| (1) |
NEPTUNE MARITIME LEASING LIMITED, a company incorporated and
existing under the laws of Jersey with its registered office at Whiteley Chambers, Don Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4TR (“NML”); and
|
| (2) |
NEPTUNE GLOBAL FINANCING LIMITED, a company incorporated and
existing under the laws of Jersey with its registered office at Whiteley Chambers, Don Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4TR (“Manager”),
|
| (A) |
Pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement (as defined below), NML has been formed as the parent company of each of the Owners (as defined below), which, in turn, have been
or are to be incorporated to own the Vessels.
|
| (B) |
In order to provide NML with accounting, strategic, commercial and vessel-specific services as required, NML desires to engage the Manager to provide such services.
|
| (C) |
The Manager has agreed to provide by its own personnel and resources such services to NML on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.
|
| 1 |
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
|
| 1.1 |
Definitions
|
| (a) |
a Person acquires Control of the Manager where no Person previously has such Control; or
|
| (b) |
a Controller of the Manager ceases to have Control of the Manager; or
|
| (c) |
a Person acquires Control of the Controller of the Manager; or
|
| (d) |
a Person who is not under the Control of the Controller of the Manager acquires Control of the Manager,
|
| (a) |
of a body corporate if that Person possesses the majority of the issued share capital or the voting rights in that body corporate or the right to appoint or remove directors of that body
corporate holding a majority of the voting rights at meetings of the board of directors (or equivalent management organ) on all, or substantially all, matters;
|
| (b) |
of a partnership if that Person has the right to a share of more than one-half of the assets, or of more than one half of the income, of that partnership in circumstances where it can
reasonably be expected that such Person directs the affairs of that partnership.
|
| (a) |
acts of God, hurricane, flood, earthquake, windstorm, epidemic, pandemic or other natural disaster;
|
| (b) |
acts of public enemies, terrorist attack, war (including civil war), threat of or preparation for war, armed conflict, imposition of sanctions, embargo, breaking off of diplomatic relations
or similar actions;
|
| (c) |
national emergency, invasions, pirates or assailing thieves, insurrection, riots, strikes, picketing, boycotts, arrests or restraint of princes, rulers of people, or interference by any
governmental agency or official (whether legal or illegal), interference by laws or regulations of any government or subdivisions thereof (whether legal or illegal);
|
| (d) |
nuclear, chemical or biological contamination or sonic boom;
|
| (e) |
fire, explosion (other than in each case one caused by a breach of contract by, or assistance of, the Party seeking to rely on the relevant clause or companies in the same group as such
Party) or accidental damage;
|
| (f) |
extreme adverse weather conditions; and
|
| (g) |
any labour dispute, including but not limited to strikes, industrial action or lockouts.
|
| (a) |
any national government, political subdivision thereof, or local jurisdiction therein;
|
| (b) |
any instrumentality, board, commission, court or agency of any thereof, however constituted; and
|
| (c) |
any association, organization or institution of which any of the above is a member or to whose jurisdiction any thereof is subject or in whose activities any of the above is a participant.
|
| (a) |
any management or other receiver is appointed over any asset of such Person;
|
| (b) |
such Person makes any formal declaration of bankruptcy or any formal statement to the effect that it is insolvent or likely to become insolvent, or a winding up or administration order is
made in relation to such Person, or the members or directors of such Person pass a resolution to the effect that it should be wound up, placed in administration or cease to carry on business;
|
| (c) |
a petition is presented for the winding up or administration, or the appointment of a provisional liquidator, of such Person unless the petition is being contested in good faith and on
substantial grounds and is dismissed or withdrawn within ninety (90) days of the presentation of the petition;
|
| (d) |
such Person is deemed under Applicable Laws unable to pay its debts as they fall due; or
|
| (e) |
such Person petitions a court, or presents any proposal for, any form of judicial or non-judicial suspension or deferral of payments, reorganization of its debt (or certain of its debt) or
arrangement with all or a substantial proportion (by number or value) of its creditors or of any class of them or any such suspension or deferral of payments, reorganization or arrangement is effected by court order, contract or otherwise,
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| 1.2 |
Construction
|
| (a) |
references to Clauses and Schedules are to be construed as references to clauses of, and Schedules to, this Agreement and references to this Agreement include its Schedules;
|
| (b) |
references to (or to any specified provision of) this Agreement or any other document shall be construed as references to this Agreement, that provision or that document as in force for the
time being and as amended in accordance with terms thereof, or, as the case may be, with the agreement of the relevant parties;
|
| (c) |
references to a “regulation” include any present or future regulation, rule, directive, requirement, request or guideline (whether or not having the force of law) of any agency, authority,
central bank or government department or any self-regulatory or other national or supra-national authority;
|
| (d) |
words importing the plural shall include the singular and vice versa; and
|
| (e) |
references to any enactment shall be deemed to include references to such enactment as re-enacted, amended or extended.
|
| 1.3 |
Headings
|
| 1.4 |
Amendment and Restatement
|
| 2 |
APPOINTMENT OF MANAGER
|
| 3 |
BASIS OF AGREEMENT
|
| 3.1 |
Administrative Services
|
| (a) |
providing suitably qualified individuals (with the prior written consent of NML) to act as authorised signatories of NML within parameters as to the scope of authority to be determined by
the NML Board in its sole discretion;
|
| (b) |
undertaking the financial management and treasury functions of NML and each of the Owners;
|
| (c) |
administering bank accounts of NML and/or the Owners within parameters as to the scope of authority to be determined by the NML Board in its sole discretion;
|
| (d) |
providing all administration services in connection with any financing arrangements or facilities entered into by any of NML or the Owners, including monitoring compliance with
environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria to the extent applicable;
|
| (e) |
calculating and collecting lease payments due to the Owners or other moneys of whatsoever nature to which NML or the relevant Owner (as the case may be) may be entitled arising out of the
employment of or otherwise in connection with the Vessels;
|
| (f) |
monitoring overall compliance of lessees with the terms of their Vessel leasing agreements with the Owners and ensuring enforcement of such terms as required;
|
| (g) |
monitoring, reporting any damages to Vessels and coordinating repairs as required;
|
| (h) |
to the extent the Manager is aware of the same, reporting to NML, and keeping the NML Board informed of, the occurrence of any default under any contract (including any Vessel financing)
reasonably expected to have a material effect on NML’s and/or any Owner’s financial position, prospects or reputation in the shipping market to which NML or any Owner is a party, or any event or circumstance which is required to be notified
to lenders or their agent under the financing documents for any Vessel;
|
| (i) |
at the request of NML, handling all management and clerical matters in respect of (i) the call and arrangements of annual and special meetings of shareholders, and (ii) the preparation of
all formal documentation and materials (including notices of meetings and proxy or similar materials and registration statements) in respect thereof, provided that any costs associated with such services shall be for the account of NML if NML
has requested such services;
|
| (j) |
advising on and assisting NML with calculating risks and reserves;
|
| (k) |
advising in relation to currency or interest fluctuations and/or hedging positions, subject to the direction and decision of the NML Board; and
|
| (l) |
providing such assistance to the Administrator (if any) as is required for the Administrator to be able to:
|
| (i) |
prepare relevant regulatory and/or other reports for government authorities and investors; and
|
| (ii) |
assist with arranging NML Board’s meetings and preparing board of directors and committee meeting materials, involving, as applicable, agendas, discussion papers, analyses and reports.
|
| 3.2 |
Strategic Services
|
| (a) |
providing general strategic planning services and implementing in accordance with the directions of NML corporate strategy, including developing acquisition and divestiture strategies;
|
| (b) |
identifying and proposing opportunities to NML to acquire vessels that could constitute an Approved Investment in accordance with the requirements of the Shareholders Agreement and, subject
to the prior approval by the NML Board in respect of any such opportunity (and its terms), negotiating and carrying out such purchase on behalf of NML and/or any of the Owners;
|
| (c) |
maintaining and managing in accordance with the directions of NML relationships between NML and/or the Owners and potential charterers, insurers, lenders and potential financiers of NML
and/or the Owners and other shipping industry participants;
|
| (d) |
arranging and negotiating pre-delivery and post-delivery financing or refinancing for the purchase of prospective Vessels in accordance with the directions of NML; and
|
| (e) |
providing such other strategic, corporate planning, business development and advisory services as NML may reasonably request from time to time.
|
| 3.3 |
Accounting and Tax Services
|
| (a) |
the budgets, financial statements, and management and other financial information required to be furnished by NML to its shareholders in accordance with the Shareholders Agreement;
|
| (b) |
annual and other periodic tax returns for NML and each Owner as required by any Applicable Law;
|
| (c) |
such other account, tax, investor or financial reports and statutory reports as may be reasonably required by NML and/or any of its financiers; and
|
| (d) |
such other information as to the financial performance of NML, each of the Owners and the Vessels as from time to time may be reasonably requested by NML.
|
| 3.4 |
Insurance Arrangements
|
| 3.5 |
Pre-Delivery Services
|
| 3.6 |
Sale of existing Vessels
|
| 3.7 |
Other Vessel-Related Services
|
| 4 |
ADDITIONAL MANAGER UNDERTAKINGS
|
| 4.1 |
The Manager shall not delegate the conduct of any activity which would constitute core income generating activities of NML for the purposes of the Taxation (Companies – Economic Substance)
(Jersey) Law 2018 without the prior written consent of NML.
|
| 4.2 |
The Manager shall:
|
| (a) |
handle and settle, subject to any directions of the NML Board, all third party claims arising out of any of the Management Services under this Agreement and keep NML informed regarding any
incident of which the Manager becomes aware which gives or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties;
|
| (b) |
keep the NML Board properly informed on a timely basis of all matters and incidents that it becomes aware of which give or may give rise to claims or disputes involving third parties and
the progress of, and developments in, any legal actions, suits or proceedings to which the Company or the Owners are a party;
|
| (c) |
as instructed by NML, bring or defend actions, suits or proceedings in connection with matters entrusted to the Manager according to this Agreement;
|
| (d) |
have power to obtain legal or technical or other outside expert advice in relation to the handling and settlement of claims and disputes or all other matters, affecting the interests of NML
or the Owners in respect of each Vessel; and
|
| (e) |
arrange for the provision of any necessary guarantee bond or other security on behalf of NML and/or the Owner (as the case may be).
|
| 4.3 |
If the value of any litigation claim or dispute (including associated costs) exceeds, or is likely to exceed, US$100,000 the Manager shall obtain the approval of the NML Board before
proceeding to take any actions. Any costs incurred by the Manager in carrying out its obligations according to Clause 4.2 shall be reimbursed by NML.
|
| 4.4 |
The Manager hereby undertakes and agrees that neither the Manager nor any of its Affiliates shall, without the prior written consent of NML, enter into any transaction on behalf of NML
and/or any Owner (or otherwise in relation to the provision of the Management Services) with any Related Party of the Manager.
|
| 5 |
ADMINISTRATION FEES AND COST REIMBURSEMENT
|
| 5.1 |
NML shall pay to the Manager an annual fee (“Administration Fee”) of:
|
| (a) |
one point five percent (1.5%) on the aggregate amount of all Capital Contributions (adjusted from time to time to take account of any Realised Capital distributed to, or recalled from, the
Preferred Shareholders in accordance with the Articles); and
|
| (b) |
zero point eight percent (0.8%) on the aggregate amount of all Undrawn Commitments (adjusted from time to time to take account of any Realised Capital distributed to, or recalled from the
Preferred Shareholders in accordance with the Articles) but only for the Commitment Period.
|
| 5.2 |
The Parties may agree from time to time that the Manager shall provide to NML services above and beyond the scope of the Management Services. In such cases, provided that NML is not also
paying any third party for such services, NML shall pay to the Manager industry standard remuneration which, for the avoidance of doubt, in the case of chartering services shall be industry standard commissions of the total charter hire or
freight payable under any charter and in the case of sale and purchase of any Vessel shall be industry standard commission (other than the original bareboat charters entered into by Owners in connection with any Approved Investment) and in
relation to any individual Vessel disposed of by NML or the relevant Owner and such other additional fees as are mutually agreed with respect to such services provided.
|
| 5.3 |
The Manager shall provide the Management Services in consideration of the payment of the Administration Fee and other services in consideration of other mutually agreed fees payable under
this Clause 5. All reasonable costs and disbursements incurred by the Manager under the terms of this Agreement on behalf of NML and/or the Owners in the performance of the respective Management Services, excluding operating expenses of the
Manager and its sub-contractors (if any) which shall be for the account of the Manager and relevant sub-contractors, shall be payable by NML to the Manager on demand, provided that it is accompanied by an invoice and supporting documentation.
Save for operating expenses of the Manager and its sub-contractors (if any) which shall be for the account of the Manager and relevant sub-contractors, the Manager shall in no circumstances be required to use or commit its own funds to
finance expenses, costs and disbursements to be incurred in connection with the provision of the Management Services.
|
| 6 |
RIGHT TO SUB-CONTRACT
|
| 7 |
NON-EXCLUSIVITY, NON-COMPETE AND TRADEMARK LICENCE
|
| 7.1 |
NML and Owners acknowledge and agree that, subject to Clause 7.2, the Manager and its Related Parties shall be permitted to provide to third parties, directly or indirectly, same or similar
services as the Management Services from time to time after 1 April 2023 and thereafter during the remaining term of this Agreement, it being agreed and the Manager undertakes except with the prior consent of NML that until such second year
anniversary the Manager and the entities it Controls shall provide the Management Services exclusively to NML and shall not provide any service of a similar nature to a third party.
|
| 7.2 |
The Manager undertakes with NML and each of the Owners that during the term of this Agreement and for twelve (12) months following its termination or expiry, it shall not, and (in the case
of paragraph (a) only) shall procure that none of its Related Parties shall, directly or indirectly, alone or with, through or as any manager, adviser, consultant, partner, employee or agent for any person, (i) carry on, (ii) be employed or
otherwise engaged, concerned or interested in any capacity (whether for reward or otherwise) by or (iii) perform services for or advise:
|
| (a) |
any business that acquires Mainstream Sector Vessels from a ship-owner and then simultaneously bareboat charters the Mainstream Sector Vessel back to such ship-owner or another third party
owner or operator or vessels (it being acknowledged and agreed by the Parties that any other shipping activities, including owning and operating vessels, shall not be deemed a business that competes with NML and/or Owners); or
|
| (b) |
any business that competes with NML and/or the Owners or any new business that NML and/or the Owners pursue during the term of this Agreement or has committed (determined as of the date of
this Agreement’s termination or expiry) in pursuing during the subsequent twelve months following such termination or expiry.
|
| 7.3 |
The Manager agrees with NML and the Owners that the restrictive covenants in Clauses 7.1 and 7.2 are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the value of NML and that having regard
to that fact those covenants do not work harshly on it.
|
| 7.4 |
The Manager acknowledges that it has had the opportunity to take independent advice on the restrictions in Clauses 7.1 and 7.2. While those restrictions are considered by it to be
reasonable in all the circumstances, it is agreed that if any of those restrictions, by themselves or taken together, are adjudged to go beyond what is reasonable in all the circumstances to protect the legitimate interests of NML and the
Owners but would be adjudged reasonable if part or parts of their wording were deleted or amended or qualified or the time periods, services or geographic area were reduced in scope, then the relevant restriction or restrictions shall apply
with such modification or modifications as may be necessary to make it or them valid and effective.
|
| 7.5 |
The Manager hereby grants to NML with effect from the date of this Agreement a worldwide, non-transferable, royalty-free, non-exclusive, revocable in accordance with clause 10 (Termination) licence with a right to sub-licence to the Owners (subject to the terms of this clause 7.5) to use the Neptune Branding during the Term in connection
with NML’s business, or in the case of any sub-licence to an Owner, such Owner’s business, as conducted at the date of this Agreement and as carried on from time to time, which right shall include NML and the Owners using the Neptune Branding
in their corporate or trade names (the “Sub-licence”), provided that clauses 3.3, 3.4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the Trade Mark
Licence shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Sub-licence except that they shall be amended such that references to the ‘Licensor’ shall be references to the
Manager (other than in the cases of clauses 4.2, 5.3(d), 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 9.2, 11 and 13(i)(c)(ii) of the Trade Mark Licence in respect of which references to the ‘Licensor’ shall remain references to KK) and references to the ‘Licensee’
shall be references to NML.
|
| 8 |
RESPONSIBILITIES
|
| 8.1 |
No Party shall be under any liability for any failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that performance thereof is delayed, hindered or prevented by the
occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, provided always that the Party subject to such Force Majeure Event:
|
| (a) |
fails to perform such obligations directly as a result of such Force Majeure Event;
|
| (b) |
promptly notifies the other Party in writing of the nature and extent of the Force Majeure Event causing its failure or delay in performance; and
|
| (c) |
has used all reasonable endeavours to mitigate the effect of the Force Majeure Event, to carry out its obligations under this Agreement in any way that is reasonably practicable and to
resume the performance of its obligations as soon as reasonably possible.
|
| 8.2 |
Subject to the limitations set forth in Clause 8.4, the Manager hereby undertakes to indemnify NML and each of the Owners and their respective officers, directors, agents or employees
(each, an “Indemnified Party”) and to hold each Indemnified Party harmless from and against any and all actions, proceedings, claims,
demands, damages or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising (excluding consequential damages and/or loss of profits, but including all reasonable attorneys’, consultants and experts’ fees and disbursements and court costs) (collectively,
“Losses”) which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the Manager’s breach of
this Agreement.
|
| 8.3 |
NML declares that it holds the benefit of the indemnity in Clause 8.2 on bare trust severally (and not jointly) for itself and each other Indemnified Party. These several bare trusts shall
carry no duty to preserve or enhance the value of the trust property pursuant to the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984.
|
| 8.4 |
The Manager shall not have any liability whatsoever to the Indemnified Parties under Clause 8.2 for any Losses howsoever arising in the course of performance of the Management Services
unless the same is proved to have resulted primarily from the negligence of the Manager or its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, employees, agents or sub-contractors (the “Manager’s Parties”). If such Losses are proved to have resulted primarily from the negligence of the Manager’s Parties, the Manager’s liability for each incident or series of incidents per year giving rise to a
claim or claims shall never exceed a total of US$250,000 (the “Manager Cap”); provided, however, that if such Losses are proven to have
resulted from the wilful misconduct or fraud of the Manager, the Manager Cap shall not apply to such Losses.
|
| 8.5 |
Upon receipt by an Indemnified Party of notice of any actions, proceedings, claims or demands made or brought by any unaffiliated third party (a “Third Party Claim”) with respect to a matter for which such Indemnified Party is indemnified under this Clause 7.5 which has or is reasonably expected to give rise to a claim for
Losses, the Indemnified Party shall as soon as practicable notify the Manager, in writing, indicating the nature of such Third Party Claim and the basis therefor; provided, however, that any delay or failure by the Indemnified Party to give
notice to the Manager shall relieve the Manager of its obligations hereunder to the extent that it is prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure. The Manager shall be entitled to assume and control the defence of such Third Party Claim at
its expense and through counsel of its choice. In any such action or proceeding, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel. The Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Manager in such defence and make available
to the Manager, all witnesses, pertinent records, materials and information in the Indemnified Party’s possession or under the Indemnified Party’s control relating thereto as is reasonably required by the Manager. Neither the Manager nor the
Indemnified Party shall settle any Third Party Claim without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that no Indemnified Party consent shall be required in the event the
Indemnified Party is not financially liable, no wrongdoing on behalf of the Indemnified Party is admitted, and the Indemnified Party receives a release from the claimant.
|
| 8.6 |
Notwithstanding anything that may appear to the contrary in this Agreement, the Manager shall not be liable for any of the actions of the master, officers and crew members of any Vessel
that may be appointed by the Manager pursuant to this Agreement, even if such actions are negligent or wilful, except only to the extent that they are shown to have specifically resulted from a failure by the Manager to discharge its
obligations in relation to the provision of the Management Services.
|
| 8.7 |
Except to the extent that any of the Manager or its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them would be liable under Clauses 8.2 and/or 8.4, NML
hereby undertakes to keep each of the Manager and its Affiliates, Subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, or agents or sub-contractors employed by them, indemnified and to hold them harmless against all actions, proceedings, claims,
demands or liabilities whatsoever or howsoever arising which may be brought against them or incurred or suffered by them arising out of or in connection with the performance of this Agreement, and against and in respect of all costs, losses,
damages and expenses (including legal costs and expenses on a full indemnity basis) which the Manager may suffer or incur (either directly or indirectly) in the course of the performance of this Agreement.
|
| 8.8 |
It is hereby expressly agreed that no employee or agent of the Manager or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries (including any sub-contractor from time to time employed by the Manager or its
Affiliates or Subsidiaries) shall in any circumstances whatsoever be under any liability whatsoever to NML for any loss, damage or delay of whatsoever kind arising or resulting directly or indirectly from such employee or agent’s act, neglect
or default on while acting in the course of or in connection with such employment or agency and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, every exemption, limitation, condition and liberty herein contained and every
right, exemption from liability, defence and immunity of whatsoever nature applicable to the Manager or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries or to which any of them are entitled hereunder shall also be available and shall extend to protect every
such employee or agent of the Manager or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries acting as aforesaid and for the purpose of all the foregoing provisions, each of the Manager or its Affiliates or Subsidiaries are or shall be deemed to hold the benefit
of this Clause 8.8 on bare trust severally (and not jointly) for the benefit of all persons who are or might be their servants or agents from time to time (including sub-contractors as aforesaid) and all such persons shall to this extent be
or be deemed to be parties to this Agreement. These several bare trusts shall carry no duty to preserve or enhance the value of the trust property pursuant to the Trusts (Jersey) Law 1984.
|
| 9 |
DURATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
|
| 10 |
TERMINATION
|
| 10.1 |
NML’s default
|
| (a) |
any moneys payable by NML under this Agreement have not been received by the Manager within ten (10) days of receipt by NML of the Manager’s written request, unless such failure to pay
results from a breach by the Manager of this Agreement;
|
| (b) |
the Manager, notwithstanding it advising NML otherwise, is required by NML to take any action that, in the Manager's reasonable discretion, contravenes Applicable Law or is unduly hazardous
or improper or hazardous to any crew member of any Vessel or other person; or
|
| (c) |
an Insolvency Event of NML occurs (otherwise than for the purpose of an orderly liquidation of NML’s assets at the end of the Investment Term in accordance with the terms of the
Shareholders Agreement).
|
| 10.2 |
Manager’s Default
|
| 10.3 |
In any such event of termination or upon expiry of this Agreement, the Manager shall give all such assistance as is reasonably requested by NML and necessary to secure as soon as is
reasonably practicable an orderly transition to its replacement.
|
| 10.4 |
Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the termination of this Agreement shall be without prejudice to all rights accrued between the Parties prior to the date of termination.
|
| 10.5 |
Termination of this Agreement will not affect any contractual provision intended or expressed to survive termination and will be without penalty or other additional payment.
|
| 11 |
NEW OWNERS/VESSELS
|
| 12 |
THIRD PARTY RIGHTS
|
| 12.1 |
Save as provided in Clause 12.2, the provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties, and no shareholder, employee, agent of any Party or any other Person shall have the
right to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
|
| 12.2 |
The Parties agree that:
|
| (a) |
Clauses 3, 4, 7 and 7.5 confer a benefit on the Owners and their respective Indemnified Parties referred to in Clause 7.5; AND
|
| (b) |
Clause 7.5 confers a benefit on KK,
|
| 13 |
NO PARTNERSHIP
|
| 14 |
SEVERABILITY
|
| (a) |
the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement; or
|
| (b) |
the legality, validity or enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction; except that if:
|
| (c) |
on the reasonable construction of this Agreement as a whole, the applicability of the other provision presumes the validity and enforceability of the particular provision, the other
provision will be deemed also to be invalid or unenforceable; and
|
| (d) |
as a result of the determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that any part of this Agreement is unenforceable or invalid and, as a result of this Clause 14, the basic intentions of
the Parties in this Agreement are entirely frustrated, the Parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to amend, supplement or otherwise vary this Agreement to confirm their mutual intention in entering into this Agreement.
|
| 15 |
AMENDMENTS
|
| 16 |
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
|
| 17 |
NOTICES
|
| (a) |
if validly delivered on a Business Day, shall be deemed to have been given when delivered; and
|
| (b) |
if validly transmitted by email on a Business Day, shall be deemed to have been given on that Business Day.
|
| 18 |
WAIVER
|
| 19 |
COUNTERPARTS
|
| 20 |
ATTORNEYS FEES
|
| 21 |
CONFIDENTIALITY
|
| 21.1 |
Each Receiving Party agrees that all information provided thereto by a Disclosing Party shall be kept confidential by the Receiving Party and shall not be divulged, in whole or in part, to
any third party, except (i) as required by Applicable Law, (ii) to officers, directors, attorneys, accountants, members, partners, shareholders or other Affiliates of Receiving Party or of Receiving Party’s Affiliates who agree to keep such
information confidential or (iii) as required by any New York Stock Exchange rules, regulations or requirements.
|
| 21.2 |
This Clause 21 shall survive termination of this Agreement.
|
| 22 |
LAW AND JURISDICTION
|
| 22.1 |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause
the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than England.
|
| 22.2 |
The Parties agree that any suit, action or proceeding seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be brought exclusively in courts located in London, England, and each Party hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action
or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or
proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be served on any Party anywhere in the world, whether within or without the jurisdiction of any such court.
Without limiting the foregoing, each Party agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by mail to its address set forth in Clause 17 shall be deemed effective service of process for any suit, action or proceeding seeking
to enforce any provision of, or based on any matter arising out of or in connection with, this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby brought against such Party in any such court as set forth in this Clause 22.
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| 23 |
Service of process
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| 23.1 |
NML hereby irrevocably authorises and appoints Highvern UK Limited of Fourth Floor, 1 Cork Street Mews, London, England W1S 3BL to accept on its behalf service of all legal process arising
out of or in connection with any proceedings before the courts of England and Wales in connection with this Agreement. NML agrees that:
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| (a) |
failure by Highvern UK Limited to notify it of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and
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| (b) |
if this appointment is terminated for any reason whatsoever, it will appoint a replacement agent having an office or place of business in England or Wales and will notify the other Parties
of this appointment.
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| 23.2 |
The Manager hereby irrevocably authorises and appoints Highvern UK Limited of Fourth Floor, 1 Cork Street Mews, London, England W1S 3BL to accept on its behalf service of all legal process
arising out of or in connection with any proceedings before the courts of England and Wales in connection with this Agreement. The Manager agrees that:
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| (a) |
failure by Highvern UK Limited to notify it of the process will not invalidate the proceedings concerned; and
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| (b) |
if this appointment is terminated for any reason whatsoever, it will appoint a replacement agent having an office or place of business in England or Wales and will notify the other Parties
of this appointment.
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Name: James Bryant
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Title: Director
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For and on behalf of NEPTUNE GLOBAL FINANCING LIMITED
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Name: James Bryant
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Title: Director
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