The next focusIR Investor Webinar takes places on 14th May with guest speakers from Blue Whale Growth Fund, Taseko Mines, Kavango Resources and CQS Natural Resources fund. Please register here.

Less Ads, More Data, More Tools Register for FREE

Announcement re Isle of Man Court Proceedings

16 Feb 2016 10:10

RNS Number : 2008P
Origo Partners PLC
16 February 2016
 

16 February 2016

 

Origo Partners PLC

("Origo" or the "Company")

 

 

Announcement re Isle of Man Court Proceedings

 

 

On 14 July 2015, the Company made an announcement confirming that Brooks Macdonald Group plc ("Brooks Macdonald") had notified the Company of a claim in relation to the construction of a provision of the Company's articles of association (the "Articles"). This claim is in relation to Article 4.17 of the Articles, which primarily addresses a conversion mechanism in relation to the Company's convertible zero dividend preference shares ("CZDPs").

 

On 19 January 2016, the Company posted a circular to its shareholders (the "Circular") providing details of a proposed restructuring of the Company's share capital which would, if implemented, have served to settle the ongoing legal dispute with Brooks Macdonald (the "Proposals") - including in relation to Article 4.17. With the Proposals not receiving the necessary approval of a 75% majority at the General Meeting and the Ordinary Share Class Meeting (as defined in the Circular), the Proposals could not be implemented.

 

The Company has now been notified that Brooks Macdonald has applied in the Isle of Man Court for a declaration that the provisions of Article 4.17 bear the meaning propounded by Brooks Macdonald (the "Declaratory Proceedings"). 

 

Brooks Macdonald asserts that the Articles true construction provides that, in the event of a Potential Disposal (as defined in Article 4.17), the number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company ("Ordinary Shares") into which each CZDP is automatically converted is to be determined by reference to the number of Ordinary Shares the value of which (being the current market price in accordance with Article 4.12) equals the conversion price per CZDP calculated by dividing the Accreted Principal Amount (as defined in Article 2.1.1) by the Change of Control Conversion Price (as defined in Article 4.17).

 

Such a construction of Article 4.17 would, in the event of a Potential Disposal, result in the conversion of CZDPs into Ordinary Shares on the basis of an effective issue price per Ordinary Share referenced to the prevailing market price per Ordinary Share at the time of the Potential Disposal and not by reference to the defined Conversion Price of US$0.95 (approximately £0.65) described at Article 2.1.1. This would result in significant dilution for Origo's ordinary shareholders in the event of a Potential Disposal.

 

Brooks Macdonald has additionally applied to the Isle of Man Court for an order that Origo pay its costs of, and relating to, the Declaratory Proceedings.

 

The Company is considering its options in relation to this application to the Isle of Man Court and a further announcement with regards to this matter will be made, as appropriate, in due course.

As previously announced, the Company has given serious consideration to the concerns raised by Brooks Macdonald and remains committed to attempting to working with Brooks Macdonald to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution to the concerns it has raised.

 

For further information about Origo please visit www.origoplc.com or contact:

 

Origo Partners plc

Niklas Ponnert

 

niklas@origoplc.com

 

Nominated Adviser

Smith & Williamson Corporate Finance Limited

Azhic Basirov

Ben Jeynes

 

 

+44 (0)20 7131 4000

Public Relations

Aura Financial

Andy Mills

 

+44 (0)20 7321 0000

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
MSCSFWFSMFMSESE

Related Shares

Back to RNS

Due to London Stock Exchange licensing terms, we stipulate that you must be a private investor. We apologise for the inconvenience.

To access our Live RNS you must confirm you are a private investor by using the button below.

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.

Quickpicks are a member only feature

Login to your account

Don't have an account? Click here to register.