THIS GOVERNING AGREEMENT is made on 1 July 2015 BETWEEN RELX PLC a company incorporated in England with registered number 00077536 and having its registered office at 1-3 Strand, London, WC2N 5JR (PLC); and RELX N.V. a company incorporated in The...

Exhibit 1.3

THIS GOVERNING AGREEMENT is made on 1 July 2015

BETWEEN

RELX PLC a company incorporated in England with registered number 00077536 and having its registered office at 0-0 Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX0X 0XX (PLC); and

RELX N.V. a company incorporated in The Netherlands, having its seat in Amsterdam, with Chamber of Commerce file number 33155037, and having its registered office at Xxxxxxxx 00, 0000 XX Xxxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx (NV).

WHEREAS

(A) PLC and NV announced on 17 September 1992 that they had agreed in principle to merge their businesses.

(B) The parties entered into an Implementation Agreement on 30 October 1992 which was amended subsequently (the Implementation Agreement) pursuant to which the parties entered into a Governing Agreement dated 1 January 1993 which was amended subsequently (the Original Governing Agreement).

(C) The parties agreed to make certain amendments to the Original Governing Agreement, to provide for a more unified management structure for PLC, NV and RELX which were approved at the 1999 annual general meetings of PLC and NV. In 2012, the parties agreed to make certain further amendments to reflect some agreed changes to the process of appointment to, and composition of, the Board of PLC and the Board of NV and the updated shareholdings of PLC, NV and their subsidiaries. In 2013, the parties agreed to make certain further amendments to reflect the implementation of the one-tier board governance structure at NV. In 2015, the parties agreed to make further amendments to reflect a simplification to the corporate structure of PLC, NV and the RELX group of companies, the change to a 1:1 Equalisation Ratio and the cancellation of the “R” exchange shares in the capital of NV. Those amendments, together with all the surviving provisions of the Original Governing Agreement are set out in this Governing Agreement. (the Governing Agreement or Agreement).

(D) (1) PLC holds 31,613 “Ordinary” shares and 21,287 “R” shares in the capital of RELX; (2) NV holds 31,613 “Ordinary” shares, 15,487 “E” shares in the capital of RELX and 14 E shares in the capital of Xxxx Elsevier Overseas BV; and (3) Xxxx Elsevier Holdings BV, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RELX, holds the remaining issued capital of Xxxx Elsevier Overseas BV.

(E) This Agreement sets out the terms of the continuing relationship of PLC and NV including their relationship as shareholders in RELX, and the basis on which the parties will work together in good faith to give effect to the intention of the directors of PLC and NV to make distributions in accordance with schedule 1 to this Agreement.

1. INTERPRETATION

1.1 In this Agreement and the recitals hereto, unless the context otherwise requires or provides:

Board of NV means the NV board comprising the executive and non-executive directors (‘Raad van Bestuur’);

Board of PLC means the board of directors of PLC (or a duly appointed committee of that board);

Board of RELX means the board of directors of RELX;

Code means the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers, as in force at the date of this Agreement;

holding company, subsidiary and wholly-owned subsidiary shall be construed in accordance with section 1159 of the Companies Xxx 0000 as in force at the date of this Agreement;

Nominations Committee means the joint nominations committee formed by PLC and NV;

person includes individuals, bodies corporate (wherever incorporated), unincorporated associations, partnerships and other unincorporated bodies (in each case, wherever resident and for whatever purpose);

RELX means RELX Group plc, a company incorporated in England with registered number 02746616;

RELX Group means RELX and its subsidiaries from time to time;

Xxxx Elsevier Holdings BV means the company incorporated in The Netherlands with file number 33201111 at the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce;

Xxxx Elsevier Overseas BV means the company incorporated in The Netherlands with file number 33241720 at the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce; and

Security Interest means any mortgage, charge, pledge or lien, or any security interest whatsoever, howsoever created or arising.

1.2 The schedules to this Agreement form part of this Agreement and shall have effect as if set out in full in it. References to this Agreement shall include reference to the schedules.

1.3 A reference to a director of a company is:

(a)	in the case of a company incorporated in England, a reference to a person who has been appointed as a member of the board of that company; and

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(b)	in the case of a company incorporated in The Netherlands, a person who has been appointed as a member of that company’s executive or management board or supervisory board.

1.4 Except where the context otherwise requires, references to clauses or schedules are to clauses of or schedules to this Agreement; references to sub-clauses are to sub-clauses of the clause in which the reference appears; and references in a schedule to paragraphs are references to the paragraph of the schedule in which the reference appears.

1.5 The headings are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.

2. PURPOSE

2.1 The parties have merged their businesses with a view to achieving the objectives described in the circular dated 30 October 1992 to the holders of shares and bearer depository receipts in NV and to the holders of shares in PLC. The Governing Agreement governs aspects of the relations between them following the merger.

2.2 The provisions of this Agreement shall supersede the provisions of the Original Governing Agreement and all amendments thereto but this shall be without prejudice to the accrued (whether or not asserted) rights of either of the parties under the Original Governing Agreement as previously amended from time to time.

2.3 PLC and NV acting in good faith shall each do or procure to be done all such acts and things as may be necessary or desirable, to ensure so far as practicable the complete and punctual fulfilment, observance and performance of the provisions of this Agreement, and shall each exercise all voting rights and powers, direct or indirect, available to it in relation to any of its subsidiaries or to any member of the RELX Group, to ensure so far as practicable that members of the RELX Group perform all obligations owed to PLC or NV and generally that full effect is given to this Agreement.

3. MANAGEMENT

Board Composition

3.1 PLC and NV agree that:

(a)	subject to (c) and (d) below and clause 3.2, the Boards of each of PLC, NV and RELX will comprise the same people;

(b)

subject to (d) below, PLC, NV and RELX will have the same Chairman and Chief Executive and, for the purposes of this Agreement, if a person’s appointment to the Board of NV is pending that person shall, from the moment he has been appointed the Chairman or the Chief Executive of PLC and RELX, be treated as if he were the Chairman or Chief Executive (as appropriate) of NV;

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(c)	without prejudice to the operation of clause 3.2, up to two additional non-executive directors on the Board of NV may be appointed who are not directors of PLC or RELX;

(d)	a person may be appointed and serve as a director of PLC and of RELX pending his or her appointment to the Board of NV and such person shall be counted as a director for the purposes of clause 3.1(e) below; and

(e)	other than in circumstances where the parties agree in writing that for the time being it is not practicable or possible and subject to clause 3.2:

(i)

there shall be such number of executive directors on the Board of PLC, the Board of NV and the Board of RELX as determined by each of the Board of PLC, the Board of NV and the Board of RELX, provided that the Chief Executive and the Chief Financial Officer must be a member of each of them; and

(ii)

there shall be such number of non-executive directors on the Board of PLC, the Board of NV and the Board of RELX as determined by each of the Board of PLC, the Board of NV and the Board of RELX, provided that the number of non-executive directors plus the Chairman must always exceed the number of executive directors.

3.2 PLC and NV agree that if a person is elected as a director of PLC or NV by a resolution passed by its shareholders in general meeting which was proposed by one or more of that company’s shareholders and was not proposed or recommended for approval by that company’s directors, then sub-clauses 3.1(a), (c), and (e):

(a)	will not apply in respect of that person; and

(b)	will continue to apply, other than in respect of that person.

Nominations Committee

3.3 PLC and NV shall, by separate board resolutions, create a joint committee (the Nominations Committee) and delegate to that committee sole responsibility for nominating persons for appointment as directors of each of PLC, NV and RELX. The Nominations Committee shall be comprised of the following persons:

(a)	the Chairman of PLC and NV from time to time;

(b)	at least one representative appointed by the Board of PLC, each being a non-executive director of PLC as well as a non-executive director of NV; and

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(c)	at least one representative appointed by the Board of NV, each being a non-executive director of NV (as well as a non-executive director of PLC).

3.4 Each of PLC and NV shall appoint and remove its representative(s) on the Nominations Committee by giving to the other and the Chairman of the Nominations Committee at the time, notice in writing. If PLC or NV gives notice that a person is to be appointed or removed as its representative on the Nominations Committee, then the other must take any action which is necessary to ensure that the representative is so appointed or removed.

3.5 From time to time and as required, the Nominations Committee shall nominate persons for appointment:

(a)	to the Board of PLC, the Board of NV and the Board of RELX; or

(b)	in respect of the two additional non-executive directors referred to in clause 3.1(c), solely to the Board of NV.

None of the Board of PLC, the Board of NV or the Board of RELX may appoint or propose or recommend the appointment of a person as a director who has not first been nominated for that appointment by the Nominations Committee.

Board appointments - PLC and RELX

3.6 A person may only be appointed by the Board of PLC as a director of PLC and by the shareholders or Board of RELX as a director of RELX, provided that:

(a)	the person has been nominated for that appointment by the Nominations Committee;

(b)	in the case of an appointment to the Board of PLC, the Board of RELX has also resolved to appoint the person as a director of RELX;

(c)	in the case of an appointment to the Board of RELX, the Board of PLC has also resolved to appoint the person as a director of PLC;

(d)	the Board of NV has resolved to recommend the appointment of that person at the next Annual General Meeting of NV; and

(e)	the person has executed the Deed of Undertaking contained in Schedule 2.

That person may be recommended for re-election at the next appropriate general meeting of PLC or RELX provided that the person:

(i)	is, at the time, a director of PLC and of RELX and of NV (or the Board of NV has resolved to recommend the person for appointment to the Board of NV); and

(ii)	is willing to stand for re-election,

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without prejudice, however, to the obligations of the Board of PLC and the Board of RELX to express to their shareholders an opinion as to whether a person is suitable for appointment as a director.

3.7 If the Board of PLC resolves not to appoint a person nominated by the Nominations Committee as a director, then the Nominations Committee may be directed by the Board of PLC to nominate an alternative person for appointment as a director of PLC, NV and RELX.

Board appointments - NV

3.8 A person may:

(a)	only be recommended for election to the Board of NV at the earlier of the next Annual General Meeting or the next Extraordinary General Meeting of NV; and

(b)	until that general meeting, be entitled to attend meetings of the Board of NV as an observer,

provided that:

(i)	the person has been nominated for that appointment by the Nominations Committee;

(ii)	(other than where the person has only been nominated for appointment to the Board of NV) the Board of PLC and the Board of RELX have both resolved to appoint the person as a director; and

(iii)

the person has executed the Deed of Undertaking contained in Schedule 2

without prejudice to the obligations of the Board of NV to express to NV shareholders an opinion as to whether a person is suitable for appointment as a director.

3.9 If the Board of NV resolves not to recommend a person nominated by the Nominations Committee for election by NV shareholders as a director, then the Nominations Committee may be directed by the Board of NV to nominate an alternative person for appointment as a director of PLC, NV and RELX.

Appointment of Chairman and Chief Executive

3.10 If the Nominations Committee nominates a person for appointment as Chairman or Chief Executive:

(a)	subject to the person being or becoming a member of the Board of PLC and the Board of RELX, the Board of PLC and the Board of RELX shall promptly appoint that person to that position in PLC and RELX respectively; and

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(b)	subject to paragraph (a) being satisfied and the person being or becoming a member of the Board of NV, the person shall promptly be appointed to that position in NV.

Retirement of directors

3.11 PLC and NV shall ensure that each director of PLC, NV and RELX (other than in respect of paragraphs (b) and (c), a person who is only a non-executive director of the Board of NV):

(a)	retires from the Boards of PLC and NV at least every three years;

(b)	if retiring, retires from the Board of PLC and the Board of NV at the Annual General Meeting in the same year; and

(c)	if being proposed for re-election, is proposed for re-election to the Board of PLC and the Board of NV at the relevant Annual General Meeting in the same year; and

(subject to PLC’s and NV’s obligations under paragraph (c) being without prejudice to the obligations of the Board of PLC and the Board of NV to express to their respective shareholders an opinion as to whether a person is suitable for appointment as a director).

Removal of director

3.12 The Board of PLC and the Board of NV shall each, so far as it is able, ensure that a director retires or resigns or is removed forthwith from its Board and from the Board of RELX if:

(a)	the appointment or re-election of that person is not also approved by the requisite majority of shareholders of PLC or NV in general meeting;

(b)	that director ceases to be a director of PLC, NV or RELX whether pursuant to a board resolution, a resolution of shareholders or any other provision of the relevant articles of association;

(c)	that director resigns as a director of one or more of PLC, NV and RELX; or

(d)	that director otherwise ceases, for whatever reason, to be a director of PLC, NV or RELX.

Remuneration committee

3.13 The Board of RELX shall establish a remuneration committee (the Remuneration Committee) with responsibility for (a) considering the remuneration arrangements for the company’s executive directors and Chairman and (b) such other matters as may be delegated to it.

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Remuneration of non-executive directors by PLC and NV

3.14 Proposals and recommendations relating to the fees or remuneration to be paid to a person in that person’s capacity as a non-executive director of PLC or of NV shall be made by the Chairman and Chief Executive of PLC and NV from time to time but shall not be effected without the prior approval of each of the Board of PLC and the Board of NV.

Audit committee

3.15 The Board of RELX shall establish an audit committee with responsibility for (a) reviewing and advising the directors of RELX on matters relating to the audit of RELX and its subsidiaries, the effectiveness of internal controls over financial and management information, and the half-year and annual financial statements and (b) such other matters as may be delegated to it.

4. GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS

Shareholder approval

4.1 If:

(a)	whether by reason of law, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange or any other applicable regulatory requirement, it is proposed to convene a general meeting of shareholders to consider and, if thought fit, to pass a resolution (the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution); or

(b)

the Board of PLC or the Board of NV proposes to pass a resolution in relation to a matter concerning its company which would, whether by reason of law, the rules or regulations of any stock exchange or any other applicable regulatory requirement, be required to be approved or effected by a resolution approved at a general meeting of shareholders of the other party if the matter concerned that other party (the Principal Board Resolution),

the Board of PLC or the Board of NV as the case may be (the Proposing Board), shall give notice, in the case of the Board of PLC, to the Board of NV, and, in the case of the Board of NV, to the Board of PLC (each recipient of such notice being the Second Board) that it proposes to convene a meeting to consider and, if thought fit, to pass the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or, as the case may be, that it proposes to pass the Principal Board Resolution. If the Second Board gives notice (the Second Board’s Notice) to the Proposing Board within seven days that it considers the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or the Principal Board Resolution to be of such importance to its shareholders that it is appropriate to convene a general meeting to consider and, if thought fit, to pass a resolution of similar effect to the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or the Principal Board Resolution (a Confirmatory Resolution), the Proposing Board shall take such action as it considers necessary to ensure that the action to which the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or the Principal

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Board Resolution relates does not take effect until the Confirmatory Resolution has been duly passed (if necessary by expressing the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or the Principal Board Resolution to be conditional on a Confirmatory Resolution being duly passed). The Second Board shall ensure that a Confirmatory Resolution is proposed in terms such that it will be passed if passed by a simple majority, shall convene a general meeting as soon as practicable to consider the Confirmatory Resolution and shall take such other action as it can reasonably take to ensure that such resolution is considered and voted upon by those currently entitled to be present and to vote at a general meeting as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event, unless some other period is agreed by the Proposing Board, within 30 days of the date on which the Second Board’s Notice was given.

Without prejudice to any other provisions of this Agreement, the requirements of this sub-clause shall not apply:

(a)	to the extent that it would involve directors taking action which is prohibited by law or applicable regulatory requirements or their being in breach of a duty owed by them to the company in question;

(b)	if notice in the form set out above is not given by the Second Board within the period of 7 days; and

(c)

in relation to a Principal Shareholders’ Resolution concerning the approval of accounts, the appointment or re-appointment of directors, the appointment or re-appointment of auditors, an increase in authorised capital, the grant to directors of PLC of authority to allot or issue shares, the extension of the competence of the Board of NV to issue shares, the disapplication of pre-emption rights, the grant of authority to purchase own shares, the approval of employee share option schemes and the approval of arrangements for the issue of shares in lieu of a cash dividend.

When determining whether it is appropriate to convene a general meeting to consider and, if thought fit, to pass a Confirmatory Resolution, the Second Board shall have regard inter alia (but without limitation) to the implications of any delay which might arise as a result of holding such a general meeting and to any particular circumstances which would suggest that, in the context of that company and/or the subject matter of the Principal Shareholders’ Resolution or the Principal Board Resolution, it would not be appropriate for the Second Board to seek the approval of its shareholders.

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Controls on the RELX Group

4.2 PLC and NV shall each, so far as it is able, ensure that no member of the RELX Group authorises, approves, executes or does any document, deed, act or thing:

(a)	without the prior approval of the Board of PLC and of the Board of NV if:

(i)

by reason of law, regulation or the rules or regulations of any stock exchange or regulatory authority a resolution would first be required to be passed by the shareholders of PLC or NV (including for this purpose circumstances where PLC would be obliged by the listing rules of the UK Listing Authority as published by the UK Financial Conduct Authority to obtain its shareholders’ approval); or

(ii)

by reason of law, regulation or the rules of any regulatory authority (other than a stock exchange), PLC or NV would first be required to make any filing with or notification to, or to obtain any consent or authorisation from any regulatory or governmental authority (other than a stock exchange); or

(b)

without the prior approval of the Board of PLC and of the Board of NV if the event in question would cause PLC or NV or their directors to be in breach of any contract to which PLC or NV is a party, or to be in breach of any restriction contained in the articles of association of PLC or NV, provided that the contract is one to which PLC or, as the case may be, NV is permitted by this Agreement to be party or the restriction in the articles of association was contained in the articles of association at the date of this Agreement or was adopted after that date in accordance with this Agreement.

Share capital

4.3 PLC and NV shall not, without the prior approval of the other:

(a)	grant any right to subscribe, exchange for or convert into any share in its capital;

(b)	except on exercise of rights which were outstanding at the date the Original Governing Agreement became effective, allot or issue any share in its capital;

(c)	consolidate, sub-divide, convert or alter the rights attaching to any class of shares;

(d)	purchase its own shares, redeem any shares or reduce its share capital in any way whatsoever, except, in the case of PLC, if the Board of PLC is required to give notice to redeem shares which were issued on terms that they were redeemable; or

(e)	amend its articles of association or adopt new articles of association.

Limitation of activities of PLC and NV

4.4 PLC and NV shall not, and shall each, so far as it is able, ensure that its subsidiaries do not, without the prior approval of the other:

(a)	borrow any money, or incur any liability in the nature of borrowings;

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(b)	guarantee the obligations of any person, grant an indemnity to any person against loss, damage or expense of whatsoever nature, or mortgage or charge its undertaking, property or uncalled capital;

(c)

carry on or be interested in any business other than (i) the ownership of assets held at the date of the Original Governing Agreement as envisaged by the Implementation Agreement or acquired after that date with the prior approval of the other, (ii) subject to the other provisions of this sub-clause, the exercise of rights relating to such assets, and (iii) giving effect to such arrangements with members of the RELX Group as may be agreed from time to time;

(d)	lend any moneys to, or deposit any moneys with, any person other than with the approval of the Board of RELX to or with a member of the RELX Group;

(e)

dispose of, or grant any Security Interest over, any share in the capital of any body corporate including, without limitation, any share in the capital of a subsidiary of it, a member of the RELX Group, or any interest in a share in a body corporate and in particular shall not surrender to any other person the power to exercise the voting rights attaching to any share in a body corporate;

(f)	sell, transfer or assign, other than with the approval of the Board of RELX to a member of the RELX Group, the benefit of any obligation owed by a subsidiary of it, by a member of the RELX Group, or any interest in such an obligation;

(g)	dispose of any asset not falling within (e) or (f), or any interest in such an asset, except with the approval of the Board of RELX on terms which are at arm’s length, or (with such approval) to a member of the RELX Group;

(h)	acquire any asset of any nature whatsoever from any person who is not a member of the RELX Group, other than in the course of a business falling within (c);

(i)	incur any liability of any nature other than:

(i)

liabilities which are incidental to or which arise out of the businesses mentioned in paragraph (c) above (save that paragraph (c)(ii) shall not authorise the voluntary assumption of any liability of a pecuniary nature);

(ii)

liabilities which arise by virtue of or are connected with the existence or nature of the relevant company or the need properly to conduct its affairs or maintain corporate records or which are otherwise of a corporate housekeeping nature (including reasonable remuneration or fees for directors and other officers and reasonable registrars, auditors’ and advisors’ fees);

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(iii)

liabilities which are connected with or arise out of the listing or quotation of the relevant company’s shares or other securities on any stock exchange;

(iv)

taxation or similar liabilities arising out of any action which the relevant company is or was permitted to take pursuant to this Agreement or the Original Governing Agreement;

(v)

liabilities which arise out of or are connected with borrowings or other commitments of the relevant company which existed at the date of the Original Governing Agreement (save that this shall not authorise the voluntary assumption of any liability of a pecuniary nature).

Business of PLC and NV

4.5 PLC and NV shall continue to manage their affairs with a view to the nature of their respective businesses being limited to dealings with members of the RELX Group, the holding of shares in members of the RELX Group directly or indirectly, and such other matters as may be agreed from time to time by the parties.

Application of cash

4.6 PLC and NV shall each lend or otherwise make available surplus cash to the RELX Group on such terms as they may respectively agree from time to time with RELX and, if appropriate, the board of any member of the RELX Group which may be party to such arrangements.

PLC and NV liquidity

4.7 PLC and NV agree that they may each require loan facilities from time to time to meet Permitted Liabilities (as defined in article 105.1 of the articles of association of RELX). Upon the request of either of them, they shall both use all reasonable endeavours to ensure that a member of the RELX Group provides or procures the provision of an appropriate loan facility to the party making the request for the purpose of meeting Permitted Liabilities.

5. GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITIES

5. PLC and NV agree, without prejudice to sub-clause 4.4(b), that any guarantees or indemnities which are given by them shall normally be given on a joint and several basis. PLC and NV shall not be required to give any guarantee or indemnity at the request of the other or at the request of any member of the RELX Group.

6. EQUALISATION

6.1 The parties shall give effect to the provisions of schedule 1.

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7. STANDSTILL

7.1 PLC and NV shall each not, and shall, so far as it is able, ensure that persons acting in concert with it in relation to the other do not, without the prior approval of the other:

(a)	acquire or dispose of any interest in the share capital of the other;

(b)	announce or make any offer (including a partial or tender offer) for shares in the capital of the other or take any step which might give rise to an obligation (under the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers or otherwise) to announce or make such an offer;

(c)	exercise any right to require a general meeting of the other to be convened or otherwise to require the other to arrange for a resolution to be considered by all or some of the members of the other; or

(d)	solicit or encourage any other person, or enter into any agreement or arrangement with any other person for that other person, to do any of the foregoing or any other act or thing which could result in that or any other person acquiring control of either PLC or NV.

7.2 For the purposes of this clause and clause 8, interest in shares shall have the meaning conferred by sections 820, 822, 823 and/or 824 of the Companies Xxx 0000 and persons acting in concert shall have the meaning conferred by the Code. For the purposes of this clause, control shall have the meaning conferred by the Code.

8. CHANGE OF CONTROL

8.1 If a person (together with persons acting in concert with him) (the Acquirer) acquires shares, or control of the voting rights attaching to shares, carrying more than 50 per cent. of the votes ordinarily exercisable at general meetings of PLC or NV (control) and has not made a Comparable Takeover Offer (as defined below), the party in which control has not been obtained (the Party giving Notice) may, at any time while such circumstances persist (and from time to time), give notice suspending or modifying the operation of certain provisions of this Agreement, withdraw such a notice, and give further notices varying the effect of any previous notice (all such notices having effect from time to time constituting a Notice of Suspension).

A Notice of Suspension shall state which of the following provisions of this Agreement are to be of no effect while the Notice of Suspension is operative:

(a)	sub-clause 3.1;

(b)	sub-clause 3.2;

(c)	sub-clause 3.3;

(d)	sub-clause 3.4;

(e)	sub-clause 3.5;

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(f)	sub-clause 3.6;

(g)	sub-clause 3.7;

(h)	sub-clause 3.8;

(i)	sub-clause 3.9;

(j)	sub-clause 3.10;

(k)	sub-clause 3.11;

(l)	sub-clause 3.12;

(m)	sub-clause 4.1, insofar as it imposes obligations on the Party giving Notice;

(n)	sub-clause 7.1, insofar as it imposes obligations on the Party giving Notice.

A Notice of Suspension shall also state whether, for the purposes only of the obligations imposed by them on the Party giving Notice:

(1)	sub-clause 4.2 is to be modified so as to require the prior approval of the Board of RELX (A) instead of PLC or the Board of PLC if the Party giving notice is NV or (B) instead of the Board of NV, if the Party giving notice is PLC;

(2)	sub-clause 4.3 and/or 4.4 are to be modified by the substitution of the phrase “without the prior approval of the other” with the phrase “without the prior approval of the Board of RELX”; and/or

(3)	sub-clause 4.5 is to be modified by the substitution of the phrase “as may be agreed from time to time by the parties” with the phrase “as the Board of RELX may approve”.

8.2 A Notice of Suspension shall cease to have effect if the parties agree or if:

(a)	the other party provides evidence to the Party giving Notice which satisfies the Party giving Notice acting in good faith that there is no person who, with persons acting in concert with him, controls that other party; or

(b)	within 90 days of the acquisition of control a Comparable Takeover Offer has been made.

Unless otherwise agreed by the parties, upon a Notice of Suspension ceasing to have effect all provisions of this Agreement shall again be in full force and effect without modification, but the Party giving Notice shall not be required to take any action to restore the position to that which would have prevailed had provisions of this Agreement not been affected by a Notice of Suspension.

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8.3 Comparable Takeover Offer means offers to acquire:

(a)	all the shares other than those which, as respects dividends and capital, carry a right to participate only up to a specified amount in a distribution (*equity securities*); and

(b)	all the securities which are convertible into equity securities;

in the capital of the Party giving Notice, other than shares held by it, which:

(1)	are unconditional save for an acceptance condition of the kind permitted by Rule 9.3 and a condition reflecting terms of the kind permitted by Rule 9.4;

(2)	are cash offers (in sterling, if the Party giving Notice is PLC, or in euros, if the Party giving Notice is NV) at a price not lower than the Required Price;

(3)	are communicated to the offerees in the manner required by the Code or, if that is impracticable, in such other manner as the Party giving Notice may reasonably specify;

(4)	are open for acceptance for not less than the period required by Rule 31;

(5)	comply with the General Principles and Rules;

(6)	has become unconditional in all respects or, if it has lapsed without becoming unconditional in all respects, has lapsed solely as a result of failure to obtain sufficient acceptances of the offer to satisfy any condition as to acceptances which is permitted by this clause,

in each case on the basis that the Code applies to the offers; provided that, if any such offer would, at the time it would be required to be made, be illegal or contravene any applicable regulatory requirement (including any successor to the Code) in either the United Kingdom or The Netherlands then the expression Comparable Takeover Offer shall mean offers which satisfy the above requirements as nearly as is possible having regard to applicable law and regulatory requirements in such jurisdictions.

8.4 For the purpose of this clause:

General Principles means the General Principles of the Code;

Required Price means whichever shall be the higher of:

(a)	the highest price paid for securities of the relevant class by the person who shall have obtained control or any person acting in concert with that person during whichever shall be the longer of the following periods:

(i)

the 12 months preceding the acquisition of control and the period since such acquisition; and

(ii)

the period since that person (together with persons acting in concert with that person) shall have become interested in

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shares carrying more than 30 per cent. of the votes ordinarily exercisable at general meetings of PLC or, as the case may be, NV; and

(b)	the price which would be required by Rule 15 having regard to the price required to be offered for the relevant ordinary shares;

and, for this purpose:

(1)

if the Party giving Notice is PLC, ordinary shares in NV acquired by any relevant person shall be deemed to be ordinary shares in PLC and to have been acquired at a price calculated by dividing the price at which they were in fact acquired by the Equalisation Factor and, if necessary, converting that price into sterling at the closing mid-point euro-sterling exchange rate for the date of the acquisition as shown in the London edition of the Financial Times (or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree);

(2)

if the Party giving Notice is NV, ordinary shares in PLC acquired by any relevant person shall be deemed to be ordinary shares in NV and to have been acquired at a price calculated by multiplying the price at which they were in fact acquired by the Equalisation Factor and, if necessary, converting that price into euros at the exchange rate referred to in (1) above,

where Equalisation Factor means the larger number in the Equalisation Ratio (as defined in schedule 1) at the time the shares in question were acquired divided by the smaller number in the Equalisation Ratio at that time; and

references to Rules are to Rules of the Code.

9. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

10. PLC and NV shall each, to the extent it has the right to do so, permit members of the RELX Group to use, in the course of their respective businesses, the names “Xxxx”, “Elsevier”, their respective logos, any associated names which PLC, NV or the subsidiaries of either of them are entitled to use in the course of their respective businesses and the PLC trademarks detailed in schedule 3 of the Implementation Agreement (the Names). Any such permission shall be on such terms as may reasonably be required to protect the intellectual property rights subsisting in the Names.

10. ACCOUNTING MATTERS, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS

Accounting reference date

10.1 The financial year of PLC and NV shall end on 31 December until they agree otherwise.

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Audit committees

10.2 The audit committees of the Board of PLC and the Board of NV will continue.

Accounting policies and practices

10.3 PLC and NV shall so far as practicable adopt the same accounting policies and apply the same accounting practices. These will be developed by the Chief Financial Officer of RELX and his team and will be approved by the RELX audit committee with input as appropriate from the PLC audit committee and the NV audit committee.

Corporate Governance and disclosure standards

10.4 Each of PLC, NV and RELX will comply with the highest standards of corporate governance and disclosure policies applying in the UK and Netherlands with the effect that a mandatory obligation applying to one of PLC or NV will be observed by the other and RELX (except to the extent that the observance of that obligation would place a party in breach of a mandatory obligation applying directly to it).

11. INFORMATION

The Operating Group

11.1 PLC and NV shall each be entitled to have and shall each ensure that the other has reasonable access to the separate books, records and accounts kept from time to time by members of the RELX Group and to be supplied by those companies with such information as they each may reasonably require from time to time to keep themselves properly informed about the business and affairs of those companies and generally to protect their respective interests.

PLC and NV

11.2 PLC and NV shall provide the other with such information as is reasonably required by the other in connection with the exercise of rights or the performance of obligations under this Agreement or otherwise in relation to matters arising out of it.

Confidentiality

11.3 A party receiving information under this clause which is confidential to the company from which it is acquired shall not divulge that information to any other person without the prior approval of that company, which shall not be withheld unreasonably.

12. STOCK EXCHANGE OBLIGATIONS

13. The parties shall co-operate, and shall each, so far as it is able, ensure that members of the RELX Group co-operate, to ensure that PLC and NV are in a position

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to comply with obligations imposed on them by stock exchanges on which their shares are from time to time listed, quoted or traded. In particular, PLC and NV shall use all reasonable endeavours to ensure, as far as practicable, that they co-ordinate the content and timing of release of announcements required by each such stock exchange. Whenever practicable, the parties shall endeavour to secure the approval of any such announcement by the RELX Board, to the extent it relates to the business or results of the RELX Group.

13. RELATIONSHIP TO ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION

14. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the memorandum or articles of association or other constitutional document of any member of the RELX Group, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail as between the parties. The parties shall exercise all voting and other rights and powers available to them so as to give effect to the provisions of this Agreement and shall further (if necessary) ensure any required amendment to the memorandum or articles of association or other constitutional document of any member of the RELX Group as may be necessary to give effect to the intent and purpose of this Agreement.

14. NOTICES

Form of Notice

14.1 Any notice to be given by one party to the other party in connection with this Agreement shall be:

(a)	in writing in English;

(b)	signed by or on behalf of the party giving it; and

(c)	delivered by hand, by registered post, by courier using an internationally recognised courier company or by email.

Time of Service

14.2 A notice shall be effective on receipt and shall be deemed to have been received (i) at the time of delivery, if delivered by hand, registered post or courier or (ii) at the time of transmission, if delivered by email.

In this clause:

(a)	*business day* means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday or public holiday, on which banks are generally open for business in London and Amsterdam; and

(b)	*working hours* means 9.30am to 5.30pm in the relevant location on a Business Day.

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Addresses

14.3 The current addresses of the parties for the purposes of clause 14.1 are as follows:


NV

Address:		Xxxxxxxx 00, 0000 XX Xxxxxxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxx

Email:		x.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx With a copy to: XX.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx

For the attention of:		Company Secretary

PLC

Address:		0-0 Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX0X 0XX

Email:		xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx With a copy to: XXX.xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx And a copy to: xxxx.xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx

For the attention of:		Company Secretary

Each party shall notify the other party in writing of a change to its details in this clause 14.3 from time to time.

15. MISCELLANEOUS

Regulatory

15.1 The parties shall respectively co-operate with each other from time to time to ensure that all information necessary or desirable for the making of (or responding to any requests for further information consequent upon) any notifications or filings made in respect of this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereunder, is supplied to the party dealing with such notification and filings and that they are properly, accurately and promptly made.

No assignment

15.2 Neither of the parties may assign any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement in whole or in part without the approval of the other.

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No waiver

15.3 No waiver by a party of a failure or failures by any of the other parties to perform any provision of this Agreement shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any other or further failure whether of a like or different character.

Amendment

15.4 Except where specifically provided, this Agreement may be amended only by an instrument in writing signed by duly authorised representatives of each of the parties.

No partnership or agency

15.5 Nothing in this Agreement (or in any of the arrangements contemplated hereby) shall be deemed to constitute a partnership between the parties or any of them, nor constitute any party the agent of any other party for any purpose.

Severance

15.6 If any of the provisions of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties shall thereupon negotiate in good faith in order to agree the terms of a mutually satisfactory provision, achieving as nearly as possible the same commercial effect, to be substituted for the provision found to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable.

16. TERMINATION

17. This Agreement may not be terminated without the agreement of both parties.

17. COUNTERPARTS

18. This Agreement may be entered into in any number of counterparts and by the parties to them on separate counterparts, each of which when executed by one or more parties shall be an original, but all the counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

18. JURISDICTION

18.1 Subject to articles 21 and 22 of the Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters signed on 27 September 1968 (as in force from time to time), the parties hereby irrevocably agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of England and The Netherlands in respect of any dispute which may arise in connection with the validity, effect, interpretation or performance of, or the legal relationships established by, this Agreement or otherwise arising in connection with this Agreement.

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18.2 Neither party shall seek to recover, pursue any claim for, or enforce any judgment for, damages against the other in respect of any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Original Governing Agreement, provided that this sub-clause shall not prevent either party from:

(a)	exercising or enforcing any rights or obligations arising under this Agreement or the Original Governing Agreement; or

(b)	seeking or pursuing such other remedies (including, but not limited to, specific performance and injunctive or declaratory relief) as may be available in respect of any such dispute.

19. FORUM NON CONVENIENS

20. The parties hereby irrevocably waive any objections on the grounds of venue or forum non conveniens to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England or The Netherlands in the event that any proceedings are brought in either jurisdiction in accordance with clause 18.

20. SERVICE OF PROCESS

21. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall affect the right to serve process in England or The Netherlands in any other manner permitted by law or the right to bring proceedings in any other jurisdiction for the purposes of the enforcement or execution of any judgment of, or other settlement in proceedings before, the Courts of England or The Netherlands or other settlement in any other courts.

21. GOVERNING LAW

22.	This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

AS WITNESS this Agreement has been signed by the duly authorised representatives of the parties the day and year first before written.

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SCHEDULES

SCHEDULE 1

First Equalisation

Equalisation

INTERPRETATION

1.1 In this schedule, unless the context otherwise requires or provides:

Applicable Exchange Rate means in relation to any proposed dividend payment by PLC or NV, the average of the closing mid-point spot euro-sterling exchange rates for the five consecutive Business Days commencing with the tenth Business Day before the Dividend Determination Date relating to the RELX dividend which is intended to enable PLC and NV to fund those proposed dividend payments, as shown in the London edition of the Financial Times (or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree);

Business Day means a day on which banks are generally open for business in both the City of London and Amsterdam;

Capital Distribution means the aggregate cash amount which would be paid by PLC or NV (respectively) to a holder of one PLC Ordinary share or of one NV Ordinary share on a liquidation of the paying company before reduction by the amount of any tax (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, any tax on the paying company’s income, profits or gains) which would be required to be deducted or withheld from the payments in the liquidation of the paying company;

Dividend Determination Date means the date on which the directors of RELX resolve to pay or recommend any dividend;

Equalisation Ratio means the ratio of 1:1, subject to adjustment in accordance with paragraph 8 and subject to such further adjustments as PLC and NV may from time to time agree;

Financial Period means a financial year of either PLC or NV or any other period for which the accounts of either of them may by mutual agreement be made up;

NV Ordinary shares means, subject to paragraph 8.4 below, Ordinary shares of €0.07 each in the capital of NV;

PLC Group means PLC and its subsidiaries from time to time;

PLC Ordinary shares means, subject to paragraph 8.4 below, Ordinary shares of 14 ⁵¹/₁₁₆ xxxxx each in the capital of PLC.

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1.2 Words and expressions defined in or for the purposes of articles 105 (Income Rights) and 106 (Capital Rights) of the articles of association of RELX have the same meaning when used in this schedule.

PRINCIPLES OF EQUALISATION

Income

2.1 PLC and NV propose, except in relation to their 1992 final dividends and, in the case of PLC, its 1992 interim dividend and except in the further circumstances described in this schedule, to pay dividends on their ordinary shares on the basis that the ratio of the Gross Dividend Amount on one NV Ordinary share to the Gross Dividend Amount on one PLC Ordinary share, translated using the Applicable Exchange Rate, will be the Equalisation Ratio.

Capital

2.2 PLC and NV propose, on the bases and assumptions set out or referred to in this schedule, that the interests of their respective shareholders in the underlying capital of the RELX Group should reflect the Equalisation Ratio.

Liabilities etc

2.3 Having regard to the principles set out above, the parties intend to agree the amounts of all dividends to their respective shareholders and to ensure that dividends paid to PLC and NV from companies within the RELX Group are sufficient to fund those dividends to the shareholders having regard to available assets and liabilities of PLC and NV respectively and any deficiencies in distributable reserves which may from time to time arise.

However, it is further intended that any expenditure or liability of PLC or NV (a) directly or indirectly constituting, or resulting from or arising out of, any act of omission by or matter concerning the relevant party which has constituted a breach of this Agreement or the Original Governing Agreement or which would not have existed had clause 4.2 of the Implementation Agreement been observed by that party or (b) incurred in discharge of a liability, or being a liability, to pay to the other party damages or any other amount by way of compensation for breach of contract or other wrongful act or incurred in settlement of any claim by the other party (whether or not liability is admitted) or in discharge of expenses incurred in the settlement of such a claim, shall be left out of account in determining their dividend entitlements from the RELX Group in such a way that such expenditure or liability may result in dividend payments by PLC and NV not reflecting the Equalisation Ratio.

Operation of principles

2.4 PLC and NV will keep under review (and agree to amend where necessary) the detailed arrangements for equalisation embodied in this schedule and in the articles of association of RELX, with a view to ensuring that those arrangements work in conformity with the principles stated above.

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DIVIDEND CALENDAR

3.1 PLC and NV shall co-operate with a view to announcing their interim and final dividends respectively at the same time and on the same day.

3.2 All dividends on PLC Ordinary shares and NV Ordinary shares shall become payable to shareholders (or, in the case of bearer shares, to paying agents for collection by shareholders) on the same date.

3.3 PLC and NV shall co-operate so far as practicable in co-ordinating the timing of all other aspects of dividend payment.

EQUALISATION OF GROSS DIVIDEND AMOUNTS

4.1.1 In relation to each proposed dividend payment to their shareholders, the Board of PLC and the Board of NV shall agree from time to time the Gross Dividend Amounts in respect of dividends to be declared, paid or, where appropriate, recommended for payment by them respectively. The amounts so agreed shall, subject as provided in paragraph 4.5 below, form the basis for calculation of the E Target Dividend and the R Target Dividend respectively for the purposes of article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX.

4.1.2 Subject to the provisions of this schedule, the Board of PLC and the Board of NV shall declare, pay or recommend dividends of such an amount that, in relation to any proposed dividend payment, the ratio of the Gross Dividend Amount in respect of the proposed dividend payment on one NV Ordinary share to the Gross Dividend Amount in respect of the proposed dividend payment on one PLC Ordinary share, calculated using the Applicable Exchange Rate, is the Equalisation Ratio.

4.2.1 Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph 4.1.2, either the Board of PLC or the Board of NV may decide, with the consent of the other party, to declare, pay or recommend a dividend which is lower than the amount that would be implied by the Equalisation Ratio if it considers that payment of a dividend by PLC or NV, as appropriate, according to the Equalisation Ratio:

(a)

would result in the payment of a dividend which it would be unlawful to pay, whether by reason of the inadequacy of distributable reserves or the amounts payable to it pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of article 105.3 of the articles of association of RELX being insufficient to enable it to discharge its liabilities or the existence of Excluded Shares or otherwise; or

(b)

would, because of movements in the euro-sterling exchange rate, result in it declaring, paying or recommending a dividend of an amount which it would be unreasonable to pay having regard in particular to (i) the level of the corresponding interim or final dividend in respect of the last preceding Financial Period and/or (ii) the development of the level of earnings of the RELX Group, expressed respectively in sterling and euro, and/or (iii) any special circumstances in the country of incorporation of PLC or NV, as appropriate, relevant to the decision as to the level of dividend which would be reasonable.

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4.2.2 In addition, the parties acknowledge that, in relation to any proposed dividend payment, the amounts declared, paid or recommended by the Board of PLC or the Board of NV may not reflect the Equalisation Ratio:

(a)

where, as a result of the matters mentioned in the second paragraph of paragraph 2.3 above, the dividend which that party receives under article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX is insufficient to enable it to make onward payment of the R Target Dividend or the E Target Dividend, as appropriate; or

(b)	where, following the reduction by one party of its dividend payment to shareholders in accordance with sub-paragraphs 4.2.1(a)(ii) or 4.2.1(b) above, subsequent compensatory payments are to be made to the relevant shareholders as contemplated in sub-paragraph 4.3.1, 4.3.2 and 4.4 below.

4.2.3 Where, for any of the reasons stated in sub-paragraphs 4.2.1 or 4.2.2 above either the Board of PLC or the Board of NV decides not to declare, pay or recommend a dividend according to the Equalisation Ratio, PLC and NV shall make available to their shareholders, together with and in the same manner as the announcement of the dividend, a statement explaining why dividends have been or will be declared, paid or recommended which are not in accordance with the Equalisation Ratio and the implications of that fact for future dividends (insofar as they are known).

4.3.1 Where, in accordance with sub-paragraph 4.2.1(a)(ii), the Board of PLC or the Board of NV has resolved to declare, pay or recommend a dividend lower than the amount that would be implied by the Equalisation Ratio, the parties shall discuss how to give effect to the principle that the body of shareholders receiving the lower dividend should, as soon as practicable after it becomes possible as a matter of law and over such period as the parties agree to be reasonable, be compensated for the amount foregone (though this will not necessarily involve any payment of interest or any other form of additional compensation to reflect the delay in receipt). Any future compensatory dividends shall be paid at the same time as routine dividend payments by PLC and NV.

4.3.2 The arrangements which the parties consider appropriate to give effect to the principle referred to in sub-paragraph 4.3.1 may include, without limitation, either:

(a)

provision for the amount that would otherwise be payable in respect of the Target Dividend Amount of the party affected in relation to the relevant dividend payment to be reduced, with the amount of the reduction being credited to a separate reserve denominated in sterling in the books of RELX and being preserved by RELX (so far as reasonably possible) so as to be available for payment to the affected party (together with any notional interest or other compensation to reflect the delay in receipt, if the parties have so agreed) when circumstances permit its onward distribution to shareholders of

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that party (and, in this event, the rights of the parties to capital on a winding-up of RELX shall also take account of the amount remaining credited at the Commencement Date to such separate reserve) and the parties shall agree arrangements to protect their respective shareholders against significant prejudice caused by currency fluctuations affecting the value of the separate reserve measured in terms of the currency in which payment of the compensatory dividend will be made; or

(b)

provision for the whole of the relevant Target Dividend Amount to be paid to the affected party in full ignoring the fact that the affected party will pay a lesser amount by way of dividends to its shareholders, in which event the affected party shall establish a reserve in its own books of the amount so received which it is unable to pay on to its shareholders (translated into euros, in the case of NV) and the rights of the affected party, whether to income or capital, from RELX shall have regard to the purpose for which that reserve is maintained.

4.3.3 The arrangements to give effect to the principle in sub-paragraph 4.3.1 may also include arrangements to deal with (a) changes in the share capital of the relevant party and (b) changes in the taxation regime or rates of tax or tax credit applicable to the relevant party or to the payment of dividends to or by it, in either case prior to the relevant compensatory dividends having been paid.

4.4 Where, in accordance with sub-paragraph 4.2.1(b), the Board of PLC or the Board of NV has resolved to declare, pay or recommend a dividend which is lower than the amount that would be implied by the Equalisation Ratio, the parties acknowledge that it will not normally be appropriate for the body of shareholders receiving the lower dividend to be compensated for the amount foregone. If the parties agree otherwise, they shall also agree the arrangements necessary to permit such compensatory payments, having regard to the provisions of sub-paragraph 4.3 above.

4.5 For the purposes of article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX, Gross Dividend Amounts and Target Dividend Amounts shall be calculated ignoring any requirement or the possibility of any decision to pay a different amount by reason of any of the circumstances described in paragraph 4.2 above.

4.6 For the avoidance of doubt, where either party pays a dividend lower than the amount implied by the Equalisation Ratio by reason of the circumstances described in sub-paragraph 4.2.1(a)(i) or in sub-paragraph 4.2.2(a), the parties do not envisage that any arrangements shall be made to enable any future compensatory payments to be made in respect of the amounts foregone.

DIVIDEND PROCEDURE

5.1 In the period prior to any Dividend Determination Date, the parties shall consult with a view to agreeing, as envisaged by sub-paragraph 4.1.1, the Gross Dividend Amount to be declared, paid or recommended for payment by each of them

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(subject to final determination of the Applicable Exchange Rate) and hence the Target Dividend which each proposes to notify to RELX on the Dividend Determination Date pursuant to article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX.

5.2 The parties shall also, prior to each Notification Time, provide to each other (and to RELX) information as to the amounts which they intend to notify to RELX prior to the relevant Notification Time in accordance with article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX as to, respectively, their:

(a)	Cash Requirements, Relevant Cash and Permitted Liabilities;

(b)	Deficit Amounts; and

(c)	Target Dividend Amounts.

Each party shall supply to the other such further information as the other may reasonably request as to the bases of, and assumptions underlying, the calculation of any such figures. The parties shall procure that RELX supplies them with the information as to the timing of future dividend declaration and payments which they require for the purpose of calculating the relevant amounts.

5.3 The parties envisage that, on each Dividend Determination Date, the following events will, so far as practicable, occur in the sequence set out below:

(a)	by the passing of a shareholder resolution, Xxxx Elsevier Overseas BV declares the dividends, if any, payable by it on the shares in its respective capital held by NV;

(b)	PLC and NV give to RELX the formal notifications required by article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX as to their respective Cash Requirements, Relevant Cash, Permitted Liabilities, Deficit Amounts, Target Dividends and Target Dividend Amounts;

(c)	the Board of RELX resolves to declare, pay or recommend for payment dividends in accordance with article 105 (Income Rights) of the articles of association of RELX;

(d)	meetings of the Board of PLC and the Board of NV respectively take place to approve announcements or make declarations or recommendations of their dividends to shareholders, with a view to simultaneous public announcements being made.

5.4 The parties acknowledge that it is their intention that RELX pay all dividends by way of interim dividend, rather than by payment of a final dividend requiring approval by the shareholders of RELX. If final dividends are recommended for payment by the Board of RELX, PLC and NV undertake to exercise their votes as shareholders to ensure that the resolution to approve the dividend recommended by the Board is passed.

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5.5 Neither party shall, without the consent of the other, declare or pay any dividend other than:

(a)	dividends not exceeding the R Target Dividend or the E Target Dividend, as the case may be, from time to time notified to RELX;

(b)	dividends of amounts reflecting the release of any reserve maintained pursuant to sub-paragraph 4.3.2 or paragraph 4.4 above; or

(c)	dividends of amounts paid to the relevant party pursuant to article 105.2 of the articles of association of RELX.

5.6 The parties agree to consider, in relation to each dividend payment, the arrangements which should be effected with a view to ensuring that changes in currency exchange rates after the Dividend Determination Date do not prejudice the ability of either party to discharge its liabilities or pay its Target Dividend.

5.7 The parties shall comply with their obligations under the provisions of article 105.7 and 105.11 of the articles of association of RELX.

DISTRIBUTIONS IN SPECIE

6. PLC and NV shall not make any distribution in specie.

CAPITAL RIGHTS

7.1.1 In the event of a winding-up of RELX, the intention of the parties is that, on the basis of the Assumptions set out in article 106 (Capital Rights) of the articles of association of RELX and subject to PLC and NV having complied with their respective obligations under the Implementation Agreement, the Original Governing Agreement and the Governing Agreement and to the application of paragraphs 4.3 and 4.4 above, the sums paid up to NV and PLC respectively in the winding-up should be such that the ratio of the Capital Distribution which NV would be able to make on one NV Ordinary share to the Capital Distribution which PLC would be able to make on one PLC Ordinary share (assuming full distribution as capital of the aggregate amounts available in each of PLC and NV on the basis of the Assumptions) would be the Equalisation Ratio. On the occasion of each successive interim or final distribution of capital by RELX, the exchange rate to be used in applying the Equalisation Ratio shall be the average euro sterling exchange rate over the period of 365 days ending on the fifth Business Day before the date on which the relevant Proposed Distribution is notified by the Liquidator pursuant to paragraph (a) of article 106.3 of the articles of association of RELX (the Notification Date) (determined by reference to the closing spot mid point rates for each Business Day in such period of 365 days as shown in the London edition of the Financial Times or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree).

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7.1.2 Sums to be distributed to PLC and NV in accordance with the principle in sub-paragraph 7.1.1 and as an interim or final distribution pursuant to paragraph (d) of article 106.2 of the articles of association of RELX will be calculated by reference to the following formulae:

where:


R_R		=		the aggregate of:

(a)

the amount (if any) by which the R Available Assets exceed the sum of R Permitted Liquidation Liabilities;

(b)

the aggregate of the amounts which would be received by PLC (directly or indirectly) in the liquidation of NV if (i) the Assumptions were fulfilled and (ii) NV were to distribute in sterling:

(A)

the amount (if any) by which its Available Assets exceed the sum of its Permitted Liquidation Liabilities, to the extent such amount would in fact be capable of distribution by the E shareholder having regard, amongst other things, to liabilities of the E shareholder which are not Permitted Liquidation Liabilities, all multiplied by X; and

(B)

the aggregate of all amounts received by NV pursuant to paragraph (d) of article 106.2 of the articles of association of RELX, each such amount being multiplied by Y;

(c)

the cash amount of all previous distributions made to the R shareholder pursuant to paragraph (d) of article 106.2 of the articles of association of RELX;


D_R	=	the cash amount to be paid to PLC;

N_R	=	the number of R Ordinary shares (excluding any Excluded Shares) in issue at the Commencement Date;

ER	=	the Equalisation Ratio;

R_E	=	the amount (if any) by which the E Available Assets exceed the sum of the E Permitted Liquidation Liabilities;

P_E		the cash amount of all previous distributions made to the E shareholder pursuant to paragraph (d) of article 106.2 of the articles of association of RELX, multiplied by the amount of and divided by in each case, as applicable to the Proposed Distribution which resulted in the relevant distribution;

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D_E	=	the cash amount to be paid to NV;

N_E	=	the number of E Ordinary shares (excluding any Excluded Shares) in issue at the Commencement Date;

A	=	the Residual Amount in relation to the relevant Proposed Distribution;

S_A	=	the average number of euros per pound sterling which would have been obtained had an amount in sterling approximately equal to half the Residual Amount in relation to the relevant Proposed Distribution been converted into euros at an exchange rate equal to the average of the closing rates for the sale of euros for sterling for the five consecutive Business Days commencing with the tenth Business Day prior to the Notification Date as quoted by Barclays Bank PLC (or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree) and after deducting commission and other costs associated with the exchange;

S_B	=	the amount of S_A in relation to the first Proposed Distribution;

S_M	=	the average of the closing mid-point spot euro-sterling exchange rates (expressed as a number of euros per pound sterling) over the period of 365 days ending on the fifth Business Day before the Notification Date as shown in the London edition of the Financial Times (or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree);

S_N	=	the amount of S_M in relation to the first Proposed Distribution;

S_O	=	the average of the closing mid-point euro-sterling exchange rates (expressed as a number of euros per pound sterling) over the five days referred to in the definition of S_A as shown in the London edition of the Financial Times (or such other point of reference as the parties shall agree);

S_P	=	the amount of S_O in relation to the first Proposed Distribution;

X	=

Y	=	(in relation to each amount referred to in (b) in the definition of R_R above),

			S_A and S_O being in each case the figures applicable to the Proposed


		Distribution which resulted in the relevant distribution to NV;

provided that if, pursuant to the above formula, either D_R or D_E would be less than zero, the amount required to be paid to the relevant shareholder shall be nil and the amount required to be paid to the other shareholder shall equal the Residual Amount.

7.2 In the event of a liquidation of RELX the parties shall comply with their obligations under article 106 of the articles of association of RELX and shall

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co-operate with each other and with the Liquidator with a view to agreeing all matters necessary in connection with that liquidation. In particular, the parties shall supply to each other and to the Liquidator such information as shall reasonably be requested for the purpose of determining either party’s Available Assets, Permitted Liquidation Liabilities, Residual Value, Excess Liabilities Requirement and Target Capital Distribution Amount or understanding the bases and assumptions underlying those figures.

7.3 PLC and NV acknowledge that changes in the taxation regime applicable to, or to the payment of dividends or capital distributions by or to, either of them or RELX may result in the rights attaching to the shares in RELX not having, or potentially not having, the economic effect contemplated by the parties at the date of the Original Governing Agreement. In particular, PLC and NV acknowledge that, if any imputation or similar system were introduced in respect of the taxation of distributions of capital in liquidations of English or Dutch companies, this might result in the relative effective economic values which their shareholders enjoy, in terms of capital rights, in relation to the RELX Group ceasing to reflect the Equalisation Ratio. In these circumstances, the parties agree that they will discuss in good faith the appropriate revisions to the rights attaching to their holdings in the RELX Group in order to redress any disadvantage or potential disadvantage so arising, taking full account of the accounting and other implications of such revisions.

FURTHER SHARE ISSUES AND THE EQUALISATION RATIO

Existing Commitments

8.1 No adjustment shall be made or required to the Equalisation Ratio to reflect the exercise, or lapse, of any right which any person may have held at the date the Original Governing Agreement became effective to subscribe, exchange for or convert into any share in the capital of either PLC or NV. To the extent any rights outstanding at the date of the Original Governing Agreement lapse in future, the parties shall consider whether it is appropriate to take steps (for example by the placing of new shares in one party or by the purchase by one party of its own shares) to restore the ratio of their respective issued share capitals to the ratio that would have applied had all such outstanding rights been exercised in full.

Grant of new options to subscribe

8.2 It is contemplated that issues of shares by either party pursuant to any agreed employee share option arrangements implemented after the date the Original Governing Agreement became effective have been or will be on terms which enable the Equalisation Ratio to continue without adjustment, without unfairness to the ordinary shareholders of either PLC or NV. It is not contemplated that issues of this nature will be such as, by themselves, result in significant long-term imbalances to the ratio of the aggregate dividends paid by the RELX Group to PLC and NV respectively.

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Scrip or Stock Dividends

8.3 Neither party shall make available to its shareholders any scrip or stock dividend or equivalent facility without the consent of the other. In principle, however, if either party does introduce such a facility for its shareholders, with the consent of the other party, no adjustment shall be made or required to the Equalisation Ratio unless the relevant new shares are issued at below the prevailing market price of the relevant Company’s shares at the date of issue. It is not contemplated that issues of this nature will be such as by themselves result in significant long-term imbalances to the ratio of the aggregate dividends paid by the RELX Group to PLC and NV respectively.

Consolidation and sub-division

8.4 If, with the consent of the other party, either PLC or NV shall give effect to a consolidation or sub-division of its share capital, the appropriate arithmetical adjustment shall be made to the Equalisation Ratio and in the values of N_R (and the definition in this schedule of “NV Ordinary shares” or “PLC Ordinary shares”, as appropriate, shall be construed accordingly).

Capitalisation issues

8.5 If, with the consent of the other party, either PLC or NV shall make an issue of ordinary shares (except an issue made in lieu of the payment of cash dividends) by way of capitalisation of profits or reserves, the appropriate arithmetical adjustment shall be made to the Equalisation Ratio and in the values of N_R.

Issues for non-cash consideration

8.6 Where the parties agree, shares or other securities of either PLC or NV (or both) may be issued as consideration for the acquisition of shares or other assets by PLC and/or NV (or RELX), as appropriate, on terms that there shall be no adjustment to the Equalisation Ratio provided that satisfactory arrangements are put in place to ensure that the ultimate benefit of, and the ultimate burden of any liability resulting from, such acquisition are shared by the shareholders of PLC and NV in a manner consistent with the Equalisation Ratio.

Non-pre-emptive issues for cash

8.7 Where the parties agree, shares or other securities of either PLC or NV may be issued on a non-pre-emptive basis for a cash consideration on terms that there shall be no adjustment to the Equalisation Ratio provided that satisfactory arrangements are put in place to ensure that the ultimate benefit of, and the ultimate burden of any liability resulting from, such an issue are shared by the shareholders of PLC and NV in a manner consistent with the Equalisation Ratio.

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Rights issues and rights offers

8.8.1 Where the parties agree, either PLC or NV (or both) may offer (or procure another person to offer) their respective shares or other securities to their respective shareholders by way of rights.

8.8.2 Subject to sub-paragraph 8.8.3 below, no adjustment to the Equalisation Ratio shall be required provided satisfactory arrangements are put in place to ensure that the ultimate benefit of the proceeds of, and the ultimate burden of any liability resulting from, such an offer by way of rights are shared by the shareholders of PLC and NV in a manner consistent with the Equalisation Ratio.

8.8.3 Where, however, the effect of:

(a)	the price at which shares or other securities are offered to shareholders, relative to the prevailing market price;

(b)	the number of shares or other securities offered by PLC and NV respectively (or the fact that such shares or other securities are offered by one party alone); and

(c)	any other relevant circumstances,

is such that the shareholders of either PLC or NV benefit in a manner that is not consistent with the Equalisation Ratio, the parties envisage that an adjustment to the Equalisation Ratio may be required.

ADJUSTMENTS TO THE EQUALISATION RATIO

9. Upon any adjustment to the Equalisation Ratio, the parties shall:

(a)	make such public announcements as are appropriate, having regard to the regulatory requirements to which they are respectively subject; and

(b)	notify RELX in writing of the adjustment.

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SCHEDULE 2

Deed of undertaking for directors

THIS DEED OF UNDERTAKING is made by me, [name of director] of [address] on [date].

I hereby undertake to RELX Group plc a company registered in England with number 02746616 (RELX), RELX PLC, a company registered in England with number 00077536 (PLC) and to RELX N.V., a company incorporated in The Netherlands whose registered office is at [address at the time of making the deed] (NV) that if:

(a)	at a general meeting, a resolution proposing my appointment or re-election as a director of PLC or NV is not passed by the requisite majority; or

(b)	I am removed or resign from the board, or otherwise cease for any reason to be a director, of any of PLC, NV or RELX,

then, to the extent that I hold such a position at that time, I shall immediately resign from the position of director of any and all of PLC, NV or RELX except in circumstances where a Notice of Suspension has been given under clause 8 of the Governing Agreement between PLC and NV. If a Notice of Suspension has been given, I may continue as a director of each of PLC, NV and RELX unless:

(i)	I am removed from any of those companies in accordance with their respective articles of association, in which case I shall cease to be a director of that company; or

(ii)	in circumstances where I am a director of a ‘Party giving Notice’ (as defined in clause 8 of the Governing Agreement):

(A)

I am removed as a director in accordance with a resolution of the shareholders of that party; or

(B)

after retiring and being proposed for re-election, I fail to be re-elected as a director by the shareholders of that party,

in which case I shall also immediately resign from my position as a director of RELX.

This deed of undertaking shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law.

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SIGNED as a deed and delivered by

[Director]

in the presence of:

[Witness

Occupation

Address]

SIGNED as a deed and delivered by

[Director]

in the presence of

[Witness

Occupation

Address]

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SIGNED by		)
for and on behalf of		)
RELX PLC		)
in the presence of	)

SIGNED by		)
for and on behalf of RELX N.V.		)
in the presence of		)

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DATED 1 July 2015

RELX PLC

RELX N.V.

GOVERNING AGREEMENT

CONTENTS


Clause		Page
1.	INTERPRETATION		2

2.	PURPOSE		3

3.	MANAGEMENT		3
	Board Composition		3
	Nominations Committee		4
	Board appointments - PLC and RELX		5
	Board appointments - NV		6
	Appointment of Chairman and Chief Executive		6
	Retirement of directors		7
	Removal of director		7
	Remuneration committee		8
	Remuneration of non-executive directors by PLC and NV		8
	Audit committee		8

4.	GENERAL UNDERTAKINGS		8
	Shareholder approval		8
	Controls on the RELX Group		10
	Share capital		10
	Limitation of activities of PLC and NV		10
	Business of PLC and NV		12
	Application of cash		12
	PLC and NV liquidity		12

5.	GUARANTEES AND INDEMNITIES		12

6.	EQUALISATION		12

7.	STANDSTILL		13

8.	CHANGE OF CONTROL		13

9.	INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS		16

10.	ACCOUNTING MATTERS, CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND DISCLOSURE OBLIGATIONS		16
	Accounting reference date		16
	Audit committees		17
	Accounting policies and practices		17
	Corporate Governance and disclosure standards		17

11.	INFORMATION		17
	The Operating Group		17
	PLC and NV		17
	Confidentiality		17

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12.	STOCK EXCHANGE OBLIGATIONS	17

13.	RELATIONSHIP TO ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION	18

14.	NOTICES	18
	Form of Notice	18
	Time of Service	18
	Addresses	19

15.	MISCELLANEOUS	19
	Regulatory	19
	No assignment	19
	No waiver	20
	Amendment	20
	No partnership or agency	20
	Severance	20

16.	TERMINATION	20

17.	COUNTERPARTS	20

18.	JURISDICTION	20

19.	FORUM NON CONVENIENS	21

20.	SERVICE OF PROCESS	21

21.	GOVERNING LAW	21

SCHEDULES		22

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THIS GOVERNING AGREEMENT is made on 1 July 2015 BETWEEN RELX PLC a company incorporated in England with registered number 00077536 and having its registered office at 1-3 Strand, London, WC2N 5JR (PLC); and RELX N.V. a company incorporated in The...

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