AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AMONG SHELL PLC, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS DEPOSITARY AND ALL HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS WORLDWIDE SECURITIES SERVICES jpmorgan.com
Exhibit 4.18
EXECUTION VERSION
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT AMONG SHELL PLC, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. AS DEPOSITARY AND ALL HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
WORLDWIDE SECURITIES SERVICES
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
AMENDMENT NO. 1 dated as of October 13, 2023 (the “Amendment”), to the Second Amended and Restated Deposit
Agreement dated as of January 31, 2022 (the “Deposit Agreement”), among SHELL PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”),
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) issued
thereunder evidencing American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) representing either deposited Shares.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary executed the Deposit Agreement for the purposes set forth therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to paragraph (16) of the form of ADR, the form of which is contained as Exhibit A of the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary desire to amend the terms of
the Deposit Agreement and ADRs.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary
hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. Unless otherwise
defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
SECTION 2.01. All references in the Deposit Agreement to the term “Deposit Agreement” shall,
as of the date hereof, refer to the Deposit Agreement as further amended by this Amendment.
SECTION 2.02. The body of Section 5 of the Deposit Agreement is amended to read as follows:
To the extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution pursuant to paragraph (10) of the form of ADR (Distributions on
Deposited Securities) is not practicable with respect to any or all Holders, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company (to the extent reasonably practicable), may make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including the distribution
of all or a portion of any U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property (or appropriate documents evidencing the right to receive all or a portion of any such U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property) and/or the
Depositary may retain and hold all or a portion of such U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property as Deposited Securities with respect to the applicable Holders’ ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment
thereof).
1
To the extent the Depositary does not reasonably believe that it will be permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation, or it would not otherwise
be practicable, to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars and/or distribute U.S. dollars to some or all Holders, the Depositary may in its discretion distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such foreign currency
uninvested and without liability for interest for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same. To the extent the Depositary holds such foreign currency, any and all fees, charges and expenses related to, or arising from, the
holding of such foreign currency (including, but not limited to those provided in paragraph (7) of the Form of ADR (Charges of Depositary)) shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.
SECTION 2.03. Section 16(b)(ii) of the Deposit Agreement is amended by replacing (a) “▇▇▇▇▇
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇” with “▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇”, (b) “▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇” with ▇.▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and “Shell Oil Company” with “Shell USA Inc.”
SECTION 2.04. Section 20(b)(viii) of the Deposit Agreement is amended by replacing “The
Hague, The Netherlands” with “London, the United Kingdom”.
SECTION 2.05. The fourth sentence of paragraph (3) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding
ADRs, is amended to read as follows:
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing
the aggregate number of ADSs surrendered for split-up or combination, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery
to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the ADR Register (and/or any portion thereof) at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by
it. Additionally, at the reasonable request of the Company, the Depositary may (in its absolute discretion) close the issuance book portion of the ADR Register solely in order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law.
SECTION 2.06. Paragraph (4) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is amended by
replacing the paragraph immediately after subparagraph (c) with the following:
The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split up or combination of ADRs or, subject
to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal and delivery of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is
closed or when any such action is deemed required, necessary or advisable by the Depositary.
2
SECTION 2.07. Paragraph (7)(b) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is renamed “Additional Fees, Charges and Expenses by the Depositary”.
SECTION 2.08. Paragraph (7)(c)(ii) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is amended
to read as follows:
| (ii) |
a transaction fee per cancellation request (including any cancellation request made through SWIFT, facsimile transmission or any other method of communication) as disclosed on the “Disclosures” page (or successor page) of ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇
(as updated by the Depositary from time to time, “▇▇▇.▇▇▇”) and any applicable delivery expenses (which are payable by such persons or Holders); and
|
SECTION 2.09. Paragraph (10)(a) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is amended to
include the following at the conclusion thereof:
To the extent that any of the deposited Shares is not or shall not be entitled, by reason of its date of issuance, or otherwise, to receive the full amount of such cash
dividend or distribution, the Depositary shall make appropriate adjustments in the amounts distributed to the Holders issued in respect of such Shares. To the extent the Company or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from
any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed on the ADSs issued in respect of such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
To the extent the Depositary does not reasonably believe that it will be permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation, or it would not otherwise
be practicable, to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars and/or distribute U.S. dollars to some or all Holders, the Depositary may in its discretion distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such foreign currency
uninvested and without liability for interest for the respective accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same. To the extent the Depositary holds such foreign currency, any and all fees, charges and expenses related to, or arising from, the
holding of such foreign currency (including, but not limited to those provided in paragraph (7) of the Form of ADR (Charges of Depositary)) shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.
SECTION 2.10. Paragraph (10)(d) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is amended to
include the following paragraph at the conclusion thereof:
To the extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution pursuant to this paragraph (10) is not practicable with respect
to any or all Holders, the Depositary, after consultation with the Company (to the extent reasonably practicable), may make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including the distribution of all or a portion of any U.S. dollars, foreign
currency, securities or other property (or appropriate documents evidencing the right to receive all or a portion of any such U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property) and/or the Depositary may retain and hold all or a portion of
such U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property as Deposited Securities with respect to the applicable Holders’ ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment thereof).
3
SECTION 2.11. Subparagraph (r)(viii) of paragraph (14) of the form of ADR, and all
outstanding ADRs, is amended by replacing “The Hague, The Netherlands” with “London, United Kingdom”.
SECTION 2.12. The first sentence of paragraph (16) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding
ADRs, is amended to read as follows:
Subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may be
amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any amendment that imposes or increases any fees, charges or expenses on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or
registration fees, the transaction fee per cancellation request (including any cancellation request made through SWIFT, facsimile transmission or any other method of communication) described in paragraph (7)(c)(ii) (Charges
of Depositary) of the form of ADR, applicable delivery expenses or other such fees, charges or expenses), or that shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall become effective 30 days after
notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders.
SECTION 2.13. Paragraph (17) of the form of ADR, and all outstanding ADRs, is amended to read
as follows:
(17) Termination. The Depositary may, and shall at the written direction of the Company, terminate the
Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the Depositary shall have (i) resigned as Depositary hereunder,
notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder within 60 days of the date of such resignation, or (ii) been removed as Depositary hereunder, notice of such
termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder on the 60th day after the Company’s notice of removal was first provided to the Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement without notice to the Company, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the Holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency,
(ii) if the Shares cease to be listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (iii) if the Company effects (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities, or a cash or share distribution representing a
return of all or substantially all of the value of the Deposited Securities, or (iv) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu
of Deposited Securities.
4
After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except
to receive and hold (or sell) distributions on Deposited Securities and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to sell the
Deposited Securities and shall thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in an account (which may be a segregated or unsegregated account) the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit
Agreement, without liability for interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit
Agreement and this ADR, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary and
its agents.
SECTION 2.14. The form of ADR, reflecting the amendments set forth in this Article II, and
all outstanding ADRs, are amended and restated to read as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 3.01. Representations and Warranties.
The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary, that:
(a) This Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, will be duly and validly authorized, executed
and delivered by the Company, and it and the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy,
insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights and to general equity principles; and
(b) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Amendment
or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in England or Wales, nor does any stamp or similar tax or governmental charge need to be paid in England or Wales
on or in respect of such agreements.
ARTICLE IV
MISCELLANEOUS
Other than as set forth herein, nothing in this Amendment shall affect any of the respective rights and obligations of any of the parties hereto under the Deposit Agreement. By executing
this Amendment, the parties hereto ratify and confirm the terms of the Deposit Agreement, as modified by the terms of this Amendment. The parties hereto shall be entitled to the benefits of the indemnification provisions of Section 15 of the Deposit
Agreement in connection with any and all liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all
purposes be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute the same instrument. If there shall be any conflict in the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and the terms and conditions of this Amendment, the terms and conditions
of this Amendment shall control and be binding. This Amendment will be construed, regulated and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws,
except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The provisions of Sections 20 - 23 of the Deposit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and deemed to be a part hereof applicable hereto.
If any court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision of this Amendment invalid or unenforceable, the other provisions of the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby will remain in full
force and effect. Any provision of this Amendment held invalid or unenforceable only in part or degree will remain in full force and effect to the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
This Amendment, together with the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all existing and all
other communications (oral, written or in any other form) between the parties hereto concerning this subject matter. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including “.pdf”, “.tif” or
similar format) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.
5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SHELL PLC and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. have duly executed this Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above
set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs shall become parties hereto.
|
SHELL PLC
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
| Name: | ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ | |||
| Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
|
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ | ||
| Name: |
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
|
|||
| Title: |
Executive Director
|
|||
6
ANNEXED TO AND INCORPORATED IN
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
[FORM OF FACE OF ADR EVIDENCING CLASS A SHARE ADSs]
[FORM OF FACE OF ADR]
|
Number
|
No. of ADSs:
|
|
Each ADS represents TWO (2) Shares
|
|
|
CUSIP:
|
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
evidencing
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
ORDINARY SHARES
of
SHELL PLC
(Incorporated under the laws of England and Wales)
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary hereunder (the “Depositary”),
hereby certifies that is the registered owner (a “Holder”) of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”), each (subject to
paragraph (13) (Changes Affecting Deposited Securities)) representing two (2) ordinary shares (including the rights to receive Shares described in paragraph (1) (Issuance of
ADSs), “Shares” and, together with any other securities, cash or property from time to time held by the Depositary in respect or in lieu of deposited Shares, the “Deposited
Securities”), of Shell PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (the “Company”), deposited under the Second Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of
January 31, 2022 (as amended from time to time, the “Deposit Agreement”), among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued
thereunder (“ADRs”), each of whom by accepting an ADR becomes a party thereto. The Deposit Agreement and this ADR (which includes the provisions set forth on the reverse hereof) shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the application of the conflict of law principles thereof. All capitalized terms used herein, and not defined herein, shall have the meanings ascribed to
such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
A-1
(1) Issuance of ADSs.
(a) Issuance. This ADR is one of the ADRs issued under the Deposit
Agreement. Subject to the other provisions hereof, the Depositary may so issue ADRs for delivery at the Transfer Office (as hereinafter defined) only against deposit of: (i) Shares in a form satisfactory to the Custodian; or (ii) rights to receive
Shares from the Company or any registrar, transfer agent, clearing agent or other entity recording Share ownership or transactions. At the request, risk and expense of the person depositing Shares, the Depositary may accept deposits for forwarding
to the Custodian and may deliver ADRs at a place other than its office. Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited through (x) electronic transfer of such Shares to the account maintained by the Custodian for such purpose at
CREST and/or Euroclear Nederland, (y) evidence satisfactory to the Custodian of irrevocable instructions to cause such Shares to be transferred to such account or (z) delivery of the certificates representing such Shares. If use of the CREST or
Euroclear Nederland book-entry system in connection with the Shares is discontinued at any time for any reason, the Company shall make other book-entry arrangements (if any) that it determines, after consultation with the Depositary, are
reasonable.
(b) Lending. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not
lend Shares or ADSs.
(c) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Every person
depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement represents and warrants that:
| (i) |
such Shares and the certificates therefor are duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid, nonassessable and legally obtained by such person,
|
| (ii) |
all pre-emptive and comparable rights, if any, with respect to such Shares have been validly waived or exercised,
|
| (iii) |
the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do,
|
| (iv) |
the Shares presented for deposit are free and clear of any lien, encumbrance, security interest, charge, mortgage or adverse claim and
|
| (v) |
such Shares (A) are not “restricted securities” as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933 (“Restricted Securities”) unless at the time of deposit the requirements of
paragraphs (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 shall not apply and such Shares may be freely transferred and may otherwise be offered and sold freely in the United States or (B) have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933. To the
extent the person depositing Shares is an “affiliate” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 144, the person also represents and warrants that upon the sale of the ADSs, all of the provisions of Rule 144 that enable the Shares to be
freely sold (in the form of ADSs) will be fully complied with and, as a result thereof, all of the ADSs issued in respect of such Shares will not be on the sale thereof, Restricted Securities.
|
A-2
Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit and withdrawal of Shares and the issuance and cancellation of ADSs in respect thereof and the transfer of such ADSs.
(d) The Depositary may refuse to accept for such deposit any Shares identified by the Company in order to
facilitate compliance with the requirements of the securities laws, rules and regulations of the United States, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations made thereunder.
(2) Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability of Holder or Beneficial Owner for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges), upon surrender of (a) a
certificated ADR in a form satisfactory to the Depositary at the Transfer Office or (b) proper instructions and documentation in the case of a Direct Registration ADR, the Holder hereof is entitled to delivery at, or to the extent in dematerialized
form from, the Custodian’s office of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADSs evidenced by this ADR. At the request, risk and expense of the Holder hereof, the Depositary may deliver such Deposited Securities at such other place
as may have been requested by the Holder. Delivery of Deposited Securities may be made by (a) the delivery of certificates (which, if required by law shall be properly endorsed or accompanied by properly executed instruments of transfer or, if such
certificates may be registered, registered in the name of such Holder or as ordered by such Holder in any Withdrawal Order), (b) the delivery of any Deposited Securities eligible for settlement through CREST or Euroclear Nederland or its successor
(“Euroclear Nederland”) to an account designated by such Holder with CREST or Euroclear Nederland or an institution that maintains accounts with CREST or Euroclear Nederland, or (c) by such other means as the
Depositary may deem practicable, including, without limitation, by transfer of record ownership thereof to an account designated in the Withdrawal Order maintained either by the Company or an accredited intermediary, such as a bank, acting as a
registrar for the Deposited Securities. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR, the withdrawal of Deposited Securities may be restricted only for the reasons set forth in General Instruction I.A.(1) of Form F-6 (as
such instructions may be amended from time to time) under the Securities Act of 1933.
To the extent applicable, the Holder requesting delivery of Deposited Securities upon surrender of ADRs shall have the sole responsibility for ensuring that such Holder has a valid account
with Euroclear Nederland or an institution that maintains accounts with Euroclear Nederland and that the information required for transfer to such account is accurately and promptly provided to the Depositary.
(3) Transfers, Split-Ups and Combinations of ADRs. The Depositary or its
agent will keep, at a designated transfer office (the “Transfer Office”), (a) a register (the “ADR Register”) for the registration, registration of transfer,
combination and split-up of ADRs, and, in the case of Direct Registration ADRs, shall include the Direct Registration System, which at all reasonable times will be open for inspection by Holders and the Company for the purpose of communicating with
Holders in the interest of the business of the Company or a matter relating to the Deposit Agreement and (b) facilities for the delivery and receipt of ADRs. The term ADR Register includes the Direct Registration System. Title to this ADR (and to
the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby), when properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer, is transferable by delivery with the same
effect as in the case of negotiable instruments under the laws of the State of New York; provided that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the person in whose name this ADR is registered on the ADR Register
as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or any ADR to any Beneficial Owner, unless such Beneficial Owner is the
Holder hereof. Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), this ADR is transferable on the ADR Register and may be split into other ADRs or combined with other ADRs into one ADR, evidencing the aggregate number of ADSs surrendered for split-up or
combination, by the Holder hereof or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this ADR at the Transfer Office properly endorsed (in the case of ADRs in certificated form) or upon delivery to the Depositary of proper instruments of transfer and
duly stamped as may be required by applicable law; provided that the Depositary may close the ADR Register (and/or any portion thereof) at any time or from time to time when deemed expedient by it. Additionally, at the reasonable request of
the Company, the Depositary may (in its absolute discretion) close the issuance book portion of the ADR Register solely in order to enable the Company to comply with applicable law. At the request of a Holder, the Depositary shall, for the purpose
of substituting a certificated ADR with a Direct Registration ADR, or vice versa, execute and deliver a certificated ADR or a Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, for any authorized number of ADSs requested, evidencing the same aggregate
number of ADSs as those evidenced by the certificated ADR or Direct Registration ADR, as the case may be, substituted.
A-3
(4) Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer, etc. Prior to the
issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited
Securities), the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, and from time to time in the case of clause (b)(ii) of this paragraph (4), the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian may require:
(a) payment with respect thereto of (i) any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge, (ii) any
stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities upon any applicable register and (iii) any applicable charges as provided in paragraph (7) (Charges
of Depositary) of this ADR;
(b) the production of proof satisfactory to it of (i) the identity of any signatory and genuineness of any
signature and (ii) such other information, including without limitation, information as to citizenship, residence, exchange control approval, beneficial or other ownership of, or interest in, any securities, compliance with applicable law,
regulations, provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and terms of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, as it may deem necessary or proper; and
(c) compliance with such regulations as the Depositary may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement.
The issuance of ADRs, the acceptance of deposits of Shares, the registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the withdrawal and delivery of Deposited Securities may be suspended, generally or in particular instances, when the ADR Register or any register for Deposited Securities is
closed or when any such action is deemed required, necessary or advisable by the Depositary.
(5) Liability of Holder or Beneficial Owner for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges.
(a) Liability for Taxes. If any tax or other governmental charges
(including any penalties and/or interest) shall become payable by or on behalf of the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to this ADR, any Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced hereby or any distribution thereon, such tax or
other governmental charge shall be paid by the Holder hereof to the Depositary and by holding or owning, or having held or owned, this ADR or any ADSs evidenced hereby, the Holder and all Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, and all prior Holders
and Beneficial Owners hereof and thereof, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify, defend and save harmless each of the Depositary and its agents in respect of such tax or other governmental charge. Neither the Company nor the Depositary, nor any
of their respective agents, shall be liable to Holders or Beneficial Owners of the ADSs and ADRs for failure of any of them to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and/or regulations. Notwithstanding the Depositary’s right to seek payment from
current and former Beneficial Owners, by holding or owning, or having held or owned, an ADR, the Holder hereof (and prior Holder hereof) acknowledges and agrees that the Depositary has no obligation to seek payment of amounts owing under this
paragraph (5) from any current or former Beneficial Owner. The Depositary may refuse to effect any registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination hereof or, subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), any withdrawal of such Deposited Securities until such payment is made. The Depositary may also deduct from any distributions on or in respect of Deposited Securities, or may sell by public or
private sale for the account of the Holder hereof any part or all of such Deposited Securities, and may apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge, the Holder hereof remaining liable
for any deficiency, and shall reduce the number of ADSs evidenced hereby to reflect any such sales of Shares. In connection with any distribution to Holders, the Company or its agents will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency
all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and owing to such authority or agency by the Company; and the Depositary and the Custodian will remit to the appropriate governmental authority or agency all amounts (if any) required to be withheld and
owing to such authority or agency by the Depositary or the Custodian. If the Depositary determines that any distribution in property other than cash (including Shares or rights) on Deposited Securities is subject to any tax that the Depositary or
the Custodian is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property in such amounts and in such manner as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay such taxes, by public or private sale, and the
Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale or the balance of any such property after deduction of such taxes to the Holders entitled thereto.
A-4
(b) Indemnifications Related to Taxes. Each Holder and Beneficial Owner
agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to
taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained which obligations shall survive any transfer or surrender of ADSs or the termination of the
Deposit Agreement.
(6) Disclosure of Interests.
(a) General. To the extent that the provisions of or governing any
Deposited Securities (including the Articles and applicable English law) may require disclosure of or impose limits on beneficial or other ownership of, or interest in, Deposited Securities, other Shares and other securities and may provide for
blocking transfer, voting or other rights to enforce such disclosure or limits, Holders and Beneficial Owners agree to comply with all such disclosure requirements and ownership limitations and to comply with any reasonable Company instructions in
respect thereof. The Company reserves the right to instruct Holders to (i) provide information (a) as to the capacity in which such Holders own or owned ADSs, (b) regarding the identity of any other persons then or previously owning interests in
such ADSs and (c) regarding the nature of such interest and various other matters pursuant to applicable law or the Articles or such other corporate document of the Company, all as if such ADSs were to the extent practicable the underlying Shares.
Each Holder agrees to provide any information requested by or on behalf of the Company pursuant to this paragraph 6 (a) whether or not such person is still a Holder at the time of the request, and (ii) deliver their ADSs for cancellation and
withdrawal of the Deposited Securities so as to permit the Company to deal directly with the Holder thereof as a holder of Shares and Holders agree to comply with such instructions. The Depositary agrees to (i) cooperate with the Company in its
efforts to inform Holders of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this paragraph and agrees to forward to the Company any responses to such requests received by the Depositary and (ii) consult with, and provide reasonable assistance without
risk, liability or expense on the part of the Depositary, to the Company on the manner or manners in which the Company may implement such requirements with respect to any Holder.
(b) Jurisdiction Specific. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit
Agreement or of the ADRs and without limiting the foregoing, by being a Holder, each such Holder agrees to provide such information as the Company may request in a disclosure notice (a “Disclosure Notice”)
given pursuant to the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 (as amended from time to time and including any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof, the “Companies Act”) or the Articles. By accepting or
holding an ADR, each Holder acknowledges that it understands that failure to comply with a Disclosure Notice may result in the imposition of sanctions against the holder of the Shares in respect of which the non-complying person is or was, or
appears to be or has been, interested as provided in the Companies Act and the Articles which currently include, the withdrawal of the voting rights of such Shares and the imposition of restrictions on the rights to receive dividends on and to
transfer such Shares. In addition, by accepting or holding an ADR, each Holder agrees to comply with the provisions of the United Kingdom Disclosure and Transparency Rules (as amended from time to time, the “DTRs”)
with regard to the notification to the Company of interests in Shares and certain financial instruments, which currently provide, inter alia, that a Holder must notify the Company of the percentage of its voting rights he holds as shareholder or
holds or is deemed to hold through his direct or indirect holding of certain financial instruments (or a combination of such holdings) if the percentage of those voting rights (i) reaches, exceeds or falls below 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10% and
each 1% threshold thereafter up to 100% as a result of an acquisition or disposal of Shares or certain financial instruments, or (ii) reaches, exceeds or falls below such applicable thresholds as a result of events changing the breakdown of voting
rights and on the basis of information disclosed by the Company in accordance with the DTRs. The notification must be effected as soon as possible, but not later than two trading days after the Holder (a) learns of the acquisition or disposal or of
the possibility of exercising voting rights, or on which, having regard to the circumstances, should have learned of it, regardless of the date on which the acquisition, disposal or possibility of exercising voting rights takes effect, or (b) is
informed of the event mentioned in (ii) above.
A-5
Any summary of the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom and of the terms of the Company’s constituent documents has been provided by the Company solely for the convenience of
Holders, Beneficial Owners and the Depositary. While such summaries are believed by the Company to be accurate as of the date of the Deposit Agreement, they are (i) summaries and as such may not include all aspects of the materials summarized as
applicable to a Holder or Beneficial Owner, and (ii) provided by the Company as of the date of the Deposit Agreement. The Holder or Beneficial Owner acknowledges that these laws and regulations and the Company’s constituent documents may change after
the date of the Deposit Agreement. Neither the Depositary nor the Company has any obligation to update any such summaries.
(7) Charges of Depositary.
(a) Rights of the Depositary. The Depositary may charge, and collect
from, (i) each person to whom ADSs are issued, including, without limitation, issuances against deposits of Shares, issuances in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions (as such terms are defined in paragraph (10) (Distributions on Deposited Securities)), issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company, or issuances pursuant to a merger, exchange of securities or any other transaction or event
affecting the ADSs or the Deposited Securities, and (ii) each person surrendering ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities or whose ADSs are cancelled or reduced for any other reason, U.S.$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued,
exchanged, delivered, reduced, cancelled or surrendered, or upon which a Share Distribution or elective distribution is made or offered (as the case may be). The Depositary may sell (by public or private sale) sufficient securities and property
received in respect of Share Distributions, Rights and Other Distributions prior to such deposit to pay such charge.
(b) Additional Fees, Charges and Expenses by the Depositary. The
following additional fees, charges and expenses shall also be incurred by the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, by any party depositing or withdrawing Shares or by any party surrendering ADSs and/or to whom ADSs are issued (including, without
limitation, issuances pursuant to a stock dividend or stock split declared by the Company or an exchange of stock regarding the ADSs or the Deposited Securities or a distribution of ADSs pursuant to paragraph (10) (Distributions
on Deposited Securities)), whichever is applicable:
| (i) |
a fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS held for any Cash distribution made, or for any elective cash/stock dividend offered, pursuant to the Deposit Agreement,
|
| (ii) |
a fee for the distribution or sale of securities pursuant to paragraph (10) hereof, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of ADSs referred to above which would have been charged as a result of the
deposit of such securities (for purposes of this paragraph (7) treating all such securities as if they were Shares) but which securities or the net cash proceeds from the sale thereof are instead distributed by the Depositary to Holders
entitled thereto,
|
A-6
| (iii) |
an aggregate fee of U.S.$0.05 or less per ADS per calendar year (or portion thereof) for services performed by the Depositary in administering the ADRs (which fee may be charged on a periodic basis during each calendar year and shall be
assessed against Holders as of the record date or record dates set by the Depositary during each calendar year and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge from one or more
cash dividends or other cash distributions), and
|
| (iv) |
an amount for the reimbursement of such charges and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary and/or any of its agents (including, without limitation, the Custodian and charges and expenses incurred on behalf of Holders in connection with
compliance with foreign exchange control regulations or any law or regulation relating to foreign investment) in connection with the servicing of the Shares or other Deposited Securities, the sale of securities (including, without limitation,
Deposited Securities), the delivery of Deposited Securities or otherwise in connection with the Depositary’s or its Custodian’s compliance with applicable law, rule or regulation (which charges and expenses may be assessed on a proportionate
basis against Holders as of the record date or dates set by the Depositary and shall be payable at the sole discretion of the Depositary by billing such Holders or by deducting such charge or expense from one or more cash dividends or other
cash distributions).
|
(c) Other Obligations, Fees, Charges and Expenses. The Company will pay
all other fees, charges and expenses of the Depositary and any agent of the Depositary (except the Custodian) pursuant to agreements from time to time between the Company and the Depositary, except:
| (i) |
stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges (which are payable by Holders or persons depositing Shares);
|
| (ii) |
a transaction fee per cancellation request (including any cancellation request made through SWIFT, facsimile transmission or any other method of communication) as disclosed on the “Disclosures” page (or successor page) of ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇
(as updated by the Depositary from time to time, “▇▇▇.▇▇▇”) and any applicable delivery expenses (which are payable by such persons or Holders); and
|
| (iii) |
transfer or registration expenses for the registration or transfer of Deposited Securities on any applicable register in connection with the deposit or withdrawal of Deposited Securities (which are payable by persons depositing Shares or
Holders withdrawing Deposited Securities).
|
A-7
(d) Foreign Exchange Related Matters. To facilitate the administration
of various depositary receipt transactions, including disbursement of dividends or other cash distributions and other corporate actions, the Depositary may engage the foreign exchange desk within JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Bank”) and/or its affiliates in order to enter into spot foreign exchange transactions to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars (“FX Transactions”). For certain
currencies, FX Transactions are entered into with the Bank or an affiliate, as the case may be, acting in a principal capacity. For other currencies, FX Transactions are routed directly to and managed by an unaffiliated local custodian (or other
third-party local liquidity provider), and neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates is a party to such FX Transactions.
The foreign exchange rate applied to an FX Transaction will be either (i) a published benchmark rate, or (ii) a rate determined by a third-party local liquidity provider, in each case plus
or minus a spread, as applicable. The Depositary will disclose which foreign exchange rate and spread, if any, apply to such currency on the “Disclosures” page (or successor page) of ▇▇▇.▇▇▇. Such applicable foreign exchange rate and spread may (and
neither the Depositary, the Bank nor any of their affiliates is under any obligation to ensure that such rate does not) differ from rates and spreads at which comparable transactions are entered into with other customers or the range of foreign
exchange rates and spreads at which the Bank or any of its affiliates enters into foreign exchange transactions in the relevant currency pair on the date of the FX Transaction. Additionally, the timing of execution of an FX Transaction varies
according to local market dynamics, which may include regulatory requirements, market hours and liquidity in the foreign exchange market or other factors. Furthermore, the Bank and its affiliates may manage the associated risks of their position in
the market in a manner they deem appropriate without regard to the impact of such activities on the Company, the Depositary, Holders or Beneficial Owners. The spread applied does not reflect any gains or losses that may be earned or incurred by the
Bank and its affiliates as a result of risk management or other hedging related activity.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Company provides U.S. dollars to the Depositary, neither the Bank nor any of its affiliates will execute an FX Transaction as set forth
herein. In such case, the Depositary will distribute the U.S. dollars received from the Company.
Further details relating to the applicable foreign exchange rate, the applicable spread and the execution of FX Transactions will be provided by the Depositary on ▇▇▇.▇▇▇. The Company,
Holders and Beneficial Owners each acknowledge and agree that the terms applicable to FX Transactions disclosed from time to time on ▇▇▇.▇▇▇ will apply to any FX Transaction executed pursuant to the Deposit Agreement.
(e) The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive
the termination of the Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
A-8
(f) Disclosure of Potential Depositary Payments. The Depositary
anticipates reimbursing the Company for certain expenses incurred by the Company that are related to the establishment and maintenance of the ADR program upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
The Depositary may make available to the Company a set amount or a portion of the Depositary fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
(8) Available Information. The Deposit Agreement, the provisions of or
governing Deposited Securities and any written communications from the Company, which are both received by the Custodian or its nominee as a holder of Deposited Securities and made generally available to the holders of Deposited Securities, are
available for inspection by Holders at the offices of the Depositary and the Custodian, at the Transfer Office, on the Internet Website of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) (▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇),
or upon request from the Depositary (which request may be refused by the Depositary at its discretion).
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and accordingly files certain reports with the Commission. These reports can be
inspected and retrieved by Holders and Beneficial Owners through the ▇▇▇▇▇ system on the Commission’s Internet Website at ▇▇▇.▇▇▇.▇▇▇ and can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission, currently
located at ▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇., ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇.
(9) Execution. This ADR shall not be valid for any purpose unless
executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized officer of the Depositary.
Dated:
|
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Depositary
|
||||
|
|
By:
|
|||
| Authorized Officer | ||||
A-9
The Depositary’s office is located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
A-10
[FORM OF REVERSE OF ADR]
(10) Distributions on Deposited Securities. Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer etc.) and (5) (Liability of Holder or Beneficial Owner for Taxes, Duties and other Charges), to the extent practicable, the
Depositary will distribute to each Holder entitled thereto on the record date set by the Depositary therefor at such Holder’s address shown on the ADR Register, in proportion to the number of Deposited Securities (on which the following
distributions on Deposited Securities are received by the Custodian) represented by ADSs evidenced by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s ADRs:
(a) Cash. Any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary resulting from a
cash dividend or other cash distribution or the net proceeds of sales of any other distribution or portion thereof authorized in this paragraph (10) (“Cash”), on an averaged or other practicable basis,
subject to (i) appropriate adjustments for taxes withheld, (ii) such distribution being impermissible or impracticable with respect to certain Holders, and (iii) deduction of the Depositary’s and/or its agents’ fees and expenses in (1) converting
any foreign currency to U.S. dollars by sale or in such other manner as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such conversion may be made on a reasonable basis, (2) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the
United States by such means as the Depositary may determine to the extent that it determines that such transfer may be made on a reasonable basis, (3) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or
transfer, which is obtainable at a reasonable cost and within a reasonable time and (4) making any sale by public or private means in any commercially reasonable manner. To the extent that any of the deposited Shares is not or shall not be
entitled, by reason of its date of issuance, or otherwise, to receive the full amount of such cash dividend or distribution, the Depositary shall make appropriate adjustments in the amounts distributed to the Holders issued in respect of such
Shares. To the extent the Company or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, the amount distributed on
the ADSs issued in respect of such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly.
To the extent the Depositary does not reasonably believe that it will be permitted by applicable law, rule or regulation, or it would not otherwise be practicable, to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars and/or
distribute U.S. dollars to some or all Holders, the Depositary may in its discretion distribute the foreign currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such foreign currency uninvested and without liability for interest for the respective
accounts of, the Holders entitled to receive the same. To the extent the Depositary holds such foreign currency, any and all fees, charges and expenses related to, or arising from, the holding of such foreign currency (including, but not limited
to those provided in paragraph (7) of the Form of ADR (Charges of Depositary)) shall be paid from such foreign currency thereby reducing the amount so held hereunder.
A-1
(b) Shares. (i) Additional ADRs evidencing whole ADSs representing any
Shares available to the Depositary resulting from a dividend or free distribution on Deposited Securities consisting of Shares (a “Share Distribution”) and (ii) U.S. dollars available to it resulting from the
net proceeds of sales of Shares received in a Share Distribution, which Shares would give rise to fractional ADSs if additional ADRs were issued therefor, as in the case of Cash.
(c) Rights. (i) Warrants or other instruments in the discretion of the
Depositary representing rights to acquire additional ADRs in respect of any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or rights of any nature available to the Depositary as a result of a distribution on Deposited Securities (“Rights”), to the extent that the Company timely furnishes to the Depositary evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that the Depositary may lawfully distribute the same (the Company has no obligation to so
furnish such evidence), or (ii) to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and sales of Rights are practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Rights as in the case of Cash, or (iii)
to the extent the Company does not so furnish such evidence and such sales cannot practicably be accomplished by reason of the nontransferability of the Rights, limited markets therefor, their short duration or otherwise, nothing (and any Rights
may lapse).
(d) Other Distributions. (i) Securities or property available to the
Depositary resulting from any distribution on Deposited Securities other than Cash, Share Distributions and Rights (“Other Distributions”), by any means that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable,
or (ii) to the extent the Depositary deems distribution of such securities or property not to be equitable and practicable, any U.S. dollars available to the Depositary from the net proceeds of sales of Other Distributions as in the case of Cash.
To the extent that the Depositary determines in its discretion that any distribution pursuant to this paragraph (10) is not practicable with respect to any or all Holders, the Depositary,
after consultation with the Company (to the extent reasonably practicable), may make such distribution as it so deems practicable, including the distribution of all or a portion of any U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property (or
appropriate documents evidencing the right to receive all or a portion of any such U.S. dollars, foreign currency, securities or other property) and/or the Depositary may retain and hold all or a portion of such U.S. dollars, foreign currency,
securities or other property as Deposited Securities with respect to the applicable Holders’ ADRs (without liability for interest thereon or the investment thereof).
A-2
The Depositary reserves the right to utilize a division, branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to direct, manage and/or execute any public and/or private sale of securities
hereunder. Such division, branch and/or affiliate may charge the Depositary a fee in connection with such sales, which fee is considered an expense of the Depositary contemplated above and/or under paragraph (7) (Charges
of Depositary). Any U.S. dollars available will be distributed by checks drawn on a bank in the United States for whole dollars and cents. Fractional cents will be withheld without liability and dealt with by the Depositary in accordance
with its then current practices. All purchases and sales of securities will be handled by the Depositary in accordance with its then current policies, which are currently set forth on the “Disclosures” page (or successor page) of ▇▇▇.▇▇▇, the
location and contents of which the Depositary shall be solely responsible for.
(11) Record Dates. The Depositary may, after consultation with the
Company if practicable, fix a record date (which, to the extent applicable, shall be as near as practicable to any corresponding record date set by the Company) for the determination of the Holders who shall be responsible for the fee assessed by
the Depositary for administration of the ADR program and for any expenses provided for in paragraph (7) hereof as well as for the determination of the Holders who shall be entitled to receive any distribution on or in respect of Deposited
Securities, to give instructions for the exercise of any voting rights, to receive any notice or to act in respect of other matters and only such Holders shall be so entitled or obligated.
(12) Voting of Deposited Securities.
(a) Notice of Any Meeting or Solicitation. Subject to the next
sentence, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix
the ADS record date in accordance with paragraph (11) above in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take
any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting) and at the Company’s expense and provided no legal prohibitions exist, distribute to Holders a notice,
after consulting the Company as to the form of such notice to the extent practicable, stating (i) such information as is contained in such notice and any solicitation materials, (ii) that each Holder on the record date set by the Depositary
therefor will, subject to any applicable provisions of English law, the Articles and the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities, be entitled to either (A) use the voting instruction card prepared by the Depositary, after consulting the
Company as to the form of such card to the extent practicable, to request the Depositary, its Custodian or nominee (as appropriate) to appoint the Holder its proxy to attend at that meeting and vote with respect to the number of Shares or other
Deposited Securities represented by ADSs evidenced by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s ADRs or (B) instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s ADRs
and (iii) the manner in which such instructions may be given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. There is no guarantee that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the
notice described above with sufficient time to enable such Holder to return any voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
A-3
(b) Voting of Deposited Securities. Upon actual receipt by the ADR
department of the Depositary of instructions of a Holder on such record date in the manner and on or before the time established by the Depositary for such purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor insofar as practicable and permitted under the
provisions of or governing Deposited Securities to cause the appointment (or, if the Deposited Securities are registered in the name of or held by its Custodian or a nominee, the Depositary shall endeavor to procure that the Custodian or its
nominee shall cause the appointment), subject to the Articles, of that ▇▇▇▇▇▇ as a proxy in respect of that meeting (including any adjournment of that meeting) to attend and vote the number of Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced
by that ADR or, if the Holder has not requested a proxy to attend the meeting in person, vote or cause to be voted the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s ADRs in accordance with such instructions. The Depositary
will not itself exercise any voting discretion in respect of any Deposited Securities.
(c) Alternative Methods of Distributing Materials. Notwithstanding
anything contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR, the Depositary may, to the extent not prohibited by any law, rule or regulation or by the rules, regulations or requirements of the stock exchange on which the ADSs are listed, in lieu of
distribution of the materials provided to the Depositary in connection with any meeting of or solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Deposited Securities, distribute to the Holders a notice, after consulting the Company as to the form
of such notice to the extent practicable, that provides Holders with or otherwise publicizes to Holders instructions on how to retrieve such materials or receive such materials upon request (i.e., by
reference to a website containing the materials for retrieval or a contact for requesting copies of the materials). Holders are strongly encouraged to forward their voting instructions as soon as possible. Voting instructions will not be deemed
received until such time as the ADR department responsible for proxies and voting has received such instructions, notwithstanding that such instructions may have been physically received by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Depositary, prior to such
time.
(13) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities.
(a) Subject to paragraphs (4) (Certain Limitations to Registration, Transfer
etc.) and (5) (Liability of Holder or Beneficial Owner for Taxes, Duties and Other Charges), the Depositary may, in its discretion, and shall if reasonably requested by the Company, amend this ADR
or distribute additional or amended ADRs (with or without calling this ADR for exchange) or cash, securities or property on the record date set by the Depositary therefor to reflect any change in par value, split- up, consolidation, cancellation or
other reclassification of Deposited Securities, any Share Distribution or Other Distribution not distributed to Holders or any cash, securities or property available to the Depositary in respect of Deposited Securities from (and the Depositary is
hereby authorized to surrender any Deposited Securities to any person and, irrespective of whether such Deposited Securities are surrendered or otherwise cancelled by operation of law, rule, regulation or otherwise, to sell by public or private
sale any property received in connection with) any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, receivership, bankruptcy or sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company.
A-4
(b) To the extent the Depositary does not so amend this ADR or make a distribution to Holders to reflect any of
the foregoing, or the net proceeds thereof, whatever cash, securities or property results from any of the foregoing shall constitute Deposited Securities and each ADS evidenced by this ADR shall automatically represent its pro rata interest in the
Deposited Securities as then constituted.
(c) Promptly upon the occurrence of any of the aforementioned changes affecting Deposited Securities, the
Company shall notify the Depositary in writing of such occurrence and as soon as practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company, may instruct the Depositary to give notice thereof, at the Company’s expense, to Holders in accordance with
the provisions hereof. Upon receipt of such instruction, the Depositary shall give notice to the Holders in accordance with the terms thereof, as soon as reasonably practicable.
(14) Exoneration.
(a) The Depositary, the Company, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and
affiliates and each of them shall: (i) incur or assume no liability (including, without limitation, to Holders or Beneficial Owners) (A) if any present or future law, rule, regulation, fiat, order or decree of the United Kingdom, the United States
or any other country or jurisdiction, or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated quotation system, the provisions of or governing any Deposited Securities or any securities issued or distributed
by the Company or any offering or distribution thereof, any present or future provision of the Articles, any act of God, war, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strike, civil unrest,
revolutions, rebellions, explosions, cyber, ransomware or malware attack, computer failure or circumstance beyond its direct and immediate control shall prevent, forbid or delay, or shall cause any of them to be subject to any civil or criminal
penalty in connection with, any act which the Deposit Agreement or this ADR provides shall be done or performed by it or them (including, without limitation, voting pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof), or (B) by reason of any non-performance or
delay, caused as aforesaid, in the performance of any act or things which by the terms of the Deposit Agreement it is provided shall or may be done or performed or any exercise or failure to exercise any discretion given it in the Deposit Agreement
or this ADR (including, without limitation, any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable); (ii) incur or assume no liability (including, without limitation, to Holders or Beneficial Owners) except
to perform its obligations to the extent they are specifically set forth in this ADR and the Deposit Agreement without gross negligence or willful misconduct and the Depositary shall not be a fiduciary or have any fiduciary duty to Holders or
Beneficial Owners; (iii) in the case of the Depositary and its agents, be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities, the ADSs or this ADR; (iv) in the case of
the Company and its agents hereunder be under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities, the ADSs or this ADR, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or
liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required; and (v) not be liable (including, without limitation, to Holders or Beneficial
Owners) for any action or inaction by it in reliance upon the advice of or information from any legal counsel, any accountant, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder, or any other person believed by it to be competent to give such
advice or information and/or, in the case of the Depositary, the Company, and/or in the case of the Company, the Depositary. The Depositary shall not be liable for the acts or omissions made by, or the insolvency of, any securities depository,
clearing agency or settlement system.
A-5
(b) The Depositary. The Depositary shall not be responsible for, and
shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, the insolvency of any Custodian that is not a branch or affiliate of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Depositary shall not have any liability for the price received in connection with any
sale of securities, the timing thereof or any delay in action or omission to act nor shall it be responsible for any error or delay in action, omission to act, default or negligence on the part of the party so retained in connection with any such
sale or proposed sale. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Deposit Agreement (including the ADRs) and, subject to the further limitations set forth in clause (p) of this paragraph (14), the Depositary shall not be responsible
for, and shall incur no liability in connection with or arising from, any act or omission to act on the part of the Custodian except to the extent that any Holder has incurred liability directly as a result of the Custodian having (i) committed
fraud or willful misconduct in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary or (ii) failed to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services to the Depositary as determined in accordance with the standards prevailing in the
jurisdiction in which the Custodian is located.
(c) The Depositary, its agents and the Company may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written
notice, request, direction, instruction or document believed by them to be genuine and to have been signed, presented or given by the proper party or parties.
(d) The Depositary shall be under no obligation to inform Holders or Beneficial Owners about the requirements of
the laws, rules or regulations or any changes therein or thereto of the United Kingdom, the United States or any other country or jurisdiction or of any governmental or regulatory authority or any securities exchange or market or automated
quotation system.
(e) The Depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote
any of the Deposited Securities, for the manner in which any voting instructions are given, including instructions to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company, for the manner in which any vote is cast, including, without
limitation, any vote cast by a person to whom the Depositary is instructed to grant a discretionary proxy pursuant to paragraph (12) hereof, or for the effect of any such vote.
(f) The Depositary may rely upon instructions from the Company or its counsel in respect of any approval or
license required for any currency conversion, transfer or distribution.
(g) The Depositary and its agents may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its affiliates
and in ADRs.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Deposit Agreement or an ADR, the Depositary and
its agents may fully respond to any and all demands or requests for information maintained by or on its behalf in connection with the Deposit Agreement, any Holder or Holders, any ADR or ADRs or otherwise related hereto or thereto to the extent
such information is requested or required by or pursuant to any lawful authority, including without limitation laws, rules, regulations, administrative or judicial process, banking, securities or other regulators.
(i) None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company, or any of their respective directors, officers,
employees, agents or affiliates shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits or refunds of non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder’s or Beneficial Owner’s income tax liability.
(j) The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners, or any of them, with any
information about the tax status of the Company. None of the Depositary, the Custodian or the Company, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and affiliates, shall incur any liability for any tax or tax consequences that
may be incurred by Holders or Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership or disposition of the ADRs or ADSs.
A-6
(k) The Depositary shall not incur any liability for the content of any information submitted to it by or on
behalf of the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited
Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(l) Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the Depositary and the
Custodian(s) may use third-party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as, but not limited to, pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions, class action litigation and other services in connection herewith and the
Deposit Agreement, and use local agents to provide services such as, but not limited to, attendance at any meetings of security holders. Although the Depositary and the Custodian will use reasonable care (and cause their agents to use reasonable
care) in the selection and retention of such third-party providers and local agents, they will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services.
(m) The Depositary shall not be liable for any acts or omissions made by a successor depositary whether in
connection with a previous act or omission of the Depositary or in connection with any matter arising wholly after the removal or resignation of the Depositary.
(n) By holding an ADS or an interest therein, Holders and Beneficial Owners each acknowledge and agree that (i)
such Holders and Beneficial Owners are not shareholders of the Company and have no direct rights of a shareholder against the Company, and that the rights attaching to the Shares represented by the ADSs, and the rights of the Company with respect
to the Shares, are governed exclusively by the Articles and the laws of England, (ii) in connection with any matters against the Company, such Holders and Beneficial Owners shall be and are bound by the arbitration and exclusive jurisdiction
provisions set out in Section 20 of the Deposit Agreement (as summarized in subparagraph (s) below), (iii) any legal suit, action or proceeding instituted by Holders or Beneficial Owners against or involving the Depositary that does not include the
Company as a codefendant or other party, arising out of or based upon this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the transactions contemplated herein or therein including any alleged violation of the U.S. federal securities laws, may only be instituted in
a state or federal court in New York, New York, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the
exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iv) the Depositary may institute any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Holders and/or Beneficial Owners in any state or federal court in New York, New
York or any other court having jurisdiction, provided the Company is not included as a co-defendant or other party to such proceeding, and by holding an ADS or an interest therein each irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter
have to the laying of venue of any such proceeding, and irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of any and all such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding.
A-7
(o) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Depositary and its agents under certain circumstances and the
Depositary has agreed to indemnify the Company under certain circumstances.
(p) Neither the Company, the Depositary nor any of their respective agents shall be liable to Holders or
beneficial owners of interests in ADSs for any indirect, special, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) or lost profits, in each case of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not
foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.
(q) No provision of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any
rights which Holders or Beneficial Owners may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.
(r) Arbitration. The Company, the Depositary and each Holder shall be
bound by the arbitration and exclusive jurisdiction provisions set forth in this subsection (b) in connection with any Share Dispute, as that term is defined in this paragraph 14(r):
| (i) |
The term “Share Dispute” is defined as any action, dispute, controversy, claim or cause of action (a) between the Company and Holders and/or owners of interests in ADSs or (b) between and directly
involving as named parties each of the Company, the Depositary and one or more Holders and/or owners of interests in ADSs, in each case arising out of, or relating to, this Deposit Agreement, the ADSs or the ADRs or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby (whether in tort, in contract, under statute, including for the avoidance of doubt, any derivative claim thereunder, or otherwise), including any question regarding existence, validity, interpretation, breach or
termination of the Deposit Agreement and any alleged violation of the U.S. federal securities laws.
|
| (ii) |
Any and all Share Disputes shall be finally and exclusively resolved by arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) (the “ICC Rules”), as amended from time to time, which ICC Rules are deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Deposit Agreement.
|
| (iii) |
The arbitral tribunal (the “Tribunal”) shall consist of three arbitrators, to be appointed in accordance with the ICC Rules. The chairman of the tribunal must have at least 20 years’ experience as a
lawyer qualified to practise in a common law jurisdiction within the Commonwealth (as constituted on 12 May 2005), and each other arbitrator must have at least 20 years’ experience as a qualified lawyer.
|
| (iv) |
If any Share Dispute raises issues which are substantially the same as or connected with issues raised in a Share Dispute which has already been referred to arbitration (an “Existing Share Dispute”)
or arises out of substantially the same facts as are the subject of an Existing Share Dispute (a “Related Share Dispute”), then the Tribunal appointed or to be appointed in respect of any such Existing
Share Dispute shall also be appointed as the Tribunal in respect of any Related Share Dispute, save where the Tribunal considers such appointment would be inappropriate.
|
A-8
| (v) |
Where, pursuant to the above provisions, the same Tribunal has been appointed in relation to two or more Related Share Disputes, the Tribunal may order that the whole or part of the matters at issue shall be heard together upon such terms
or conditions as the Tribunal thinks fit.
|
| (vi) |
The Tribunal shall have power to make such directions and any interim, partial or final awards as it considers just and desirable. The Tribunal, upon the request of a party to a Share Dispute, or another party which itself wishes to be
joined in any reference to arbitration commenced in accordance with this Clause, may join any party to the reference to arbitration proceedings and may make a single, final award determining all Share Disputes between them.
|
| (vii) |
Each of the parties to the Deposit Agreement hereby agrees to be joined to any reference to arbitration proceedings in relation to any Share Dispute at the request of a party to that Share Dispute, and to accept the joinder of a party
requesting to be joined pursuant to this paragraph (14).
|
| (viii) |
The place of the arbitration shall be London, the United Kingdom. The language of the arbitration shall be English.
|
| (ix) |
Each person hereby waives, as far as permitted by law: (a) any right under the laws of any jurisdiction to apply to any court of law or other judicial authority to determine any preliminary point of law, and/or (b) any right he or she may
otherwise have under the laws of any jurisdiction to appeal or otherwise challenge the award, ruling or decision of the tribunal.
|
| (x) |
The governing law applicable to such Share Dispute, including the submission to arbitration and written arbitration agreement contained in or evidenced by the Articles, shall be the substantive law of England.
|
| (xi) |
If any court of competent jurisdiction or other competent authority including for the avoidance of doubt, a court or authority in any jurisdiction which is not a signatory to the New York Convention in any jurisdiction determines that this
arbitration provision is invalid or unenforceable in relation to any Share Dispute, the Company and the Holder or owner of interests in ADSs, in each case, irrevocably agree that any related proceeding, suit or action can only be brought in
the courts of England and Wales and the governing law applicable to such proceedings shall be the substantive law of England.
|
(s) Nothing in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR shall be construed to change or alter the Articles. The Company
will make a copy of the Articles available to Holders upon request.
A-9
(15) Resignation and Removal of Depositary; the Custodian.
(a) Resignation. The Depositary may resign as Depositary by written
notice of its election to do so delivered to the Company, such resignation to take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
(b) Removal. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company
by no less than 60 days’ prior written notice of such removal, to become effective upon the later of (i) the 60th day after delivery of the notice to the Depositary and (ii) the appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such
appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement.
(c) The Custodian. The Depositary may appoint substitute or additional
Custodians and the term “Custodian” refers to each Custodian or all Custodians as the context requires.
(16) Amendment. Subject to the last sentence of paragraph (2) (Withdrawal of Deposited Securities), the ADRs and the Deposit Agreement may be amended by the Company and the Depositary, provided that any amendment that imposes or increases any fees, charges or
expenses on a per ADS basis (other than stock transfer or other taxes and other governmental charges, transfer or registration fees, the transaction fee per cancellation request (including any cancellation request made through SWIFT, facsimile
transmission or any other method of communication) described in paragraph (7)(c)(ii) (Charges of Depositary) of the form of ADR, applicable delivery expenses or other such fees, charges or expenses), or that
shall otherwise prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall become effective 30 days after notice of such amendment shall have been given to the Holders. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any
amendment to the Deposit Agreement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADR, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the
right of the Holder of any ADR to surrender such ADR and receive the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Any amendments or supplements that (i) are reasonably necessary
(as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act of 1933 or (b) the ADSs or Shares to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case
impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body or regulatory body should adopt new
laws, rules or regulations or should there be changes to the Articles which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement or the form of ADR to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the
Deposit Agreement and the ADR at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement
is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance. Notice of any amendment to the Deposit Agreement or form of ADRs shall not need to describe in detail the specific amendments effectuated thereby, and failure to
describe the specific amendments in any such notice shall not render such notice invalid, provided, however, that, in each such case, the notice given to the Holders identifies a means for Holders and Beneficial Owners to retrieve or receive the
text of such amendment (i.e., upon retrieval from the Commission’s, the Depositary’s or the Company’s website or upon request from the Depositary).
A-10
(17) Termination. The Depositary may, and shall at the written direction
of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement and this ADR by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination; provided, however, if the Depositary shall have (i)
resigned as Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder within 60 days of the date of such resignation, or (ii) been removed as
Depositary hereunder, notice of such termination by the Depositary shall not be provided to Holders unless a successor depositary shall not be operating hereunder on the 60th day after the Company’s notice of removal was first provided to the
Depositary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement without notice to the Company, but subject to giving 30 days’ notice to the Holders, under the following circumstances: (i) in the event
of the Company’s bankruptcy or insolvency, (ii) if the Shares cease to be listed on an internationally recognized stock exchange, (iii) if the Company effects (or will effect) a redemption of all or substantially all of the Deposited Securities, or
a cash or share distribution representing a return of all or substantially all of the value of the Deposited Securities, or (iv) there occurs a merger, consolidation, sale of assets or other transaction as a result of which securities or other
property are delivered in exchange for or in lieu of Deposited Securities.
After the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary and its agents will perform no further acts under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to receive and hold (or sell)
distributions on Deposited Securities and deliver Deposited Securities being withdrawn. As soon as practicable after the date so fixed for termination, the Depositary shall use its reasonable efforts to sell the Deposited Securities and shall
thereafter (as long as it may lawfully do so) hold in an account (which may be a segregated or unsegregated account) the net proceeds of such sales, together with any other cash then held by it under the Deposit Agreement, without liability for
interest, in trust for the pro rata benefit of the Holders of ADRs not theretofore surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations in respect of the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, except to
account for such net proceeds and other cash. After the date so fixed for termination, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary and its agents.
(18) Appointment; Acknowledgements and Agreements. Each Holder and each
Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs or ADRs (or any interest in any of them) issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s), to
adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable ADR(s),
the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof, and (c) acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR shall give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the
parties thereto nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among such parties, (ii) the Depositary, its divisions, branches and affiliates, and their respective agents, may from time to time be in the possession of non-public information
about the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners and/or their respective affiliates, (iii) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company, Holders, Beneficial Owners
and/or the affiliates of any of them, (iv) the Depositary and its divisions, branches and affiliates may, from time to time, be engaged in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners and/or their
respective affiliates may have interests, (v) nothing contained in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s) shall (A) preclude the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or
maintaining such relationships, or (B) obligate the Depositary or any of its divisions, branches or affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or
relationships, (vi) the Depositary shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any information held by any branch, division or affiliate of the Depositary, and (vii) notice to a Holder shall be deemed, for all purposes of the Deposit Agreement and
this ADR, to constitute notice to any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such ▇▇▇▇▇▇’s ADRs. For all purposes under the Deposit Agreement and this ADR, the Holder hereof shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on
behalf of any and all Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by this ADR.
A-11
(19) Waiver. EACH PARTY TO THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT (INCLUDING, FOR
AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, EACH HOLDER AND BENEFICIAL OWNER OF, AND/OR HOLDER OF INTERESTS IN, ADSS OR ADRS) HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR
PROCEEDING AGAINST THE DEPOSITARY AND/OR THE COMPANY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, BASED ON OR RELATING IN ANY WAY TO THE SHARES OR OTHER DEPOSITED SECURITIES, THE ADSs OR THE ADRs, THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED
HEREIN OR THEREIN, OR THE BREACH HEREOF OR THEREOF (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, COMMON LAW OR ANY OTHER THEORY), INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY SUIT, ACTION, CLAIM OR PROCEEDING UNDER THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. No provision
of the Deposit Agreement or this ADR is intended to constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights which a Holder or any Beneficial Owner may have under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, to the extent applicable.
(20) Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company
shall declare a dividend to be payable at the election of the holders of Shares in cash or in additional Shares (each an “Elective Distribution”), the Company and the Depositary agree to consult with each
other to determine if it is reasonably practicable to extend such Elective Distribution to Holders and on the terms and procedures thereof. In connection with each Elective Distribution, the Company shall furnish an opinion of U.S. counsel to the
Company, which counsel and opinion shall be reasonably acceptable to the Depositary, to the effect that the Company may make the Elective Distribution available to Holders and the Depositary may extend such Elective Distribution to Holders in each
case without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of the Shares issued pursuant to such Elective Distribution, or, if such opinion has been previously furnished, a letter from such counsel stating that the opinion previously provided may
be relied upon by the Depositary as if such opinion were dated and delivered to the Depositary as of the date of such letter. If the Company and the Depositary have agreed that it is reasonably practicable to extend the Elective Distribution to
Holders and on the terms and procedures thereof, the Depositary shall, if the Company shall request in writing, make such Elective Distribution available to Holders on the terms and following such procedures as agreed with the Company. If an
Elective Distribution is not extended to Holders, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same determination as is made in the local market in respect of the Shares for which no election
is made, either (x) cash or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares, in each case upon the terms described in paragraph (10) hereof. If an Elective Distribution is extended to Holders, the Depositary shall establish a record date in
the manner described in paragraph (11) hereof and inform Holders of the procedures necessary to permit them to participate in such Elective Distribution. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and the Depositary, to the extent a Holder
shall make an election with respect to an Elective Distribution, such election shall remain in full force and effect until such time as a notice revoking such election is received from such Holder (in which case the Holder will be treated as having
elected to receive the default consideration) or a further election is received from such Holder or the Depositary notifies such Holder that the election previously received from such Holder ceases to be valid for further Elective Distributions.
The Company shall assist the Depositary in establishing such procedures to the extent reasonably necessary. Subject to paragraph (7) hereof, if a Holder elects to receive the proposed dividend in cash or ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon
the terms described in paragraph (10) hereof.
If, at any time after an Elective Distribution, a Holder’s account is solely comprised of a fraction of an ADS, the Company may instruct the Depositary to sell or dispose of such
fractional ADS (or the Deposited Securities represented thereby) and to handle the net proceeds from such disposition and/or sale (after deduction of the costs and expenses of such sale) in the manner instructed by the Company, which may involve not
delivering such net proceeds to the Holder. Holders are strongly encouraged to review the terms of the Elective Distribution and to consult with their tax advisors prior to taking any action which may result in their account solely comprising of a
fractional ADS.
A-12