations of the Existing Lender which correspond to that portion of the Existing Lender’s Commitments and participations in Utilisations under the Facility Agreement specified in the Schedule.

 

2.3                                        The New Lender becomes a Party as a Lender and is bound by obligations equivalent to those from which the Existing Lender is released under paragraph 2.2 above.*

 

3.                                               The proposed Transfer Date is [                    ].

 

4.                                               On the Transfer Date the New Lender becomes:-

 

4.1                                        Party to the relevant Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement) as a Lender; and

 

4.2                                        Party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Senior Lender.

 

5.                                               The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices of the New Lender for the purposes of Clause 43.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

6.                                               The New Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Existing Lender’s obligations set out in Clause 35.4.3.

 

7.                                               The New Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is:-

 

172



 

7.1             [a Qualifying Lender falling within paragraph (a)(i) [or paragraph (b)] of the definition of Qualifying Lender, other than a Treaty Lender;]

 

7.2             [a Treaty Lender;]

 

7.3             [not a Qualifying Lender]. **

 

8.                [The New Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:-

 

8.1             a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; or

 

8.2             a partnership each member of which is:-

 

8.2.1          a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or

 

8.2.2          a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or

 

8.3             a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]***

 

9.                [The New Lender confirms that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [    ] and is tax resident in [           ]****), so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and requests that the Borrower notify that it wishes that scheme to apply to the Agreement.

 

****

 

[10/11]    The New Lender confirms that it [is]/[is not]* a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

[11/12]    We refer to clause 20.3 (Assignment and transfer of Secured Liabilities) of the Intercreditor Agreement and confirm that the New Lender has executed a Deed of Accession (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

[12/13]    This Agreement acts as notice to the Agent (on behalf of each Finance Party) and, upon delivery in accordance with Clause 35.7 (Copy of Transfer Certificate or Assignment Agreement to Company) to the Company (on behalf of each Obligor) of the assignment referred to in this Agreement.

 

[13/14]    This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

[14/15]    This Agreement and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 


* Delete as applicable.

 

173



 

[15/16]    This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

Note:      The execution of this Assignment Agreement may not transfer a proportionate share of the Existing Lender’s interest in the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions.  It is the responsibility of the New Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to perfect a transfer of such a share in the Existing Lender’s Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 


NOTES:

 

*              If the Agreement is used in place of a Transfer Certificate in order to avoid a novation of rights/obligations for reasons relevant to a civil jurisdiction, local law advice should be sought to check the suitability of the Agreement due to the assumption of obligations contained in paragraph 2.3.  This issue should be addressed at Primary documentation stage.  This footnote is not intended to be included in the scheduled form of Agreement in the signed Facilities Agreement.

 

**           Delete as applicable — each New Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within

 

***            Include if New Lender comes within paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 24.1

 

****          Insert jurisdiction of tax residence

 

*****       Include if the New Lender holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme and wishes that scheme to apply to the Facility Agreement

 

174



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

Commitment/rights and obligations to be transferred by assignment, release and accession

 

[insert relevant details]

 

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Existing Lender]

[New Lender]

 

 

 

 

By:

By:

 

 

This Agreement is accepted as an Assignment Agreement for the purposes of the Facility Agreement by the Agent and the Transfer Date is confirmed as [                    ].

 

Signature of this Agreement by the Agent constitutes confirmation by the Agent of receipt of notice of the assignment referred to in this Agreement, which notice the Agent receives on behalf of each Finance Party.

 

[Agent]

 

By:

 

175



 

FORM OF ACCESSION DEED

 

To:             [                    ] as Agent and [                    ] as Security Agent for itself and each of the other parties to the Intercreditor Agreement referred to below

 

From:        [Subsidiary] and [Company]

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April 2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.           We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This deed (the “Accession Deed”) shall take effect as an Accession Deed for the purposes of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in paragraphs 1-3 of this Accession Deed unless given a different meaning in this Accession Deed.

 

2.           [Subsidiary] agrees to become an Additional [Borrower]/[Guarantor] and to be bound by the terms of the Facility Agreement and the other Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement) as an Additional [Borrower]/[Guarantor] pursuant to Clause [37.2 (Additional Borrowers)]/[Clause 37.4 (Additional Guarantors)] of the Facility Agreement.  [Subsidiary] is a company duly incorporated under the laws of [name of relevant jurisdiction] and is a limited liability company and registered number [                    ].

 

3.           [Subsidiary’s] administrative details for the purposes of the Facility Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement are as follows:-

 

Address:

 

Fax No.:

 

Attention:

 

4.           [Subsidiary] (for the purposes of this paragraph 4, the “Acceding Debtor”) intends to [incur liabilities under the following documents]/[give a guarantee, indemnity or other assurance against loss in respect of liabilities under the following documents]:-

 

[Insert details (date, parties and description) of relevant documents]

 

the “Relevant Documents”.

 

IT IS AGREED as follows:-

 

(a)            Terms defined in the Intercreditor Agreement shall, unless otherwise defined in this Accession Deed, bear the same meaning when used in this paragraph 4.

 

(b)            The Acceding Debtor and the Security Agent agree that the Security Agent shall hold:-

 

(i)        [any Security in respect of liabilities created or expressed to be created pursuant to the Relevant Documents;

 

(ii)       all proceeds of that Security; and]

 

176



 

(iii)      all obligations expressed to be undertaken by the Acceding Debtor to pay amounts in respect of the liabilities to the Security Agent as trustee for the Syndicated Finance Parties (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) and secured by the Transaction Security created in favour of the Security Agent together with all representations and warranties expressed to be given by the Acceding Debtor (in the Relevant Documents or otherwise) in favour of the Security Agent as trustee for the Syndicated Finance Parties,

 

on trust for the Syndicated Finance Parties on the terms and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(c)             The Acceding Debtor confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Obligor, undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed to be assumed by an Obligor under the Intercreditor Agreement, agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement and confirms that it has executed a Deed of Accession (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

(d)            [In consideration of the Acceding Debtor being accepted as an Intra-Group Lender for the purposes of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Acceding Debtor also confirms that it intends to be party to the Intercreditor Agreement as an Intra-Group Lender, undertakes to perform all the obligations expressed in the Intercreditor Agreement to be assumed by an Intra-Group Lender, agrees that it shall be bound by all the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, as if it had been an original party to the Intercreditor Agreement and confirms that it has executed a Deed of Accession (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).]

 

[4]/[5] This Accession Deed and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

THIS ACCESSION DEED has been signed on behalf of the Security Agent (for the purposes of paragraph 4 above only), signed on behalf of the Company and executed as a deed by [Subsidiary] and is delivered on the date stated above.

 

[Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[EXECUTED AS A DEED

 

)

 

By: [Subsidiary])

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director/Secretary

 

 

177



 

OR

 

[EXECUTED AS A DEED

 

 

 

 

 

By: [Subsidiary]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Director

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Director

 

 

 

in the presence of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of witness

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness

 

 

 

 

 

Address of witness

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupation of witness]

 

The Company

 

 

 

[Company]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

The Security Agent

 

[Full Name of Current Security Agent]

 

By:

 

Date:

 

178



 

FORM OF RESIGNATION LETTER

 

To:                                      [                    ] as Agent

 

From:                        [resigning Obligor] and [Company]

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April  2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Resignation Letter.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this Resignation Letter unless given a different meaning in this Resignation Letter.

 

2.                                               Pursuant to [Clause 37.3 (Resignation of a Borrower)]/[Clause 37.5 (Resignation of a Guarantor)], we request that [resigning Obligor] be released from its obligations as a [Borrower]/[Guarantor] under the Facility Agreement and the Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

3.                                               We confirm that:-

 

3.1                                        no Default is continuing or would result from the acceptance of this request; and

 

3.2                                        *[[this request is given in relation to a Third Party Disposal of [resigning Obligor];

 

3.3                                        [                    ]***

 

4.                                               This Resignation Letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it are governed by English law.

 

[Company]

[resigning Obligor]

 

 

By:

By:

 


NOTES:

 

*                               Insert where resignation only permitted in case of a Third Party Disposal.

 

**                        Amend as appropriate, e.g. to reflect agreed procedure for payment of proceeds into a specified account.

 

***                 Insert any other conditions required by the Facility Agreement.

 

179



 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:                                      [                    ] as Agent

 

From:                        [Company]

 

Dated:

 

Dear Sirs

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April  2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to the Facility Agreement.  This is a Compliance Certificate.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning when used in this Compliance Certificate unless given a different meaning in this Compliance Certificate.

 

2.                                               We confirm that:-

 

[Insert details of covenants to be certified].

 

[We confirm that the ratio of Consolidated Net Borrowings to Consolidated EBITDA is [ ]:1 and that, therefore, the Margin should be [                    ]%.]

 

3.                                               [We confirm that no Default is continuing.]**

 

4.                                               We confirm that the aggregate of the earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (calculated on the same basis as Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and the aggregate gross assets, aggregate net assets and aggregate turnover of the Guarantors (other than the Parent) (calculated on an unconsolidated basis and excluding all intra-group items and investments in Subsidiaries of any member of the Group) exceeds 90% of the Consolidated EBITDA, (as defined in Clause 32 (Financial Covenants)) and the consolidated gross assets, consolidated net assets and consolidated turnover of the Group.

 

Signed

 

 

 

 

Director Of [Company]

Director of [Company]

 

 

 

Signed

 

 

 

 

Director Of [Parent]

Director of [Parent]

 

[insert applicable certification language]**

 


*If this statement cannot be made, the certificate should identify any Default that is continuing and the steps, if any, being taken to remedy it.

 

180



 

 

 

for and on behalf of

 

[name of the Company’s Auditors](1)***

 

 


** To be agreed with the Company’s Auditors and the Lenders (only to apply when a Default has occurred and is continuing as per Clause 31.2.3).

 

*** Only applicable if the Compliance Certificate accompanies the audited financial statements and is to be signed by the Auditors.  To be agreed with the Company’s auditor’s prior to signing the Agreement.

 

181



 

SCHEDULE 12

 

TIMETABLE

 

Delivery of a duly completed Utilisation Request (Clause 14.1 (Delivery of a Utilisation Request))

 

U-1

9.30am

 

 

 

Agent notifies the Lenders of the Loan in accordance with Clause 14.4 (Lenders’ participation)

 

U-1

noon

 

 

 

LIBOR is fixed

 

Quotation Day

as of 11:00 a.m.

 

“U”                           =                                         date of utilisation.

 

“U - X”=                                                 X Business Days prior to date of utilisation.

 

182



 

SCHEDULE 13

 

AGREED SECURITY PRINCIPLES

 

1.                                               Considerations

 

In determining what Security will be provided in support of the Facility (and any related hedging arrangements in respect of the types of liabilities and/or risks which the are required to be hedged from time to time) the following matters will be taken into account.  Security shall not be created or perfected to the extent that it would:-

 

1.1                                        result in any breach of corporate benefit, financial assistance, fraudulent preference or thin capitalisation laws or regulations (or analogous restrictions) of any applicable jurisdiction;

 

1.2                                        result in a significant risk to the officers of the relevant grantor of Security of contravention of their fiduciary duties and/or of civil or criminal liability; or

 

1.3                                        result in costs that, in the opinion of the Agent, are disproportionate to the benefit obtained by the beneficiaries of that Security.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, in these Agreed Security Principles, “cost” includes, but is not limited to, income tax cost, registration taxes payable on the creation or enforcement or for the continuance of any Security, stamp duties, out-of-pocket expenses, and other fees and expenses directly incurred by the relevant grantor of Security or any of its direct or indirect owners, subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

2.                                               Obligations to be Secured

 

2.1                                        Subject to 1 (Considerations) and to paragraph 2.2 below, the obligations to be secured are the Secured Obligations (as defined below).  The Security is to be granted in favour of the Security Agent on behalf of each Secured Party.

 

For ease of reference, the following definitions should, to the extent legally possible, be incorporated into each Transaction Security Document:-

 

Secured Obligations” means all present and future obligations at any time due, owing or incurred by any member of the Group and by each Obligor to any Secured Party under the Finance Documents, both actual and contingent and whether incurred solely or jointly and as principal or surety or in any other capacity.

 

Secured Parties” means the Security Agent, any Receiver or Delegate and each of the Agent, the Arrangers and the other Finance Parties from time to time but, in the case of each Agent, Arranger or other Finance Party, only if it is a party to the Intercreditor Agreement or (in the case of an Agent or any other Finance Party) has acceded to the Intercreditor Agreement, in the appropriate capacity, pursuant to clause 20.3 (Assignment and transfer of Secured Liabilities) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

2.2                                       The secured obligations will be limited:-

 

2.2.1                             to avoid any breach of corporate benefit, financial assistance, fraudulent preference, thin capitalisation rules or the laws or regulations (or analogous restrictions) of any applicable jurisdiction; and

 

2.2.2                             to avoid any risk to officers of the relevant member of the Group that is granting Transaction Security of contravention of their fiduciary duties and/or civil or criminal or personal liability.

 

183



 

3.                                               General

 

Where appropriate, defined terms in the Transaction Security Documents should mirror those in this Agreement.

 

The parties to this Agreement agree to negotiate the form of each Transaction Security Document in good faith and will ensure that all documentation required to be entered into as a condition precedent to first drawdown under this Agreement (or immediately thereafter) is in a finally agreed form as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement.  The form of guarantee is set out in Clause 29 (Guarantee and Indemnity) of this Agreement and, with respect to any Additional Guarantor, is subject to any limitations set out in the Accession Deed applicable to such Additional Guarantor.

 

The Security shall, to the extent possible under local law, be enforceable on the occurrence of an Event of Default which has resulted in the Agent exercising any of its rights under Clauses 34.18.1, 34.18.2, 34.18.4 or 34.18.6 of this Agreement or, having exercised its rights under Clause 34.18.3 or Clause 34.18.5 of this Agreement or first making demand with respect to some or all of the utilisations or amounts outstanding under the Ancillary Facilities.

 

4.                                               Undertakings/Representations and Warranties

 

Any representations, warranties or undertakings which are required to be included in any Transaction Security Document shall reflect (to the extent to which the subject matter of such representation, warranty and undertaking is the same as the corresponding representation, warranty and undertaking in this Agreement) the commercial deal set out in this Agreement (save to the extent that Secured Parties’ local counsel deem it necessary to include any further provisions (or deviate from those contained in this Agreement) in order to protect or preserve the Security granted to the Secured Parties).

 

184



 

FORM OF INCREASE CONFIRMATION

 

To:                                      [                    ] as Agent, [                    ] as Security Agent and [                    ] as Parent, for and on behalf of each Obligor

 

From:                        [the Increase Lender] (the “Increase Lender”)

 

Dated:                    [                    ]

 

[Parent] - [                    ] Senior Facilities Agreement
dated [                    ] (the “Facilities Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to the Facilities Agreement and to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the Facilities Agreement). This agreement (the “Agreement”) shall take effect as an Increase Confirmation for the purpose of the Facilities Agreement. Terms defined in the Facilities Agreement have the same meaning in this Agreement unless given a different meaning in this Agreement.

 

2.                                               We refer to Clause 11.2 (Increase) of the Facilities Agreement.

 

3.                                               The Increase Lender agrees to assume and will assume all of the obligations corresponding to the Commitment specified in the Schedule (the “Relevant Commitment”) as if it was an Original Lender under the Facilities Agreement.

 

4.                                               The proposed date on which the increase in relation to the Increase Lender and the Relevant Commitment is to take effect (the “Increase Date”) is  [                    ].

 

5.                                               On the Increase Date, the Increase Lender becomes:-

 

5.1                                        party to the relevant Finance Documents (other than the Intercreditor Agreement) as a Lender; and

 

5.2                                        party to the Intercreditor Agreement as a Senior Lender.

 

6.                                               The Facility Office and address, fax number and attention details for notices to the Increase Lender for the purposes of Clause 43.2 (Addresses) are set out in the Schedule.

 

7.                                               The Increase Lender expressly acknowledges the limitations on the Lenders’ obligations referred to in Clause 11.2.6.

 

8.                                               The Increase Lender confirms, for the benefit of the Agent and without liability to any Obligor, that it is:-

 

8.1                                        [a Qualifying Lender (other than a Treaty Lender);]

 

8.2                                        [a Treaty Lender;]

 

8.3                                        [not a Qualifying Lender].**

 

9.                                               The Increase Lender confirms that the person beneficially entitled to interest payable to that Lender in respect of an advance under a Finance Document is either:-

 

9.1                                        a company resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom tax purposes; or

 

9.2                                        a partnership each member of which is:-

 

9.2.1                             a company so resident in the United Kingdom; or

 

185



 

9.2.2                             a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account in computing its chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) the whole of any share of interest payable in respect of that advance that falls to it by reason of Part 17 of the CTA; or

 

9.2.3                             a company not so resident in the United Kingdom which carries on a trade in the United Kingdom through a permanent establishment and which brings into account interest payable in respect of that advance in computing the chargeable profits (within the meaning of section 19 of the CTA) of that company.]***

 

10.                                        The New Lender confirms that it holds a passport under the HMRC DT Treaty Passport scheme (reference number [  ]) and is tax resident in [    ]****, so that interest payable to it by borrowers is generally subject to full exemption from UK withholding tax, and requests that the Borrower notify that it wishes that scheme to apply to the Agreement.

 

*****

 

[10/11].          The Increase Lender confirms that it is not a Sponsor Affiliate.

 

[12/13].          We refer to clause 20.3 (Assignment and transfer of Secured Liabilities) of the Intercreditor Agreement and confirm that the Increase Lender has executed a Deed of Accession (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

[13/14].          This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and this has the same effect as if the signatures on the counterparts were on a single copy of this Agreement.

 

[14/15].          This Agreement rand any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in connection with it] [is/are] governed by English law.

 

[15/16].          This Agreement has been entered into on the date stated at the beginning of this Agreement.

 

Note: The execution of this Increase Confirmation may not be sufficient for the Increase Lender to obtain the benefit of the Transaction Security in all jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the Increase Lender to ascertain whether any other documents or other formalities are required to obtain the benefit of the Transaction Security in any jurisdiction and, if so, to arrange for execution of those documents and completion of those formalities.

 


Notes:

 

*                                         Only if increase in the Total Commitments.

 

**                                  Delete as applicable — each Increase Lender is required to confirm which of these three categories it falls within.

 

***                           Include only if New Lender is a UK Non-Bank Lender i.e. falls within paragraph (a)(ii) of the definition of Qualifying Lender in Clause 24.1

 

186



 

THE SCHEDULE

 

RELEVANT COMMITMENT/RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS TO BE ASSUMED BY THE INCREASE LENDER

 

[insert relevant details]

 

[Facility office address, fax number and attention details for notices and account details for payments]

 

[Increase Lender]

 

By:

 

This Agreement is accepted as an Increase Confirmation for the purposes of the Facilities Agreement by the Agent and the Increase Date is confirmed as [                    ].

 

Agent

 

By:

 

Security Agent

 

By:

 

NOTE:

 

187



 

SCHEDULE 15

 

FORMS OF NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION NOTICE

 

PART 1

 

FORM OF NOTICE ON ENTERING INTO NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION

 

To:                             [                    ] as Agent

 

From:               [The Lender]

 

Dated:           [                    ]

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April  2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to Clause 36.2.2 of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.

 

2.                                               We have entered into a Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction.

 

3.                                               The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment(s) as set out below.

 

Commitment

 

Amount of our Commitment to which Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction relates

 

[Lender]

 

By:

 

188



 

FORM OF NOTICE ON TERMINATION OF NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION/NOTIFIABLE DEBT PURCHASE TRANSACTION CEASING TO BE WITH SPONSOR AFFILIATE

 

To:                             [                    ] as Agent

 

From:               [The Lender]

 

Dated:           [                    ]

 

Sytner Group Limited — £150,000,000 Facility Agreement dated 16 December 2011 as amended and restated on 19 December 2014 and as further amendment and restated on 2 April  2015 (the “Facility Agreement”)

 

1.                                               We refer to Clause 36.2.3 of the Facility Agreement.  Terms defined in the Facility Agreement have the same meaning in this notice unless given a different meaning in this notice.

 

2.                                               A Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction which we entered into and which we notified you of in a notice dated [                    ] has (terminated]/[ceased to be with a Sponsor Affiliate].*

 

3.                                               The Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction referred to in paragraph 2 above relates to the amount of our Commitment(s) as set out below.

 

Commitment

 

Amount of our Commitment to which Notifiable Debt Purchase Transaction relates

 

[Lender]

 

By:

 


* Delete as applicable.

 

189



 

SCHEDULE 16

 

FRANCHISES

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Nottingham

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Northampton

SYTNER BMW/MINI Leicester

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Sheffield

SYTNER BMW/MINI Sheffield

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Coventry

SYTNER BMW/MINI Solihull

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Stratford

SYTNER BMW/MINI Coventry

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Knutsford

SYTNER BMW/MINI City

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Wakefield

SYTNER BMW/MINI High Wycombe

 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Stockport

SYTNER BMW/MINI Chigwell

 

TOLLBAR VOLVO Warwick

SYTNER BMW/MINI Harold Wood

 

AUDI Leeds

SYTNER BMW/MINI Sunningdale

 

AUDI Wakefield

SYTNER ROLLS ROYCE Sunningdale

 

AUDI Bradford

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Bristol

 

AUDI Harrogate

MERCEDES-BENZ OF WSM

 

AUDI Slough

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Newbury

 

AUDI Reading

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Swindon

 

AUDI West London

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Bath

 

AUDI Victoria

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Gloucester

 

LEXUS Leicester

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Milton Keynes

 

LEXUS Bristol

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Northampton

 

LEXUS Milton Keynes

MERCEDES-BENZ OF Bedford

 

GRAYPAUL FERRARI/MASERATI Nottingham

GUY SALMON JAGUAR Thames Ditton

 

GRAYPAUL FERRARI/MASERATI Edinburgh

GUY SALMON JAGUAR Ascot

 

PORSCHE CENTRE Mid-Sussex

GUY SALMON JAGUAR Maidstone

 

PORSCHE CENTRE Silverstone

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Thames Ditton

 

PORSCHE CENTRE Edinburgh

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Ascot

 

PORSCHE CENTRE Glasgow

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Maidstone

 

BENTLEY Manchester

 

190



 

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Portsmouth

 

BENTLEY Birmingham

HONDA Redhill

 

BENTLEY Edinburgh

GUY SALMON JAGUAR Coventry

 

MERCEDES-BENZ Newcastle

GUY SALMON JAGUAR Northampton

 

MERCEDES-BENZ Sunderland

AUDI Huddersfield

 

MERCEDES-BENZ Carlisle

VW Huddersfield

 

MERCEDES-BENZ Stockton

VW Harrogate

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Birmingham

VW Leeds

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Sutton

VW Skipton

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Oldbury

SEAT Huddersfield

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Cardiff

AUDI Derby

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Newport

FERRARI Birmingham

 

SYTNER BMW/MINI Maidenhead

FERRARI Egham

 

BENTLEY Leicester

GUY SALMON LANDROVER Bristol

 

PORSCHE Leicester

AUDI Nottingham

 

PORSCHE Solihull

AUDI Leicester

 

HONDA Gatwick

 

191



 

EXISTING SECURITY DOCUMENTS

 

NAME OF OBLIGOR

 

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT

 

PERSONS
ENTITLED

 

DATE CHARGE
CREATED

Rycroft Vehicles Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

20/10/2006

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

Maranello Concessionaires Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

13/05/2008

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/12/2013

Sytner Limited

 

Charge supplemental to a mortgage debenture dated 19/01/1976

 

National Westminster Bank plc
National Westminster Bank plc

 

01/03/1988
19/06/2009

 

 

Debenture
Debenture

 

BMW Finance (GB) Limited (now known as BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited)

 

11/11/1988
31/12/2012

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

 

Sytner Retail Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

20/10/2006

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

 

 

Debenture

 

BMW Finance (GB) Limited (now known as BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited)

 

12/01/1988

John Fox Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

21/12/2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maranello Sales Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

13/05/2008

Cruickshank Motors Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

12/05/1995

 

 

Legal Mortgage

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

30/01/1998

 

 

Floating charge over stock

 

Mercedes-Benz Finance Limited

 

29/12/1995

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/12/2012

 

192



 

Sytner Automotive Limited (formerly Sytner Coventry Limited)

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

04/01/2006

 

Deed of Assignment

 

BMW Finance (GB) Limited (now known as BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited)

 

22/07/2002

Sytner Holdings Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/08/1999

R Stratton & Co Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

17/05/2003

Sytner Cars Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/01/1995

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graypaul Motors Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

22/09/1995

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/12/2013

Goodman Retail Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

22/12/1995

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/12/2013

Goodman TPS Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

03/07/2009

Guy Salmon Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

19/06/1998

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/12/2014

Sytner Vehicles Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

23/12/2009

Ryland Investments Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

Maranello Holdings Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

13/05/2008

William Jacks Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/07/2006

Mar Parts Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

13/05/2008

William Jacks Properties Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/07/2006

Ryland Group Services Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

 

193



 

Ryland Properties Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

Ryland Group Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UAG UK Holdings Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

07/05/2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sytner Group Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/01/1995

 

 

Assignment of Life Policies

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

15/09/1995

 

 

Keyman Insurance Assignment

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

29/03/1996

 

 

Keyman Insurance Assignment

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/08/1999

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

24/01/2012

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

24/01/2012

Sytner Properties Limited

 

Legal Mortgage

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

01/10/1998

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

03/07/2009

Rydnal Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

27/02/2007

Sandridge Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

25/07/1997

Sytner Finance Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

25/07/1997

Prophets (Gerrards Cross) Limited

 

Mortgage debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

31/08/1999

Sytner Properties (Grove Park) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

03/07/2009

Sytner Direct Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

16/06/1998

 

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

07/05/2003

Goodman Derby Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

19/12/2008

 

194



 

Sytner Properties (Grove Park) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

03/07/2009

Hallamshire Motor Company Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

30/12/1996

Michael Powles Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

19/12/2008

Kings Motors Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

25/05/1997

Sytner Finance Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

25/071997

Prophets (Gerrards Cross) Limited

 

Mortgage Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/08/1999

F.W. Mays & Co. Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/07/2006

Rectory Road Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

16/06/1986

Ascot Garage Co. Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank Plc

 

31/07/2006

Isaac Agnew (Holdings) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Agnew Retail Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Agnew Trade Centre Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Isaac Agnew Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

 

 

Deed of Assignment

 

BMW Financial Services (GB) Limited

 

31/12/2014

Isaac Agnew (Mallusk) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Agnew Corporate Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

 

 

Account Assignment

 

N.I.I.B. Group Limited

 

20/03/2013

 

 

Master Deed of Assignment

 

N.I.I.B. Group Limited

 

20/03/2013

Stanley Motor Works (1932) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Bavarian Garages (NI) Limited

 

Debenture

 

BMW Finance (GB) Limited

 

14/07/1989

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

 

195



 

Agnew Commercials Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

I A P C B Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

Trade Parts Specialist (NI) Limited

 

Debenture

 

National Westminster Bank plc

 

24/01/2012

 

196



 

SIGNATURES

 

The Parent

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

UAG UK HOLDINGS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

The Obligors

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

UAG UK HOLDINGS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER GROUP LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

witness

Director

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

197



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER CARS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER HOLDINGS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

198



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

GOODMAN RETAIL LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

R STRATTON & CO LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

CRUICKSHANK MOTORS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

199



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

GRAYPAUL MOTORS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER AUTOMOTIVE LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

WILLIAM JACKS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

200



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

WILLIAM JACKS PROPERTIES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYLAND GROUP LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYDNAL LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

201



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYLAND INVESTMENTS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYCROFT VEHICLES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER RETAIL LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

202



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYLAND GROUP SERVICES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

RYLAND PROPERTIES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

JOHN FOX LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

203



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

EDMOND & MILBURN LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER VEHICLES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

SYTNER PROPERTIES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

204



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

MARANELLO HOLDINGS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

MARANELLO CONCESSIONAIRES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

MARANELLO SALES LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

205



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

GOODMAN TPS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

GUY SALMON LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

MAR PARTS LIMITED

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

Occupation: Personal Assistant

 

 

 

206



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

 hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

AGNEW TRADE CENTRE LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

AGNEW RETAIL LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

ISAAC AGNEW (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

207



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

 hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

TRADE PARTS SPECIALIST (NI) LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

I A P C B LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

BAVARIAN GARAGES (NI) LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

208



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

 hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

AGNEW COMMERCIALS LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

STANLEY MOTOR WORKS (1932) LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

AGNEW CORPORATE LTD

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

209



 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

 hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

ISAAC AGNEW (MALLUSK) LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

ISAAC AGNEW LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

)

 

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

)

/s/ Adam Collinson

AGNEW AUTOEXCHANGE LIMITED

 

)

 

acting by a director in the presence of a

 

Director

witness

 

 

Signature of Witness:

/s/ Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Witness:

Helen Lilleyman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

2 Penman Way

 

 

 

 

Grove Park

 

 

 

 

Leicester

 

 

 

 

LE19 1ST

 

 

 

Occupation:

Personal Assistant

 

 

 

 

210



 

The Arranger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

as attorney for and on behalf of

 

 

)

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC in

 

 

) /s/ Chris Lewis

 the presence of:-

 

 

)

 

 

 

)

 

 

 

)

Signature of witness:

/s/ Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness:

Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

Pinsent Masons LLP

 

 

 

 

3 Colmore Circus

 

 

 

 

Birmingham

 

 

 

 

B4 6BH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES (GB) LIMITED

 

 

)

acting by two directors or one director and the

 

 

) /s/ R.M. Jordan

secretary

 

 

)Director

 

 

 

)

 

 

 

) /s/ Tobias Essig

 

 

 

)Director/secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Security Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

as attorney for and on behalf of

 

 

) /s/ Chris Lewis

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC in

 

 

)

the presence of:

 

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of witness:

/s/ Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness:

Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

Pinsent Masons LLP

 

 

 

 

3 Colmore Circus

 

 

 

 

Birmingham

 

 

 

 

B4 6BH

 

 

 

 

211



 

The Agent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

as attorney for and on behalf of

 

 

) /s/ Chris Lewis

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC in

 

 

)

the presence of:-

 

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature of witness:

/s/ Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness:

Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

Pinsent Masons LLP

 

 

 

 

3 Colmore Circus

 

 

 

 

Birmingham

 

 

 

 

B4 6BH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Original Lenders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

as attorney for and on behalf of

 

 

)

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 

) /s/ Chris Lewis

acting as agent for NATIONAL

 

 

)

WESTMINSTER BANK PLC in the presence

 

 

)

of:-

 

 

)

 

 

 

 

Signature of witness:

/s/ Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness:

Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

Pinsent Masons LLP

 

 

 

 

3 Colmore Circus

 

 

 

 

Birmingham

 

 

 

 

B4 6BH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES (GB) LIMITED

 

 

)

acting by two directors or one director and the

 

 

) /s/ R.M. Jordan

secretary

 

 

)Director

 

 

 

)

 

 

 

) /s/ Tobias Essig

 

 

 

)Director/secretary

 

212



 

The Bilateral Lender

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTED (but not delivered until the date

 

 

)

hereof) AS A DEED by

 

 

)

as attorney for and on behalf of

 

 

)

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

 

 

) /s/ Chris Lewis

acting as agent for NATIONAL

 

 

)

WESTMINSTER BANK PLC in the presence

 

 

)

of:-

 

 

)

 

 

 

 

Signature of witness:

/s/ Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of witness:

Aidan Fittis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

Pinsent Masons LLP

 

 

 

 

3 Colmore Circus

 

 

 

 

Birmingham

 

 

 

 

B4 6BH

 

 

 

 

213