25,850,926 Shares MONTPELIER RE HOLDINGS LTD. Common Shares, Par Value 1/6 cent Per Share UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT September 15, 2005
Execution
Copy
25,850,926 Shares
Common Shares, Par Value 1/6 cent Per Share
UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
September 15, 2005
September 15, 2005
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Dear Sirs and Mesdames:
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell
to Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. (the “Underwriter”)
25,850,926 of its common shares, par value 1/6 cent per
share (the “Shares”). The common shares, par value 1/6 cent per share, of the Company to be
outstanding after giving effect to the sales contemplated hereby are hereinafter referred to as the
“Common Shares.”
The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a
registration statement, including a prospectus, relating to the Shares and to certain other
securities described therein. The registration statement as amended at the time it becomes
effective, including the information (if any) deemed to be part of the registration statement at
the time of effectiveness pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”), is hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”; the prospectus in
the form first used to confirm sales of Shares is hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus”
(including, in the case of all references to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus,
documents incorporated therein by reference). The terms “supplement” and “amendment” or “amend” as
used in this Agreement with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall include
all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are deemed to be incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to
register additional Common Shares pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462
Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be
deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement.
1. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to, and
agrees with, the Underwriter that:
(a) The Registration Statement has become effective; no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement is in effect, and no proceedings for such
purpose are pending before or threatened by the Commission.
(b) (i) Each document, if any, filed or to be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the
Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) the
Registration Statement, when it became effective, did not contain and, as amended or supplemented,
if applicable, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (iii) the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus comply and, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, will
comply in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and (iv) the Prospectus does not contain and, as
amended or supplemented, if applicable, will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that the
representations and warranties set forth in this paragraph do not apply to statements or
omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to
the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly for use
therein.
(c) PricewaterhouseCoopers, whose report is included or incorporated by reference in
the Prospectus, is an independent certified public accountant with respect to the Company
and its combined subsidiaries within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder. The financial statements of the Company
and its combined subsidiaries (including the related notes and supporting schedules)
included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus present fairly in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the entities
purported to be shown thereby at the dates and for the periods indicated and have been
prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles applied
on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated and conform in all material respects
with the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission under the Securities Act; and the
supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly in all materials
respects the information required to be stated therein.
(d) The Company has been duly organized or formed and is validly existing in good
standing (including as an exempted company) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
organization or formation, with full power and authority to own, lease and operate its
properties and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and
perform its obligations under this Agreement; and the Company is duly qualified to do
business as described in the Prospectus and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in
which the character of the business conducted by it or the location of the properties owned,
leased or operated by it make such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the
failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a material adverse effect
on the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, business or prospects of
the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse
Effect”).
(e) Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. (“Montpelier Re”) and Montpelier Marketing Services
(UK) Ltd. (the “Designated Subsidiaries”) have been duly organized or formed and are validly
existing in good standing (including, in the case of Montpelier Re, as an exempted company)
under the laws of the jurisdictions of their organization or formation, with full power and
authority to own, lease and operate their properties and conduct their businesses as
described in the Prospectus; and the Designated Subsidiaries are duly qualified to do
business as described in the Prospectus
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and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the character of the business
conducted by them or the location of the properties owned, leased or operated by them make
such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be
in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Except for Montpelier Holdings
(Barbados) SRL and Montpelier Agency Ltd., all of which are immaterial and are not
“significant subsidiaries” of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 1-02(w) of
Regulation S-X of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Securities Act, the
Designated Subsidiaries are the only subsidiaries of the Company.
(f) All of the outstanding common shares of the Company and each Designated Subsidiary
of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable. All of the outstanding common shares of each Designated Subsidiary of the
Company are owned directly or indirectly by the Company free and clear of any claim, lien,
encumbrance, security interest, restriction upon voting or transfer, preemptive rights or
any other claim of any third party.
(g) Except as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of
this Agreement), since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Prospectus (i) there has not been any event or development that has had or would reasonably
be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and (ii)
there has not been any material change in the long-term debt of the Company and its
consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(h) None of (i) the execution or delivery hereof by the Company, (ii) the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) the issuance and delivery of the Shares by
the Company or (iv) compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement,
(A) will result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the memorandum
of association, amended and restated bye-laws or other governing documents of the Company or
any of the Designated Subsidiaries, (B) will result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, any agreement, indenture or other instrument to which the
Company or any of the Designated Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound,
or to which any of their properties is subject, (C) will result in a violation of any law,
rule, administrative regulation or decree of any court, or any governmental agency or body
having jurisdiction over the Company, the Designated Subsidiaries or any of their respective
properties, or (D) will result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge, claim or
encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company, or any Designated Subsidiary except
(other than with respect to clause (A)), as would not have, individually or in the
aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. Except for permits, consents, approvals and similar
authorizations required by the securities or “Blue Sky” or insurance securities laws of
certain jurisdictions in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, the filing of the
Prospectus under the Bermuda Companies Act 1981 in connection with the offer and sale of the
Shares and permits, consents, approvals and authorizations which have been obtained, no
permit, consent, approval, authorization or order of any court, governmental agency or body
or financial institution is required in connection with the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
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(i) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company.
(j) None of the Company or any of its Designated Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of
its memorandum of association or amended and restated bye-laws or articles of association or
other governing documents, (ii) is in default and no event has occurred which, with notice
or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or
observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any agreement, indenture or other
instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties
is subject, except for any such defaults that would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) is in violation of any insurance law or insurance
regulation to which it or its property is subject, except for any such violations that would
not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
(k) On the date hereof and upon the issuance of the Shares, each of the Company and
Montpelier Re is and will be solvent and able to pay its liabilities as they become due.
(l) The Shares have been duly and validly authorized by the Company for issuance and
sale to the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement and, when issued and delivered in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable, and the issuance of such Shares will not be subject to any preemptive or
similar rights. The authorized capital stock of the Company conforms in all material
respects to the description thereof in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.
Neither the filing of the Registration Statement nor the offering or sale of the Shares as
contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights, other than those that have been
duly waived or satisfied, for or relating to the registration of any securities of the
Company.
(m) There are no contracts or other documents that are required to be described in the
Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement, as the case may be,
that have not been described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration
Statement, as the case may be.
(n) There is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of
the Company, threatened to which the Company or any of the Designated Subsidiaries is a
party or to which any property of the Company or any of the Designated Subsidiaries is
subject that could reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a
Material Adverse Effect, or which is required to be disclosed in the Prospectus or the
Registration Statement and is not so disclosed.
(o) Each of the Company and the Designated Subsidiaries has (i) all licenses,
certificates, permits, authorizations, approvals, franchises and other rights from, and has
filed all reports, documents and other information required to be filed pursuant to the
applicable laws of Bermuda and other relevant jurisdictions as is necessary to engage in the
business currently conducted by it in the manner described in the Prospectus (each, an
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“Authorization”), except where the failure, individually or in the aggregate, to file
such report, document or information would not have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii)
fulfilled and performed all obligations necessary to maintain each Authorization, except
where the failure to fulfill or perform such obligation, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect and (iii) no knowledge of any threatened action,
suit, proceeding or investigation that would reasonably be expected to result in the
revocation, termination or suspension of any Authorization. All such Authorizations are
valid and in full force and effect and the Company and the Designated Subsidiaries are in
compliance in all material respects with the terms and conditions of all such Authorizations
and with the rules and regulations of the regulatory authorities having jurisdiction with
respect thereto, except where the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, would
not have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any order or decree from
any insurance regulatory agency or body impairing, restricting or prohibiting the payment of
dividends by any Designated Subsidiary to its parent.
(p) On the date of the issuance of the Shares, the Shares will have been approved for
listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.
(q) The Company and the Designated Subsidiaries maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are
executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (ii)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset
accountability; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s
general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is
compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken
with respect to any differences.
(r) Each preliminary prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as
originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under
the Securities Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Securities Act
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(s) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares
and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus will not be,
required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(t) None of the Underwriter or any subsequent purchasers of the Shares (other than
purchasers resident in Bermuda for Bermuda exchange control purposes) is subject to any
stamp duty, excise or similar tax imposed in Bermuda in connection with the offering, sale
or purchase of the Shares.
(u) There are no currency exchange control laws or withholding taxes of Bermuda that
would be applicable to the payment of dividends on the Shares by the Company (other than to
residents of Bermuda for Bermuda exchange control purposes).
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2. Agreements to Sell and Purchase. The Company hereby agrees to sell to the Underwriter, and
the Underwriter, upon the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject
to the conditions hereinafter stated, agrees to purchase from the Company the Shares at $23.21 per
share (the “Purchase Price”).
The Company hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it will
not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of this Agreement, (i) offer, pledge, sell,
contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell,
grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly
or indirectly any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable
for Common Shares, or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Shares, whether any
such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common
Shares or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. Each of the parties hereto hereby
acknowledges that the foregoing sentence does not apply to a share repurchase program by the
Company for its Common Shares.
The restrictions contained in the preceding paragraph shall not apply to (A) the Shares to be
sold hereunder, (B) the issuance by the Company of Common Shares upon the exercise of an option or
warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof of which the Underwriter has
been advised in writing, (C) grants by the Company of employee stock options or other equity-based
employee compensation pursuant to the terms of a plan in effect on the date of this Agreement, (D)
transactions by persons other than the Company relating to Common Shares or other securities
acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the offering contemplated by this
Agreement, (E) the issuance by the Company in an underwritten offering of common shares or
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common shares to raise funds as a
result of a large loss event impacting the Company’s reinsurance or insurance portfolio, where in
the good faith judgment of management, such additional funds are necessary to maintain the
Company’s existing ratings or ratings outlook or (F) the filing by the Company of a shelf
registration statement with respect to Common Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for Common Shares, provided that the Company shall not make such a filing during
the period ending seven days after the date of this Agreement, and provided further, that the
Company agrees that it will not, during the period ending 60 days after the date of this Agreement,
file a registration statement pursuant to the request of any shareholder under the Shareholders
Agreement dated December 12, 2001 without the prior written consent of the Underwriter.
3. Intentionally Left Blank
4. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Shares shall be made to the Company in Federal or
other funds immediately available in New York City against delivery of such Shares for the account
of the Underwriter at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on September 21, 2005 or at such other time
on the same or such other date, not later than September 28, 2005, as shall be designated in
writing by you. The date and time of such payment are referred to as the “Closing Date.”
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Certificates for the Shares shall be in definitive form and registered in such names and in
such denominations as you shall request in writing not later than one full business day prior to
the Closing Date. The certificates evidencing the Shares shall be delivered to you on the Closing
Date for the account of the Underwriter, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the
transfer of the Shares to the Underwriter duly paid, against payment of the Purchase Price
therefor.
5. Conditions to the Underwriter’s Obligations. The obligations of the Company to sell the
Shares to the Underwriter and the obligation of the Underwriter to purchase and pay for the Shares
on the Closing Date are subject to the condition that the Registration Statement shall have become
effective not later than 4:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date hereof.
The obligations of the Underwriter are subject to the following further conditions:
(a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing
Date there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective
change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or results of
operations of the Company and its combined subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set
forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to
the date of this Agreement) that, in your judgment, is material and adverse and that makes
it, in your judgment, impracticable to market the Shares on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Prospectus.
(b) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date a certificate, dated the
Closing Date and signed by an executive officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in
Section 5(a) above and to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Company
contained in this Agreement are true and correct as of the Closing Date and that the Company
has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to
be performed or satisfied hereunder on or before the Closing Date.
The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon his or her knowledge
as to proceedings threatened.
(c) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion from Xxxxx Xxxx
& Xxxxxxxx, outside counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, covering the matters
referred to in Exhibit A.
(d) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Xxxxxxx Xxxx
& Xxxxxxx, special Bermuda counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, substantially in
the form of Exhibit B.
(e) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx, special tax counsel to the Company, to the effect that the statements in the
Prospectus under the heading “Material Tax Considerations” and in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 under the heading “Risk Factors –
Risks Related to Taxation” which relate to United States
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income tax laws, regulations and rulings fairly summarize in all material respects such
laws, regulations and rulings.
(f) The Underwriter shall have received on the Closing Date an opinion of LeBoeuf,
Lamb, Xxxxxx & XxxXxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriter, dated the Closing Date, covering the
matters referred to in the last paragraph of Exhibit A.
(g) The opinions of Xxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxx & Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx &
Xxxxxxx shall be rendered to the Underwriter at the request of the Company and shall so
state therein.
(h) The Underwriter shall have received, on the Closing Date, a letter dated the
Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriter, from
PricewaterhouseCoopers, independent public accountants, containing statements and
information of the type ordinarily included in accountants’ “comfort letters” to
underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information
contained in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; provided that the letters
delivered on the Closing Date shall use a “cut-off date” not earlier than the date hereof.
(i) The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto,
between you and certain officers and the directors of the Company relating to sales and
certain other dispositions of Common Shares or certain other securities, shall be in full
force and effect on the Closing Date.
6. Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriter
herein contained, the Company covenants with the Underwriter as follows:
(a) To furnish to you, without charge, 5 conformed copies of the Registration Statement
(including exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference) and to furnish to you
in New York City, without charge, prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the business day
next succeeding the date of this Agreement and during the period mentioned in Section 6(c)
below, as many copies of the Prospectus, any documents incorporated therein by reference and
any supplements and amendments thereto or to the Registration Statement as you may
reasonably request.
(b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to
furnish to you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and not to file any such
proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object, and to file with the
Commission within the applicable period specified in Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act
any prospectus required to be filed pursuant to such Rule.
(c) If, during such period after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as
in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriter the Prospectus is required by law to be
delivered in connection with sales by the Underwriter or dealer, any event shall occur or
condition exist as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus
in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances when the
Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if, in the opinion of counsel for
the Underwriter, it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply
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with applicable law, forthwith to prepare, file with the Commission and furnish, at its
own expense, to the Underwriter and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will
furnish to the Company) to which Shares may have been sold by the Underwriter and to any
other dealers upon request, either amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the
statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the
circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the
Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, will comply with law.
(d) To endeavor to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue
Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request, provided, that in no event
shall the Company be obligated to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not
now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to material taxation or service
of process in suits, other than those arising out of the offering or sale of the Shares, in
any jurisdiction where it is not now so subject.
(e) To make generally available to the Company’s security holders and to you as soon as
practicable an earnings statement covering the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2005
that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder.
(f) Whether or not the transactions contemplated in this Agreement are consummated or
this Agreement is terminated, to pay or cause to be paid all expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations under this Agreement, including: (i) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company’s counsel and the Company’s accountants in connection with the
registration and delivery of the Shares under the Securities Act and all other fees or
expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, any
preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus and amendments and supplements to any of the
foregoing, including all printing costs associated therewith, and the mailing and delivering
of copies thereof to the Underwriter and dealers, in the quantities hereinabove specified,
(ii) all costs and expenses related to the transfer and delivery of the Shares to the
Underwriter, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon, (iii) the cost of
printing or producing any Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum in connection with the
offer and sale of the Shares under state securities laws and all expenses in connection with
the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale under state securities laws as provided
in Section 6(d) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriter in connection with such qualification and in connection with the
Blue Sky or Legal Investment memorandum, (iv) all filing fees and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel to the Underwriter incurred in connection with the review and
qualification of the offering of the Shares by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., (v) the cost of printing certificates representing the Shares, (vi) the costs
and charges of any transfer agent, registrar or depositary, (vii) the costs and expenses of
the Company relating to investor presentations on any “road show” undertaken in connection
with the marketing of the offering of the Shares, including, without limitation, expenses
associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any
consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval
of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers
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of the Company and any such consultants, and half of the cost of any aircraft chartered
in connection with the road show (the remainder to be for the account of the Underwriter)
and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of
the Company hereunder for which provision is not otherwise made in this Section. It is
understood, however, that except as provided in this Section, Section 7 entitled “Indemnity
and Contribution”, and the last paragraph of Section 9 below, the Underwriter will pay all
of its costs and expenses, including fees and disbursements of its counsel, stock transfer
taxes payable on resale of any of the Shares by it and any advertising expenses connected
with any offers it may make.
7. Indemnity and Contribution.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Underwriter and each person,
if any, who controls the Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, and each affiliate of any Underwriter
within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, from and against any and all
losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or investigating any such action
or claim) caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereof, any preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are
caused by any such untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
based upon information relating to the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by
the Underwriter expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnity
agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of the
Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities
purchased Shares, or any person controlling the Underwriter, if a copy of the Prospectus (as
then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or
supplements thereto) was not sent or given by or on behalf of the Underwriter to such
person, if required by law so to have been delivered, at or prior to the written
confirmation of the sale of the Shares to such person, and if the Prospectus (as so amended
or supplemented) would have cured the defect giving rise to such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, unless the failure to send or give such Prospectus is the result of
noncompliance by the Company with Section 6(a) hereof.
(b) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the directors of
the Company, the officers of the Company who sign the Registration Statement and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing
indemnity from the Company to the Underwriter, but only with reference to information
relating to the Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by the Underwriter expressly
for use in the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto.
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(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be
instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to
Section 7(a) or 7(b), such person (the “indemnified party”) shall promptly notify the person
against whom such indemnity may be sought (the “indemnifying party”) in writing and the
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably
satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the
indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and disbursements
of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party
shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless 1) the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or 2) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same
counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them.
It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of
any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same
jurisdiction, be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for the Underwriter and all persons, if any, who control the
Underwriter within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of
the Exchange Act or who are affiliates of the Underwriter within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act, and (ii) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the
Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning
of either such Section. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriter and such
control persons and affiliates of the Underwriter, such firm shall be designated in writing
by the Underwriter. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such
directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in
writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the
indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or
judgment. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified
party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any
indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought
hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional
release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding and does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
(d) To the extent the indemnification provided for in Section 7(a) or 7(b) is
unavailable to an indemnified party or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such
paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one hand and the
11
indemnified party or parties on the other hand from the offering of the Shares or (ii)
if the allocation provided by clause 7(d)(i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in
clause 7(d)(i) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or parties on the
one hand and of the indemnified party or parties on the other hand in connection with the
statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Company on the one hand and the Underwriter on the other hand in connection with the
offering of the Shares shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net
proceeds from the offering of the Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company
and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriter bear to the
aggregate public offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company on the one
hand and the Underwriter on the other hand shall be determined by reference to, among other
things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or
by the Underwriter and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
(e) The Company and the Underwriter agree that it would not be just or equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations
referred to in Section 7(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result
of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, the Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that the Underwriter
has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any
person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The remedies provided for
in this Section 7 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may
otherwise be available to any indemnified party at law or in equity.
(f) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section 7 and the
representations, warranties and other statements of the Company contained in this Agreement
shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any termination of
this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of the Underwriter or any person
controlling the Underwriter or any affiliate of the Underwriter or by or on behalf of the
Company, the officers or directors of the Company or any person controlling the Company and
(iii) acceptance of and payment for any of the Shares.
12
8. Termination. The Underwriter may terminate this Agreement by notice to the Company, if
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading
generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on, or by, as the case may be, any of the
New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq National Market, (ii) trading of
any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter
market, (iii) a material disruption in the securities settlement, payment or clearance services in
the United States shall have occurred, (iv) any moratorium on commercial banking activities shall
have been declared by Federal or New York State or Bermuda authorities or (v) there shall have
occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, or any change in financial markets or any
calamity or crisis that, in the Underwriter’s judgment, is material and adverse and which, singly
or together with any other event specified in this clause (v), makes it, in the Underwriter’s
judgment, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offer, sale or delivery of the Shares on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus.
9. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery
hereof by the parties hereto.
If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriter, because of any failure or refusal on
the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this
Agreement, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this
Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Underwriter for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the
fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriter in connection with
this Agreement or the offering contemplated hereunder.
10. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure solely to the
benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, and no other person
shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the
Shares from the Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign solely by reason of such
purchase.
11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the
same instrument.
12. Applicable Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Appointment of Agent for Service.
(a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of New York.
(b) The Company irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York
State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York over any suit, action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Prospectus, the Registration
Statement or the offering of the Shares. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of
venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any
such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been
13
brought in an inconvenient forum. To the extent that the Company has or hereafter may
acquire any immunity from the jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process with
respect to itself or its property, it irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, such immunity in respect of any such suit, action or proceeding.
(c) The Company hereby irrevocably appoints CT Corporation System, with offices at 000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000, as its agent for service of process in any suit, action
or proceeding described in the preceding paragraph. The Company agrees that service of
process in any such suit, action or proceeding may be made upon it at the office of its
agent. The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements
of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. The Company represents and
warrants that its agent has agreed to act as agent for service of process, and each agrees
to take any and all action, including the filing of any and all documents and instruments,
that may be necessary to continue such appointment in full force and effect.
13. Headings. The headings of the sections of this Agreement have been inserted for
convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.
14. No fiduciary duty. The Company acknowledges and agrees that in connection with this
offering, sale of the Shares or any other services the Underwriter may be deemed to be providing
hereunder, notwithstanding any preexisting relationship, advisory or otherwise, between the parties
or any oral representations or assurances previously or subsequently made by the Underwriter: (i)
no fiduciary or agency relationship between the Company and any other person, on the one hand, and
the Underwriter, on the other, exists; (ii) the Underwriter is not acting as advisor, expert or
otherwise, to the Company, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of the
Purchase Price, and such relationship between the Company on the one hand, and the Underwriter, on
the other, is entirely and solely commercial, based on arms-length negotiations; (iii) any duties
and obligations that the Underwriter may have to the Company shall be limited to those duties and
obligations specifically stated herein; and (iv) the Underwriter and its affiliates may have
interests that differ from those of the Company. The Company hereby waives any claims that the
Company may have against the Underwriter with respect to any breach of fiduciary duty in connection
with the sale of the Shares.
14
Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. | ||||||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Story Xxxxxx | |||||||
Name: | Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Story Xxxxxx | |||||||
Title: | Chief Operating Operator |
Accepted as of the date hereof Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. | ||||
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF OPINION OF DPW
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT
TO SECTION 6(C)
TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT
TO SECTION 6(C)
1. Neither the execution, delivery or performance of the Underwriting Agreement by the
Company, nor compliance by the Company with the provisions thereof, nor the consummation by the
Company of the transactions contemplated therein (A) to our knowledge, requires any consent,
approval, authorization or any other order of, or registration or filing with, any United States
Federal or New York State court, regulatory body or administrative agency (a “U.S. Regulatory
Authority”), except for such consents, approvals, authorizations and orders (i) as have been
obtained and (ii) as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction in
connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriter (as to which we
express no opinion), (B) conflicts with or constitutes a breach of, or a default under, any bond,
debenture, note or other evidence of indebtedness or any agreement, indenture, lease or other
instrument set forth on Schedule I hereto, to the extent such documents are governed by New York
law, or (C) to our knowledge, violates any existing United States Federal or New York State law or
regulation or any ruling, judgment, injunction, order or decree of any U. S. Regulatory Authority
(other than state securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase
and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriter, as to which we express no opinion) that is
applicable to the Company or the Designated Subsidiaries.
2. To our knowledge, (A) there are no United States Federal or New York State legal or
governmental proceedings pending or threatened against the Company or any of the Designated
Subsidiaries, or to which the Company or any of the Designated Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties is subject, that are required to be described in the Registration Statement
or Prospectus and are not so described and (B) there are no agreements, contracts, indentures,
leases or other instruments of a character that are required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement that are not
described or filed as required, as the case may be.
3. The statements relating to United States Federal or New York State legal matters,
proceedings or documents under the caption “Description of Share Capital” in the Prospectus and the
caption “Item 5 – Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities – Shareholders Agreement” in the Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004, together with the statements in the Prospectus amending and supplementing such
legal matters, proceedings or documents, fairly summarize in all material respects such matters,
proceedings or documents.
4. To the extent that the laws of the State of New York are applicable, the Company (A) has
validly submitted to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or Federal court sitting
in The City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the
Underwriting Agreement, the Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the offering of the Shares,
(B) has validly waived any objection to the venue of a proceeding in any such New York court
(although any such New York Court may on its own accord find that venue
A-1
in a particular case is inappropriate), and (C) has duly appointed CT Corporation System as
its authorized agent for the purposes described in the Underwriting Agreement, assuming (i) the
validity of such actions under Bermuda law and (ii) the due authorization, execution and delivery
of the Underwriting Agreement by or on behalf of the Underwriter.
5. The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares to be
issued and sold by the Company under the Underwriting Agreement and application of the net proceeds
from such sale as described in the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds” will not be,
required to register as an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended.
We have not ourselves checked the accuracy, completeness or fairness of, or otherwise
verified, the information furnished with respect to other matters in the Registration Statement or
the Prospectus, including the Incorporated Documents. We have generally reviewed and discussed
with your representatives, and with certain officers and employees of, and counsel and independent
public accountants for, the Company the information furnished, whether or not subject to our check
and verification. On the basis of such consideration, review and discussion, but without
independent check or verification except as stated above, (i) in our opinion, the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus, including the Incorporated Documents (except for the financial
statements and financial schedules and other financial and statistical data included therein, as to
which we express no opinion), appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material
respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder and (ii) nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that (a)
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein, including the Incorporated Documents
(except for the financial statements and financial schedules and other financial and statistical
data included therein, as to which we express no belief ), as of the date of the Prospectus
Supplement contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (b) the
Prospectus, including the Incorporated Documents (except as stated), as of the date of the
Prospectus Supplement or as of the date hereof contained or contains any untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
A-2
SCHEDULE I TO DPW OPINION
1. Underwriting Agreement.
2. Share Purchase Warrant, dated as of January 3, 2002, between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.
(the “Company”) and Banc of America Securities LLC, as amended by Amendment, dated as of February
11, 2002, as further amended by Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2002, as further amended by
Amendment 3, dated as of March 31, 2003.
3. Share Purchase Warrant, dated January 3, 2002, between the Company and Xxxxxxxx Group plc,
as amended by Amendment, dated as of February 11, 2002, as further amended by Amendment, dated as
of July 1, 2002, as further amended by Amendment 3, dated as of March 31, 2003.
4. Share Purchase Warrant, dated January 3, 2002, between the Company and White Mountains
Insurance Group, Ltd., as amended by Amendment, dated as of February 11, 2002, as further amended
by Amendment, dated as of July 1, 2002, as further amended by Amendment 3, dated as of March 31,
2003.
5. Shareholders Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, among the Company and each of the
persons listed on Schedule 1 thereto, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated December 24, 2001.
6. Service Agreement, dated as of December 12, 2001, between Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, the Company and
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd., as further amended by Amendment, dated as of August 27, 2004.
7. Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx and Montpelier
Marketing Services (UK) Limited.
8. Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between C. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, III and
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd.
9. Service Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, between Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Story Xxxxxx and
Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd.
10. Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Story Xxxxxx and
Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited.
11. Service Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2002, between Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxx and
Montpelier Marketing Services (UK) Limited.
12. Share Option Plan, as amended August 27, 2004.
13. Performance Unit Plan, as amended August 27, 2004.
A-3
14. Amended Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2004,
among Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd., Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., the Lenders party thereto and Bank
of America, N.A.
15. Service Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx.
16. Service Agreement, dated as of August 27, 2004, between Montpelier Marketing Services (UK)
Limited and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx.
17. Severance Plan, dated as of August 27, 2004.
18. Long-Term Incentive Plan, dated as amended August 27, 2004.
19. Service Agreement, dated as of September 8, 2004, between Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. and
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx.
20. Letter of Credit Reimbursement and Pledge Agreement, among Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. and
HSBC Bank USA, National Association, dated December 23, 2004.
21. Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. 2005 Annual Bonus Plan.
22. Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. Directors Share Plan.
23. Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx.
24. Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Story
Xxxxxx.
25. Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and C. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
III.
26. Net Share Settlement Agreement between Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. and Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx-Xxxxx.
27. Montpelier Reinsurance Ltd. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan.
A-4
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF OPINION OF CD&P TO BE DELIVERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(D)
1. | The Company and Montpelier Re are duly incorporated and validly existing under the laws of Bermuda in good standing (meaning that they have not failed to make any required filing with any Bermuda government authority or to pay any Bermuda government fee or tax which would make them liable to be struck off the register of companies and thereby cease to exist under the laws of Bermuda). | ||
2. | The Company has the necessary corporate power and authority to execute and file the Registration Statement under the Securities Act, to enter into and perform its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement and to issue the Shares pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. Neither the execution and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement by the Company, nor the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and the performance by the Company of its obligations thereunder will violate the Company Constitutional Documents nor any applicable law, regulation, order or decree in Bermuda. | ||
3. | The Company has taken all corporate action required to authorize its (i) execution, delivery and performance of the Underwriting Agreement; and (ii) execution and filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission under the Securities Act. The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized and executed by or on behalf of the Company and constitutes the valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Registration Statement has been duly executed by or on behalf of the Company. | ||
4. | No order, consent, approval, licence, authorisation or validation of or exemption by any government or public body or authority of Bermuda or any sub-division thereof is required (i) to authorize or in connection with the execution and filing of the Registration Statement, or (ii) in connection with sale of the Shares being delivered pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, or (iii) the execution, delivery, performance and enforcement of the Underwriting Agreement, except such as have been duly obtained in accordance with Bermuda law and which are in full force and effect. | ||
5. | The Company and Montpelier Re have the necessary corporate power and authority and all permits, licenses and authorisations required by Bermuda law to own or lease their properties and conduct their business as described in the Prospectus. | ||
6. | The statements contained in the Prospectus under the captions referred to in Schedule I hereto, insofar as such statements constitute a summary of the matters of Bermuda law as so referred therein, fairly represent a summary of the relevant Bermuda law or the Constitutional Documents of the Companies and fairly and accurately present the information set forth therein in all material respects. | ||
7. | (a) The authorized capital of the Company is as set forth in the Prospectus. |
B-1
(b) | All of the issued share capital of the Company at the date of the Company Register was duly authorized, validly issued, and such shares of the Company were fully paid and non-assessable. | ||
(c) | The Shares conform to the description thereof in the Prospectus. | ||
(d) | The Company has no obligation (in the nature of the existence of a pre-emptive or similar right) to offer the Shares to any shareholder of the Company prior to or upon the sale of the Shares to the Underwriter pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. |
8. | There are no Bermuda stamp duty, transfer or similar taxes payable in respect of delivery of the Shares to the Underwriter or any subsequent purchasers pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (assuming that the Underwriter or subsequent purchasers of the Shares are not resident in Bermuda for exchange control purposes). The Underwriting Agreement is not subject to ad valorem stamp duty in Bermuda, and no registration, documentary, recording, transfer or other similar tax, fee or charge by any Bermuda government authority is payable in connection with the execution, delivery, filing, registration or performance of the Agreement. | |
9. | There is no capital gains, income or other tax of Bermuda imposed by withholding or otherwise on any payment to be made to or by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. | |
10. | Neither of the Companies is entitled to any immunity under the laws of Bermuda, whether characterized as sovereign immunity or otherwise, from any legal proceedings to enforce the Underwriting Agreement in respect of itself or its property. | |
11. | It is not necessary or desirable to ensure the enforceability in Bermuda of the Underwriting Agreement that it be registered in any register kept by, or filed with, any governmental authority or regulatory body in Bermuda. | |
12. | Consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement, including but not limited to any actions taken pursuant to the indemnification and contribution provisions set forth therein, will not constitute unlawful financial assistance by the Company under Bermuda law. | |
13. | Based solely upon the Constitutional Documents and upon certified copies supplied to us by the Company of certain correspondence from the Bermuda Monetary Authority, the Company has been designated as non-resident of Bermuda for the purposes of the Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxx 0000 and as such is free to acquire, hold, transfer and sell foreign currency and securities without restriction under such legislation (including the payment of dividends or other distributions which may be lawfully made by the Company under the Act and the Constitutional Documents) and is an “exempted company” under the Act. |
B-2
14. | The Company’s agreement to the choice of law provisions set forth in Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement is a valid choice of law and would be recognized and given effect to in any action brought before a court of competent jurisdiction in Bermuda except for those laws (i) which such court considers to be procedural in nature, (ii) which are revenue or penal laws or (iii) the application of which would be inconsistent with public policy, as such term is interpreted under the laws of Bermuda. To the extent Bermuda law is applicable, the submission by the Company in the Agreement to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or United States Federal court sitting in The City of New York, the waiver of any objection related to inconvenient forum and appointment of an agent for service of process are valid and binding upon the Company. | |
15. | The courts of Bermuda would recognize as a valid judgment, a final and conclusive judgment in personam obtained in the federal courts of New York against the Company based upon the Underwriting Agreement under which a sum of money is payable (other than a sum of money payable in respect of multiple damages, taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) and would give a judgment based thereon provided that (a) such courts had proper jurisdiction over the parties subject to such judgment, (b) such courts did not contravene the rules of natural justice of Bermuda, (c) such judgment was not obtained by fraud, (d) the enforcement of the judgment would not be contrary to the public policy of Bermuda, (e) no new admissible evidence relevant to the action is submitted prior to the rendering of the judgment by the courts of Bermuda and (f) there is due compliance with the correct procedures under the laws of Bermuda. | |
16. | The Company has received an assurance from the Ministry of Finance that in the event of there being enacted in Bermuda any legislation imposing tax on profits or income or computed on any capital asset, gain or appreciation, or any tax in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax, then the imposition of any such tax shall not be applicable to the Company or any of its operations or its shares, debentures or other obligations until March 28, 2016. |
B-3
SCHEDULE I
In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
(a) | “Risk Factors —Risks Related to Our Common Shares: | ||
–There are provisions in our charter documents which restrict the voting rights of our common shares, | |||
–U.S. persons who own our common shares may have more difficulty in protecting their interests than U.S. persons who are shareholders of a U.S. corporation, | |||
–Anti-takeover provisions in our bye-laws could impede an attempt to replace or remove our directors, which could diminish the value of our common shares, | |||
–You may have difficulty effecting service of process on us or enforcing judgments against us in the United States. | |||
–We may require our shareholders to sell us their common shares”; | |||
(b) | “Risks Related to Taxation: | ||
–We may become subject to taxes in Bermuda after 2016, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition”; | |||
(c) | “Risks Related to Regulation: | ||
–If we become subject to insurance statutes and regulations in jurisdictions other than Bermuda or there is a change to Bermuda law or regulations or application of Bermuda law or regulations, there could be a significant and negative impact on our business”; | |||
(d) | “Dividend Policy”; and | ||
(e) | “Bermuda Insurance Regulation” |
In the Company’s Prospectus, dated 23 February 2004
(a) | “Material Tax Considerations: | ||
–Taxation of the Company and Montepelier Re — Bermuda | |||
–Taxation of Shareholders — Bermuda Taxation | |||
–Taxation of Holders of Debt Securities — Bermuda Taxation”; | |||
(b) | “Description of Share Capital”; and | ||
(c) | “Enforceability of Civil Liabilities Under United States Federal Securities Laws and Other Matters” | ||
(d) | “Selling Shareholders” Footnote (1) to Shareholders table. |
B-4
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF LOCK-UP LETTER
__________________, 2005
Xxxxxx Brothers Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Dear Sirs and Mesdames:
The undersigned understands that Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. (the “Underwriter”) has entered into an
Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd., a Bermuda
corporation (the “Company”), providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the
Underwriter of shares (the “Offered Shares”) of the Company’s common shares, par value 1/6 cent per
share (the “Common Shares”).
The undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter, it
will not, during the period commencing on September ___, 2005 and ending 60 days after the date of
the Underwriting Agreement, (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, grant any option, right or
warrant to purchase, lend, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common
Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares, or (2)
enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the
economic consequences of ownership of the Common Shares, whether any such transaction described in
clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Shares or such other securities, in
cash or otherwise. The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (a) transactions relating to Common
Shares or other securities acquired in open market transactions after the completion of the Public
Offering, (b) transfers of Common Shares or securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for Common Shares to a family member of the undersigned or trust created for the
benefit of the undersigned or a family member of the undersigned, or (c) transfers pursuant to a
written plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”), which plan is in effect prior to the date hereof and about which the
Underwriter has been notified, provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant
to clause (b), (i) each transferee agrees to be bound by the terms of this agreement and (ii) no
filing by any party (transferee or transferor) under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act shall be
required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer
C-1
or distribution (other than a filing on Form 5 made after the expiration of the 60-day period
referred to above).
In addition, the undersigned agrees that, without the prior written consent of the
Underwriter, it will not, during the period commencing on September ___, 2005 and ending 60 days
after the date of the Underwriting Agreement, make any demand for or exercise any right with
respect to, the registration of any Common Shares or any security convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for Common Shares. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop
transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the
undersigned’s Common Shares except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.
The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriter are relying upon this Lock-Up
Agreement in proceeding towards consummation of the Public Offering. The undersigned further
understands that this Lock-Up Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s
heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
Very truly yours, |
(Name) |
(Address) |
C-2