Form S-3
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 2, 2015

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Global Indemnity plc

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Ireland   98-0664891

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

25/28 North Wall Quay

Dublin 1

Ireland

+353 (0) 1 649 2000

 

Thomas M. McGeehan

Chief Financial Officer

c/o Global Indemnity Group, Inc.

Three Bala Plaza East, Suite 300

Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 USA

(610) 664-1500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

Amr Razzak, Esq.

Gregg A. Noel, Esq.

Jonathan Ko, Esq.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

525 University Avenue

Palo Alto, California 94301

Telephone: (650) 470-4500

Facsimile: (650) 470-4570

 

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after the Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, please check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box and list the Securities Act of 1933 registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

If this form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   x
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 


Table of Contents

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of

securities to be registered(1)

  Amount to be
registered(1)(2)
   Proposed maximum
offering price
per unit(2)(3)
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price(1)(2)(4)
  Amount of
Registration Fee(5)

A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value

                

B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value

                

Preferred shares, $0.0001 par value

                

Depositary shares

                

Debt securities

                

Warrants to purchase ordinary shares or preferred shares

                

Warrants to purchase debt securities

                

Stock purchase contracts

                

Stock purchase units

                

Total

  $ 500,000,000    100%   $ 500,000,000   $ 58,100

 

 

 

(1) Any securities registered under this registration statement may be sold separately, together or as units with other offered securities.

 

(2) Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered. The maximum aggregate offering price of the securities registered hereby will not exceed $500,000,000. Such amount represents the principal amount of any debt securities issued at their principal amount, the issue price (rather than the principal amount) of any debt securities issued at an original issue discount, the liquidation preference (or, if different, the issue price) of any preferred shares, the issue price of any ordinary shares or warrants and the exercise price of any warrants or convertible securities.

 

(3) The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance of securities.

 

(4) The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated for the sole purpose of computing the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and excludes accrued interest, distributions and dividends, if any.

 

(5) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act and General Instruction II.D of Form S-3, which permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price of all the securities listed.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell the securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 2, 2015

PROSPECTUS

$500,000,000

 

LOGO

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

A Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities,

Warrants to Purchase A Ordinary Shares,

Warrants to Purchase Preferred Shares,

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities, Stock Purchase Contracts and

Stock Purchase Units

We may from time to time offer and sell securities that have an aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000 in one or more offerings. We may offer these securities separately or together in any combination and as separate series. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest.

Our A ordinary shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “GBLI.”

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1 of this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of offered securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This document is important and requires your immediate attention. If you are in any doubt as to what action you should take, you are recommended to consult immediately your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, fund manager or other appropriate financial adviser being, if you are resident in Ireland, an organisation or firm authorized or exempted pursuant to the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations (nos. 1 to 3) 2007 or the Investments Intermediaries Act 1995 (as amended) or another appropriately authorized adviser if you are in a territory outside Ireland.

This document does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland (the “Irish Companies Act”). No offer of securities of Global Indemnity to the public is made, or will be made, that requires the publication of a prospectus pursuant to Irish prospectus law (within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 23 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland) in general, or in particular pursuant to the Prospectus (Directive 2003/71/EC) Regulations 2005 of Ireland. This document has not been approved or reviewed by or registered with the Central Bank of Ireland.

This document does not constitute investment advice or the provision of investment services within the meaning of the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 of Ireland (as amended) or otherwise. Global Indemnity is not an authorized investment firm within the meaning of the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 of Ireland (as amended) and the recipients of this document should seek independent legal and financial advice in determining their actions in respect of or pursuant to this document.

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2015.


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

  ii   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

  ii   

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

  1   

RISK FACTORS

  1   

USE OF PROCEEDS

  1   

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS

  2   

DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

  3   

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

  17   

DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

  19   

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE A ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERRED SHARES

  29   

DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES

  31   

DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

  32   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  33   

LEGAL MATTERS

  35   

EXPERTS

  35   

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER UNITED STATES FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS AND OTHER MATTERS

  35   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

  37   

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. This prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any accompanying supplement to this prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any supplement to this prospectus is accurate as of the dates of the applicable documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the applicable dates. When we deliver this prospectus or a supplement or make a sale pursuant to this prospectus or a supplement, we are not implying that the information is current as of the date of the delivery or sale.

This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, or will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

As used in this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, (1) “Global Indemnity,” “we,” “us,” “the Company” and “our” refer to Global Indemnity plc, an Irish public limited company, and its U.S. and non-U.S. subsidiaries, (2) references to “dollars” and “$” are to United States currency, and the terms “United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America, its states, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction, and (3) references to “Euro” and “€” are to the lawful currency of the member states of the European Monetary Union that have adopted or that adopt the single currency in accordance with the treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process, relating to the A ordinary shares, B ordinary shares, preferred shares, depositary shares, debt securities, warrants, stock purchase contracts and stock purchase units described in this prospectus. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total initial offering price of $500,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For additional information regarding us and the offered securities, please refer to the registration statement. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The registration statement that contains this prospectus, and the exhibits to the registration statement, contain additional information about us and the securities that we may offer under this prospectus. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of that contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, each such statement being qualified in all respects by that reference and the exhibits and schedules thereto.

We may include agreements as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In reviewing such agreements, please remember they are included to provide you with information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about us or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements may contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and:

 

    should not be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate;

 

    may have been qualified by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement, which disclosures would not necessarily be reflected in the agreement;

 

    may apply standards of materiality in a way that is different from what may be viewed as material to you or other investors in our securities; and

 

    were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement, are subject to more recent developments and therefore may no longer be accurate.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements included in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents they incorporate by reference may include forward-looking statements that reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “project,” “plan,”

 

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“seek,” “intend,” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, and include discussions of strategy, financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives, expectations or consequences of identified transactions or natural disasters, and statements about the future performance, operations, products and services of the Company.

The Company’s business and operations are and will be subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Consequently, actual results and experience may materially differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results and experience to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

    the ineffectiveness of the Company’s business strategy due to changes in current or future market conditions;

 

    the effects of competitors’ pricing policies, and of changes in laws and regulations on competition, including industry consolidation and development of competing financial products;

 

    greater frequency or severity of claims and loss activity than the Company’s underwriting, reserving or investment practices have anticipated;

 

    decreased level of demand for the Company’s insurance products or increased competition due to an increase in capacity of property and casualty insurers;

 

    risks inherent in establishing loss and loss adjustment expense reserves;

 

    uncertainties relating to the financial ratings of the Company’s insurance and reinsurance subsidiaries;

 

    uncertainties arising from the cyclical nature of the Company’s business;

 

    changes in the Company’s relationships with, and the capacity of, its general agents, brokers, insurance companies and reinsurance companies from which the Company derives its business;

 

    the risk that the Company’s reinsurers may not be able to fulfill obligations;

 

    investment performance and credit risk;

 

    new tax legislation or interpretations that could lead to an increase in the Company’s tax burden;

 

    uncertainties relating to governmental and regulatory policies, both domestically and internationally;

 

    foreign currency fluctuations;

 

    the impact of catastrophic events;

 

    the Company’s subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends;

 

    deterioration of debt and equity markets;

 

    interest rate changes;

 

    uncertainties relating to ongoing or future litigation matters; and

 

    uncertainties and risks related to acquisitions.

The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are set forth in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Global Indemnity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Item 1A of Part II of Global Indemnity’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015 and the documents that we file with the SEC from time to time. You may obtain copies of these documents as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” elsewhere in this prospectus.

Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements after the distribution of this prospectus, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

 

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GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

Global Indemnity was incorporated on March 9, 2010 and is domiciled in Ireland. Global Indemnity replaced the Company’s predecessor, United America Indemnity, Ltd., as the ultimate parent company as a result of a re-domestication transaction in July, 2010. The Company’s A ordinary shares are publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the trading symbol “GBLI.”

On January 1, 2015, Global Indemnity Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Global Indemnity, completed its acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of American Reliable Insurance Company. American Reliable was established in 1952 and is headquartered in Scottsdale Arizona. It has facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Omaha, Nebraska, and writes property and casualty insurance across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It writes specialty personal lines and agricultural property and casualty insurance, in each case distributed through a network of general and independent agents.

The Company manages its business through three business segments: Commercial Lines, managed in Bala Cynwyd, PA, offers specialty property and casualty products designed for product lines such as Small Business Binding Authority, Property Brokerage, and Programs; Personal Lines, managed in Scottsdale, AZ, offers specialty personal lines and agricultural coverage; and Reinsurance Operations, managed in Bermuda, provides reinsurance solutions through brokers and primary writers including insurance and reinsurance companies. The Commercial Lines and Personal Lines segments comprise the Company’s U.S. Insurance Operations.

The Company’s principal executive offices are located at Global Indemnity plc, 25/28 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland and its telephone number is 353 (0) 1 649-2000. Our website address is http://www.globalindemnity.ie. Information contained in our website is not a part of, nor is it incorporated by reference in, this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks described in Item 1A of Part I of Global Indemnity’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, Item 1A of Part II of Global Indemnity’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement, and any risk factors set forth in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” elsewhere in this prospectus.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise disclosed in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the offered securities for general corporate purposes, which may include, but are not limited to, the financing for acquisitions, repurchases of ordinary shares, repayment of indebtedness, and expansion of the net underwriting capacity of our insurance subsidiaries. When a particular series of securities is offered, the prospectus supplement relating thereto will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities. Pending the application of the net proceeds, we may invest the proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing instruments or other investment-grade securities.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED SHARE DIVIDENDS

For purposes of computing the following ratios, earnings consist of net income (loss) before income tax expense, excluding interest costs capitalized, plus fixed charges to the extent that these charges are included in the determination of earnings. Fixed charges consist of interest costs, including interest costs capitalized, plus one-third of minimum rental payments under operating leases, which are estimated by management to be the interest factor of these rentals. The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred share dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods presented below as there were no preferred shares outstanding for such periods.

 

     Fiscal Year Ended December 31,      Three Months
Ended March 31
 
     2014      2013      2012      2011     2010      2015      2014  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     43.4x         10.0x         5.7x         (a     11.7x         5.0x         17.9x   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends

     43.4x         10.0x         5.7x         (a     11.7x         5.0x         17.9x   

 

(a) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred share dividends was less than 1.0x in fiscal 2011. The deficiency in the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred share dividends was $35.5 million.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL

The following description is a summary of our share capital. This summary is not complete and is subject to the complete text of Global Indemnity’s memorandum of association and articles of association, which are incorporated by reference. See “Where You Can Find More Information.” We encourage you to read those documents carefully.

Capital Structure

The authorized share capital of Global Indemnity is €40,000 and US$100,000 divided into €40,000 deferred shares with a nominal value of €1 per share (the “Euro Share Capital”), 600,000,000 A ordinary shares with a nominal value of US$0.0001 per share, 300,000,000 B ordinary shares with a nominal value of US$0.0001 per share and 100,000,000 preferred shares with a nominal value of US$0.0001 per share. As of June 30, 2015, we had outstanding 13,667,781 A ordinary shares and 12,061,370 B ordinary shares, and no outstanding preferred shares.

We may issue shares subject to the maximum prescribed by our authorized share capital contained in our articles of association.

As a matter of Irish company law, the directors of a company may issue new ordinary or preferred shares without shareholder approval once authorized to do so by the articles of association of the company or by an ordinary resolution adopted by the shareholders at a general meeting. An “ordinary resolution” requires a majority of the total number of votes of Global Indemnity’s shareholders present in person or by proxy cast at a general meeting. The authority conferred can be granted for a maximum period of five years, at which point it must be renewed by the shareholders of the company by an ordinary resolution. At our 2015 Annual General Meeting on May 27, 2015, our shareholders renewed the authority of our board of directors to issue shares for a further five year period.

Our authorized share capital may be increased or reduced as provided for in Global Indemnity’s articles of association. Our shares comprising the authorized share capital may be divided into shares of such par value as our articles of association prescribe.

The rights and restrictions to which the ordinary shares are subject are prescribed in Global Indemnity’s articles of association. Global Indemnity’s articles of association entitle the board of directors, without shareholder approval, to determine the terms of the preferred shares issued by Global Indemnity. The Global Indemnity board of directors is authorized, without obtaining any vote or consent of the holders of any class or series of shares unless expressly provided by the terms of that class or series of shares, to provide from time to time for the issuance of other series of preferred shares and to establish the characteristics of each series, including the number of shares, designations, relative voting rights, dividend rights, liquidation and other rights, redemption, repurchase or exchange rights and any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and limitations not inconsistent with applicable law.

Irish law does not recognize fractional shares held of record; accordingly, the official Irish register of shareholders of Global Indemnity does not reflect any fractional shares. Whenever as a result of an alteration or reorganization of the share capital of Global Indemnity any shareholder would become entitled to fractions of a share the directors may, on behalf of these shareholders, sell the shares representing the fractions to any person for the best price reasonably obtainable and distribute the proceeds of the sale in due proportion among those shareholders (after deduction of brokerage commissions or other sale expenses). This ability of the directors of Global Indemnity to dispose of fractional shares is required in order to comply with the Irish law prohibition on fractional shares held of record.

 

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Pre-emption Rights, Share Warrants and Share Options

Certain statutory pre-emption rights apply automatically in favor of Global Indemnity’s shareholders where shares in Global Indemnity are to be issued for cash. An Irish company may opt out of these pre-emption rights for a period of up to five years by a special resolution of the shareholders. A special resolution requires not less than 75% of the votes of Global Indemnity’s shareholders present in person or by proxy cast at a general meeting. If the opt-out is not renewed, shares issued for cash must be offered to pre-existing shareholders of Global Indemnity pro rata to their existing shareholding before the shares can be issued to any new shareholders. The statutory pre-emption rights do not apply where shares are issued for non-cash consideration and do not apply to the issue of non-equity shares (that is, shares that have the right to participate only up to a specified amount in any income or capital distribution). At our 2015 Annual General Meeting on May 27, 2015, our shareholders renewed the opt out of pre-emption rights for a further five year period.

The articles of association of Global Indemnity provide that, subject to any shareholder approval requirement under any laws, regulations or the rules of any stock exchange to which Global Indemnity is subject, the board of directors is authorized, from time to time, in its discretion, to grant such persons, for such periods and upon such terms as the board of directors deems advisable, options to purchase such number of shares of any class or classes or of any series of any class as the board of directors may deem advisable, and to cause warrants or other appropriate instruments evidencing such options to be issued. The Irish Companies Act provides that directors may issue share warrants or options without shareholder approval once authorized to do so by the articles of association or an ordinary resolution of shareholders. The board of directors may issue shares upon exercise of warrants or options without shareholder approval or authorization.

Global Indemnity is subject to the rules of NASDAQ that require shareholder approval of certain share issuances.

Dividends

Under Irish law, dividends and distributions may only be made from distributable reserves. Distributable reserves, broadly, means the accumulated realized profits of Global Indemnity less accumulated realized losses of Global Indemnity. In addition, as a public limited company, no distribution or dividend may be made unless the net assets of Global Indemnity are equal to, or in excess of, the aggregate of Global Indemnity’s called up share capital plus undistributable reserves and the distribution does not reduce Global Indemnity’s net assets below such aggregate amount. Undistributable reserves include the share premium account, the capital redemption reserve fund and the amount by which Global Indemnity’s accumulated unrealized profits, so far as not previously utilized by any capitalization, exceed Global Indemnity’s accumulated unrealized losses, so far as not previously written off in a reduction or reorganization of capital.

The determination as to whether or not Global Indemnity has sufficient distributable reserves to fund a dividend must be made by reference to “relevant accounts” of Global Indemnity. The “relevant accounts” will be the last set of unconsolidated annual audited financial statements prepared in accordance with the Irish Companies Act and any unaudited financial statements as are necessary to enable a reasonable judgment to be made as to the level of distributable reserves and which give a “true and fair view” of Global Indemnity’s unconsolidated financial position and accord with accepted accounting practice. The relevant accounts must be filed in the Companies Registration Office (the official public registry for companies in Ireland).

The mechanism as to who declares a dividend and when a dividend shall become payable is governed by the articles of association of Global Indemnity. Global Indemnity’s articles of association authorize the directors to declare such dividends as appear justified from the profits of Global Indemnity without the approval of the shareholders at a general meeting. The board of directors may also recommend a dividend to be approved and declared by the shareholders at a general meeting. Although a payment of dividends may be made by distribution of assets, shares or cash, no dividend issued may exceed the amount recommended by the directors. The dividends can be declared and paid in the form of cash or non-cash assets.

 

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The directors of Global Indemnity may deduct from any dividend payable to any member all sums of money (if any) immediately payable by such member to Global Indemnity in relation to shares of Global Indemnity.

The directors of Global Indemnity are also entitled to issue shares with preferred rights to participate in dividends declared by Global Indemnity. The holders of such preferred shares may, depending on their terms, be entitled to claim arrears of a declared dividend out of subsequently declared dividends in priority to ordinary shareholders.

Share Repurchases, Redemptions and Conversions

Overview

Article 3(h) of Global Indemnity’s articles of association provides that any ordinary share which Global Indemnity has acquired or agreed to acquire shall be deemed to be a redeemable share. Accordingly, for Irish company law purposes, the repurchase of ordinary shares by Global Indemnity will technically be effected as a redemption of those shares as described below under “— Repurchases and Redemptions by Global Indemnity.” If the articles of association of Global Indemnity did not contain Article 3(h), repurchases by Global Indemnity would be subject to many of the same rules that apply to purchases of Global Indemnity ordinary shares by subsidiaries described below under “— Purchases by Subsidiaries of Global Indemnity,” including the shareholder approval requirements described below and the requirement that any on-market purchases be effected on a “recognized stock exchange.” Except where otherwise noted, when we refer elsewhere in this prospectus to repurchasing or buying back ordinary shares of Global Indemnity, we are referring to the redemption of ordinary shares by Global Indemnity pursuant to Article 3(h) of the articles of association or the purchase of ordinary shares of Global Indemnity by a subsidiary of Global Indemnity, in each case in accordance with the Global Indemnity articles of association and Irish company law as described below.

Repurchases and Redemptions by Global Indemnity

Under Irish law, a company can issue redeemable shares and redeem them out of distributable reserves (which are described above under “— Dividends”) or the proceeds of a new issue of shares for that purpose. The issue of redeemable shares may only be made by Global Indemnity where the nominal value of the issued share capital that is not redeemable is not less than 10% of the nominal value of the total issued share capital of Global Indemnity. All redeemable shares must also be fully paid for redemption to be effective. Shareholder approval will not be required to redeem Global Indemnity shares.

The board of directors of Global Indemnity will also be entitled to issue shares which may be redeemed at the option of either Global Indemnity or the holder of such shares, depending on the terms of such preferred shares.

Repurchased and redeemed shares may be cancelled or held as treasury shares. The nominal value of treasury shares held by Global Indemnity at any time must not exceed 10% of the nominal value of the issued share capital of Global Indemnity. During such time as Global Indemnity holds shares as treasury shares, it cannot exercise any voting rights in respect of those shares. Treasury shares may be cancelled by Global Indemnity or re-issued subject to certain conditions.

Purchases by Subsidiaries of Global Indemnity

Under Irish law, it may be permissible for an Irish or non-Irish subsidiary to purchase shares of Global Indemnity either on-market or off-market. A general authority of the shareholders of Global Indemnity is required to allow a subsidiary of Global Indemnity to make on-market purchases of Global Indemnity ordinary shares; however, as long as this general authority has been granted, no specific shareholder authority for a particular on-market purchase by a subsidiary of Global Indemnity ordinary shares is required. At our 2015

 

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Annual General Meeting on May 27, 2015, our shareholders renewed the general authority to make on-market purchases which authority shall, under the provisions of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland, expire on June 1, 2020. We expect that Global Indemnity will seek to renew such general authority at subsequent annual general meetings. For a subsidiary of Global Indemnity to make an on-market purchase of Global Indemnity’s shares, such shares must be purchased on a “recognized stock exchange.” NASDAQ, on which the Class A ordinary shares of Global Indemnity are listed, is recognized as a recognized stock exchange for this purpose by Irish company law. For an off-market purchase by a subsidiary of Global Indemnity, the proposed purchase contract must be authorized by special resolution of the shareholders of Global Indemnity before the contract is entered into. The person whose shares are to be bought back cannot vote in favor of the special resolution and, from the date of the notice of the general meeting to approve the special resolution up to and including the date of such general meeting, the purchase contract must be on display or must be available for inspection by shareholders at the registered office of Global Indemnity and at the meeting itself.

The number of shares held by the subsidiaries of Global Indemnity at any time will count as treasury shares and will be included in any calculation of the permitted treasury share threshold of 10% of the nominal value of the issued share capital of Global Indemnity. While a subsidiary holds shares of Global Indemnity, it cannot exercise any voting rights in respect of those shares. The acquisition of the shares of Global Indemnity by a subsidiary must be funded out of distributable reserves of the subsidiary.

Consolidation and Division; Subdivision

Under its articles of association, Global Indemnity may by ordinary resolution consolidate and divide all or any of its share capital into shares of larger par value than its existing shares or subdivide its shares into smaller amounts than is fixed by its memorandum of association.

Reduction of Share Capital

Global Indemnity may, by ordinary resolution, cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any person and reduce the amount of its authorized share capital by the amount of shares so cancelled. Global Indemnity also may by special resolution reduce its issued share capital, any capital redemption reserve fund or any share premium account in any manner and subject to any incident authorized and consent required, by law, including that of the Irish High Court.

General Meetings of Shareholders

Global Indemnity is required to hold an annual general meeting at intervals of no more than fifteen months; provided that an annual general meeting is held in each calendar year following the first annual general meeting, no more than nine months after Global Indemnity’s fiscal year-end. Global Indemnity is permitted to hold any general meeting outside of Ireland without the need to seek prior shareholder approval.

Extraordinary general meetings of Global Indemnity may be convened by the board of directors, or on requisition of the shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid up share capital of Global Indemnity carrying voting rights. Shareholders holding not less than 50% of the paid up share capital of Global Indemnity carrying voting rights may convene an extraordinary general meeting without the need to requisition the board of directors of Global Indemnity. In limited circumstances, Global Indemnity’s auditors can require the board of directors to convene extraordinary general meetings of Global Indemnity. Extraordinary general meetings are generally held for the purposes of approving shareholder resolutions of Global Indemnity as may be required from time to time. Unless the consent of all the shareholders entitled to receive notice of that meeting is obtained at any extraordinary general meeting, only such business shall be conducted as is set forth in the notice thereof.

Notice of a general meeting must be given to all shareholders of Global Indemnity (with the exception of the holders of the Euro Share Capital) and to the auditors of Global Indemnity. The minimum notice periods are 21

 

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days’ notice in writing for an annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting to approve a special resolution and 14 days’ notice in writing for any other extraordinary general meeting. Because of the 21-day and 14-day requirements described in this paragraph, Global Indemnity’s articles of association include provisions reflecting these requirements of Irish law.

In the case of an extraordinary general meeting convened by shareholders of Global Indemnity shareholders holding not less than 10% of the paid up share capital of Global Indemnity carrying voting rights, the proposed purpose of the meeting must be set out in the requisition notice. The requisition notice can contain any resolution. Upon receipt of this requisition notice, the board of directors has 21 days to convene a meeting of Global Indemnity’s shareholders to vote on the matters set out in the requisition notice. This meeting must be held within two months of the receipt of the requisition notice. If the board of directors does not convene the meeting within such 21-day period, the requisitioning shareholders, or any of them representing more than one half of the total voting rights of all of them, may themselves convene a meeting, which meeting must be held within three months of the receipt of the requisition notice.

The only matters which must, as a matter of Irish company law, be transacted at an annual general meeting are the presentation of the annual accounts, balance sheet and reports of the directors and auditors, the appointment of auditors and the fixing of the auditor’s remuneration (or delegation of same) and a review by the shareholders of the company’s affairs. If no resolution is made in respect of the reappointment of an auditor at an annual general meeting, the previous auditor will be deemed to have continued in office.

Pursuant to Irish law, if the directors become aware that the net assets of Global Indemnity are half or less of the amount of Global Indemnity’s called-up share capital, the directors of Global Indemnity must convene an extraordinary general meeting of Global Indemnity’s shareholders not later than 28 days from the date that they learn of this fact. This meeting must be convened for the purposes of considering whether any, and if so what, measures should be taken to address the situation.

Directors

Directors of Global Indemnity are elected by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by shareholders at an annual general meeting and serve for one year terms. Any nominee for director who does not receive a majority of the votes cast is not elected to the board of directors. However, because Irish law requires a minimum of two directors at all times, in the event that an election results in no director being elected, each of the two nominees receiving the greatest number of votes in favor of his or her election shall hold office until such time as additional directors have been appointed to replace them. In the event that an election results in only one director being elected, that director shall be elected and shall serve for a one year term, and the nominee receiving the next greatest number of votes in favor of his or her election shall hold office until one or more additional directors have been appointed to replace that director.

Voting

All votes at a meeting shall be determined by a poll and every shareholder shall have one vote for each A ordinary share and ten votes for each B ordinary share that he or she holds as of the record date for the meeting (unless statute provides otherwise such as is the case in a scheme of arrangement). Voting rights on a poll may be exercised by shareholders registered in Global Indemnity’s share register as of the record date for the meeting or by a duly appointed proxy of such a registered shareholder, which proxy need not be a shareholder. Where interests in shares are held by a nominee trust company this company may exercise the rights of the beneficial holders on their behalf as their proxy. All proxies must be appointed in the manner prescribed by Global Indemnity’s articles of association. The articles of association of Global Indemnity permit the appointment of proxies by the shareholders to be notified to Global Indemnity electronically.

 

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In accordance with the articles of association of Global Indemnity, the directors of Global Indemnity may from time to time cause Global Indemnity to issue preferred shares. These preferred shares may have such voting rights as may be specified in the terms of such preferred shares (e.g., they may carry more votes per share than ordinary shares or may entitle their holders to a class vote on such matters as may be specified in the terms of the preferred shares).

Treasury shares will not be entitled to vote at general meeting of shareholders.

The Euro Share Capital carries no right to receive notice of or to attend, vote or speak at any shareholder meeting.

Irish company law requires “special resolutions” of the shareholders at a general meeting to approve certain matters. A special resolution requires not less than 75% of the votes of Global Indemnity’s shareholders present in person or by proxy cast at a general meeting. This may be contrasted with “ordinary resolutions,” which require a simple majority of the votes of Global Indemnity’s shareholders cast at a general meeting. Examples of matters requiring special resolutions include:

 

    amending the objects or memorandum of association of Global Indemnity;

 

    amending the articles of association of Global Indemnity;

 

    approving a change of name of Global Indemnity;

 

    authorizing the entering into of a guarantee or provision of security in connection with a loan, quasi loan or credit transaction to a director or connected person;

 

    opting out of pre-emption rights on the issuance of new shares;

 

    re-registration of Global Indemnity from a public limited company as a private company;

 

    variation of class rights attaching to classes of shares;

 

    purchase of own shares off-market;

 

    the reduction of share capital;

 

    resolving that Global Indemnity be wound up by the Irish courts;

 

    resolving in favor of a shareholders’ voluntary winding-up;

 

    re-designation of shares into different share classes;

 

    setting the re-issue price of treasury shares; and

 

    a merger or division in accordance with Chapters 16 and 17 of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland.

A scheme of arrangement with shareholders requires a court order from the Irish High Court and the approval of: (1) 75% or more in value of the shares of Global Indemnity present and voting in person or by proxy; and (2) more than 50% in number of the voting shareholders, at the meeting convened to consider the scheme.

Variation of Rights Attaching to a Class or Series of Shares

Variation of all or any special rights attached to any class or series of shares of Global Indemnity is addressed in the articles of association of Global Indemnity as well as the Irish Companies Act. Any variation of class rights attaching to the issued shares of Global Indemnity must be approved in writing by holders of three quarters (3/4) of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution of the shareholders of the class or series affected.

 

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Quorum for General Meeting

The presence, in person or by proxy, of one or more holders holding at least a majority of the votes eligible to be cast at a general meeting constitutes a quorum for the conduct of business. No business may take place at a general meeting of Global Indemnity if a quorum is not present in person or by proxy. The board of directors has no authority to waive quorum requirements stipulated in the articles of association of Global Indemnity. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum in respect of the proposals.

Inspection of Books and Records

Under Irish law, shareholders have the right to: (1) receive a copy of the memorandum and articles of association of Global Indemnity and any act of the Irish Government which alters the memorandum of association of Global Indemnity; (2) inspect and obtain copies of the minutes of general meeting and resolutions of shareholders of Global Indemnity; (3) inspect and receive a copy of the register of shareholders, register of directors and secretaries, register of directors’ interests and other statutory registers maintained by Global Indemnity; (4) receive copies of balance sheets and directors’ and auditors’ reports which have previously been sent to shareholders prior to an annual general meeting; and (5) receive balance sheets of a subsidiary company of Global Indemnity which have previously been sent to shareholders prior to an annual general meeting for the preceding ten years. The auditors of Global Indemnity also have the right to inspect all books, records and vouchers of Global Indemnity. If required by law, the auditors’ report must be circulated to the shareholders with copies of the balance sheet and auditors’ report 21 days before the annual general meeting and must be read to the shareholders at Global Indemnity’s annual general meeting.

Acquisitions

There are a number of mechanisms for acquiring an Irish public limited company, including:

(a) a court-approved scheme of arrangement under the Irish Companies Act. A scheme of arrangement with shareholders requires a court order from the Irish High Court and the approval of: (1) 75% or more in value of the shares of Global Indemnity present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote; and (2) more than 50% in number of the voting shareholders, at the meeting convened to consider the scheme;

(b) through a tender offer by a third party for all of the shares of Global Indemnity. Where the holders of 80% or more in value of Global Indemnity’s ordinary shares have accepted an offer for their shares in Global Indemnity, the remaining shareholders may be statutorily required to also transfer their shares. If the bidder does not exercise its “squeeze out” right, then the non-accepting shareholders also have a statutory right to require the bidder to acquire their shares on the same terms. If shares of Global Indemnity were listed on the Irish Stock Exchange or another regulated stock exchange in the EU, this threshold would be increased to 90%; and

(c) a merger with an Irish incorporated company under Chapter 16 of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland. Such a merger must be approved by a special resolution. If Global Indemnity is being merged with another Irish company and the consideration payable to Global Indemnity’s shareholders is not all in the form of cash, Global Indemnity’s shareholders may be entitled to require their shares to be acquired at fair value in cash.

(d) a merger with an EU-incorporated public company under the EU Cross Border Merger Directive 2005/56. Such a merger must be approved by a special resolution. If Global Indemnity is being merged with another EU public company under the EU Cross Border Merger Directive 2005/56 and the consideration payable to Global Indemnity’s shareholders is not all in the form of cash, Global Indemnity’s shareholders may be entitled to require their shares to be acquired at fair value.

 

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Under Irish law, there is no general requirement for a company’s shareholders to approve a sale, lease or exchange of all or substantially all of a company’s assets to a third party save where such sale is a division of the company proposed under Chapter 17 of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland. In those circumstances a division must be approved by a special resolution.

Appraisal Rights

Generally, under Irish law, shareholders of an Irish company do not have appraisal rights. However, under Chapters 16 and 17 of Part 17 of the Companies Act 2014 of Ireland, governing the merger or division of an Irish public limited company within another Irish company, a shareholder who (a) voted against the special resolution approving the merger or division, as the case may be, or (b) is a shareholder of a company in which 90% of the shares are held by the other company party to the merger or division of the transferor company, has the right to request that the successor company acquire its shares for cash. Similarly, under the EC (Cross-Border Mergers) Regulations 2008 governing the merger of an Irish public limited company and a company incorporated in the European Economic Area, a shareholder (a) who voted against the special resolution approving the merger or (b) of a company in which 90% of the shares are held by the other company party to the merger has the right to request that the other company acquire its shares for cash.

Disclosure of Interests in Shares

Under the Irish Companies Act, there is a notification requirement for shareholders who acquire or cease to be interested in at least 3% of the shares of an Irish public limited company. A shareholder of Global Indemnity must therefore make such a notification to Global Indemnity if as a result of a transaction the shareholder will be interested in 3% or more of the shares of Global Indemnity; or if as a result of a transaction a shareholder who was interested in more than 3% will cease to be interested in at least 3% of the shares of Global Indemnity. Where a shareholder is interested in more than 3% of the shares of Global Indemnity, any alteration of his or her interest that brings his or her total holding to the nearest whole percentage number, whether an increase or a reduction, must be notified to Global Indemnity. The relevant percentage figure is calculated by reference to the aggregate par value of the shares in which the shareholder is interested as a proportion of the entire par value of Global Indemnity’s share capital. Where the percentage level of the shareholder’s interest does not amount to a whole percentage this figure may be rounded down to the next whole number. All such disclosures should be notified to Global Indemnity within 5 business days of the transaction or alteration of the shareholder’s interests that gave rise to the requirement to notify. Where a person fails to comply with the notification requirements described above, no right or interest of any kind whatsoever in respect of any shares in Global Indemnity concerned, held by such person, shall be enforceable by such person, whether directly or indirectly, by action or legal proceeding. However, such person may apply to the Irish High Court to have the rights attaching to the shares concerned reinstated.

Global Indemnity’s articles of association also give authority to the board of directors to request from any direct or indirect holder of shares, such information as is required to determine whether that shareholder may be a U.S. person and controls 9.5% or more of the voting power of Global Indemnity. Global Indemnity has the power under its articles to adjust the voting power of all shares to the extent necessary so that there is no 9.5% U.S. shareholder, to avoid potential consequences for the U.S. shareholder under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except that, such adjustment shall not apply to Fox Paine & Company, LLC and any of its affiliates (individually, a “Fox Paine Entity” and collectively, the “Fox Paine Entities”) or any group, as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, referred to as a “13D Group,” which beneficially owns greater than 75% of the voting power or value of the issued shares of Global Indemnity or any 13D Group in which a Fox Paine Entity participates.

Further, under Global Indemnity’s articles of association, any direct or indirect holder of shares that has actual knowledge that it is the owner of 9.5% or more of the voting power of all issued and outstanding shares of Global Indemnity shall give notice to Global Indemnity within ten days of acquiring that knowledge.

 

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In addition to the above disclosure requirement, Global Indemnity, under the Irish Companies Act, may by notice in writing require a person whom Global Indemnity knows or has reasonable cause to believe to be, or at any time during the three years immediately preceding the date on which such notice is issued, to have been interested in shares comprising Global Indemnity’s relevant share capital: (a) to indicate whether or not it is the case, and (b) where such person holds or has during that time held an interest in the shares of Global Indemnity, to give such further information as may be required by Global Indemnity including particulars of such person’s own past or present interests in shares of Global Indemnity. Any information given in response to the notice is required to be given in writing within such reasonable time as may be specified in the notice.

Where such a notice is served by Global Indemnity on a person who is or was interested in shares of Global Indemnity and that person fails to give Global Indemnity any information required within the reasonable time specified, Global Indemnity may apply to court for an order directing that the affected shares be subject to certain restrictions.

Under the Irish Companies Act, the restrictions that may be placed on the shares by the court are as follows:

(a) any transfer of those shares, or in the case of unissued shares any transfer of the right to be issued with shares and any issue of shares, shall be void;

(b) no voting rights shall be exercisable in respect of those shares;

(c) no further shares shall be issued in right of those shares or in pursuance of any offer made to the holder of those shares; and

(d) no payment shall be made of any sums due from Global Indemnity on those shares, whether in respect of capital or otherwise.

Where the shares in Global Indemnity are subject to these restrictions, the court may order the shares to be sold and may also direct that the shares shall cease to be subject to these restrictions.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Irish Takeover Rules and Substantial Acquisition Rules

A transaction by virtue of which a third party is seeking to acquire 30% or more of the voting rights of Global Indemnity will be governed by the Irish Takeover Panel Act 1997 and the Irish Takeover Rules made thereunder and will be regulated by the Irish Takeover Panel. The “General Principles” of the Irish Takeover Rules and certain important aspects of the Irish Takeover Rules are described below.

General Principles

The Irish Takeover Rules are built on the following General Principles which will apply to any transaction regulated by the Irish Takeover Panel:

 

    in the event of an offer, all classes of shareholders of the target company should be afforded equivalent treatment and, if a person acquires control of a company, the other holders of securities must be protected;

 

    the holders of securities in the target company must have sufficient time to allow them to make an informed decision regarding the offer;

 

    the board of a company must act in the interests of the company as a whole. If the board of the target company advises the holders of securities as regards the offer, it must advise on the effects of the implementation of the offer on employment, employment conditions and the locations of the target company’s place of business;

 

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    false markets in the securities of the target company or any other company concerned by the offer must not be created;

 

    a bidder can only announce an offer after ensuring that he or she can fulfill in full the consideration offered;

 

    a target company may not be hindered longer than is reasonable by an offer for its securities. This is a recognition that an offer will disrupt the day-to-day running of a target company, particularly if the offer is hostile and the board of the target company must divert its attention to resist the offer; and

 

    “substantial acquisition” of securities (whether such acquisition is to be effected by one transaction or a series of transactions) will only be allowed to take place at an acceptable speed and shall be subject to adequate and timely disclosure.

Mandatory Bid

If an acquisition of shares were to increase the aggregate holding of an acquirer and its concert parties to shares carrying 30% or more of the voting rights in Global Indemnity, the acquirer and, depending on the circumstances, its concert parties would be required (except with the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel) to make a cash offer for the outstanding shares at a price not less than the highest price paid for the shares by the acquirer or its concert parties during the previous 12 months. This requirement would also be triggered by an acquisition of shares by a person holding (together with its concert parties) shares carrying between 30% and 50% of the voting rights in Global Indemnity if the effect of such acquisition were to increase the percentage of the voting rights held by that person (together with its concert parties) by 0.05% within a twelve-month period.

A single holder (that is, a holder excluding any parties acting in concert with the holder) holding more than 50% of the voting rights of a company is not subject to this rule. The Fox Paine Entities are considered by Global Indemnity as a single holder with regard to their holdings in Global Indemnity for these purposes.

Voluntary Bid; Requirements to Make a Cash Offer and Minimum Price Requirements

A voluntary offer is an offer that is not a mandatory offer. If a bidder or any of its concert parties acquire ordinary shares of Global Indemnity within the period of three months prior to the commencement of the offer period, the offer price must be not less than the highest price paid for Global Indemnity ordinary shares by the bidder or its concert parties during that period. The Irish Takeover Panel has the power to extend the “look back” period to 12 months if the Irish Takeover Panel, having regard to the General Principles, believes it is appropriate to do so.

If the bidder or any of its concert parties has acquired ordinary shares of Global Indemnity (i) during the period of 12 months prior to the commencement of the offer period which represent more than 10% of the total ordinary shares of Global Indemnity or (ii) at any time after the commencement of the offer period, the offer shall be in cash (or accompanied by a full cash alternative) and the price per Global Indemnity ordinary share shall be not less than the highest price paid by the bidder or its concert parties during, in the case of (i), the period of 12 months prior to the commencement of the offer period and, in the case of (ii), the offer period. The Irish Takeover Panel may apply this rule to a bidder who, together with its concert parties, has acquired less than 10% of the total ordinary shares of Global Indemnity in the 12 month period prior to the commencement of the offer period if the Panel, having regard to the General Principles, considers it just and proper to do so.

An offer period will generally commence from the date of the first announcement of the offer or proposed offer.

 

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Substantial Acquisition Rules

The Irish Takeover Rules also contain rules governing substantial acquisitions of shares which restrict the speed at which a person may increase his or her holding of shares and rights over shares to an aggregate of between 15% and 30% of the voting rights of Global Indemnity. Except in certain circumstances, an acquisition or series of acquisitions of shares or rights over shares representing 10% or more of the voting rights of Global Indemnity is prohibited, if such acquisition(s), when aggregated with shares or rights already held, would result in the acquirer holding 15% or more but less than 30% of the voting rights of Global Indemnity and such acquisitions are made within a period of seven days. These rules also require accelerated disclosure of acquisitions of shares or rights over shares relating to such holdings.

Frustrating Action

Under the Irish Takeover Rules, the board of directors of Global Indemnity is not permitted to take any action which might frustrate an offer for the shares of Global Indemnity once the board of directors has received an approach which may lead to an offer or has reason to believe an offer is imminent except as noted below. Potentially frustrating actions such as (i) the issue of shares, options or convertible securities, (ii) material disposals, (iii) entering into contracts other than in the ordinary course of business or (iv) any action, other than seeking alternative offers, which may result in frustration of an offer, are prohibited during the course of an offer or at any time during which the board of directors has reason to believe an offer is imminent. Exceptions to this prohibition are available where:

 

  (a) the action is approved by Global Indemnity’s shareholders at a general meeting; or

 

  (b) with the consent of the Irish Takeover Panel where:

 

  (i) the Irish Takeover Panel is satisfied the action would not constitute a frustrating action;

 

  (ii) the holders of 50% of the voting rights state in writing that they approve the proposed action and would vote in favor of it at a general meeting;

 

  (iii) in accordance with a contract entered into prior to the announcement of the offer; or

 

  (iv) the decision to take such action was made before the announcement of the offer and either has been at least partially implemented or is in the ordinary course of business.

Voting of Subsidiaries’ Shares

Global Indemnity’s articles of association provide that, if Global Indemnity is required or entitled to vote at a general meeting of any direct subsidiary of Global Indemnity that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America, the directors shall refer the subject matter of the vote to the shareholders of Global Indemnity at a general meeting (subject to certain exceptions) and seek authority from the shareholders for the Company’s corporate representative or proxy to vote in favor of the resolution proposed by the subsidiary, unless the subsidiary is or has elected to be disregarded from its owner for U.S. federal income tax purposes and does not own, directly or indirectly, any subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States of America that is treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (each such non-United States subsidiary that is not disregarded, or that is disregarded but owns, directly or indirectly, a non-United States subsidiary that is treated as a corporation for such purposes, a “Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary”). The Directors shall cause Global Indemnity’s corporate representative or proxy to vote Global Indemnity’s shares in the Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary pro rata to the votes received at the general meeting of Global Indemnity, with votes for or against the directing resolution being taken, respectively, as an instruction for the Company’s corporate representative or proxy to vote the appropriate proportion of its shares for and the appropriate proportion of its shares against the resolution proposed by the Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply to any subject matter regarding a U.S. indirect subsidiary of Global Indemnity that is required to be voted on by a Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary of the Company as the shareholder

 

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of such U.S. subsidiary, and shall apply to a vote of Global Indemnity as shareholder of a disregarded subsidiary that directly or indirectly owns non-United States subsidiaries treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes only if the subject matter of such vote pertains to such non-United States subsidiaries treated as corporations. Notwithstanding, the directors in their sole and absolute discretion will require that the bylaws or articles of association, or similar organizational documents, of each Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary, whether currently in existence or subsequently organized, will contain provisions substantially similar to the one in Global Indemnity’s articles of association. Global Indemnity will enter into agreements with each such Non-U.S. Regarded Subsidiary, as reasonably necessary, to effectuate or implement the provision.

Corporate Governance

The articles of association of Global Indemnity allocate authority over the management of Global Indemnity to the board of directors. The board of directors may then delegate management of Global Indemnity to committees of the board, executives or to a management team, but regardless, the directors will remain responsible, as a matter of Irish law, for the proper management of the affairs of Global Indemnity. Global Indemnity has an Audit Committee, Compensation and Benefits Committee, Executive Committee, Investment Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, and an Enterprise Risk Management Committee. Global Indemnity has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Corporate Communications Policy, Insider Trading Policy, and other policies pertaining to the Audit Committee.

Legal Name; Formation; Fiscal Year; Registered Office

The legal and commercial name of the company is Global Indemnity public limited company. Global Indemnity was incorporated in Ireland, as a public limited company on March 9, 2010 with company registration number 481805. Global Indemnity’s fiscal year ends on December 31 and Global Indemnity’s registered address is 25/28 North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, Ireland.

Duration; Dissolution; Rights upon Liquidation

Global Indemnity’s duration is unlimited. Global Indemnity may be dissolved at any time by way of either a shareholders’ voluntary winding up or a creditors’ voluntary winding up. In the case of a shareholders’ voluntary winding up, the consent of not less than 75% of the votes of the shareholders of Global Indemnity cast at a general meeting is required. Global Indemnity may also be dissolved by way of court order on the application of a creditor, or by the Companies Registration Office as an enforcement measure where Global Indemnity has failed to file certain returns.

The rights of the shareholders to a return of Global Indemnity’s assets on dissolution or winding up, following the settlement of all claims of creditors, is prescribed in Global Indemnity’s articles of association and may be prescribed in the terms of any preferred shares issued by the directors of Global Indemnity from time to time. The holders of preferred shares in particular may have the right to priority in a dissolution or winding up of Global Indemnity. If the articles of association contain no specific provisions in respect of a dissolution or winding up then, subject to the priorities or any creditors, the assets will be distributed to shareholders in proportion to the paid-up par value of the shares held. Global Indemnity’s articles of association provide that the ordinary shareholders of Global Indemnity are entitled to participate pro rata in a winding up, but their right to do so may be subject to the rights of any preferred shareholders to participate under the terms of any series or class of preferred shares, as the directors will fix at the time of issuance.

Uncertificated Shares

Upon request of the Company, holders of ordinary shares of Global Indemnity will be entitled to a certificate for their shares. The transfer of ordinary shares in Global Indemnity could be subject to Irish stamp duty.

 

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NASDAQ Listing

The Global Indemnity A ordinary shares are listed on NASDAQ under the symbol “GBLI.”

No Sinking Fund

The ordinary shares have no sinking fund provisions.

No Liability for Further Calls or Assessments

All issued and outstanding ordinary shares are duly and validly issued and fully paid.

Transfer Agent; Transfer and Registration of Shares

Computershare Investor Services serves as the transfer agent and registrar of our ordinary shares. Global Indemnity’s share register is maintained by its assistant company secretary. Registration in this share register will be determinative of membership in Global Indemnity. A shareholder of Global Indemnity who holds shares beneficially will not be the holder of record of such shares. Instead, the depository (for example, Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC) or other nominee will be the holder of record of such shares. Accordingly, a transfer of shares from a person who holds such shares beneficially to a person who also holds such shares beneficially will not be registered in Global Indemnity’s official share register, as the depositary or other nominee will remain the record holder of such shares.

A written instrument of transfer is required under Irish law in order to register on Global Indemnity’s official share register any transfer of shares from a person who holds such shares directly to any other person, or from a person who holds such shares beneficially to a person who holds such shares directly or from a person who holds such shares beneficially to another person who holds such shares beneficially where the transfer involves a change in the depository or other nominee that is the record owner of the transferred shares.

An instrument of transfer also is required for a shareholder who directly holds shares to transfer those shares into his or her own broker account (or vice versa). Such instruments of transfer may give rise to Irish stamp duty, which must be paid prior to registration of the transfer on Global Indemnity’s official Irish share register.

To the extent that stamp duty is due but has not been accounted for, Global Indemnity may, in its absolute discretion, pay (or cause one of its affiliates to pay) the outstanding stamp duty in respect of a transfer of shares. Global Indemnity’s articles of association provide that, in the event of any such payment, Global Indemnity (i) may seek reimbursement from the transferor or transferee (at our discretion), (ii) may set-off the amount of the stamp duty against future dividends payable to the transferor or transferee (at our discretion), and (iii) will have a lien against the Global Indemnity ordinary shares on which we have paid stamp duty.

Global Indemnity’s articles of association delegate to Global Indemnity’s secretary the authority to execute an instrument of transfer on behalf of a transferring party, which the secretary may do if for any reason such instrument is required and has not already been recorded with Global Indemnity. To help ensure that the official share register is regularly updated to reflect trading of Global Indemnity ordinary shares occurring through normal electronic systems, we intend to regularly produce any required instruments of transfer in connection with any transactions for which we pay stamp duty (subject to the reimbursement and set-off rights described above). If we notify one or both of the parties to a share transfer that we believe stamp duty is required to be paid in connection with such transfer and that we will not pay such stamp duty, such parties may either themselves arrange for the execution of the required instrument of transfer (and may request a form of instrument of transfer from Global Indemnity for this purpose) or request that Global Indemnity execute an instrument of transfer on behalf of the transferring party in a form determined by Global Indemnity. In either event, if the parties to the share transfer have the instrument of transfer duly stamped (to the extent required) and then provide it to Global

 

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Indemnity’s transfer agent, the transferee will be registered as the legal owner of the relevant shares on Global Indemnity’s official Irish share register (subject to the matters described below).

The directors of Global Indemnity have general discretion to decline to register an instrument of transfer if:

 

  (i) the transfer is not in respect of one class of shares only, or

 

  (ii) it appears to the directors, in their sole and absolute discretion, that any non-de minimis adverse tax, regulatory or legal consequences to Global Indemnity or any of its subsidiaries, shareholder or affiliate would result from such transfer (including if such consequence arises as a result of any U.S. Person owning Controlled Shares (as defined in Global Indemnity’s articles of association) constituting 9.5% or more of the value of the Company or the voting shares of the Company (subject to certain exceptions)), or

 

  (iii) such share has not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, or is not exempt from registration under that Act, or a written opinion from counsel acceptable to the Company has not been obtained to the effect that registration of such transfer under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, is not required.

The directors may request from any shareholder information to determine whether any transfer should be permitted. If such information is not forwarded, the board of directors may decline to approve or register such transfer. The board of directors shall decline to approve or to register any transfer of any share if the transferee shall not have been approved by applicable governmental authorities, if such approval is required.

The registration of transfers may be suspended by the directors at such times and for such period, not exceeding in the whole 30 days in each year, as the board of directors may from time to time determine.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

We may offer depositary shares, each representing a specified fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred shares. Depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares will be issued to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of the related preferred shares.

The shares of any class or series of preferred shares represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement among Global Indemnity, a depositary selected by Global Indemnity and the holders of the depositary receipts, whom we refer to in this section as owners. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred shares represented by the depositary share in proportion to the fraction of a preferred share represented by the depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights.

Dividends and Other Distributions

The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other distributions received on the related preferred shares to the owners in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the owners, unless the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution, in which case the depositary may, with our approval, sell the property and distribute the net proceeds from the sale to the owners.

Withdrawal of Shares

Upon surrender of the depositary receipts, unless the related depositary shares have previously been called for redemption, the owner is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of the related preferred shares and any money or other property represented by his depositary shares. Holders of the whole preferred shares will not be entitled to exchange the preferred shares for depositary shares. If the delivered depositary receipts evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of whole preferred shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to the owner a new depositary receipt evidencing this excess number at the same time. In no event will fractional preferred shares be delivered upon surrender of depositary receipts.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

Whenever we redeem preferred shares held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem the number of depositary shares representing the related preferred shares. The redemption price per depositary share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per preferred share. If less than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the depositary or us.

Voting the Preferred Shares

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record owners of the depositary shares. Each record owner on the record date, which will be the same as the record date for the preferred shares, may instruct the depositary how to exercise its voting rights pertaining to the preferred shares represented by the owner’s depositary shares. The depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the number of the preferred shares represented by these depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and we will agree to take all action which the depositary deems necessary in order to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will not vote preferred shares if it does not receive specific instructions from the record owners.

 

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Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement may be amended at any time by agreement between us and the depositary. However, any amendment which materially and adversely alters the rights of the owners will not be effective unless it has been approved by the owners representing at least a majority, or, in the case of amendments affecting rights to receive dividends or distributions or voting or redemption rights, 66 2/3% of the depositary shares then outstanding. We or the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement only:

 

    if all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed;

 

    if there has been a final distribution on the preferred shares in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Global Indemnity and the distribution has been distributed to the owners; or

 

    with the consent of owners representing not less than 66 2/3% of the depositary shares outstanding.

Charges of Depositary

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will also pay charges of the depositary in connection with the initial deposit of preferred shares and any redemption of the preferred shares. Owners will pay all other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges as are expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be for their accounts.

The depositary may refuse to transfer a depositary receipt or any withdrawal of preferred shares evidenced by the depositary receipts until all taxes and charges with respect to the receipts or preferred shares are paid by the owners.

Miscellaneous

The depositary will forward to owners all reports and communications which it receives from us and which we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred shares.

Neither the depositary nor we will be liable if the depositary is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the deposit agreement. Our and the depositary’s obligations will be limited to performance of the duties under the deposit agreement in a manner that does not constitute bad faith, and neither we nor the depositary will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary or preferred shares unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

The depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to resign, and we may at any time remove the depositary. Any resignation or removal of the depositary will take effect upon the appointment of a successor depositary, which successor depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 or be an affiliate of such bank or trust company.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

The following description sets forth the material terms and provisions of the debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under an indenture, referred to in this prospectus as the indenture, between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The specific terms applicable to a particular issuance of debt securities and any variations from the terms set forth below will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The following is a summary of the material terms and provisions of the indenture and the debt securities. You should refer to the form of indenture and the form of debt security for complete information regarding the terms and provisions of the indenture and the debt securities.

General

The indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indenture from time to time in one or more series. The indenture does not limit the amount of other indebtedness, or debt securities other than secured indebtedness, which we or our subsidiaries may issue.

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating thereto, including the following, as applicable:

 

    the title of such debt securities, whether such debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated debt securities, the specific subordination provisions applicable thereto;

 

    the aggregate principal amount of such debt securities and any limit on such aggregate principal amount;

 

    the price or prices (which may be expressed as a percentage of the principal amount thereof) at which such debt securities will be issued and, if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount thereof payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof, or, if applicable, the portion of the principal amount of such debt securities that is convertible or exchangeable or the method by which any such portion shall be determined;

 

    if convertible or exchangeable for other securities, the terms on which such debt securities are convertible or exchangeable, including the initial conversion or exchange price, the conversion or exchange period, any events requiring an adjustment of the applicable conversion or exchange price and any requirements relating to the reservation of securities for purposes of conversion in the case of convertible securities;

 

    the date(s), or the method for determining such date or dates, on which the principal of such debt securities will be payable and, if applicable, the terms on which such maturity may be extended;

 

    the rate(s) (which may be fixed or floating), or the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined, at which such debt securities will bear interest, if any, including, if applicable, that such debt securities will bear interest at an increased rate (up to a specified maximum) upon the occurrence of an event of default and/or under certain circumstances described in the applicable prospectus supplement (which may include, among other things, a reduction in the trading price of ordinary shares below certain levels for a minimum period of time);

 

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    the date(s), or the method for determining such date or dates, from which any such interest will accrue, the dates on which any such interest will be payable, the record dates for such interest payment dates, or the method by which such dates shall be determined, the persons to whom such interest shall be payable, and the basis upon which interest shall be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

    the place(s) where the principal of and interest, if any, on such debt securities will be payable, where such debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us in respect of such debt securities and the indenture may be served;

 

    the period(s), if any, within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such debt securities may, pursuant to any optional or mandatory redemption provisions, be redeemed, as a whole or in part, at our option;

 

    our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or repurchase such debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund (as defined in the applicable prospectus supplement) or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the other terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased, as a whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;

 

    if other than U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the principal of and interest, if any, on such debt securities are denominated and payable, which may be a foreign currency or units of two or more foreign currencies or a composite currency or currencies, and the terms and conditions relating thereto;

 

    whether the amount of payments of principal of or interest, if any, on such debt securities may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, but need not, be based on the yield on or trading price of other securities, including United States Treasury securities, or on a currency, currencies, currency unit or units, or composite currency or currencies) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

    whether the principal of or interest, if any, on the debt securities of the series is to be payable, at our election or the election of a holder thereof, in a currency or currencies, currency unit or units or composite currency or currencies other than that in which such debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the period or periods within which, and the terms and conditions upon which, such election may be made;

 

    whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay additional amounts on the debt securities of the series held by a person who is not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts;

 

    provisions, if any, granting special rights to the holders of debt securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

    any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants with respect to debt securities of the series, whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants described herein;

 

    whether debt securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any debt securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such security in permanent global form may exchange such interests for debt securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in the indenture, and, if debt securities of the series are to be issuable as a global security, the identity of the depository for such series;

 

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    the applicability, if any, of the defeasance and covenant defeasance provisions of the indenture to the debt securities of the series;

 

    a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

    if exchangeable into another series of our debt securities, the terms on which such debt securities are exchangeable; and

 

    any other terms of the series of debt securities and any additions to the indenture.

If the applicable prospectus supplement provides, the debt securities may be issued at a discount below their principal amount and provide for less than the entire principal amount thereof to be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof. In such cases, the special U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to such discounted securities will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Except as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that would limit our ability to incur indebtedness or that would afford holders of debt securities protection from transactions involving us, including a highly leveraged transaction involving us or a change in control. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information with respect to any additions to the events of default or covenants described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk or similar protection.

Denomination, Interest, Registration and Transfer

We will issue the debt securities of each series only in registered form, without coupons, in minimum denominations of $2,000 and increments of $1,000 in excess thereof, or in such other currencies or denominations as may be set forth in the applicable supplemental indenture or specified in, or pursuant to, an authorizing resolution, if any, relating to such series of debt securities.

The principal of and interest, if any, on any series of debt securities will be payable at the corporate trust office of the trustee, the address of which will be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. However, at our option, interest payment may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the applicable register for such debt securities. We will make payments of principal of, and any interest on, the debt securities represented by any global security registered in the name of and held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of such global security. Neither we, the trustee nor any of its or our respective agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in any global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC, its nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.

Subject to certain limitations imposed upon debt securities issued in book-entry form, the debt securities of any series:

 

    will be exchangeable for any authorized denomination of other debt securities of the same series and of a like aggregate principal amount and tenor upon surrender of such debt securities at the trustee’s corporate trust office or at the office of any registrar designated by us for such purpose; and

 

    may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange thereof at the corporate trust office of the trustee or at the office of any registrar designated by us for such purpose.

No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and exchanges. We may act as registrar and may change any registrar without notice.

 

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Certain Covenants

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any material covenants in respect of a series of debt securities that are not described in this prospectus.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, all debt securities will include the provision described below.

We may not (1) consolidate with or merge with or into any other person or convey, transfer, sell or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, (2) permit any person to consolidate with or merge into us or (3) permit any person to convey, transfer, sell or lease that person’s properties and assets substantially as an entirety to us unless:

 

    in the case of (1) and (2) above, if we are not the surviving person, such surviving person is an entity organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (including any State thereof or the District of Columbia), the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda or any country which is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development or the European Union and the surviving person assumes the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities and the performance of its other covenants under the indenture;

 

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default under the indenture, and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default under the indenture, will have occurred and be continuing; and

 

    the Company shall have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, sale or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture, comply with this covenant and that all conditions precedent in the indenture relating to such transaction have been satisfied.

Reporting by the Issuer

Under the indenture, we will be required to file with the trustee, within 15 days after we are required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports which we may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that availability of such reports on a website maintained by the SEC shall be deemed to fulfill this requirement. If we are not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said sections of the Exchange Act, then we shall file with the trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange. We also will be required to file with the trustee and the SEC such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by us with the conditions and covenants of the indenture as may be required from time to time under the rules and regulations of the SEC. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the trustee is for informational purposes only and the trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under the indenture (as to which the trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on an officer’s certificate). The trustee will not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, our compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or the SEC’s EDGAR system or any website under the indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

 

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Ranking of Debt Securities

General

Because we are a holding company, our rights and the rights of our creditors, including you, as a holder of debt securities, and shareholders to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary’s liquidation or reorganization or otherwise would be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we are a creditor of the subsidiary. The right of our creditors, including you, to participate in the distribution of stock owned by us in some of our subsidiaries, including our insurance subsidiaries, may also be subject to approval by insurance regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over these subsidiaries.

Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities will be our unsecured unsubordinated obligations and will:

 

    rank equal in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness;

 

    be effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and

 

    be effectively subordinated to all indebtedness and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock of our subsidiaries.

Except as otherwise set forth in the indenture or specified in an authorizing resolution, officer’s certificate and/or supplemental indenture, if any, relating to a series of senior debt securities to be issued, there are no limitations in the indenture on the amount of additional indebtedness which may rank equal with the senior debt securities or on the amount of indebtedness, secured or otherwise, which may be incurred or preference shares which may be issued by us or our subsidiaries.

Subordinated Debt Securities

The subordinated debt securities will be our unsecured subordinated obligations. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash of principal of, interest on and all other amounts owing in respect of all of our senior indebtedness. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to creditors upon any total or partial liquidation, dissolution, winding-up, reorganization, assignment for the benefit of creditors or marshaling of assets or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding relating to us or our property, whether voluntary or involuntary, all principal of, interest on and all other amounts due or to become due shall be paid, first, to all senior indebtedness in full in cash, or such payment duly provided for to the satisfaction of the holders of senior indebtedness, before any payment or distribution of any kind or character is made on account of any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities, or for the acquisition of any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

If any default occurs and is continuing in the payment when due, whether at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration or otherwise, of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any senior indebtedness, unless and until such default has been cured or waived or has ceased to exist or such senior indebtedness has been discharged or repaid in full, no payment of any kind or character shall be made by the Company or any other person on the Company’s behalf with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities or to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

If any other event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to any senior indebtedness, as such event of default is defined in the instrument creating or evidencing such senior indebtedness, permitting the holders of

 

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such senior indebtedness then outstanding to accelerate the maturity thereof and a representative for the respective issue of senior indebtedness gives written notice of the event of default to the trustee, then the Company may be subject to a blockage period, during which, unless and until all events of default have been cured or waived or have ceased to exist or the trustee receives notice from the representative for the respective issue of senior indebtedness terminating such blockage period, neither the Company nor any other person on the Company’s behalf shall:

(1) make any payment of any kind or character with respect to any principal of, interest on or other amounts owing in respect of the subordinated debt securities; or

(2) acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or otherwise.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the terms of any subordinated debt securities will not restrict the amount of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ senior indebtedness or other indebtedness. As a result, in the event of the Company’s insolvency, holders of the subordinated debt securities may recover ratably less than the Company’s general creditors.

Discharge and Defeasance

Under the terms of the indenture, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series and the indenture (except in each case for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt security certificates or other title documents, maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust) if:

 

    we deliver all outstanding debt securities of such series to the trustee for cancellation and pay all sums payable by us under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such series; or

 

    such debt securities either have become due and payable or will become due and payable within one year (or are scheduled for redemption within one year) and we deposit with the trustee, in trust:

 

    in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in U.S. dollars, cash or U.S. government obligations sufficient to pay all principal of and interest and premium, if any, on such debt securities; and

 

    in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in any currency other than U.S. dollars, an amount of the applicable currency in which such debt securities are denominated sufficient to pay all principal of and interest and premium, if any, on such debt securities.

In addition, unless the applicable prospectus supplement and authorizing resolution, officer’s certificate or supplemental indenture provide otherwise, we may elect either (1) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to such debt securities (“defeasance”) or (2) to be released from its obligations with respect to such debt securities under certain covenants in the indenture, and any omission to comply with such obligations will not constitute a default or an event of default with respect to such debt securities (“covenant defeasance”):

 

    by delivering all outstanding debt securities of such series to the trustee for cancellation and paying all sums payable by us under such debt securities and the indenture with respect to such series;

 

    by delivering to the trustee an officer’s certificate as to solvency and the absence of intent of preferring holders of the debt securities over our other creditors; and

 

    after giving notice to the trustee of our intention to defease all of the debt securities of such series, by irrevocably depositing with the trustee or a paying agent:

 

    in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in U.S. dollars, cash or U.S. government obligations sufficient to pay all principal of and interest on such debt securities; and

 

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    in the case of any debt securities of any series denominated in any currency other than U.S. dollars, an amount of the applicable currency in which the debt securities are denominated sufficient to pay all principal of and interest on such debt securities.

Such a trust may only be established if, among other things:

 

    the defeasance or covenant defeasance does not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument to which we are a party or by which we are bound;

 

    no event of default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an event of default with respect to the debt securities to be defeased will have occurred and be continuing on the date of establishment of such a trust after giving effect to such establishment and, with respect to defeasance only, no bankruptcy proceeding with respect to us will have occurred and be continuing at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after such date; and

 

    we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred, and such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance, must refer to and be based upon a letter ruling of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service received by us, a Revenue Ruling published by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable U.S. federal income tax law.

If we effect covenant defeasance with respect to any debt securities and such debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, other than an event of default with respect to any covenant as to which there has been covenant defeasance, then the U.S. government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such debt securities at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify, amend and/or supplement the indenture and the applicable debt securities with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class); provided, however, that such modification, amendment or supplement may not, without the consent of each holder of the debt securities affected thereby:

 

    change the stated maturity of the principal of or any premium or any installment of interest with respect to the debt securities;

 

    reduce the principal amount of, or the rate of interest on or any premium payable upon the redemption of, the debt securities;

 

    change the currency of payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities;

 

    change the redemption provisions, if any, of any debt securities in any manner adverse to the holders of such series of debt securities;

 

    impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt securities;

 

    reduce the above-stated percentage of holders of the debt securities of any series necessary to modify or amend the indenture relating to such series;

 

    in the case of any subordinated debt securities, modify the subordination provisions thereof in a manner adverse to the holders of such subordinated debt securities then outstanding;

 

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    in the case of any convertible or exchangeable debt securities, adversely affect the right to convert or exchange such debt securities in accordance with the provisions of the indenture;

 

    modify or change any provision of the indenture or the related definitions affecting the ranking of the applicable series of senior debt securities in a manner which adversely affects the holders of such senior debt securities; or

 

    modify the foregoing requirements or reduce the percentage of outstanding debt securities necessary to waive any covenant or past default.

Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series affected thereby (voting as a single class) may waive certain past defaults and may waive compliance by us with any provision of the indenture relating to such debt securities (subject to the immediately preceding sentence); provided, however, that:

 

    without the consent of each holder of debt securities affected thereby, no waiver may be made of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any debt security or in respect of a covenant or provision of the indenture that expressly states that it cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder affected; and

 

    only the holders of a majority in principal amount of debt securities of a particular series may waive compliance with a provision of the indenture relating to such series or the debt securities of such series having applicability solely to such series.

We and the trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or waive any provision of the indenture and the debt securities without the consent of any holders of debt securities in some circumstances, including:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, mistake, omission, defect or inconsistency as set forth in an officer’s certificate;

 

    to make any change that does not, in our good faith opinion, adversely affect the interests of holders of such debt securities in any material respect, provided that any amendment or supplement conforming the indenture, as applied to a series of debt securities, to the terms described in the prospectus (including any prospectus supplement) pursuant to which they were initially sold shall be deemed not to adversely affect the interests of holders of such debt securities;

 

    to provide for the assumption of our obligations under the indenture by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

 

    to provide any security for or guarantees of such debt securities;

 

    to add events of default with respect to such debt securities;

 

    to add covenants that would benefit the holders of such debt securities or to surrender any rights or powers we have under the indenture;

 

    to make any change necessary to comply with the Trust Indenture Act, or any amendment thereto, or to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

    to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities or to provide for bearer debt securities;

 

    to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of the debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;

 

    to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture, provided, however, that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision;

 

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    to establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture; or

 

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts under the indenture by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of the indenture.

Events of Default and Notice Thereof

The following events are “events of default” with respect to any series of debt securities issued hereunder:

 

    our failure to pay interest on any debt securities of such series within 30 days of when due or principal (and premium, if any) of any debt securities of such series when due (including any sinking fund installment);

 

    our failure to perform, or breach of, any covenant, warranty or agreement contained in the debt securities of such series or the indenture relating to such series (other than those relating solely to another series of debt securities) for 60 days after a notice of default; and

 

    certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

Additional or different events of default, if any, applicable to the series of debt securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The trustee under the indenture shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default (the term “default” to include the events specified above without grace or notice) with respect to any series of debt securities actually known to it, give to the holders of such debt securities notice of such default; provided, however, that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of or interest on any of the debt securities of such series or in the payment of a sinking fund installment, the trustee for such series shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of such debt securities; and provided, further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in the second bullet above with respect to debt securities of such series, no such notice to holders of such debt securities will be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. We shall certify to the trustee annually as to whether any default exists.

If an event of default, other than an event of default resulting from bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, with respect to any series of debt securities shall occur and be continuing, the trustee for such series or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to us (and to the trustee for such series if given by the holders of the debt securities of such series), will be entitled to declare all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on such debt securities then outstanding to be due and payable immediately.

If an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on all debt securities of such series then outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee for such series or the holders of any debt securities of such series.

Such acceleration may be annulled and past defaults (except, unless theretofore cured, a default in payment of principal of or interest on the debt securities of such series) may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding upon the conditions provided in the indenture.

No holder of the debt securities of any series issued thereunder may pursue any remedy under such indenture unless the trustee for such series shall have failed to act after, among other things, notice of an event of

 

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default and request by holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of such series in respect of which the event of default has occurred and the offer to the trustee for such series of indemnity satisfactory to it; provided, however, that such provision does not affect the right to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment on such debt securities.

The indenture will provide that, subject to the duties of the trustee to act with the required standard of care if there is a continuing event of default, the trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities, unless such holders shall have offered to the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to such provisions for security or indemnity of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of a series (or if more than one series is affected thereby, of all series so affected, voting as a single class) shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the indenture, expose the trustee to personal liability or be unduly prejudicial to the other holders not joining in such direction, and (2) the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

Conversion and Exchange Rights

The terms and conditions, if any, upon which the debt securities of any series will be convertible or exchangeable for other securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Such terms will include the conversion or exchange price (or manner of calculation thereof), the conversion or exchange period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be at the option of the holders of such series of debt securities, at our option or automatic (upon a specified date or upon the occurrence of a specified event), the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of such series of debt securities. The debt securities, if convertible or exchangeable, will not be convertible into or exchangeable for securities of a third party.

New York Law to Govern

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

The indenture will provide that we and the trustee will irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the debt securities or the transactions contemplated thereby.

Information Concerning the Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will be the trustee, security registrar and paying agent under the indenture. We may, from time to time, borrow from or maintain deposit accounts and conduct other banking transactions with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

Under the indenture, the trustee is required to transmit a report to all holders if there is any change regarding its eligibility and qualifications as trustee under the indenture and related matters.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE

A ORDINARY SHARES OR PREFERRED SHARES

The following summary sets forth the material terms and provisions of the A ordinary share warrants and preferred share warrants, which would be issued pursuant to a stock warrant agreement between us and a stock warrant agent to be selected at the time of issue.

General

The stock warrants may be issued under the stock warrant agreement independently or together with any other securities offered by a prospectus supplement. If stock warrants are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the designation and terms of the stock warrants, including, without limitation, the following:

 

    the offering price, if any;

 

    the designation and terms of the preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of the stock warrants;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which the stock warrants and the related offered securities will be separately transferable;

 

    the number of A ordinary shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of one stock warrant and the initial price at which shares may be purchased upon exercise of the stock warrant;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise the stock warrants shall commence and the date on which these rights shall expire;

 

    a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

    any call provisions;

 

    the currency in which the offering price, if any, and exercise price are payable;

 

    the anti-dilution provisions of the stock warrants; and

 

    any other terms of the stock warrants.

The A ordinary shares or preferred shares issuable upon exercise of the stock warrants will, when issued in accordance with the stock warrant agreement, be fully paid and non-assessable. This means that the shares will be paid for in full at the time they are issued, and, once they are paid for in full, there will be no further liability for further assessments or taxation.

Exercise of Stock Warrants

You may exercise your stock warrants by surrendering to the stock warrant agent your stock warrant certificate with the form of election to purchase on the reverse of the certificate properly completed and executed by you, or your authorized agent, which signature must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company, by a broker or dealer which is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., which we refer to in this prospectus as FINRA, or by a member of a national securities exchange. You must indicate on the form of election whether you are electing to exercise all or a portion of the stock warrants evidenced by the certificate. You must also submit a payment of the aggregate exercise price of the stock warrants to be exercised in lawful money of the United States along with your stock warrant certificates, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of the stock warrant certificate, form of election and aggregate payment, if applicable, by the stock warrant agent, the stock warrant agent will requisition from the transfer agent for the A ordinary shares or the preferred shares, as the case may be, a certificate representing the number of A ordinary shares or preferred shares purchased for issuance and delivery to you or upon your written order. If you exercise less than all of the stock warrants evidenced by any stock warrant certificate, the stock warrant agent shall deliver to you a new stock warrant certificate representing your unexercised stock warrants.

 

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Anti-dilution and Other Provisions

The exercise price payable, the number and class of A ordinary shares or preferred shares purchasable upon the exercise of each stock warrant and the number of stock warrants outstanding are subject to adjustment if specified events occur. These events include:

 

    the issuance of a stock dividend to holders of A ordinary shares or preferred shares; and

 

    a combination, subdivision or reclassification of A ordinary shares or preferred shares.

In lieu of adjusting the number of A ordinary shares or preferred shares purchasable upon exercise of each stock warrant, we may elect to adjust the number of stock warrants. No adjustment in the number of shares purchasable upon exercise of the stock warrants will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the number of shares purchasable. We may also, at our option, reduce the exercise price at any time. No fractional shares will be issued upon exercise of stock warrants, but we will pay the cash value of any fractional shares otherwise issuable. Notwithstanding the preceding sentences, in case of any consolidation, merger, or sale or conveyance of our property as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, you, as a stock warrant holder, shall have the right to the kind and amount of shares of stock and other securities and property, including cash, receivable by a holder of the number of ordinary shares or preferred shares into which your stock warrants were exercisable immediately prior to this event.

No Rights as Shareholders

You will not be entitled, by virtue of being a stock warrant holder, to vote, to consent, to receive dividends, to receive notice as shareholders with respect to any meeting of shareholders for the election of our directors or any other matter, or to exercise any rights whatsoever as shareholders of Global Indemnity in respect of the stock warrant.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES

The following summary sets forth the material terms and provisions of the debt warrants, which would be issued pursuant to a debt warrant agreement between us and a debt warrant agent to be selected at the time of issue.

General

The debt warrants may be issued under the debt warrant agreement independently or together with any other securities offered by a prospectus supplement. If debt warrants are offered, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the designation and terms of the debt warrants, including, without limitation, the following:

 

    the offering price, if any;

 

    the designation, aggregate principal amount and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of the debt warrants;

 

    if applicable, the date on and after which the debt warrants and the related offered securities will be separately transferable;

 

    the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one debt warrant and the price at which the principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise of the debt warrant;

 

    the date on which the right to exercise the debt warrants shall commence and the date on which this right shall expire;

 

    a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations;

 

    whether the warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form;

 

    the currency, currencies or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and exercise price are payable;

 

    the anti-dilution provisions of the debt warrants; and

 

    any other terms of the debt warrants.

You, as a debt warrant holder, will generally not have any of the rights of holders of debt securities, including the right to receive the payment of principal of, any premium or interest on, or any additional amounts with respect to, the debt securities or to enforce any of the covenants of the debt securities or the indenture.

Exercise of Debt Warrants

You may exercise your debt warrants by surrendering at the office of the debt warrant agent your debt warrant certificate with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side of the certificate properly completed and signed by you, which signature must be guaranteed by a bank or trust company, by a broker or dealer which is a member of FINRA or by a member of a national securities exchange. You must also submit a payment in full of the exercise price, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon the exercise of debt warrants, we will issue the debt securities in authorized denominations in accordance with your instructions. If you exercise less than all of the debt warrants evidenced by your debt warrant certificate, a new debt warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining number of debt warrants.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS

AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

We may issue stock purchase contracts, representing contracts obligating you to purchase from us, and obligating us to sell to you, a specified number of ordinary shares at a future date or dates. The price per ordinary share may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts.

The stock purchase contracts may be issued separately or as a part of stock purchase units consisting of a stock purchase contract and, as security for your obligations to purchase the ordinary shares under the stock purchase contracts, either:

 

    our debt securities; or

 

    debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities.

The stock purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to you or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or pre-funded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require you to secure your obligations in a specified manner, and, in some circumstances, we may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts upon release to you of any collateral securing your obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid stock purchase contracts and discuss the material U.S. federal income tax considerations related to such stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units. However, that description will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to:

 

    the stock purchase contracts;

 

    the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to the stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units; and

 

    if applicable, the prepaid stock purchase contracts and the document pursuant to which the prepaid stock purchase contracts will be issued.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell offered securities in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

    through agents;

 

    to or through underwriters;

 

    through dealers; or

 

    directly to purchasers.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the specific terms of the offering of the offered securities, including:

 

    the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

    the purchase price of the offered securities and the proceeds to us from the sale;

 

    any underwriting discounts and commissions or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation; and

 

    any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers and any securities exchange on which the offered securities may be listed, any of which may be changed from time to time.

The distribution of the offered securities may be effected from time to time:

 

    in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

    at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

    at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

 

    at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to the agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the offered securities so offered and sold.

If offered securities are sold to the public by means of an underwritten offering, either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing underwriters, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, which prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the offered securities. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of the offered securities, the offered securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including:

 

    negotiated transactions;

 

    at fixed public offering prices; or

 

    at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale.

 

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In addition, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to specified conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of offered securities will be obligated to purchase all of the offered securities of a series if any are purchased.

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional offered securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the public offering price, with additional underwriting discounts or commissions as may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of the over-allotment option will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If a dealer is utilized in the sales of offered securities, we will sell the offered securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell the offered securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Any dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter of the offered securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Offers to purchase offered securities may be solicited directly by us, and the sale of the offered securities may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others with respect to any resale of the offered securities. The terms of any of these sales will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold upon the exercise of rights to be granted by us on a pro rata basis to all of our existing security holders of the class of offered securities to which the rights attach. The rights would be issued by us without consideration and may or may not be transferable by the persons receiving the rights. In connection with any rights offering, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such rights offering.

Offered securities may also be offered and sold in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the offered securities remarketed by them.

Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms may be entitled, under agreements entered into with us, to indemnification by us against some civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact in this prospectus, any supplement or amendment hereto, or in the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, or to contribution with respect to payments which the agents, underwriters or dealers may be required to make.

We may authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by specified institutions to purchase offered securities from us, pursuant to contracts providing for payments and delivery on a future date, which will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Institutions with which these contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others. However, in all cases, these institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the offered securities shall not, at the time of delivery, be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the purchaser is subject. The underwriters and other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of these contracts.

 

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Each series of offered securities will be a new issue and, other than the A ordinary shares, which are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange and, in the case of the A ordinary shares, on any additional exchange. However, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we are not obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the offered securities.

Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

LEGAL MATTERS

Certain matters as to Irish law will be passed upon for us by A&L Goodbody. Certain matters as to U.S. federal and New York law in connection with any particular offering will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher  & Flom LLP.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (and which contains an adverse opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The audited historical financial statements of American Reliable Insurance Company as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 included in Global Indemnity plc’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 1, 2015 (and as amended March 16, 2015 and July 2, 2015) have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports dated March 16, 2015 and July 2, 2015, of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

ENFORCEABILITY OF CIVIL LIABILITIES UNDER UNITED STATES

FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS AND OTHER MATTERS

Global Indemnity is an Irish public limited company. In addition, from time to time, some of its directors and officers may reside outside the United States, and all or a substantial portion of their assets and Global Indemnity’s assets are or may be located in jurisdictions outside the United States. Therefore, it may be difficult for investors to effect service of process within the United States upon our non-U.S. based directors and officers or to recover against Global Indemnity, or such directors and officers, or obtain judgments of U.S. courts, including judgments predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against them.

However, Global Indemnity may be served with process in the United States with respect to actions against it arising out of or in connection with violations of U.S. federal securities laws relating to offers and sales of the securities made hereby by serving Global Indemnity Group, Inc., located at Three Bala Plaza East, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, our U.S. agent irrevocably appointed for that purpose.

We have been advised by A&L Goodbody, that a judgment for the payment of money rendered by a court in the United States based on civil liability would not be automatically enforceable in Ireland. There is no treaty

 

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between Ireland and the United States providing for the reciprocal enforcement of foreign judgments. The following requirements must be met before the foreign judgment will be deemed to be enforceable in Ireland:

 

    The judgment must be for a definite sum;

 

    The judgment must be final and conclusive; and

 

    The judgment must be provided by a court of competent jurisdiction.

An Irish court will also exercise its right to refuse judgment if the foreign judgment was obtained by fraud, if the judgment violated Irish public policy, if the judgment is in breach of natural justice or if it is irreconcilable with an earlier foreign judgment.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file in the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

We are allowed to “incorporate by reference” the documents we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file subsequently with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information included and/or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, after the initial filing of the registration statement that contains this prospectus and prior to the time that we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus (other than, unless otherwise indicated, any document or information that is, or is deemed to be, furnished and not filed in accordance with applicable SEC rules):

 

    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014;

 

    Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015; and

 

    Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed January 5, 2015 (other than Item 7.01) and May 28, 2015 and Current Reports on Form 8-K/A filed March 16, 2015 and July 2, 2015.

You may request a copy of these filings, other than exhibits unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Global Indemnity plc

25/28 North Wall Quay

Dublin 1, Ireland

Attention: Stephen W. Ries, Secretary

Telephone: 353 (0) 1 649-2000

 

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$500,000,000

 

LOGO

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC

A Ordinary Shares, B Ordinary Shares, Preferred Shares, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities,

Warrants to Purchase A Ordinary Shares,

Warrants to Purchase Preferred Shares,

Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities, Stock Purchase Contracts and

Stock Purchase Units

PROSPECTUS

2015

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

Other than the SEC registration fee, the following is an estimate, subject to future contingencies, of the expenses to be incurred by the registrant, in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.

 

SEC registration fee

$ 58,100   

Accounting fees and expenses

  100,000   

Legal fees and expenses (other than Blue Sky)

  200,000   

Printing fees

  75,000   

Rating agency fees

  200,000   

Listing fees

  15,000   

Blue Sky fees

  12,000   

Trustee fees and expenses

  15,000   

Transfer agent fees and expenses

  10,000   

Miscellaneous fees and expenses

  900   
  

 

 

 

Total

$ 686,000   
  

 

 

 

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Subject to the provisions of and so far as may be admitted by Irish law, the Company’s articles of association provide that every director and the secretary of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified by the Company against all costs, charges, losses, expenses and liabilities incurred by him or her in the execution and discharge of his duties or in relation thereto including any liability incurred by him or her in defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which relate to anything done or omitted or alleged to have been done or omitted by him or her as an officer or employee of the Company and in which judgment is given in his or her favor (or the proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or admission of any material breach of duty on his part) or in which he or she is acquitted or in connection with any application under any statute for relief from liability in respect of any such act or omission in which relief is granted to him or her by the court.

The Company may also indemnify any person who was, is or is threatened to be made a party to a Proceeding (as hereinafter defined) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an “officer” of the Company as such term is defined under the Exchange Act (excluding any director or secretary) as well as with individuals serving as director, officer or some other function of any other entity, to the fullest extent permitted under Irish law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Such right shall include the right to be paid by the Company expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the maximum extent permitted under Irish law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended; provided that to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the officer or other covered person is not entitled to be indemnified under the articles of association or otherwise.

The Company’s subsidiary, United America Indemnity, Ltd. has entered into indemnification agreements as to certain of the Company’s directors, secretary and officers providing for the indemnification of, and advancement of expenses to, such persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

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“Proceeding,” as used herein, means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, claim or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit, claim or proceeding, and any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit, claim or proceeding.

The Company maintains directors and officers liability insurance, as well as other types of insurance, covering certain liabilities that may be incurred by its directors and officers in the performance of their duties.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

See the Exhibit Index that immediately follows the signature pages to this registration statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

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(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in City of Bala Cynwyd, State of Pennsylvania, on the 2nd day of July, 2015.

 

GLOBAL INDEMNITY PLC
By:   /s/ Cynthia Y. Valko
  Name:   Cynthia Y. Valko
  Title:     Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned officers and directors of the registrant hereby constitutes and appoints Thomas M. McGeehan and Stephen W. Ries, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact, as agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign in any and all capacities and file: (i) any and all exhibits to this Registration Statement and other documents in connection therewith; (ii) any and all amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to this Registration Statement or any new registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462 of the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933; and (iii) any and all applications or other documents pertaining to such registration or the securities covered by such registration, granting unto such attorney-in-fact and agent, and any substitute or substitutes, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite, necessary and/or advisable to be done in and about the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-3 has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Cynthia Y. Valko

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  July 2, 2015
Cynthia Y. Valko     

/s/ Thomas M. McGeehan

Thomas M. McGeehan

  

Executive Vice President, Finance

and Chief Financial Officer (Principal

Financial and Accounting Officer)

  July 2, 2015
    

/s/ Saul A. Fox

  

Chairman and Director

  July 2, 2015
Saul A. Fox     

/s/ James W. Crystal

  

Director

  July 2, 2015
James W. Crystal     

/s/ Seth J. Gersch

  

Director

  July 2, 2015
Seth J. Gersch     

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ John H. Howes

  

Director

  July 2, 2015
John H. Howes     

/s/ Larry N. Port

  

Director

  July 2, 2015
Larry N. Port     

/s/ Stephen A. Cozen

  

Director

  July 2, 2015
Stephen A. Cozen     

/s/ Cynthia Y. Valko

  

Authorized Representative in the

United States

  July 2, 2015
Cynthia Y. Valko     

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

  1.1*

   Form of Underwriting Agreement

  3.1

   Memorandum and Articles of Association of Global Indemnity plc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Global Indemnity’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on August 9, 2013)

  3.2

   Certificate of Incorporation of Global Indemnity plc, an Irish public limited company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Global Indemnity’s Current Report on Form 8-K12B filed with the SEC on July 2, 2010)

  4.1

   Form of Indenture between Global Indemnity plc, as Issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee

  4.2*

   Form of Debt Security

  4.3*

   Form of Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights relating to the Preferred Shares of Global Indemnity plc

  4.4*

   Form of Deposit Agreement, including the form of depositary receipt

  4.5*

   Form of Warrant Agreement

  4.6*

   Form of Share Purchase Contract Agreement

  4.7*

   Form of Share Purchase Units

  5.1

   Opinion of A&L Goodbody

  5.2

   Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

12.1

   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Share Dividends

23.1

   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23.2

   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23.3

   Consent of A&L Goodbody (included in Exhibit 5.1)

23.4

   Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2)

24.1

   Power of Attorney (included on page II-4)

25.1

   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Indenture with respect to the debt securities

99.1

   Form F-N (to be filed concurrently with this registration statement)

 

* To be filed by amendment or on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein in connection with an offering of securities.