United Kingdom
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98-1386780
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
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Large accelerated filer
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x
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Accelerated filer
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o
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Non-accelerated filer
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o
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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o
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Emerging growth company
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o
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1.
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To approve the amendment of the articles of association of Sensata-Netherlands (the “Sensata-Netherlands Articles”) in connection with the proposed Merger, as defined herein, and authorize any and all lawyers and (deputy) civil law notaries practicing at Loyens & Loeff N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to execute the notarial deed of amendment of the articles of association to affect the aforementioned amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles.
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2.
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To approve the cross-border merger between Sensata-Netherlands and Sensata Technologies Holding plc (“Sensata-UK”), a newly-formed public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, with Sensata-Netherlands being the disappearing entity and Sensata-UK being the surviving entity (the “Merger”), pursuant to the common draft terms of the cross-border legal merger (the “Merger Proposal”), a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement/prospectus as Annex A.
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3.
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Extraordinary Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
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•
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The Merger will allow us to be incorporated in a jurisdiction in which we have significant operations. Our acquisitions of Schrader Electronics on October 14, 2014 and the CST sensing businesses on
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•
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The UK is generally thought by investors to be a shareholder-friendly corporate governance environment. For example, in a recent, well publicized transaction, a NYSE-listed Dutch company utilized a form of Dutch foundation, or
Stichting
, which is not available under the laws of England and Wales, to thwart an unsolicited takeover offer that many shareholders believed was in their interest. In addition, the law of England and Wales has other features that we believe will be perceived by investors to be more shareholder friendly, such as permitting shareholder derivative actions and providing for a faster process and lower required ownership threshold for shareholders to initiate a general meeting.
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•
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Our strategy is to deploy capital in a manner that creates the greatest value for our shareholders. To achieve this we continuously assess various value creation opportunities and from that deploy capital in a way that is intended to maximize returns for shareholders. As a company incorporated in England and Wales, we believe we will increase our flexibility and effectiveness in allocating and deploying capital as a result of the additional flexibility under the law of England and Wales for us to engage in share buy backs and the availability of a more flexible exemption under the law of England and Wales for dividends we may receive on securities that we hold. In addition, while we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not currently intend to declare a cash dividend in the foreseeable future, we anticipate that (i) UK non-resident taxpayer rules for dividend and capital gains income derived from Sensata-UK and (ii) the absence of dividend withholding tax under the law of England and Wales could reduce the administrative and financial burden for us and our shareholders.
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•
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The impending withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (“Brexit”) may make it more difficult in the future to effect a company migration from the Netherlands to the UK, although the position is uncertain. In addition, London is — and despite Brexit is expected by some market commentators to remain — one of the world’s foremost financial centers from a shareholders' and international banking perspective.
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•
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We will no longer be required to have at least 50% of our shareholders resident in the United States or the Netherlands to obtain tax treaty benefits under the US/Netherlands Tax Treaty and US/Ireland Tax Treaty, and will therefore no longer be required to regularly analyze the ultimate beneficial owners of our stock. Additionally, as a Dutch company, we do not qualify for the publicly traded test of Article 26(2)(c)(i) under the US and Netherlands Tax Treaty, but instead rely on the tax residency of our shareholders in order to qualify for treaty benefits in certain jurisdictions, including Ireland. After the Merger, we believe that we will satisfy the publicly traded test under the US and UK Tax Treaty and will therefore be able to rely on the public entities ownership test and not the ultimate shareholders test to qualify for the treaty benefits in those jurisdictions.
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•
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Sensata-UK was incorporated under the laws of England and Wales as a public limited company for the sole purpose of engaging in the Merger;
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•
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Shareholders vote on the Merger at the Extraordinary Meeting;
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•
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If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote of our shareholders and the other conditions to closing are satisfied, we will (1) request a Dutch civil law notary (
notaris
) to issue a certificate attesting that Sensata-Netherlands has observed all procedural rules in respect of all the required resolutions and that all pre-merger formalities under Dutch law have been complied with, and (2) request the issuance of an order by the UK High Court certifying that Sensata-UK has properly completed the pre-merger acts and formalities in accordance with The Companies (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2007 (the “UK Regulations”).
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•
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Following this, a joint application will be submitted to the UK High Court by Sensata-UK and Sensata-Netherlands for the issuance of an order approving the completion of the Merger. The Merger will be effected not less than 21 days after the date of such order, which is currently expected to be in the first quarter of 2018.
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•
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all assets and liabilities of Sensata-Netherlands shall transfer by universal succession of title to Sensata-UK;
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•
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Sensata-Netherlands will cease to exist;
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•
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each shareholder will receive, as consideration for the Merger, one Ordinary Share in Sensata-UK in exchange for each ordinary share in Sensata-Netherlands held immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (excluding treasury shares held by Sensata-Netherlands), except to the extent that any such shareholder exercises his, her or its withdrawal rights;
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•
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each share of Sensata-Netherlands will be canceled and will cease to exist; and
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•
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Sensata-UK will assume all rights and obligations of Sensata-Netherlands (including under employee equity-based plans of Sensata-Netherlands) by operation of law.
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1.
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To approve the amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles in connection with the proposed Merger and authorize any and all lawyers and (deputy) civil law notaries practicing at Loyens & Loeff N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to execute the notarial deed of amendment of the articles of association to affect the aforementioned amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles.
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2.
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To approve the Merger.
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•
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FOR the amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles in connection with the proposed Merger and the authorization of any and all lawyers and (deputy) civil law notaries practicing at Loyens & Loeff N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to execute the notarial deed of amendment of the articles of association to affect the aforementioned amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles.
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•
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FOR the approval of the Merger.
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By internet — you can vote by internet by going to the website www.proxyvote.com and following the instructions on our proxy card; or
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By mail — you can vote by mail by completing, signing, dating, and mailing our enclosed proxy card.
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•
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For the amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles in connection with the proposed Merger and the authorization of any and all lawyers and (deputy) civil law notaries practicing at Loyens & Loeff N.V., Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to execute the notarial deed of amendment of the articles of association to affect the aforementioned amendment of the Sensata-Netherlands Articles; and
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•
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For the approval of the Merger.
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•
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as needed to permit the Inspector of Election to tabulate and certify the vote;
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as required by law; or
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in limited circumstances such as a proxy contest in opposition to the Sensata-Netherlands Board.
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•
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The Merger will allow us to be incorporated in a jurisdiction in which we have significant operations. Our acquisitions of Schrader Electronics on October 14, 2014 and the CST sensing businesses on December 1, 2015 significantly increased our presence in the UK. For example, immediately prior to the Schrader acquisition we had 255 employees in the Netherlands and 19 in the UK, while today, we have 260 employees in the Netherlands and 1,515 employees in the UK.
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•
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The UK is generally thought by investors to be a shareholder-friendly corporate governance environment. For example, in a recent, well publicized transaction, a NYSE-listed Dutch company utilized a form of Dutch foundation, or
Stichting
, which is not available under the laws of England and Wales, to thwart an unsolicited takeover offer that many shareholders believed was in their interest. In addition, the law of England and Wales has other features that we believe will be perceived by investors to be more shareholder friendly, such as permitting shareholder derivative actions and providing for a faster process and lower required ownership threshold for shareholders to initiate a general meeting.
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•
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Our strategy is to deploy capital in a manner that creates the greatest value for our shareholders. To achieve this we continuously assess various value creation opportunities and from that deploy capital
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•
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The impending withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (“Brexit”) may make it more difficult in the future to effect a company migration from the Netherlands to the UK, although the position is uncertain. In addition, London is — and despite Brexit is expected by some market commentators to remain — one of the world’s foremost financial centers from a shareholders' and international banking perspective.
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We will no longer be required to have at least 50% of our shareholders resident in the United States or the Netherlands to obtain tax treaty benefits under the US/Netherlands Tax Treaty and US/Ireland Tax Treaty, and will therefore no longer be required to regularly analyze the ultimate beneficial owners of our stock. Additionally, as a Dutch company, we do not qualify for the publicly traded test of Article 26(2)(c)(i) under the US and Netherlands Tax Treaty, but instead rely on the tax residency of our shareholders in order to qualify for treaty benefits in certain jurisdictions, including Ireland. After the Merger, we believe that we will satisfy the publicly traded test under the US and UK Tax Treaty and will therefore be able to rely on the public entities ownership test and not the ultimate shareholders test to qualify for the treaty benefits in those jurisdictions.
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•
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the SEC has declared the registration statement on Form S-4 that includes this proxy statement/prospectus effective, and no decree, injunction or stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect;
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the Ordinary Shares are authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
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the Ordinary Shares have been deemed eligible for deposit, book-entry and clearance services by DTC and its affiliates;
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the resolutions to amend the Sensata-Netherlands Articles have been approved and adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of Sensata-Netherlands;
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the terms of the Merger Proposal have been approved at a court-convened shareholders’ meeting of Sensata-UK in accordance with the UK Regulations;
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the resolutions approving and giving effect to the Merger have been approved and adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of Sensata-Netherlands;
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•
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the receipt of any and all requisite consents and approvals with respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated to be taken in connection therewith from (a) the holders of each of the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “4.875% Notes”), the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “5.625% Notes”), and the 5.00% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “5.000% Notes”) issued by Sensata Technologies B.V., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sensata-Netherlands (“Sensata BV”), (b) the holders of the 6.250% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “6.250% Notes,” and together with the 4.875% Notes, the 5.625% Notes and the 5.000% Notes, the “Notes”) issued by Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. plc, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sensata-Netherlands (“Sensata Technologies UK,” and together with Sensata BV, the “Issuers”), and (c) the lenders under the Credit Agreement dated as of May 12, 2011 by and among Sensata BV and certain of its affiliates, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as Administrative Agent, and the lenders thereunder, as amended from time to time (the “Credit Agreement”);
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•
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a declaration shall have been received from the local district court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that no creditor has opposed the Merger pursuant to the DCC or, in case of any opposition pursuant to the DCC, a declaration that such opposition was withdrawn or discharged;
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the aggregate number of ordinary shares in Sensata-Netherlands for which a withdrawal application has been made shall represent less than 1% of the issued and outstanding share capital in Sensata-Netherlands at the expiry of the withdrawal period;
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•
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a Dutch civil law notary selected by Sensata-Netherlands shall have issued the pre-merger compliance certificate and delivered it to Sensata-Netherlands, such certificate being the pre-merger scrutiny certificate pursuant to the EU Directive 2005/56/EC of the European Parliament and Council of October 26, 2005 on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies;
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•
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the issuance of an order by the UK High Court certifying that Sensata-UK has properly completed the pre-merger acts and formalities for the Merger in accordance with the UK Regulations;
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•
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the issuance of an order by the UK High Court approving the completion of the Merger pursuant to the UK Regulations, following the joint application of Sensata-Netherlands and Sensata-UK made within six months after the issuance of the pre-merger confirmation order described above;
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•
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any statutory, court or official prohibition to complete the Merger shall have expired or been terminated;
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no law or order prohibiting, or pending lawsuit seeking to prohibit, the Merger will have been issued or filed by any competent U.S., European Union, Netherlands, or UK governmental entity; and
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•
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no event, change, circumstance, discovery, announcement, occurrence, effect or state of facts having occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, leads or would reasonably be expected to lead the equity value of Sensata-Netherlands to be lower than the paid-up share capital increased with the aggregate amount of cash compensation due to withdrawing shareholders who have exercised their withdrawal right with respect to the Merger.
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•
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a U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares for Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Merger;
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•
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a U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis for the Ordinary Shares received in the Merger will equal the U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares surrendered in the Merger; and
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•
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the holding period of the Ordinary Shares received by a U.S. holder in the Merger will include the holding period of the Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares surrendered in exchange therefor.
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(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
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For the nine months ended September 30,
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For the year ended December 31,
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||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2017
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2016
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2016
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2015
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2014
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2013
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2012
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Statements of Operations Data:
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Net revenue
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$
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2,466,199
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$
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2,413,892
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$
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3,202,288
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$
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2,974,961
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$
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2,409,803
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$
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1,980,732
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$
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1,913,910
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Operating costs and expenses:
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Cost of revenue
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1,601,190
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1,574,763
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2,084,261
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1,977,799
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1,567,334
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1,256,249
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1,257,547
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|||||||
Research and development
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97,032
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95,240
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126,665
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123,666
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82,178
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57,950
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52,072
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|||||||
Selling, general and administrative
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227,256
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224,637
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293,587
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271,361
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220,105
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163,145
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141,894
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|||||||
Amortization of intangible assets
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121,578
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151,572
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|
201,498
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186,632
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|
146,704
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134,387
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|
144,777
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|||||||
Restructuring and special charges
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18,768
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|
3,167
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|
4,113
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21,919
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|
|
21,893
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5,520
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|
40,152
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|||||||
Total operating costs and expenses
|
2,065,824
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|
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2,049,379
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|
2,710,124
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2,581,377
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2,038,214
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1,617,251
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1,636,442
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|||||||
Profit from operations
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400,375
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364,513
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|
492,164
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393,584
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371,589
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363,481
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277,468
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|||||||
Interest expense, net
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(120,578
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)
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(125,201
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)
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(165,818)
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(137,626)
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(106,104)
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(93,915)
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(99,222)
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|||||||
Other, net
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7,190
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4,892
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(4,901)
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(50,329)
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(12,059)
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(35,629)
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(5,581)
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|||||||
Income before taxes
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286,987
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|
244,204
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|
321,445
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205,629
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|
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253,426
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233,937
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|
172,665
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|||||||
Provision for/(benefit from) income taxes
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47,759
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|
48,297
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59,011
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(142,067)
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(30,323)
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|
45,812
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(4,816)
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|||||||
Net income
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$
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239,228
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$
|
195,907
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|
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$
|
262,434
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$
|
347,696
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|
|
$
|
283,749
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|
|
$
|
188,125
|
|
|
$
|
177,481
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|
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Net income per share — basic
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$
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1.40
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$
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1.15
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$
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1.54
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$
|
2.05
|
|
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$
|
1.67
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|
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$
|
1.07
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|
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$
|
1.00
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Net income per share — diluted
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$
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1.39
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|
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$
|
1.14
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|
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$
|
1.53
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|
$
|
2.03
|
|
|
$
|
1.65
|
|
|
$
|
1.05
|
|
|
$
|
0.98
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — basic
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171,116
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|
|
170,656
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|
|
170,709
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|
|
169,977
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|
|
170,113
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|
|
176,091
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|
|
177,473
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|
|||||||
Weighted-average ordinary shares outstanding — diluted
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172,023
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|
|
171,359
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|
|
171,460
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|
|
171,513
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|
|
172,217
|
|
|
179,024
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|
|
181,623
|
|
($ in thousands)
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For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
For the year ended December 31,
|
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|
2017
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|
2016
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
||||||||||||||
Other Financial Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
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|
||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by/(used in):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||
Operating activities
|
$
|
372,279
|
|
|
$
|
396,351
|
|
|
$
|
521,525
|
|
|
$
|
533,131
|
|
|
$
|
382,568
|
|
|
$
|
395,838
|
|
|
$
|
397,313
|
|
Investing activities
|
(97,674
|
)
|
|
(139,145
|
)
|
|
(174,778
|
)
|
|
(1,166,369)
|
|
|
(1,430,065)
|
|
|
(87,650)
|
|
|
(62,501)
|
|
|||||||
Financing activities
|
(13,061
|
)
|
|
(299,582
|
)
|
|
(337,582
|
)
|
|
764,172
|
|
|
940,930
|
|
|
(403,831)
|
|
|
(13,400)
|
|
|||||||
Capital expenditures
|
(103,536
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)
|
|
(94,584
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)
|
|
(130,217
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)
|
|
(177,196)
|
|
|
(144,211)
|
|
|
(82,784)
|
|
|
(54,786)
|
|
|
As of September 30,
|
|
As of December 31,
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
2017
|
|
2016
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$
|
612,972
|
|
|
$
|
351,428
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|
|
$
|
342,263
|
|
|
$
|
211,329
|
|
|
$
|
317,896
|
|
|
$
|
413,539
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|
Working capital
|
1,103,337
|
|
|
758,189
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|
|
412,748
|
|
|
441,258
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|
|
537,139
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|
|
616,317
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|
||||||
Total assets
|
6,537,937
|
|
|
6,240,976
|
|
|
6,298,910
|
|
|
5,087,507
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|
|
3,479,692
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|
|
3,626,272
|
|
||||||
Total debt, capital lease and other financing obligations
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3,267,850
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|
|
3,273,594
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|
|
3,600,991
|
|
|
2,812,734
|
|
|
1,704,834
|
|
|
1,802,536
|
|
||||||
Total shareholders’ equity
|
2,182,525
|
|
|
1,942,007
|
|
|
1,668,576
|
|
|
1,302,892
|
|
|
1,141,588
|
|
|
1,222,294
|
|
•
|
the adoption of the Merger Proposal may not be approved by our shareholders;
|
•
|
the Sensata-Netherlands Board may choose to postpone or abandon the Merger at any time prior to completion, including after shareholder approval;
|
•
|
changes in U.S., Dutch or English laws, including tax laws, that could effectively preclude us from completing the Merger, reduce or eliminate the benefits expected to be achieved from the Merger, or otherwise adversely affect our business;
|
•
|
any negative publicity resulting from the proposed Merger having an adverse effect on our business;
|
•
|
an SEC stop order or other action or any other decree, order, or injunction preventing the registration statement of which this proxy statement/prospectus is a part from becoming or remaining effective or preventing us from holding the Extraordinary Meeting or completing the Merger;
|
•
|
an inability to satisfy all of the conditions to closing set forth in the Merger Proposal;
|
•
|
an inability to realize expected benefits from the Merger or the occurrence or difficulties in connection with the Merger;
|
•
|
costs related to the Merger, which could be greater than expected;
|
•
|
adverse conditions in the automotive industry have had, and may in the future have, adverse effects on our business;
|
•
|
competitive pressures could require us to lower our prices or result in reduced demand for our products;
|
•
|
integration of acquired companies, including the acquisition of August Cayman Company, Inc. (“Schrader”) and certain subsidiaries of Custom Sensors & Technologies Ltd. In the U.S., the UK, and France, as well as certain assets in China (collectively, “CST”), and any future acquisitions, joint
|
•
|
risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including compliance with export control regulations, foreign currency risks, and the potential for changes in socio-economic conditions and (or) monetary and fiscal policies, including as a result of the impending exit of the UK from the European Union;
|
•
|
we may incur material losses and costs as a result of intellectual property, product liability, warranty, and recall claims that may be brought against us;
|
•
|
taxing authorities could challenge our historical and future tax positions or our allocation of taxable income among our subsidiaries, or tax laws to which we are subject could change in a manner adverse to us;
|
•
|
labor disruptions or increased labor costs could adversely affect our business;
|
•
|
our level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to operate our business, and we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flows to meet our debt service obligations or comply with the covenants contained in the credit agreements; and
|
•
|
risks associated with security breaches and other disruptions to our information technology infrastructure.
|
•
|
In connection with its formation as an English public limited company and as required by the laws of England and Wales, Sensata-UK has in issue one initial ordinary share of €1.00 (“Initial Subscriber Share”) and 57,100 non-voting redeemable shares of €1.00 each (the “Non-Voting Redeemable Shares”), all of which are held by the sole shareholder of Sensata-UK, MaplesFS. The Non-Voting Redeemable Shares will be issued without voting rights or entitlement to any dividends or distributions and will, together with the Initial Subscriber Share, be cancelled as part of the subsequent capital reduction as set out in “Capital Reduction” below. Accordingly, neither the Initial Ordinary Share nor the Non-Voting Redeemable Shares will cause any dilution of your economic interests in the Sensata group or result in the holders of those shares receiving any consideration on account of their holdings thereof.
|
•
|
If the shareholders approve the Merger, any shareholder of Sensata-Netherlands that voted against such proposal has the right to elect not to become a shareholder of Sensata-UK and file a request for compensation with Sensata-Netherlands in accordance with the DCC within one month after the Extraordinary Meeting. A withdrawing shareholder can make use of the withdrawal right only in respect of the shares in Sensata-Netherlands that such shareholder (i) held at the record date of the Extraordinary Meeting and voted against the Merger and (ii) still holds at the time of submitting the withdrawal application and at the effective time of the Merger. Upon the Merger taking effect, the withdrawing shareholder will not receive Ordinary Shares. Instead, such withdrawing shareholder will receive cash compensation (net of any Dutch dividend withholding tax that is required to be withheld by law) for the ordinary shares in Sensata-Netherlands for which he, she or it duly exercised his, her or its withdrawal right and such ordinary shares of Sensata-Netherlands will cease to exist as a consequence of the Merger taking effect. See “Withdrawal Rights” for more information.
|
•
|
As of the date of this proxy statement/prospectus, Sensata-Netherlands holds treasury shares. Such treasury shares will cease to exist as part of the Merger, which will have the effect of decreasing the total number of Ordinary Shares issued after the Merger as compared to the number of ordinary shares of Sensata-Netherlands issued before the Merger.
|
•
|
The Merger will allow us to be incorporated in a jurisdiction in which we have significant operations. Our acquisitions of Schrader Electronics on October 14, 2014 and the CST sensing businesses on December 1, 2015 significantly increased our presence in the UK. For example, immediately prior to the Schrader acquisition we had 255 employees in the Netherlands and 19 in the UK, while today, we have 260 employees in the Netherlands and 1,515 employees in the UK.
|
•
|
The UK is generally thought by investors to be a shareholder-friendly corporate governance environment. For example, in a recent, well publicized transaction, a NYSE-listed Dutch company utilized a form of Dutch foundation, or
Stichting
, which is not available under the laws of England and
|
•
|
Our strategy is to deploy capital in a manner that creates the greatest value for our shareholders. To achieve this we continuously assess various value creation opportunities and from that deploy capital in a way that is intended to maximize returns for shareholders. As a company incorporated in England and Wales, we believe we will increase our flexibility and effectiveness in allocating and deploying capital as a result of the additional flexibility under the law of England and Wales for us to engage in share buy backs and the availability of a more flexible exemption under the law of England and Wales for dividends we may receive on securities that we hold. In addition, while we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our ordinary shares and do not currently intend to declare a cash dividend in the foreseeable future, we anticipate that (i) UK non-resident taxpayer rules for dividend and capital gains income derived from Sensata-UK and (ii) the absence of dividend withholding tax under the law of England and Wales could reduce the administrative and financial burden for us and our shareholders.
|
•
|
The impending withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (“Brexit”) may make it more difficult in the future to effect a company migration from the Netherlands to the UK, although the position is uncertain. In addition, London is — and despite Brexit is expected by some market commentators to remain — one of the world’s foremost financial centers from a shareholders' and international banking perspective.
|
•
|
We will no longer be required to have at least 50% of our shareholders resident in the United States or the Netherlands to obtain tax treaty benefits under the US/Netherlands Tax Treaty and US/Ireland Tax Treaty, and will therefore no longer be required to regularly analyze the ultimate beneficial owners of our stock. Additionally, as a Dutch company, we do not qualify for the publicly traded test of Article 26(2)(c)(i) under the US and Netherlands Tax Treaty, but instead rely on the tax residency of our shareholders in order to qualify for treaty benefits in certain jurisdictions, including Ireland. After the Merger, we believe that we will satisfy the publicly traded test under the US and UK Tax Treaty and will therefore be able to rely on the public entities ownership test and not the ultimate shareholders test to qualify for the treaty benefits in those jurisdictions.
|
•
|
Sensata-UK was incorporated under the laws of England and Wales as a public limited company for the sole purpose of engaging in the Merger.
|
•
|
Shareholders vote on the Merger at the Extraordinary Meeting.
|
•
|
If the Merger is approved by the requisite vote of our shareholders and the other conditions to closing are satisfied, we will (1) request a Dutch civil law notary (
notaris
) to issue a certificate attesting that Sensata-Netherlands has observed all procedural rules in respect of all the required resolutions and that all pre-merger formalities under Dutch law have been complied with, and (2) request the issuance of an
|
•
|
Following this, a joint application will be submitted to the UK High Court by Sensata-UK and Sensata-Netherlands for the issuance of an order approving the completion of the Merger. The Merger will be effected not less than 21 days after the date of such order, which is currently expected to be in the first quarter of 2018.
|
•
|
all assets and liabilities of Sensata-Netherlands shall transfer by universal succession of title to Sensata-UK;
|
•
|
Sensata-Netherlands will cease to exist;
|
•
|
each shareholder will receive, as consideration for the Merger, one Ordinary Share in exchange for each ordinary share in Sensata-Netherlands held immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (excluding treasury shares held by Sensata-Netherlands), except to the extent that any such shareholder exercises his, her or its withdrawal rights;
|
•
|
each share of Sensata-Netherlands will be cancelled and will cease to exist; and
|
•
|
Sensata-UK will have assumed all rights and obligations of Sensata-Netherlands (including under the employee benefit plans of Sensata-Netherlands) by operation of law.
|
•
|
the SEC has declared the registration statement on Form S-4 that includes this proxy statement/prospectus effective, and no decree, injunction or stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect;
|
•
|
the Ordinary Shares are authorized for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance;
|
•
|
the Ordinary Shares have been deemed eligible for deposit, book-entry and clearance services by DTC and its affiliates;
|
•
|
the resolutions to amend the Sensata-Netherlands Articles have been approved and adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of Sensata-Netherlands;
|
•
|
the resolutions to approve and give effect to the Merger have been approved and adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of Sensata-Netherlands;
|
•
|
the terms of the Merger Proposal have been approved at a court-convened shareholders’ meeting of Sensata-UK in accordance with the UK Regulations;
|
•
|
the resolutions approving and giving effect to the Merger have been approved and adopted by the Extraordinary Meeting of Sensata-Netherlands;
|
•
|
the receipt of any and all requisite consents and approvals with respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated to be taken in connection therewith from (a) the holders of each of the 4.875% Notes, the 5.625% Notes, and the 5.000% Notes, (b) the holders of the 6.250% Notes, and (c) the lenders under the Credit Agreement;
|
•
|
a declaration shall have been received from the local district court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that no creditor has opposed the Merger pursuant to the DCC or, in case of any opposition pursuant to the DCC, a declaration that such opposition was withdrawn or discharged;
|
•
|
the aggregate number of ordinary shares in Sensata-Netherlands for which a withdrawal application has been made shall represent less than 1% of the issued and outstanding share capital in Sensata-Netherlands at the expiry of the withdrawal period;
|
•
|
a Dutch civil law notary selected by Sensata-Netherlands shall have issued the pre-merger compliance certificate and delivered it to Sensata-Netherlands, such certificate being the pre-merger scrutiny certificate pursuant to the EU Directive 2005/56/EC of the European Parliament and Council of October 26, 2005 on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies;
|
•
|
the issuance of an order by the UK High Court certifying that Sensata-UK has properly completed the pre-merger acts and formalities for the Merger in accordance with the UK Regulations;
|
•
|
the issuance of an order by the UK High Court approving the completion of the Merger pursuant to the UK Regulations, following the joint application of Sensata-Netherlands and Sensata-UK made within six months after the issuance of the pre-merger confirmation order described above;
|
•
|
any statutory, court or official prohibition to complete the Merger shall have expired or been terminated;
|
•
|
no law or order prohibiting, or pending lawsuit seeking to prohibit, the Merger will have been issued or filed by any competent U.S., European Union, Netherlands, or UK governmental entity; and
|
•
|
no event, change, circumstance, discovery, announcement, occurrence, effect or state of facts having occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, leads or would reasonably be expected to lead the equity value of Sensata-Netherlands to be lower than the paid-up share capital increased with the aggregate amount of cash compensation due to withdrawing shareholders who have exercised their withdrawal right with respect to the Merger.
|
•
|
If you are currently a beneficial holder of Sensata-Netherlands shares (i.e., your shares are held in “street name”), your ownership of Ordinary Shares will be recorded in book entry form by your bank, broker or other nominee on the effective date of the Merger without the need for any further action on your part.
|
•
|
If you currently hold Sensata-Netherlands shares as a registered uncertificated record holder (not as a beneficial owner holding in “street name”), your shares will initially be delivered to the exchange agent and you will be sent a deed of transfer, which is to be used to surrender your Sensata-Netherlands shares in exchange for Ordinary Shares.
|
•
|
a person who is not a U.S. holder, as defined below;
|
•
|
a dealer in securities or currencies;
|
•
|
a financial institution, regulated investment company, a real estate investment trust, insurance company or b
ank;
|
•
|
a tax-exempt organization;
|
•
|
a person who holds Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares as part of an integrated investment (including a “straddle,” pledge against currency risk, “constructive” sale or “conversion” transaction or other integrated or risk reduction transactions) consisting of ordinary shares of Sensata-Netherlands and one or more other positions;
|
•
|
a person holding Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares who received such ordinary shares through the exercise of compensatory stock options, through a tax-qualified retirement plan or otherwise as compensation;
|
•
|
a trader in securities that has elected the mark-to-market method of accounting;
|
•
|
a person liable for alternative minimum tax;
|
•
|
a U.S. expatriate;
|
•
|
a partnership, disregarded entity, S corporation or other pass-through entity (including hybrid entities);
|
•
|
a person whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar;
|
•
|
a person who does not hold their Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; or
|
•
|
a person who acquired Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares pursuant to the exercise of warrants or conversion rights under convertible instruments.
|
•
|
an individual citizen or resident of the United States;
|
•
|
a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
|
•
|
an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
•
|
a trust if it either (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) are authorized or have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) the trust was in existence on August 20, 1996 and has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a United States person.
|
•
|
a U.S. holder will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares for Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Merger;
|
•
|
a U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis for the Ordinary Shares received in the Merger will equal the U.S. holder’s aggregate tax basis in the Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares surrendered in the Merger; and
|
•
|
the holding period of the Ordinary Shares received by a U.S. holder in the Merger will include the holding period of the Sensata-Netherlands ordinary shares surrendered in exchange therefor.
|
(a)
|
the capital gain is attributable to an enterprise from which the holder derives profits; or
|
(b)
|
the capital gain qualifies as income from miscellaneous activities (
belastbaar resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden
) as defined in the Income Tax Act (
Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001
), including, without limitation, activities that exceed normal, active asset management (
normaal, actief vermogensbeheer
).
|
(a)
|
such capital gain is attributable to an enterprise or part thereof which is either effectively managed in the Netherlands or carried on through a permanent establishment (
vaste inrichting
) or permanent representative (
vaste vertegenwoordiger
) in the Netherlands; or
|
(b)
|
the holder is an individual and such capital gain qualifies as income from miscellaneous activities (
belastbaar resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden
) in the Netherlands as defined in the Income Tax Act (
Wet
|
(a)
|
the income or capital gain is attributable to an enterprise or part thereof in the Netherlands from which the holder derives profits; or
|
(b)
|
the income or capital gain qualifies as income from miscellaneous activities
(belastbaar resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden
) as defined in the Income Tax Act (
Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001
), including, without limitation, activities that exceed normal, active asset management (
normaal, actief vermogensbeheer
).
|
(a)
|
the income or capital gain is attributable to an enterprise or part thereof which is either effectively managed in the Netherlands or carried on through a permanent establishment (
vaste inrichting
) or permanent representative (
vaste vertegenwoordiger
) in the Netherlands; or
|
(b)
|
the holder is an individual and the income or capital gain qualifies as income from miscellaneous activities (
belastbaar resultaat uit overige werkzaamheden
) in the Netherlands as defined in the Income Tax Act (
Wet inkomstenbelasting 2001
), including, without limitation, activities that exceed normal, active asset management (
normaal, actief vermogensbeheer
).
|
(a)
|
the holder is or is deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for the purpose of the relevant provisions; or
|
(b)
|
the transfer is construed as an inheritance or gift made by, or on behalf of, a person who, at the time of the gift or death, is or is deemed to be resident in the Netherlands for the purpose of the relevant provisions.
|
(a)
|
Ordinary Shares of €0.01 up to an aggregate nominal amount (i.e. par value) of €1.85 million each to be allotted and issued pursuant to and in connection with the Merger;
|
(b)
|
Additional Ordinary Shares of €0.01 each to be allotted and issued pursuant to future issuances of shares approved by the Sensata-UK Board; and
|
(c)
|
One non-voting bonus share issued with a nominal value equal to the merger reserve created as a result of the Merger. The non-voting bonus share will not have any voting rights, no entitlement to any dividends or distributions and, on a return of capital of Sensata-UK on a winding up or otherwise, will only be entitled to receive out of the assets available for distribution to shareholders the sum of €0.01 with no further participation right in the assets. Sensata-UK will undertake a court-approved procedure to cancel such share pursuant to the reduction of capital to be undertaken following the Merger so as to convert the merger reserve into a distributable reserve in Sensata-UK. The Initial Subscriber Share and the Non-Voting Redeemable Shares will also be cancelled through this court-approved procedure. Please see “Proposals Relating to the Merger — Capital Reduction” for more information.
|
•
|
increase its share capital by allotting and issuing new shares in accordance with the Sensata-UK Articles and any relevant shareholder resolution;
|
•
|
consolidate all or any of its share capital into shares of a larger nominal amount (i.e. par value) than the existing shares;
|
•
|
subdivide any of its shares into shares of a smaller nominal amount (i.e. par value) than its existing shares; or
|
•
|
redenominate its share capital or any class of share capital.
|
•
|
the company’s annual accounts;
|
•
|
the directors’ remuneration report;
|
•
|
the directors’ report;
|
•
|
any separate corporate governance statement;
|
•
|
a strategic report; and
|
•
|
the auditor’s report on those accounts, the auditable part of the director’ remuneration report, the directors’ report, the strategic report and any separate corporate governance statement.
|
•
|
Ordinary Shares of €1.00 each. The Initial Subscriber Share will be cancelled as part of the subsequent capital reduction as set out below.
|
•
|
Ordinary Shares of €0.01 each. The number of Ordinary Shares in issue will be equal to the number of shares in issue in Sensata-Netherlands immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger, except that (i) treasury shares held by Sensata-Netherlands will cease to exist as part of the Merger and (ii) shares held by withdrawing shareholders that are included in a withdrawal application will not be exchanged for Ordinary Shares and will be cancelled and cease to exist upon the effective time of the Merger.
|
•
|
57,100 Non-Voting Redeemable shares of €1.00 each. Under the laws of England and Wales, in order to be registered as a public limited company, Sensata-UK is required to have a minimum nominal share capital of £50,000 denominated in sterling or €57,100 denominated in euros. The Non-Voting Redeemable shares are therefore intended to meet this requirement. The Non-Voting Redeemable shares have been issued as redeemable shares with no voting rights, no entitlement to any dividends or distributions and, on a return of capital of Sensata-UK on a winding up or otherwise, will only be entitled to receive out of the assets available for distribution to shareholders the sum of €1.00 with no further participation right in the assets. The Non-Voting Redeemable shares will be cancelled as part of the subsequent capital reduction as set out below.
|
•
|
the issuance or transfer of shares under an employees’ equity compensation plan;
|
•
|
the issuance of bonus shares (i.e., shares paid up by way of a capitalization of a company’s reserves); or
|
•
|
the issuance of equity securities that are paid up wholly or partly otherwise than in cash (i.e. pursuant to an exchange offering or payment in kind).
|
•
|
if, at the time, the amount of its net assets is less than the aggregate of its issued and paid-up share capital and undistributable reserves; or
|
•
|
to the extent that the dividend will reduce the net assets below such amount.
|
•
|
a duty to act within his or her powers (i.e., in accordance with the articles and shareholder resolutions);
|
•
|
a duty to act in a way he or she considers, in good faith, would be most likely to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its shareholders as a whole;
|
•
|
a duty to act in accordance with the company’s constitution and exercise powers only for the purposes for which they are conferred
|
•
|
a duty to exercise independent judgment;
|
•
|
a duty to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence;
|
•
|
a duty to avoid conflicts of interest;
|
•
|
a duty not to accept benefits from third parties; and
|
•
|
a duty to declare an interest in a proposed transaction with the company.
|
•
|
provide a qualifying third party indemnity provision (a “QTPIP”). This permits a company to indemnify its directors and certain officers (and directors and certain officers of an associated company) in respect of
|
•
|
make a loan to a director or certain officers in respect of defense costs in relation to civil and criminal proceedings against him or her (even if the action is brought by the company itself). This is subject to the requirement for the director or officer to reimburse the company if the defense is unsuccessful. However, if the company has a QTPIP in place whereby the director or officer is indemnified in respect of legal costs in civil proceedings brought by third parties, then the director or officer will not be required to reimburse the company as the cost of the loan can be paid under the QTPIP.
|
•
|
if Sensata-UK’s affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner unfairly prejudicial to the interests of all or some shareholders, including the shareholder making the claim; or
|
•
|
if any act or omission of Sensata-UK is or would be so prejudicial.
|
•
|
it must be for a debt or definite sum of money;
|
•
|
it must be final and conclusive in the court which pronounced it; and
|
•
|
it must have been given by a court regarded by the laws of England and Wales as competent to do so.
|
•
|
the court in question did not, in the circumstances of the case, and in accordance with the English rules of private international law, have jurisdiction to give that judgment;
|
•
|
the judgment was obtained through fraud;
|
•
|
the enforcement of the judgment would be contrary to the public policy of the UK; or
|
•
|
the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained were opposed to the rules of natural justice.
|
1.
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 (filed on February 2, 2017);
|
2.
|
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2017 (filed on April 25, 2017), June 30, 2017 (filed on July 25, 2017) and September 30, 2017 (filed on October 24, 2017);
|
3.
|
Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 1, 2017, October 13, 2017, October 4, 2017, May 23, 2017 and October 30, 2013 (which Current Report includes the description of Sensata-Netherlands’ ordinary shares, nominal value €0.01 per share); and
|
4.
|
Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for Sensata-Netherlands’ 2017 annual general meeting of shareholders (filed on April 20, 2017).
|
|
CONTENTS
|
|
Clause
|
|
Page
|
1
|
Corporate Information of the Merging Companies
|
|
2
|
Measures in connection with Exchange of Share Ownership
|
|
3
|
Designation and Valuation of the Assets and Liabilities of Sensata-NL to be Transferred to Sensata-UK
|
|
4
|
Consideration for the Merger, Exchange Ratio and terms of allotment of UK Ordinary Shares
|
|
5
|
Determination of the Merger Exchange Ratio
|
|
6
|
Accounts
|
|
7
|
Reasons for the Merger
|
|
8
|
Consequences of the Merger
|
|
9
|
Tax Provisions
|
|
10
|
Withdrawal Right
|
|
11
|
Results of the Merger
|
|
12
|
Conditions Precedent
|
|
13
|
Employee Participation
|
|
14
|
Appointment of Independent Experts and the Independent Expert's Reports
|
|
15
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
Schedule 1
|
Articles of Association of Sensata Technologies Holding plc
|
|
Schedule 2
|
Articles of Association of Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.
|
|
Schedule 3
|
Proposed Articles of Association of Sensata Technologies Holding plc
|
|
Schedule 4
|
Proposed Articles of Association of Sensata Technologies Holding N.V
|
|
Schedule 5
|
Draft Withdrawal Application Form
|
|
Schedule 6
|
Merger Accounts *
|
1.
|
Martha Sullivan; and
|
2.
|
Jeffrey Cote;
|
3.
|
Martha Sullivan, executive director;
|
4.
|
Thomas Wroe, non-executive director;
|
5.
|
Paul Edgerley, non-executive director;
|
6.
|
Constance Skidmore, non-executive director;
|
7.
|
Charles Peffer, non-executive director;
|
8.
|
Kirk Pond, non-executive director;
|
9.
|
Andrew Teich, non-executive director;
|
10.
|
Stephen Zide, non-executive director;
|
11.
|
James Heppelmann, non-executive director; and
|
12.
|
Beda Bolzenius, non-executive director,
|
(A)
|
Sensata-UK is a public limited company with a share capital of EUR 57,101 consisting of one ordinary share of EUR 1.00 (the "
Initial Ordinary Share
") and 57,100 non-voting redeemable shares of EUR 1.00 each (the "
Non-Voting Redeemable Shares
") held by the sole shareholder, MaplesFS UK Group Services Limited ("
MaplesFS
"). MaplesFS, as the legal owner of the Initial Ordinary Share and the Non-Voting Redeemable Shares, holds such shares on trust for charitable purposes.
|
(B)
|
Sensata-NL is a public company with an issued share capital of EUR 1,785,624.49 consisting of 178,562,449 ordinary shares of EUR 0.01 each (the "
NV Ordinary Shares
"). The NV Ordinary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ST". The majority of the NV Ordinary Shares are held in nominee form via the Depository Trust Company ("
DTC
"), and the rest of the NV Ordinary Shares are held directly in registered form by certain shareholders.
|
(C)
|
The board of directors of Sensata-NL has concluded to reorganise the Sensata Technologies group structure which will result in a new UK holding company, Sensata-UK, serving as the publicly traded parent of the Sensata Technologies group of companies (the "
Sensata Group
"). To achieve this reorganisation, Sensata-NL intends to merge with Sensata-UK on the terms set out in this Merger Proposal.
|
(D)
|
As the merger results in Sensata-UK absorbing Sensata-NL, the shareholders of Sensata-NL will receive, as merger consideration, one ordinary share of EUR 0.01 each in Sensata-UK (the "
UK Ordinary Share
") for each NV Ordinary Share held immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (as defined in paragraph (M) below), such UK Ordinary Shares to be issued credited as fully paid up.
|
(E)
|
The board of directors of Sensata-UK and the board of directors of Sensata-NL propose to structure the merger as a transfer of all assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL to Sensata-UK under universal succession of title (
onder algemene titel
) by way of a cross-border merger within the meaning of articles 2:309 et seq. and 2:333b et seq. of the Dutch Civil Code (the "
DCC
")
|
(F)
|
This Merger Proposal sets out the terms and conditions of the contemplated Merger between Sensata-NL and Sensata-UK, in compliance with article 2:312 of the DCC in conjunction with articles 2:326 and 2:333d of the DCC and regulation 7 of the UK Regulations.
|
(G)
|
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, Sensata-NL and Sensata-UK intend that the Merger will constitute a "reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "
Code
") and the regulations thereunder (the "
Treasury Regulations
"), and that this Merger Proposal be, and be hereby adopted as, a "plan of reorganization" for purposes of Section 368 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
|
(H)
|
The shareholders' register of Sensata-NL does not appear to indicate, nor is the board of directors of Sensata-NL acquainted with any pledge (
pandrecht
) of shares in the issued share capital of Sensata-NL, or any right of usufruct (
recht van vruchtgebruik
) created therein. All shares in the issued share capital of the Merging Companies have been paid up in full.
|
(I)
|
No depositary receipts of shares (
certificaten van aandelen
) in the issued share capital of Sensata-NL have been issued and remain outstanding.
|
(J)
|
None of the Merging Companies has been dissolved (
ontbonden
), has been declared bankrupt (
in staat van faillissement verkaard
) or has been granted a suspension of payments (
surséance van betaling
), nor are the respective boards of directors acquainted with any intention to dissolve a Merging Company or a pending request to declare the Merging Company bankrupt or grant a suspension of payments.
|
(K)
|
None of the Merging Companies has instituted a works council or co-determination council (
medezeggenschapsraad
) and there is no association of employees, which includes amongst its members employees of the Merging Companies or one of their subsidiaries other than a works council established at Sensata Technologies Holland B.V. The boards of directors of the Merging Companies hereby confirm that there are no existing employee representation bodies that have consultation or other rights in relation to the Merger.
|
(L)
|
On 25 October 2017, the board of directors of Sensata-UK unanimously approved this Merger Proposal and, on 28 September 2017,
the
board of directors of Sensata-NL
unanimously approved this Merger Proposal. In accordance with Dutch law
,
all members of the boards of directors of the Merging Companies have signed this Merger Proposal.
|
(M)
|
The Merger will become effective on the date fixed by an order of the High Court of England and Wales (the "
UK High Court
") (the "
Merger Effective Time
").
|
1.
|
CORPORATE INFORMATION OF THE MERGING COMPANIES
|
1.1
|
Corporate information of the Acquiring Company:
|
1.1.1
|
Name:
|
Sensata Technologies Holding plc.
|
|
|
|
1.1.2
|
Form:
|
A public company limited by shares, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales
|
|
|
|
1.1.3
|
Registered Office:
|
Interface House, Interface Business Park, Bincknoll Lane, Royal Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 8SY, United Kingdom
|
|
|
|
1.1.4
|
Country of incorporation:
|
England & Wales
|
|
|
|
1.1.5
|
Date of incorporation:
|
4 August 2017
|
|
|
|
1.1.6
|
Share capital:
|
EUR 57,101 consisting of (i) one ordinary share of EUR 1.00 (the "
Initial Ordinary Share
") and 57,100 non-voting redeemable shares of EUR 1.00 each (the "
Non-Voting Redeemable Shares
")
|
|
|
|
1.1.7
|
Financial Year:
|
1 January — 31 December
|
|
|
|
1.1.8
|
Employees:
|
0
|
1.2
|
Corporate information of the Disappearing Company:
|
1.2.1
|
Name:
|
Sensata Technologies Holding N.V.
|
|
|
|
1.2.2
|
Form:
|
a public company (
naamloze vennootschap
) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands
|
|
|
|
1.2.3
|
Registered Office:
|
Jan Tinbergenstraat, 80, 7559 SP, Hengelo, the Netherlands
|
|
|
|
1.2.4
|
Official seat:
|
Hengelo, the Netherlands
|
|
|
|
1.2.5
|
Share capital:
|
EUR 1,785,624.49 consisting of 178,562,449 ordinary shares of EUR 0.01 each (the "
NV Ordinary Shares
")
|
|
|
|
1.2.6
|
Financial Year:
|
1 January — 31 December
|
|
|
|
1.2.7
|
Employees:
|
22
|
1.3
|
Corporate objects of the Disappearing Company:
|
1.3.1
|
to participate or to acquire interests in any other way in enterprises, to manage or exercise supervision of enterprises and to provide services to enterprises, with special reference to enterprises engaged in the production of sensors and controls for manufacturers in the automotive, appliance, aircraft and industrial business or rendering other services to such enterprises;
|
1.3.2
|
to perform all acts which directly or indirectly may be conductive to such objects.
|
1.4
|
The current articles of association of Sensata-UK are appended to this Merger Proposal at Schedule 1 (the "
UK Articles
"). Subject to and with effect from the Merger Effective Time, Sensata-UK will adopt the proposed new articles of association as appended to this Merger Proposal at Schedule 3 (the "
UK Proposed Articles
").
|
2.
|
MEASURES IN CONNECTION WITH EXCHANGE OF SHARE OWNERSHIP
|
2.1
|
As Sensata-NL will cease to exist immediately after the Merger Effective Time, all issued shares in the capital of Sensata-NL will be cancelled, including all treasury shares held by Sensata-NL. All assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL will be transferred under universal succession of title (
onder algemene titel
) to Sensata-UK.
|
2.2
|
Pursuant to article 2:311 paragraph 2 DCC and regulation 17 of the UK Regulations, the shareholders of Sensata-NL will become shareholders of Sensata-UK immediately after the Merger Effective Time, except for the shareholders who exercise their Withdrawal Right with respect to all their shares in the capital of Sensata-NL.
|
3.
|
DESIGNATION AND VALUATION OF THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF SENSATA NL TO BE TRANSFERRED TO SENSATA UK
|
3.1
|
The description of the assets and liabilities transferred by universal title of succession to Sensata-UK as a result of the Merger is established for information purposes only based on the Merger Accounts (as defined below). The description is not limited as the Merger will lead to a transfer by universal title of succession of all the assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL as of the Merger Effective Time.
|
3.2
|
For the avoidance of doubt, should any assets not be mentioned in the Merger Proposal as a result of any error or omission, those assets are deemed to be the property of Sensata-NL immediately before the Merger Effective Time and are deemed to be rightfully transferred by universal title of succession to Sensata-UK without adjustment of the Exchange Ratio (as defined in paragraph 4.2 of this Merger Proposal).
|
3.3
|
The transferred assets comprise of:
|
3.3.1
|
common shares constituting the entire issued and outstanding share capital of Sensata Technologies Intermediate Holding B.V., a private company with limited liability (
besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid
) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, having its official seat (
statutaire zetel
) in Hengelo, the Netherlands, and its registered office at Jan Tinbergenstraat 80, 7559 SP, Hengelo, the Netherlands, and registered with the Dutch Commercial Register (
Handelsregister
) under number 34243026;
|
3.3.2
|
prepaid expenses and other current assets; and
|
3.3.3
|
cash and cash equivalents and receivables (including inter-company receivables from subsidiaries).
|
3.4
|
The transferred liabilities comprise of:
|
3.4.1
|
Accounts payable (including inter-company payables to subsidiaries), accrued expenses and other current liabilities.
|
3.5
|
Please refer to the Merger Accounts (as defined below) for the assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL.
|
3.6
|
The valuation of the relevant assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL to be acquired by Sensata-UK was last undertaken on 1 July 2017 on the basis of net asset value and any other valuation method applied to those assets and liabilities in the Merger Accounts.
|
4.
|
CONSIDERATION FOR THE MERGER, EXCHANGE RATIO AND TERMS OF ALLOTMENT OF UK ORDINARY SHARES
|
4.1
|
The following measures are to be taken in connection with the transition of ownership of shares in the capital of Sensata-NL, as referred to in article 2:312, paragraph 2 sub g. of the DCC:
|
4.1.1
|
NV Ordinary Shares held by Sensata-NL will cease to exist in accordance with article 2:325 paragraph 4 of the DCC;
|
4.1.2
|
as Sensata-NL does not hold any shares in the capital of Sensata-UK and Sensata-UK does not hold any shares in its own capital, no shares will be cancelled pursuant to article 2:325 paragraph 3 of the DCC upon the Merger becoming effective;
|
4.1.3
|
immediately after the Merger Effective Time, UK Ordinary Shares will be allotted to the shareholders of Sensata-NL. The final number of UK Ordinary Shares to be issued and allotted pursuant to the Merger will depend on the number (if any) of NV Ordinary Shares for which shareholders in Sensata-NL duly exercise their Withdrawal Right (as defined and described in paragraph 10 of this Merger Proposal)
,
such number of NV Ordinary Shares will cease to exist as of the Merger Effective Time in accordance with article 2:333h paragraph 3 of the DCC;
|
4.1.4
|
no UK Ordinary Shares will be allotted in respect of any NV Ordinary Shares held in treasury;
|
4.1.5
|
the UK Ordinary Shares to be allotted and issued on the Merger Effective Date in connection with the Merger pursuant to the Exchange Ratio (as defined in paragraph 4.2 of this Merger Proposal) will be fully paid and rank
pari passu
in all respects with all other UK Ordinary Shares and will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange; and
|
4.1.6
|
in connection with the Merger, no special rights or restrictions are to be granted in Sensata-UK to any holders of UK Ordinary Shares, nor are any shares of special classes or other options to be granted in Sensata-UK, given that no such special rights or restrictions or special classes or other options are currently in existence in Sensata-NL.
|
4.2
|
Exchange Ratio
|
4.2.1
|
The exchange ratio of the shares as referred to in Title 7, Book 2 of the DCC is such that for each NV Ordinary Share in the capital of Sensata-NL one UK Ordinary Share in the capital of Sensata-UK will be allocated.
|
4.2.2
|
Except as described in paragraphs 1.4 and 10 of this Merger Proposal, no cash payment shall be made by Sensata-UK to Sensata-NL shareholders in respect of their NV Ordinary Shares or the transfer of Sensata-NL's assets and liabilities to Sensata-UK pursuant to the Merger.
|
5.
|
DETERMINATION OF THE MERGER EXCHANGE RATIO
|
6.
|
ACCOUNTS
|
7.
|
REASONS FOR THE MERGER
|
7.1
|
Through recent acquisitions, the Sensata Group has significantly increased its presence in the UK, and the Merger will allow the Sensata Group to be organized in a jurisdiction in which it has more significant operations.
|
7.2
|
The UK is generally thought by investors to be a shareholder-friendly corporate governance environment.
|
7.3
|
The Sensata Group's strategy is to deploy capital in a manner that creates the greatest value for its shareholders. To achieve this, the Sensata Group continuously assesses various value creation opportunities and from that deploy capital in a way that is intended to maximize returns for its shareholders. As a
|
7.4
|
The impending withdrawal of the UK from the European Union (“
Brexit
”) may make it more difficult in the future to effect a company migration from the Netherlands to the UK, although the position is uncertain. In addition, London is — and despite Brexit is expected by some market commentators to remain — one of the world’s foremost financial centers from shareholders' and an international banking perspective.
|
7.5
|
The Sensata Group will no longer require 50% of its shareholders to be U.S. residents to ensure eligibility for tax treaty benefits, and will therefore no longer be required to perform the shareholder analyses the Sensata Group currently needs to perform in order to demonstrate its ultimate beneficial owners.
|
8.
|
CONSEQUENCES OF THE MERGER
|
8.1
|
As soon as practicable following the date hereof, the board of directors of Sensata-NL (or, if appropriate, any committee thereof administering the Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan and the Sensata Technologies Holding B.V. first amended and restated 2006 Management Option Plan for key employees of Sensata-NL and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "
Company Equity Incentive Plans
")), shall adopt such resolutions and take such other actions (including adopting any plan amendments) as are required to provide that:
|
8.1.1
|
each then outstanding option to acquire NV Ordinary Shares (each, a "
NV Option
") granted under a Company Equity Incentive Plan shall cease to represent a right to acquire NV Ordinary Shares and shall be converted into an option (each, a "
UK Option
") to acquire, on the same terms and conditions applicable to each such NV Option immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (including the same vesting conditions), the same number of UK Ordinary Shares as the number of NV Ordinary Shares that was subject to such NV Option immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, at an exercise price per UK Ordinary Share equal to the exercise price for each such NV Ordinary Share subject to such NV Option immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time; and
|
8.1.2
|
each then outstanding right to acquire NV Ordinary Shares (each, a "
NV Restricted Stock Unit
") granted under a Company Equity Incentive Plan shall cease to represent a right to acquire NV Ordinary Shares and shall be converted into a right (each, a "
UK Restricted Stock Unit
") to acquire, on the same terms and conditions applicable to such NV Restricted Stock Unit immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (including the same vesting conditions), the same number of UK Ordinary Shares as the number of NV Ordinary Shares that was subject to such NV Restricted Stock Unit immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time.
|
8.2
|
No specific advantages or benefits shall be provided, in connection with the Merger, to the independent experts (as referred to in paragraph 14 of this Merger Proposal), the boards of directors of the Merging Companies or any other parties who are involved in the Merger. The independent experts will receive adequate remuneration in relation to the tasks performed by each of them, in accordance with the terms agreed with Sensata-NL and Sensata-UK respectively.
|
8.3
|
The current composition of the board of directors of Sensata-UK is as follows:
|
8.3.1
|
Martha Sullivan; and
|
8.3.2
|
Jeffrey Cote;
|
8.3.3
|
Martha Sullivan;
|
8.3.4
|
Thomas Wroe;
|
8.3.5
|
Paul Edgerley;
|
8.3.6
|
Constance Skidmore;
|
8.3.7
|
Charles Peffer;
|
8.3.8
|
Kirk Pond;
|
8.3.9
|
Andrew Teich;
|
8.3.10
|
Stephen Zide;
|
8.3.11
|
James Heppelman; and
|
8.3.12
|
Beda Bolzenius.
|
8.4
|
As from 1 January 2018, Sensata-UK shall account for the financial data and transactions of Sensata-NL in its annual accounts. All acts and operations of Sensata-NL shall, as from the Merger Effective Time, be conducted for the account of Sensata-UK. In addition, as from the Merger Effective Time, the UK Ordinary Shares to be allotted and issued in connection with the Merger will carry the entitlement to participate in the profits that may be distributed by Sensata-UK. No special rights or conditions to dividends will be granted in connection with the Merger, and no particular conditions are expected with respect to any dividend rights in Sensata-UK. The effects of the Merger on the goodwill and the distributable reserves of Sensata-UK are as follows:
|
8.4.1
|
The Merger does not have any effects on the amount of goodwill of Sensata-UK.
|
8.4.2
|
Under the laws of England and Wales, the reserves previously held by Sensata-NL will not transfer to the statutory balance sheet of Sensata-UK as a distributable reserve. The Merger will, however, give rise to a merger reserve on the balance sheet of Sensata-UK in an amount equal to the amount by which the net book value of the assets and liabilities transferred to Sensata-UK from Sensata-NL pursuant to the Merger exceeds the nominal value of the UK Ordinary Shares issued pursuant to the Merger. Sensata-UK will capitalize the merger reserve as set out hereafter in paragraph 8.5.
|
8.5
|
Immediately after the Merger Effective Time, it is expected that Sensata-UK will capitalize the merger reserve arising as a result of the Merger by issuing a non-voting bonus share. The non-voting bonus share will be issued with a nominal value equal to the amount of the merger reserve. Sensata-UK will then undertake a court-approved procedure to cancel such share, thereby creating distributable reserves. Sensata-UK will seek to obtain the approval of the UK High Court to the capital reduction as soon as practicable following the Merger. The activities of Sensata-NL shall be continued by Sensata-UK, as from the Merger Effective Time.
|
8.6
|
It is expected that prior to the Merger Effective Time all employees of Sensata-NL will be transferred to Sensata Technologies B.V. by way of a transfer of contract (
contractsovername
) within the meaning of article 6:159 of the Dutch Civil Code on the same or substantially similar terms and conditions to those which apply at the date of this Merger Proposal.
|
9.
|
TAX PROVISIONS
|
9.1
|
Dutch tax regime
|
9.1.1
|
Tax consequences for Sensata-NL
|
9.1.2
|
Withholding tax
|
9.1.3
|
Taxes on capital gains
|
9.1.4
|
Value added tax
|
9.1.5
|
Other taxes
|
9.2
|
UK tax regime
|
9.2.1
|
Sensata-UK
|
9.2.2
|
Taxation of Dividends
|
9.2.3
|
Stamp duty and stamp duty reserve tax ("
SDRT
")
|
10.
|
WITHDRAWAL RIGHT
|
10.1
|
If, at the general meeting of Sensata-NL, the Merger Resolution were adopted, any shareholder of Sensata-NL that voted against the Merger Resolution has the right to elect not to become a shareholder of Sensata-UK (the "
Withdrawal Right
") and file a request for compensation (the "
Withdrawal Application
") in accordance with article 2:333h paragraph 1 of the DCC (such shareholder being a "
Withdrawing Shareholder
"). The Withdrawal Application must be submitted to Sensata-NL no later than one month after the date of the general meeting where the Merger Resolution has been adopted (counting from the day after the general meeting, the "
Withdrawal Period
"). All Withdrawal Applications are irrevocable after the end of the Withdrawal Period and a Withdrawing Shareholder will not be allowed to transfer his Exit Shares (as defined below) in any manner.
|
10.2
|
A shareholder of record who would like to exercise the Withdrawal Right will need to complete a Withdrawal Application form, a draft of which is appended to this Merger Proposal at Schedule 5 (the "
Withdrawal Application Form
"). A final version of the Withdrawal Application Form will be provided to the shareholder(s) of record that vote against the Merger Resolution and should be completed and returned in accordance with the instructions contained therein. A shareholder holding shares in "street name" who wishes to exercise the
|
10.3
|
A Withdrawing Shareholder can only exercise its Withdrawal Right for the NV Ordinary Shares it (i) held at the record date of the relevant general meeting of Sensata-NL at which the Withdrawing Shareholder voted against the Merger Resolution; and (ii) still holds at the time of the Withdrawal Application and immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time (the "
Exit Shares
"). A shareholder of Sensata-NL who has voted in favor of the Merger Resolution at the general meeting of Sensata-NL, has abstained from voting, or was not present or represented at the general meeting does not have a Withdrawal Right. Broker non-votes will be treated as abstentions for the purpose of determining whether a shareholder is eligible to exercise its Withdrawal Right.
|
10.4
|
Pursuant to article 2:333h of the DCC, Withdrawing Shareholders are entitled to receive Cash Compensation for their Exit Shares. The Cash Compensation per Exit Share to be received by a Withdrawing Shareholder will be determined in accordance with the criterion (the "
Criterion
") set out in the NV Proposed Articles, subject to the amendment of Sensata-NL’s articles of association being resolved upon and amended in conformity with the NV Proposed Articles at the general meeting of Sensata-NL to resolve upon and give effect to the Merger.
|
10.5
|
The amount of Cash Compensation per NV Ordinary Share will be determined on the basis of the average closing price of a NV Ordinary Share provided on a daily basis by the New York Stock Exchange over a period of the last twenty (20) trading days immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, such in accordance with the following new article 41 that is proposed to be inserted in the NV Proposed Articles:
|
10.6
|
After the expiry of the Withdrawal Period, Sensata-NL and Sensata-UK will jointly determine the number of Withdrawing Shareholders and the aggregate number of Exit Shares based on the Withdrawal Applications received.
|
10.7
|
As a result of the procedure described above, the Cash Compensation to be received by each Withdrawing Shareholder will be determined, and the Cash Compensation will be paid to each Withdrawing Shareholder, prior to the execution of the Pre-Merger Certificate (as defined below).
|
10.8
|
Sensata-UK hereby assumes the obligation of Sensata-NL to pay the Cash Compensation to the Withdrawing Shareholders in accordance with article 2:333i paragraph 4 DCC and will pay such Cash Compensation to the Withdrawing Shareholders within ten (10) business days following the Merger Effective Time, net of any Dutch dividend withholding tax that is required to be withheld by law.
|
10.9.1
|
vote against the Merger Resolution at the general meeting of Sensata-NL to resolve upon and give effect to the Merger;
|
10.9.2
|
submit the Withdrawal Application Form in accordance with section 10.1 of this Merger Proposal; and
|
10.9.3
|
continue to hold and not sell, transfer or dispose of or enter into any agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of its NV Ordinary Shares until the Merger Effective Time.
|
11.
|
RESULTS OF THE MERGER
|
11.1
|
Upon the Merger becoming effective at the Merger Effective Time, Sensata-UK:
|
11.1.1
|
shall receive by universal succession of title all the assets and liabilities of Sensata-NL as they are as at the Merger Effective Time;
|
11.1.2
|
shall by operation of law be subrogated
in all rights and obligations resulting from any agreement or commitment whatsoever imposing obligations on Sensata-NL, or benefiting to it.
|
11.1.3
|
shall succeed Sensata-NL as a party to all treaties, agreements, contracts, covenants and commitments entered into with customers, suppliers, creditors and generally with third parties in connection with the transferred assets and liabilities, and shall also take it upon itself to fulfil or terminate at its own risk and expense all agreements, treaties, covenants, contracts, memorandums of understanding, insurance policies or any other commitments that may have been entered into by Sensata-NL prior to the Merger Effective Time for its operating needs or its estate;
|
11.1.4
|
shall be required to discharge excess liabilities and shall benefit from any reduction in such liabilities if it turns out that there is a difference, whether positive or negative, between the reported liabilities and any amounts claimed by third parties and recognised as being due;
|
11.1.5
|
shall comply with the legislative and regulatory provisions concerning the management and nature of the transferred assets and shall make sure that any required authorisations are obtained or renewed, at its own risk and expense;
|
11.1.6
|
shall be required to fulfil all obligations and shall benefit from all the rights of Sensata-NL or in connection with its management or resulting therefrom and notably from all the rights and obligations resulting from any permits, agreements or authorisations;
|
11.1.7
|
shall by operation of law be subrogated in the rights of Sensata-NL acting as plaintiff or defendant, as the case may be, in any legal, administrative or other proceedings; and
|
11.1.8
|
shall become shareholder or a partner in any companies Sensata-NL holds a shareholding, provided that the applicable contractual, regulatory and legislative provisions are complied with.
|
11.2
|
Immediately prior to the Merger Effective Time, Sensata-NL:
|
11.2.1
|
shall provide to Sensata-UK all information as may be required and shall execute all such documents as may be necessary and provide all necessary support as required to ensure the effectiveness vis-a-vis any party of the transfer of the assets and liabilities transferred in the context of the Merger and that this Merger Proposal has full effect; and
|
11.2.2
|
shall in particular establish any supplementary, reiterative or confirmatory agreements in respect of the contemplated Merger and shall provide any explanations and signatures that may be required.
|
11.3
|
Specific provisions relating to agreements entered into between the Disappearing Company and the Acquiring Company:
|
12.
|
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
|
12.1
|
The Merger Resolution and the resolution to amend the articles of association of Sensata-NL in accordance with the NV Proposed Articles are to be adopted by the shareholders of Sensata-NL at the general meeting of Sensata-NL, which is expected to take place on 5 January 2018 (the "
NV General Meeting
"). The NV General Meeting will be convened in the ordinary manner and the agenda to the meeting will be available on the website of Sensata-NL (www.sensata.com).
|
12.2
|
The board of directors of Sensata-NL can resolve at any given time in its sole discretion, including after the NV General Meeting, that the Merger is no longer in the interest of Sensata-NL and the enterprise connected with it, and therefore resolve not to effect the Merger.
|
12.3
|
The implementation of the Merger will remain subject to the following conditions:
|
12.3.1
|
the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission having declared the registration statement on Form S-4, including the proxy statement/prospectus, effective, and no decree, injunction or stop order with respect thereto shall be in effect;
|
12.3.2
|
the UK Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger having been authorised for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to an official notice of issuance;
|
12.3.3
|
the UK Ordinary Shares having been deemed eligible for deposit, book-entry and clearance services by DTC and its affiliates;
|
12.3.4
|
the adoption of the Merger Resolution at the NV General Meeting;
|
12.3.5
|
the adoption of the resolution to amend the articles of association of Sensata-NL in accordance with the NV Proposed Articles at the NV General Meeting;
|
12.3.6
|
the approval of the terms of this Merger Proposal at a Court-convened shareholders' meeting of Sensata-UK pursuant to regulation 13 of the UK Regulations;
|
12.3.7
|
the receipt of any and all requisite consents and approvals with respect to the Merger and the transactions contemplated to be taken in connection therewith from (a) the holders of each of the 4.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (the "
4.875% Notes
"), the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024(the "
5.625% Notes
"), and the 5.00% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "
5.00% Notes
") issued by Sensata Technologies B.V., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Sensata-NL (“
Sensata BV
”); (b) the holders of the
|
12.3.8
|
a declaration having been received from the local district court in Overijssel, the Netherlands, that no creditor has opposed the Merger pursuant to article 2:316 of the DCC or, in case of any opposition pursuant to article 2:316 of the DCC, a declaration that such opposition was withdrawn or discharged;
|
12.3.9
|
the aggregate number of NV Ordinary Shares for which a Withdrawal Application has been made representing less than 1% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Sensata-NL at the expiry of the Withdrawal Period;
|
12.3.10
|
a Dutch civil law notary selected by Sensata-NL having issued the pre-merger compliance certificate and delivered a (copy of a) true copy thereof to Sensata-NL, such certificate being the pre-merger scrutiny certificate pursuant to the EU Directive 2005/56/EC of the European Parliament and Council of October 26, 2005 on cross-border mergers of limited liability companies ("
Pre-Merger Certificate
");
|
12.3.11
|
the issuance of an order by the UK High Court certifying that Sensata-UK has properly completed the pre-merger acts and formalities for the Merger pursuant to regulation 6 of the UK Regulations;
|
12.3.12
|
the issuance of an order by the UK High Court approving the completion of the Merger pursuant to regulation 16 of the UK Regulations, following the joint application of Sensata-NL and Sensata-UK made within six months after the issuance of the pre-merger confirmation order described under paragraph 12.3.11 of this Merger Proposal;
|
12.3.13
|
any statutory, court or official prohibition to complete the Merger having expired or been terminated; and
|
12.3.14
|
no law or order prohibiting, or pending lawsuit seeking to prohibit, the Merger will have been issued or filed by any competent U.S., European Union, Netherlands, or United Kingdom governmental entity; and
|
12.3.15
|
no event, change, circumstance, discovery, announcement, occurrence, effect or state of facts having occurred that, individually or in the aggregate, leads or would reasonably be expected to lead the equity value of Sensata-NL to be lower than the paid-up share capital increased with the aggregate amount of Cash Compensation due to Withdrawing Shareholders who have exercised their Withdrawal Right with respect to the Merger.
|
12.4
|
The condition precedent set forth in paragraph 12.3.9 above is for the benefit of Sensata-NL and may be waived at any time by Sensata-NL by written notice to Sensata-UK.
|
12.5
|
Should such conditions precedent not be fulfilled or, as the case may be waived, six (6) months as from the date of publication of this Merger Proposal, the Merger Proposal shall be automatically terminated and no indemnity shall be due by either of Sensata-UK or Sensata-NL.
|
12.6
|
Each of the boards of directors of the Merging Companies (or any officer granted such power by the board) shall confirm in writing to each other the satisfaction or waiver, as the case may be, of the Merger conditions set out in paragraph 12.2 (the "
Merger Confirmation
").
|
12.7
|
Following the Merger Confirmation, the Merger will take effect as at the Merger Effective Time. According to article 2:318 of the DCC, the Merger must be effected within six (6) months after the publication of this Merger Proposal.
|
13.
|
EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION
|
14.
|
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT EXPERTS AND THE INDEPENDENT EXPERT'S REPORTS
|
15.
|
MISCELLANEOUS
|
15.1
|
The Schedules to this Merger Proposal are considered to be part of this Merger Proposal.
|
15.2
|
This Proposal has been signed by all members of the boards of the directors of the Merging Companies.
|
15.3
|
This Proposal shall be filed with the Dutch Commercial Register (
Handelsregister
) and the Registrar of Companies in the UK and shall be made available at the offices of the Merging Companies. The filing shall be announced in a Dutch nationally distributed newspaper and in the Dutch National Gazette (
Staatscourant
). Each creditor of a Merging Company shall have the right to file a petition against this Proposal until one month after the announcement.
|
/s/ Martha Sullivan
|
|
/s/ Jeffrey Cote
|
|
|
|
Name: Martha Sullivan
Title: Director
|
|
Name: Jeffrey Cote
Title: Director
|
/s/ Martha Sullivan
|
|
/s/ Thomas Wroe
|
Name: Martha Sullivan
Title: Executive Director
|
|
Name: Thomas Wroe
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Paul Edgerley
|
|
/s/ Constance Skidmore
|
Name: Paul Edgerley
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
Name: Constance Skidmore
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Charles Peffer
|
|
/s/ Kirk Pond
|
Name: Charles Peffer
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
Name: Kirk Pond
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ Andrew Teich
|
|
/s/ Stephen Zide
|
Name: Andrew Teich
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
Name: Stephen Zide
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
|
|
/s/ James Heppelmann
|
|
/s/ Beda Bolzenius
|
Name: James Heppelmann
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
|
Name: Beda Bolzenius
Title: Non-Executive Director
|
Contents
|
||
Article
|
Page
|
|
PART 1 INTERPRETATION AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
|
A-27
|
|
1
|
Defined terms
|
A-27
|
2
|
Model articles or regulations not to apply
|
A-29
|
3
|
Liability of members
|
A-30
|
PART 2 DIRECTORS
|
A-30
|
|
DIRECTORS' POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
|
A-30
|
|
4
|
Directors' general authority
|
A-30
|
5
|
Borrowing powers
|
A-30
|
6
|
Members' reserve power
|
A-30
|
7
|
Directors may delegate
|
A-31
|
8
|
Committees
|
A-31
|
DECISION MAKING BY DIRECTORS
|
A-31
|
|
9
|
Directors to take decisions collectively
|
A-31
|
10
|
Calling a directors' meeting
|
A-32
|
11
|
Participation in directors' meetings
|
A-32
|
12
|
Quorum for directors' meetings
|
A-32
|
13
|
Chairing directors' meetings
|
A-33
|
14
|
Voting at directors' meetings: general rules
|
A-33
|
DIRECTORS' INTERESTS
|
A-33
|
|
15
|
Directors' Interests
|
A-33
|
16
|
Directors' interests other than in relation to transactions or arrangements with the Company
|
A-33
|
17
|
Confidential information and attendance at directors' meetings
|
A-34
|
18
|
Declaration of interests in proposed or existing transactions or arrangements with the Company
|
A-35
|
19
|
Permitted transactions and arrangements notwithstanding interest
|
A-36
|
20
|
Remuneration and benefits
|
A-36
|
21
|
General voting and quorum requirements
|
A-36
|
22
|
Proposing directors' written resolutions
|
A-38
|
23
|
Adoption of directors' written resolutions
|
A-38
|
24
|
Directors' discretion to make further rules
|
A-39
|
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS
|
A-39
|
|
25
|
Number of directors
|
A-39
|
26
|
Methods of appointing directors
|
A-39
|
27
|
Annual retirement of directors
|
A-40
|
28
|
Termination of director's appointment
|
A-41
|
29
|
Directors' fees
|
A-42
|
30
|
Directors' additional remuneration
|
A-43
|
31
|
Directors' pensions and other benefits
|
A-43
|
32
|
Remuneration of executive directors
|
A-43
|
33
|
Directors' expenses
|
A-44
|
PART 3 DECISION-MAKING BY MEMBERS
|
A-44
|
ORGANISATION OF GENERAL MEETINGS
|
A-44
|
|
34
|
Annual general meetings
|
A-44
|
35
|
Calling general meetings
|
A-45
|
36
|
Notice of general meetings
|
A-45
|
37
|
Member Proposed Resolutions at Annual General Meetings
|
A-46
|
38
|
Attendance and speaking at general meetings
|
A-46
|
39
|
Meeting security
|
A-47
|
40
|
Quorum for general meetings
|
A-47
|
41
|
Chairing general meetings
|
A-47
|
42
|
Conduct of meeting
|
A-48
|
43
|
Attendance and speaking by directors and non members
|
A-48
|
44
|
Dissolution and adjournment if quorum not present
|
A-48
|
45
|
Adjournment if quorum present
|
A-49
|
46
|
Notice of adjourned meeting
|
A-49
|
47
|
Business at adjourned meeting
|
A-50
|
VOTING AT GENERAL MEETINGS
|
A-50
|
|
48
|
Voting: general
|
A-50
|
49
|
Errors and disputes
|
A-51
|
50
|
Procedure on a poll
|
A-51
|
51
|
Appointment of proxy
|
A-51
|
52
|
Content of proxy notices
|
A-52
|
53
|
Delivery of proxy notices
|
A-52
|
54
|
Corporate representatives
|
A-53
|
55
|
Termination of authority
|
A-53
|
56
|
Amendments to resolutions
|
A-55
|
RESTRICTIONS ON MEMBERS' RIGHTS
|
A-54
|
|
57
|
No voting of shares on which money owed to company
|
A-54
|
APPLICATION OF RULES TO CLASS MEETINGS AND RIGHTS
|
A-54
|
|
58
|
Variation of class rights
|
A-54
|
59
|
Failure to disclose interests in shares
|
A-55
|
PART 4 SHARES AND DISTRIBUTIONS ISSUE OF SHARES
|
A-57
|
|
60
|
Allotment
|
A-57
|
61
|
Powers to issue different classes of share
|
A-57
|
62
|
Rights and restrictions attaching to shares
|
A-57
|
63
|
Payment of commissions on subscription for shares
|
A-59
|
INTERESTS IN SHARES
|
A-59
|
|
64
|
Company not bound by less than absolute interests
|
A-59
|
SHARE CERTIFICATES
|
A-59
|
|
65
|
Certificates to be issued except in certain cases
|
A-59
|
66
|
Contents and execution of certificates
|
A-59
|
67
|
Consolidated certificates
|
A-60
|
68
|
Replacement certificates
|
A-61
|
PARTLY PAID SHARES
|
A-61
|
|
69
|
Company's lien over partly paid shares
|
A-61
|
70
|
Enforcement of the company's lien
|
A-62
|
71
|
Call notices
|
A-63
|
72
|
Liability to pay calls
|
A-64
|
73
|
When call notice need not be issued
|
A-64
|
74
|
Failure to comply with call notice: automatic consequences
|
A-64
|
75
|
Payment of uncalled amount in advance
|
A-65
|
76
|
Notice of intended forfeiture
|
A-65
|
77
|
Directors' power to forfeit shares
|
A-66
|
78
|
Effect of forfeiture
|
A-66
|
79
|
Procedure following forfeiture
|
A-67
|
80
|
Surrender of shares
|
A-67
|
UNTRACED SHAREHOLDERS
|
A-68
|
|
81
|
Power of sale
|
A-68
|
82
|
Application of proceeds of sale
|
A-68
|
TRANSFERS AND TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
|
A-69
|
|
83
|
Transfers of shares
|
A-69
|
84
|
TRANSFERS OF UNCERTIFICATED SHARES
|
A-70
|
85
|
Transmission of shares
|
A-70
|
86
|
Transmittees' rights
|
A-70
|
87
|
Exercise of transmittees' rights
|
A-71
|
88
|
Transmittees bound by prior notices
|
A-71
|
CONSOLIDATION/DIVISION OF SHARES
|
A-71
|
|
89
|
Procedure for disposing of fractions of shares
|
A-71
|
DISTRIBUTIONS
|
A-72
|
|
90
|
Procedure for declaring dividends
|
A-72
|
91
|
Calculation of dividends
|
A-73
|
92
|
Payment of dividends and other distributions
|
A-73
|
93
|
Deductions from distributions in respect of sums owed to the company
|
A-75
|
94
|
No interest on distributions
|
A-76
|
95
|
Unclaimed distributions
|
A-76
|
96
|
Non cash distributions
|
A-76
|
97
|
Waiver of distributions
|
A-77
|
98
|
Scrip dividends
|
A-77
|
CAPITALISATION OF PROFITS AND RESERVES
|
A-79
|
|
99
|
Authority to capitalise and appropriation of capitalised sums
|
A-79
|
100
|
Record dates
|
A-80
|
PART 5 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS COMMUNICATIONS
|
A-80
|
|
COMMUNICATIONS
|
A-80
|
|
101
|
Means of communication to be used
|
A-80
|
102
|
Loss of entitlement to notices
|
A-82
|
ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
|
A-82
|
|
103
|
Secretary
|
A-82
|
104
|
Change of name
|
A-83
|
105
|
Authentication of documents
|
A-83
|
106
|
Company seals
|
A-83
|
107
|
Records of proceedings
|
A-84
|
108
|
Destruction of documents
|
A-84
|
109
|
Accounts
|
A-85
|
110
|
Provision for employees on cessation of business
|
A-86
|
111
|
Winding up of the company
|
A-86
|
DIRECTORS' INDEMNITY AND INSURANCE
|
A-86
|
|
112
|
Indemnity of officers and funding directors' defence costs
|
A-87
|
113
|
Insurance
|
A-88
|
1.
|
DEFINED TERMS
|
1.1
|
In the articles, unless the context requires otherwise:
|
1.2
|
Unless the context requires otherwise, words or expressions contained in these articles bear the same meaning given by the Act as it is in force when the articles are adopted.
|
1.3
|
Where an ordinary resolution of the Company is expressed to be required for any purpose, a special resolution is also effective for that purpose.
|
1.4
|
References to a "
meeting
" shall not be taken as requiring more than one person to be present if any quorum requirement can be satisfied by one person.
|
1.5
|
The headings in the articles do not affect their interpretation.
|
1.6
|
References to any statutory provision or statute include all modifications and re-enactments (with or without modification) to such provision or statute and all subordinate legislation made under any such provision or statute, in each case for the time being in force. This article 1.6 does not affect the interpretation of article 1.2.
|
1.7
|
The
ejusdem generis
principle of construction shall not apply. Accordingly, general words shall not be given a restrictive meaning by reason of their being preceded or followed by words indicating a particular class of acts, matters or things or by examples falling within the general words.
|
1.8
|
In the articles, words importing one gender shall include each gender and a reference to a "spouse" shall include a reference to a civil partner under the Civil Partnership Act 2004.
|
2.
|
MODEL ARTICLES OR REGULATIONS NOT TO APPLY
|
3.
|
LIABILITY OF MEMBERS
|
4.
|
DIRECTORS' GENERAL AUTHORITY
|
4.1
|
Subject to the Act and the articles, the directors are responsible for the management of the Company's business, for which purpose they may exercise all the powers of the Company whether relating to the management of the business or not.
|
4.2
|
No alteration of the articles invalidates anything which the directors have done before the alteration.
|
4.3
|
The provisions of the articles giving specific powers to the directors do not limit the general powers given by this article 4.
|
4.4
|
The directors can appoint a person (not being a director) to an office having the title including the word "director" or attach such a title to an existing office. The directors can also terminate the appointment or use of that title. Even though a person's title includes "director", this does not imply that they are (or are deemed to be) directors of the Company or that they can act as a director as a result of having such a title or be treated as a director of the Company for any of the purposes of the Act or the articles.
|
4.5
|
The directors may in their discretion exercise (or cause to be exercised) the powers conferred by shares of another company held (or owned) by the Company or a power of appointment to be exercised by the Company (including the exercise of the voting power or power of appointment in favour of the appointment of a director as an officer or employee of that company).
|
4.6
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may exercise the powers of the Company regarding keeping an overseas, local or other register and may make and vary regulations as they think fit concerning the keeping of such a register.
|
5.
|
BORROWING POWERS
|
6.
|
MEMBERS' RESERVE POWER
|
6.1
|
The members may, by special resolution, direct the directors to take, or refrain from taking,
|
6.2
|
No such special resolution invalidates anything that the directors have done before that resolution is passed.
|
7.
|
DIRECTORS MAY DELEGATE
|
7.1
|
Subject to the articles, the directors may delegate any of their powers, authorities and discretions:
|
7.1.2
|
by such means (including by power of attorney);
|
7.1.3
|
to such an extent;
|
7.1.4
|
in relation to such matters or territories; and
|
7.2
|
If the directors so specify, any such delegation may authorise further delegation of the directors' powers, authorities and discretions by any person to whom they are delegated.
|
7.3
|
If the directors delegate under article 7.1, they may retain or exclude the right to exercise the delegated powers, authorities and discretions together with that person or committee.
|
7.4
|
Where a provision in the articles refers to the exercise of a power, authority or discretion by the directors and that power, authority or discretion has been delegated by the directors to a person or a committee under article 7.1, the provision shall be construed as permitting the exercise of the power, authority or discretion by that person or committee.
|
7.5
|
The directors may revoke any delegation in whole or part, or alter its terms and conditions.
|
8.
|
COMMITTEES
|
8.1
|
Committees to which the directors delegate any of their powers must follow procedures which are based as far as they are applicable on those provisions of the articles which govern the taking of decisions by directors.
|
9.
|
DIRECTORS TO TAKE DECISIONS COLLECTIVELY
|
9.1
|
Decisions of the directors may be taken:
|
9.1.1
|
at a directors' meeting; or
|
9.1.2
|
in the form of a directors' written resolution.
|
10.
|
CALLING A DIRECTORS' MEETING
|
10.1
|
Any director may call a directors' meeting.
|
10.2
|
The secretary must call a directors' meeting if a director so requests.
|
10.3
|
A directors' meeting is called by giving notice of the meeting to the directors.
|
10.4
|
Notice of any directors' meeting must indicate:
|
10.4.1
|
its proposed date and time;
|
10.4.2
|
where it is to take place; and
|
10.4.3
|
if it is anticipated that directors participating in the meeting will not be in the same place, how it is proposed that they should communicate with each other during the meeting.
|
10.5
|
Notice of a directors' meeting must be given to each director, but need not be in writing.
|
10.6
|
Notice of a directors' meeting need not be given to a director who waives his entitlement to notice of that meeting, by giving notice to that effect to the Company at any time before or after the date on which the meeting is held. Where such notice is given after the meeting has been held, that does not affect the validity of the meeting, or of any business conducted at it.
|
11.
|
PARTICIPATION IN DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
|
11.1
|
Subject to the articles, directors "
participate
" in a directors' meeting, or part of a directors' meeting, when:
|
11.1.1
|
the meeting has been called and takes place in accordance with the articles; and
|
11.1.2
|
they can each communicate to the others any information or opinions they have on any particular item of the business of the meeting.
|
11.2
|
In determining whether a director is participating in a directors' meeting, it is irrelevant where the director is or how he communicates with the others.
|
11.3
|
If all the directors participating in a meeting are not in the same place, they may decide that the meeting is to be treated as taking place wherever any of them is.
|
12.
|
QUORUM FOR DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
|
12.1
|
At a directors' meeting, unless a quorum is participating, no proposal is to be voted on, except a proposal to call another meeting.
|
12.2
|
The quorum for directors' meetings may be fixed from time to time by a decision of the
|
13.
|
CHAIRING DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
|
13.1
|
The directors may appoint a director to chair their meetings.
|
13.2
|
The directors may appoint other directors as vice, deputy or assistant chairmen to chair directors' meetings in the chairman's absence.
|
13.3
|
The directors may terminate the appointment of the chairman, vice, deputy or assistant chairman at any time.
|
13.4
|
If neither the chairman nor any director appointed generally to chair directors' meetings in the chairman's absence is participating in a meeting within ten minutes of the time at which it was to start, the participating directors must appoint one of their number to chair it.
|
14.
|
VOTING AT DIRECTORS' MEETINGS: GENERAL RULES
|
14.1
|
Subject to the articles, a decision is taken at a directors' meeting by a majority of the votes of the participating directors.
|
14.2
|
Subject to the articles, each director participating in a directors' meeting has one vote.
|
15.
|
DIRECTORS' INTERESTS
|
16.
|
DIRECTORS' INTERESTS OTHER THAN IN RELATION TO TRANSACTIONS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE COMPANY
|
16.1
|
The directors may authorise any matter proposed to them which would, if not so authorised, involve a breach of duty by a director under section 175 of the Act.
|
16.2
|
Any authorisation under article 16.1 will be effective only if:
|
16.2.1
|
any requirement as to the quorum at the meeting or part of the meeting at which the matter is considered is met without counting the director in question or any other director interested in the matter under consideration; and
|
16.2.2
|
the matter was agreed to without such directors voting or would have been agreed to if such directors' votes had not been counted.
|
16.3
|
The directors may give any authorisation under article 16.1 upon such terms and conditions as they think fit. The directors may vary or terminate any such authorisation at any time.
|
16.4
|
For the purposes of articles 15 to 21 a conflict of interest includes a conflict of interest and duty and a conflict of duties, and "interest" includes both direct and indirect interests.
|
17.
|
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND ATTENDANCE AT DIRECTORS' MEETINGS
|
17.1
|
A director shall be under no duty to the Company with respect to any information which he obtains or has obtained otherwise than as a director of the Company and in respect of which he owes a duty of confidentiality to another person. In particular the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he:
|
17.1.1
|
fails to disclose any such information to the directors or to any director or other officer or employee of the Company; and/or
|
17.1.2
|
does not use or apply any such information in performing his duties as a director of the Company.
|
17.2
|
Where the existence of a director's relationship with another person has been authorised by the directors under article 16.1 and his relationship with that person gives rise to a conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest, the director shall not be in breach of the general duties he owes to the Company by virtue of sections 171 to 177 of the Act because he:
|
17.2.1
|
absents himself from meetings of the directors or a committee of directors (or the relevant portions thereof) at which any matter relating to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest will or may be discussed or from the discussion of any such matter at a meeting or otherwise; and/or
|
17.2.2
|
makes arrangements not to receive documents and information relating to any matter which gives rise to the conflict of interest or possible conflict of interest sent or supplied by the Company and/or for such documents and information to be received and read by a professional adviser on his behalf,
|
17.3
|
The provisions of articles 17.1 and 17.2 are without prejudice to any equitable principle or rule of law which may excuse the director from:
|
17.3.1
|
disclosing information, in circumstances where disclosure would otherwise be required under these articles; and/or
|
17.3.2
|
attending meetings or discussions or receiving documents and information as referred
|
18.
|
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS IN PROPOSED OR EXISTING TRANSACTIONS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE COMPANY
|
18.1
|
A director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a proposed transaction or arrangement with the Company must declare the nature and extent of his interest to the other directors before the Company enters into the transaction or arrangement.
|
18.2
|
A director who is in any way, directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement that has been entered into by the Company must declare the nature and extent of his interest to the other directors as soon as is reasonably practicable, unless the interest has already been declared under article 18.1.
|
18.3
|
Any declaration required by article 18.1 may (but need not) be made:
|
18.3.1
|
at a meeting of the directors;
|
18.3.2
|
by notice in writing in accordance with section 184 of the Act; or
|
18.3.3
|
by general notice in accordance with section 185 of the Act.
|
18.4
|
Any declaration required by article 18.2 must be made:
|
18.4.1
|
at a meeting of the directors;
|
18.4.2
|
by notice in writing in accordance with section 184 of the Act; or
|
18.4.3
|
by general notice in accordance with section 185 of the Act.
|
18.5
|
If a declaration made under article 18.1 or 18.2 above proves to be, or becomes, inaccurate or incomplete, a further declaration must be made under article 18.1 or
|
18.6
|
A director need not declare an interest under this article 18.6 or article 19.1:
|
18.6.1
|
if it cannot reasonably be regarded as likely to give rise to a conflict of interest;
|
18.6.2
|
if, or to the extent that, the other directors are already aware of it (and for this purpose the other directors are treated as aware of anything of which they ought reasonably to be aware);
|
18.6.3
|
if, or to the extent that, it concerns terms of his service contract that have been or are to be considered by a meeting of the directors or by a committee of the directors appointed for the purpose under these articles; or
|
18.6.4
|
if the director is not aware of his interest or is not aware of the transaction or arrangement in question (and for this purpose a director is treated as being aware of
|
19.
|
PERMITTED TRANSACTIONS AND ARRANGEMENTS NOTWITHSTANDING INTEREST
|
19.1
|
Subject to the Act and provided that he has declared to the directors the nature and extent of his interest to the other directors (unless the interest falls within article 18.6), a director notwithstanding his office:
|
19.1.1
|
may be a party to, or otherwise be interested in, any transaction or arrangement with the Company or in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested;
|
19.1.2
|
may act by himself or through his firm in a professional capacity for the Company (otherwise than as auditor), and in any such case on such terms as to remuneration and otherwise as the directors may decide; or
|
19.1.3
|
may be a director or other officer of, or employed by, or a party to any transaction or arrangement with, or otherwise be interested in, any body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested,
|
20.
|
REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
|
20.1
|
A director shall not, by reason of his office, be accountable to the Company for any remuneration or other benefit which he derives from any office or employment or from any transaction or arrangement or from any interest in any body corporate:
|
20.1.1
|
the acceptance, entry into or existence of which is authorised by the directors under article 16.1 (subject, in any such case, to any terms and conditions upon which such authorisation was given); or
|
20.1.2
|
which he is permitted to hold or enter into by virtue of article 19 or otherwise under these articles,
|
21.
|
GENERAL VOTING AND QUORUM REQUIREMENTS
|
21.1
|
Save as otherwise provided by these articles, a director shall not vote on or be counted in the quorum in relation to a resolution of the directors or committee of the directors concerning a matter in which he has a direct or indirect interest which is, to his knowledge, a material interest (otherwise than by virtue of his interest in shares or debentures or other securities of or otherwise in or through the Company), but this prohibition does not apply to a resolution concerning any of the following matters:
|
21.1.1
|
the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him or any other person at the request of or for the benefit of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings;
|
21.1.2
|
the giving of a guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of a debt or obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for which the director has assumed responsibility in whole or in part, either alone or jointly with others, under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security;
|
21.1.3
|
a transaction or arrangement concerning an offer of shares, debentures or other securities of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings for subscription or purchase, in which offer he is or may be entitled to participate as a holder of securities or in the underwriting or sub-underwriting of which he is to participate;
|
21.1.4
|
a transaction or arrangement to which the Company is or is to be a party concerning another company (including a subsidiary undertaking of the Company) in which he or any person connected with him is interested (directly or indirectly) whether as an officer, shareholder, creditor or otherwise (a "
relevant company
"), if he and any persons connected with him do not to his knowledge hold an interest in shares (as that term is used in sections 820 to 825 of the Act) representing one per cent. or more of either any class of the equity share capital (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) in the relevant company or of the voting rights available to members of the relevant company;
|
21.1.5
|
a transaction or arrangement for the benefit of the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings (including any pension fund or retirement, death or disability scheme) which does not award him a privilege or benefit not generally awarded to the employees to whom it relates; or
|
21.1.6
|
a transaction or arrangement concerning the purchase or maintenance of any insurance policy for the benefit of directors or for the benefit of persons including directors.
|
21.2
|
A director shall not vote on or be counted in the quorum in relation to a resolution of the directors or committee of the directors concerning his own appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of his appointment or its termination) as the holder of an office or place of profit with the Company or any body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested. Where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixing or varying the terms of appointment or its termination) of two or more directors to offices or places of profit with the Company or a body corporate in which the Company is directly or indirectly interested, such proposals may be divided and a separate resolution considered in relation to each director. In that case, each of the directors concerned (if not otherwise debarred from voting under article 21) is entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment.
|
21.3
|
If a question arises at a meeting as to the materiality of a director's interest (other than the interest of the chairman of the meeting) or as to the entitlement of a director (other than the chairman) to vote or be counted in a quorum and the question is not resolved by his voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or being counted in the quorum, the question shall be referred to the chairman and his ruling in relation to the director concerned is conclusive
|
21.4
|
If a question arises at a meeting as to the materiality of the interest of the chairman of the meeting or as to the entitlement of the chairman to vote or be counted in a quorum and the question is not resolved by his voluntarily agreeing to abstain from voting or being counted in the quorum, the question shall be decided by resolution of the directors or committee members present at the meeting (excluding the chairman) whose majority vote is conclusive and binding on all concerned.
|
21.5
|
The Company may by ordinary resolution suspend or relax the provisions of articles 15 to 21 to any extent. Subject to the Act, the Company may by ordinary resolution ratify any transaction or arrangement not properly authorised by reason of a contravention of articles 15 to 21.
|
22.
|
PROPOSING DIRECTORS' WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS
|
22.1
|
Any director may propose a directors' written resolution.
|
22.2
|
The secretary must propose a directors' written resolution if a director so requests.
|
22.3
|
A directors' written resolution is proposed by giving written notice of the proposed resolution to each director.
|
22.4
|
Notice of a proposed directors' written resolution must indicate:
|
22.4.1
|
the proposed resolution;
|
22.4.2
|
the time by which it is proposed that the directors should adopt it; and
|
22.4.3
|
the manner in which directors can indicate their agreement in writing to it, for the purposes of article 23.
|
23.
|
ADOPTION OF DIRECTORS' WRITTEN RESOLUTIONS
|
23.1
|
A proposed directors' written resolution is adopted when all directors who would have been entitled to vote on the resolution at a directors' meeting or committee meeting have signed one or more copies of it, or have otherwise indicated their agreement in writing to it (which may include by electronic means) provided that those directors would have formed a quorum at such a meeting. A director indicates his agreement in writing to a proposed directors' written resolution when the Company receives from him an authenticated document identifying the resolution to which it relates and indicating the director's agreement to the resolution, in accordance with section 1146 of the Act. Once a director has so indicated his agreement, it may not be revoked.
|
23.2
|
It is immaterial whether any director signs the resolution or otherwise indicates his agreement in writing to it before or after the time by which the notice proposed that it should be adopted.
|
23.3
|
Once a directors' written resolution has been adopted, it must be treated as if it had been a decision taken at a directors' meeting or committee meeting in accordance with the articles.
|
24.
|
DIRECTORS' DISCRETION TO MAKE FURTHER RULES
|
25.
|
NUMBER OF DIRECTORS
|
25.1
|
Unless and until otherwise decided by the Company by ordinary resolution the number of directors must not be less than eight and must not be more than twelve.
|
25.2
|
The composition of the board and, if applicable, each director, shall satisfy the requirements of applicable law and any securities exchange on which the Company's securities are listed.
|
26.
|
METHODS OF APPOINTING DIRECTORS
|
26.1
|
Subject to the articles, any person who is willing to act as a director, and is permitted by law to do so, may be appointed to be a director:
|
26.1.1
|
by ordinary resolution;
|
26.1.2
|
at a general meeting called under article 35.4; or
|
26.1.3
|
by a decision of the directors.
|
26.2
|
A director appointed under article 26.1.3 must retire at the conclusion of the next annual general meeting after his appointment unless he is reappointed during that meeting.
|
26.3
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may appoint one or more directors to hold an executive office with the Company for such term and on such other terms and conditions as (subject to the Act) the directors think fit. The directors may revoke or terminate an appointment, without prejudice to a claim for damages for breach of the contract of service between the director and the Company or otherwise.
|
26.4
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may enter into an agreement or arrangement with any director for the provision of any services outside the scope of the ordinary duties of a director. Any such agreement or arrangement may be made on such terms and
|
26.5
|
The only persons who can be elected or, as the case may be, re-elected directors at a general meeting are the following:
|
26.5.1
|
a director who is retiring at the meeting;
|
26.5.2
|
a person who is recommended by the directors;
|
26.5.3
|
a person who has been proposed by a member (other than the person to be proposed) who is entitled to attend and to vote at the meeting. The proposing member must provide written notice that he intends to propose the person for election and the notice must:
|
(a)
|
be delivered at least seven days before the date of the meeting;
|
(b)
|
state the particulars which would be required to be included in the register of directors if the proposed director were appointed (or reappointed), as well as all information required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made under any applicable laws and any rules governing the listing of securities on any stock exchange on which any shares of the Company are listed or traded; and
|
(c)
|
be accompanied by notice given by proposed director of his willingness to be appointed (or reappointed).
|
26.6
|
A resolution for the appointment of two or more persons as directors by a single resolution is void unless a resolution that the resolution for appointment is proposed in this way has first been proposed by the meeting without a vote being given against it.
|
26.7
|
A director need not be a member.
|
26.8
|
All acts done by:
|
26.8.1
|
a meeting of the directors;
|
26.8.2
|
a meeting of a committee of the directors;
|
26.8.3
|
written resolution of the directors; or
|
26.8.4
|
a person acting as a director or a committee member,
|
27.
|
ANNUAL RETIREMENT OF DIRECTORS
|
27.1
|
At the end of each annual general meeting held after the adoption of these articles all the directors shall retire from office unless appointed or reappointed at the meeting.
|
27.2
|
A director who retires at an annual general meeting can be reappointed by members. Subject to articles 27.4 and 27.5, if he is not reappointed (or deemed to be reappointed), he may remain a director until the meeting appoints someone in his place or, if it does not appoint anyone, until the end of the meeting.
|
27.3
|
Subject to articles 27.4 and 27.5, if the Company does not fill the vacancy of a director who retires at an annual general meeting, the retiring director (if willing) will be deemed
|
27.3.1
|
it is expressly resolved not to fill the vacancy; or
|
27.3.2
|
a resolution for reappointment of the director is put to the meeting and lost.
|
27.4
|
If:
|
27.4.1
|
any resolution or resolutions for the appointment or reappointment of the persons eligible for appointment or reappointment as directors are put to the annual general meeting and lost; and
|
27.4.2
|
at the end of that meeting the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under article 25, all retiring directors who stood for reappointment at that meeting (the "
retiring directors
") shall be deemed to have been reappointed as directors and shall remain in office, but the retiring directors:
|
(a)
|
may only act for the purposes of filling vacancies and convening general meetings of the Company and may only perform such duties as are appropriate to maintain the Company as a going concern and to comply with the Company's legal and regulatory obligations; and
|
(b)
|
shall convene a general meeting as soon as reasonably practical following the meeting referred to in article 27.4.1 and they shall retire from office at that meeting if the number of directors appointed or ratified by the Company at that meeting is equal to or more than the minimum number of directors required under article 25.
|
27.5
|
If at the end of the general meeting convened under article 27.4.2 the number of directors is fewer than any minimum number of directors required under article 25, the provisions of article 27.4 shall also apply in respect of such meeting.
|
27.6
|
Subject to the Act, a person can be appointed (or remain) a director regardless of his age.
|
28.
|
TERMINATION OF DIRECTOR'S APPOINTMENT
|
28.1
|
In addition to any power of removal under the Act, the Company can by ordinary resolution remove a director even though his time in office has not ended (without
|
28.2
|
A person ceases to be a director as soon as:
|
28.2.1
|
the period expires, if he has been appointed for a fixed period;
|
28.2.2
|
he ceases to be a director by virtue of any provision of the Act, is removed from office under the articles or is prohibited from being a director by law;
|
28.2.3
|
a bankruptcy order is made against him;
|
28.2.4
|
a composition is made with his creditors generally in satisfaction of his debts;
|
28.2.5
|
a registered medical practitioner who is treating that person gives a written opinion to the Company stating that that person has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a director and may remain so for more than three months and the directors resolve that he cease to be a director;
|
28.2.6
|
by reason of his mental health, a court makes an order which wholly or partly prevents that person from personally exercising any powers or rights which that person would otherwise have and the directors resolve that he cease to be a director;
|
28.2.7
|
he is absent, without the permission of the directors, from directors' meetings for six consecutive months and the directors resolve that he cease to be a director;
|
28.2.8
|
he is removed from office by notice addressed to him at his last-known address and signed by all his co-directors (without prejudice to a claim for damages for breach of contract or otherwise); or
|
28.2.9
|
notification is received by the Company from the director that the director is resigning from office as director, and such resignation has taken effect in accordance with its terms.
|
28.3
|
A resolution of the directors declaring a director to have ceased to be a director under the terms of this article is conclusive as to the fact and grounds of cessation stated in the resolution.
|
28.4
|
If a director ceases to be a director for any reason, he shall cease to be a member of any committee of the directors.
|
29.
|
DIRECTORS' FEES
|
29.1
|
Directors may undertake any services for the Company that the directors decide.
|
29.2
|
Unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, directors are entitled for their services to such total fees as the directors determine. But the total fees paid to directors must not exceed any sum decided by ordinary resolution.
|
29.3
|
The total fees will be divided among the directors in the proportions that the directors decide. If no decision is made, the total fees will be divided equally. A fee payable under this article 29.2 is distinct from any salary, remuneration or other amount payable to a director under the articles or otherwise. Unless the directors determine otherwise, a fee payable under this article 29.2 accrues from day to day.
|
29.4
|
Subject to the Act and the articles, directors' fees may be payable in any form and, in particular, the directors may arrange for part of a fee payable under this article 29 to be provided in the form of fully paid shares of the Company. The amount of the fee payable in this way is at the directors' discretion. The amount of the fee will be applied to purchase or subscribe for shares
|
29.5
|
Unless the directors decide otherwise, a director is not accountable to the Company for any remuneration which he receives as a director or other officer or employee of the Company's subsidiary undertakings or of any other body corporate in which the Company is interested.
|
30.
|
DIRECTORS' ADDITIONAL REMUNERATION
|
30.1
|
The directors can pay additional remuneration (whether by way of salary, percentage of profits or otherwise) and expenses to any director who at the request of the directors:
|
30.1.1
|
makes a special journey for the Company;
|
30.1.2
|
performs a special service for the Company; or
|
30.1.3
|
works abroad in connection with the Company's business.
|
31.
|
DIRECTORS' PENSIONS AND OTHER BENEFITS
|
31.1
|
The directors may decide whether to pay or provide (by insurance or otherwise):
|
31.1.1
|
pensions, retirement or superannuation benefits;
|
31.1.2
|
death, sickness or disability benefits;
|
31.1.3
|
gratuities; or
|
31.1.4
|
other allowances,
|
31.1.5
|
the Company;
|
31.1.6
|
a subsidiary undertaking of the Company;
|
31.1.7
|
any company which is or was allied to or associated with the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings; or
|
31.1.8
|
a predecessor in business of the Company or any of its subsidiary undertakings,
|
31.2
|
For the purpose of article 31.1, the directors may establish, maintain, subscribe and contribute to any scheme trust or fund and pay premiums. The directors may arrange for this to be done either by the Company alone or in conjunction with another person.
|
32.
|
REMUNERATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
|
32.1
|
The salary or remuneration of a director appointed to hold employment or executive office in accordance with these articles may be:
|
32.1.1
|
a fixed sum;
|
32.1.2
|
wholly or partly governed by business done or profits made; or
|
32.1.3
|
as the directors decide.
|
33.
|
DIRECTORS' EXPENSES
|
33.1
|
The Company may repay any reasonable travelling, hotel and other expenses which a director properly incurs in performing his duties as director in connection with his attendance at:
|
33.1.1
|
directors' meetings;
|
33.1.2
|
committee meetings;
|
33.1.3
|
general meetings; or
|
33.1.4
|
separate meetings of the holders of any class of shares or of debentures of the Company,
|
33.2
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may make arrangements to provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred (or to be incurred) by him for the purposes of:
|
33.2.1
|
the Company;
|
33.2.2
|
enabling him to properly perform his duties as an officer of the Company; or
|
33.2.3
|
enabling him to avoid incurring any such expenditure.
|
34.
|
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
|
34.1
|
Subject to the Act, the Company must hold an annual general meeting in each period of six months beginning with the day following its accounting reference date (in addition to any other general meeting held in that period).
|
34.2
|
The directors may decide where and when to hold annual general meetings.
|
35.
|
CALLING GENERAL MEETINGS
|
35.1
|
The directors may call a general meeting whenever they think fit.
|
35.2
|
On the requirement of members under the Act, the directors must call a general meeting:
|
35.2.1
|
within 21 days from the date on which the directors become subject to the requirement; and
|
35.2.2
|
to be held on a date not more than 28 days after the date of the notice calling the meeting.
|
35.3
|
At a general meeting called by a requisition (or by requisitionists), no business may be transacted except that stated by the requisition or proposed by the directors.
|
35.4
|
A general meeting may also be called under this article 35.4. if:
|
35.4.1
|
the Company has fewer than two directors; and
|
35.4.2
|
the director (if any) is unable or unwilling to appoint sufficient directors to make up a quorum or to call a general meeting to do so,
|
36.
|
NOTICE OF GENERAL MEETINGS
|
36.1
|
At least 21 clear days' notice must be given to call an annual general meeting. Subject to the Act, at least 14 clear days' notice must be given to call all other general meetings.
|
36.2
|
Notice of a general meeting must be given to:
|
36.2.1
|
the members (other than any who, under the provisions of the articles or the terms of allotment or issue of shares, are not entitled to receive notice);
|
36.2.2
|
the directors;
|
36.2.3
|
beneficial owners nominated to enjoy information rights under the Act; and
|
36.2.4
|
the auditors.
|
36.3
|
The directors may decide that persons entitled to receive notices of a general meeting are those on the register at the close of business on a day the directors decide
|
36.4
|
Subject to the Act and other applicable rules, the directors my decide that persons entitled to attend or vote at a general meeting are those on the register at the close of business on a day chosen by the directors.
|
36.5
|
The accidental omission to give notice of a general meeting or to send, supply or make available any document or information relating to a meeting to, or the non receipt of any such notice, document or information by, a person entitled to receive any such notice, document or information will not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.
|
36.6
|
Subject to the Act, if the directors decide that it is impractical or unreasonable for any reason to hold a general meeting at the time, date or place set out in the notice for calling the meeting, they can move or postpone the meeting (or both). Subject to the Act, and any other applicable rules, if the directors do this, an announcement of the time, date and place of the re-arranged meeting will, if practical, be published on the Company's website. Notice of the business of the meeting does not need to be given again. The directors must take reasonable steps to ensure that any member trying to attend the meeting at the original time, date and/or place is informed of the new arrangements. If a meeting is re-arranged in this way, proxy forms can be delivered as specified in article 53. The directors can also move or postpone (or both) the re-arranged meeting under this article.
|
37.
|
MEMBER PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS
|
37.1
|
Subject to the Act, members representing the threshold required under the Act may require the Company to include a resolution at the annual general meeting provided that such resolution has been received by the Company not later than:
|
37.1.1
|
six weeks before the annual general meeting to which the request relates; or
|
37.1.2
|
if later, the time at which notice is given of that meeting.
|
38.
|
ATTENDANCE AND SPEAKING AT GENERAL MEETINGS
|
38.1
|
The directors may make whatever arrangements they consider appropriate to enable those attending a general meeting to exercise their rights to speak and vote at it.
|
38.2
|
In determining attendance at a general meeting, it is immaterial whether any two or more members attending it are in the same place as each other.
|
38.3
|
Two or more persons who are not in the same place as each other attend a general meeting if their circumstances are such that if they have (or were to have) rights to speak and vote at that meeting, they are (or would be) able to exercise them.
|
38.4
|
A person is able to exercise the right to speak at a general meeting when that person is in a position to communicate to all those attending the meeting, during the meeting, any information or opinions which that person has on the business of the meeting.
|
38.5
|
A person is able to exercise the right to vote at a general meeting when:
|
38.5.1
|
that person is able to vote, during the meeting, on resolutions put to the vote at the meeting; and
|
38.5.2
|
that person's vote can be taken into account in determining whether or not such
|
39.
|
MEETING SECURITY
|
39.1
|
The directors may make any arrangement and impose any restriction they consider appropriate to ensure the security of a general meeting including the searching of a person attending the meeting and the restriction of the items of personal property that may be taken into the meeting place.
|
39.2
|
The directors may authorise one or more persons, including a director or the secretary or the chairman of the meeting, to:
|
39.2.1
|
refuse entry to a meeting to a person who refuses to comply with these arrangements or restrictions; and
|
39.2.2
|
eject from a meeting any person who causes the proceedings to become disorderly.
|
40.
|
QUORUM FOR GENERAL MEETINGS
|
40.1
|
No business other than the appointment of the chairman of the meeting is to be transacted at a general meeting if the persons attending the meeting do not constitute a quorum.
|
40.2
|
If the Company has only one member entitled to attend and vote at the general meeting, one qualifying person present at the meeting and entitled to vote is a quorum.
|
40.3
|
Subject to the Act, in all cases other than that in article 40.2 qualifying persons representing a majority of the votes of the Company entitled to be exercised at the meeting are a quorum.
|
41.
|
CHAIRING GENERAL MEETINGS
|
41.1
|
If the directors have appointed a chairman, the chairman shall chair general meetings if present and willing to do so.
|
41.2
|
If the chairman is absent and the directors have appointed a vice, deputy or assistant chairman, then the senior of them shall act as the chairman.
|
41.3
|
If the directors have not appointed a chairman (or vice, deputy or assistant chairman), or if the chairman (or vice, deputy or assistant chairman) is unwilling to chair the
|
41.3.1
|
the directors present; or
|
41.3.2
|
(if no directors are present), the meeting,
|
41.4
|
The person chairing a meeting in accordance with this article is referred to as "
the chairman of the meeting
".
|
42.
|
CONDUCT OF MEETING
|
42.1
|
Without prejudice to any other power which he may have under the articles or at common law, the chairman of the meeting may take such action as he thinks fit to promote the orderly conduct of the business of the meeting as specified in the notice of meeting. His decision on matters of procedure or arising incidentally from the business of the meeting will be final, as will be his decision as to whether any matter is of such a nature.
|
42.2
|
If it appears to the chairman of the meeting that the meeting place specified in the notice calling the meeting is inadequate to accommodate all members entitled and wishing to attend, the meeting shall be duly constituted and its proceedings valid if the chairman is satisfied that adequate facilities are available to ensure that a member who is unable to be accommodated is able to:
|
42.2.1
|
participate in the business for which the meeting has been called;
|
42.2.2
|
exercise his rights to speak and to vote at the meeting in accordance with article 37;
|
42.2.3
|
hear and see all persons present who speak (whether by the use of microphones, loud-speakers, audio-visual communications equipment or otherwise), whether in the meeting place or elsewhere; and
|
42.2.4
|
be heard and seen by all other persons present in the same way.
|
43.
|
ATTENDANCE AND SPEAKING BY DIRECTORS AND NON-MEMBERS
|
43.1
|
Directors may attend and speak at general meetings whether or not they are members.
|
43.2
|
The chairman of the meeting may permit other persons who are not:
|
43.2.1
|
members of the Company, or
|
43.2.2
|
otherwise entitled to exercise the rights of members in relation to general meetings,
|
44.
|
DISSOLUTION AND ADJOURNMENT IF QUORUM NOT PRESENT
|
44.1
|
If a general meeting was requisitioned by members and the persons attending the meeting within 30 minutes of the time at which the meeting was due to start (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting decides to wait) do not constitute a quorum, or if during the meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting is dissolved.
|
44.2
|
In the case of a general meeting other than one requisitioned by members, if the persons attending the meeting within 30 minutes of the time at which the meeting was due to start (or such longer time as the chairman of the meeting decides to wait) do not constitute a quorum, or
|
44.3
|
The continuation of a general meeting adjourned under article 44.2 for lack of quorum is to take place either:
|
44.3.1
|
on a day that is not less than 14 days but not more than 28 days after it was adjourned and at a time and/or place specified for the purpose in the notice calling the meeting; or
|
44.3.2
|
where no such arrangements have been specified, on a day that is not less than 14 days but not more than 28 days after it was adjourned and at such time and/or place as the chairman of the meeting decides (or, in default, the directors decide).
|
44.4
|
In the case of a general meeting to take place under article 44.3.2, the Company must give not less than seven clear days' notice of any adjourned meeting and the notice must state the quorum requirement.
|
44.5
|
At an adjourned meeting the quorum is one qualifying person present and entitled to vote. If a quorum is not present within five minutes from the time fixed for the start of the meeting, the adjourned meeting is dissolved.
|
45.
|
ADJOURNMENT IF QUORUM PRESENT
|
45.1
|
The chairman may, with the consent of a general meeting at which a quorum is present (and must, if so directed by the meeting), adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place or for an indefinite period.
|
45.2
|
Without prejudice to any other power which he may have under the provisions of the articles or at common law, the chairman of the meeting may, without the consent of the general meeting, interrupt or adjourn a meeting from time to time and from place to place or for an indefinite period if he decides that it has become necessary to do so in order to:
|
45.2.1
|
secure the proper and orderly conduct of the meeting;
|
45.2.2
|
give all persons entitled to do so a reasonable opportunity of speaking and voting at the meeting; or
|
45.2.3
|
ensure that the business of the meeting is properly disposed of.
|
46.
|
NOTICE OF ADJOURNED MEETING
|
46.1
|
Whenever a general meeting is adjourned for 28 days or more or for an indefinite period under article 45 at least seven clear days' notice shall be given to:
|
46.1.1
|
the members (other than any who, under the provisions of the articles or the terms of allotment or issue of the shares, are not entitled to receive notice);
|
46.1.2
|
the directors;
|
46.1.3
|
beneficial owners nominated to enjoy information rights under the Act; and
|
46.1.4
|
the auditors.
|
46.2
|
The directors may decide that persons entitled to receive notice of an adjourned meeting in accordance with this article 46 are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the directors.
|
46.3
|
Subject to the Act and any other applicable rules, the directors may decide that persons entitled to attend or vote at an adjourned meeting are those on the register at the close of business on a day chosen by the directors.
|
47.
|
BUSINESS AT ADJOURNED MEETING
|
47.1
|
No business may be transacted at an adjourned general meeting which could not properly have been transacted at the meeting if the adjournment had not taken place.
|
48.
|
VOTING: GENERAL
|
48.1
|
Unless otherwise decided by the directors, a resolution put to the vote of a general meeting must be decided on a poll taken at the meeting.
|
48.2
|
Subject to special rights or restrictions as to voting attached to any class of shares by or in accordance with the articles, where voting is conducted by way of a poll at a meeting, every qualifying member present and entitled to vote on the resolution has one vote in respect of each share held by the relevant member.
|
48.3
|
In the case of joint holders of a share, only the vote of the senior holder who votes (or any proxy duly appointed by him) may be counted by the Company.
|
48.4
|
A member in respect of whom an order has been made by a court or official having jurisdiction (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere) that he is or may be suffering from mental disorder or is otherwise incapable of running his affairs may vote on a poll, by his guardian, receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised for that purpose and appointed by the court. A guardian, receiver, curator bonis or other person authorised for that purpose and appointed by the court may vote by proxy if evidence (to the satisfaction of the directors) of the authority of the person claiming to exercise the right to vote is received at the registered office of the Company (or at another place specified in accordance with the articles for the delivery or receipt of forms of appointment of a proxy) or in any other manner specified in the articles for the appointment of a proxy within the time limits prescribed by the articles for the appointment of a proxy for use at the meeting or adjourned meeting.
|
48.5
|
In the case of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall not be entitled to a casting vote.
|
48.6
|
The Company is not obliged to verify that a proxy or corporate representative has acted in accordance with the terms of his appointment and any failure to so act in accordance with the terms of his appointment shall not affect the validity of any proceedings at a meeting of the Company.
|
49.
|
ERRORS AND DISPUTES
|
49.1
|
No objection may be raised to the qualification of a voter or to the counting of, or failure to count, a vote except at the meeting or adjourned meeting at which the vote objected to is tendered. Every vote not disallowed at the meeting is valid.
|
49.2
|
Any such objection must be referred to the chairman of the meeting whose decision is final. An objection only invalidates the decision of a meeting if in the opinion of the chairman of the meeting, it is of sufficient magnitude to affect the decision of the meeting.
|
50.
|
PROCEDURE ON A POLL
|
50.1
|
Subject to the articles, polls at general meetings must be taken when, where and in such manner as the chairman of the meeting directs.
|
50.2
|
The chairman of the meeting may appoint scrutineers (who need not be members) and decide how and when the result of the poll is to be declared.
|
50.3
|
The result of a poll shall be the decision of the general meeting in respect of the resolution on which the voting is conducted by way of a poll.
|
50.4
|
On a poll taken at a general meeting of the Company, a qualifying person present and entitled to more than one vote need not, if he votes, use all his votes or cast all the votes he uses in the same way.
|
51.
|
APPOINTMENT OF PROXY
|
51.1
|
A member may appoint another person as his proxy to exercise all (or any) of his rights to attend and to speak and to vote on:
|
51.1.1
|
a resolution;
|
51.1.2
|
an amendment of a resolution; or
|
51.1.3
|
on other business arising at a general meeting of the Company.
|
51.2
|
A member may appoint more than one proxy in relation to a general meeting, provided that each proxy is appointed to exercise the rights attached to different shares held by the member.
|
51.3
|
When two or more valid but differing appointments of proxy are received for the same share for use at the same general meeting, the one which is last validly delivered or received
|
51.4
|
A proxy need not be a member.
|
51.5
|
The appointment of a proxy shall (unless the contrary is stated in it) be valid for an adjournment of the general meeting as well as for the meeting to which it relates.
|
51.6
|
The appointment of a proxy shall be valid for 12 months from the date of execution or, in the case of an appointment of proxy delivered by electronic means, for 12 months from the date of delivery unless otherwise specified by the directors.
|
51.7
|
Subject to the Act and other applicable rules, the Company may send a form of appointment of proxy to all or none of the persons entitled to receive notice of and to vote at a meeting.
|
52.
|
CONTENT OF PROXY NOTICES
|
52.1
|
Subject to article 52.2, the appointment of a proxy (a "
proxy notice
") shall be in writing in any usual form (or in another form approved by the directors) and shall be:
|
52.1.1
|
signed by the appointor or his duly appointed attorney; or
|
52.1.2
|
if the appointor is a company, executed under its seal or signed by its duly authorised officer or attorney or other person authorised to sign.
|
52.2
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may accept a proxy notice received by electronic means on such terms and subject to such conditions as they consider fit.
|
52.3
|
A proxy notice received by electronic means shall not be subject to the requirements of article 52.1.
|
52.4
|
For the purposes of articles 52.1 and 52.2, the directors may require such reasonable evidence they consider necessary to determine:
|
52.4.1
|
the identity of the member and the proxy; and
|
52.4.2
|
where the proxy is appointed by a person acting on behalf of the member, the authority of that person to make the appointment.
|
53.
|
DELIVERY OF PROXY NOTICES
|
53.1
|
Any notice of a general meeting must specify the address or addresses ("
proxy notification address
") at which the Company or its agents will receive proxy notices relating to that meeting, or any adjournment of it, delivered in hard copy or by electronic means.
|
53.2
|
A person who is entitled to attend, speak or vote at a general meeting remains so entitled in respect of that meeting or any adjournment of it, even though a valid proxy notice has been received by the Company by or on behalf of that person.
|
53.3
|
Subject to articles 53.4 and 53.5, a proxy notice must be received at a proxy notification address not less than 48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the general meeting or adjourned meeting to which it relates.
|
53.4
|
In the case of a general meeting adjourned for not more than 48 hours the proxy notice must be received by not later than the adjourned meeting.
|
53.5
|
In the case of a meeting adjourned for less than 28 days but more than 48 hours the proxy notice must be received at a proxy notification address not less than 24 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time appointed for the holding of the adjourned meeting.
|
53.6
|
In relation to any shares which are held in uncertificated form, the directors may permit appointments of a proxy to be made by electronic means in the form of an uncertificated proxy instruction and may permit supplements to, or amendments or revocations of, any such uncertificated proxy instruction to be made.
|
53.7
|
The directors may prescribe the method of determining the time at which any such uncertificated proxy instruction (and/or other instruction or notification) is to be treated as received by the Company or a participant acting on its behalf.
|
53.8
|
The directors may treat any such uncertificated proxy instruction which purports to be or is expressed to be sent on behalf of a holder of a share as sufficient evidence of the authority of the person sending that instruction to send it on behalf of that holder.
|
54.
|
CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES
|
54.1
|
In accordance with the Act, a corporation which is a member may, by resolution of its directors or other governing body, authorise a person or persons to act as its representative or representatives at any general meeting of the Company (a "
corporate representative
").
|
54.2
|
A director, the secretary or other person authorised for the purpose by the secretary may require a corporate representative to produce a certified copy of the resolution of authorisation before permitting the corporate representative to exercise his powers.
|
55.
|
TERMINATION OF AUTHORITY
|
55.1
|
The termination of the authority of a person to act as proxy or as a corporate representative does not affect:
|
55.1.1
|
whether he counts in deciding whether there is a quorum at a general meeting;
|
55.1.2
|
the validity of anything he does as chairman of a meeting; or
|
55.1.3
|
the validity of a vote given by that person,
|
56.
|
AMENDMENTS TO RESOLUTIONS
|
56.1
|
No amendment to a resolution duly proposed as an ordinary resolution (other than an amendment to correct a grammatical or other non-substantive error) may be considered or voted on unless either:
|
56.1.1
|
at least 48 hours (excluding any part of a day that is not a working day) before the time appointed for holding the general meeting or adjourned meeting at which the ordinary resolution is to be considered, notice of the terms of the amendment and intention to move it has been received at the registered office of the Company; or
|
56.1.2
|
the chairman of the meeting in his absolute discretion decides that the amendment may be considered or voted on.
|
56.2
|
A special resolution to be proposed at a general meeting may be amended by ordinary resolution, if:
|
56.2.1
|
the chairman of the meeting proposes the amendment at the general meeting at which the resolution is to be proposed; and
|
56.2.2
|
the amendment does not go beyond what is necessary to correct a grammatical or other non-substantive error in the resolution.
|
56.3
|
If the chairman of the meeting, acting in good faith, wrongly decides that an amendment to a resolution is out of order, the chairman's error does not invalidate the vote on that resolution.
|
57.
|
NO VOTING OF SHARES ON WHICH MONEY OWED TO COMPANY
|
58.
|
VARIATION OF CLASS RIGHTS
|
58.1
|
Subject to the Act, the rights attached to a class of shares may be varied or abrogated (whether or not the Company is being wound up) either with the consent in writing of the holders of at least three quarters in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares) or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of the issued shares of that class validly held in accordance
|
58.2
|
The rights attached to a class of shares are not, unless otherwise expressly provided for in the rights attaching to those shares, deemed to be varied by the creation, allotment or issue of further shares ranking pari passu with or subsequent to them or by the purchase or redemption by the Company of its own shares in accordance with the Act.
|
58.3
|
Subject to sections 334(2), 334(2A) and section 334(3) of the Act, a separate meeting for the holders of a class of shares must be called and conducted as nearly as possible in the same way as a general meeting, except that:
|
58.3.1
|
no member is entitled to notice of it or to attend unless he is a holder of shares of that class;
|
58.3.2
|
no vote may be cast except in respect of a share of that class;
|
58.3.3
|
the quorum at a meeting (other than an adjourned meeting) is two qualifying persons present and holding at least one-third in nominal value of the issued shares of that class (excluding any shares of that class held as treasury shares);
|
58.3.4
|
the quorum at an adjourned meeting is one qualifying person present and holding shares of that class; and
|
58.3.5
|
any qualifying person holding shares of that class present may demand a poll.
|
59.
|
FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INTERESTS IN SHARES
|
59.1
|
Where notice is served by the Company under section 793 of the Act (a "
section 793 notice
") on a member, or another person appearing to be interested in shares held by that member, and the member or other person has failed in relation to any shares (the "
default shares
", which expression includes any shares allotted or issued after the date of the section 793 notice in respect of those shares) to give the Company the information required within the prescribed period from the date of service of the
|
59.1.1
|
the member shall not be entitled in respect of the default shares to be present or to vote (either in person, by proxy or by corporate representative) at a general meeting or at a separate meeting of the holders of a class of shares or on a poll; and
|
59.1.2
|
where the default shares represent at least 0.25 per cent. in nominal value of the issued shares of their class (excluding any share of their class held as treasury shares):
|
(a)
|
a dividend (or any part of a dividend) or other amount payable in respect of the default shares shall be withheld by the Company, which has no obligation to pay interest on it, and the member shall not be entitled to elect, under article 98, to receive shares instead of a dividend; and
|
(b)
|
no transfer of any certificated default shares shall be registered unless the transfer is an excepted transfer or:
|
(i)
|
the member is not himself in default in supplying the information required; and
|
(ii)
|
the member proves to the satisfaction of the directors that no person in default in supplying the information required is interested in any of the shares the subject of the transfer.
|
59.2
|
For the purpose of enforcing the sanction in article 59.1.2(b), the directors may give notice to the member requiring the member to change default shares held in uncertificated form to certificated form by the time stated in the notice. The notice may also state that the member may not change any default shares held in certificated form to uncertificated form.
|
59.3
|
The sanctions under article 59.1 cease to apply seven days after the earlier of:
|
59.3.1
|
receipt by the Company of notice of an excepted transfer, but only in relation to the shares thereby transferred; and
|
59.3.2
|
receipt by the Company, in a form satisfactory to the directors, of all the information required by the section 793 notice.
|
59.4
|
Where, on the basis of information obtained from a member in respect of a share held by him, the Company issues a section 793 notice to another person, it shall at the same time send a copy of the section 793 notice to the member, but the accidental omission to do so, or the non-receipt by the member of the copy, does not invalidate or otherwise affect the application of article 59.1 or 59.2.
|
59.5
|
For the purposes of this article 59:
|
59.5.1
|
a person, other than the member holding a share, shall be treated as appearing to be interested in that share if the member has informed the Company that the
|
59.5.2
|
"
interested
" shall be construed as it is for the purpose of section 793 of the Act;
|
59.5.3
|
reference to a person having failed to give the Company the information required by a section 793 notice, or being in default in supplying such information, includes:
|
(a)
|
reference to his having failed or refused to give all or any part of it; and
|
(b)
|
reference to his having given information which he knows to be false in a material particular or having recklessly given information which is false in a material particular;
|
59.5.4
|
the "
prescribed period
" means 14 days; and
|
59.5.5
|
an "
excepted transfer
" means, in relation to shares held by a member:
|
(a)
|
a transfer pursuant to acceptance of a takeover offer for the Company (within the meaning of section 974 of the Act); or
|
(b)
|
a transfer in consequence of a sale made through a recognised investment exchange (as defined in the FSMA) or through any stock exchange on which shares in the capital of the Company are normally traded; or
|
(c)
|
a transfer which is shown to the satisfaction of the directors to be made in consequence of a sale of the whole of the beneficial interest in the shares to a person who is unconnected with the member or with any other person appearing to be interested in the shares.
|
59.6
|
The provisions of this article are in addition and without prejudice to the provisions of the Act.
|
60.
|
ALLOTMENT
|
60.1
|
Subject to the Act and relevant authority given by the Company in general meeting, the directors have general and unconditional authority to allot, grant options over, or otherwise dispose of, unissued shares of the Company or rights to subscribe for or convert any security into shares, to such persons, at such times and on such terms as the directors may decide, except that no share may be issued at a discount.
|
60.2
|
The directors may at any time after the allotment of a share, but before a person has been entered in the register as the holder of the share, recognise a renunciation of the share by the allottee in favour of another person and may grant to an allottee a right to effect a renunciation on such terms and conditions as the directors think fit.
|
61.
|
POWERS TO ISSUE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF SHARE
|
61.1
|
Subject to the Act and the articles, but without prejudice to the rights attached to any existing share, the Company may issue shares with such rights or restrictions as may be determined by ordinary resolution. If no such resolution is passed or if the relevant resolution does not make specific provision, the directors may determine these rights and restrictions.
|
61.2
|
Subject to the Act, the Company may issue shares which are to be redeemed, or are liable to be redeemed at the option of the Company or the holder, and the directors may determine the terms, conditions and manner of redemption of any such shares.
|
62.
|
RIGHTS AND RESTRICTIONS ATTACHING TO SHARES Ordinary Shares
|
62.1
|
The Ordinary Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the rights set out below:
|
62.2
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may declare and pay dividends on the Ordinary Shares in accordance with articles 90 to 98.
|
62.3
|
On a return of capital on a winding-up or otherwise, any assets of the Company available for distribution among the members shall be distributed to each holder of an Ordinary Share pro rata to its shareholding.
|
62.4
|
Subject to article 59, each holder of an Ordinary Share shall have one vote for every Ordinary Share of which it is a holder.
|
62.5
|
Subject to the Act and any other applicable rules, if Ordinary Shares are to be allotted each holder of an Ordinary Share holds a pre-emption right to acquire a proportion of such Ordinary Shares equal to the aggregate nominal value of its Ordinary Shares in proportion to the aggregate nominal value of all Ordinary Shares immediately prior to such allotment.
|
62.6
|
The Non-Voting Redeemable Shares shall entitle the holders thereof to the rights set out below:
|
62.7
|
Holders of Non-Voting Redeemable Shares shall not be eligible to receive any amounts available for distribution and resolved to be distributed.
|
62.8
|
On a return of capital on a winding-up, any assets of the Company available for distribution among the members shall be applied in repaying to the holder of each Non-Voting Redeemable Share the nominal amount of that Non-Voting Redeemable Share, such payment to be
pari passu
with any right to payment attached to the Ordinary Shares, but subject to the rights of any class of share ranking in preference or priority to the Non-Voting Redeemable Shares.
|
62.9
|
Other than as required by law, holders of Non-Voting Redeemable Shares shall have no right to attend, speak or vote, either in person or by proxy, at any general meeting of the Company in respect of the Non-Voting Redeemable Shares and shall not be entitled to receive any notice of meeting.
|
62.10
|
Subject to the Act, the Company may redeem any Non-Voting Redeemable Share in issue for its nominal value, on such terms as the directors of the Company may from time to time
|
62.11
|
The Non-Voting Redeemable Shares shall not be transferable save with the prior consent of the board.
|
62.12
|
If rights and restrictions attaching to shares are determined by ordinary resolution or by the directors under article 61, those rights and restrictions shall apply in place of any rights or restrictions that would otherwise apply by virtue of the Act in the absence of any provisions in the articles, as if those rights and restrictions were set out in the articles.
|
63.
|
PAYMENT OF COMMISSIONS ON SUBSCRIPTION FOR SHARES
|
63.1
|
Subject to the Act, the Company may pay any person a commission in consideration for that person:
|
63.1.1
|
subscribing, or agreeing to subscribe, for shares; or
|
63.1.2
|
procuring, or agreeing to procure, subscriptions for shares.
|
63.2
|
Subject to the Act, any such commission may be paid:
|
63.2.1
|
in cash, or in fully paid or partly paid shares or other securities, or partly in one way and partly in the other; and
|
63.2.2
|
in respect of a conditional or an absolute subscription.
|
64.
|
COMPANY NOT BOUND BY LESS THAN ABSOLUTE INTERESTS
|
65.
|
CERTIFICATES TO BE ISSUED EXCEPT IN CERTAIN CASES
|
65.1
|
Except where otherwise provided in the articles, the Company must issue each member with one or more certificates in respect of the shares which that member holds within two months of the allotment or lodgement with the Company of a transfer to him of those shares or any other period as the terms of issue of the shares provide.
|
65.2
|
This article does not apply to:
|
65.2.1
|
uncertificated shares;
|
65.2.2
|
shares in respect of which a share warrant has been issued; or
|
65.2.3
|
shares in respect of which the Companies Acts permit the Company not to issue a certificate.
|
65.3
|
Except as otherwise specified in the articles, all certificates must be issued free of charge.
|
65.4
|
No certificate may be issued in respect of shares of more than one class.
|
65.5
|
If more than one person holds a share, only one certificate may be issued in respect of it. Delivery of a certificate to the senior holder shall constitute delivery to all of the holders of the share.
|
66.
|
CONTENTS AND EXECUTION OF CERTIFICATES
|
66.1
|
Every certificate must specify:
|
66.1.1
|
in respect of how many shares and of what class it is issued;
|
66.1.2
|
the nominal value of those shares;
|
66.1.3
|
the amount paid up on them; and
|
66.1.4
|
any distinguishing numbers assigned to them.
|
66.2
|
Certificates must:
|
66.2.1
|
be executed under the Company's seal, which may be affixed or printed on it; or
|
66.2.2
|
be otherwise executed in accordance with the Companies Acts.
|
67.
|
CONSOLIDATED CERTIFICATES
|
67.1
|
When a member's holding of shares of a particular class increases, the Company may issue that member with:
|
67.1.1
|
a single, consolidated certificate in respect of all the shares of a particular class which that member holds; or
|
67.1.2
|
a separate certificate in respect of only those shares by which that member's holding has increased.
|
67.2
|
When a member's holding of shares of a particular class is reduced, the Company must ensure that the member is issued with one or more certificates in respect of the number of shares held by the member after that reduction. But the Company need not (in the absence of a request from the member) issue any new certificate if:
|
67.2.1
|
all the shares which the member no longer holds as a result of the reduction; and
|
67.3
|
A member may request the Company, in writing, to replace:
|
67.3.1
|
the member's separate certificates with a consolidated certificate, or
|
67.3.2
|
the member's consolidated certificate with two or more separate certificates representing such proportion of the shares as the member may specify.
|
67.4
|
When the Company complies with such a request it may charge such reasonable fee as the directors may decide for doing so.
|
67.5
|
A consolidated certificate or separate certificates must not be issued unless any certificates which they are to replace have first been returned to the Company for cancellation or the holder has complied with such conditions as to evidence and indemnity as the directors decide.
|
68.
|
REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATES
|
68.1
|
Subject to having first complied with the obligations in articles 68.2.2 and 68.2.3, if a certificate issued in respect of a member's shares is:
|
68.1.1
|
damaged or defaced; or
|
68.1.2
|
said to be lost, stolen or destroyed,
|
68.2
|
A member exercising the right to be issued with such a replacement certificate:
|
68.2.1
|
may at the same time exercise the right to be issued with a single certificate or separate certificates;
|
68.2.2
|
must return the certificate which is to be replaced to the Company if it is damaged or defaced; and
|
68.2.3
|
must comply with such conditions as to evidence, indemnity and the payment of a reasonable fee as the directors decide.
|
69.
|
COMPANY'S LIEN OVER PARTLY PAID SHARES
|
69.1
|
The Company has a lien (the "
company's lien
") over every share which is partly paid for any part of:
|
69.1.1
|
that share's nominal value; and
|
69.1.2
|
any premium at which it was issued,
|
69.2
|
The company's lien over a share:
|
69.2.1
|
takes priority over any third party's interest in that share; and
|
69.2.2
|
extends to any dividend or other money payable by the Company in respect of that share and (if the lien is enforced and the share is sold by the Company) the proceeds of sale of that share.
|
69.3
|
The directors may at any time decide that a share which is or would otherwise be subject to the Company's lien shall not be subject to it, either wholly or in part. Unless otherwise agreed with the transferee, the registration of a transfer of a share operates as a waiver of the Company's lien (if any) on that share solely for the purposes of the transfer.
|
70.
|
ENFORCEMENT OF THE COMPANY'S LIEN
|
70.1
|
Subject to the provisions of this article, if:
|
70.2
|
A lien enforcement notice:
|
70.2.1
|
must be in writing;
|
70.2.2
|
may only be given in respect of a share which is subject to the company's lien, in respect of which a sum is payable and the due date for payment of that sum has passed;
|
70.2.3
|
must specify the share concerned;
|
70.2.4
|
must require payment of the sum payable within 14 days of the notice;
|
70.2.5
|
must be addressed either to the holder of the share or to a person entitled to it by reason of the holder's death, bankruptcy or otherwise; and
|
70.2.6
|
must state the company's intention to sell the share if the notice is not complied with.
|
70.3
|
Where shares are sold under this article:
|
70.3.1
|
the directors may authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to the purchaser or a person nominated by the purchaser; and
|
70.3.2
|
the transferee is not bound to see to the application of the purchase money, and the
|
70.4
|
The net proceeds of any such sale (after payment of the costs of sale and any other costs of enforcing the lien) must be applied:
|
70.4.1
|
first, in payment or towards satisfaction of the amount in respect of which the lien exists; and
|
70.4.2
|
secondly, to the person entitled to the shares immediately before the sale, but only after the certificate for the shares sold has been surrendered to the Company for cancellation, or a suitable indemnity has been given for any lost certificates.
|
70.5
|
A statutory declaration by a director or the secretary that the declarant is a director or the secretary and that a share has been sold to satisfy the Company's lien on a specified date:
|
70.5.1
|
is conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share; and
|
70.5.2
|
subject to compliance with any other formalities of transfer required by the articles or by law, constitutes a good title to the share.
|
71.
|
CALL NOTICES
|
71.1
|
Subject to the articles and the terms on which shares are allotted, the directors may send a notice (a "
call notice
") to a member requiring the member to pay the Company a specified sum of money (a "
call
") which is payable in respect of shares which that member holds at the date of the call notice.
|
71.2
|
A call notice:
|
71.2.1
|
may not require a member to pay a call which exceeds the total sum unpaid on that member's shares (whether as to the share's nominal value or any amount payable to the Company by way of premium);
|
71.2.2
|
must state the date by which it is to be paid (the "
due date for payment
") and how any call to which it relates it is to be paid; and
|
71.2.3
|
may permit or require the call to be paid by instalments.
|
71.3
|
A member must comply with the requirements of a call notice, but no member is obliged to pay any call before 14 days have passed since the notice was given.
|
71.4
|
Before the Company has received any call due under a call notice the directors may:
|
71.4.1
|
revoke it wholly or in part; or
|
71.4.2
|
specify a later time for payment than is specified in the call notice,
|
71.5
|
Delivery of a call notice to the senior holder shall constitute delivery to all of the holders of the share.
|
72.
|
LIABILITY TO PAY CALLS
|
72.1
|
Liability to pay a call is not extinguished or transferred by transferring the shares in respect of which it is required to be paid.
|
72.2
|
Joint holders of a share are jointly and severally liable to pay all calls in respect of that share.
|
72.3
|
Subject to the terms on which shares are allotted, the directors may, when issuing shares, provide that call notices sent to the holders of those shares may require them:
|
72.3.1
|
to pay calls which are not the same; or
|
72.3.2
|
to pay calls at different times.
|
73.
|
WHEN CALL NOTICE NEED NOT BE ISSUED
|
73.1
|
A call notice need not be issued in respect of sums which are specified, in the terms on which a share is issued, as being payable to the Company in respect of that share (whether in respect of nominal value or premium):
|
73.1.1
|
on allotment;
|
73.1.2
|
on the occurrence of a particular event; or
|
73.1.3
|
on a date fixed by or in accordance with the terms of issue,
|
73.2
|
But if the due date for payment of such a sum has passed and it has not been paid, the holder of the share concerned at the due date for payment is treated in all respects as having failed to comply with a call notice in respect of that sum, and is liable to the same consequences as a person having failed to comply with a call notice as regards the payment of interest and forfeiture.
|
74.
|
FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CALL NOTICE: AUTOMATIC CONSEQUENCES
|
74.1
|
If a person is liable to pay a call and fails to do so by the due date for payment:
|
74.1.1
|
the directors may issue a notice of intended forfeiture to that person; and
|
74.1.2
|
until the call is paid, that person must pay the Company interest on the call from the due date for payment to the actual date of payment (both dates inclusive) at the relevant rate.
|
74.2
|
For the purposes of this article the "
relevant rate
" is:
|
(a)
|
the rate fixed by the terms on which the share in respect of which the call is due was allotted or issued; or
|
(b)
|
if no rate is fixed under (a), such other rate as was fixed in the call notice which required payment of the call, or has otherwise been determined by the directors; or
|
(c)
|
if no rate is fixed in either of these ways, 5 per cent. per annum.
|
74.3
|
The relevant rate must not exceed 20 per cent. per annum.
|
74.4
|
The directors may waive any obligation to pay interest on a call wholly or in part.
|
75.
|
PAYMENT OF UNCALLED AMOUNT IN ADVANCE
|
75.1
|
The directors may, in their discretion, accept from a member some or all of the uncalled amounts which are unpaid on shares held by him.
|
75.2
|
A payment in advance of a call extinguishes, to the extent of the payment, the liability of the member on the shares in respect of which the payment is made.
|
75.3
|
The Company may pay interest on the amount paid in advance (or that portion of it that exceeds the amount called on shares).
|
75.4
|
The directors may decide this interest rate which must not exceed 20 per cent. per annum.
|
76.
|
NOTICE OF INTENDED FORFEITURE
|
76.1
|
A notice of intended forfeiture:
|
76.1.1
|
must be in writing;
|
76.1.2
|
may be sent in respect of any share in respect of which a call has not been paid as required by a call notice;
|
76.1.3
|
must be sent to the holder of that share or to a person entitled to it by reason of the holder's death, bankruptcy or otherwise;
|
76.1.4
|
must require payment of the call and any accrued interest (and all costs, charges and expenses incurred by the Company by reason of non-payment) by a date which is not less than 14 days after the date of the notice;
|
76.1.5
|
must state how the payment is to be made; and
|
76.1.6
|
must state that if the notice is not complied with, the shares in respect of which the call is payable will be liable to be forfeited.
|
77.
|
DIRECTORS' POWER TO FORFEIT SHARES
|
78.
|
EFFECT OF FORFEITURE
|
78.1
|
Subject to the articles, the forfeiture of a share extinguishes:
|
78.1.1
|
all interests in that share, and all claims and demands against the Company in respect of it, and
|
78.1.2
|
all other rights and liabilities incidental to the share as between the person whose share it was prior to the forfeiture and the Company.
|
78.2
|
Any share which is forfeited in accordance with the articles:
|
78.2.1
|
is deemed to have been forfeited when the directors decide that it is forfeited;
|
78.2.2
|
is deemed to be the property of the Company; and
|
78.2.3
|
may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of as the directors think fit.
|
78.3
|
If a person's shares have been forfeited:
|
78.3.1
|
the Company must send that person notice that forfeiture has occurred, but no forfeiture is invalidated by an omission to give such notice, and record it in the register of members;
|
78.3.2
|
that person ceases to be a member in respect of those shares;
|
78.3.3
|
that person must surrender the certificate (if any) for the shares forfeited to the Company for cancellation;
|
78.3.4
|
that person remains liable to the Company for all sums payable by that person under the articles at the date of forfeiture in respect of those shares, including any interest at the relevant rate set out in article 75 (whether accrued before or after the date of forfeiture) and costs, charges and expenses; and
|
78.3.5
|
the directors may waive payment of such sums wholly or in part or enforce payment without any allowance for the value of the shares at the time of forfeiture or for any consideration received on their disposal.
|
78.4
|
At any time before the Company disposes of a forfeited share, the directors may decide to cancel the forfeiture on payment of all calls and interest due in respect of it and on such other terms as they think fit.
|
79.
|
PROCEDURE FOLLOWING FORFEITURE
|
79.1
|
If a forfeited share is to be disposed of by being transferred, the Company may receive the consideration for the transfer and the directors may authorise any person to transfer a forfeited share to a new holder. The Company may register the transferee as the holder of the share.
|
79.2
|
A statutory declaration by a director or the secretary that the declarant is a director or the secretary and that a share has been forfeited on a specified date:
|
79.2.1
|
is conclusive evidence of the facts stated in it as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the share; and
|
79.2.2
|
subject to compliance with any other formalities of transfer required by the articles or by law, constitutes a good title to the share.
|
79.3
|
A person to whom a forfeited share is transferred is not bound to see to the application of the consideration (if any) nor is that person's title to the share affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the process leading to the forfeiture or transfer of the share.
|
79.4
|
If the Company sells a forfeited share, the person who held it prior to its forfeiture is entitled to receive from the Company the proceeds of such sale, net of any interest, expenses or commission, and excluding any amount which:
|
79.4.1
|
was, or would have become, payable; and
|
79.4.2
|
had not, when that share was forfeited, been paid by that person in respect of that share,
|
80.
|
SURRENDER OF SHARES
|
80.1
|
A member may surrender any share:
|
80.1.1
|
in respect of which the directors may issue a notice of intended forfeiture;
|
80.1.2
|
which the directors may forfeit; or
|
80.1.3
|
which has been forfeited.
|
80.2
|
The directors may accept the surrender of any such share.
|
80.3
|
The effect of surrender of a share is the same as the effect of forfeiture of that share.
|
80.4
|
A share which has been surrendered may be dealt with in the same way as a share which has been forfeited.
|
81.
|
POWER OF SALE
|
81.1
|
The Company may sell the share of a member or of a person entitled by transmission at the best price reasonably obtainable at the time of sale, if:
|
81.1.1
|
during a period of not less than 12 years before the date of publication of the advertisements referred to in article 81.1.3 (or, if published on two different dates, the first date) (the "
relevant period
") at least three cash dividends have become payable in respect of the share;
|
81.1.2
|
throughout the relevant period no cheque, warrant or money order payable on the share has been presented by the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share to the paying bank of the relevant cheque, warrant or money order, no payment made by the Company by any other means permitted by article 92.1 has been claimed or accepted and, so far as any director of the Company at the end of the relevant period is then aware, the Company has not at any time during the relevant period received any communication from the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share;
|
81.1.3
|
the Company has given notice of its intention to sell the share by advertisement in a national newspaper and in a newspaper circulating in the area of the address of the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share shown in the register; and
|
81.1.4
|
the Company has not, so far as the directors are aware, during a further period of three months after the date of the advertisements referred to in article 81.1.3 (or the later advertisement if the advertisements are published on different dates) and before the exercise of the power of sale received a communication from the holder of, or person entitled by transmission to, the share.
|
81.2
|
Where a power of sale is exercisable over a share under this article 81 (a "
sale share
"), the Company may at the same time also sell any additional share issued in right of such sale share or in right of such an additional share previously so issued provided that the requirements of articles 81.1.2 to 81.1.4 (as if the words "throughout the relevant period" were omitted from article 81.1.2) have been satisfied in relation to the additional share.
|
81.3
|
To give effect to a sale under articles 81.1 or 81.2, the directors may authorise any person to transfer the share in the name and on behalf of the holder of, or the person entitled by transmission to, the share, or to cause the transfer of such share, to the purchaser or his nominee. The purchaser is not bound to see to the application of the purchase money and the title of the transferee is not affected by an irregularity in or invalidity of the proceedings connected with the sale of the share.
|
82.
|
APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF SALE
|
82.1
|
The Company shall be indebted to the member or other person entitled by transmission to the share for the net proceeds of sale and shall credit any amount received on sale to a separate account.
|
82.2
|
The Company is deemed to be a debtor and not a trustee in respect of that amount for the member or other person.
|
82.3
|
Any amount credited to the separate account may either be employed in the business of the Company or invested as the directors may think fit.
|
82.4
|
No interest is payable on that amount and the Company is not required to account for money earned on it.
|
83.
|
TRANSFERS OF SHARES
|
83.1
|
Subject to such restrictions in the articles, shares of the Company are free from any restriction on transfer. The directors may, in their absolute discretion, refuse to register a transfer of shares to any person, whether or not it is fully paid or a share on which the Company has a lien.
|
83.2
|
Shares may be transferred by means of an instrument of transfer in writing in any usual form or any other form approved by the directors, which is executed by or on behalf of:
|
83.2.1
|
the transferor; and
|
83.2.2
|
(if any of the shares is partly paid) the transferee.
|
83.3
|
The Company (at its option) may or may not charge a fee for registering:
|
83.3.1
|
the transfer of a share;
|
83.3.2
|
the renunciation of a renounceable letter of allotment or other document or instructions relating to or affecting the title to a share or the right to transfer it; or
|
83.3.3
|
for making any other entry in the register.
|
83.4
|
The transferor remains the holder of a share until the transferee's name is entered in the register of members as holder of it.
|
83.5
|
The directors may also, in their absolute discretion, refuse to register the transfer of a certificated share unless all of the following conditions are satisfied:
|
83.5.1
|
it is in respect of only one class of shares;
|
83.5.2
|
it is in favour of (as the case may be) a single transferee or not more than four joint transferees;
|
83.5.3
|
it is duly stamped (if required); and
|
83.5.4
|
it is delivered for registration to the registered office of the Company or such other place as the directors may decide, accompanied by the certificate for the shares to
|
83.6
|
If the directors refuse to register the transfer of shares, the instrument of transfer must be returned to the transferee as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the transfer was lodged with the Company with the notice of refusal and reasons for refusal unless they suspect that the proposed transfer may be fraudulent.
|
83.7
|
Subject to article 108, the Company may retain all instruments of transfer which are registered.
|
84.
|
TRANSFERS OF UNCERTIFICATED SHARES
|
85.
|
TRANSMISSION OF SHARES
|
85.1
|
If title to a share passes to a transmittee, the Company may only recognise the transmittee as having any title to a share held by that member alone or to which he was alone entitled. In the case of a share held jointly by two or more persons, the Company may recognise only the survivor or survivors as being entitled to it.
|
85.2
|
Nothing in these articles releases the estate of a deceased member from any liability in respect of a share solely or jointly held by that member.
|
86.
|
TRANSMITTEES' RIGHTS
|
86.1
|
Where a person becomes entitled by transmission to a share, the rights of the holder in relation to a share cease.
|
86.2
|
A transmittee may give an effective receipt for dividends and other sums payable in respect of that share.
|
86.3
|
A transmittee who produces such evidence of entitlement to shares, subject to the Act, as the directors may properly require:
|
86.3.1
|
may, subject to the articles, choose either to become the holder of those shares or to have them transferred to another person; and
|
86.3.2
|
subject to the articles, and pending any transfer of the shares to another person, has the same rights as the holder had.
|
86.4
|
But transmittees do not have the right to receive notice of or exercise rights conferred by membership in relation to meetings of the Company (or at a separate meeting of the holders of a class of shares) in respect of shares to which they are entitled by reason of the holder's death or bankruptcy or otherwise, unless they become the holders of those shares.
|
87.
|
EXERCISE OF TRANSMITTEES' RIGHTS
|
87.1
|
Transmittees who wish to become the holders of shares to which they have become entitled must notify the Company in writing of that wish.
|
87.2
|
If the share is a certificated share and a transmittee wishes to have it transferred to another person, the transmittee must execute an instrument of transfer in respect of it.
|
87.3
|
If the share is an uncertificated share and the transmittee wishes to have it transferred to another person, the transmittee must:
|
87.3.1
|
procure that all appropriate instructions are given to effect the transfer; or
|
87.3.2
|
procure that the uncertificated share is changed into certificated form and then execute an instrument of transfer in respect of it.
|
87.4
|
Any transfer made or executed under this article is to be treated as if it were made or executed by the person from whom the transmittee has derived rights in respect of the share, and as if the event which gave rise to the transmission had not occurred.
|
88.
|
TRANSMITTEES BOUND BY PRIOR NOTICES
|
88.1
|
The directors may give notice requiring a person to make the choice referred to in article 86.3.1.
|
88.2
|
If that notice is not complied with within 60 days, the directors may withhold payment of all dividends and other sums payable in respect of the share until the choice has been made.
|
88.3
|
If a notice is given to a member in respect of shares and a transmittee is entitled to those shares, the transmittee is bound by the notice if it was given to the member before the transmittee's name has been entered in the register.
|
89.
|
PROCEDURE FOR DISPOSING OF FRACTIONS OF SHARES
|
89.1
|
This article applies where:
|
89.1.1
|
there has been a consolidation and division or sub-division of shares; and
|
89.1.2
|
as a result, members are entitled to fractions of shares.
|
89.2
|
Subject to the Act, the directors may, in effecting divisions and/or consolidations, treat a member's shares held in certificated form and uncertificated form as separate holdings.
|
89.3
|
The directors may on behalf of the members deal with fractions as they think fit, in particular they may:
|
89.3.1
|
sell the shares representing the fractions to any person including (subject to the Act) the Company for the best price reasonably obtainable;
|
89.3.2
|
in the case of a certificated share, authorise any person to execute an instrument of transfer of the shares to the purchaser or a person nominated by the purchaser;
|
89.3.3
|
distribute the net proceeds of sale in due proportion among the holders of the shares or, if the directors decide, some or all of the sum raised on sale may be retained for the benefit of the Company;
|
89.3.4
|
subject to the Act, allot or issue to a member, credited as fully paid, by way of capitalisation the minimum number of shares required to round up his holding of shares to a number which, following consolidation and division or sub-division, leaves a whole number of shares (such allotment or issue being deemed to have been effected immediately before consolidation and division or sub-division, as the case may be).
|
89.4
|
To give effect to a sale under article 89.3.1 the directors may arrange for the shares representing the fractions to be entered in the register as certificated shares.
|
89.5
|
The directors may authorise any person to transfer the shares to, or to the direction of, the purchaser.
|
89.6
|
The person to whom the shares are transferred is not obliged to ensure that any purchase money is received by the person entitled to the relevant fractions.
|
89.7
|
The transferee's title to the shares is not affected by any irregularity in or invalidity of the process leading to their sale.
|
89.8
|
If shares are allotted or issued under article 89.3.4, the amount required to pay up those shares may be capitalised as the directors think fit out of amounts standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution, and applied in paying up in full the appropriate number of shares.
|
89.9
|
A resolution of the directors capitalising part of the reserves has the same effect as if the capitalisation had been declared by ordinary resolution of the Company under article 99. In relation to the capitalisation the directors may exercise all the powers conferred on them by article 99 without an ordinary resolution of the Company.
|
90.
|
PROCEDURE FOR DECLARING DIVIDENDS
|
90.1
|
Subject to the Act and the articles, the Company may by ordinary resolution declare dividends, and the directors may decide to pay interim dividends.
|
90.2
|
A dividend must not be declared unless the directors have made a recommendation as to its amount. Such a dividend must not exceed the amount recommended by the directors.
|
90.3
|
No dividend may be declared or paid unless it is in accordance with members' respective rights.
|
90.4
|
Unless the members' resolution to declare or directors' decision to pay a dividend, or the terms on which shares are issued, specify otherwise, it must be paid by reference to each member's holding of shares on the date of the resolution or decision to declare or pay it.
|
90.5
|
The directors may pay any dividend (including any dividend payable at a fixed rate) if it appears to them that the profits available for distribution justify the payment.
|
90.6
|
If the Company's share capital is divided into different classes, no interim dividend may be paid on shares carrying deferred or non-preferred rights if, at the time of payment, any preferential dividend is in arrears.
|
90.7
|
If the directors act in good faith, they do not incur any liability to the holders of shares conferring preferred rights for any loss they may suffer by the lawful payment of an interim dividend on shares with deferred or non-preferred rights.
|
91.
|
CALCULATION OF DIVIDENDS
|
91.1
|
Except as otherwise provided by the articles or the rights attached to or the terms of issue of shares, all dividends must be:
|
91.1.1
|
declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the shares on which the dividend is paid; and
|
91.1.2
|
apportioned and paid proportionately to the amounts paid up on the shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid.
|
91.2
|
If any share is issued on terms providing that it ranks for dividend as from a particular date, that share ranks for dividend accordingly.
|
91.3
|
For the purposes of calculating dividends, no account is to be taken of any amount which has been paid up on a share in advance of the due date for payment of that amount.
|
91.4
|
Except as otherwise provided by the rights attached to shares, dividends may be declared or paid in any currency.
|
91.5
|
The directors may agree with any member that dividends which may at any time or from time to time be declared or become due on his shares in one currency shall be paid or satisfied in another, and may agree the basis of conversion to be applied and how and when the amount to be paid in the other currency shall be calculated and paid and for the Company or any other person to bear any costs involved.
|
92.
|
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS
|
92.1
|
Where a dividend or other sum which is a distribution is payable in respect of a share, it must be paid by one or more of the following means:
|
92.1.1
|
in cash;
|
92.1.2
|
by transfer to a bank or building society account specified by the distribution recipient in writing or as the directors otherwise decide;
|
92.1.3
|
by sending a cheque, warrant or money order made payable to the distribution recipient by post to the distribution recipient at the distribution recipient's registered address (if the distribution recipient is a holder of the share), or (in any other case) to an address specified by the distribution recipient in writing or as the directors otherwise decide;
|
92.1.4
|
by sending a cheque, warrant or money order made payable to such person by post to such person at such address as the distribution recipient has specified in writing or as the directors otherwise decide; or
|
92.1.5
|
by any electronic or other means of payment as the directors agree with the distribution recipient either in writing or by such other means as the directors decide.
|
92.2
|
In respect of the payment of any dividend or other sum which is a distribution, the directors may decide, and notify distribution recipients, that:
|
92.2.1
|
one or more of the means described in article 92.1 will be used for payment and a distribution recipient may elect to receive the payment by one of the means so notified in the manner prescribed by the directors;
|
92.2.2
|
one or more of such means will be used for the payment unless a distribution recipient elects otherwise in the manner prescribed by the directors; or
|
92.2.3
|
one or more of such means will be used for the payment and that distribution recipients will not be able to elect otherwise.
|
92.3
|
Payment of any dividend or other sum which is a distribution is made at the risk of the distribution recipient. The Company is not responsible for a payment which is lost or delayed. Payment, in accordance with the articles, of any cheque, warrant or money order by the bank upon which it is drawn, or the transfer of funds by any means shall be a good discharge to the Company.
|
92.4
|
In the event that:
|
92.4.1
|
a distribution recipient does not specify an address, or does not specify an account of a type prescribed by the directors, or other details necessary in order to make a payment of a dividend or other distribution by the means by which the directors have decided in accordance with this article that a payment is to be made, or by which the distribution recipient has elected to receive payment, and such address or details are necessary in order for the Company to make the relevant payment in accordance with such decision or election; or
|
92.4.2
|
if payment cannot be made by the Company using the details provided by the distribution recipient,
|
92.5
|
In the articles, the "
distribution recipient
" means, in respect of a share in respect of which a dividend or other sum is payable:
|
92.5.1
|
the holder of the share;
|
92.5.2
|
if the share has two or more joint holders, the senior holder;
|
92.5.3
|
if the holder is no longer entitled to the share by reason of death or bankruptcy, or otherwise by operation of law, the transmittee (or, where two or more person are jointly entitled by transmission to the share, to any one transmittee and that person shall be able to give effective receipt for payment); or
|
92.5.4
|
in any case, to a person that the person or persons entitled to payment may direct in writing.
|
92.6
|
Without prejudice to article 88, the directors may withhold payment of a dividend (or part of a dividend) payable to a transmittee until he has provided such evidence of his right as the directors may reasonably require.
|
93.
|
DEDUCTIONS FROM DISTRIBUTIONS IN RESPECT OF SUMS OWED TO THE COMPANY
|
93.1
|
If:
|
93.1.1
|
a share is subject to the Company's lien; and
|
93.1.2
|
the directors are entitled to issue a lien enforcement notice in respect of it,
|
93.2
|
Money so deducted must be used to pay any of the sums payable in respect of that share.
|
93.3
|
The Company must notify the distribution recipient in writing of:
|
93.3.1
|
the fact and amount of any such deduction;
|
93.3.2
|
any non-payment of a dividend or other sum payable in respect of a share resulting from any such deduction; and
|
93.3.3
|
how the money deducted has been applied.
|
94.
|
NO INTEREST ON DISTRIBUTIONS
|
94.1
|
The Company may not pay interest on any dividend or other sum payable in respect of a share unless otherwise provided by:
|
94.1.1
|
the rights attached to the share; or
|
94.1.2
|
the provisions of another agreement between the holder of that share and the Company.
|
95.
|
UNCLAIMED DISTRIBUTIONS
|
95.1
|
All dividends or other sums which are:
|
95.1.1
|
payable in respect of shares; and
|
95.1.2
|
unclaimed after having been declared or become payable,
|
95.2
|
The payment of an unclaimed dividend or other sum into a separate account does not make the Company a trustee in respect of it.
|
95.3
|
If:
|
95.3.1
|
12 years have passed from the date on which a dividend or other sum became due for payment; and
|
95.3.2
|
the distribution recipient has not claimed it,
|
95.4
|
If, in respect of a dividend or other sum payable in respect of a share, on any one occasion:
|
95.4.1
|
a cheque, warrant or money order is returned undelivered or left uncashed; or
|
95.4.2
|
a transfer made by a bank or other funds transfer system is not accepted, and reasonable enquiries have failed to establish another address or account of the distribution recipient, the Company is not obliged to send or transfer a dividend or other sum payable in respect of that share to that person until he notifies the Company of an address or account to be used for that purpose. If the cheque, warrant or money order is returned undelivered or left uncashed or transfer not accepted on two consecutive occasions, the Company may exercise this power without making any such enquiries.
|
96.
|
NON-CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
|
96.1
|
Subject to the terms of issue of the share in question, the Company may, by ordinary resolution
|
96.2
|
For the purposes of paying a non-cash distribution, the directors may make whatever arrangements they think fit, including, where any difficulty arises regarding the distribution:
|
96.2.1
|
issuing fractional certificates (or ignoring fractions);
|
96.2.2
|
fixing the value of any assets;
|
96.2.3
|
paying cash to any distribution recipient on the basis of that value in order to adjust the rights of recipients; and
|
96.2.4
|
vesting any assets in trustees.
|
97.
|
WAIVER OF DISTRIBUTIONS
|
97.1
|
Distribution recipients may waive their entitlement to a dividend or other distribution payable in respect of a share by giving the Company notice in writing to that effect, but if:
|
97.1.1
|
the share has more than one holder; or
|
97.1.2
|
more than one person is entitled to the share, whether by reason of the death or bankruptcy of one or more joint holders, the notice is not effective unless it is expressed to be given, and signed, by all the holders or persons otherwise entitled to the share.
|
98.
|
SCRIP DIVIDENDS
|
98.1
|
Subject to the Act, but without prejudice to article 59, the directors may, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company, allot to those holders of a particular class of shares who have elected to receive them further shares of that class or ordinary shares in either case credited as fully paid ("
new shares
") instead of cash in respect of all or part of a dividend or dividends specified by the resolution.
|
98.2
|
The directors may on any occasion determine that the right of election under article 98.1 shall be subject to any exclusions, restrictions or other arrangements that the directors may in their absolute discretion deem necessary or expedient to deal with legal or practical problems under the laws of, or the requirements of a recognised regulatory body or a stock exchange in, any territory.
|
98.3
|
Where a resolution under article 98.1 is to be proposed at a general meeting and the resolution relates in whole or in part to a dividend to be declared at that meeting, then the resolution declaring the dividend is deemed to take effect at the end of that meeting.
|
98.4
|
A resolution under article 98.1 may relate to a particular dividend or to all or any dividends declared or paid within a specified period, but that period may not end later than five years after the date of the meeting at which the resolution is passed.
|
98.5
|
The entitlement of each holder of shares to new shares shall be such that the relevant value of the entitlement shall be as nearly as possible equal to (but not greater than) the cash amount (disregarding any associated tax credit) of the dividend which would otherwise have been received by the holder (the "
relevant dividend
") provided that, in calculating the entitlement, the directors may at their discretion adjust the figure obtained by dividing the relevant value by the amount payable on the new shares up or down so as to procure that the entitlement of each holder of shares may be represented by a simple numerical ratio. For this purpose the "
relevant value
" of each of the new shares shall be as determined by or in accordance with the resolution under article 98.1. A certificate or report by the auditors as to the value of the new shares to be allotted in respect of any dividend shall be conclusive evidence of that amount.
|
98.6
|
The directors may make any provision they consider appropriate in relation to an allotment made or to be made under this article (whether before or after the passing of the resolution under article 98.1), including:
|
98.6.1
|
the giving of notice to holders of the right of election offered to them;
|
98.6.2
|
the provision of forms of election (whether in respect of a particular dividend or dividends generally);
|
98.6.3
|
determination of the procedure for making and revoking elections;
|
98.6.4
|
the place at which, and the latest time by which, forms of election and other relevant documents must be lodged in order to be effective; and
|
98.6.5
|
the disregarding or rounding up or down or carrying forward of fractional entitlements, in whole or in part, or the accrual of the benefit of fractional entitlements to the Company (rather than to the holders concerned).
|
98.7
|
The dividend (or that part of the dividend in respect of which a right of election has been offered) is not declared or payable on shares in respect of which an election has been duly made (the "
elected shares
"); instead new shares are allotted to the holders of the elected shares on the basis of allotment calculated as in article 98.5. For that purpose, the directors may resolve to capitalise out of amounts standing to the credit of reserves (including a share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution, a sum equal to the aggregate nominal amount of the new shares to be allotted and apply it in paying up in full the appropriate number of new shares for allotment and distribution to the holders of the elected shares. A resolution of the directors capitalising part of the reserves has the same effect as if the directors had resolved to effect the capitalisation with the authority of an ordinary resolution of the Company under article 99. In relation to the capitalisation the directors may exercise all the powers conferred on them by article 99 without an ordinary resolution of the Company.
|
98.8
|
The new shares rank pari passu in all respects with each other and with the fully paid shares of the same class in issue on the record date for the dividend in respect of which the right of election has been offered, but they will not rank for a dividend or other distribution or entitlement which has been declared or paid by reference to that record date.
|
98.9
|
In relation to any particular proposed dividend, the directors may in their absolute discretion decide:
|
98.9.1
|
that holders shall not be entitled to make any election in respect of, and that any election previously made shall not extend to, such dividend; or
|
98.9.2
|
at any time prior to the allotment of the new shares which would otherwise be allotted in lieu of such dividend, that all elections to take new shares in lieu of such dividend shall be treated as not applying to that dividend, and if so the dividend shall be paid in cash as if no elections had been made in respect of it.
|
99.
|
AUTHORITY TO CAPITALISE AND APPROPRIATION OF CAPITALISED SUMS
|
99.1
|
Subject to the Act and the articles, the directors may, if they are so authorised by an ordinary resolution:
|
99.1.1
|
decide to capitalise any amount standing to the credit of the Company's reserves (including share premium account, capital redemption reserve and profit and loss account), whether or not available for distribution, which are not required for paying a preferential dividend; and
|
99.1.2
|
appropriate any sum which they so decide to capitalise (a "
capitalised sum
") to the persons who would have been entitled to it if it were distributed by way of dividend (the "
persons entitled
") and in the same proportions.
|
99.2
|
Capitalised sums must be applied:
|
99.2.1
|
on behalf of the persons entitled; and
|
99.2.2
|
in the same proportions as a dividend would have been distributed to them.
|
99.3
|
Any capitalised sum may be applied in paying up new shares of a nominal amount equal to the capitalised sum which are then allotted credited as fully paid to the persons entitled or as they may direct.
|
99.4
|
A capitalised sum which was appropriated from profits available for distribution may be applied:
|
99.4.1
|
in or towards paying up any amounts unpaid on existing shares held by the persons entitled; or
|
99.4.2
|
in paying up new debentures of the Company which are then allotted credited as fully paid to the persons entitled or as they may direct.
|
99.5
|
Subject to the Act and the articles the directors may:
|
99.5.1
|
apply capitalised sums in accordance with articles 99.3 and 99.4 partly in one way and
|
99.5.2
|
make such arrangements as they think fit to resolve a difficulty arising in the distribution of a capitalised sum and in particular to deal with shares or debentures becoming distributable in fractions under this article the directors may deal with fractions as they think fit (including the issuing of fractional certificates, disregarding fractions or selling shares or debentures representing the fractions to a person for the best price reasonably obtainable and distributing the net proceeds of the sale in due proportion amongst the members (except that if the amount due to a member is less than €5, or such other sum as the directors may decide, the sum may be retained for the benefit of the Company));
|
99.5.3
|
authorise any person to enter into an agreement with the Company on behalf of all the persons entitled which is binding on them in respect of the allotment of shares and debentures to them or the payment by the Company on behalf of the members of the amounts or part of the amounts or part of the amounts remaining unpaid on their existing shares under this article; and
|
99.5.4
|
generally do all acts and things required to give effect to the resolution.
|
100.
|
RECORD DATES
|
100.1
|
Notwithstanding any other provision of the articles, but subject to the Act and rights attached to shares, the Company or the directors may fix any date as the record date for a dividend, distribution, allotment or issue. The record date may be on or at any time before or after a date on which the dividend, distribution, allotment or issue is declared, made or paid.
|
101.
|
MEANS OF COMMUNICATION TO BE USED
|
101.1
|
Save where these articles expressly require otherwise, any notice, document or information to be sent or supplied by, on behalf of or to the Company may be sent or supplied in accordance with the Act (whether authorised or required to be sent or supplied by the Act or otherwise):
|
101.1.1
|
in hard copy form,
|
101.1.2
|
in electronic form; or
|
101.1.3
|
by means of a website.
|
101.2
|
Subject to the articles, any notice or document to be sent or supplied to a director in connection with the taking of decisions by directors may also be sent or supplied by the means by which that director has asked to be sent or supplied with such notices or documents for the time being.
|
101.3
|
A director may agree with the Company that notices or documents sent to that director in a particular way are to be deemed to have been received within a specified time of their being sent, and for the specified time to be less than 48 hours.
|
101.4
|
A notice, document or information sent by post and addressed to a member at his registered address or address for service in the United Kingdom is deemed to be given to or received by the intended recipient 24 hours after it was put in the post if pre paid as first class post and 48 hours after it was put in the post if pre paid as second class post, and in proving service it is sufficient to prove that the envelope containing the notice, document or information was properly addressed, pre paid and posted.
|
101.5
|
A notice, document or information sent by or on behalf of the Company by pre-paid airmail post between different countries is deemed to have been given to, and received by, the intended recipient on the third business day after posting.
|
101.6
|
A notice, document or information sent or supplied by electronic means to an address specified for the purpose by the member is deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient 24 hours after it was sent, and in proving service it is sufficient to prove that the communication was properly addressed and sent.
|
101.7
|
A notice, document or information sent or supplied by means of a website is deemed to have been given to or received by the intended recipient when:
|
101.7.1
|
the material was first made available on the website; or
|
101.7.2
|
if later, when the recipient received (or, in accordance with this article 101, is deemed to have received) notification of the fact that the material was available on the website.
|
101.8
|
A notice, document or information not sent by post but delivered by hand (which include delivery by courier) to a registered address or address for service is deemed to be given on the day it is left.
|
101.9
|
A notice, document or information served or delivered by or on behalf of the Company by any other means authorised in writing by the member concerned is deemed to be served when the Company has taken the action it has been authorised to take for that purpose.
|
101.10
|
A qualifying person present at a meeting of the holders of a class of shares is deemed to have received due notice of the meeting and, where required, of the purposes for which it was called.
|
101.11
|
A person who becomes entitled to a share by transmission, transfer or otherwise is bound by a notice in respect of that share (other than a notice served by the Company under section 793 of the Act) which, before his name is entered in the register, has been properly served on a person from whom he derives his title.
|
101.12
|
In the case of joint holders of a share, a notice, document or information shall be validly sent or supplied to all joint holders if sent or supplied to whichever of them is named first in the register in respect of the joint holding. Anything to be agreed or specified in relation to a notice, document or information to be sent or supplied to joint holders, may be agreed or specified by the joint holder who is named first in the register in respect of the joint holding.
|
101.13
|
The Company may give a notice, document or information to a transmittee as if he were the holder of a share by addressing it to him by name or by the title of representative of the deceased or trustee of the bankrupt member (or by similar designation) at an address in the
|
101.14
|
A member whose registered address is not within the United Kingdom or the United States shall not be entitled to receive any notice, document or information from the Company unless:
|
101.14.1
|
the Company is able, in accordance with the Act, to send the notice, document or information in electronic form or by means of a website; or
|
101.14.2
|
the member gives to the Company a postal address within the United Kingdom or the United States at which notices to the member may be given.
|
102.
|
LOSS OF ENTITLEMENT TO NOTICES
|
102.1
|
Subject to the Act and any other applicable rules, a member (or in the case of joint holders, the person who is named first in the register) who has no registered address within the United Kingdom or the United States, and has not supplied to the Company an address within the United Kingdom or the United States at which notice or other documents or information can be given to him, shall not be entitled to receive any notice or other documents or information from the Company. Such a member (or in the case of joint holders, the person who is named first in the register) shall not be entitled to receive any notice or other documents or information from the Company even if he has supplied an address for the purposes of receiving notices or other documents or information in electronic form.
|
102.2
|
If:
|
102.2.1
|
the Company sends two consecutive documents to a member over a period of at least 12 months; and
|
102.2.2
|
each of those documents is returned undelivered, or the Company receives notification that it has not been delivered, that member ceases to be entitled to receive notices from the Company.
|
102.3
|
A member who has ceased to be entitled to receive notices from the Company becomes entitled to receive such notices again by sending the Company:
|
102.3.1
|
a new address to be recorded in the register; or
|
102.3.2
|
if the member has agreed that the Company should use a means of communication other than sending things to such an address, the information that the Company needs to use that means of communication effectively.
|
103.
|
SECRETARY
|
103.1
|
Subject to the Act, the directors shall appoint a secretary or joint secretaries and may appoint one or more persons to be an assistant or deputy secretary on such terms and conditions (including remuneration) as they think fit.
|
103.2
|
The directors may remove a person appointed under this article 103 from office and appoint another or others in his place.
|
103.3
|
Any provision of the Act or of the articles requiring or authorising a thing to be done by or to a director and the secretary is not satisfied by its being done by or to the same person acting both as director and as, or in the place of, the secretary.
|
104.
|
CHANGE OF NAME
|
105.
|
AUTHENTICATION OF DOCUMENTS
|
105.1
|
A director or the secretary or another person appointed by the directors for the purpose may authenticate:
|
105.1.1
|
documents affecting the constitution of the Company (including the articles);
|
105.1.2
|
resolutions passed by the Company or holders of a class of shares or the directors or a committee of the directors; and
|
105.1.3
|
books, records, documents and accounts relating to the business of the Company,
|
105.1.4
|
and may certify copies or extracts as true copies or extracts.
|
106.
|
COMPANY SEALS
|
106.1
|
The directors must provide for the safe custody of every seal.
|
106.2
|
A seal may be used only by the authority of a resolution of the directors or of a committee of the directors.
|
106.3
|
The directors may decide who will sign an instrument to which a seal is affixed (or, in the case of a share certificate, on which the seal may be printed) either generally or in relation to a particular instrument or type of instrument. The directors may also decide, either generally or in a particular case, that a signature may be dispensed with or affixed by mechanical means.
|
106.4
|
Unless otherwise decided by the directors:
|
106.4.1
|
share certificates and certificates issued in respect of debentures or other securities (subject to the provisions of the relevant instrument) need not be signed or, if signed, a signature may be applied by mechanical or other means or may be printed; and
|
106.4.2
|
every other instrument to which a seal is affixed shall be signed by one director and by the secretary or a second director, or by one director in the presence of a witness who
|
107.
|
RECORDS OF PROCEEDINGS
|
107.1
|
The directors must make sure that proper minutes are kept in minute books of:
|
107.1.1
|
all appointments of officers and committees made by the directors and of any remuneration fixed by the directors; and
|
107.1.2
|
all proceedings (including the names of the directors present at such meeting) of general meetings;
|
107.1.3
|
meetings of the holders of any class of shares in the Company;
|
107.1.4
|
the directors' meetings; and
|
107.1.5
|
meetings of committees of the directors.
|
107.2
|
If purporting to be signed by the chairman of the meeting at which the proceedings were held or by the chairman of the next succeeding meeting, minutes are conclusive evidence of the proceedings at the meeting.
|
107.3
|
The directors must ensure that the Company keeps records, in the books kept for the purpose, of all directors' written resolutions.
|
107.4
|
All such minutes and written resolutions must be kept for at least 10 years from the date of the meeting or written resolution as the case may be.
|
108.
|
DESTRUCTION OF DOCUMENTS
|
108.1
|
The Company is entitled to destroy:
|
108.1.1
|
all instruments of transfer of shares (including documents constituting the renunciation of an allotment of shares) which have been registered, and all other documents on the basis of which any entries are made in the register, from six years after the date of registration;
|
108.1.2
|
all dividend mandates (or mandates for other amounts), variations or cancellations of such mandates, and notifications of change of address, from two years after they have been recorded;
|
108.1.3
|
all share certificates which have been cancelled from one year after the date of the cancellation;
|
108.1.4
|
all paid dividend warrants and cheques from one year after the date of actual payment;
|
108.1.5
|
all proxy notices from one year after the end of the meeting to which the proxy notice relates; and
|
108.1.6
|
all other documents on the basis of which any entry in the register is made at any time after 10 years from the date an entry in the register was first made in respect of it.
|
108.2
|
If the Company destroys a document in good faith, in accordance with the articles, and without express notice to the Company that the preservation of the document is relevant to a claim, it is conclusively presumed in favour of the Company that:
|
108.2.1
|
entries in the register purporting to have been made on the basis of an instrument of transfer or other document so destroyed were duly and properly made;
|
108.2.2
|
any instrument of transfer so destroyed was a valid and effective instrument duly and properly registered;
|
108.2.3
|
any share certificate so destroyed was a valid and effective certificate duly and properly cancelled; and
|
108.2.4
|
any other document so destroyed was a valid and effective document in accordance with its recorded particulars in the books or records of the Company.
|
108.3
|
This article does not impose on the Company any liability which it would not otherwise have if it destroys any document before the time at which this article permits it to do so or in any case where the conditions of this article are not fulfilled.
|
108.4
|
In this article, references to the destruction of any document include a reference to its being disposed of in any manner.
|
109.
|
ACCOUNTS
|
109.1
|
The directors must ensure that accounting records are kept in accordance with the Act and any other applicable rules.
|
109.2
|
The accounting records shall be kept at the registered office of the Company or, subject to the Act, at another place decided by the directors and shall be available during business hours for the inspection of the directors and other officers. No member (other than a director or other officer) has the right to inspect an accounting record or other document except if that right is conferred by the Act or he is authorised by the directors or by an ordinary resolution of the Company.
|
109.3
|
In respect of each financial year, a copy of the Company's annual accounts, the directors' report, the strategic report, the directors' remuneration report and the auditors' report on those accounts and on the auditable part of the directors' remuneration report shall be sent or supplied to:
|
109.3.1
|
every member (whether or not entitled to receive notices of general meetings);
|
109.3.2
|
every holder of debentures (whether or not entitled to receive notices of general meetings); and
|
109.3.3
|
every other person who is entitled to receive notices of general meetings, not less than 21 clear days before the date of the meeting at which copies of those documents are to
|
109.3.4
|
a member or holder of debentures of whose address the Company is unaware; or
|
109.3.5
|
more than one of the joint holders of shares or debentures.
|
109.4
|
The directors may determine that persons entitled to receive a copy of the Company's annual accounts, the directors' report, the strategic report, the directors' remuneration report and the auditors' report on those accounts and on the auditable part of the directors' remuneration report are those persons entered on the register at the close of business on a day determined by the directors.
|
109.5
|
Where permitted by the Act, the strategic report with supplementary material in the form and containing the information prescribed by the Act may be sent or supplied to a person so electing in place of the documents required to be sent or supplied by article 109.3.
|
110.
|
PROVISION FOR EMPLOYEES ON CESSATION OF BUSINESS
|
111.
|
WINDING UP OF THE COMPANY
|
111.1
|
On a voluntary winding up of the Company the liquidator may, on obtaining any sanction required by law:
|
111.1.1
|
divide among the members in kind the whole or any part of the assets of the Company, whether or not the assets consist of property of one kind or of different kinds; and
|
111.1.2
|
vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of the members as he, with the like sanction, shall determine.
|
111.2
|
For this purpose the liquidator may:
|
111.2.1
|
set the value he deems fair on a class or classes of property; and
|
111.2.2
|
determine on the basis of that valuation and in accordance with the then existing rights of members how the division is to be carried out between members or classes of members.
|
111.3
|
The liquidator may not, however, distribute to a member without his consent an asset to which there is attached a liability or potential liability for the owner.
|
112.
|
INDEMNITY OF OFFICERS AND FUNDING DIRECTORS' DEFENCE COSTS
|
112.1
|
To the extent permitted by the Act and without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may otherwise be entitled, every person who is or was a director or other officer of the Company or an associated company (other than any person (whether or not an officer of the Company or an associated company) engaged by the Company or an associated company as auditor) shall be and shall be kept indemnified out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses and liabilities incurred by him (whether in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him or otherwise as a director or such other officer of the Company or an associated company) in relation to the Company or an associated company or its/their affairs provided that such indemnity shall not apply in respect of any liability incurred by him:
|
112.1.1
|
to the Company or to any associated company;
|
112.1.2
|
to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings;
|
112.1.3
|
to pay a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (howsoever arising);
|
112.1.4
|
in defending any criminal proceedings in which he is convicted;
|
112.1.5
|
in defending any civil proceedings brought by the Company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him; or
|
112.1.6
|
in connection with any application under any of the following provisions in which the court refuses to grant him relief, namely:
|
(a)
|
section 661(3) or (4) of the Act (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee); or
|
(b)
|
section 1157 of the Act (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct).
|
112.2
|
In article 112.1.4, 112.1.5 or 112.1.6 the reference to a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief is a reference to one that has become final. A conviction, judgment or refusal of relief becomes final:
|
112.2.1
|
if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal; or
|
112.2.2
|
if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of.
|
112.2.3
|
if it is determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended; or
|
112.2.4
|
if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.
|
112.3
|
To the extent permitted by the Act and without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may otherwise be entitled, every person who is or was a director of the Company acting in its
|
112.3.1
|
to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings;
|
112.3.2
|
to pay a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (howsoever arising); or
|
112.3.3
|
in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted.
|
112.4
|
Without prejudice to article 112.1 or to any indemnity to which a director may otherwise be entitled, and to the extent permitted by the Act and otherwise upon such terms and subject to such conditions as the directors may in their absolute discretion think fit, the directors shall have the power to make arrangements to provide a director with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal or civil proceedings or in connection with an application under section 661(3) or (4) of the Act (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 1157 of the Act (general power to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct) or in defending himself in an investigation by a regulatory authority or against action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority or to enable a director to avoid incurring any such expenditure.
|
112.5
|
Where at any meeting of the directors or a committee of the directors any arrangement falling within article 112.4 is to be considered, a director shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum at such meeting unless the terms of such arrangement confers upon such director a benefit not generally available to any other director; in that event, the interest of such director in such arrangement shall be deemed to be a material interest for the purposes of article 21 and he shall not be so entitled to vote or be counted in the quorum.
|
113.
|
INSURANCE
|
113.1
|
To the extent permitted by the Act, the directors may exercise all the powers of the Company to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of a person who is or was:
|
113.1.1
|
a director or a secretary of the Company or of a company which is or was a subsidiary undertaking of the Company or in which the Company has or had an interest (whether direct or indirect); or
|
113.1.2
|
trustee of a retirement benefits scheme or other trust in which a person referred to in article 113.1.1 is or has been interested,
|
IMPORTANT NOTE
Shareholders that voted against the Merger must consider separately whether to exercise their statutory Withdrawal Rights. An election to exercise the Withdrawal Right will restrict the shareholder’s ability to trade its Sensata-NL shares on the stock exchange. The cash compensation will be determined on the basis of the average closing price per Sensata-NL share provided on a daily basis by the New York Stock Exchange over a period of the last twenty (20) trading days immediately prior to the date the merger becomes effective. On payments of cash compensation, dividend withholding tax at a rate of 15% will generally be withheld if and to the extent that such payments exceed the average capital recognized as paid-up on the relevant shares for Dutch dividend withholding tax purposes. A further explanation of the Merger, the Withdrawal Right and dividend withholding tax is given in the Merger Proposal, which can be found on the website of Sensata-NL (www.sensata.com). Instead of exercising the Withdrawal Right, shareholders not willing to become a shareholder of Sensata-UK may sell their Sensata-UK shares on the stock exchange at any time prior to the effective time of the Merger. |
Name of the Withdrawing Shareholder:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Address of the Withdrawing Shareholder:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Exit Shares for which the Withdrawal Right is exercised:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Details of bank account for payment of the cash compensation after effectuation of the Merger
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign
|
|
|
|
|
|
IBAN:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Holder:
|
|
|
|
|
|
BIC Code:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Bank:
|
|
|
|
|
|
City; Country:
|
|
|
|
|
|
US
|
|
|
|
|
|
ABA routing number:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank name:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Account number:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name on account:
|
|
|
(i)
|
The Withdrawing Shareholder is the current holder of the Exit Shares and the Exit Shares were held by the Withdrawing Shareholder on
, which date served as the record date for the exercise of voting rights at the EGM (
Record Date
);
|
(ii)
|
At the EGM, the Withdrawing Shareholder voted on all the Exit Shares against the Merger Resolution;
|
(iii)
|
The Withdrawing Shareholder agrees and consents to Sensata-NL and its agents to undertake all appropriate actions necessary to (i) verify that the Withdrawing Shareholder has voted against the Merger Resolution and (ii) confirm the Withdrawing Shareholder’s ownership of Sensata-NL shares
|
(iv)
|
The Withdrawing Shareholder has taken notice of the Merger Proposal, including paragraph 10, which describes the procedure for the exercise of the Withdrawal Right and the terms for determination and payment of the cash compensation;
|
(v)
|
The Withdrawing Shareholder agrees with the method for determining the cash compensation for the Exit Shares pursuant to article 41 of the articles of association of Sensata-NL; and
|
(vi)
|
The Withdrawing Shareholder will continue to hold and not sell, transfer or dispose of or enter into any agreement to sell, transfer or dispose of the Exit Shares until the earlier of (i) the Merger becoming effective (as a result of which the Exit Shares will cease to exist) and (ii) such earlier date as Sensata-NL or Sensata-UK may publicly announce that the Merger will not be effectuated. This period is necessary to allow Sensata-NL to facilitate implementation of the intended legal effect of the Withdrawing Shareholders’ irrevocable application (i.e. that at the Merger, the Exit Shares will be exchanged for cash compensation in lieu of Sensata-UK shares).
|
(1)
|
Any provision that purports to exempt a director of a company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust in relation to the company is void.
|
(2)
|
Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of the company, or of an associated company, against any liability attaching to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director is void, except as permitted by —
|
(3)
|
This section applies to any provision, whether contained in a company’s articles or in any contract with the company or otherwise.
|
(4)
|
Nothing in this section prevents a company’s articles from making such provision as has previously been lawful for dealing with conflicts of interest.
|
(1)
|
Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors) does not apply to qualifying third party indemnity provision.
|
(2)
|
Third party indemnity provision means provision for indemnity against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company. Such provision is qualifying third party indemnity provision if the following requirements are met.
|
(3)
|
The provision must not provide any indemnity against —
|
(a)
|
any liability of the director to pay —
|
(i)
|
a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or
|
(ii)
|
a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or
|
(b)
|
any liability incurred by the director —
|
(i)
|
in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted, or
|
(ii)
|
in defending civil proceedings brought by the company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him, or
|
(iii)
|
in connection with an application for relief (see subsection (6)) in which the court refuses to grant him relief.
|
(4)
|
The references in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction, judgment, or refusal of relief are to the final decision in the proceedings.
|
(ii)
|
if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and
|
(i)
|
if it is determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or
|
(ii)
|
if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.
|
(6)
|
The references in subsection (3)(b)(iii) to an application for relief is to an application for relief under —
|
(2)
|
Pension scheme indemnity provision means provision indemnifying a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme against liability incurred in connection with the
|
(3)
|
The provision must not provide any indemnity against -
|
(ii)
|
a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or
|
(ii)
|
if appealed against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and
|
(6)
|
In this section “occupational pension scheme” means an occupational pension scheme as defined in section 150(5) of the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12) that is established under a trust.
|
(1)
|
This section applies to the ratification by a company of conduct by a director amounting to negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust in relation to the company.
|
(2)
|
The decision of the company to ratify such conduct must be made by the resolution of the members of the company.
|
(3)
|
Where the resolution is proposed as a written resolution neither the director (if a member of the company) nor any member connected with him is an eligible member.
|
(4)
|
Where the resolution is proposed at a meeting, it is passed only if the necessary majority is obtained disregarding votes in favor of the resolution by the director (if a member of the company) and any member connected with him. This does not prevent the director or any such member from attending, being counted towards the quorum, and taking part in the proceedings at any meeting at which the decision is considered.
|
(5)
|
For the purposes of this section -
|
(d)
|
in section 252 (meaning of “connected person”), subsection (3) does not apply (exclusion of person who is himself a director).
|
(6)
|
Nothing in this section affects -
|
(b)
|
any power of the directors to agree not to sue, or to settle or release a claim made by them on behalf of the company.
|
(7)
|
This section does not affect any other enactment or rule of law imposing additional requirements for valid ratification or any rule of law as to acts that are incapable of being ratified by the company.
|
(b)
|
a person employed by a company as auditor (whether he is or is not an officer of the company), it appears to the court hearing the case that the officer or person is or may be liable but that he acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including those connected with his appointment) he ought fairly to be excused, the court may relieve him, either wholly or in part, from his liability on such terms as it thinks fit.
|
(2)
|
If any such officer or person has reason to apprehend that a claim will or might be made against him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust -
|
(b)
|
the court has the same power to relieve him as it would have had if it had been a court before which proceedings against him for negligence, default, breach of duty, or breach of trust had been brought.
|
(3)
|
Where a case to which subsection (1) applies is being tried by a judge with a jury, the judge, after hearing the evidence, may, if he is satisfied that the defendant (in Scotland, the defender) ought in pursuance of that subsection to be relieved either in whole or in part from the liability sought to be enforced against him, withdraw the case from the jury and forthwith direct judgment to be entered for the defendant (in Scotland, grant decree of absolvitor) on such terms as to costs (in Scotland, expenses) or otherwise as the judge may think proper.
|
(1)
|
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
|
(i)
|
To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
|
(ii)
|
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
|
(iii)
|
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
|
(2)
|
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
(3)
|
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
|
(4)
|
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document
|
(5)
|
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
|
(i)
|
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
|
(ii)
|
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
|
(iii)
|
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
|
(iv)
|
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
|
(a)
|
That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), the issuer undertakes that such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form.
|
(b)
|
That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No.
|
|
Description
|
|
|
|
2.1*
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1*
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1*
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.1*
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.2*
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.3*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.1*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.2*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.3*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.4*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.5*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.6*
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.7*
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.1**
|
|
|
|
|
|
99.1**
|
|
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
|
||
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Martha Sullivan
|
|
|
Name: Martha Sullivan
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
Date
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Martha Sullivan
|
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
|
November 13, 2017
|
Martha Sullivan
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Jeffrey Cote
|
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director
|
November 13, 2017
|
Jeffrey Cote
|
|
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
|
|
CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP
|
|
|
|
|
10 UPPER BANK STREET
|
|
|
LONDON
|
|
|
E14 5JJ
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TEL +44 20 7006 1000
|
|
|
FAX +44 20 7006 5555
|
|
|
DX 149120 CANARY WHARF 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
www.cliffordchance.com
|
|
Our ref: 70-40649519
|
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
|
Direct Dial: +44 207006 3688
|
Interface House
|
E-mail: katherine.moir@cliffordchance.com
|
Interface Business Park
|
|
Bincknoll Lane
|
13 November 2017
|
Royal Wootton Bassett
|
|
Swindon
|
|
Wiltshire
|
|
SN4 8SY
|
|
1.
|
INTRODUCTION
|
1.1
|
Merger
|
1.1.1
|
We are acting as English legal advisers to Sensata Technologies Holding plc, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales ("
Sensata-UK
"). We are familiar with the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-220735, such registration statement, as amended to date and including the documents incorporated by reference therein, the "
Registration Statement
") filed by Sensata-UK with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "
SEC
") pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "
Securities Act
").
|
1.1.2
|
As described in the Registration Statement, we understand that Sensata-UK is proposing to enter into a cross-border merger which will result in Sensata-UK becoming the ultimate holding company of the Sensata group (the "
Merger
"). In connection with the Merger, it is proposed that Sensata-UK will issue up to 185,000,000 ordinary shares with a nominal value of EUR 0.01 each (the "
Shares
").
|
1.1.3
|
We have been asked to provide an opinion on certain matters, as set out below.
|
1.2
|
Defined Terms
|
1.2.1
|
Headings in this Opinion are for ease of reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.
|
1.2.2
|
All references in this Opinion to paragraphs mean paragraphs in this Opinion.
|
1.3
|
Legal Review
|
1.3.1
|
we have reviewed only the documents referred to in paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 (
Documents, Searches and Enquiries
) which we understand to be the only documents in existence which are relevant to the valid issuance of the Shares, and conducted only those searches and enquiries referred to in paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 (
Documents, Searches and Enquiries
) which consist of the searches typically undertaken in connection with the giving of an English legal opinion of this type;
|
1.3.2
|
we have not verified the facts or the reasonableness of any statements (including statements as to foreign law) contained in the Documents;
|
1.3.3
|
we have not been responsible for ensuring that the Registration Statement contains all material facts or that it is accurate and not misleading;
|
1.3.4
|
we have not been responsible for ensuring that the Registration Statement complies with the requirements of any competent authority; and
|
1.3.5
|
we have not been responsible for ensuring that any issuance of Shares registered on the Registration Statement complies with legal and regulatory requirements of any jurisdictions other than in relation to English law.
|
1.4
|
Applicable Law
|
1.5
|
Taxation
|
1.6
|
Assumptions and Reservations
|
2.
|
OPINION
|
3.
|
ADDRESSEES AND PURPOSE
|
4.
|
CONSENT TO FILING
|
1.
|
DOCUMENTS
|
(a)
|
A copy of the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on the date of this Opinion.
|
(b)
|
A copy of the certificate of incorporation of Sensata-UK (given under its previous name Eagledrift plc) dated 4 August 2017.
|
(c)
|
A copy of the certificate of incorporation on change of name of Sensata-UK dated 25 August 2017.
|
(d)
|
A certified copy of the current articles of association of Sensata-UK.
|
(e)
|
A certified copy of the articles of association of Sensata-UK approved by the sole shareholder of Sensata-UK on 5 October 2017 conditional upon and with effect from the date of the Merger (the "
Final
Articles
").
|
(f)
|
A certified copy of the written resolutions of the board of directors of Sensata-UK dated 26 September 2017.
|
(g)
|
A certified copy of the minutes of a general meeting of Sensata UK dated 5 October 2017 evidencing the passing of certain resolutions by the sole shareholder of the Company.
|
2.
|
SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES
|
(a)
|
A search was conducted with the Registrar of Companies in respect of Sensata-UK at 10:11 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) on 13 November 2017, which has not revealed any order or resolution for the winding up of Sensata-UK or any notice of appointment in respect of a liquidator, receiver, administrative receiver or administrator.
|
(b)
|
An enquiry by telephone was made at the Companies Court in London of the Central Index of Winding Up Petitions at 10:15 a.m. (Greenwich Mean Time) on 13 November 2017 with respect to Sensata-UK, which has not revealed any petition for the winding up of Sensata-UK as having been presented.
|
1.
|
ORIGINAL AND GENUINE DOCUMENTATION
|
(a)
|
All signatures, stamps and seals are genuine, all original documents are authentic, all deeds and counterparts were executed in single physical form and all copy documents supplied to us as photocopies or in portable document format (PDF) or other electronic form are genuine, accurate, complete and conform to the originals.
|
(b)
|
Any certified copy referred to in Schedule 1 (
Documents, Searches and Enquiries
) is true, accurate and complete in all respects and, in respect of the Documents lists at paragraphs (f) and (g) of Schedule 1 (
Documents, Searches and Enquiries
), is an accurate record of the events or authorisations it purports to record and no authorisations provided thereunder have been amended or rescinded and are in full force and effect.
|
2.
|
CORPORATE AUTHORITY
|
(a)
|
Each director of Sensata-UK will disclose at or prior to the date of allotment of the Shares, any interest which he or she may have in the Merger and any potential conflicts such directors may have in respect of the Merger which have arisen or been discovered since 26 September 2017 (the date of the written board resolutions referred to in paragraph (f) of Schedule 1 (Documents, Searches and Enquiries)), and any such disclosures made will have been approved in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and Sensata-UK's articles of association.
|
(b)
|
In resolving to issue the Shares, the directors of Sensata-UK acted in good faith to promote the success of Sensata-UK for the benefit of its members as a whole and in accordance with any other duty, breach of which could give rise to such transactions being avoided.
|
(c)
|
No shares of Sensata-UK will have been allotted, and no rights to subscribe for or to convert any security of Sensata-UK into shares of Sensata-UK have been granted, pursuant to the authorities referred to in paragraph 2 of this Opinion other than the Shares to be issued by Sensata-UK in connection with the Merger.
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3.
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SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES
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4.
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NO CHANGE IN LAW
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5.
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OTHER LAWS
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1.
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LIMITS ON SCOPE OF OPINION
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(a)
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No opinion is given:
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(i)
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as to the title to the Shares including, but without limitation, as to whether the legal and beneficial ownership of the Shares is vested in any particular person; or
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(ii)
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as to whether a foreign court (applying its own conflict law) will act in accordance with any agreement entered into by Sensata-UK in connection with the Merger as to jurisdiction and/or law.
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(b)
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We expressly disclaim any responsibility to advise you of any development or circumstance of any kind, including any change of law or fact, that may occur after the date of this letter that may affect the opinion expressed herein.
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(c)
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We express no opinion on any withdrawal rights which may arise as a matter of Dutch law in connection with the Merger.
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Seaport West
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155 Seaport Boulevard
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Boston, MA 02210-2600
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617.832.1000 main
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617.832.7000 fax
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Re:
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Reorganization pursuant to the Common Draft Terms of the Cross-Border Legal Merger of Sensata Technologies Holding N.V. and Sensata Technologies Holding plc, dated October 26, 2017
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By:
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/s/ Nicola Lemay
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A Partner
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POSTAL ADDRESS
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P. O. Box 71170
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1008 BD AMSTERDAM
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OFFICE ADDRESS
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Fred. Roeskestraat 100
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1076 ED AMSTERDAM
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The Netherlands
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INTERNET
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Loyensloeff.com
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To:
Sensata Technologies Holding plc
Interface House, Interface Business Park
Bincknoll Lane
Royal Wootton Bassett
Swindon, Wiltshire, SN4 8SY
United Kingdom
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DATE
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13 November 2017
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REFERENCE
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RE
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Dutch law tax opinion – Sensata Technologies Holding plc –
The Merger of Sensata Technologies Holding N.V., as disappearing entity, into Sensata Technologies Holding plc, as surviving entity –
Form S-4 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933
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1
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INTRODUCTION
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1.1
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We have acted as special counsel on certain matters of Dutch tax law to Sensata-Netherlands (as defined below) in connection with, amongst other things, the contemplated cross-border legal Merger (as defined below) of Sensata-Netherlands into Sensata-UK (as defined below).
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1.2
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We render this opinion in relation to and as an exhibit to the Form S-4 Registration Statement (as defined below), to be filed in relation to the Merger.
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2
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DEFINITIONS
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2.1
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Capitalised terms used but not (otherwise) defined herein are used as defined in the Form S-4 Registration Statement (as defined below) and in the Schedules to this opinion letter. The headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this opinion.
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2.2
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In this opinion letter:
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AMSTERDAM
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ARNHEM
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BRUSSELS
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HONG KONG
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LONDON
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LUXEMBOURG
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NEW YORK
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PARIS
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ROTTERDAM
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SINGAPORE
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TOKYO
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ZURICH
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3
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SCOPE OF INQUIRY
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3.1
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For the purpose of rendering this opinion letter, we have only examined and relied upon electronically transmitted copies of the Form S-4 Registration Statement, except for the part in the Form S-4 Registration Statement on pages 45
to 48 under the caption “MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE MERGER – DUTCH TAX CONSIDERATIONS”.
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3.2
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We have not reviewed any documents incorporated by reference or referred to in the Form S-4 Registration Statement and therefore our opinions do not extend to such documents.
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4
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NATURE OF OPINION
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4.1
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We only express an opinion on matters of Dutch tax law as it stands on the date of this opinion letter, excluding unpublished case law. The terms the "Netherlands" and "Dutch" in this opinion letter refer solely to the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
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4.2
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Our opinion is strictly limited to the matters stated herein. We do not express any opinion on matters of fact.
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4.3
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In this opinion letter Dutch concepts are sometimes 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 term as they exist under the laws of other jurisdictions. The meaning to be attributed to such concepts shall be the meaning to be attributed to the equivalent Dutch concepts under Dutch tax law.
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4.4
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This opinion letter and any non-contractual obligations arising out of or in relation to this opinion letter are governed by Dutch law.
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4.5
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This opinion letter refers to the date hereof. We do not have an obligation to update this opinion letter or to inform any person of any changes of law or other matters coming to our knowledge occurring after the date of this opinion letter, which may have effect on the opinions set out in this opinion letter.
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4.6
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This opinion letter is issued by Loyens & Loeff N.V. individuals or legal entities that are involved in the services provided by or on behalf of Loyens & Loeff N.V. cannot be held liable in any manner whatsoever.
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5
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OPINIONS
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5.1
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Form S-4 Registration Statement
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6
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ADDRESSEES
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6.1
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We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an exhibit to the Form S-4 Registration Statement. We also consent to the use of our name in the Form S-4 Registration Statement on pages 45 to 48 under the caption “MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATING TO THE MERGER – DUTCH TAX CONSIDERATIONS”. In giving the consent set out in the previous sentence, we do not thereby admit or imply that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or any rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder.
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Yours faithfully,
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Loyens & Loeff N.V.
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/s/ Loyens & Loeff N.V.
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1
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Documents
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1.1
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All signatures are genuine, all original documents are authentic and all copies are complete and conform to the originals.
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1.2
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The Form S-4 Registration Statement has been or will have been filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and declared effective pursuant to the Securities Act.
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CLIFFORD CHANCE LLP
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10 UPPER BANK STREET
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LONDON
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E14 5JJ
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TEL +44 20 7006 1000
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FAX +44 20 7006 5555
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DX 149120 CANARY WHARF 3
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www.cliffordchance.com
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||
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Sensata Technologies Holding plc
Interface House
Interface Business Park
Bincknoll Lane
Royal Wootton Bassett
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN4 8SY
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Your ref:
Our ref: 70-40626212
Direct Dial: +44 207006 8949
E-mail: david.harkness@cliffordchance.com
13 November 2017
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1.
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INTRODUCTION
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1.1
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Background
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1.2
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Interpretation
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1.2.1
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Capitalised terms used but not (otherwise) defined herein are used as defined in the Form S-4 (as defined below).
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1.2.2
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In this opinion letter:
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(a)
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"
Form S-4
" means the filing by Sensata UK under the US Securities Act 1933 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on 13 November 2017; and
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(b)
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"
Merger
" means the contemplated cross-border legal merger with Sensata-Netherlands as disappearing entity and Sensata UK as surviving
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1.2.3
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Headings in this Opinion are for ease of reference only and shall not affect its interpretation.
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1.2.4
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All references in this Opinion to paragraphs mean paragraphs in this Opinion.
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1.3
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Legal Review
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1.4
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Applicable Law and Taxation
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1.5
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Assumptions and Reservations
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2.
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OPINION
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3.
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ADDRESSEES AND PURPOSE
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3.1
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This Opinion is provided in accordance with the instructions of our client, Sensata Technologies Holding NV, in connection with the Merger.
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3.2
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This Opinion is given on the basis that any limitation on the liability of any other adviser to all or any of the persons to whom this Opinion is addressed, whether or not we are aware of that limitation, will not adversely affect our position in any circumstances.
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3.3
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We hereby consent to the filing of this Opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Form S-4. We also consent to the use of our name in the Form S-4 under the heading "Material Tax Considerations Relating to the Merger – UK Tax Considerations". In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement within the meaning of the term “experts” as used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
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1.
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Sensata UK is resident for tax purposes solely in the United Kingdom.
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2.
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The issue of new shares by Sensata UK as part of the Merger into DTC will form an integral part of the raising of capital.
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1.
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The opinion stated above in paragraph 2 represents our conclusions as to the application of the United Kingdom tax law existing as of the date of this Opinion in connection with the Merger, and we can give no assurance that legislative enactments, administrative changes or court decisions may not be forthcoming that would modify or supercede our opinion.
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/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
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