Exhibit
|
Description
|
|
Exhibit 1.1
|
Underwriting Agreement, dated March 30, 2020, by and among B.A.T Capital Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto, and Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC
and Santander Investment Securities Inc.
|
|
Exhibit 4.1
|
Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated April 2, 2020, by and among B.A.T Capital Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee.
|
|
Exhibit 4.2
|
Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated April 2, 2020, by and among B.A.T Capital Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee.
|
|
Exhibit 4.3
|
Supplemental Indenture No. 7, dated April 2, 2020, by and among B.A.T Capital Corporation, the Guarantors party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee.
|
|
Exhibit 5.1
|
Opinion of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP.
|
|
Exhibit 5.2
|
Opinion of Linklaters LLP (London).
|
|
Exhibit 5.3
|
Opinion of Stibbe N.V.
|
|
Exhibit 5.4
|
Opinion of Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP.
|
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
|
||||
|
By:
|
/s/ Bridget Creegan
|
||
Name:
|
Bridget Creegan
|
|||
Title:
|
Deputy Company Secretary
|
|||
Very truly yours, | ||||
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION, | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Caroline M. Price
|
||
Name: |
Caroline M. Price
|
|||
Title: |
Treasurer
|
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C., | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Name: |
Tadeu Marroco
|
|||
Title: |
Director
|
B.A.T. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE P.L.C., | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Neil Wadey
|
||
Name: |
Neil Wadey
|
|||
Title: |
Director
|
B.A.T. NETHERLANDS FINANCE B.V., | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ HMJ Lina
|
||
Name: |
HMJ Lina
|
|||
Title: |
Director
|
|
by:
|
/s/ JEP Bollen
|
||
Name: |
JEP Bollen
|
|||
Title: |
Director
|
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC. | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ John R. Whitener
|
||
Name: |
John R. Whitener
|
|||
Title: |
SVP Controller - Finance and Accounting and Treasurer
|
BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC. | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Meghan Maher | ||
Name: |
Meghan Maher
|
|||
Title: |
Managing Director
|
BofA SECURITIES, INC. | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Andrew Karp
|
||
Name: |
Andrew Karp
|
|||
Title: |
Authorised Signatory
|
CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Brian D. Bednarski
|
||
Name: |
Brian D. Bednarski
|
|||
Title: |
Managing Director
|
MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Joseph Santaniello
|
||
Name: |
Joseph Santaniello
|
|||
Title: |
Vice President
|
SANTANDER INVESTMENT SECURITIES INC. | ||||
|
by:
|
/s/ Richard N. Zobkiw, Jr.
|
||
Name: |
Richard N. Zobkiw, Jr.
|
|||
Title: |
Executive Director
|
|
by:
|
/s/ Daniel Penaloza
|
||
Name: |
Daniel Penaloza
|
|||
Title: |
Executive Director
|
Underwriter
|
Principal Amount of 2027 Notes to be Purchased
|
Principal Amount of 2030 Notes to be Purchased
|
Principal Amount of 2050 Notes to be Purchased
|
|||
Barclays Capital Inc.
|
126,000,000
|
140,000,000
|
70,000,000
|
|||
BofA Securities, Inc.
|
126,000,000
|
140,000,000
|
70,000,000
|
|||
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
|
126,000,000
|
140,000,000
|
70,000,000
|
|||
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
|
126,000,000
|
140,000,000
|
70,000,000
|
|||
Santander Investment Securities Inc.
|
126,000,000
|
140,000,000
|
70,000,000
|
|||
Bank of China Limited, London Branch
|
54,000,000
|
60,000,000
|
30,000,000
|
|||
Commerz Markets LLC
|
54,000,000
|
60,000,000
|
30,000,000
|
|||
SMBC Nikko Securities America, LLC.
|
54,000,000
|
60,000,000
|
30,000,000
|
|||
UniCredit Capital Markets LLC
|
54,000,000
|
60,000,000
|
30,000,000
|
|||
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
|
13,500,000
|
15,000,000
|
7,500,000
|
|||
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
|
13,500,000
|
15,000,000
|
7,500,000
|
|||
SG Americas Securities, LLC
|
13,500,000
|
15,000,000
|
7,500,000
|
|||
Standard Chartered Bank
|
13,500,000
|
15,000,000
|
7,500,000
|
|||
Total
|
900,000,000
|
1,000,000,000
|
500,000,000
|
Issuer:
|
B.A.T Capital Corporation
|
Guarantors:
|
British American Tobacco p.l.c.
B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c.
B.A.T. Netherlands Finance B.V.
Reynolds American Inc.
|
Security Title:
|
4.700% Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”)
4.906% Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes”)
5.282% Notes due 2050 (the “2050 Notes” and, together with the 2027 Notes and the 2030 Notes, the “Notes”)
|
Ranking:
|
Senior and Unsubordinated
|
Form:
|
SEC-Registered Global Notes
|
Principal Amount:
|
$900,000,000 for the 2027 Notes
$1,000,000,000 for the 2030 Notes
$500,000,000 for the 2050 Notes
|
Maturity Date:
|
April 2, 2027 for the 2027 Notes
April 2, 2030 for the 2030 Notes
April 2, 2050 for the 2050 Notes
|
Interest Rate:
|
4.700% per annum for the 2027 Notes
4.906% per annum for the 2030 Notes
5.282% per annum for the 2050 Notes
|
Benchmark Treasury:
|
0.625% due March 31, 2027 for the 2027 Notes
1.500% due February 15, 2030 for the 2030 Notes
2.375% due November 15, 2049 for the 2050 Notes
|
Benchmark Treasury Price and Yield:
|
100-16+ / 0.550% for the 2027 Notes
108-02 / 0.656% for the 2030 Notes
126-28 / 1.282% for the 2050 Notes
|
Spread to Benchmark Treasury:
|
+415 bps for the 2027 Notes
+425 bps for the 2030 Notes
+400 bps for the 2050 Notes
|
Yield to Maturity:
|
4.700% for the 2027 Notes
4.906% for the 2030 Notes
5.282% for the 2050 Notes
|
Day Count Convention:
|
30/360 (or, in the case of an incomplete month, the number of days elapsed)
|
Business Day Convention:
|
Following, Unadjusted
|
Price to Public:
|
100.000% for the 2027 Notes
100.000% for the 2030 Notes
100.000% for the 2050 Notes
|
Net Proceeds to Issuer (before Expenses):
|
$896,400,000 for the 2027 Notes
$995,500,000 for the 2030 Notes
$495,625,000 for the 2050 Notes
|
Interest Payment Dates:
|
Semi-annually in arrears on April 2 and October 2 of each year, commencing on October 2, 2020
|
Interest Payment Record Dates:
|
The close of business on the fifteenth calendar day preceding each Interest Payment Date, whether or not such day is a Business Day
|
Optional Redemption:
|
The Issuer may redeem the Notes in whole or in part, at its option, at any time and from time to time before the applicable Par Call Date (as set out in the table below) at a redemption price equal to the greater of (x) 100% of the
principal amount of the series of Notes to be redeemed and (y) as determined by the Independent Investment Banker (as defined in the Prospectus), the sum of the present values of the applicable Remaining Scheduled Payments (as defined in the
Prospectus) discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months or, in the case of an incomplete month, the number of days elapsed) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the
Prospectus), plus the applicable Make-Whole Spread (as set out in the table below) together with accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount of the series of Notes to be redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption.
|
The Issuer may redeem a series of the Notes on or after the applicable Par Call Date at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption. | |||
Series
2027 Notes
2030 Notes
2050 Notes
|
Par Call Date
February 2, 2027
January 2, 2030
October 2, 2049
|
Make-Whole Spread
50 basis points
50 basis points
50 basis points
|
|
Trade Date:
|
March 30, 2020
|
||
Expected Settlement Date:
|
April 2, 2020 (T+3)
|
||
Expected Ratings:
|
[omitted]
|
||
CUSIP:
|
05526D BP9 for the 2027 Notes
05526D BN4 for the 2030 Notes
05526D BQ7 for the 2050 Notes
|
||
ISIN:
|
US05526DBP96 for the 2027 Notes
US05526DBN49 for the 2030 Notes
US05526DBQ79 for the 2050 Notes
|
||
Governing Law:
|
State of New York
|
||
Listing and Trading:
|
Application will be made to list the Notes on the New York Stock Exchange. No assurance can be given that such application will be granted.
|
||
Joint Book-Running Managers:
|
Barclays Capital Inc.
BofA Securities, Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Mizuho Securities USA LLC
Santander Investment Securities Inc.
|
Bookrunners:
|
Bank of China Limited, London Branch
Commerz Markets LLC
SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.
UniCredit Capital Markets LLC
|
Co-Managers:
|
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
SG Americas Securities, LLC
Standard Chartered Bank
|
●
|
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary
financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the 2027 Notes to the Par Call Date.
|
|
●
|
Comparable Treasury Price means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and lowest of
such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (B) if the Independent Investment Banker for the 2027 Notes obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
|
|
●
|
Independent Investment Banker means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers (as defined below) appointed by the Company to act as the “Independent Investment Banker”.
|
|
●
|
Par Call Date means February 2, 2027 (two months prior to the Maturity Date of the 2027 Notes).
|
|
●
|
Reference Treasury Dealer means each of Barclays Capital Inc, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC and their respective successors and two other
nationally recognized investment banking firms that are Primary Treasury Dealers specified from time to time by the Company; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company shall substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a Primary
Treasury Dealer.
|
|
●
|
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and
asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on the
third Business Day immediately preceding that Redemption Date.
|
|
●
|
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to each 2027 Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due from and
including the related Redemption Date, but for such redemption, to but excluding the Par Call Date; provided, however, that if that Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to
such 2027 Notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to that Redemption Date.
|
|
●
|
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding that
Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Caroline M. Price
|
||
Name:
|
Caroline M. Price
|
||
Title:
|
Treasurer
|
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Name:
|
Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. NETHERLANDS FINANCE B.V.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ HMJ Lina
|
||
Name:
|
HMJ Lina
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/ JEP Bollen
|
||
Name:
|
JEP Bollen
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Neil Wadey
|
||
Name:
|
Neil Wadey
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ John R. Whitener
|
||
Name:
|
John R. Whitener
|
||
Title:
|
SVP Controller - Finance and Accounting and Treasurer
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Trustee
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Kerry Hehir
|
||
Name:
|
Kerry Hehir
|
||
Title:
|
Senior Trust Officer
|
No.
|
$
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Authentication Agent
|
||
By:
|
||
Authorized Signatory
|
B.A.T Capital Corporation
c/o British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Globe House
4 Temple Place
London WC2R 2PG
United Kingdom
Facsimile: +44 (0)20 7845 0555
|
Attention: Company Secretary | |
With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:
|
|
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
CityPoint, 1 Ropemaker St.
London EC2Y 9HR
United Kingdom
Facsimile: +44 20 7860 1150
Attention: Alyssa K. Caples
|
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)
|
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)
|
Date:_________________________________________
|
Your Signature:__________________________________
|
||
(Sign exactly as your name appears
on the face of this Note)
|
Date of
Exchange
|
Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
|
Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Notes
Custodian
|
|
● |
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the 2030 Notes to the Par Call Date.
|
|
● |
Comparable Treasury Price means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and
lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (B) if the Independent Investment Banker for the 2030 Notes obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
|
|
● |
Independent Investment Banker means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers (as defined below) appointed by the Company to act as the “Independent Investment Banker”.
|
|
● |
Par Call Date means January 2, 2030 (three months prior to the Maturity Date of the 2030 Notes).
|
|
● |
Reference Treasury Dealer means each of Barclays Capital Inc, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC and their respective successors and two other
nationally recognized investment banking firms that are Primary Treasury Dealers specified from time to time by the Company; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company shall substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a
Primary Treasury Dealer.
|
|
● |
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid
and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time,
on the third Business Day immediately preceding that Redemption Date.
|
|
● |
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to each 2030 Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due from and
including the related Redemption Date, but for such redemption, to but excluding the Par Call Date; provided, however, that if that Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to
such 2030 Notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to that Redemption Date.
|
|
● |
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding
that Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Caroline M. Price
|
||
Name:
|
Caroline M. Price
|
||
Title:
|
Treasurer
|
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Name:
|
Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. NETHERLANDS FINANCE B.V.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ HMJ Lina
|
||
Name:
|
HMJ Lina
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/ JEP Bollen
|
||
Name:
|
JEP Bollen
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Neil Wadey
|
||
Name:
|
Neil Wadey
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ John R. Whitener
|
||
Name:
|
John R. Whitener
|
||
Title:
|
SVP Controller - Finance and Accounting and Treasurer
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Trustee
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Kerry Hehir
|
||
Name:
|
Kerry Hehir
|
||
Title:
|
Senior Trust Officer
|
No.
|
|
$
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Authentication Agent
|
||
By:
|
||
Authorized Signatory
|
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)
|
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)
|
Date:_________________________________________
|
Your Signature:__________________________________
|
||
(Sign exactly as your name appears
on the face of this Note)
|
Date of
Exchange
|
Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
|
Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Notes
Custodian
|
|
● |
Comparable Treasury Issue means the United States Treasury security selected by the Independent Investment Banker that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with
customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of the 2050 Notes to the Par Call Date.
|
|
● |
Comparable Treasury Price means, with respect to any Redemption Date, (A) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for that Redemption Date, after excluding the highest and
lowest of such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations or (B) if the Independent Investment Banker for the 2050 Notes obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such Quotations.
|
|
● |
Independent Investment Banker means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers (as defined below) appointed by the Company to act as the “Independent Investment Banker”.
|
|
● |
Par Call Date means October 2, 2049 (six months prior to the Maturity Date of the 2050 Notes).
|
|
● |
Reference Treasury Dealer means each of Barclays Capital Inc, BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Mizuho Securities USA LLC and their respective successors and two other
nationally recognized investment banking firms that are Primary Treasury Dealers specified from time to time by the Company; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), the Company shall substitute therefor another nationally recognized investment banking firm that is a
Primary Treasury Dealer.
|
|
● |
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid
and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m., New York City time,
on the third Business Day immediately preceding that Redemption Date.
|
|
● |
Remaining Scheduled Payments means, with respect to each 2050 Note to be redeemed, the remaining scheduled payments of the principal thereof and interest thereon that would be due from and
including the related Redemption Date, but for such redemption, to but excluding the Par Call Date; provided, however, that if that Redemption Date is not an Interest Payment Date with respect to
such 2050 Notes, the amount of the next succeeding scheduled interest payment thereon will be reduced by the amount of interest accrued thereon to that Redemption Date.
|
|
● |
Treasury Rate means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity (computed as of the third Business Day immediately preceding
that Redemption Date) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for that Redemption Date.
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Caroline M. Price
|
||
Name:
|
Caroline M. Price
|
||
Title:
|
Treasurer
|
BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Name:
|
Tadeu Marroco
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. NETHERLANDS FINANCE B.V.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ HMJ Lina
|
||
Name:
|
HMJ Lina
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
||
By:
|
/s/ JEP Bollen
|
||
Name:
|
JEP Bollen
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
B.A.T. INTERNATIONAL FINANCE P.L.C.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Neil Wadey
|
||
Name:
|
Neil Wadey
|
||
Title:
|
Director
|
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC.
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ John R. Whitener
|
||
Name:
|
John R. Whitener
|
||
Title:
|
SVP Controller - Finance and Accounting and Treasurer
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Trustee
|
|||
By:
|
/s/ Kerry Hehir
|
||
Name:
|
Kerry Hehir
|
||
Title:
|
Senior Trust Officer
|
No.
|
$
|
B.A.T CAPITAL CORPORATION
|
|||
By:
|
|||
Name:
|
|||
Title:
|
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Authentication Agent
|
||
By:
|
||
Authorized Signatory
|
(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. number)
|
(Print or type name, address and zip code of assignee)
|
Date:_________________________________________
|
Your Signature:__________________________________
|
||
(Sign exactly as your name appears
on the face of this Note)
|
Date of
Exchange
|
Amount of
decrease in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Amount of
increase in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
|
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
following such
decrease or increase
|
Signature of
authorized
signatory of
Trustee or
Notes
Custodian
|
Very truly yours,
|
|||
|
|||
|
|
/s/ Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP | |
Linklaters LLP
One Silk Street
London EC2Y 8HQ
Telephone (+44) 20 7456 2000
Facsimile (+44) 20 7456 2222
DX Box Number 10 CDE
|
|
To: British American Tobacco p.l.c.
Globe House
4 Temple Place
London WC2R 2PG
|
||||
2 April 2020
|
||||
Our Ref
|
EXM/MT/BB
|
1 |
We have acted as English legal advisers to the Issuer and the Guarantors in connection with the issue of the Notes and the giving of the guarantees (the “Guarantees”) by
the Guarantors in respect of the Notes and have taken instructions solely from the Issuer and the Guarantors.
|
2 |
This opinion is limited to English law as applied by the English courts and in effect on the date of this opinion. It is given on the basis that it, and all matters relating to it, will be governed by, and
that it (including all terms used in it) will be construed in accordance with, English law. In particular, we express no opinion herein with regard to any system of law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the federal laws of the United
States of America and the laws of the State of New York) other than the laws of England as currently applied by the English courts.
|
3 |
For the purpose of this opinion we have examined the documents listed and, where appropriate, defined in the Schedule to this opinion.
|
4 |
We have assumed that:
|
4.1 |
all copy documents conform to the originals and all originals are genuine and complete
|
4.2 |
each signature is the genuine signature of the individual concerned
|
4.3 |
(except in the case of BATIF and British American Tobacco) all relevant documents are within the capacity and powers of, and have been validly authorised by, each party
|
4.4 |
(in the case of each party) all relevant documents have been or (in the case of the Notes and the Guarantees) will be validly executed and delivered by the relevant party
|
4.5 |
each of the meetings of the Board of Directors of British American Tobacco and BATIF held on 3 June 2019 and 17 June 2019, respectively, (in respect of which a certified extract of each of the Minutes has been
supplied to us) was duly convened, constituted and quorate and the resolutions referred to in each of the Minutes were validly passed and remain in full force and effect without modification and
|
4.6 |
each of the documents which are the subject of this opinion is valid and binding on each party under the law to which it is expressed to be subject where that is not English law and that words and phrases used
in those documents have the same meaning and effect as they would if those documents were governed by English law.
|
5 |
References in this opinion to:
|
5.1 |
the “Programme Documents” are to the Underwriting Agreement and the Indentures.
|
6 |
Based on the documents referred to, and assumptions made, in paragraphs 3 and 4 above and subject to the qualifications in paragraph 7 below and to any matters not disclosed to us, we are of the following
opinion:
|
6.1 |
BATIF has been incorporated and is existing as a company with limited liability under the laws of England.
|
6.2 |
BATIF has corporate power to enter into and to perform its obligations under the Programme Documents and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise its execution, delivery and performance of the
Programme Documents.
|
6.3 |
British American Tobacco has been incorporated and is existing as a company with limited liability under the laws of England.
|
6.4 |
British American Tobacco has corporate power to enter into and to perform its obligations under the Programme Documents and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorise its execution, delivery and
performance of the Programme Documents.
|
7 |
This opinion is subject to the following:
|
7.1 |
It should be understood that we have not been responsible for investigating or verifying the accuracy of the facts, including statements of foreign law, or the reasonableness of any statements of opinion,
contained in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus Supplement, or that no material facts have been omitted from it.
|
7.2 |
We express no opinion as to compliance or otherwise with any financial limitations on borrowings or the giving of guarantees by BATIF contained in BATIF’s Articles of Association or any financial limitations
on borrowings or the giving of guarantees by British American Tobacco contained in British American Tobacco’s Articles of Association.
|
7.3 |
We express no opinion as to compliance or otherwise with the limitation on the maximum aggregate principal amount of the debt securities which have been authorised by the Issuer and BATIF with respect to the
Registration Statement.
|
7.4 |
To the extent it relates to United Kingdom stamp duties any undertaking or indemnity given by BATIF or British American Tobacco may be void under Section 117 of the Stamp Act 1891.
|
7.5 |
An English court may refuse to give effect to any contractual provision concerning payment of the costs of enforcement or litigation brought before an English court.
|
7.6 |
An English court may, or may be required to, stay proceedings or decline jurisdiction in certain circumstances - for example, if proceedings are brought elsewhere.
|
7.7 |
Effect may be given to the overriding mandatory provisions of the law of the country where the obligations arising out of a contract have to be or have been performed, in so far as those provisions render the
performance of the contract unlawful. In such circumstances, the relevant obligations may not be enforceable.
|
7.8 |
The English courts may have regard to the law of the country in which performance takes place in relation to the manner of performance and the steps to be taken in the event of defective performance.
|
7.9 |
The English courts may not be restricted from applying overriding provisions of English law and if there is a provision of New York law that is manifestly incompatible with English public policy, it is
possible that the English courts may not apply it.
|
8 |
This opinion is given on the basis that there will be no amendment to or termination or replacement of the documents, authorisations, consents and opinions referred to in the Schedule to this opinion. This
opinion is also given on the basis that we undertake no responsibility to notify any addressee of this opinion of any change in English law after the date of this opinion, including any change occurring on or following IP completion day, as
defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
|
9 |
This opinion is addressed to you solely for your benefit in connection with the filing of the Prospectus Supplement. It is not to be transmitted to anyone else nor is it to be relied upon by anyone else or for
any other purpose or quoted or referred to in any public document or filed with anyone without our express consent.
|
10 |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) as an exhibit to British American Tobacco’s current report
on Form 6-K filed on 2 April 2020 and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the reference to us made under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of
the Registration Statement and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving this consent we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required within section 7 of the United States Securities Act of 1933 or the rules
and regulations of the SEC thereunder.
|
1 |
A certified copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of BATIF.
|
2 |
A certified extract of the Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of BATIF held 17 June 2019.
|
3 |
A certified copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of British American Tobacco.
|
4 |
A certified extract from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Board of Directors of British American Tobacco held on 3 June 2019.
|
5 |
A copy of the Prospectus Supplement dated 30 March 2020 (the “Prospectus Supplement”).
|
6 |
Registration Statement on Form F-3 dated 17 July 2019, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No.1 dated 27 March 2020 (the “Registration Statement”)
|
7 |
Underwriting Agreement dated 30 March 2020 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) between the Issuer, the Guarantors and Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Santander Investment Securities Inc. (the “Underwriters”) relating to the purchase and sale of the Notes.
|
8 |
Indenture dated 6 September 2019 between BATCAP, as Issuer, British American Tobacco, BATIF, BATNF and RAI, each as a guarantor, the Trustee and Citibank, N.A. as initial paying agent, authentication agent,
transfer agent, registrar and calculation agent (in each such several capacities as the “Paying Agent”, “Authentication Agent”, “Transfer Agent”, “Registrar” and “Calculation Agent”) relating to the Notes (the “Base Indenture”).
|
9 |
Supplemental Indenture No. 5 dated 2 April 2020 between BATCAP, as Issuer, British American Tobacco, BATIF, BATNF and RAI, each as a guarantor, the Trustee and Citibank, N.A. as paying agent, authentication
agent, transfer agent, registrar and calculation agent (in each such several capacities as the “Paying Agent”, “Authentication Agent”, “Transfer Agent”, “Registrar” and “Calculation Agent”) relating to the U.S.$900,000,000 4.700 per cent. Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes Indenture”).
|
10 |
Supplemental Indenture No. 6 dated 2 April 2020 between BATCAP, as Issuer, British American Tobacco, BATIF, BATNF and RAI, each as a guarantor, the Trustee and Citibank, N.A. as paying agent, authentication
agent, transfer agent, registrar and calculation agent (in each such several capacities as the “Paying Agent”, “Authentication Agent”, “Transfer Agent”, “Registrar” and “Calculation Agent”) relating to the U.S.$1,000,000,000 4.906 per cent. Notes due 2030 (the “2030 Notes Indenture”).
|
11 |
Supplemental Indenture No. 7 dated 2 April 2020 between BATCAP, as Issuer, British American Tobacco, BATIF, BATNF and RAI, each as a guarantor, the Trustee and Citibank, N.A. as paying agent, authentication
agent, transfer agent, registrar and calculation agent (in each such several capacities as the “Paying Agent”, “Authentication Agent”, “Transfer Agent”, “Registrar” and “Calculation Agent”) relating to the U.S.$500,000,000 5.282 per cent. Notes due 2050 (the “2050 Notes Indenture”, and together with the Base Indenture, the 2027 Notes Indenture
and the 2030 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”).
|
B.A.T. Netherlands Finance B.V.
Handelsweg 53A
1181 ZA Amsterdam
|
Stibbe N.V.
Advocaten en notarissen
Beethovenplein 10
P.O. Box 75640
1070 AP Amsterdam
The Netherlands
T +31 20 546 0 606
F +31 20 546 0 123
www.stibbe.com
Date
2 April 2020
|
(1) |
We have acted as counsel with respect to matters of the laws of the Netherlands to B.A.T. Netherlands Finance B.V. (the "Guarantor") in connection with the registration statement on Form F-3
under the Securities Act of 1933 of the United States dated 17 July 2019 (the "Registration Statement") in relation to the registration of the offer and sale, from time to time, of debt securities
by B.A.T Capital Corporation ("BATCAP") and B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c. ("BATIF").
|
(2) |
For the purpose of this opinion, we have examined and exclusively relied upon photocopies or copies received by fax or by electronic means, or originals if so expressly stated, of the following documents:
|
|
(a) |
the prospectus supplement dated 30 March 2020 supplementing the Registration Statement;
|
|
(b) |
the underwriting agreement by and among (1) the underwriters named in schedule 1 thereto, (2) BATCAP (as issuer) (the "Issuer"), (3) British American Tobacco p.l.c. (as parent) (the "Parent Guarantor") and (4) BATIF, the Guarantor and Reynolds American Inc. ("RAI") (as guarantors) dated 30 March 2020;
|
|
(c) |
the base indenture by and among (1) the Issuer (as company), (2) the Parent Guarantor, BATIF, the Guarantor and RAI (as guarantors), (3) Citibank, N.A. (as trustee) (the "Trustee") and (4)
Citibank, N.A. (as authentication agent, transfer agent, registrar, calculation agent and initial paying agent) dated 6 September 2019 (the "Base Indenture");
|
|
(d) |
the supplemental indenture no. 5 relating to the $900,000,000 4.700% Notes due 2027 by and among (1) the Issuer (as company), (2) the Parent Guarantor, BATIF, the Guarantor and RAI (as guarantors) and (3) the Trustee (as trustee) dated
2 April 2020;
|
|
|
(e) |
the supplemental indenture no. 6 relating to the $1,000,000,000 4.906% Notes due 2030 by and among (1) the Issuer (as company), (2) the Parent Guarantor, BATIF, the Guarantor and RAI (as guarantors) and (3) the Trustee (as trustee)
dated 2 April 2020;
|
|
(f) |
the supplemental indenture no. 7 relating to the $500,000,000 5.282% Notes due 2050 by and among (1) the Issuer (as company), (2) the Parent Guarantor, BATIF, the Guarantor and RAI (as guarantors) and (3) the Trustee (as trustee) dated
2 April 2020;
|
|
(g) |
extracts from the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, afdeling Handelsregister) relating to the Guarantor dated 6 September 2019 (the "2019 Extract") and dated the date hereof (the "Current Extract" and together with the 2019 Extract, the "Extracts");
|
|
(h) |
the deed of incorporation of the Guarantor dated 23 April 2014 including its articles of association (statuten), which according to the Current Extract are the articles of association of the
Guarantor as currently in force;
|
|
(i) |
the minutes of a meeting of the managing board of the Guarantor held on 12 June 2019 reflecting resolutions approving, inter alia, the execution by the Guarantor of the Agreements (as defined
below) and the performance of its obligations thereunder; and
|
|
(j) |
the minutes of a meeting of the managing board of the Guarantor held on 23 March 2020 reflecting resolutions approving, inter alia, the execution by the Guarantor of the Agreements and the
performance of its obligations thereunder.
|
(3) |
The documents listed in paragraphs (2)(b) – (f) (inclusive) are hereinafter collectively also referred to as the "Agreements". The resolutions listed in paragraphs (2)(i) and (j) are hereinafter
collectively also referred to as the "Resolutions".
|
|
(4) |
In rendering this opinion we have assumed:
|
|
(a) |
the genuineness of all signatures on, and the authenticity and completeness of, all documents submitted to us as copies of drafts, originals or execution copies and the exact conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us
as photocopies or copies transmitted by facsimile or by electronic means;
|
|
(b) |
(i) the power, capacity and authority of all parties thereto other than the Guarantor to enter into and execute the Agreements; (ii) that the Agreements have been duly authorised by all parties thereto other than the Guarantor; and
(iii) that the Agreements have been validly executed and delivered (where such concept is legally relevant) by each of the parties thereto (including but not limited to the Guarantor) under all applicable laws, including the laws by which
the Agreements are expressed to be governed, other than the laws of the Netherlands;
|
|
(c) |
that any and all authorisations and consents of, or other filings with or notifications to, any public authority or other relevant body or person in or of any jurisdiction which may be required (other than under the laws of the
Netherlands) in respect of the execution or performance of the Agreements have been or will be duly obtained or made, as the case may be;
|
|
(d) |
that the information set forth in the Extract was and is complete and accurate on their respective dates and was and is consistent with the information contained in the files kept by the Trade Register with respect to the Guarantor;
|
|
(e) |
that the Resolution has not been annulled, revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect as at the date hereof;
|
|
(f) |
that the Guarantor has not been declared bankrupt (failliet verklaard), granted suspension of payments (surseance van betaling verleend) or dissolved (ontbonden), nor has ceased to exist due to merger (fusie) or demerger (splitsing); although not constituting conclusive
evidence, this assumption is supported by the contents of the Current Extract and by our online search of the Central Insolvency Register of the courts in the Netherlands (Centraal Insolventieregister)
on the date hereof, which did not reveal any information which would render this assumption to be untrue;
|
|
(g) |
that none of the insolvency proceedings listed in Annex A, as amended, to Regulation (EU) 2015/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on insolvency proceedings has been declared applicable to the Guarantor by
a court in one of the member states of the EU (with the exception of Denmark), other than the Netherlands; although not constituting conclusive evidence, this assumption is supported by our online search of the section on EU Registrations
of the Central Insolvency Register (Centraal Insolventieregister) on the date hereof, which did not reveal any information which would render this assumption to be untrue;
|
|
|
(h) |
that none of the members of the managing board of the Guarantor has a conflict of interests within the meaning of section 2:239 of the Civil Code with the Guarantor with respect to the Agreements or the transactions contemplated
thereby; and
|
|
(i) |
that the granting of a guarantee given by the Guarantor with respect to the obligations of the Issuer in clause 9.01 of the Base Indenture can be regarded as being in the corporate interest of the Guarantor for purposes of section 2:7
of the Civil Code and cannot be regarded as constituting an act of fraudulent conveyance which is subject to challenge pursuant to section 3:45 of the Civil Code or section 42 of the Bankruptcy Act.
|
(5) |
We have not investigated the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Netherlands. This opinion is limited to matters of the laws of the Netherlands as they presently stand. We do not express any opinion with respect to (i) any public
international law or the rules of or promulgated under any treaty or by any treaty organisation, other than any provisions of EU law having direct effect, (ii) matters of competition law, and (iii) matters of taxation.
|
(6) |
Based upon and subject to the foregoing and to the further qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, and subject to any factual matters not disclosed to us and inconsistent with the information revealed by the
documents reviewed by us in the course of our examination referred to above, we are as at the date hereof of the following opinion:
|
|
(a) |
the Guarantor has been duly incorporated and is validly existing under the laws of the Netherlands as a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid)
and has the necessary corporate capacity and power to enter into the Agreements and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations thereunder;
|
|
(b) |
all corporate action required to be taken by the Guarantor to authorise the execution of the Agreements by it or on its behalf and the performance of its obligations thereunder has been duly taken; and
|
|
(c) |
the Agreements have been duly executed on behalf of the Guarantor.
|
(7) |
This opinion is subject to the following qualifications:
|
|
(a) |
we express no opinion as to the accuracy of any representations given by the Guarantor or any other party (express or implied) under or by virtue of the Agreements; and
|
|
(b) |
the opinions expressed above are limited by any applicable bankruptcy (faillissement), suspension of payments (surseance van betaling), insolvency,
moratorium, reorganisation, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance, or similar laws affecting the enforceability of rights of creditors generally (including rights of set-off) in any relevant jurisdiction including but not limited to section
3:45 of the Civil Code and section 42 of the Bankruptcy Act concerning fraudulent conveyance, as well as by any sanctions or measures under the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977) or by EU or
other international sanctions.
|
|
(8) |
In this opinion, Netherlands legal concepts are expressed in English terms and not in their original Dutch terms. The concepts concerned may not be identical to the concepts described by the same English terms as they exist under the
laws of other jurisdictions. This opinion is given by Stibbe N.V. and may only be relied upon under the express condition that (i) any issues of interpretation or liability arising hereunder will be governed by the laws of the Netherlands
and will be brought exclusively before a court of the Netherlands, and (ii) such liability, if any, shall be limited to Stibbe N.V. only, to the exclusion of any of its directors, partners, employees, shareholders and advisors or its or
their affiliates and to the aggregate of the amount paid under Stibbe N.V.'s professional insurance in the particular instance and any applicable deductible payable by Stibbe N.V.
|
(9) |
We assume no obligation to update this opinion or to inform any person of any changes of law or other matters coming to our knowledge occurring after the date hereof which may affect this opinion in any
respect. This opinion is addressed to you and given for your sole benefit for the purposes of the Agreements only and may not be disclosed or quoted to any person other than to your legal advisers or relied upon by any person or be used
for any other purpose, without our prior written consent in each instance.
|
(10) |
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Parent Guarantor's current report on Form 6-K filed on 2 April 2020 and to the incorporation by reference of this opinion into the Registration Statement and to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Legal Matters" in the prospectus supplement constituting a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit or imply that we are included in the category of
persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
|
/s/ Rein van Helden | /s/ Jeroen Smits | |||
Rein van Helden
|
Jeroen Smits
|
|
|
April 2, 2020
Reynolds American Inc.
401 North Main Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 |
|
|
1. |
RAI is a corporation in existence under the laws of the State of North Carolina.
|
|
2. |
RAI has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under the RAI Guarantees.
|
|
3. |
RAI has authorized the execution, delivery, and performance of the RAI Guarantees by all necessary corporate action.
|
Very truly yours, | |||
|
|
/s/ Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP | |